A new vantage point

Strange things are afoot. Literally. We are talking moving legs and feet.

Over the summer Zack started to take steps with his legs. This miraculous account seemed unbelievable at first. I put it down to tone, using the high tight muscle tone in his hips forcing him to lift them. But he has performed this little piece of theatre several times, getting stronger and better with each practice.

We discovered it together. Innocently in the back yard, outside, playing with his sister. I stood him up, holding him underneath his arms. Zack loves to stand, he likes nothing more than to stretch, I encourage him to push, to bear weight through his legs. On this day he chose to lift his leg up and place it down, followed by the other. As I got more excited and shouted words of encouragement, Scarlett did laps. This was followed by such joy and laughter from Zack that he nearly threw up due to screaming with delight.

We told his new physio. I suggested we try him in a walker. She suggested we wait and let her assess him. Okay I agreed. I joined Zack at a recent physio session, the walker was out, a base with four wheels, with a frame and moving seat. She placed Zack in it, and whilst he reasoned not to show his new skills, I could see the delight in his face. The pleasure of being up, being straight, the freshness of a new vantage point. He loved it.

I agreed that she would try him occasionally in it and see how he goes. All the while in my mind I know I will continue in agreement with his physio but encouraging his movements. And one day, soon, I will buy him his own walker.

Zack has pushed me into believing in him. I think I stopped. For a long time I think I had given up, I stopped believing. I accepted the situation, thought this was to be him. He showed me it isn't and to get up and fight again. To believe in him. Always believe he can achieve more. Sorry I doubted you.

Change to the parking procedures

The pad is almost complete and King Zack has his own en-suite. I don't even have my own en-suite.

I'm really pleased with his room, it looks great. Lots of light and space in his bedroom and his bathroom, whilst accommodating his needs, doesn't look clinical. Completed pictures coming soon.

At the moment we are mid snag list. We are living with no kitchen and looks that way for at last another month and a half. Our makeshift island looks fabulous....if you like shabby chic that is and microwave meals.

Zack continues to do well at school. Seems like he has settled in as have I. Already he has managed to get hit by a car (not to worry it was more of a push and no damage taken) this resulted in a change to the parking procedures. Also, I have managed to have a row with his new physiotherapist about the amount of physio he receives. It ended well, I think. Either way he seems to be getting more now than he did before so that's a bonus.

Scarlett has started pre-school. She has unleashed her independent spirit (a.k.a downright defiance). Each morning I go to collect her with a slight dread at what reports I get. I can hear myself saying, we do discipline her you know, I mean she is just so strong-willed. All the while I bet the staff are thinking yeah, yeah, yeah, heard it all before. Secretly I like her fire. I think a bit of fire in the belly is a good thing. Zack's burns with determination and stubbornness, Scarlett's sparks with absolute certainty of her own mind.

Think things are going to be harder with these two, not easier.

I am left with the small one

He's in. He has started school. My little baby is now a big boy.

All smart and gleaming he began a new chapter in his life and joined the masses at school.

He did half days last week. The first morning that I collected him he was not too happy. Throwing a sulk in his chair, thrashing his arms, generally getting agitated. The teacher told me he wasn't too happy in his school chair, so she got him out and he sat on her knee for a bit.

...........wait a minute, he's been there five minutes and already he has people getting him out for a knee top cuddle.

The rest of the week I heard how he had been smiling and giggling, something he refuses to do for me when I collect him, whereupon he puts me proper in the doghouse for a good half hour.  This week he is in for full days, he is going to be shattered and will also probably hate me.

Now I am left with the small one, but fear not, if all goes to plan she will be in pre-school three mornings a week, and me, well, I have enough projects on to last me until 2030.

Here is a picture of my superstar.