The world of toddlerhood is much different from babyhood. Why don't they write manuals for this kind of stuff? =) Lily Kate is everywhere! She is is cruising on furniture, tables, beds, garbage cans (which she says "no" when she does because she knows mom says not to), and pretty much anything she sees. Last Friday she got fitted for Sure Step braces for her feet and ankles. They are small braces that will be inserted in her shoes and are supposed to give her more support to realign her feet so that she can stand correctly without rolling in her ankles. She's getting close to walking but we still have a way to go with her balance. We recently saw her ophthalmologist for a check-up on her intermittent extropia (the tendency to go outward) in her eyes. We were instructed to continue patching in hopes that the eyes will outgrow this problem. She also explained to us that Lily Kate's vision is probably a little distorted which makes it more difficult to balance and be precise with her fine motor skills. I have no doubt that she will overcome this though! I think her brain just has a bit further to go with refining her vision. As far as her communication goes....well let's just say that she is a pretty strong willed child. When she doesn't want something she lets you know with a dynamic "NO"! She is saying her animal sounds when asked, imitating a lot, and naming objects or people she recognizes. I'm super excited about her progress communicatively! She recently had a swallow study that showed improvement but also still some penetration of thin liquids. So her diet is somewhat limited still to pureed solids, soft bites and thickened liquids. Again, this is something that she will overcome with therapy. We have an appointment with a new doctor in Austin next week who is an epileptologist (a neurologist that has a few more years of school specializing in epilepsy). Hopefully this doctor will be able to give us some information in regards to epilepsy that will help her. Praise Jesus that Lily Kate hasn't had any more seizures since the one on Nov 9, 2012! I truly believe the Scriptures that are being declared over her have been protecting her. Thank you precious Lord. I'm so thankful with the progress Lily Kate has made though. She is a fighter and a cute one at that!
