Halloween preview to get you in the mood
Well, things just keep going from bad to worse. Olivia cried for two hours last night because I wouldn't let her walk around the house the way she wanted to. I've never met such a determined little girl. Would a walker, such as this one be okay for her? She'd be able to walk around the house without her arms being pulled up. Maybe I could get it for her as an early Christmas present.
And on to the worse news. . .Olivia's cousin, Katie, has RSV so it is now way too close for comfort. Poor Katie. Because of that, Grandma Mary can't watch Olivia because she's been exposed to it. She was supposed to watch her tomorrow when I had my doctor's appt. I can't reschedule my appt because I have to do something about this fatigue. I'm on the verge of not being able to function and my stress level is through the roof. My mom is sick so she is unable to help me out either. My dad would help in a heartbeat, but I don't want him to take off work now that he has a job that he enjoys. Things get even worse than that, but I won't share all my woes on here. Kerry to the rescue!! How am I ever going to be able to thank her? She's coming over tomorrow to watch Olivia so that I can go to my appointment. Kerry has saved the day more times than I can count. I'm going to buy her lunch and dinner tomorrow and lavish her with praise, but is that really enough? I guess she gets to hang out with Olivia. . .her favorite baby of all time. . .that's probably it's own reward. And Olivia LOVES her Kerry!!
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16 comments:
I think that Olivia would probably LOVE that walker- and so would your arms!!! You just have to make sure that you put a gate up to block off ANY stairs that she would have access to. I bet she would have a blast exploring around all on her own- while strengthening her legs! FUN!
I haven't met a physical therapist yet who is OK with those walkers, since they usually encourage kids to walk on their toes. So I'd definitely ask your PT first! I know with Sydney (who had low tone in her upper body and also walked on tiptoe, etc) we were explicitly told to not use one of those with :(
If you want to try a walker like that, I have one that I would gladly let you use. I will even sterilize the whole thing. Our kids have not been fond of it because it is too bulky to move around, and they don't like to be confined.
Sorry that your week is not going well. Kerry...you're awesome. My offer for food still stands. If you need anything done that doesn't require us to breathe on you, please let me know.
personally i would never buy one of those walkers. the can be lethal. however - this http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2321329 - might be an alternative.
i have followed your blog since i first stumbled across it early this year. i love to hear about how olivia is developing.
suzanne
I just looked at the walker that Suzanne suggested. It looks like something that could really work! Granted, I'm not sure how that will get her to crawl...
Maybe tomorrow while you're gone Olivia and I will work on crawling. Maybe I can make it look like a lot of fun (and insanely goofy at the same time). Of course, if she cries at me with those sad eyes I'm not sure I'll be able to resist cuddling her. Must.resist.cute.baby. :0)
Try this:
http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2668286
since she is a preemie especially, walkers and jumpers and exersaucers can put stress on their hips, so this would probably be your best bet! :)
I'm sorry about everything going on right now. I'll be praying for you and Olivia.
what about a sort of push toy that she can use to help her walk. i know they told us no walkers for preemies but it never really hurt riley...that being said she was a 29 weeker so its a bit different.
Heres my thoughts :) My kids both used a walker, just like that one... and both walked by 9 months, not on their toes- it didnt hinder them from anything at all- however! Jills babies, carter and addie, their PT told themm what Sarah M. said, about they totally do NOT like walkers.. they told her not to let them EVER use them, and that they would make them toe walkers, well... she let Carter use it, and not Addie... and Carter walks fine, and Addie walks on her toes! The one NOT using the walker! SO! Again, with all the "professionals" out there.. You are the main decision maker... and I think that if it would make her I(and you) happy for maybe just an hour a day, that would be fine.. but thats just me!! SO! Good Luck, and I hope that everyone in Kansas gets well soon!
I put Kellar in a walker and didn't think a thing about it, I don't regret it at all, he loved it, he loved the freedom of being able to go where he wanted to go! I limited Kellars use when I noticed him "bunny hopping" to get from point a to b but he has had no issues w/toe walking. I bought one from toys r us that is actually 2 walkers in one, once she starts cruising the seat comes out and the back flips up and it's a stand behind walker.
I was thinking about that kind of walker this morning after reading your update from yesterday, just make sure to block off any stairs or areas you don't want her to have access to.
You are very careful with Olivia and as long as you keep making sure she's in a safe place while using that walker , she'll be ok.
I think she will enjoy that walker.
Good luck and I know you'll make the best choice that works for your family, let Olivia tell you if she like it! ask one of your friend to let you use one and try it and see what Olivia does, she will have the last word!
God is awesome:)
I have to agree with some of the others. All of our therapists said no to walkers especially but also said to greatly limit the time spent in a jumper or exersaucer to no more than 15min a day. I'd talk with her therapist about it before getting one. They may have a better suggestion. I know that ours encouraged push toys but Dakota couldn't use those nearly as early as she could a walker unfortunately.
Thanks for the comment on my blog. I haven't felt like blogging, but your comment today got me laughing and I've been laughing about it off and on all day. I told my husband that I think I 'met' my sense of humor soul mate. I TOTALLY get it about the bees. Too FUNNY!
Hope the doctors appointment went well.
I know the PT's don't really like them, but I think she would love it. Maybe you could put it on the lowest setting (providing she can't tip out somehow) so that she's not as likely to get on her toes. We have to do that with the exersaucer. There would be some benefit to the walker... Olivia could play with toys on the tray. Maybe this would help work on getting her shoulders forward? I've been temped to get Kinnick one. I've looked more then once and tried to keep walking, but I really would like one.
As a PT ( albeit that I specialize in adults) I would not recommend that type of walking aid. Not just from the point of view of toe walking and the high incidence of accidents that happen with them, but also the babies don't learn to transfer their weight from leg to leg properly when walking as they are supported around the pelvis area by the seat so it defeats the purpose of the "practice walking".
Better would be a toy which Olivia could push, as it would bring her arms forward in front of her and she would be learning the correct mechanics of walking. Check with your PT though first, as I said before I'm not a paediatric specialist.
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