100x YES! 💛 

 

It’s been a while since our last update, and for good reason. 😊 After Amelia’s intensive, we took time to prepare for baby Barrett’s arrival and to adjust to life as a family of four. The first six weeks with a newborn has been a big transition — but we’re hanging in there and finding our rhythm! 

 

Amelia’s journey to becoming a big sister has been sweet. She gives her baby brother hugs and kisses on occasion...and when he cries, she crawls to wherever he is to check on him, and it melts our hearts every time. 🤍 

 

AKAP told us we could expect continued gains for 4–5 months post-intensive before things might plateau. We’re now three months out, and we are so grateful to share that Amelia’s progress has flourished! 

 

 

Let’s rewind to right after we got home… 

 

Almost immediately, everyday life felt easier, like a big exhale. Amelia stopped throwing herself backward out of our arms and within one week, she could sit confidently in a grocery cart — something that felt so far out of reach before. This was a direct integration from AKAP teaching her that it isn’t safe to throw herself back. 

 

Her confidence to play independently came alive! She began reaching for toys while bearing weight on her hands — instead of falling over and hitting her face on the ground. This was a direct correlation to AKAP teaching her to catch herself when she tilts side to side or forward. 

Weight bearing on her hands became possible since it was apart of her AKAP primitive reflex integration training. She went from a task she truly couldn’t do prior to her intensive, to then leading her into confident “W- sitting,” allowing her to sit upright comfortably. This exercise and integration came with fussing and tears as we continued working hard once we got home. BUT, worth every effort to see the joy it brings her to be able to play on her own and not just sitting in her plush chair - as she had done for the first 2 years of her life.

 

For the first time, Amelia began to play independently — shooting basketballs into her basketball goal, exploring her room, and moving freely through the living room to choose her own toys. Before AKAP, she needed constant repositioning and toy rotation. Now, she’s touring around her environment all on her own, strengthening hand-eye coordination, building confidence, and keeping her brain fully engaged. ✨ 

 

And that led us to the milestone we hoped for most… 

 

 

Crawling:✨🥹💛🎉 

 

One of our biggest goals at AKAP was hands-and-knees crawling. We had low expectations but high hopes, knowing how important this stage is for brain development. 

 

On January 8, 2026, our prayers were answered. 🙏 

(Right around 3 months of being home from AKAP.)
 

Amelia crawled for the first time during a PT session — and she hasn’t stopped since! One week later, her therapist challenged her to crawl down a wedge nearly two feet high. She did it — controlled, head up, no toppling over! We were in complete awe. 🥹 

 

(If you want to see her in action, I shared a reel of her very first crawl at @growingwith.amelia 🤍) 

 

 

Speech & feeding gains: 🗣️💬 

 

With big gross motor milestones achieved, often comes increased interest in speech — and that’s been true for Amelia. We’ve been teaching sign language since infancy, and while she occasionally voiced words before, her expressive language is blossoming. 

 

She now clearly says “up,” “dad,” “uh-oh,” “arm,” “yes,” "kiss" and “cute.” Recently, during feeding therapy, she clearly voiced “all done” multiple times when she wasn’t interested in the food being offered! Kenton and I looked at each other in disbelief — we both heard it loud and clear. The first time she has put two words together! 

A bonus benefit and goal in process, that we didn’t even know would come from this 1st intensive! 

 

Her babbling has increased, and we are just beginning dedicated speech therapy weekly. This girl wants to be heard and we’re so excited for what’s ahead. 🤩 

 

 

More coordination, more independence: 🙌 

 

Because of her spasticity, everyday tasks like bringing a spoon or sippy cup to her mouth were incredibly difficult. Since the intensive, we’ve noticed real improvements in coordination and control. She can now accurately bring a cup or spoon to her mouth, which has sparked more interest in self-feeding. 

 

She’s also practicing walking in PT with less support, moving from underarm assistance down to only having support at her calves. We truly believe independent walking — in some form — is coming. 🌱🙏 

 

 

 
A moment that stopped us in our tracks… 

 

One early December morning, we woke up to loud banging in the house. Even with us being half-asleep, we recognized the sound — Amelia banging her legs on her door, something she does regularly during play time. 

 

But then it hit us… 

She was supposed to be in her crib. 😲 

 

Somehow, our non-walking, non-crawling daughter (at the time) had climbed out — with no prior signs she could pull to stand, let alone hoist herself over a crib rail nearly four feet off the ground. — 

 

Angels were absolutely watching over her. The only explanation we have for her safety is that her PT had recently taught her how to safely get down from the couch — and that skill translated to a safe landing out of her crib. She escaped with just a tiny scratch on her nose. 

 

We were terrified — and amazed. ✨🥹 

 

She was brave enough to try, strong enough to pull herself up, confident enough to follow through, and coordinated enough to land safely. That moment told us everything we needed to know about how far she’s come!!! 

 

(And yes — she’s now in a floor bed 😅) 

 

 

 

So… was it worth it? 

 

YES, without question! 

 

As her mom, nothing compares to the gratitude that comes from knowing Amelia’s world is becoming more functional and less frustrating for her. 

 

What’s next in our dreams for Amelia this year? 

 

✨ Potty training 🚽 

✨ Walking confidently in her gait trainer — and eventually, independently 

✨ Continuing to build daily life skills that give her freedom 

 ✨Expanding her communication with us and her world

We are already planning our next trip to AKAP in MAY! 🌸🌱 

 

Thank you for believing in God’s work through Amelia, for praying over our girl, and for supporting a journey that several Doctors once thought impossible.

 

We invite you to continue walking alongside us as we head back to All Kids Are Perfect — because truly, the sky is the limit for what Amelia can achieve this year. ☁️ 

 

Wishing you all a happy, healthy year 🤍 

Talk soon,