THE ANDERSON'S IN PHILLY...: February 2008

Thursday, February 28, 2008

Jeremy photo of Gabe

Jeremy's really getting good with his new camera and I just wanted to share a photo he took of Gabriel that I really like:

with "real" weather comes real weather clothes!!

Now that it's actually cold here (today it only got up to 17 degree's) we actually had to start bundling the kid up for the bus ride to school-

He's saying "HEY" and "HOT" poor kiddo waiting inside for the bus can be a little warm when it's cold outside!

He's a trooper though, and sooooo CUTE!!

Last Friday they cancelled school for Gabriel because of a snow "storm"- but in all fairness... it really was the first real weather we have had, but we only got 3 inches!! It did make me a bit nostalgic for snow- those moments in the morning when you go outside and everything is muffled a bit, it's still and quiet- at least for a few moments anyway...

Here's a couple shots of our big snow...

By the way, that night it rained and the next day it was in the 40's so it's all melted again!! HA!!

Sunday, February 24, 2008

Hard working man!

Gabriel has been walking in a gait-trainer for quite a few years actually but it's many different levels of walking. When he started out he was completely supported in every single direction. (chest support, leg straps, ankle straps, pelvic harness, arm supports, wrist straps, also the wheels are locked so that the walker only goes straight and forward, etc) Over time and as he has gotten stronger we have taken some of those supports away and he has continued to work very hard and WALK even though he is doing so much more of the balance, correction and work himself. We are very proud of him and just wanted to share!

This is one of Gabe's very first times in a gait trainer.

(What an adorable little guy, he was so excited and proud to be up and walking- even if we did have him in every strap under the sun and wearing an eye patch!!)

This picture is because his butt is soooo cute! JUST KIDDING-

I wanted to show that even though the pelvic support is there, we have it lower/loose. He isn't really being supported by it at all, it's just there in case he fatigues and needs the support- it's there for him.

No more chest harness, or leg harnesses, or ankle supports!

All that makes for very hard work!! (That's Gabe's Physical Therapist Eric - he's proud of our little guy too!!)

Eric was just teasing Gabe and he's trying to turn around and look at him, I just thought this was a cute picture!!

He works so hard and just like me he gets all red and splotchy when he's doing it.

As we take more and more things away keeping it in the middle of the road gets harder, so then we start working on getting away from obstacles, for example.. the wall!!

Great Job Gabe! You've come a long way and we are SO PROUD!! Keep up the GREAT work!!

Wednesday, February 20, 2008

"Date Night"

Jeremy and I actually had a date! We drove into New York City to see Eddie Izzard live!! It was a lot of fun, the show, the sights, and the company! (I Love you Honey!!)

I just love it when he cracks himself up!! He goes for quite a while being witty and on point until it just reaches a point where he says something silly and cracks himself up. Deffinately my favorite comic- Bright, relevant, witty and yet silly and fun!!

Thursday, February 14, 2008

Floor Sitter...

We got Gabe a "Minnow" its initial/intentional use is the bath tub, but it's also used a floor sitter. I have mentioned it quite a few times to family and friends on the phone and thought I'd post a picture to help with the description.

Gabe really likes it- It uses his body weight to help support him while sitting.

He loves to use it while watching Sponge Bob, and also when we play catch with his favorite Spiderman soccer ball.

In the pictures he was totally in to Sponge Bob!!

Tuesday, February 12, 2008

feels like Michigan... and not in the good way!

This is the closest to Michigan it has been this year. Today the high is 23degrees and the low over night was 10degrees. When I put Gabe on the bus this morning- it was only 17degrees! We don't have any snow on the ground- we have had a flurry here and there but it's as cold as it has been this year today and it reminded me of February in Michigan.

Well, I spoke too soon!! The snow/wintery mix started around noon and went into the night- freezing rain, now followed by slightly warmer temperatures bringing rain and possibly more snow. Definitely starting to feel more like Michigan!

I must say- I miss the people- not the weather!!