No food for you!

It's official. Anthony hates food. We have been giving him different foods since he was four months old, and so far we still cannot get him to like (or even eat) anything. I've made him everything - peas, carrots, peaches, potatoes, sweet potatoes, avocado, tomatoe soup, bananas, etc. He does fine with the first spoonful. But once he realizes what you have done he gets this look on his face like you have betrayed him. And after that he holds his mouth so tightly shut there is no way you can get a spoon in there. The only thing we haven't tried yet is meat, so we'll try that soon and see how it goes. But it looks like he might prefer his bottle for quite some time. He does, however, really enjoy sitting in his high chair.

Play Time

Anthony likes to slide himself around the living room - I'm wondering if he'll ever crawl since sliding is so easy!

Lokomat Fun

Figuring out how to get weight down on my legs on the lokomat (weight bearing treadmill) has been an interesting process. When I am put in a weight bearing position and the robot is also trying to move my legs, they get very spastic and usually end up shutting the machine off. The last two sessions have been very productive. I've been able to get a significant amount of weight down, and get good long walks in. It only took me working with three trainers today instead of just one. Today I was walking at 2.1 km/h and it felt like I was running because of the cardio workout I was getting. It's amazing how lazy your body can get after sitting in a chair for a few months. I am excited because I feel like we are finally making some progress on this machine! Unfortunately, the machine rubbed off some skin on my right ankle today, so I won't be going back on the lokomat until that is completely healed. Hopefully I'll be up and at it again next week. Since yesterday I've been having "growing pains," if you will, in my groin/hips area. It's nice to feel things again - I hope this means that my hips will start working again soon. That would be amazing!

Baby Klepto

While at a children's clothing shop this weekend we picked up a few things for Anthony for Christmas. He was with us, and decided to pick something up for himself as well. When we were outside the store, Jared set the carrier down to open the car doors. I noticed that Anthony had something in his hands and half way in his mouth. It was a girl's hair ribbon - they had been sitting under the cash registers where Jared had set the carrier down while he was paying. Our little boy stole something at 7 months old - we are in for a fun ride! Jared had to return the soggy ribbon to the store; I'm sure he is not their first baby thief!

Visiting Great Nana

My mom (Nonna) came over last weekend, and we went to Centralia to visit my grandma. This is the first time Anthony met his Great Nana.

More Movement

I guess I neglected to share this information with everyone...I was sure I had, but after talking with my family this week discovered that they didn't know, which means you probably don't know either. My quads are starting to work again. From a seated position I am able to extend my legs straight out in front of me. I think I started being able to do this around the end of August or early September. It is so exciting to have my body start doing what I am telling it to! My legs are still in really great shape (thanks to the annoying muscle spasms) and as soon as the nerve signals are stronger I'll be ready to start walking again. My PT said we are looking at "months not years" which is encouraging.

For the Moms

I just received my Wriggle Wrap this week, and I LOVE it! Now I realize this wouldn't be as handy for most moms as it is for me, but it's still a great gadget to have. And would be a great gift for the mom who already has everything else.

This is the safest way I have found to carry Anthony around the house with me. Before the Wriggle Wrapper I was using a boppy pillow on my lap; now that Anthony is so mobile that was getting quite dangerous. The WW is great if you want to eat dinner and have both hands free (since the baby always wants to be held when it is dinner time) or if you were out at a restaurant. Not sure about strapping the baby to the bed (as shown on their website) but there are many times when this gadget would come in useful!