Happy New Year to all! 

Keni found a chair that she is able to sit in without help!!  We are so proud of her.  She is doing some really good walking (still with upper body support), but she isn't interested in practicing to sit or sit-to-stand - all she wants to do is walk. 

{sitting in my rocking chair} 

Her seizures have not improved at all - may have even gotten worse.  We saw the neurologist (Dr. Tim Allen :-) ) last week.  He is still hopeful that the VNS will work for her.  He says that the longer it is in - the better the chances of it working.  We are also in agreement about keeping her off anti-seizure medication.

 I am getting better about taking the time to feed her orally.  She is getting much less formula now-a-days.  She still gets a can of formula in the morning because she doesn't care to eat breakfast.  In addition, she will often get a can of formula before bed depending on what time we eat and how much she takes in orally.

{Skating with Mary & daddy}
Keni's birthday party last night was a success.  We collected lots of donations for the Children's Hospital and all the kids had fun.

{Heather and Keni} 

Thanks to everyone who attended and donated gifts.

Mackenzie turned 9 yesterday.  She had a good day and her party will be next weekend at the roller rink.

It has been 7 months since the VNS was implanted and we have seen no improvements with her seizures.

{My halloween costume}

Mackenzie is doing well in therapy.  In PT she tried-out a couple of different walkers -one was a Rifton and the other was a Walk-About.  She did really well with both but did her best in the Walk-About.  Unfortunately, the largest size of the Walk-About is almost too small for her.  I want the therapist to get the walkers on loan for a few weeks so that Mackenzie can spend a little more time in them before I decide to purchase one.

Mackenzie is eating food by mouth again.  She now takes at least half -somedays more -of her nutrition orally. We still use the formula because it is quicker and easier than feeding her orally.  If we were more patient she would probably take all of her meals orally.   By the way, we would like to thank Mrs. Granger and all the wonderful aides at Bauder Elementary for taking the time everyday to feed her lunch orally -this why she eats so well now.

{with my cousins -in Chicago}

So it has officially been 6 months since the implant of the VNS.  The neuroloy explained that it takes the body about 6 months to adjust to the device.  We have not seen any significant changes in her seizures yet -but we are still hopeful.

We took a trip to Chicago in September.  Mackenzie did very well on the airplane ride.

{in my front yard}

School has been back in now for 3 weeks.  Mackenzie is happy to be back in school - sure beats hanging out at home with mom all day!!

Mackenzie is doing very well in therapy.  On a good day shewalks with minimal upper body support.  On other days she is very ornery and enjoys fighting with the therapists (she will smile while doing it).