Sorry it has taken so long for a new posting!!! Ashlyn is continuing to excel. She is doing so well that she no longer qualifies for all day school. For those who don't know, Ashlyn has attended early childhood through the school district due to her special needs. Most children only attend a morning or afternoon session but because she was not progressing and retaining information due to her seizures prior to surgery, the school district approved for her to attend both sessions. After Christmas break, she will only attend the morning session. We have enrolled her in a Montessori school where she will attend after her morning session.

There have been no signs of seizure activity and her starring off spells have lessened. She now weighs 51.5 lbs.........a big improvement from the 37 lbs in the hospital after surgery. The medical team/therapists are still working on the spasticity on her right side, primarily her lower leg/ankle area. She had botox injections six weeks ago to help loosen the muscles but it seems to be wearing off. Botox tends to last 6 weeks-3 months but she seems to metabolize it quickly. She is being fitted for a new night brace which she will wear all night to help stretch those muscles. We are in the process of getting her back in hippotherapy (therapeutic horse riding) to help strengthen her core muscles.

Ashlyn is definitely in the Christmas spirit! We decorated the apartment over Thanksgiving break. She loved hanging up the ornaments...she even has her own little Christmas tree in her bedroom which she also decorated. I think Santa is going to bring her a "big girl bike" since she is tiring of her therapeutic bike. She also is excited about her birthday. She keeps asking me if it is January so she can turn five.

I will definitely post more pictures throughout the holidays.