Occupational Therapy - Mr. Rob
1 hour per week.
Speech Therapy - Miss Lisa
1 hour per week.
TEIS (Developmental) Therapy - Miss Laura
1 hour per week.
Behavioral Therapy - Miss Amy
3 hours per week.
Other
Behavioral Class at Vanderbilt for parents. Meets Tuesday nights 6:30-8:30 pm. Parent training in behavioral therapy.
Enrolling in WAVES classroom program mid-September (first opening).
Hanen More than Words project through Vanderbilt - 'community family' when next 'session' starts.
Saturday, August 9, 2008
Sweet Child of Mine
Audrey : Mom, did God make ants?
Me : Yes, baby, God makes ants.
Audrey : Well... God needs to be more careful, because ants bite.
Note to self: You are SO going to hell. Your (then) 3 year old is chastising God. NOT a good sign.
Me : Yes, baby, God makes ants.
Audrey : Well... God needs to be more careful, because ants bite.
Note to self: You are SO going to hell. Your (then) 3 year old is chastising God. NOT a good sign.
I'm Stupid...
Last night The Hubs came home with my requested items from Kroger... (Two cans of tomato soup and dishwashing detergent - FYI).
I was looking at the receipt, and it said:
"Your cashier today was CAROUSEL."
I found this VERY funny. I was like, "The Hubs, someone named Carousel checked you out?! Someone named their kid CAROUSEL?!" I was pretty much bent over in laughter...
Joke was on me. The Hubs informed me that he checked out at the self-checkout carousel. And proceeded to laugh hysterically at me for thirty straight minutes.
Haha...
I was looking at the receipt, and it said:
"Your cashier today was CAROUSEL."
I found this VERY funny. I was like, "The Hubs, someone named Carousel checked you out?! Someone named their kid CAROUSEL?!" I was pretty much bent over in laughter...
Joke was on me. The Hubs informed me that he checked out at the self-checkout carousel. And proceeded to laugh hysterically at me for thirty straight minutes.
Haha...
Developmental Milestones
JT was always a little behind on his milestones.
Gross motor:
Crawling - 8 months
Walking - 13.5 months
at 32 months (current), he seems to be on target/advanced in gross motor skills.
Fine motor:
32 months (current) - using spoon, but turning it upside down (messy! haha), has pincer grasp mastered.
JT's language skills:
First 'word' - dada - 9 months
Second 'word' - mama - 12.5 months (the ONLY time he EVER said mama)
Nonverbal until 30 months
31 months - echolalia
32 months (current) - words include: whoa, okay, whee, ball, truck, car, hi, night-night, byebye
Sensory issues:
JT is a sensory seeker. He loves to jump off of things, on his trampoline. He has low muscle tone, which makes him go all the time. He likes to eat ice. He mouths most toys still, although he is very good about not swallowing (thank goodness, see the penny incident in medical history for why that is a HUGE relief). JT toe-walks, flaps, but most of his stims are visual. He loves to watch reflections, wheels turning, shadows and anything that spins. He lines up anything that he finds that matches... Coke cans, DVD's, cars, anything. He tries to sleep with strange things such as shoes or (unopened) plastic containers of playdoh.
Behavioral issues:
JT is hard headed. He only wants to do things that are his idea. He has a temper, and is aggressive if he does not get his way. He is known to bite, throw, scream, kick and hit when he is riled up... He is a hoarder.
Personality:
JT is a sweet little man. Although he does not give 'real' hugs or kisses, he is affectionate in other ways. He likes to snuggle in your lap, lay on you, gently play with hair. He loves physical games. He enjoys singing and dancing. He thinks the 'bad guys' are hilarious - his favorite being Swiper on Dora. He absolutely adores his sister. He responds very well to praise, and really tries to be compliant.
Gross motor:
Crawling - 8 months
Walking - 13.5 months
at 32 months (current), he seems to be on target/advanced in gross motor skills.
Fine motor:
32 months (current) - using spoon, but turning it upside down (messy! haha), has pincer grasp mastered.
JT's language skills:
First 'word' - dada - 9 months
Second 'word' - mama - 12.5 months (the ONLY time he EVER said mama)
Nonverbal until 30 months
31 months - echolalia
32 months (current) - words include: whoa, okay, whee, ball, truck, car, hi, night-night, byebye
Sensory issues:
JT is a sensory seeker. He loves to jump off of things, on his trampoline. He has low muscle tone, which makes him go all the time. He likes to eat ice. He mouths most toys still, although he is very good about not swallowing (thank goodness, see the penny incident in medical history for why that is a HUGE relief). JT toe-walks, flaps, but most of his stims are visual. He loves to watch reflections, wheels turning, shadows and anything that spins. He lines up anything that he finds that matches... Coke cans, DVD's, cars, anything. He tries to sleep with strange things such as shoes or (unopened) plastic containers of playdoh.
Behavioral issues:
JT is hard headed. He only wants to do things that are his idea. He has a temper, and is aggressive if he does not get his way. He is known to bite, throw, scream, kick and hit when he is riled up... He is a hoarder.
Personality:
JT is a sweet little man. Although he does not give 'real' hugs or kisses, he is affectionate in other ways. He likes to snuggle in your lap, lay on you, gently play with hair. He loves physical games. He enjoys singing and dancing. He thinks the 'bad guys' are hilarious - his favorite being Swiper on Dora. He absolutely adores his sister. He responds very well to praise, and really tries to be compliant.
