Missing in Action!

Hey all sorry we have been gone for two weeks, thinks got very busy there! Well the big news first, Miss Kiki took her first steps yesterday Sunday 7th October 2012 at 4.20pm, and I missed them! HA! But Stephen was here and witnessed them. Then all evening she spent her time going into standing position in the middle of the floor, something she has NEVER done and trying to step! She did two steps for me then, we were SOOOO excited... Long time coming!
We spent the weekend in Athlone at  The Rett Syndrome of Ireland's Family Weekend. We had a nice time (when the two bigger girls weren't driving us bananas). We learned a lot there. We learned that Amelie has Vacant Episodes due to Retts and not epilepsy which was a MASSIVE relief. We also met with a Speech and Language therapist who specialises in Retts, she gave us some great pointers and some good ideas on how to communicate with Amelie. We also met Rachael Bloom another Rett mum but also an advocate to all the parents in regards to all the research being done at the moment. It really does give parents hope! The rest of the weekend was a chance for us to meet up with other parents and their daughters, the was one little girl there who was walking great, talking in full sentences, I honestly didn't think that she Rett's until later on when I noticed her pushchair, and over heard her folks talking. I was just amazed. While there we all got to hold the Sam Maguire (Gaelic Football Cup the All Ireland winners get), the McCarthy Cup (Hurling Cup that the All Ireland winners get) and the Heiniken Cup ( the Rugby cup).... Well Stephen was well happy! :-)

Amelie went swimming in the hotel's hydro swimming pool, and LOVED it! So I think we have discovered that Amelie is a snob and doesn't like public swimming pools! haha No in all honesty I think she doesn't like the acoustics and sheer size of public swimming pools, so we may have to keep attending these types of pools, lucky there is one in the Cavan Crystal hotel.

We did get her to Horse-riding two weeks ago, but the weather has been crappy so haven't had her back, but I plan on getting her out this week. She loved it, she hugged Buttons (the horse) looked all around her and just really enjoyed herself. She only did it for about 15mins but it wacked her out.

She has also continued her adventures on the toilet. Every time we put her on it she does something, the other day in the hotel she went number 2 BIG TIME! (Sorry too much info haha) she we put her in the bath with the girls, and there was lots of laughing coming from the bathroom, when all of a sudden I heard Grace shouting "she's pooed"!!! Scarlett was saying "no she hasn't"......... "Arrrrr, yes she has"! We ran in to find poo in the big bath! haha.... And Stephen found himself back at work! Teehee Only messing Stephen! But I swear I then nearly wet myself watching the girls on the side of the bath like Jaws was in the bath! hahaha....

Amelie was also given Jack and Jill hours this week, where the Jack and Jill Foundation pay for a career for 4 hours a week to help with care for Amelie. This may not sound like a lot, but really it is huge and will give Amelie some great play time with her carer. So a big two weeks all in all, lets hope that we have some photo's of Kiki walking this week and pray for her continued progress...

http://www.jackandjill.ie/