Beach Day

Maura chasing Daddy chasing Nathan (black dot)

Today was a surprise day home for us all. We were planning on grocery shopping but I can do that during the week. Then we thought of going to the zoo since every time we have ever gone it's been "as hot as Hades" and it was struggling to get into the 70's but there is a ton of time left to do that. You know what there isn't a lot of time left to do though? Go to the beach. Neither child has ever been because the thought of a crowded ocean beach with 2 toddlers when by myself gives me a mild to moderate panic attack, so with one adult per person and zero chance of swimming I was happy for the experience. To preface this I must tell you that when we leave the house and head to Rt 1 we pass a large reservoir where Nathan, and more recently, Maura, cry out "Water! Water!" and insist we all look and marvel at the pretty lake. I thought of taking a swing by the ocean a few times this summer but a car ride usually results in a sleeping 2 year old who will not take his regular nap so I have never shown him the vastness of the Atlantic. His mind was as blown as you would expect. We tried to go to the small beach that's actually in Lynn but the tide was almost up to the wall and I wasn't sure if there would be any beach in a matter of minutes. So we drove back around and ended up at the mostly vacant Nahant Beach. I used to walk this beach all the way from one end, through Lynn and into Swampscott...it sounds like a lot but it's only 5 miles round trip and completely paved. But back to today. We had a couple hours full of sand castles, crab claws (yuck!), waves crashing, sea gull chasing and Nathan chasing. It was the perfect introduction for these kids into what next summer will be full of.
 

The Park, try 2

I already wrote this once and Blogger ate it.  I didn't save, I never learn.
The picture is blurry and doesn't show much but you can tell it's 2 kids moving around faster than I can take a photo.  It doesn't seem like much, I would normally just delete a picture like this.  But this is one that I will treasure. 
We met Nathan's speech therapist at the park today for some outside time.  This way Maura could strengthen her legs on all the ramps and Nathan could talk about new things.  Plus it wasn't 90 and I was sick of the same old toys.
We were getting ready to leave, Maura was falling asleep in my arms after her workout and Nathan was running around the playground equipment trying to get out all the energy he could before I buckled him back into the truck.  I gave Nathan his 5 minute warning and then his 2 minute warning.  It was time to go, he had a choice to make.  Get off using the red slide or the green slide.  The red slide was fun, it is a conveyer belt type with the rolling tubes that make noise but it isn't very high.  It green slide is taller, faster, has bends; it's fun.  He picked the red slide and went and sat down at the top.  I waited and said "come on, Nay Nay!"  He reached out his hand and said "Moe Moe Carry".  He wanted to hold Maura.  The sister the throws his puzzles on the floor, who destroys his train tracks,  who has toppled every tower he has built in recent memory.  He wanted to share his last slide of the day with her.  So up I heaved her, put her in his lap and he wrapped his arms around her and down them went, "weeeeee!"  It was over before I could take a real picture.  I guess that's life.
I may not remember that this was where I decided that Nathan no longer needs help with his speech but I will remember those little hands and the little voice and what a kind gesture it was. 

More pictures

Day Trip

Well, it was a Morning Trip to be more accurate.  We ventured out to Rockport, a short 38 minute drive door to parking space.  We arrived just as Maura was waking from her nap which worked perfectly.  It's a great area to walk around, very scenic and full of little shops and artist galleries with everything from stained glass to airbrushing to pewter something or other.  Most shops were not stroller friendly, aside from the "Fudgery" which was charming and reminded me of Maine and Cape Cod vacations from ages ago.  Nathan charmed the owner who made the big stuffed animal bear wave for him.  Nathan isn't as fond of fudge as Maura, but I have yet to find anything aside from peas that she won't eat.
We roamed for a while, and watched boats entering the harbor.  It was perfect weather for this, a nice sea breeze and strong sun let us enjoy our hot dogs outdoors overlooking the other side of the harbor.  After lunch we quickly packed up and headed home so the kids could not nap.  Such is life.

The Famour Fishing Shack

Look, it's historic!

Rocks underfoot

She is beautiful

Lunch, Maura has no room left in those cheeks and Nathan stole her bow

Another good day

On Sunday, Maura took a step.  She cannot be stopped now, I hope this is an indication of good things to happen for her in the near future.  She has worked so hard to strengthen her legs, her efforts have paid off.

Steps...

Slow News Day

Just another day, so I thought I would show you what I've done lately.  I'm really starting to like crochet....
1. The pink and white blanket is a cotton bed spread type for Maura, it isn't as bright a pink as the picture makes it seem.
2. The purple granny square was donated to a hospital in Atlanta in memory of a baby that was lost the day after Nathan was born, a week before she was due.
3. A little purse for Maura.
4. A bag to keep in the car, it folds into a pocket in the base of it.
5.  My first blanket.  It is already ripping at the seams, I'm going to have to re sew it eventually.  Not bad for my first try.

Maura and her hips

We are closing in on Maura's visit with the pediatric orthopedist at Boston Children's Hospital next Wednesday.  I had her Physical Therapist compile a list of her observations and concerns so that I can make sure I mention everything to give them a better picture of her life day to day.  While she makes progress there are definite deficits.  She will be okay no matter the outcome, she already is so tough.  Or "tuff" like they said in The Outsiders.

Concerns about Maura's legs/hips

1. Keeps left foot pointed, resistant to dorsiflexion, tight
2. Drags right leg while crawling, dragged left leg while belly scooting/army crawling
3. Uneven leg folds, right leg has 2  close left ones are farther apart
4. Uses right leg to pull to stand as preference
5. Right foot points outward, ankle rolls in and seems to collapse slightly
6. Pull to stand with right leg in as stand support, keeps right hip/foot pointed out and placed out
7. Lowers to squat, left side sit or left knee down, always
8. Walk: right hip turns out, left is straight with push toy, large shift to left side
9.  Motor planning concern possibly how she gets into the shopping cart and in/out of sandbox
10.  Foot position standing @ rest, pointed but can go flat, walks flat
11. Left hip clicked at one year checkup
12. Sits sometimes shifted to left, using using right foot and leg to be active and move.
13.  Left leg kept still with foot flexed, limited active foot motion