FYI, if your child is constipated, feed them Carrot Casserole to get the pipes cleaned out.  HOLY COW.  What was I thinking with the Miralax?!?!  This carrot business worked lickity split!  Now I have a "tool" for my baby tool kit---

Greta, Oliver and I hit up Banneker Community Center again today.  One thing that I will surely miss about Bloomington is the FREE stuff for mommies and their kiddos.  The Banneker Center is a restored school that is now used for camps, workshops and classes.  The third floor is a huge open room with tons of toys.  It is rarely busy---today was the busiest, and their were 8 kids there.  Tons of room for Greta and Oliver to walk around like zombies, speaking in tongues about their morning of waffle eating and baby shredding.  I was lucky to have my friend, Lisa, and her two boys meet me there.  It definitely helped pass the time (aka, tire Greta and Oliver out).

Greta had a follow up assessment by the Occupational Therapist at the IU Children's Therapy Center.  She passed with flying colors---she definitely thought that G needed to continue the PT to work on her transitions, as she demonstrates a significant delay (as well as a mild weakness with the entire right side of her body).  The therapist also mentioned how she thought G was very bright and very funny.  (I wonder where she gets it?)

And with the Olympics, my FAVORITE event every four years, I can't help but wonder if G has any Olympic events in her future......I always wanted to be a bobsledder.  I believe that hoop dream is coming to an end as I approach 33 and can hardly run down to the mailbox.

And guess what the Baby Jesus in the Manger delivered upon our doorstep last night?  YEP, Greta FINALLY got up on ALL FOURS all by herself!!!!!!!!!  Whoo hoo!  This is a HUGE step in the right direction, as far as getting all of her systems to work together (systems Ohana).  Oliver and Mackinzie were there to bear witness to such a special and splendid event.  She is also starting to almost move herself forward enough in a sitting position to beginning what looks to be a full blown crawl (forward movement).  HUGE!

 

A picture from Greta's birthday.  She was slightly interested in her cupcake.  Not too too excited though---she shows more enthusiasm when she sees her buddies, animal crackers, or Dave when he gets home from work.  My face is red because it was hot as BALLZ on Saturday.  

                                                 

I cannot believe how fast this year has gone by.  Parents of all ages would tell me that before Greta was born; they grow up so fast.  I'm eating their words now.  She talks, walks, gives people the stink eye, laughs, plays with her little friends, objects to certain foods---she is now a real person.  I still look at her and wonder what she'll be like as an adult---what will her profession be?  Where will she go to college?  What will her hobbies be?  She enjoys eating animal crackers, playing with keys, anything related to water, being outside, going on walks, playing with doors/cabinets, seeing her friends (Oliver, Josie, and Sam), push toys, Beans and Biscuit, eating anything that Dave and I are eating, Doritos, licking mirrors, and "helping" to fold laundry.  I am thankful each day that she is a happy, easygoing, and carefree baby.

We had a visit to a Developmental Pediatrician at Riley last week.  I had some concerns about her gross and fine motor development---she still doesn't crawl, pull herself up, and is able to get up from a seated position/laying down position.  I also have noticed she does seem to have much use/utilize her ring or pinky fingers on both hands.  Thankfully, Dave's Aunt Michele (who is a hospitalist at IU North) was able to call on a colleague, Dr. Julie Keck, to run some of my concerns by---she gladly agreed to see us.  Dr. Keck also shares a similar birth story--her son suffers seizures and other developmental issues from a birth injury.  While Greta NEVER has experienced anything of that magnitude, Dr. Keck and I were both robbed of a cheerful birth of our children.

Dr. Keck did notice that she has a strength difference from one side of Greta's body to the other---her gate is not symmetrical, and she has poor muscle tone in her core and chest.  She is concerned that she suffered a degree of hypoxia (lack of oxygen to the brain) during the birth, causing the poor tone.  She is also concerned that there is some brain damage to the white matter on the left side of her brain (causing the weakness on the right side).  We are seeing Dr. Chris Jackman, a Neurologist at Riley in a few weeks.  She wants to a MRI to look further into Greta's brain---I am confident that the MRI will give us a better idea of Greta's minor challenges.  Again, I'm thankful these are minor---while in the waiting room at Dr. Keck's office, there were some kids that were clearly in more challenging positions----spectrum disorders, walkers, wheelchairs, etc.  Greta presents herself as a normal 1 year old toddler---I hope she is able to overcome these delays, developing into a normal little person.

We celebrated Greta's birthday on Saturday.  We had a WONDERFUL turnout of family and friends.  I don't have pictures yet---I'll get them soon.  It was a magical day---Greta received some great gifts---the best?  An empty box of milk duds from her Aunty Jennie.  Yep.  An empty box.  Forget the blocks, push toys, clothes, books ..... an empty box made her day.

 Happy Birthday, Greta!  You are a magical woodland bunny of the forest, filled with sparkles, frosting, and puppy dog softness!

On this mystical, magical day last year, Greta was born.  While that day has since changed my life, bringing both moments of absolute joy as well as sadness and frustration, I am truly blessed to have such a wonderful daughter. 

To celebrate the day, we traveled northward to the Mitten.  We ate lemon rice soup, hung out with Great Aunt Janet, Aunty Adrienne, Aunty Jennie, and Aunty DeeDee, dumped water on the front porch, ate some graham crackers, walked around with no pants, and played with Pepe in the kitchen before retiring for the night. 


I have been dreading this day all week.  My little newborn baby is now a real person.  She laughs, plays, sings, dances, and talks.  A real person.  Time really does fly.

I can't believe it has already been a year.  I think I can finally see myself a bit in her---she gives a MEAN stink eye.  Yep, that is my girl.

Friday is almost here.....I can't believe it's been a year......Tear.