Day of Triumphs

Today was full of victories, big and small, but victories non-the-less.

1. Matt took Paiton to work with him. The reasons were three-fold: she's been wanting to go to work with him for weeks; he wanted to give me somewhat of a break (I still had two toddler boys at home, PT appts, and photoshoots!); and he wanted to do something special and have special time with her. They had a GREAT day, and both are already excited for another day. 

2. Quinn's bottom canine that's been working it's way in for-flippin-ever finally made it's way in. Took it's sweet time, but that explains the last two nights of nearly zero sleep and lots and lots of tears.

3. Quinn ROCKED physical therapy today. First, he up and WALKED using his walker he's had since Christmas of last year. He's been able to "walk" on his knees, but this was brand spanking, never before seen, new. Then he cruised on the furniture with zero prompting - HUGE! And lastly - he stood up very quickly, holding onto only my sweatshirt I was wearing. These are all BIG feats in Quinn's daily world! Also during physical therapy (and I'm sooo glad I have Amy - his PT - to back me up on this) Quinn said "I dunoo!" Amy stood him up holding onto a rocking chair, he was pointing at the chalkboard wanting to color, and she said "Well, get over there!" - he just stared at her. She said "Quinn, how will you get over there?" That baby looked her square in the eye and said clear as day "I dunno!" We couldn't even continue physical therapy at that point, had to take a break, it was too hilarious! Also during PT today Q had to have a Sensory Evaluation since we (and the PT) have noticed some sensory things with him. Of course with Matt and I's history in the Developmental Disabilities world, with Q's motor delays and sensory issues the thought or whether or not he is leading towards being Autistic is always in the back of our minds. He passed the Autism screen at his 18 month check up, has NONE of the other signs you watch for, but still that fear is there. Today he only scored off on one of the sections - the section we knew he would. Most people would score "off" on one section. Children who go on to be diagnosed on the Autism Spectrum will score off in almost all areas. So that was a huge relief to us and now we know certain things (not tilting his head back in the bath to get his hair rinsed) are actually sensory issues for him that are beyond his control right now.

(I happened to catch the last bit of walking on video! Woohoo!)

4. Quinn stood ALL.ON.HIS.OWN for a full 2-3 seconds at my mom's house. Mom and Matt were witnesses to this. I was holding onto him, let go, and he didn't realize for a few seconds and just....stood there. Oh em gee. It was glorious. 

5. During a photoshoot tonight I received a voicemail from the ortho place. They *think* that Quinn's leg braces will be covered 100% by our insurance. We did not expect them to pay anything at all, let alone 100% and this is such a big weight off my shoulders. Plan B was applying for Shriner's Medical Hospital and traveling to wherever they sent us - Portland or SLC to get his braces through their program free to us. It still isn't for sure yet, but they are gathering the necessary paperwork to send through billing and insurance to get started and hopefully they won't run into any snags. Please cross your fingers. And your toes. 

6. Paiton got a successful picture with Santa today at the world's worst craft show craft show in Boise. She nicely sat on his lap, nodded when he said "Oh Paiton who's 4? You're on the nice list aren't you?" and quietly asked for a pink sparkly saw from him for Christmas. "Why a saw?" Nana asked. "To fix stuff" was the reply. Duh. So apparently Santa gets to find a sparkly pink saw that Paiton won't be allowed to play with this year and put it under the tree. Fabulous.  

6.5 - Paiton has mastered this...smile/grimace. It's her fake camera smile. Crazy girl!

{Just in case you were wondering - Quinn was NOT a fan of Santa this year and would have nothing to do with him. Not so much as a high five!)

Yes, it was a day of triumphs, and I'm so thankful for it. It was overdue.