Physio is fun - Tália on her bike

As you know, I am a firm believer of making physio fun. Our therapist, Ana is incredible and always teaches me how to adapt everyday playthings into something that will both be fun for Tália and also give her the physio she needs. We had a tricycle from Imaginarium and she used to sit in it. For the most part, she was reactive. She would sit back, have a rest and let us take her for a ride. At first this was great, just having her hold herself up in the seat was a miracle. However, when Ana saw her, she showed us that by adding velcro to the pedals, or tying her feet on with a bit of ribbon, Tália would not only learn how to pedal but also get the full benefit of exercising whilst out for a walk. Also, she would become reactive andshe would be the one pedalling, holding on to the bars etc. As you can see in the clip below, I was just so excited to see her moving the pedals - also she touches the handle bars. Getting Tália to hold on to handle bars or handles is tough given her tactile defensiveness - she is over-sensitive to the feel of certain materials and things. However in this clip, she just looks like a typical toddler enjoying her cycle with her Dad!

My Baby can Wave

Wow, we seem to be really meeting the milestones. Tália started to wave. Up to now the only signs she can do are:
- Blow a kiss
- Wash hands
- Round and round the garden
- clap
Now, she is waving - and at the right time - it is not flapping around for no reason but a clear,´bye, bye' and she always uses it in context.

This is a great moment for us and means that there is lots of hope. This could be the start of her signing. A preious moment.

Tália is nearly 3 - since the age of one, we have tried to get her to wave. It just goes to show that we shouldn't give up - two years later and she has reached the goal. At times you think you will never get there - I din't know if Tália would ever feed herself, and she does, I didn't think she could use a potty, and she does...so many key things. These small milestones give us so much hope.

Tests and more tests

Well, finally we have sent off our samples to Zaragoza. Now we just need to sit back and wait to see if we get any concrete diagnosis. We sent blood, urine, mucous and eyebrow hair samples from Tália and myself. Between you an dme - the mucous sample was awful, they had to take a throat swab and it kept on making me gag. Just to think that Tali always goes through these tests.

The Costa del Sol were fantastic - they prepared it all for us. Obviously getting blood from Tália was difficult - we always have a hard time doing this, but the nurses were kind. I had to pin her down while they took the blood. The urine was somewhat easier than usual - now that Tália sits on a potty, collecting a sample is so much better than sticking those plastic bags on her.

Well, its over -I always dread bloodtests for her and now I cansit back and let it go!