Almost 2!

This time last year I was living in a hospital room with Mallie - I can't believe it - that its been a whole year already. Mallie has come so far since then. She was not sitting up, drinking from a sippy cup, eating real food, HEARING!!! So much she has done with herself in the last year. She is understanding more and more words as the days pass by. Still not making very many different noises or sounds yet. I have to tell myself that she has only been able to hear for almost 6 months now. Most normal 6 month olds are not talking yet. Essentially she had to start from scratch when we were activated. It will come!!! The fact that she understands words and turns her head when we call her name is absolutely AMAZING! One thing we were told is that she may not be able to enjoy music as some implant users never can distinguish the sounds that make it up. Mallie knows the difference - when there is music playing she will sway her head from side to side or clap her hands like patty cake. She knows that talking and music are not the same. Another amazing thing! We had an appt two weeks ago almost for her GI issues and basically were told to up her Miralax on the days that she does not go.....she just has slow gut motility and with that she may get constipated. Her audiologist appt went great again. She still was not as spot on with responding to sound on her right side. So we bumped her right side up a bit to see it that will help. As for her left she is responding beautifully. We go back in a couple months. We do have an Endo appt coming up along with a genetic dr. I am hoping to get some more help and or insight on her syndrome, maybe replacing her neuro peds dr as I have never been a big fan of her. The endo appt is going to deal with her growth. I don't know what to really expect from that appt yet, but I am sure we will be talking about growth hormones and such. Mallie is going to be TWO on saturday! We are having a party on her birthday - oh sweet it is to be doing that on her actual birthday. I feel that this year is a huge milestone as we have managed to stay out of the hospital and we will be home not in GR this year. I can't complain about this year too much as I feel blessed to be where we are today. I am looking forward to getting Mallie mobile this year - either crawling or walking. She is still pretty weak in the legs and I know we have caused some of it as we tend to have a habit of just getting her things when she points. I try to work on the leg strength everyday somehow. She is getting stronger in her core - she will bend in half and push up on her own. She is getting closer to pulling up on stuff too. Just need a bit more weight on her :) She is just shy of 14 pounds lately which is still a tiny little peanut. This makes everything harder for her...... I know in time its all going to come and everyone says be happy to not chase her around yet. Oh but I am ready to chase her around and move on - she is a toddler :) Even if she only looks like a 6 month old. I do have a video of her learning to blow on her recorder...I am hoping to post it - so cute :)