Some things just don't make any sense.
Mystery Number One:
For months now, every time I did laundry, I'd end up with one extra yellow sock. I kept hanging on to it, thinking that one day I'd find its match. Well....surprise! Today the missing yellow sock showed up underneath a pile of pants. But, guess what? Now I don't know where the original yellow sock is. Go figure!
Mystery Number Two:
As I was taking a bath, Kevin ran in, grabbed a towel, then ran out. After getting out of the bathroom, I realized he'd spilled a vase of roses by the table. (They were so pretty, too--red ones from our yard. However, they were soaked and limp after the spill.) Here's the mystery, though. There was a lot of water by the table and the spilled vase. But there was also a long streaky puddle going down the hallway. AND....a large area of carpet in Sarah's room was soaked also. I have NO idea where all that water came from. At least Kevin was sweet enough to come and get a towel, though!
Just chalk it up to being one of those days, I suppose!
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
Monday, April 29, 2013
First day!
This morning was Kevin's first day of speech therapy! I'm excited to finally start this project!
In the waiting room, it seemed that everyone there knew everyone else. (except for me, of course!) One woman I met had been going there for 2 years. Her daughter was autistic and receives a variety of therapies 3 times a week. Another woman I met has been going there for 8 months. Her son receives speech therapy and occupational therapy for his sensory processing disorder. They seemed glad enough to welcome another mother into their circle. We'll be seeing each other every week, since we have the same therapy starting time.
The therapist walked into the waiting room and approached me and Kevin. She introduced herself and then explained that it's usually better if the parents wait in the waiting room instead of going back with the child. I said that would be okay, so she and Kevin headed off to the back.
25 minutes into the session, she brought me into the room where she and Kevin had been. There were probably 100 small, plastic animals scattered all over the floor.
She told me that Kevin was a sweet boy and that he'd been very cooperative. She talked with me for a few minutes, just to verify what she'd discovered about his speech. (the amount of sounds he makes, etc.) She mentioned that they'd worked on animal sounds today and that Kevin was trying to imitate some of them. Our homework this week (or until Thursday, that is), is to encourage Kevin to make animal sounds by using books, toys, or puzzles. She told us that soon we'll be working on some vowel sounds.
I asked her if she thought Kevin will learn to speak normally one day. She said yes! She quickly added, though, that it is going to take a while. That's okay. At least we're on the way now. We have to start somewhere. And if saying, "Moo! Baa! Quack, quack!" is what we need to do, then we're quickly starting to sound like a barnyard around here!
In the waiting room, it seemed that everyone there knew everyone else. (except for me, of course!) One woman I met had been going there for 2 years. Her daughter was autistic and receives a variety of therapies 3 times a week. Another woman I met has been going there for 8 months. Her son receives speech therapy and occupational therapy for his sensory processing disorder. They seemed glad enough to welcome another mother into their circle. We'll be seeing each other every week, since we have the same therapy starting time.
The therapist walked into the waiting room and approached me and Kevin. She introduced herself and then explained that it's usually better if the parents wait in the waiting room instead of going back with the child. I said that would be okay, so she and Kevin headed off to the back.
25 minutes into the session, she brought me into the room where she and Kevin had been. There were probably 100 small, plastic animals scattered all over the floor.
She told me that Kevin was a sweet boy and that he'd been very cooperative. She talked with me for a few minutes, just to verify what she'd discovered about his speech. (the amount of sounds he makes, etc.) She mentioned that they'd worked on animal sounds today and that Kevin was trying to imitate some of them. Our homework this week (or until Thursday, that is), is to encourage Kevin to make animal sounds by using books, toys, or puzzles. She told us that soon we'll be working on some vowel sounds.
I asked her if she thought Kevin will learn to speak normally one day. She said yes! She quickly added, though, that it is going to take a while. That's okay. At least we're on the way now. We have to start somewhere. And if saying, "Moo! Baa! Quack, quack!" is what we need to do, then we're quickly starting to sound like a barnyard around here!
Playing with caterpillars
At an assembly this weekend
Friday, April 26, 2013
Organizing
I have been following another mother's blog for several months now. She does something called "Fix-it Fridays." While I'm not feeling ambitious enough to dedicate time every Friday for a household project, I have been inspired by her. Recently, she showed before and after pictures of one of her projects. She got a bunch of plastic bins and organized a closet.
So, I decided to tackle my bathroom closet this evening. When we bought this house 5 years ago, everything was organized and in its place. However, it seems that with each child, things get more and more out of hand. Kids come with a lot of equipment. They have their own small toothbrushes, no-tear shampoo, soft hair brushes, toddler toothpaste, etc. Thus, bathroom shelves can easily become chaos.
