On Monday, we went to a members-only evening at the National Aquarium.
Savannah was super excited about going (and how cute is she with the pigtails?!)
We got to check out a few of our favorite exhibits at the aquarium.
And look at a new one they had just opened.
This is Savannah's "shark face"
On Tuesday, I surprised Savannah with a ride on a pirate ship! She's been really interested in pirates and boats lately, so I thought this would be a great adventure for us. Jason didn't come alone--he didn't like the idea of being stuck out on a boat in a wheelchair (and, despite being labeled wheelchair accessible, I'm not certain how anyone in an adult-sized chair would have gotten onboard). Sav was very excited....at first.
She thought this was Captain Hook's boat.
And enjoyed seeing the "ducklettes" that were swimming near the boat, though she was sure to tell them to move away from the boat before it sailed away.
Once we got onboard and the "pirates" began speaking with her, Savannah was less excited about the whole outing. At one point, she was sobbing saying she wanted to return to the hotel. Unfortunately, we had already pulled away from the dock, so we were in it for the long haul at that point.
Once the pirates started telling stories, and talking about treasure, Savannah calmed down and got interested in what was going on around her.
Things got even more exciting when the children were told the story of "Mad Dog Mike," a rogue pirate who was trying to steal their treasure!
Savannah bravely manned the water cannons and duly aimed for the villainous pirate when he came by.
Post-pirate excursion, she was excited to play pirate princess with her cloak(which Grandma made for her) and sword (her sword is tucked into her skirt in this photo).
Despite this being our fifth week that we've spent in Baltimore in the last 13 months or so, we're still finding things to do and keep Savannah occupied. I think we'll definitely go on a pirate boat ride when we're next here.
Now...on to KKI.
Jason's PT, Sara, was very happy with his progress since January. She said that, in six months, he's made more progress than they expect people to make in two years. Huzzah! He's got a lot more strength in his abs/hips/glutes than before, which is exciting and promising (though, as always, we're aware that this could be it for progress...everything extra at this point is just icing on the cake). He had his full medical evaluation yesterday and that doctor was also pleased. He's not progressed enough for his injury level to be changed, but it's awfully close. Last time, he was labeled at T5, ASIA B (normal sensory and motor function through the T5 vertebra, ASIA B= incomplete, some sensory in tact below injury level). He's a T6 on the left side, but not quite on the right side...this follows his pattern of recovery thus far. He must have landed harder on the right side, because it seems as if the damage is more significant on that side (his left side is noticeably stronger than the right...to the point that now we have to worry about scoliosis b/c of how much he naturally pulls to the left...). Generally, his right side does catch up with the left, so we're thinking he'll be re-classified (again) at his next visit. Happily, that visit will be a full year from now. The doctors and PTs are very happy with his home program and progress and, now that we've got medications figured out (that takes some time, and lots of tweaking), they feel comfortable going a full year between visits. Very exciting.
I do have some pictures from his PT sessions at KKI this week, but they are all of Jason in a harness....which isn't exactly the most flattering look. I told Jason I wouldn't post them....though if he annoys me any in the next few days, I may just post them here :)
Tomorrow is his last day at KKI this go round, and then we're off to SC for a bit! That will be quite the road trip--keep us in your thoughts as we get that underway. Sav isn't always a big fan of long car rides :)
Love you all,
Ashley
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