She did it!

(Faith did not know we were filming her when we shot this (until the very end) she was supposed to be napping. :)

Today Faith hit a milestone we've been waiting for. A few minutes after we put Faith down for her afternoon nap Brian glanced at the video monitor and ran upstairs. I thought something terrible had happened (a disconnect or something) nope- nothing terrible- something very exciting. Faith was in the 4-point (crawling position) she got herself from lying down into that position all by herself. Yes, this is a 6 month old skill but for us, and for Faith it is a skill we never thought she'd obtain.

Faith HATES being on her tummy- and for good reason. Her g-tube in her stomach and trach w/ventilator tubing makes it very difficult. Faith's therapists have been working with her for a loooong time (in the hospital and at home) to get her into four point. She usually cries whenever we put her into this position. Faith does not roll onto her tummy so obviously sitting up on her own has a challenge- until today!!!

As you all know Faith does everything on her terms, in her own way (and yes, in her own time...) that's how she is doing this sitting up thing. She relies on her legs to push her up (not arm strength like typical babies). She is still trying to figure out how to get herself from 4-point to sitting (she has to slide her legs...tubing makes this difficult) but she did do this a few time!

Not only did she do it once but she continued to do it every time we put her back down. And we thought she wasn't a good sleeper now! Just wait!!! This is a very exciting milestone not because it's a physical barrier she crossed but because it gives her more choices, and more freedom. She often becomes frustrated because she can't do things typical babies her age do. She thumps her feet while laying down, singling to us that she wants up (this is one of her only forms of communication...) now she can choose whether or not she wants up or down. I think her life just got a little easier for her and a little bit more challenge for us! But this is a challenge we will fully embrace!

Thanks for all of your prayers for Emerson- we are truly touched on how many of you responded!!! :) She is hanging in there thanks to all of your prayers.