Even the smallest things bring thankfulness!

I am thankful Maelee was able to come home from the NICU, so many babies enter the world early and never get to leave the hospital. I am thankful she was able to drink from a bottle without too many complications, it may have taken a while but once she had it figured out she was a pro!!! I am thankful for the special bonding time we as her parents were given, 7 extra weeks to love her and touch her. We have been blessed with amazing doctors and specialists in her life and for that we are thankful.

I am thankful Maelee learned to sit up at 9 1/2 months. It was a day I will never forget!!! We had longed for that milestone along with so many! Maelee learned to froggy scoot herself around the house before the sitting and so she didn't stay in one spot too long.

So thankful for a neurologist who didn't give us bullcrap to listen to, understood what was going on, and just cut to the chase. I am thankful he was honest about when she "might" achieve things because she has blown those expectations out of the water!!! He is a good doctor and cares about Maelee and her progress.....I am thankful for each visit when he says "I can't believe how far she has come." Those words make a mother proud each time. 

We are thankful Maelee learned to eat solids...and although we still struggle with this daily to find a food or texture she will eat. She can eat!!!!! She can drink!!!! These may seem simple but trust me they are not things we are born just knowing....she was not born knowing.

Beyond thankful she walks!!! Those first steps are imprinted in my mind for many reason....of course it was so amazing to see your child take off walking.  But we didn't know if she would walk in the beginning and the neurologist didn't think she would walk before 2 if not later......and of course she proved us all wrong!!! 15 months and walking. We are thankful for the braces for her feet. Each pair has provided help with her walking and now running. She is able to move around freely and for that I am grateful!

I am thankful for her heart. Her love is amazing! Although she may not always look at someone or interact with them I know her heart loves them. She may not play with other children but she loves them and cares when they are sad or hurt.

I am thankful for speech!! Maelee said Mama at 8 months and used many words by the time she was 12 months old.....but they were gone one day. No love you, no mama, nothing was left......and we were back at square one with signing and praying she would get them back. Now at 2 she has words....not always intelligible but words!!! She can ask for things and has manners. We do not always understand her and that is ok.....she may not be able to find the words, or understand what we are asking, can't identify animals or other objects regularly...but she has words and those words I treasure. When your child says love you and then one day it's gone your heart will break, it will break in a million pieces. Hearing those words again have changed me!!!

Her laugh and smile are the brightest part of my day!!!! Maelee has so much I am thankful for that I could write for hours.....but with a toddler that is not possible!

There are still so many things I wish she could do, things that worry us, things the doctors worry about....but through it all she is Maelee. And Maelee is definitely not someone who will stop learning and growing anytime soon. She is stubborn and strong willed.....and we are blessed and thankful she is this way!!!!!!