Developmentally On Target!

With all that Ayla has been though, the one unknown and biggest concern has been her physical development. I have watched her intently for every milestone that she is "suppose" to reach as she grows and develops. Looking at Ages and Stages, Ayla is right on target. She has reached every step that she has needed to!

At 3 1/2 months Ayla can:
Communication: Chuckle softly, coo, stop crying when she hears a known voice, makes high pitched squeals, laughs great laughs!, and makes sounds looking at people and toys.

Gross motor: can move her head side to side, lays her head down when on tummy, can lift chin off the floor 3 inches, holds head steady, and plays with fingers. She is not quite holding her head straight up and looking around....Ayla is emerging in this skill.

Fine Motor: Ayla follows toys with eyes or head; looks at toys when sitting, holds, looks at, and mouths toys when put in her hand.

Problem solving: Ayla does wave her hands towards a toy above her and if she catches it puts it in her mouth.

Personal-social: Ayla watches hands, knows when she is about to be fed, tries to hold the bottle, smiles when she sees me nearby, and coos at self in the mirror.

I am so proud of my beautiful girl!
(Ayla worked her way off the blanket to get her feet into the grass).

Seattle Day

I took Ethan on another DU. This one was spectacular (thank you Krista!)

We started heading North. Right away Ethan guessed we were going to Seattle. Man that kid is smart. So I had to explain that there are lots of things to do in Seattle and he wouldn't be able to guess (especially since he had never been where we were going).

I pulled into a parking lot right across from the Space Needle...that made his eyes light up! I so wish we could have gone up the Needle, but that will be saved for another day with Daddy.

As we entered the building, I explained what the Science Center is all about. He was mildly intrigued. But by the end of the day, Ethan had a BLAST! Topped off with a quick visit with the cousins up north to avoid horrendous traffic south.

Fourth of July

I had to post Ayla's fourth of July outfit since Ruth Ann posted Briar's. (The girls look so cute. We need to get them together!)

Swimming

Ever since Ethan's friend was put into level 3, one level higher than him, he has focused on passing level 2. This means he has to really start doing things on his own, no more relying on the teacher for support.
(sorry I deleted this because there were other children that appeared briefly)

Last night we went met up with a friend n Seattle and got to swim in her hotel pool. Ethan showed that all his hard work is paying off.

Fourth of July

(Ayla chatting before we headed out)

We had a wonderful fourth of July with Ryan's family. Ethan lit his first fire works (bottle rockets.) And it begins!


Then we took Ethan down to the beach to watch the fireworks. What a great location! No one was there and we saw lots of great fireworks, mainly private display, but it was excellent. Definitely will go back to that spot next year!

Ayla's Progress

Over the past few weeks I have thought about putting together evidence of how well Ayla is doing. So here it is:

This picture was taken May 28, 2010 at Target, the day before her last MRI and four days before we started the medication. The hemangiomas had gotten even worse than what this picture shows.


After just one dose of the propranolol:


Today:


The large hemagioma on her right cheek is completely flat, the swelling gone. Her eyelid is able to open almost equal to the left eye.


Every day continues to bring improvement to Ayla. I am amazed at how fast we saw a change and how well the treatment is working. This is a new method of treating Hemangiomas. Propranolol has only been used in this manner since 2008. If my son had developed the same hemangiomas, Ethan would have had to suffer through it (loosing his eyesight in that eye) or gone on steroids in the attempt and hope to save his eyesight, and suffered though all the side effects those bring. Ayla is suffering from no side effects. Her adorable bubbly personality is shining through.

As for the other concerns that we have asked you all to pray for, Ayla is on target with her development. There are even areas that she has shown to be advanced. I feel so blessed that so many friends, family members, and believers have prayed. Ayla is a miracle. We still have many doctor appointments ahead of us: follow up with the ophthalmologist and dermatologist on Tuesday. Then we see the developmental neurologist in August. So continu8e to pray with us that all will be well with our Ayla.

Growing

Noticed today that my boy has gotten so big! He fits the great clothes that Aunt Ruth Ann bought him. Thanks Aunt Ruth Ann! Ethan will be styling all summer.