Honest-to-Gosh Walking!

I know that I posted earlier that Jake had taken his 1st steps.  SInce he does not feel as thought he  needs to prove anything to anyone, he decided to leave well enough alone.  He likes crawling, he is good at crawling, so why walk? 

This afternoon, Jake had his PT appointment (for his torticollis) and he decided that today was the day!  He took 16 consecutive steps - without holding on to anything.  He was so proud of himself, he was shuttering with happiness at his accomplishment.  He then proceeded to walk, in bits and pieces, clear across the room and back (and this was a long, rectangular room).  He was so excited that he forgot himself and 'Hi 5ed' the therapist!!

Of course, on this monumentous occasion, did Mommy have a camera? Heck NO!  But the moment was indelibly marked in my heart.  I will never forget how joyous he was, grinning from ear to ear.  Way to go, Jakey!

Not that I didn't get excited when Natalie took her 1st steps, but she was so matter-of-fact about it.  She needed to get from point A to point B and walking seemed, to her, to be the most efficient way to get there.  She is my practical child. 

Jakey Hi-Jinx! Ice Fisherwoman, Natalie and some more Christmas Pics

First, let me say that we have been Blessed with two children that have very interesting senses of humor.  Natalie is into slapstick humor (she can do a very good prat fall) and Jake, well, he is the biggest goofball....ever!

The other night, Jake was in bed with me.  I was asleep, and I thought he was, too.  In between snores, I was awaken by a weird feeling.  Jake had put his pacifier in my mouth!  I guess he thought I needed it.  When my eyes shot open, there he was, sitting next to me, with the sweetest grin on his face, his eyes a-twinkle.  I could not help but start laughing, he was just SO cute.  This kid has his mommy wrapped tightly around his tiny finger ~ and he knows it.

Here are some more Christmas pictures I found on my camera.

Gentleman Jakey!

Not-so-patiently waiting for Santa

Snacks for Santa and Rudolph

Waitin' for the fish to bite - enjoying some hot cocoa!

Merry, Blessed Christmas!

The Stinker and the Angel

Santa surprises Natalie at Lunch

Jake doesn't seem to like Santa

A few small steps!

As we were all either enjoying a full blown bout of the flu, or beginning to feel ill, Jake decided that he was not too sick to surprise us all. 

Jake has been stubborn about trying to walk.  He didn't really see a need to move for himself when he could get someone else to do it, so why bother.  But with Daddy and Grandma coaching him on, Jake decided to give it a try.  I think he really likes it.

And then there was the a Helmet

Our trips to the doctors with Jake are starting to wind down.  Praise God!  One of Jake's issues is that he has tortocollis, stiffening of the neck.  The therapist stretches Jake's neck and shoulders.....which he HATES!  The last of our concerns with Jake is that his head was misshapen from birth.  We did not think that it was a very big deal, but Jake's pediatrician thought that it was bad enough to have the orthopedic doctor do cranial manipulation on his head.  The doctor would take Jake's head between his hands and he would apply gentle pressure, trying to move the plates of Jake's scull.  Gross, I know!  And it did improve things a good deal.  After weeks of that, we were referred to a different PT office for more regular therapy for the tortocollis.  While there, the therapist asked if we had considered putting a helmet on Jake to correct his head more.  After weighing the pros and cons, we decided to go ahead and try the helmet.  Jake doesn't mind wearing it at all, in fact - he thinks he's something special in it.  It's only been 2 weeks and we are already seeing a big difference in his head shape.  So far, so good. 

Did someone say "HOCKEY"?  Go, Penguins!!!!!