Friday, May 02, 2008

Unbelievable

So physical therapy didn't suck today.

Ace's physical therapist has been doing an exercise with him during which she sits behind him, stands him up, puts her hand on his back to steady him, then pushes him forward (gently) to make him take steps. He's become more and more sure of himself with it, and today he was in a great mood. Of course, the fact that I was right in front of him wielding candy didn't hurt.

At one point, he stopped walking and stood still and she said "Look at that!" I looked at that, and said "wait a minute, you're not holding on to him, are you?" "Nope!" At that point, my baby realized that HE WAS STANDING UP ALL BY HIMSELF, UNSUPPORTED BY ANYTHING, and he started whining and about 5 seconds later, fell down.

I cried.

He did it a few more times, the standing up on his own, and we were all excited. At one point, though, she let him go and he started whining and reaching out to me AND HE TOOK A STEP ALL BY HIMSELF.

I'm sorry, did you read that? Maybe I'll put it in red. HE TOOK A STEP ALL BY HIMSELF.

I cried again. That's not all, folks.

She had gotten him these crutches and he wanted absolutely nothing to do with them. Apparently he knew that Mommy and Daddy had actually bought these instead of them being loaners like the walker he loves so much. He kept throwing them to the side and saying "no!" Oh, I'm so glad he learned that word.

The PT said "Let's see how you do with a quad cane." "Cane," Ace said, looking already pretty excited about tearing up another loaner. She busted out that bad boy and let Ace sniff around it for a minute before she stood him up and had him hold on to it. With Mommy's hugs Smartees candies as a reward, she pointed him toward me and would you believe THAT CHILD TOOK FIVE STEPS WITH THAT CANE? One step, two steps, move cane. Three steps, four steps, move cane. Five steps, fall down, get candy. That's basically how I operate my whole life, except substitute "vodka" for "candy." (I'm kidding, Mom.)

Drew's all ready to buy a cane and put some flames on it, and of course I've heard the phrase "pimp cane" at least 3 times today. Pimp cane or not, I'm so proud that I could just spit. I'm also so relieved that I don't have to buy a walker and I can just use the loaner until Ace gets totally used to the cane that I could spit twice.

He repeated his performance when he got home, but at that point he was so tired that it wouldn't have made a very good video. I will do my level best to get pictures of him using the cane tonight and hopefully a video or two. Stay tuned!

13 comments:

dhcoop said...

Oh, Stacey, that brought tears to my eyes! I'm so proud and happy for you! ACE ROCKS!!

watercolordaisy said...

YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY!!!!!!!!!
GO ACE!!!!!!!!!

I am soooo happy for you Stacey!!!
What a great day!!!
Woohoooooooooo!!!!!!!!

tank said...

Stacey, so proud of Ace! I made a small donation to MoD's in honor of my granddaughters who were born healthy at 32 weeks, praise God. Wish it could be more. I do hope Ace continues to make these wonderful strides.

ps. I love to read your blogs. Your spirit and humor is always a pick-me-up.

Dr. Wifey said...

how exciting!

mayberry said...

This is such fantastic news! What a great way to start the weekend on a positive note! I'm so excited for you!!!!

Bob Everett said...

How absolutely wonderful!!!!

I can only imagine the excitement and happiness in your heart.

Ace is very blessed to have a Mom like you. (tear drop)

Jo said...

OH! MY! GOD! STACEY! That is so awesome!!! You made ME cry too!!! Or should I say, ACE made me cry too!!!

Good for him!! Way to be a supportive mom with great expectations for her kiddo! I have seen too many mommies of children with disabilities who just give up on them and let them do whatever. But you push him (in a good way) and you EXPECT that he will do things... and that is SO SO SO important!!!!

So good for Ace and good for you and Drew too!!!!

** hugs ** **happy tears**

Jo

Lori said...

Stacey,

I am so happy to hear this!!!! Way to go Ace!!! It is useless to try to stop the tears when your preemie accomplishes something some never thought he would....the tears are flowing because you are so proud and amazed. You should be. So am I.

Hugs!
Lori

HEATHER said...

I have tears in my eyes reading this!!! I am so happy for him!!!!
YEAH ACE!!!!!
PS- I linked to your MOD site on my blog. Hopefully I can get you some more dough.

Susan said...

Your little guy is so awesome. There isn't anything he can't do!

Shiksa on the move said...

Ace is a rock star and everyone knows it. He'll be tearing across the house in no time!

Jennifer said...

Oh. My. Gosh. I cried, too (every time you said you did in the story)--This is HUGE!!!!!!!! I am so proud of him! We need to have a blog celebration where we all mail Ace presents during the same week--I am just loving that boy so much right now! Good thing I don't live closer to you--You wouldn't be able to get rid of me! Post videos when you get a good one--Can't wait to see this!

From the Doghouse said...

Ooooh, Ambulatory Ace; that could be scary! (it could also be a character in a Sin City sequel, but I digress).

That is just too awesome, and I'm so happy for him (and you and Drew too)!