Anna is now receiving physical therapy, feeding/speech therapy, and soon occupational therapy each for an hour once a week. She also goes to a My Gym class where she interacts with other kids, has circle time, and lots of free time to climb and play each week. All of this is to help her adjust to her new life which is full of stimulation; sensory experiences which she never imagined within those four white walls of her orphanage.
Our days are marked by small hurdles which seem like major milestones. Anna no longer just walks, she walks well, and now she runs. She loves to dance, and responds to all music, even her brother's loud and slightly inappropriate :-) music in the car. Anna is now climbing the staircase from top to bottom, and is now learning to step down them like a big girl, but her legs will need to grow longer if she is ever going to master the big stairs while standing! She will roll a ball back and forth, and thankfully has learned that no one likes to be scratched or have their hair pulled. We go on the swing every night outside, and have learned to tolerate the feel of sand under our feet. Grass is not her favorite, but walking through it to get to the house is ok. But most importantly, Anna Mei is engaging with us and others much more often. She has learned to look at us and laugh or smile. And yes, she is eating. Still all yogurt based, but we can mix all baby foods into it. She eats three full meals a day, most mixed with anything from bananas, to beans, sweet potatoes, and chicken. While it grosses her Daddy out, she does not mind any taste. It is the texture which will get her quite angry. Still nothing more solid than stage three chunky baby food will go in there, but time will bring a change for sure.
The boys continue to find joy in her accomplishments as well. They often stop me to say, "Mom, look at Anna!" Everyone is thriving at the moment. Wil passed the deep water swim test at the swim club last weekend. Four long laps and treading water for two minutes. The sweet little guy had the entire line of kids cheering for him, and he was so proud when he passed. Christopher is the lead pitcher for his travel team. It amazes me that his coach can tell him to throw a fastball low and inside or change-up high and away and he can do it! Alex completed an excellent report, poster, and oral presentation on Benjamin Franklin which made us all so proud of his work ethic and desire to achieve. Chris continues to be recognized for his performance at work, and me? I'm still dragonboating and our first race of the season is tomorrow. These days I have a big smile on my face. Bringing Anna Mei home was such a driving force for me in the past few years. I'm enjoying every moment of having her home; we all are.
Peace to you and yours.
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