More birthday fun and a tribute

Okay, so today was her birthday party with cousins, etc. Check out that Elmo cake!!! Now, really look at it...and then, guess what? My niece, Rose, MADE that cake! All by herself. She has been interested in cake decorating and this is her first "job"...she took it very seriously and did such an awesome job!!! Too bad we ate it...
The second shot is of Sharon dancing with her favorite star: Hannah Montana (AKA, Anna). Sharon sure had fun with all of this birthday fun! It was such a joy to see her really enjoy herself. Every other holiday or special occasion has scared or oeverwhelmed her, so it was really really nice to just see her have fun!!!!
Today we went to an Easter egg hunt at her pre-school and she had a ball there, even with a loud band playing and so many people around (again, usually VERY overwhelming for her, but she danced and sang with the band and loved it!).

I stuck in the last shot, even though it's a repeat and was taken several months ago...but this is Sharon with Laura, the therapist who got assigned to us last summer to help her with school stuff. She went to preschool with Sharon and helped her on the playground, with snack, made sure she didn't get knocked around by the other kids, taught her how to be more social...and was invaluable during the cast time when the teachers said that Sharon could come to school only if Laura accompanied her (which she did faithfully). Anyway, Laura is one of the therapists that Sharon had to say goodbye to this week and Laura wrote a wonderful note to Sharon for her to read when she is older. I just had to share it because it shows some of Sharon's personality and strength (that someone other than me noticed and wrote about!:)

Dear Sharon-
Today is your third birthday and it is time for me to say good bye to you after 9 incredible months of being able to say I was sharing in your journey. I have told your mom and dad from the moment I met you that you were my reward that I must have done something right to get the chance to work with you. What I know now is you had some work to do with me. I will never forget the gift of your spirit and your zest for life. You have fought to not miss a thing even when your body was weary or hurting you never gave up..it was if you knew there was a big life out there and you were not going to miss a thing. This was most evident to me when we were outside on the play ground you just came alive and would run around that play ground holding my hands chasing that ball like their was no tomorrow-you are small but girl you are mighty- a force to be reckoned with. The second thing you taught me is to laugh more..I loved your smile and giggle and excitement about things you loved and when you would scrunch up your nose and bare all your teeth and giggle it just made everyone's life more fun. One of my favorite ways you showed you were excited was to kick your feet so fast wether it was about the fact that there was Oreos for snack, that you had a good ride down the slide or that we were just having tons of fun that day. I won't forget that life is worth kicking your feet about. I guess two of the final things you taught me although the list is much longer is to pay really good attention and to just be your self. You have really had to work to use your voice to make your needs known and your friend Jill has given you some clues and you don’t miss a beat. Time and time again as we practiced your "G "sounds you would point to your throat just like Jill told you and it helped you to remember. This made me aware of the times when I am not really listening with my whole self like you do and I miss something important or just a little nuance of what someone is sharing with me. Finally you are so completely and totally you and your classmates ( Tom ,Theresa, Yassir, Bowie and Eric) were drawn to you for that reason they just loved being around you as did you teachers. It is obvious to me that you are a wonderful blend of your mommy , with your love for music and art-it seemed like when ever we did a craft you just came alive when you saw the glue and glitter (p.s.-thank your mommy for forgiving me when I got red glitter in your hair when you had your cast on) and paint, and your Dad( although we never got to meet) with your love for the outside and running and playing. But most of all you are just completely your self filled with all the magic and mischief and a dash of stubbornness that one little human could handle. Sharon don’t let any ever tell you you cant do something it may take a little longer or a different way but there is nothing that you wont figure out a way to do. I will miss you little one but I will always consider the gift of your trust in me a rare gem to keep in my pocket. You see I came to work with you but in the end it was you who was the teacher. I wish for you an excellent life..You make the world a better place...All My Love- Laura

the BIRTHDAY GIRL!!!!

How did she get to be THREE already??
She had the most fun a girl can have on her third birthday!! She got to see all of her therapists today (who happen to be most of her favorite people and who gave her presents, balloons, and lots of fun!). She had to say goodbye to some of them since she will move on now to new folks.
She also had a very fun picnic at a park today with Namom and PopPop (fed the ducks, played on the swings and playground, kicked her new ball around). RJ and I gave her her first bike which she is quite proud of. We'll work on adapting it to be safe for her this weekend. She rode on Flare since it was in the 70s today and gorgeous. She's getting very good at telling Flare to "Go!" We had dinner at my parents' house and she had a BALL rough-housing with PopPop and Anna. So fun to see!!!
She'll have her "real" birthday party this weekend with her cousins etc so there will be more pictures then!
We're so proud of her! She has worked so hard in three years and continues to be happy and loads of fun...

Up again!

So, i guess we like roller coasters! Cause now we're up again...
Sharon's PT came last week and was very concerned with her leg, so back we went to her hip surgeon...Sharon, Namom, and I are getting quite good at the long track to that hospital!! He did a lot of x-rays to make sure everything was okay, and gave us the "all clear". Sharon did her part by walking fine for him. NICE!
So, since then she's back in business. Still slow going, but at least we're moving again!!

Hello again!
Still no photos...sorry! She's cute as ever :)
She's had a setback this week and is no longer walking. We're not sure why, but feel that it is most likely a pulled muscle (we hope so at least!). She started complaining of pain in her left knee (her left leg is her strong leg...she relies heavily on it!!) and won't walk anymore. We'll get to the bottom of it and hope that it is simple...say some prayers for her! It's frustrating for all of us to have this setback after she was making such amazing progress...i guess the silver lining is that when we do hold her up to walk, her right leg does most of the work which is a great workout for it and hopefully she'll realize that it's more capable than she gives it credit for!
Next week she turns 3 so i've been in meetings to figure out what her therapies etc. will be like (as of her 3rd b-day she is out of the early intervention program and into the school system). Of course, the "powers that be" want her enrolled in a public pre school but i won't allow that to happen. So, they will have to work around Sharon's schedule (which is as it should be!). I feel badly for parents who go into this with no experience...the school system tries to snowball folks when they get the chance and did not appreciate being told what to do by me. Go figure, the mother isn't supposed to call the shots?? The good news is that they are going to try to work it out that Sharon can keep her current speech therapist. She'll get a new PT, educational, and OT but at least one familiar face with speech! We are praying that the "new" OT might actually be COnnie (She was the first OT Sharon ever had, she's in the archives back in August 2006). We've asked for her and will hope for the best!!!
So, that's where we are!
Peace