So, without further ado, here's my infamous closet:
So, I decided to tackle my bathroom closet this evening. When we bought this house 5 years ago, everything was organized and in its place. However, it seems that with each child, things get more and more out of hand. Kids come with a lot of equipment. They have their own small toothbrushes, no-tear shampoo, soft hair brushes, toddler toothpaste, etc. Thus, bathroom shelves can easily become chaos.
So, without further ado, here's my infamous closet:
Before:
After:
Thursday, April 25, 2013
Camping
Wednesdays are usually a very busy day for us. This week, however, due to the fact that we will have a one day assembly this weekend, our Wednesday night meeting was cancelled. Since neither Adam nor I had any work yesterday, we decided to take advantage of the situation and go camping!
We chose to go to a beautiful park not too far from us. After getting all packed up, we decided it would be a good idea to check the weather. Well, to our surprise, there was going to be a near-record low of around 36' at night. Instead of cancelling the trip, we rented a small cabin in the park. We went to the visitors' center, hiked, roasted hot dogs and marshmallows, skipped rocks in the lake, had a picnic lunch, etc. The kids got dirty from head to toe and all of us smelled like campfire smoke! What a treat!
Camping always makes me slow down for just a few days and really appreciate the simple things in life.
We got a good phone call this afternoon: the insurance has now approved Kevin's speech therapy! We will start on Monday and go every Monday and Thursday from 9:00 to 9:30! After months of trying to get all this figured out, we will finally be able to start!!
We chose to go to a beautiful park not too far from us. After getting all packed up, we decided it would be a good idea to check the weather. Well, to our surprise, there was going to be a near-record low of around 36' at night. Instead of cancelling the trip, we rented a small cabin in the park. We went to the visitors' center, hiked, roasted hot dogs and marshmallows, skipped rocks in the lake, had a picnic lunch, etc. The kids got dirty from head to toe and all of us smelled like campfire smoke! What a treat!
Camping always makes me slow down for just a few days and really appreciate the simple things in life.
We got a good phone call this afternoon: the insurance has now approved Kevin's speech therapy! We will start on Monday and go every Monday and Thursday from 9:00 to 9:30! After months of trying to get all this figured out, we will finally be able to start!!
THE VISITORS' CENTER
HIKING
SITTING NEAR THE FIRE
LEARNING TO ROAST MARSHMALLOWS
MESSY FACE!
PICNIC LUNCH
THE PLAY AREA
THE CABIN
Monday, April 22, 2013
Shoe shopping
Recently both of my kids have been going through growth spurts. Well, this weekend we will be going to an assembly and Kevin absolutely needed new dress shoes. He keeps taking his old ones off because they are too tight. Poor baby!
Well, leave it to me to make an easy thing very complicated. Both kids and I headed out together. First of all, my favorite consignment shop was closed today. So I went to my second choice. But there were no boys dress shoes in the right size. There was. however, a very cute bracelet that I couldn't pass up! On to Goodwill. No little black shoes in Kevin's size. On to the mall. There were some shoes to be found, but most were over priced and looked uncomfortable.
So, finally, I decided to try Walmart. I had rules them out at the beginning, because the last time I went show shopping for he kids, Walmart didn't have what we needed. But, this time, there were several options that looked comfortable and were a decent price. Of course, Sarah, when she realized that Kevin was getting new shoes, really wanted a new pair, too. So I splurged and now both kids have new shoes for this weekend. Sarah's dress shoes are pretty scuffed up anyway, so I feel somewhat justified in buying her some, too!
Sarah's new shoes have a slight "heel." I'm putting it in quotes because the heel really is nothing to speak of. But Sarah's convinced that she has high heels. She really thinks she's quite grown. She's is four years old, after all!
Well, leave it to me to make an easy thing very complicated. Both kids and I headed out together. First of all, my favorite consignment shop was closed today. So I went to my second choice. But there were no boys dress shoes in the right size. There was. however, a very cute bracelet that I couldn't pass up! On to Goodwill. No little black shoes in Kevin's size. On to the mall. There were some shoes to be found, but most were over priced and looked uncomfortable.
So, finally, I decided to try Walmart. I had rules them out at the beginning, because the last time I went show shopping for he kids, Walmart didn't have what we needed. But, this time, there were several options that looked comfortable and were a decent price. Of course, Sarah, when she realized that Kevin was getting new shoes, really wanted a new pair, too. So I splurged and now both kids have new shoes for this weekend. Sarah's dress shoes are pretty scuffed up anyway, so I feel somewhat justified in buying her some, too!
Sarah's new shoes have a slight "heel." I'm putting it in quotes because the heel really is nothing to speak of. But Sarah's convinced that she has high heels. She really thinks she's quite grown. She's is four years old, after all!
