Yeah Eden!!!!!!!!!!!! I am so proud of you. You never cease to amaze me!
Thu Jan 11, 02:54:00 PM EST
Anonymous said...
I am crying. Look at her! WALKING! With help, yes, but still! Walking! I guess because I'm not faced with it every day, I can look at her in her pony walker and feel so elated for her because she is so happy and she wants to to it so badly and there she is actually doing it. It's hard for me to see the sadness in this because I think I would be much sadder if she never got to the point where she could use this. I remember months ago the docs telling you that she would probably never stand. Yet she can do that. She will never walk seems like a negative things to say, but she might never walk without some sort of assistance, but at two, here she is walking and loving every second.
I'm so happy for your family today!
Thu Jan 11, 03:27:00 PM EST
Anonymous said...
This post brought tears off happiness to my eyes! I can't tell you how happy I am for Eden.
She has progressed so much in the last few months. I know she must want to do things that she sees you all doing. With enough determination she may just do some of the things we never thought possible!
Give her a big hug from one of her biggest fans!!!!
Thu Jan 11, 03:44:00 PM EST
Anonymous said...
I can't begin to tell you how happy I am for Eden!! She knows what she wants and is such a determined, smart little thing I have no doubt she will be zipping along in her pony walker and you'll have to be chasing her down. I can't wait till this summer when we can get her and her sis outside to run around. She'll sleep good tonight!! Luv U Guys and Congrats to EDIE!! Liz
Thu Jan 11, 04:32:00 PM EST
Anonymous said...
Billie I have to tell you that your girls are an inspiration to me. I have spoke to you before about my son (he is getting a cochlear implant) and he has CP as well. I have never seen the pony! Ashton isn't ready for something like that but it will definately be something to remember!
Thu Jan 11, 04:46:00 PM EST
Anonymous said...
Congradulations on Eden's first steps! May there be many more. She looks so happy with her newfound independence. To her it does not seem to matter that it's in a walker, she's walking and she's proud.
Thu Jan 11, 05:40:00 PM EST
Anonymous said...
Congratulations Eden on your new ride. You will be able to see the world differently now and it will be great.
You have proved to everyone that nothing can hold you back!!! This is an amazing day for you!!
I have been following your progress for some time and I cannot believe how far the two of you have come. Your quite a team.
Stay positive and enjoy your pony.
Thu Jan 11, 05:58:00 PM EST
Anonymous said...
Thats awesome. Her game is really cute. -E
Thu Jan 11, 06:14:00 PM EST
Anonymous said...
WOO WOO!!! AWESOME PICTURES! THERE'S NO STOPPING HER NOW!! :) LOVE, Jules
Thu Jan 11, 06:47:00 PM EST
Anonymous said...
Billie: That is awesome! I am so happy for Eden and all of you! The other side I always think to she wont walk on her becuase of the walker but maybe she will becuase she learned with the walker and got those muscles strong enough to work on their own. I am so happy she is doing so fabulous! You have incredible little girls in your life!
Thu Jan 11, 07:06:00 PM EST
Anonymous said...
Edie has been playing that game for awhile... we say bye,bye then run around and yell "Hi". She NEVER gets tired of it, now that she can do the running you guys can at least sit and wait for her instead of doing laps yourself!!:) I can't wait to play this new version! -Kim
I got chills while reading this post. Eden is such a fiercely determined little girl. This literal step further into independence must feel so good to her... your babies are growing up!
Thu Jan 11, 09:17:00 PM EST
Anonymous said...
What a nifty piece of equipment, and Eden is obviously making the most of it! I am cheering her on from cyberspace!
Cindy
Thu Jan 11, 09:24:00 PM EST
Anonymous said...
what a great day! hurrah!! i am so happy for eden. she is amazing and her determination is unbelievable. please give her a high five from cali. love, lisa
How exciting! Getting new equipment and seeing them independent and walking IS a very big deal and you should be proud. She is doing very well and it's exciting to have some equipment that works for her. I know my own Dear Son was very excited when they finally found a walker that worked for him and had trunk support.
Yeah for walking! By the way, she looks beautiful in her walker. Isn't it great to see the joy she gets from being independent?
