HBOT & swings...

 Another addition to the 'DREAMCATCHER PLAYGROUND'... swings!  Izzy now gets to swing while at recess and she seems to really enjoy swinging!  Her days at school continue to go well.  Camilla (p.t.) worked with her Friday morning (her day off!).  She got her into the walkable contraption and told me she was really impressed with the results.  They helped Iz take steps but she did initiate some steps on her own and she started with a floppy head but when she got moving held her head midline and did great.  Now she will practice walking with this piece of equipment while doing her p.t.  
We just got in today from a trip up to Ponca for hbot.  We used Skipper's table last night to do her patterning after the first dive.  Mom went with me to help out.  We ended up getting back in the chamber after 10 p.m. getting out at about 11:30...  Back up at 6 a.m. and in the chamber again.  It was a good trip and Isabelle did well.  She slept all night which is always good!  
We continue to see new things with Izzy, while they can appear small we know that they are HUGE and rejoice in every morsel!  

"Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord alone.* 5 And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. 6 And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands I am giving you today. 7 Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are away on a journey, when you are lying down and when you are getting up again. 8 Tie them to your hands as a reminder, and wear them on your forehead. 9 Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.  Deut. 6:4-9

This week has been busy, I guess that is the norm these days. Izzy's physical therapist, Camilla, went to a seminar last Friday that stressed the importance of walking, so she worked with Isabelle beginning on Wednesday supporting her weight and then helping her move her feet to see if she would respond to it or if she was interested. Izzy did help in the walking so Camilla has added to her day a "walk" with assistance from her classroom to the therapy room. She said that today Izzy handled that well and then did a lot of standing and working at the mirror with suction balls. When I arrived to pick her up from school she was
getting her painting mit on and proceeded to paint a pink picture with her mit. They are getting a lot of new equipment at the dreamcatcher playground at Izzy's school. She will be able to swing next week!
The programme is going well. Matt and Bailey continue to do the early bird session, I do the afternoon
session with dad, one of the kids, or Laura (Tuesdays) and Jane (Wednesdays). Mom has been coming down in the evenings to help. School is keeping Amanda, Bailey and Emelia busy! Amanda got all A's on her progress report, GO AMANDA!!! She studies a lot, she really earns her "A's" and I am proud of her determination and dedication. Bailey loves junior high and Emelia always loves school...so all is well in the Pettigrew household.
We are one step closer to getting the dental problems esolved. I have jumped through several hoops to get Izzy on TEFRA which is a federal program that pays for different things including dental services... this is the only program I know of that is based soley on Isabelle's income rather than ours. I had to get denied by SSI, done... get medical eligibility from dr., done... get papers filed with caseworker, done today! Now it is all in their hands and I am excited to get this resource in place.

"As surely as God is true, I am not that sort of person. My yes means yes because Jesus Christ, the Son of God, never wavers between yes and no. He is the one whom Timothy, Silas,* and I preached to you, and he is the divine Yes-God's affirmation. For all of God's promises have been fulfilled in him. That is why we say "Amen" when we give glory to God through Christ."
II Cor. 1:18-20

A night away from home...

So, Melody asked me kind of last minute to go with her to her church's ladies retreat at the Waterford Hotel this weekend (Friday-Saturday). I mentioned it to Matt, but didn't think it would work out. I am the one who feeds Isabelle and I haven't been away from her for more than a couple of hours since her accident... But, Matt said, "sure, go, just tell me what I need to do." I did, and he did. Isabelle did just fine without me (although I think she was really ready for me to get home on Saturday). The kids pitched in and helped keep her entertained and happy.
The ladies retreat was fun. The speaker was Niki Nowell (www.nikinowell.blogspot.com) and she did a great job talking about "beauty."
Melody and I made a late night trip to get some snacks (baked chips because Melody is so good!) and then we got on our suits and went for a midnight swim. It was great, but really cold getting out. We got a couple of hours of sleep.
It was renewing. I can't say it was restful, because we didn't sleep much... but, it was like getting a recharge to get away.
I came home and worked with Isabelle, she ended up taking a really long nap. Emelia and I cooked dinner (breshetta style chicken casserole, scalloped potatoes (homemade, not the box kind), and pumpkin spice cupcakes with cream cheese frosting. YUM. Amanda went to hear Julie Andrews speak with Melissa and we all went to bed early. It was a good weekend! I found out that Emelia loves to cook!
That's all for now, it's time for Izzy's therapy program.

"The truth is, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father. You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, because the work of the Son brings glory to the Father. Yes, ask anything in my name, and I will do it! John 14:12-14 NLT

Weekend...

Paula (matt's mom) came down Friday and Saturday to help with 
Izzy's therapy.   Jane Ann (matt's sister) also came to visit.   
We are continuing to see more movement in Izzy's legs.  She was lying on her blanket last night and was asleep and I looked down to notice her really moving her legs and arms a lot.  I know that new pathways are being made in her brain with all our sessions.  
Yesterday after church we had Subway... Emelia wanted to get cookies so we did... I sat with Izzy and fed her a few bites of cookie.  I noticed that she was really chewing on the left side.  She usually does chew and manages to get the cookie or bite of whatever down eventually, but it was a much more effective chew and she ate most of the half cookie I managed to get.  All those chewing exercises during her program are paying off, praise God!
Sunday is our day off and I almost think Isabelle misses it when we don't do her program, but she won't miss it today! :)