We try to get Brooklyn in her stander everyday - ideally a couple times a day. Her physical therapy plan is completely focused on improving her muscle strength as well as her balance. Currently, like many girls with Rett Syndrome, Brooklyn can't stand or walk on her own. Our goal is to help her gain the strength it takes that she might be able to do both of those things one day! She works SO hard everyday!Reading outside with Grammy has quickly become one of Brooklyn's favorite summertime activities! Our local library has a great summer reading program and Brooklyn loves going in for new books each week! Also, for every 60 minutes you spend reading with your child they get a special "treat" (ie a free frosty from Wendy's, a taco from taco bell, a Pizza Hut personal pan pizza, all sorts of goodies!) Of course as you can tell, Brooklyn does not need motivation to sit and read with Grammy!
Girl Power 2 Cure was featured in the Charity Spotlight yesterday as part of the CommuniCause blog. I hope you take a minute to read the entire article (click HERE) They did a wonderful interview with Ingrid.
It is always great when Rett Syndrome gets some online attention! Also exciting, is that Girl Power 2 Cure stands at #4 in the contest! As long as we remain in the top 10 we will be eligible for the drawing of the $25,000 Social Media Makeover package!! So.....if you have not voted.....PLEASE vote today by clicking HERE!
We are LOVING this weather! We have had a very mild July - perfect for Brooklyn's nightly bike rides!
We had another session of Brooklyn's extended school year therapy program today. Mimi and her daughter Rachael came over with Nancy today - Rachael shared some of her adapted toys! (Thanks Rachael - she loved your school bus!!)
Also, I was SO excited...Brooklyn did some two-switch scanning today! I was so proud, it made me cry!
She used the switch to the left of her head (the one with the ball on the end) to scan and then the pillow switch behind her head to make her choice! It was amazing! When we visited Susan Norwell in Chicago she mentioned that two switch scanning should be a goal of ours -to be honest, I just was not sure Brooklyn would be able to do it, would she "get" the concept? Well.....leave it to my little girl to prove me wrong! Of course she gets it!!!
I know I have said it before, but Brooklyn continues to amaze me! Just one more way she has shown us all that she is "in there" and that she is so smart and is just trapped inside that sweet little body of hers - it is up to us to help her get her voice out - I am so thankful that God has brought wonderful people like Nancy and MiMi into our lives that believe in Brooklyn! WOW - what a day!!
After their trip to the library, Aunt Kristin brought Jackson and Jordan over to have lunch outside with Grammy and Brooklyn today!
Everyone is enjoying their library books after lunch!
Especially Brooklyn! I swear she would let you read all day!
So....what is she cracking up at now????
The boys...I mean Yoda and Luke Skywalker and their "swords" aka bubble wands!
Brooklyn thought it was pretty cool that Thane took her for a spin around the yard on his 4-wheeler! We had a great time at the Knox's last night for a cookout, we did not make it for the fireworks - we had one sleepy Brookie Bean!
This pink Quickie Zippie Power Wheelchair is for sale on Ebay. It is a great deal for $300 if anyone is in need of one! CLICK HERE to view all the details! Sale ends on SUNDAY!
I am sorry these pictures are dark, they were taken on Grammy's cell phone. Today Brooklyn went with Jackson, Aunt Kristin, & Grammy to see her FIRST movie in the theater...Ice Age III It was in 3D, here is a picture of the kiddos in their glasses!
Brooklyn LOVED it!
I am so glad she had a good time, I was not sure she would sit through it - we have tried full length movies at home but she does not seem all that interested. I guess when a movie is up on the big screen it is a whole new world! Just imagine her excitement if the Wiggles would be on the big screen!NINE years ago today, I married my sweetheart! Charlie, we have had so many memories with both laughter and tears over the past nine years and I am so glad I have shared them with YOU!! 
I wonder what we were talking about?? We were young, in love, and ready to take on the world!
We have been through so much sweetie (sometimes more than I feel we can handle!) I thank you for being my rock, my source of strength, my best friend. Thank you for loving me. Happy Anniversary Charlie! I love you!What is putting this HUGE smile on Brooklyn's face???
Her kite of course!!
Today was a BEAUTIFUL day here in Indiana - warm and breezy - perfect for flying a kite! She helped daddy fly it too, of course I missed my chance at getting that picture! We had a blast!!
This post is for my mom.....who makes ME a better mom to Brooklyn. I have posted a lot of ideas lately on things we are doing with Brooklyn to help her communicate and play more independently - the truth is - Charlie and I are only able to do all of these wonderful things because I have a "Super Mom" myself! (Or I should say "Super Grammy"!)
Thank you mom for coming over during the week and helping us make sure that Brooklyn gets her PT along with all the playtime and communication work. Charlie and I appreciate all you do - and of course Brooklyn LOVES her Grammy!!!
Another idea to share...
All kids like to play right?? And they want to choose what to play with, right? Well....I assume Brooklyn does too! So, we decided to take pictures of her toys and put velcro on the back of them.
You can then use any sort of velcro strip to place the pictures/choices on - or even just hold up her choices. We have found that this is easier than dragging out toys all over the house for her to pick from!
Tuesday mornings Brooklyn spends time with members of her AT/Communication team for her Extended School year. Today Miss Nancy brought Miss Carol with her. They spent a lot of time working on the computer and trying out switches in various positions so Brooklyn could access them purposefully. In this game she was putting fish into the aquarium.
This is a "beauty shop" game where Brooklyn got to choose their hair style, eye color, lip gloss color.......everything. She was very into the pink lipstick!! She was making her choices by scanning. The computer scans through the choices and then Brooklyn would hit the switch to stop the scanning and make her choice.
What do you think......she likes playing on she computer!!??!!
I am trying to get some organization in my life :)
Mainly, in Brooklyn's room. I want it to be more accessible for her, for us, and for my mom during play time and therapy/work time! The cubes will help everything be within arms reach and easier for Brooklyn to use her eye gaze to choose what she wants to play with.
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