mobility according to leah
Most of you know that we have had a bit of a struggle getting Leah to walk. By 15 months, she wasn't scooting, going from lying down to sitting, or crawling. We put her in therapy and she learned to sit up, but that's about it. Through the summer she mastered her one-leg army scoot and spun in a circle like a champ...but friends even 6 months younger were running circles around her. In September, we had a mini-family fast and the next week she learned to crawl. Just like that. One day she wasn't, the next day she was a pro. Two weeks ago, we had another mini-family fast for her to continue that progression. That week, she learned to go up and down stairs really well, pull up to standing (what a surprise in her crib that morning!!), and walk with her walker that she has hated for nearly a year.
We found that most toys that are used to encourage babies to pull up to standing and walk were too small for her. At 21 months, she's much taller than your average 10 month old! So, we found other toys that worked. She loved the bar on the back of her high chair and LOVED pushing her new umbrella stroller. Her feet still turned in funny and sometimes she walked on the side of her food (ouch!). Another problem is that her knees hyperextend, so instead of using her muscles to balance like most of us do, her knees go beyond where they should and lock into position without using her muscles.
But...with the help of cousin Jack's walking toy that she has a new-found love for (thanks Jeff and Sarah) and "squeaker sneakers" as recommended by my fantastic OT cousin (thanks Bratny), she is getting better and better every day.
We are going to have another fast this coming Sunday for her to continue with this great progression if anyone wants to participate. It's been a frustrating process because no one can find anything "wrong" with her, but everyone agrees she is far behind even the late outliers of walkers. But she's making progress and that's what counts. :)
Here is a video of her walking progression during the last three weeks or so. Yay, Leah!
23 comments:
that is so awesome!! Way to go Leah!! I love watching her little face, she is so proud of herself, you know she can tell she is doing a good job. Keep up the good work Leah!!! We will be fasting for Leah this Sunday too!
What amazing progress! Her little legs look sooooo much more stable in the last scene. I know it's been a long process, but she has progressed so much in the past couple of weeks. Way to go, Leah! And way to hang in there, Maren & Ryan. I'll be fasting on Sunday.
first of all.. why did you never tell me about the fast a few weeks ago.. HELLOIE?! anyway, we will fast this sunday for her. but that last clip she is doing great! and her feet didn't turn out as much.. is she bow legged? and ps she looks adorable in that coat and nubbies! anyway, you are doing great with her and she is getting much better!!!! hope the neurologist goes well!
Leah is doing great! I loved her giggling as she walked to her dad. Best of luck as she continues to progress!
That video made me all teary-eyed. You are doing a great job. Go Leah! She is looking like a champ! Amazing to see the difference.
you guys are doing such a great job with her. It's important to know that your worth as a mother is no less because your daughter can't keep up with her friends. There is a reason for this... perhaps it is to be determined. I hated the looks I got when Hudson couldn't walk at 18 months - I could have sworn strangers were looking at me like it was my fault. He picked it up quickly when he was ready and was running around a couple of weeks later. Leah will be walking before you know it - hang in there and keep up your amazing patience and faith. Hugs!
that is so awesome! you can tell in the last two clips that she's not locking her legs out as much. what a darling little girl.
Wow, that video is incredible. She's getting so good at walking and she looks like she loves it! I love the fact that she looks absolutely adorable doing it too. You always have her dressed so cute with her hair so cute as well! I love that little girl!
WAY TO GO LEAH! We will be thinking of her for sure and we hope she can progress. She is such a cutie.
She is doing so great! Hooray for little Leah! Way to keep up with the awesome progress-it sounds like a lot of work but it is obviously paying off. Leah is such a doll and is so lucky to have wonderful parents that love her so much. We will definitely keep you in our thoughts this Sunday.
We'll be thinking of you guys and keep you in our prayers. We'll be at the temple in a couple of weeks and I'll put her name on the prayer roll there, too. Goodness knows you guys offered a whole lot of prayers on my behalf once upon a time. Miracles happen!
That is so great! Good luck!! She is so cute and proud of herself!
Go Leah! She is getting so good and looking way more comfortable walking..wohoo Leah (and Maren and Ryan!)
Awesome! She looks so great! I love all of your family pictures! And way to go on the NYC marathon! You are so amazing Maren! Seriously!
Well like you said she's making progress and it looks great!!! I am sure she will be walking sooner than you think. She is such a beautiful little girl!
I'm glad she's making progress! Hang in there. We'll be praying with y'all.
She's progressing so well! Yay Leah!
man I miss that girl! I think that we need to make a trip up north.
Yahoo for Leah! You guys are amazing. She is doing so well- she has come sooo far in the last couple of months. I am so excited for her (and for you!)
I love the soothing, encouraging and uplifting tones you have with her. She is doing great!! She is blessed to have you and Ryan as her parents. With you two behind her..she can do ANYTHING. And she will too. :)
I love to see the progression she's made. Those videos are so cute! I'm so impressed with how patient and encouraging you guys are, I'm sure she'll figure it all out and then you'll feel like you can relax. Sorry I didn't read your blog in time to fast along with everyone, but I will definitely keep her in our prayers. p.s. thanks for the card, I got it today. :)
She looks like she is really progressing, even from the first video to the last. Those squeaker sneakers are great. They helped one of Zach's buddies learn to walk correctly too. Can I just say that she is SO cute...especially with those pigtails. She is also one lucky girl to have you and Ryan for parents. :) You guys are the bomb-digity.
Yay for Leah! We're so excited for you!!
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