Thu Jan 11, 09:55:00 PM EST
Anonymous said...
Beautiful! You can see the joy and excitement and pride in Eden's face in these pictures. What a wonderful walker for her! I hope she loves it, and puts lots of miles on it in 2007. Way to go Eden! best wishes, tripleblessings@sasktel.net
GO Eden! The pictures say it all. You can tell how happy and proud she is! I love the 3rd pic where she is smiling and waving.
Amy
Fri Jan 12, 08:30:00 AM EST
Anonymous said...
I don't post often but I just couldn't resist this one. She is a darling and I couldn't be more proud if she was one of my own when I read this post. Congratulations to Eden on this huge accomplishment - here's to many, many more. Kelly
Fri Jan 12, 08:47:00 AM EST
Anonymous said...
I hate it too when Darsie gets more equipment.
But the look on Eden's face is priceless. You can just TELL how happy she is.
She is amazing!
Fri Jan 12, 10:44:00 AM EST
Anonymous said...
eden must of been realy excited aww she is such amazing and strong little girl all thre best from sarah andrew katie and james
Fri Jan 12, 12:09:00 PM EST
Anonymous said...
oh my what an adorable little girl! You can feel her excitement! Good for you for being so open to these thigns for her and good for her for getting the hang of it so quick!
Congratulations Eden! That is so awesome and you can see how happy she is to be doing things all by herself. :) What a cool device that Ponywalker is too.. she looks like she is loving the chance to feel totally in control. You go girl! Dont let anyone ever tell you that you cant do anything! ;)
That's amazing how quickly she took to it, and she looks so happy too!
Fri Jan 12, 07:05:00 PM EST
Anonymous said...
WTG Eden.. this post was so touching and exciting.. She looks so happy in her new walker!! I sure hope this makes her happier being able to get around more..
Thanks for de-luring on my blog :) I had lost all my info on my computer awhile back and lost this link!!
Fri Jan 12, 07:31:00 PM EST
Anonymous said...
Go, Eden!! This is one of the most poignant posts I've read in a long time. Eden has come so far, and it's wonderful to see how much she is enjoying her new experiences. I am so proud of her!
Fri Jan 12, 11:31:00 PM EST
Anonymous said...
Go Eden Go Eden!!! Wow look at the excitement on her face...There is no stopping this little one...
What an amazing, determined and precious little girl Eden is. I love to see her genuine smiles of pride. I know I have said this before, but she just reminds me so much of our little Avery with her patient yet determined spirit. It's something I believe got them both so far already and will continue to help them as they each grow and develop. Thanks for inspiring us, Eden!
Eden looks SO happy and proud in her walker - I'm thrilled for her.
BUT... a powerchair is not never getting around on her own, a powerchair is a way - a perfectly valid way - of getting from A to B independantly, which is what matters, in the end. More likely than not it'll be a powerchair she races around the playground with her friends in at school, and a powerchair that takes her from her dorm to her classes at college. Her ability to walk is impaired, her ability to go where she wishes, when she wishes, is not. And that's the important bit.
Mon Jan 15, 08:36:00 AM EST
Anonymous said...
I think we all wish we could be half as good a Mom as you are. Those girls are loved, and it shows. You have a beautiful family.
Mon Jan 15, 02:36:00 PM EST
Anonymous said...
Ive been checking your website for sometime now, after stumbling accross it, but your kids are so cute they keep me coming back to see how they are. im from Northwest UK, and i think your little girls are the most precious kids ever! your obivously amazing parents to have the strength to have gotten through their traumatic start and to have brought up such happy children, they are blessed to call you guys mum and dad. god bless and all the luck in the world, n doubt il be back on your blog soon! Kirsty, 20, UK xxxx
Mon Jan 15, 09:17:00 PM EST
Anonymous said...
I've always believed there are more and more miracles ahead for both girls. All of you remain in my prayers. Connie W.
Tue Jan 16, 03:53:00 PM EST
Anonymous said...
