and she's off....

Off and crawling that is. As of Sunday she is mobile. Yes, I know, life as we know it is officially over. This stage of babyhood is always so interesting to me. As much as I want her to learn new things and develop herself there is also a part of me that wants her to just sit there forever. I know for her that isn't good quality of life and she has been pretty clear about that the last couple of weeks. She would get so fustrated watching people pass her by. They get to her daddy quicker, they can go get a hug or comforting touch anytime, and they get to all the coolest toys first. And all because they are mobile. She knew she was close. She had figured out how to get in position but just couldn't make those legs and arms work together. So she did the only thing she could do about it, vocalize her fustration in screams and cries and general grouchiness. But now, watch out people, here she comes. She has such a pleased expression on her face and a smile of satisfaction when she gets where she wants to go all by herself. And so yes, I am happy for her and excited in her new skills. But once again, one of my babies is learning how to walk away from their dependence on us. It seems from the moment they are born they start that journey. I once heard a quote that having a child is like having your heart walk around outside your body. So true, but I would add that as my kids grow older they find new ways to walk farther away with my heart. Of course they come back for the safety of mom from time to time but more and more they rely on their own strengths and abilities. I know there's still lots of time before they are adults so I'll try not to worry too much right now. I'll enjoy this moment and all the joy it brings my daughter and maybe I'll just get down on the floor with her and we can crawl together :)

torticollis

Last week we went to Children's Hospital in Denver to their International Adoption Clinic. I have been waiting since we got home for this appointment. They do a complete exam of any child adopted internationally. The exam includes, PT, OT, a Developmental Screening, and a Medical exam. And not only that but one of our super cool neighbors works there. All along we have thought Eden has been making progress and except for a few things she is about where she should be developmentally. Our appointment was about 2 hours long by the time we got out of there but they were so thorough and helpful. And the results are in...developmentally she is right on track for a 10 month old (this also helps affirm that they were pretty close with her birthdate) and medically she is also very healthy. But her physical development is lagging a little. They were encouraged to hear about the progress she's made since coming home. She is now sitting on her own like a pro and loves to stand supported. She should be crawling and is pretty close. The other really interesting they found is that she has mild torticollis. I had suspected this while we were in Ethiopia, in fact, I told Duane on the first day that we would probably need some physical therapy. She had a flat spot on the back of her head more on one side than the other. It was bad enough that her face was asymetrical. But when I took her to our family doc they said it wasn't anything to worry about and to just make sure she wasn't laying on that side all the time. Over the last few months it has significantly improved to the point it isn't very noticable, to the untrained eye. But the PT picked up on it at her exam and also pointed out that she has more range of motion with her neck on one side and she prefers to get onto her belly from one side. Torticollis has many causes but it basically means that some of her neck muscles are tighter than others so they won't allow her to have full range of motion in her neck. I've seen a couple babies in the clinic with it and it is usually correctable with physical therapy. For Eden, she could have been born with it or it could have developed from laying in the same position in the transitional home or a host of other causes we will not be able to pinpoint. So she'll start some PT next week. Fortunately it isn't severe so with a little work we can get her back on track. But the lesson for the day is to, "Always trust a momma's instinct."