Izzy had a good weekend! Matt's mom, aunt Jane Ellen, and sister Jane Ann spent the night with us Friday night. Isabelle decided to show off a little and vocalize for about 30 minutes with gram early Saturday morning. Later, Matt put a metal ring on her foot and she kicked it off repeatedly on both feet. It was very very purposeful and accurate kicking! She had horse therapy on Monday. Shorty was resting so she got to ride Opie. She did well, relaxing to the point of actually falling asleep. In the Fall the ride was getting uncomfortable because she was tight. She seemed very comfortable and was able to ride for at least 30 minutes. She worked hard and as a result was sore on Tuesday. We have also started some different things at home with her that go along with the program we plan to begin this summer. We have decided to go forward with our plans to take her to Philadelphia this Summer to begin a new program. We are excited about bombarding her with stimuli and look forward to awesome results. While lying on the floor the other night, Izzy rolled off her wedge mat and then rolled over again ending up face down on the wood floor. She was not happy about that and was kinda stuck... But we were happy with all her hard work. She continues to show us that she is very aware and very capable of many many things. Oh, I almost forgot to mention that the statewide visual therapist was visiting her school last week and did some light box work with Isabelle while I was in the room. She said she was amazed at the improvment in Izzy's vision since Fall! She tracked both ways and held her gaze much longer than before. We continue to praise God for our little miracle... Izzy!!!

Therefore I will look unto the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me. Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the LORD [shall be] a light unto me. Micah 7:7-8

Spring Break!!!

This is Izzy's light box. She works in her stander at school at least 30 minutes a day with Niecie... they have their own quiet cool room and she is encouraged to move the beads in front of the box to use her hands with her vision. Niecie goes to our church and she is able to pray with Izzy when they are in this room without other students. We love Niecie...

This is spring break for all the kids. They have had special days with my mother and are going to Matt's mother's house for a few days this evening. They are going to the aquatic center and movies... shopping... fun fun. Monday was Emelia's 8th birthday. We went to the mall and had her nails painted and made (another) build a bear (a cat this time) and shopped.... had lunch. It was a good day for Emelia!!!

Izzy is doing well. I'm reading a book written by the man who founded the place in PA we are going to this summer. It is really interesting... Really pushes a lot of floor time so we are trying to work that into our schedule.

Email Update sent out today (3 Mar 06)

Hello to all. I've been told it is time to send out an update! We are still on our rest from hbot. We will start up a session of 20 mid-March. I talked to the man in Dallas who is studying to be a dr. and has a special interest in hbot and he lined us out for the next session. He also suggested we go to a place in Philadelphia that specializes in stimulating the brain and gives you a schedule of activities to perform at home. We are giving this thought and prayer. Isabelle has been very healthy! Emelia (Izzy's 7 year old sister) complained of a sore throat which turned out to be tonsillitis, bronchitis and sinusitis... Isabelle continues to be the picture of health. She is really growing! We are using a TENS unit to send stimulation from her muscles to her brain. She is also continuing to go to Dr. Heath (chiropractor) three times a week. She is taking a supplement called Juice Plus daily that is derived from whole fruits and vegetables, and she continues to eat well by mouth. Matt was off work this week to get some home projects completed. He was able to go to Izzy's school and meet her teachers and therapists. He agreed that it is a wonderful group of people working with Izzy and that she couldn't be in a better program. The love they show for Isabelle is so evident every day! I think the main gains we feel Izzy has made during this first round of hbot is an improvement in her vision and cognitive. She seems to take in her environment more and more every day. Camilla feels she is standing much better and is more relaxed, not using tone to hold herself up, but muscle (which is good). We have an appointment to go horse riding later in March (yeah). I'll be sure to let you know how Izzy reacts to seeing Shorty (the horse) after such a long hiatus. Please keep us in your prayers and know that we love you for it!!!
Matt & Annie Pettigrew
He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, "He is my refuge and my fortress;
My God, in Him I will trust." Psalms 91:1-2

Another good day for Isabelle. Camilla put her in the swing and she liked it. She said she had tried her in the swing months ago and Isabelle wouldn't have it. Anyway, it is good because when their class goes out to play on a nice day they can take the swing out for her to swing too.
Matt went with me to pick Isabelle up and met the teachers and therapists.

Like our new dog? Her name is officially "White Dog" since she was officially given to Bailey on his birthday... but I have unofficially named her "lady." She is a lady of a dog, she crosses her paws and is very polite. I'm not a dog person at all, but she is a great dog!
Izzy has had a good week so far. Yesterday Camilla, P.T., said she was standing very well and that she was very relaxed. She mentioned that Margaret, S.T., also noticed improvements.
Emelia is not feeling great... I took her to the pediatrician today and she has... tonsilitis, bronchitis, and sinusitis!!! She doesn't really look or act sick, but I guess she is. She is taking antibiotics.
The roofing project is almost finished. Maybe one more day and they will be done! On to bigger and better projects.