YEAH EDEN!!! Billie I'm crying! You are such a strong Mommy and soooo good! I am happy for Eden! Noel (Kristin's sister in law)
Your excitement comes through so strong, I feel like I was there. Your girl is an awesome, powerful little angel. Yay, yay, yay!
Wed Jan 17, 09:23:00 PM EST
Anonymous said...
She (and you) is a true inspiration to us all. When we are having those not so good days, I look at how far Eden has come and I know that John will be okay too.
Nice! We got a loaner Pony Walker to try for our son yesterday. Unfortunately the one they sent is too big, but he loves being in it, and they're going to send a smaller one soon.
Fri Feb 09, 03:20:00 PM EST
[Image] [Image] [Image]This is one AMAZING little girl! We had such a good day of therapy. Today Eden got her pony walker. I have really been looking forward to it, ever since Pam, her PT, mentioned it to us before Christmas. Eden was showing lots of signs that she was ready to try it...bearing a tiny bit more weight on her legs more often, moving her legs like she is trying to walk when you help her, and saying the words "walk," "jump," and her most recent favorite "run." She's been really wanting to be upright, and to get around more, and has been crying and pitching a good 2-year-old fit when we put her down. So, I knew she was ready and I was really getting excited to try the walker.
I swear Eden knew what it was from the second she saw it. I said, "do you wanna walk?" and she got SO excited and started trying to get into it from my arms. Once in there, she grabbed the handles and started trying to walk right away. She did so good! She could move herself all the way across the room (about 10-12 feet) and probably could have gone further if we had more open space. She was SO happy.
She started playing a game with me, saying "bye, see ya" and I was supposed to go ahead of her so she couldn't see me. She would then walk until she could see me and would exclaim "HIIIEEE" with the hugest smile, then would immediately tell me "bye, see ya" again. She really thought she was BIG STUFF and would have done this for hours. She also liked turning the Christmas tree on and off, trying to buckle the belts in the high chairs, and opening and shutting the refridgerator door. We could tell that she was so proud and happy to be up and able to go where she wanted. It was a lot of fun and she didn't want to get out. In fact she cried and said "more... walk" repeatedly when we were done, even though we could tell she was getting tired. She was in there for like, 45 minutes, on her first time!
I know, both from our experiences so far, and from reading other blogs, that getting new equipment can sometimes be painful and emotional. Getting a new stander could mean that she will never stand on her own, getting a walker might mean she will never walk, and getting a power wheelchair might mean that she will never be able to get around on her own. I know these feelings, but today I am just happy for Eden because she is so happy and proud of herself.
On the other hand, I do feel some brief moments of sadness, just in knowing that she has been watching us, and Holland, for so long doing the things that she really wants to be doing herself. I hope this walker will help Eden do more of the things she wants to do independently. I will continue everyday in my pursuit of making her life as normal and happy and independent as I possibly can. Everyone knows she is doing her part!
"Pony Walker!!!"
41 Comments -
Yeah Eden!!!!!!!!!!!! I am so proud of you. You never cease to amaze me!
Thu Jan 11, 02:54:00 PM EST
I am crying. Look at her! WALKING! With help, yes, but still! Walking! I guess because I'm not faced with it every day, I can look at her in her pony walker and feel so elated for her because she is so happy and she wants to to it so badly and there she is actually doing it. It's hard for me to see the sadness in this because I think I would be much sadder if she never got to the point where she could use this. I remember months ago the docs telling you that she would probably never stand. Yet she can do that. She will never walk seems like a negative things to say, but she might never walk without some sort of assistance, but at two, here she is walking and loving every second.
I'm so happy for your family today!
Thu Jan 11, 03:27:00 PM EST
This post brought tears off happiness to my eyes! I can't tell you how happy I am for Eden.
She has progressed so much in the last few months. I know she must want to do things that she sees you all doing. With enough determination she may just do some of the things we never thought possible!
Give her a big hug from one of her biggest fans!!!!
