Hi Everyone,

It’s been a while since our last post (so get ready for a lot of pictures!), but Maddie’s had a fun-filled summer!  She went on her first vacation to the beach, we went to the orchard to pick fruit, and we celebrated Father’s Day, July 4^th and BOTH Abby and Maddie’s birthday!  Can’t believe she’s 4 years old now!

Maddie continues to make incredible progress with both her fine motor and gross motor skills.  In terms of fine motor skills, she’s holding on to toys longer now and expertly bringing them to her mouth.  She even has enough control to keep the toys in her mouth  to chew and satisfy her sensory cravings!

She’s also slowly starting to use her right hand more!

About a month ago, we were out one weekend and got home late for her snack so Bill gave her some water as soon as we got in the house.  She must’ve been really thirsty because with just a little help from gravity, she was able to hold the bottle on her own for a few seconds!  We never really tried again because she’s usually eating/drink in her chair and it’s too hard for her to hold the bottle upright.

Now, just a few weeks later, Maddie completely surprised us!!  She was so tired one day  our nanny thought she could have her afternoon milk on a wedge pillow close to her play area so she could move her over in case she fell asleep.  Well, what do you know?!  Since she wasn’t as upright as she usually is in her feeding chair, she was able to hold her bottle the ENTIRE time she drank her milk and water (~8 oz)!  She even knew to catch her breath after a few sips and was able to maintain control of her bottle during that time.  We tried again the next day and she did it again!!!  So now we feed her afternoon liquids on that wedge pillow and let her hold her own bottle!  Proud mama = ME 🙂

 

Maddie’s head control has also continued to improve.  She’s bringing her head forward in a variety of places… in her chair, in her stroller, even in her swing as you can see below.  Look at how straight her head is!!!

Last blog post, we mentioned she was able to take her sock off and almost bring her foot to her mouth.  Well now, she has NO problem doing it!

She’s also become an expert at escaping from play area, despite Bill’s multiple attempts and creative walls.  We’re not kidding when we say escape… the second picture below is her somehow finding the corner of her play area and rolling her way out to the other side of the room!

As mentioned in the last post, Maddie was propping herself up on her right elbow and attempt to get into a sitting position.  Well now, Maddie’s able to prop herself up for longer periods of time and can get herself up to sitting position!  See below for a sweet picture with Abby!

Hanging out in front of the sofa… look at that uprightness!

Bill recently updated Maddie’s therapy chair (that he also originally built) to include a pommel, seatbelt and a higher back.  It’s working great and she actually enjoys sitting in it!!

 

 

As mentioned earlier, we took Maddie on her first vacation to Ocean City, MD.  Overall, it was a pretty smooth trip.  The first day’s weather was perfect… 80’s with a breeze!  See the first two content and happy smiling pictures.  The second day, however, was hot hot hot!  We had to dip her into the ocean water every 30 min to keep her core temperature down… but at least she didn’t seem to mind!

 

 

 

We also went fruit picking at an orchard recently and Bill fabricated the below sunblocking contraption for Maddie.  We’ve concluded after this trip that she is too big for this contraption.  Coupled with the fact that she can physically express her annoyance (i.e., whimper and cry),  we’ll need to figure something out before apple picking season starts (or find a flat enough orchard where she can stay in her stroller 😉 )!!

Now for some celebration pictures!!

Father’s Day morning…

July 4th!

Our now FOUR year old 🙂

with Abby and opening presents…

 

 

and of course, enjoying her cake!!

 

 

As usual, we’ll end with her happy smiles 🙂