Last year was full of many heartaches, but also many triumphs for Cora. She has overcome setbacks, cognitive difficulties, lack of strength, with a mindset that teaches me everyday. Cora doesn't hold onto the past hurts, habits, or hangups. She lets go of yesterday and thrives in today, no matter how the day approaches her.
Lack of skill doesn't stop her. She keeps trying until she achieves her goal. I'd like to believe that spirit, that not taking your eye off the prize attitude, comes from me. The difference with Cora? She is willing to ask for help. Cora has taught me that asking for help is not a sign of weakness, but rather, a sign of strength. It takes a confident person to ask for help, learn the lesson, than take off on their own with what has been taught.
Recently, Cora asked for help to stand up on her feet. She has been working toward this goal, everyday, with her exercises that we were taught. The little trooper works her way through those exercises, even when she is breathing hard and want to give up. She doesn't quit until we ask her if she is all done. She will smile, sign "all done" and that's the end of the session.
After working at it with her, she decided that she would try the same thing on her own, in her play yard. The play yard is a portable fence that gives her play space and allows her a greater freedom of movement that a traditional play pen. I love this as it allows her to crawl and use the muscles that need to be built up. She was working on standing up but didn't run her fingers and hands up the side of the fencing. This didn't allow her enough tension or angle with her arms to be able to pull herself up.
She tried and tried, several times, only getting half way up before her little arms and legs would be to tired from the strain, resulting in her falling onto her diaper padded bottom. Cora looked over at me and asked for help. She signed "mama" and pointed to the play yard fence. I showed her how to stand up, move her hands up the sides and then achieve the standing position. The look of pride on her face was priceless. We worked at this until she was too tired. Later her sisters would work at it a few times and then walk away.
On January first, of this new year, Cora watched her brother walk by her play yard. She signed "brother" and tried to get his attention. He didn't see her. She pulled herself up to the side of her play yard and got on her knees, he didn't see her again signing "brother" . Frustrated with her brother she grabbed hold of that fence and stood herself up. Then let out a yell and a stream of other baby talk.
It was a wonderful sight to see and a great beginning to this new year. True to her fashion and way of doing things, Cora welcomed the new year with an upright stance and a look of pure happiness on her face, and some much wanted attention from her big brother.
We hope your new year holds just as much success for you...
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