Another Obstacle Overcome

She's putting that toothbrush in her mouth.  We have been working for 15 months to desensitize that oral cavity and little by little she is letting me in.  She fussed a bit at first when I tried introducing this into her routine, but nothing like the meltdowns that she had when I initially tried to do it months ago.  She even avoided taking a bath, which is her favorite activity of the day, for a time because she knew we would be getting this brush out.  I felt like the fussing was just that though-normal fussing and so I persisted.  I pushed her a bit more each night...

AND 

now she is putting that toothbrush in her mouth all by herself!

This is huge!  She is making tremendous gains.  She is communicating by using more and more signs each day too.  I will update that next because it is blowing me away! 

I am so blessed to have this little as mine.  There are still so many days that I am overwhelmed that God allowed me to be a small part of the miracle of who she is and what she will become.  Can't wait to have her little sister home and next to her. 

Rice?

Yes, it's a sandbox with rice in it. Given my baby's tactile defensiveness issues..I thought she might need some coaxing on this one. (We tried a sand bin in OT and she rejected it..BIG TIME!!) So, I started by putting something very near to her heart and familiar to her in this box..her rice.

She dove right in.

The next step will be to put sand in on the bottom so she has to step into it to get to her rice.
She sure loves her backyard! She loves to be outside and regularly plays with everything!

Honestly, it was not in my plan to be getting a swing set in the backyard at my age. I am thrilled at the chance to have a set of swings, a slide, and a sandbox to play in! Having a little again is just so good! I am cherishing every, sweet moment I have her! It is amazing to see her smile!