Pictures of Therapy Time

Brother is always there to cheer and entertain his sissy during PT.

This is Julia, Parker's favorite doll. She has been there to motivate Miss Parker when she has needed it.

Standing up, then sitting back down.

Game face for 8:00am therapy, because wow, it comes early.

Sitting at her table and drinking the bottle.

YES! Clay made this therapy stool for Parker and it's amazing!

Working on balance, and we love it when brother gets to help.

PT at home.

The If/Then statement
 IF you would have told me a month and a half ago Parker would be able to pull her legs up underneath herself into the full crawling stance you may have gotten an odd laugh/cry combo out of me. I imagine my reaction would have made you feel uncomfortable and and pretty unsure what to do. haha. I think my reaction would take at least 30 seconds. A laugh would come out of me because I'm pretty sure One, I wouldn't have hardly believed you or known how to react to that kind of news. And Two, crawling is such a hard skill taking so much trunk control and strength which is one of Parker's greatest weaknesses. I have had times where I've wondered if light at the end of the crawling tunnel truly existed, or if since we have worked so hard already at crawling we now get the option to just skip crawling and go straight to walking because most days that almost seems like an easier skill for us to gain. I have known Parker will eventually crawl, but I never would have thought it would be here this soon.
 Having said that, the crying portion of my reaction... Everything Parker is learning to do is a miracle and blessing. I feel so blessed and grateful when the Lord lets me witness it. Sometimes its such a spiritual experience I sometimes feel like I can't believe I am here. I can't help but think of the feeling a parent has for a child when they want something so painfully bad for them, whether its an experience, skill, characteristic, or materialistic thing? Well that parental yearning is overwhelmingly complete when those little moments happen in my living room right before my eyes. The miracles I pray for every day I see happening when Parker pulls her legs completely underneath herself into the full crawling stance. The moment freezes me and I think, "this is REALLY happening right now." Its then a silent prayer of the heart in those times.  
It's crazy to think we are praying to be able to crawl! Four months ago we were praying to just track and then grab a toy. I can't believe this our experience. I sometimes feel selfish because I know there are those who are less fortunate and unable to have the experiences or opportunities to learn, and acquire skills in this life like Parker, or myself for that matter. It reminds me that beyond myself, there are those in heaven and on earth who are rooting in my family's behalf. It reminds me that there is a God, and He is aware of me, and the needs of me, and my children. It reminds me that I am enough to be the wife, and mother Heavenly Father wants me to be. Reminds us on a hard day to keep going. And so hey, sometime a little reminder never hurt anybody! #youareenough

-The Vrouw

I tell you what it has been nice to be home and to have our suit cases unpacked AND put away, but even better than that is being able to apply what we learned at camp! It has been SO fun to be home to find our new routine and witness the little missy's improvement. The real application in our every day is there. I knew I wanted to go her camp to learn things and start things out on the right foot so to speak, but I didn't realize how much of a dive into a new lifestyle it truly was, and truly how happy  and blessed we are with the shift.
For the few weeks we have been home we have had doctor appointments Parker passed with flying colors. The appointments were  3 month follow ups with audiology and neurology. Parker weighed in at 18.2. I was extremely grateful for the gain in weight. Three months ago she weight 16.5, and had zero weight gain. So so so happy to see the scale move a couple notches. Additionally she  completed a blood draw for genetic testing. From the testing we are hoping to find out if ACC is genetic and if any of Parker's future siblings will or could have chances for the same brain malformation (this testing takes a long time and we won't get the results for this for approximately 2 months).
On a side note, we are pretty excited to announce we are heading back to camp in March. Parker is absorbing, learning, and doing so much right now Clay and I feel it is worth it to go back so soon. New brain paths are being created, and Parker is in that prime time age and stage for neuroplasitisty.  We know we are so blessed to be able to be on this adventure with Parker, and are so grateful for cheerleaders in our lives who never stop rooting for Team Shumway. 

-The Vrouw