No more Target toys

I think we are reaching the end of an era with Olivia. It will not be long before we won't be able to buy her appropriate toys or devices at the store and cart them home with us in the car. We will soon be relegated to only online shopping. Some people can online shop just as well as in the store. Not me. I like to actually see what I'm buying in person before I spend all the money on it. But, thats how it goes. The toys in the store that are intriguing to her she cannot operate because they require more fine motor skills than she has. Yet, the toys she can operate on her own are for much smaller children and the reward (lights or music or whatever) is not appropriate for her age. We are morphing into the "special needs" section of entertainment which most of the time just means "we're going to charge you triple for it, just because we can".

If you have seen any pictures of Olivia in her little (stressing little) blue rocker you know she is obviously way too tall for it. Her poor little head tilts to the side because her body is so dad-gum long! We use that chair mostly for chilling at home. We've been looking for something to grow with her, but it needed to be size appropriate and have straps to keep her in since she can't sit in a regular chair by herself. You cannot go to the store and buy these things. Instead, you have to get them online and pay, yes, triple the price or better. So, in the next week or so Livi should be getting one of these in the mail...

And, since its poop brown you KNOW we had to get the purple straps. This is a VERY generous Christmas present from a very dear loved one. Thank you. It should fit her for a couple of years and will sit in this base thing in the living room or will actually also strap into the dining room chair so we can all eat together.

Later this week I will post pictures of Olivia in her new nighttime sleeping device--a hip brace. If we are diligent (you better believe we will be) this brace SHOULD keep Olivia from needing hip surgery later on. Will she like it? probably not. It doesn't have purple anything. Its just white. But, she will tolerate it and then get used to it and we won't have to worry about having a hip cast on some time down the line.

The best toy she will be getting soon? Her very own iPad. Yes. Before you judge, hear me out. It IS for playing, but mostly for therapy. Apparently the iPad is replacing all of the previous very expensive speech tools with of all of its amazing therapeutic and educational apps. It will also hook up to her switch with an adapter, so instead of trying to make her fine motor stills improve to use the touch screen, she will be able to use her switch. I am SO excited to get this for her. Merry Christmas, sweetie! Don't worry, we'll be sure to get you a purple cover for it.

So, am I done shopping at Target? Heck no! I got another girl that will be here in a matter of weeks (9ish). You better believe I will still be visiting my local Target plenty!

By the way, I'm a terrible blogger. We're home. Got home Friday. Olivia was just SUPER sore all weekend from the spinal tap on Wed. but back to her old self now and getting ready for preschool as we speak.