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

The boys had left to the store so it was just Parker and me playing on the floor in the living room. Parker and I had been there a while mixing back and forth play with therapy. This particular session we had been playing extra hard with walking and crawling. Parker had been doing a great job, she was keeping motivated and wanted me to push her more. I could tell she was getting tired. In an effort to give her a break I sat her in my lap and began to sing to her to distract her from what she had been doing. The words that came out of my mouth had a very new, very real, and very literal meaning this time. My mind and soul processed them differently.

A I am a child of God,
And he has sent me here, ...Yes you are, and yes He did. We were told  a long time ago you would come.
Has given me an earthly home
With parents kind and dear. ...As your parent every day is hard, and it tests me. But I am trying my best because I love you.

 Chorus
Lead me, guide me, walk beside me,...Yes, yes, I  literally am. I am here. We are doing it right now. We will "shift, lift, step" our way to walking and beyond!
Help me find the way.... As long as you need it, I will always guide your little hands to open and close, or to find that little mouth with that spoon.
Teach me all that I must do. We are learning together, I think I am learning more from you. I see the joy in our journey. Its beautiful. Wow, I love you little sweet pea. I can't believe you are MY daughter. 
To live with him someday...You are that special. You'll make it baby, don't you worry.

-The Vrouw
"I am a child of God"
 Words: Naomi Ward Randall,
Music: Mildred Tanner Pettit,

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 

Happy Birthday Parker

 8/28/2015 
Last month we went to Washington DC for the weekend and had a blast!

4/06/2015 KIDS HAPPY FOR MALL EASTER BUNNY PICTURES...MOM SAYS YES PLEASE!

07/12/2014 Family Bowling was a success!

01/04/2014 My first post of 2014 takes us to our adventure in Washington, D.C. at the end of Christmas break. 

-the Vrouw

Lincoln Memorial was my favorite.

Korean War Memorial.

On the Lincoln memorial steps over looking National Mall.

Air and Space Museum.

National Mall in front of the Capital.

Smithsonian institute.

LDS Nauvoo Temple info at the Smithsonian.

Taking a nap in the front carrier.

Yoda Santa Baby.

United State Botanic Garden.

Clay's favorite building was the Capital.

Walking around the Capital.

12/03/2013 Beauty and the Beast 
Clay surprised me with dinner, babysitter, and tickets to the Philadelphia Broadway play. We loved it!!! 

-the Vrouw

 12/02/2013 Thanksgiving was a surprise in Arizona! My Mother-in-law was turning 50 and that was excuse enough to surprise-fly out there!

-the Vrouw

Happy Day from us. WISH WE COULD BE THERE (prank picture)! 

Video of Mom finding out V came to see her.

Just before good-bye at the airport.

10/31/2013 HAPPY HALLOWEEN from Tortilla chip lady, Gerber baby, and Bob Ross. 

-the Vrouw 

Picked Daddy up from school today to have a surprise pick-nick at the Franklin Institute park. Couldn't have been a nicer fall afternoon. 

-The Vrouw

Tickle monster, smiles, and lots of walking.

I no longer have to wait since it is officially Fall season. I love busting out my favorite 3 ingredient pumpkin chocolate chip cookie recipe! I have already made them twice for dessert with two different sets of dinner guests. ha. So here is how it goes:

1 carrot cake mix or spice
1 small can of pumpkin
1 12 oz bag of chocolate chips

350 degrees for 8-10 minutes. Always milk and cookies.

-The Vrouw

It's official...I'm a blogger! Hello World! Welcome to my world. I'm Dal, but at home I am known as The Vrouw. I'm somewhat curious and optimistic about my blogging experience, so once again welcome, and enjoy!

- The Vrouw