Bronco Riding and Standing Tall!

Yesterday was a gorgeous day in Hillbilly Valley!
We took Eli outside to ride in his Bronco. Here he is sporting his super-de-dooper cool shoes:

The "song of the day" was "Rubber Ducky" by Ernie. He cycles back and forth loving and hating this song. Today it really tickled his funny bone!

I'll never get tired of pictures of Eli CRACKING UP!!!

....or of his oh-so-serious face!

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Then, yesterday afternoon, he had a good ol' time in his new stander!

There is a bucket that fits into the tray...and he can reach in and play with toys!

Again, cracking up at his music!

Nope. I'll never get tired of this smirk!

Right now we're only keeping him in it for 10 minutes. He has to build endurance as this position is soooo different for him. The pressure on his hips, knees, ankles, and feet are something to be very careful about. He wears his DAFO's while in here and it's just alot of "equipment" for the little guy to deal with all at once!

I caught a new face on "film".....

maybe one only a mother can love....but seeing his lips open like that is pretty cool!

The Green Gazelle

Finally!

After more than six months...we have a stander in our possession!
This is the Gazelle by SnugSeat. Size 2.

It's a little bit big for him. But, when purchasing a $5000 piece of equipment, you want it to grow with them for a while!!! He needed this size for his heighth.....but his weight makes some of the straps too big. We'll make modifications as needed. As the parents of a disabled child, I think we get used to stuffing foam and rolled cloths into nooks and crannies to get things to work, and fit, for our children! :)

Karla, his PT, and Lonnie spent over an hour getting it all set up to fit him.

Isn't this hilarious? I just love his "evil eye"!

He spent about 15 minutes in it before he started a really sad little cry. I hope it's not hurting him. It's going to take him time to get used to it. It forces his legs into a position he's just not used to. So, dear family and friends, keep praying for our Eli. We want this to be successful for him. We want his hips to stay in place. We want it to help with digestion and BM's. We want him upright... looking at the world in the right way. He can use his arms to play with toys in front of him. God is good, and we pray for success. :) Many good things will come of this....I hope!

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Here is Eli 'walking' with Tina. I just love watching him!

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Finally, I leave you with the beautiful Bleeding Hearts I planted last week:

How can a person doubt the existence of God, after viewing such a beautiful creation as this?

Have a BEAUTIFUL day everyone!

Gazelle Stander

Yesterday we went and had Eli fitted for a stander.  It's called the Gazelle and it's made by SnugSeat.

We are doing a little more research, but I'm pretty sure we will be ordering this one.  Soon! :)

Eli was in a great mood, and did very well in the stander!  I have some video I'd like to share, but I see that blogger doesn't allow you to upload it directly like they used to.  Bummer. 

I'm going to have to figure out another way to add it here.

This is the large size. Too big for our boy!

He'll be getting the medium, and it's green!

DANG, I LOVE THIS BOY!