Oh the Places You'll Go!

"Today is your day.
You're off to Great Places!
You're off and away!

You have brains in your head.
You have feet in your shoes
You can steer yourself
any direction you choose." ~Dr. Seuss

Last Thursday Kyndall received her "special shoes" that we've been waiting for.  These special shoes are actually called AFO's (Ankle Foot Orthosis)  and are small braces that will help keep her ankles from folding in when she stands and therefore help her to walk.  At 19 months old, most kids have been walking (if not running) for many months now.  However, Kyndall was diagnosed with a form of hypotonia which basically means her muscles weren't very strong.  We've been working with our wonderful physical therapist, Ms. Ingrid, for several months now and I am AMAZED at the progress she's made!!

In fact, two weeks ago on April 26th (our 4th wedding anniversary), Matthew and I got the best anniversary gift we could ever ask for.  Kyndall stood up in the middle of the living room and took her very first steps!  Matthew and I were both here to see it, and we also managed to get both sets of Grandparents on Skype so they could witness it as well.  We went to bed that night feeling like we were on top of the world!  I was so proud of my baby girl!  She has continued to take steps and cruise on her own even without the braces.  However, her poor little ankles fold in so badly and in the long run, these braces will give her the strength and stability that she needs to walk normally.

I was excited but nervous about getting the AFO's.  I wasn't sure how Kyndall would react to them, as I knew it would probably affect her new found walking skills in at least a small way.  Ms. Ingrid and I made a big deal over the "special" shoes and told her how pretty they were and tried to really talk them up for her.  She seemed to do pretty well with them, but out of curiosity, kept trying to take them off and inspect them.  So, we were forced to make her wear her "moon shoes", as I have started calling them.  To me, they look absolutely ridiculous on her tiny little chicken legs, but they're specially made to fit the bulky AFO's which won't fit down in her regular shoes.  Bye bye cute little summer sandals!  =(

Here she is just moments after putting them on for the first time.......

This is what the AFO's look like without the shoes.  We got to pick the pattern and of course I chose pink! =)

This is why we have to wear shoes over the braces..........

For now, Ms. Ingrid only wants her to wear them a few hours a day, until she gets used to having them on.  Eventually, she'll wear them all the time.  Just to prove how much progress she's made in the past couple of months, I'm including the next few pictures.  Notice that she did all of this WITHOUT the braces!

Guess who climbed up on the glider all by herself?...........

Kyndall, we are so proud of you and all of your hard work!  We want you to know that you can do ANYTHING you want to do and nothing will hold you back.  You are fearfully and wonderfully made and you are perfect just the way you are.  I can't wait to see you in a few years, when this small obstacle is just a distant memory.  These feet will take you anywhere you want to go.  You can be anything you want to be, sweet girl!  Will you be a dancer like Mommy?  A softball player like Aunt Kelly?  A golfer like G-Daddy?  A marathon runner like your cousin Jennifer?  You can do it all, Kyndall Anne!!

"You'll be on your way up!
You'll be seeing great sights!
You'll join the high fliers
who soar to high heights.

You won't lag behind, because you'll have the speed.
You'll pass the whole gang and you'll soon take the lead.
Wherever you fly, you'll be the best of the best.
Wherever you go, you will top all the rest.

Oh, the places you'll go!"