ECI and Harper

So as many of you know, Harper is still not walking and has not been pulling/cruising on her own.  She just turned 17 months, and my mommy instincts told me to seek help.  I called ECI (Early Childhood Intervention) a few weeks ago and they came out to do a full evaluation of Harper.  What they found is that Harper's gross motor is that of a 9-month old.  All other areas she's doing great, even fine motor.  Because of this delay, she qualifies for OT/PT through ECI. 

Last week was her first therapy session and it went very well.  The therapist comes to our home every other week and shows us different strategies to help Harper.  What we are focusing on is her tight heel cords and her inability to stand flat footed.  Whenever we place her to standing (she's unable to pull up) she is on her tip-toes. Therefore, she can't balance enough to stand on her own, let alone walk.

I guess what we are doing is already working because she began pulling up to stand this weekend!  She even cruised around the crib when she woke up on Sunday! This is a big deal since Harper had only pulled up to standing three times before this weekend.  She is still on tiptoes, but we'll get her to place her feet flat.  It'll take time and therapy, but she'll get there. My mommy instincts tell me so.

Sitting and reaching for stickers. 
This is one way to get her to stretch out her heel cords and place her feet flat.

Reaching for her Backyardigans stickers.

Woke up from her nap and pulled herself up.  She was walking around the crib. YAY!!