Transitioning...

So, this is the time when we are working on the transition of Sam from Early Intervention Services (ages 0-3) to Preschool! I know it is so weird to think about school already. Even though she is only 2, they feel that the accomodations that she will need are great enough that they want to be sure to get everything ready so that once she turns 3 she doesn't have to wait weeks for her services to kick in. Also, they want to give the school enough notice that they are getting someone with so many physical needs. It is really an emotional time for me, for us, really (well, not for sam!) as we talk about things like wheelchairs for going to school, etc. So, even though it isn't news or shocking, the reality of looking at catalogs not for that first-day-of-school dress, or the new little backpack that is so cute, but for wheelchairs, well, it is a little tough. And thinking of getting I know, and it probably won't be as bad as we think.

On more happy notes, she started a pre-pre-school playgroup that meets on Tuesday mornings from 9:30-11:30. She went once and she LOVED it. It really made the idea of school a little easier to take, honestly. She played with the other kids, and got to be pretty involved in most activities, and boy did she surprise us with her abilities! She didn't stick anything (non-food)in her mouth, she stood and played for a long time, and she sat in a regular little kid chair for snack and craft time, with minimal support from us. They wanted to put her in a special chair, but we decided to try the regular one, and she did really great. IT was amazing. She "talked" non-stop for the whole 2 hours. She rode on a rocking spaceship, that I never thought she could do. She held on with BOTH hands (this is a feat--to get her to hold on with her right hand) and held herself up while dad rocked her. She loved it so much. It made us cry repeatedly to see how happy she was and how well she could do. Mom helped her slide down a slide, and that was pretty cool, too. It was a tiring 2 hours for 2 parents and a kid, and Sam slept for 3 hours afterward!

Then, at gait training on THurs, she did great. She took independent steps while keeping her head up and in midline. That was impressive. And then she said "I did it" and it made me want to cry. SHe was so proud. She has a "gait trainer" at home that she will start trying to use...that is the term for a walker with a little sling for her to "sit" on when she gets tired. So that will be interesting to see how that goes. I hope she likes it and it gives her a little more independence.

I am so proud of her, I can't even tell you. She is making such good progress with getting onto hands and knees, and she is also doing great with sitting and standing. She is so happy all the time, and she is such a loving little kid. She gives hugs and kisses, and wants to do it all.

So, while it is a little difficult to move to the next stage of her going out into the world, I am sure she will handle it in her usual style, and will teach her silly mom that she is sad and worried for no reason at all.