365 days

365 days ago I learned what ACC(agenesis of corpus callosum) meant. Since that day I was put in a place I never expected to be, but now, can't imagine being any place different.
Kissing Parker Ann good night tonight was very different from what it was a year ago. I am so grateful, and realize how blessed we are. I feel secure and at peace about her future. She is the happiest little girl. Her light, smile, and happiness is her gift she shares with all she meets.
At the end of this month, we have spent 16 weeks away from home attending Conductive Education intensive therapy. Last year Parker couldn't hardly track a toy with her eyes, little alone reach, roll, sit up, crawl, walk, talk, and follow simple instruction. I am over joyed to say hope lives in Parker. In her own way she is now doing all of these things. I find Parker's determination for life so admirable.
Clay and I are overwhelmed with gratitude to our Father in Heaven for the miracles and blessings that both of our children bring to our lives.  I know Vander is the big brother Parker Ann asked for. I am learning to celebrate the journey, it is just as perfectly imperfect as we are. Good and bad. I wouldn't change it. I am happy to know that no matter what happens in life, I have good company to experience it with. Thank you all family and friends for the love, prayers of hope, and support we have undeniably seen in our lives over this last year.
Love,

The Vrouw

Morning of the MRI one year ago. 

Practicing high kneeling and grip strength all while enjoying the little girl in the mirror.

At the Fredrick Mijer Gardens

Today marked the half way point for our spring session here at CLC. Parker is rockin it! She puts so much effort into every day she is generally pulling down hard Zzz's by the last ten minutes of class. Her happy go lucky attitude makes it easier to wake up each day and bring her back for more. Simple motor functions you and I don't even think about, is a great struggle Parker has to practice, practice, practice to gain mastery. CLC is helping better calculate movement and gain awareness of Parker's  body relative to the space and environment around her. I see emphasis on balance this session.  I am witnessing a maturity within my sweet girl  that is beyond her years. It's crazy. In her countenance I see that she knows the hard things are worth it. That's why we are here.
This week what stood out to me in progress was her ability to isolate and differentiate body moment. (Ex: whiling lying down, holding legs and one arm still, while other arm is responding to verbal cues for up and down movement. Or legs still and grounded, where out stretched arms are  brought to midline for clapping or clanking toys together). Given Parker's current skill set it is hard to quiet the body and refrain from involuntary movement. I have noticed it less this week.
Parker loves the social aspect of class. She loves the social accountability. When the teacher is looking for someone sitting straight, etc, "oh I see Parker sitting tall!" Thats the moment you see that little girl flash a proud smile that covers ear to ear. She may be a little bit of a show boat... There are two other little one year old  girls with  their moms that make up our class. I'm pretty sure we're the cutest Parent/Child class CLC has ever had!
I can see an improved stamina and trunk  strength in Parker this session. She is gaining the skills to practice standing  longer, walking  longer, and SITTING  UP longer. I am so happy that ever  elusive ability to sit up is now a reality with  great success. Prayers have gotten her here.  If Parker  maintains focus she can sit unsupported for one to two minutes. If she has her back support it can be more like 5 minutes. It has been so fun to watch a new world unfold as she sees it literally from a different angle. Coming into mobility is so fun!

-The Vrouw

This picture was taken the last ten minutes of class on Friday afternoon. Parker played so hard the weekend couldn't wait ten more minutes. 

Shift, Lift, Step. Walking across the room.

First week of school... Huge CHECK mark for complete! Dancing in place and a big air fist bump for Team Shumway! Tuesday was Parker's first day back at school at Conductive Learning Center(CLC). CLC is the same program we attended in December, but this series will be four weeks instead of three. For Parker this week was a great jump start to waking up those neurons and diving into  the familiarity she has come to know and love in the music, and activities at CLC. The theme for this session is, "my very busy body." A line from one of the songs we sing says, "I have a very busy body, a very busy body, that goes everywhere with me...." Parker couldn't be more ready and thrilled with the theme choice. She loves finding her nose, using her hands to play peek-a-boo, and mom kissing and tickling her toes. Her modivation for calculated body  movement and drive to explore the world around her is like a drug to me that keeps me coming back for more pushing me  to do all  I can in her behalf. On top of that,  her joyful countenance and infectious smile sure makes ugly and stressful days, or anything for that matter, worth it. We are still implementing use of the potty from last session and seeing success there about once a day or every other day. She is a potty girl, She is so proud when she knows she's got the job done. Haha. The CLC director mentioned Wednesday that she could tell Parker has been playing hard since last session and she is making fantastic progress. She even went far enough to jokingly say with all of Parker's now obvious jibber jabber that she didn't have last session,  she is a regular trouble maker with all the talking and verbalizing during class. This is a happy time of life with Parker. The Lord has blessed us to have found a  routine that works for us  and embrace the  new normal we call ours. We are fortunate and blessed for the sweet association and support we feel from family and friends.

-The Vrouw 

Ready or not, Here comes Parker

First day of CLC school for the both of us.Woot! (Photo taken day after post)

We have arrived safe and sound at the McDonald house, and we are ready for our first big day of boot  camp tomorrow. Being a girl of little words, but many sounds, I can tell Parker  knows what we are here for, and she has definitely brought her game face! So excited and feeling so blessed!!! 
-the Vrouw