Xavier's BIG week!

Last week for Xavier was quite eventful, here's a run down of the events:

Wednesday he had his first aquatic therapy session at Akron Children's Hospital. We are very excited about the possibility that this will help him with trunk stability and strength! The room is very warm (85 degrees) and the water is even warmer -94 degrees! Xavier loved it, he was very relaxed and did a lot of upper body movement while in the water. The PT used at special life jacket with a head rest to keep him afloat while she stretched his legs and arms. Next week she's going to put weights on his ankles so he can stand on a platform underwater!

Apparently, the water is so warm and relaxing Xavier decided he would take a nap right then and there. I snapped this picture because I thought, "no one will believe it when I tell them he actually fell asleep at the end of the session!"




Xavier also had his first appearance on stage at "Spring Family Night", a musical performance by his preschool program. The kids sang and did motions for six songs, Xavier's wonderful teacher's assistant Diane (we appreciate her and his teacher Mrs. Browning so much!) helped him do the motions. Xavier enjoyed himself immensely, he sang and loved listening to the clapping and cheering between songs.




As usual, Xavier had his hippotherapy (horseback riding)session on Friday. He's doing so well, they've even started walking the horse faster to give him more input from the motion. He is starting to sit by himself and we attribute it all to the hippotherapy...he is able to sit with his arms up in the air for about 10 seconds at a time now. One of his favorite activities as of late is to sit on the grass and try to pull it out of the ground while balancing himself. He's getting pretty good at it- he's able to grab a handful of grass and trys to throw it and keep his balance. Everytime I see him sit tall, with a straight back and no hands on the ground it brings tears to my eyes...he is so proud of himself and as always, so are we!



Friday was also Xavier's 4 year check up at the pediatricians. He weighs 30.5 lbs (20%) and is 39" tall (25%). He had to have his left ear irrigated because it was so waxy, but he actually seemed to enjoy it, laughing a couple of times when the water would make a squirting sound in his ear. He also got a couple of immunizations (MMR/chicken pox and Hepatitis A vaccines). Hooray - Mr. Xavier got a clean bill of health!

Also on Friday (what a big day for him!) we got his long awaited gait trainer. The electric lime color picked out by Xavier is great! Although Xavier protested quite a bit during the "fitting" when the technician delivered it to us, he is loving it now! It allows him to be upright in a standing position so that he can walk. He immediately knew what to do and moves his feet in a walking motion. At first we had to move it with him little by little so he could alternate picking up his feet. But now he is starting to move it on his own! And again,just like with the sitting we can tell how absolutely proud of himself he is! Plus he's having a good time, which is priceless!