Mom and Gabs... selfies

I've been clearing pictures off my iphone.  ANd it's kind of fun because I then get to recount the time in my world when each of them was taken.  For instance these...

Gabs and I get to spend some quality time together every Wednesday and Thursday when we go to therapy together. 

We drop Ellie off, add a little more lipstick and hit the road to my office.

One of the things they work on in therapy is body awareness.  A good way to do this is to make our bodies into different shapes and positions and have her try and imitate them.

Has anyone noticed the extremes she goes to when trying to throw that one hand on hip action to pose for our morning shots?!  She leans WAY over, cocks her head over about 60 degrees to the side and cocks one leg waaaay too far out.  It's her attempt to do what she's seen her sister do a million times, but there is nothing about it that comes naturally to her.

If, on the other hand, she can SEE what she is supposed to be doing, i.e. in a mirror, she does much better.  Her visual system seems to be stronger than her proprioceptive system.  Your proprioceptive system is what tells you right this very minute if your left pinky finger is bent or straight.  DOn't look at it, just answer.  How about your left ankle... is it pointed down toward the ground or up toward your shin?  You should know without even looking.  That is joint awareness.  There are receptors in our joints which tell us this position sense.

So, occasionally, I play this game with Gabs, where I make faces in the mirror and have her imitate, "happy",

"the pucker"...

"sad"...

"sweet"....

"crazy"...

or "pucker".  It is a good therapy game for any kiddo who might have such body awareness issues.  And, it's really good for the kid with a speech deficit too. 

And then there are those times where we are just plain wanting to have some sweet pictures together.

She's my baby.  The caboose.

ANd she loves her mama like no other!  When I get home from work, no matter WHAT she is doing, she RUNS to the door when she hears it opening, yelling, "Mamamaammaaa!!!!"

And when Ellie has friends over, I am Gabbi's favorite playmate.  She'd rather play with me than just about anybody in the world.

She strokes my hair, and loves to give me kisses.... right on my mouth!!

Having Gabbi Girl is a joy!

She exudes joy.  And pure sweetness!

My life is richer because I have her!

Mo