Thu Jan 11, 03:44:00 PM EST
I can't begin to tell you how happy I am for Eden!! She knows what she wants and is such a determined, smart little thing I have no doubt she will be zipping along in her pony walker and you'll have to be chasing her down. I can't wait till this summer when we can get her and her sis outside to run around. She'll sleep good tonight!! Luv U Guys and Congrats to EDIE!! Liz
Thu Jan 11, 04:32:00 PM EST
Billie I have to tell you that your girls are an inspiration to me. I have spoke to you before about my son (he is getting a cochlear implant) and he has CP as well. I have never seen the pony! Ashton isn't ready for something like that but it will definately be something to remember!
Thu Jan 11, 04:46:00 PM EST
Congradulations on Eden's first steps! May there be many more. She looks so happy with her newfound independence. To her it does not seem to matter that it's in a walker, she's walking and she's proud.
Thu Jan 11, 05:40:00 PM EST
Congratulations Eden on your new ride. You will be able to see the world differently now and it will be great.
You have proved to everyone that nothing can hold you back!!! This is an amazing day for you!!
I have been following your progress for some time and I cannot believe how far the two of you have come. Your quite a team.
Stay positive and enjoy your pony.
Thu Jan 11, 05:58:00 PM EST
Thats awesome. Her game is really cute. -E
Thu Jan 11, 06:14:00 PM EST
WOO WOO!!! AWESOME PICTURES!
THERE'S NO STOPPING HER NOW!!
:)
LOVE,
Jules
Thu Jan 11, 06:47:00 PM EST
Billie: That is awesome! I am so happy for Eden and all of you! The other side I always think to she wont walk on her becuase of the walker but maybe she will becuase she learned with the walker and got those muscles strong enough to work on their own. I am so happy she is doing so fabulous! You have incredible little girls in your life!
Thu Jan 11, 07:06:00 PM EST
Edie has been playing that game for awhile... we say bye,bye then run around and yell "Hi". She NEVER gets tired of it, now that she can do the running you guys can at least sit and wait for her instead of doing laps yourself!!:) I can't wait to play this new version! -Kim
Thu Jan 11, 08:49:00 PM EST
I got chills while reading this post. Eden is such a fiercely determined little girl. This literal step further into independence must feel so good to her... your babies are growing up!
Thu Jan 11, 09:17:00 PM EST
What a nifty piece of equipment, and Eden is obviously making the most of it! I am cheering her on from cyberspace!
Cindy
Thu Jan 11, 09:24:00 PM EST
what a great day! hurrah!! i am so happy for eden. she is amazing and her determination is unbelievable. please give her a high five from cali.
love, lisa
Thu Jan 11, 09:41:00 PM EST
How exciting! Getting new equipment and seeing them independent and walking IS a very big deal and you should be proud. She is doing very well and it's exciting to have some equipment that works for her. I know my own Dear Son was very excited when they finally found a walker that worked for him and had trunk support.
Yeah for walking! By the way, she looks beautiful in her walker. Isn't it great to see the joy she gets from being independent?
Thu Jan 11, 09:55:00 PM EST
Beautiful! You can see the joy and excitement and pride in Eden's face in these pictures. What a wonderful walker for her! I hope she loves it, and puts lots of miles on it in 2007.
Way to go Eden!
best wishes,
tripleblessings@sasktel.net
Fri Jan 12, 12:42:00 AM EST
Love it!
Fri Jan 12, 04:04:00 AM EST
Just unbelievable! I am so happy right now...
Fri Jan 12, 06:38:00 AM EST
GO Eden! The pictures say it all. You can tell how happy and proud she is! I love the 3rd pic where she is smiling and waving.
Amy
Fri Jan 12, 08:30:00 AM EST
I don't post often but I just couldn't resist this one. She is a darling and I couldn't be more proud if she was one of my own when I read this post. Congratulations to Eden on this huge accomplishment - here's to many, many more.
Kelly
Fri Jan 12, 08:47:00 AM EST
I hate it too when Darsie gets more equipment.
But the look on Eden's face is priceless. You can just TELL how happy she is.
She is amazing!
Fri Jan 12, 10:44:00 AM EST
eden must of been realy excited aww she is such amazing and strong little girl all thre best
from
sarah andrew
katie and james
Fri Jan 12, 12:09:00 PM EST
oh my what an adorable little girl! You can feel her excitement! Good for you for being so open to these thigns for her and good for her for getting the hang of it so quick!
