We started the week with some Labor Day labor. Grandma and Grandpa Schweisthal needed a few trees cut down so the guys broke out the chain saws, extension ladders, Bobcat and several ropes, hooks and cables and down they came. Guessing this one was close to 100' tree (the dead looking one).
Cole started his first day of preschool Tuesday at Potowmack Elementary with Ms. Carolann and Ms. China. He has been asking to ride the bus since last year when he waited patiently for Reagan to get home from school. For the last week he has been saying, "it's going to be so fun!" He squealed with excitement when the bus pulled up and was eager to get on until he realized I wasn't going with him. Luckily he has two really sweet women who drive/assist on the bus. When he got home from school he got off the bus and immediately looked up at me and said, "I did it by myself mommy! I rode the bus!" The tell-tale sign that he loves school was when I asked if he wanted to go back tomorrow and he said, "sure." Unfortunately he had a harder time getting back on the bus today since he knew what to expect, but I know he will start to ease into the routine by next week. He talked about his new friends and having lunch with Ms. Carolann all afternoon....after a really long nap.
Reagan also started preschool this week. This is her third year of preschool (the first two at Potowmack Elementary) but her first year at The Compass School in Ashburn with Ms. Amanda. She was very excited to meet her teacher and new friends and had been asking about them for several weeks. A quick good-bye kiss and she was off to play. Reagan started her day in the Nature Center, did a science experiment with milk and food coloring, played on the playground, and wrote in her journal to practice writing her name and the letter of the week. She was especially excited that she was chosen as line leader on her first day of school! When I picked her up she didn't want to leave. What a great sign she is ready for school!
Reagan also had physical therapy today and will have occupational therapy tomorrow. We talked with her previous therapist (Jill) and her new therapist (Kelly) about the brace situation and serial casting. We decided we are going to wait to try serial casting at this point given she does have range of motion in her ankle, although the muscle is very tight (spastic). The goal of casting is to increase range of motion. Since she already has the range of motion (but isn't using it) there is a question as to whether it will provide enough gain to warrant casting for 4-6 weeks. We also discussed the brace situation and we still aren't certain the direction we are going to go. Both therapists agreed that it is extremely difficult (if not impossible) to find shoes that will fit the hinged DAFO 2 brace that Dr. Romnes is recommending since the hinge is so wide. They are considering the Allard or the DAFO 3.5. Reagan's new PT is going to email Dr. Romnes and discuss options...to include trying her without a brace for awhile and see how she does.
