Day 3 of our new beginning

So it's only day 3 of what I call F's fresh start. It sucks. She has already endured 3 hours of hard core muscle building physical therapy. Most adults would be crying especially when their weak bodies have never done anything like it before.

Her therapist (Mr. Andrew) is amazing with her. He tries to make things fun and changes this up often to keep her interest. My little girl will actually hold his hand and walk away from mommy with him. She obviously feels safe and comfortable with him which helps so much.

Our first day went pretty easily. She didn't cry, she tries everything he asked of her. She even laughed. The next day my poor girl woke up stiff and wanted to snuggle all morning. Today was a little more strenuous. She cried, asked for hugs, said she was all done so we would stop. It broke my heart.

Some of the things she does there is try and kick balls into nets hard to use her muscles but shes unsteady and seems nervous about having to bear all her weight on one leg. She gets on a trampoline holding medicine balls (weighted balls) and uses her legs to bounce. She walks along carrying those weighted balls and throws them, catches, walks, throws. She sits on those huge yoga balls and Mr. Andrew moves it all over tilting her around back to front, side to side so she is forced to use her hips and core to balance and not fall off. Those are just a few of the things my baby has to do. It's hard for her. Remember, she has very low muscle tone and extremely loose joints. Just walking takes 3 times the energy and effort as the average child. Throw in some weights to carry and it's so hard on her little body. She does it though. I couldn't be more proud of her.

We went home and had a snack, took a nap. Normally my little lady is a 3 hour napper but today she woke up
After only an hour just wimpering, sweating, crying saying no no no, I'm sorry and wanted to be rubbed all over. This continued for 2 hours until I brought her to my mom. She loves to lay in my parents bed and watch animals on their big TV. She stayed in that bed for almost 4 hours. She just laid there. She walked for a few minutes to go see Papa in his study but other than that she just wanted to rest.

Afterwards a nice hot bath and some Motrin, a snack and movie snuggling mommy in bed. Hopefully she rests well because I know tomorrow is going to suck for her. Recall back to the morning after some of your most grueling workouts. Yup now picture that and try and comfort and explain it to a 2 year old.

It's heart breaking but so important to her physical well being to push through these first hard few weeks. Eventually she will get used to it like we all do. Until then, it's lots of rest and snuggles and keep repeating it.

I wish I could do it for her. She's such a brave little girl.