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
Outside in overalls
For the past few weeks now, the weather has been beautiful! It's been sunny and in the 80's! So my kids spend hours outside daily. I think one of the reasons that they love it so much is that there are very few rules they have to obey while playing outside! There are so many things to look at and do outside. Things change outside from day to day. New flowers bloom, different dogs come to visit, the weather changes, the neighbors have different projects going on, etc.
We found a bike for Kevin the other day at a garage sale. Then, of course, the next day Sarah's bike broke. So we had to quickly find her one also so she wouldn't be too jealous of Kevin's new bike. Fortunately, we were able to find her a used one for a good price. So now they can both ride!
This weekend, I actually got away without the kids for a few days. I was out of town playing with a community orchestra for a concert. While it was a hectic, busy weekend, it was a nice break for me. Two whole days without changing a diaper or settling a squabble! I think all mothers need a little break out like that from time to time.
We found a bike for Kevin the other day at a garage sale. Then, of course, the next day Sarah's bike broke. So we had to quickly find her one also so she wouldn't be too jealous of Kevin's new bike. Fortunately, we were able to find her a used one for a good price. So now they can both ride!
This weekend, I actually got away without the kids for a few days. I was out of town playing with a community orchestra for a concert. While it was a hectic, busy weekend, it was a nice break for me. Two whole days without changing a diaper or settling a squabble! I think all mothers need a little break out like that from time to time.
Tuesday, April 9, 2013
No!
It's crazy how excited I am every time I hear Kevin say his new word: No! At least it's a small step towards him expressing his wants and needs. And judging from this video, diced potatoes are neither a want or a need!
Monday, April 8, 2013
Normal, every day life
So, basically, when we become a mother, our idea of what is normal is turned completely upside down. Our life used to be orderly, clean, and made sense. Now, everything is sticky. By the time we finally get to finish folding all of the laundry, our kids have outgrown some of the clothes. Conversations sound like this,
Mommy: "It's time to take a bath."
Sarah: "Why?"
Mommy: "Because you're dirty."
Sarah: "Why?"
Mommy: "Because you spent hours outside, jumping in puddles, playing with chalk, and squishing caterpillars."
Sarah: "Why?"
It gets tiring.
During our family worship time, we used to do detailed research on Bible topics, talk about our goals in life and how to achieve them, study in a quiet setting. Now we all run around in bathrobes and oversized tee-shirts pretending to be Rahab and the spies. We set up big cardboard boxes and then knock them down, calling them the "walls of Jerico." Yes, people. This is the new normal.
Mommy: "It's time to take a bath."
Sarah: "Why?"
Mommy: "Because you're dirty."
Sarah: "Why?"
Mommy: "Because you spent hours outside, jumping in puddles, playing with chalk, and squishing caterpillars."
Sarah: "Why?"
It gets tiring.
During our family worship time, we used to do detailed research on Bible topics, talk about our goals in life and how to achieve them, study in a quiet setting. Now we all run around in bathrobes and oversized tee-shirts pretending to be Rahab and the spies. We set up big cardboard boxes and then knock them down, calling them the "walls of Jerico." Yes, people. This is the new normal.
(marching around the city blowing horns....um....kazoos and penny wistles)
Check out these two sites. They are so funny and oh so realistic.
This is my world.
Friday, April 5, 2013
Hand Scrub
Tonight I made my own exfoliating hand scrub, using only 2 ingredients--sugar and Dawn with Olay Hand Renewal detergent. It's simple to make--it took me about 2 minutes from start to finish. Also, it's cheap. One bottle of detergent would make tons of the stuff. And, last but not least, it works really well and leaves your hands smooth and soft.
Here's a link to some instructions on how to make it:
http://momitforward.com/diy-sugar-scrub
You'll be glad you did it!
Here's a link to some instructions on how to make it:
http://momitforward.com/diy-sugar-scrub
You'll be glad you did it!
Evaluation Report
Today, I asked Kevin to do something, and he told me "No!" It's kind of weird being a parent of a child with a speech delay. I know I should have fussed at him for saying no to me. But I was so excited to hear him say a new word that I couldn't fuss at him! He'd never said the word "no" so clearly before. Hopefully we'll have more moments like these soon--exciting moments when Kevin can express his own thoughts!
Today, in the mail, we received what's called a "Speech-Language Evaluation Report and Treatment Plan." Basically, it's the speech pathologist's review of his evaluation the other day. I'm assuming that this is the same report that was sent to the insurance company to get their approval to start therapy. We're still waiting for their approval, by the way.
Anyway, back to the report. It's a little strange to see your child's strengths and weaknesses spelled out in black and white. It seems that, as parents, a lot of things fall into gray areas. But with these evaluations, they have to make an honest, blunt assessment of the child. Here goes nothing:
They noted that Kevin has appropriate and interactive play skills. His developmental milestones are being achieved at a normal rate with the exception of his communication skills. His understands words as if he were 33 months old, but speaks on the level of a 9 month old. He's 25 months old.