Fri Jan 12, 01:01:00 PM EST
Go Eden! That looks like fun! She meets every challenge placed in front of her with a smile.
Fri Jan 12, 02:13:00 PM EST
Your girls are beautiful. My son has special needs as well. I've learned over the years that there is NO stopping them!
Fri Jan 12, 05:39:00 PM EST
Congratulations Eden! That is so awesome and you can see how happy she is to be doing things all by herself. :) What a cool device that Ponywalker is too.. she looks like she is loving the chance to feel totally in control. You go girl! Dont let anyone ever tell you that you cant do anything! ;)
Fri Jan 12, 06:17:00 PM EST
That's amazing how quickly she took to it, and she looks so happy too!
Fri Jan 12, 07:05:00 PM EST
WTG Eden.. this post was so touching and exciting.. She looks so happy in her new walker!! I sure hope this makes her happier being able to get around more..
Thanks for de-luring on my blog :) I had lost all my info on my computer awhile back and lost this link!!
Fri Jan 12, 07:31:00 PM EST
Go, Eden!! This is one of the most poignant posts I've read in a long time. Eden has come so far, and it's wonderful to see how much she is enjoying her new experiences. I am so proud of her!
Fri Jan 12, 11:31:00 PM EST
Go Eden Go Eden!!! Wow look at the excitement on her face...There is no stopping this little one...
Sat Jan 13, 01:13:00 PM EST
You can see how happy she is, I love it! What a marvellous post!
Yay, Edie!
Lots of love,
Kendra
Sat Jan 13, 09:14:00 PM EST
What an amazing, determined and precious little girl Eden is. I love to see her genuine smiles of pride. I know I have said this before, but she just reminds me so much of our little Avery with her patient yet determined spirit. It's something I believe got them both so far already and will continue to help them as they each grow and develop. Thanks for inspiring us, Eden!
Sat Jan 13, 11:31:00 PM EST
Way to go Eden! Awesome!
Sun Jan 14, 02:44:00 PM EST
Eden looks SO happy and proud in her walker - I'm thrilled for her.
BUT... a powerchair is not never getting around on her own, a powerchair is a way - a perfectly valid way - of getting from A to B independantly, which is what matters, in the end. More likely than not it'll be a powerchair she races around the playground with her friends in at school, and a powerchair that takes her from her dorm to her classes at college. Her ability to walk is impaired, her ability to go where she wishes, when she wishes, is not. And that's the important bit.
Mon Jan 15, 08:36:00 AM EST
I think we all wish we could be half as good a Mom as you are. Those girls are loved, and it shows. You have a beautiful family.
Mon Jan 15, 02:36:00 PM EST
Ive been checking your website for sometime now, after stumbling accross it, but your kids are so cute they keep me coming back to see how they are. im from Northwest UK, and i think your little girls are the most precious kids ever! your obivously amazing parents to have the strength to have gotten through their traumatic start and to have brought up such happy children, they are blessed to call you guys mum and dad.
god bless and all the luck in the world, n doubt il be back on your blog soon!
Kirsty, 20, UK
xxxx
Mon Jan 15, 09:17:00 PM EST
I've always believed there are more and more miracles ahead for both girls. All of you remain in my prayers. Connie W.
Tue Jan 16, 03:53:00 PM EST
YEAH EDEN!!! Billie I'm crying! You are such a strong Mommy and soooo good! I am happy for Eden!
Noel (Kristin's sister in law)
Tue Jan 16, 07:26:00 PM EST
Your excitement comes through so strong, I feel like I was there. Your girl is an awesome, powerful little angel. Yay, yay, yay!
Wed Jan 17, 09:23:00 PM EST
She (and you) is a true inspiration to us all. When we are having those not so good days, I look at how far Eden has come and I know that John will be okay too.
Thu Jan 18, 01:48:00 PM EST
Nice! We got a loaner Pony Walker to try for our son yesterday. Unfortunately the one they sent is too big, but he loves being in it, and they're going to send a smaller one soon.
Fri Feb 09, 03:20:00 PM EST