Tag: Brooke

Brace Yourself

While Brooke has been going to Physical Therapy for her torticollis, we’ve come to really trust and rely on the knowledge of her physical therapist, Miss Mike. She is the third PT we’ve seen and Brooke’s range of motion and neck strength accelerated greatly since we’ve started seeing her.

So when she voiced some concern regarding Brooke’s legs and feet, we were discouraged but knew she wouldn’t bring it up to us if it didn’t need to be addressed. She referred us to an orthotist who will be fitting Brooke with what are called AFOs. They are little bootie-looking braces that will go in her shoes.

Last week we had our appointment with the orthotist and Brooke was not too keen on being in a doctor’s office. (In a bit of poor planning on Mommy’s part, we also had her first dentist appointment that morning) The orthotist and his staff was awesome with her though and in no time, she was cooperating and may have even enjoyed herself.

I had not anticipated that they would do the casting for the AFOs at that appointment and was kinda fascinated with how it worked.
Orthotist Appt 2011.04.05

Brooke was able to pick out the pattern that the AFOs will have on them and she choose purple hearts with purple velcro. This wasn’t a shock to me as purple has become her favorite color recently.

We should have the AFOs in a couple of weeks and we’ll have to start gradually getting Brooke used to them. She is a trooper though and I’m sure she’ll amaze us with her resilience as she has so many times before!!

There’s no Bunny on the Bus

Brooke has been pretty reliable with her choice of bedtime song. We’ve sang Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star for as long as I can remember.

However, in an effort to slow the rate to which I was going crazy listening to the same 5 Barney songs in the car everyday, we started listening to this CD.

Still annoying nursery rhymes but at least there’s a little more variety now.

Now when I ask what we’ll sing at night I get “3 Blind Mice” or “Itsy Bitsy Spider” or “Wheels on the Bus”….You get the picture.

When we sing “Wheels on the Bus”, we do the normal Wheels go round, door opens & closes, baby cries and Mommy shushes. And Brooke would always want to do the “bunny”. I know I’m old and not as up on my nursery rhymes as I once was, but I could not remember a verse about a bunny on the bus. So I asked her what the bunny on the bus does.

“Bunny on the bus goes ching, ching, ching”

I was clearly missing something but went along with it because the last thing I want to do is frustrate her at bedtime (or admit that I’m just stupid to my 2 year old)

Until last night when a wave of clarity comes over me while we’re singing said song and I realize…

There’s no bunny on the bus.

MONEY on the bus goes ching, ching, ching!

Her hand motions make WAY more sense now too!!

If you have a toddler, do you ever wish you had a translator to help speak toddler-ease?

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!!

We got into the spirit of the holiday today!

Last night Brooke and I put together a treat for her friends at school called Pot ‘o Gold Chex mix.  She was a big help!  

First she picked out all the green M&Ms.
M&Ms

Then we got out her rolling pin and crushed up some pretzels.
pretzels

By the time she helped me measure out the different cereals and pretzels, it was time for her to go to bed. I carried on and finished putting it all together.
Finished product

Unfortunately I didn’t get to see her class eat their snack but according to Brooke, everyone liked it!

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Apparently, I didn’t get a picture, but I also made green pancakes for her to have for breakfast at the Physical Therapy center. She didn’t eat much of her pancakes but enjoyed showing them off to Miss Barbara & her physical therapist Miss Mike.

Tonight, dinner was “green spaghetti”, applesauce and a pickle on a green plate, of course!
Green dinner

We had fun getting into the spirit of St. Patrick’s Day and hope you did too!!!