Some of his strengths that they mentioned on the report:
He can follow two requests that are not directly related.
understand when talked to in adult language rather than baby talk.
understand position words.
use vocal inflection to indicate asking a question.
combine words and gestures to express wants.
try to sing along to songs.
Some weaknesses:
He has trouble:
understanding some describing words.
understanding about events that have happened in the past or will happen in the future, such as the use of the words yesterday and tomorrow.
making combinations of sounds.
playfully babbling and chattering.
responding vocally.
Kevin was reported and observed to produce the "d, b, l, w, m" consonants and one vowel sounds. He produces primarily one syllable utterances. The intelligibility of his speech was very poor. However, his vocal pitch, intensity, and quality appeared to be adequate for his age level. Summary: Kevin has severely impaired expressive communication skills. (We've known that for a while now!)
I did like this very positive sentence, "Prognosis for improvement is good with intervention."
The therapist recommends speech therapy 3 times weekly. They will be using a mutisensory approach to teach him and Adam and I will be instructed on how to help him at home.
The most interesting part of the report for me was the final part. There's a list of goals that they will be trying to reach in the next 6 months. I will just quote them as they are written.
SHORT TERM GOALS:
1. Kevin will imitate age appropriate consonant sounds in 9 out of 10 trials.
2. Kevin will imitate three different consonant-vowel combinations per session at 90 percent accuracy for 5 consecutive sessions.
3. Kevin will increase his vocabulary to 50+ words over the next six months.
4. Kevin will greet and say good-bye to the therapist verbally for 5 consecutive sessions.
5. Kevin will verbalize to gain attention from the therapist or to request an item or activity in 9 out of 10 opportunities.
6. Kevin will imitate animal sounds in 9 out of 10 trials.
I'm pretty excited at the thought that these therapists will have specific goals to be working toward. It would be so nice to see that type of improvement! I really liked the list, because it's so positive and gives us something to look forward to in the coming months. Hopefully we'll be able to get approval from the insurance company soon in order to start getting to work!
Today, in the mail, we received what's called a "Speech-Language Evaluation Report and Treatment Plan." Basically, it's the speech pathologist's review of his evaluation the other day. I'm assuming that this is the same report that was sent to the insurance company to get their approval to start therapy. We're still waiting for their approval, by the way.
Anyway, back to the report. It's a little strange to see your child's strengths and weaknesses spelled out in black and white. It seems that, as parents, a lot of things fall into gray areas. But with these evaluations, they have to make an honest, blunt assessment of the child. Here goes nothing:
They noted that Kevin has appropriate and interactive play skills. His developmental milestones are being achieved at a normal rate with the exception of his communication skills. His understands words as if he were 33 months old, but speaks on the level of a 9 month old. He's 25 months old.
Some of his strengths that they mentioned on the report:
He can follow two requests that are not directly related.
understand when talked to in adult language rather than baby talk.
understand position words.
use vocal inflection to indicate asking a question.
combine words and gestures to express wants.
try to sing along to songs.
Some weaknesses:
He has trouble:
understanding some describing words.
understanding about events that have happened in the past or will happen in the future, such as the use of the words yesterday and tomorrow.
making combinations of sounds.
playfully babbling and chattering.
responding vocally.
Kevin was reported and observed to produce the "d, b, l, w, m" consonants and one vowel sounds. He produces primarily one syllable utterances. The intelligibility of his speech was very poor. However, his vocal pitch, intensity, and quality appeared to be adequate for his age level. Summary: Kevin has severely impaired expressive communication skills. (We've known that for a while now!)
I did like this very positive sentence, "Prognosis for improvement is good with intervention."
The therapist recommends speech therapy 3 times weekly. They will be using a mutisensory approach to teach him and Adam and I will be instructed on how to help him at home.
The most interesting part of the report for me was the final part. There's a list of goals that they will be trying to reach in the next 6 months. I will just quote them as they are written.
SHORT TERM GOALS:
1. Kevin will imitate age appropriate consonant sounds in 9 out of 10 trials.
2. Kevin will imitate three different consonant-vowel combinations per session at 90 percent accuracy for 5 consecutive sessions.
3. Kevin will increase his vocabulary to 50+ words over the next six months.
4. Kevin will greet and say good-bye to the therapist verbally for 5 consecutive sessions.
5. Kevin will verbalize to gain attention from the therapist or to request an item or activity in 9 out of 10 opportunities.
6. Kevin will imitate animal sounds in 9 out of 10 trials.
I'm pretty excited at the thought that these therapists will have specific goals to be working toward. It would be so nice to see that type of improvement! I really liked the list, because it's so positive and gives us something to look forward to in the coming months. Hopefully we'll be able to get approval from the insurance company soon in order to start getting to work!
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