Medical History
I found out I was pregnant with JT when my daughter was 8 months old. During the pregnancy, I was put on bedrest at 24 weeks due to preterm labor. During this time, I developed polyhydramnios (excess of fluid in the uterus). JT was due 12/25/2005. We had scheduled a c-section due to the fact that JT was breech, but he flipped November 29th.
I went into labor (for the last time) December 1. During the labor, everything went well until they broke my water. At this point, JT started to go into distress. I had several OB physicians and nurses in my room for the final 2 hours of my labor. His heart rate would drop into the 30's every time I would have a contraction. I had fluid bags that the doctors were trying to put back into the uterus to 'cushion' JT, in hopes that he was sitting on his cord and this would help. I had oxygen to help with the distress also. Had JT taken any longer, they would have had to take him via c-section.
When JT came out, he had neuchal cord. The cord was wrapped one time around his neck. He did well on all his APGAR scores, but the pediatric physician and nursing staff was concerned about his breathing, so he was immediately taken to the special care nursery. He weighed in at 8 lbs 3 oz, a very big boy for a 36 week baby.
He remained in the nursery for 3 whole days before we were released. The doctors finally did a chest x-ray, and determined his grunting with breathing was 'normal'. He also had low blood sugar when he was born, and roughly 10cc's of fluid were pumped from his stomach - most likely related to my excess fluid.
When JT was a few days old, he caught a cold from his 'big' (16 month old) sister. This developed into bronchitis/pneumonia, so he was put on antibiotics.
At 9 months old (August of 2006) he woke up from a nap wheezing and barking. We took him to the after hours clinic, where they discovered he had eaten a penny, and we were shipped via ambulance to Arkansas Children's Hospital. He spent 2 nights and 3 days in the hospital. They had to put him under general anesthesia and take a scope in to remove the coin. The removal of the penny caused minor damage to the trachea, so once he was healed, he was allowed to go home.
At a year old, we opted to do the circumcision that the doctors couldn't do when he was born (due to his prematurity and issues). There were no complications after the surgery.
JT had more than 15 ear infections in his first 1.5 years, and when we got his hearing tested, it was determined he had 20-30% hearing loss. We had tubes put in, and although his hearing was restored, he did not gain language skills.
July 4, 2007 JT fell out of a lawn chair while watching fireworks in Frisco, Texas. Five days later, he was still acting like it was a little sore, so we went to the doctor. Even though he was using it, he had a break in both bones of his forearm. JT was in a full arm cast (shoulder to fingers) for 6 weeks.
JT's immune system is not very strong. While in daycare (until July of 2007) he was constantly sick. He has had whooping cough twice, and croup several times.
Currently, we are concerned about absence (petit mal) seizures. We are seeing a neurologist at Vanderbilt August 25th.
I went into labor (for the last time) December 1. During the labor, everything went well until they broke my water. At this point, JT started to go into distress. I had several OB physicians and nurses in my room for the final 2 hours of my labor. His heart rate would drop into the 30's every time I would have a contraction. I had fluid bags that the doctors were trying to put back into the uterus to 'cushion' JT, in hopes that he was sitting on his cord and this would help. I had oxygen to help with the distress also. Had JT taken any longer, they would have had to take him via c-section.
When JT came out, he had neuchal cord. The cord was wrapped one time around his neck. He did well on all his APGAR scores, but the pediatric physician and nursing staff was concerned about his breathing, so he was immediately taken to the special care nursery. He weighed in at 8 lbs 3 oz, a very big boy for a 36 week baby.
He remained in the nursery for 3 whole days before we were released. The doctors finally did a chest x-ray, and determined his grunting with breathing was 'normal'. He also had low blood sugar when he was born, and roughly 10cc's of fluid were pumped from his stomach - most likely related to my excess fluid.
When JT was a few days old, he caught a cold from his 'big' (16 month old) sister. This developed into bronchitis/pneumonia, so he was put on antibiotics.
At 9 months old (August of 2006) he woke up from a nap wheezing and barking. We took him to the after hours clinic, where they discovered he had eaten a penny, and we were shipped via ambulance to Arkansas Children's Hospital. He spent 2 nights and 3 days in the hospital. They had to put him under general anesthesia and take a scope in to remove the coin. The removal of the penny caused minor damage to the trachea, so once he was healed, he was allowed to go home.
At a year old, we opted to do the circumcision that the doctors couldn't do when he was born (due to his prematurity and issues). There were no complications after the surgery.
JT had more than 15 ear infections in his first 1.5 years, and when we got his hearing tested, it was determined he had 20-30% hearing loss. We had tubes put in, and although his hearing was restored, he did not gain language skills.
July 4, 2007 JT fell out of a lawn chair while watching fireworks in Frisco, Texas. Five days later, he was still acting like it was a little sore, so we went to the doctor. Even though he was using it, he had a break in both bones of his forearm. JT was in a full arm cast (shoulder to fingers) for 6 weeks.
JT's immune system is not very strong. While in daycare (until July of 2007) he was constantly sick. He has had whooping cough twice, and croup several times.
Currently, we are concerned about absence (petit mal) seizures. We are seeing a neurologist at Vanderbilt August 25th.
Friday, August 1, 2008
August Already?!
I can't believe it's August! So much has been happening around here that July came and went without me realizing it!
JT is talking tons now! He loves to tease his daddy by saying "The Hubs" (haha). He also says car, truck, uhoh, whoa, hey, hi, boo, pull... And so much more! He said giraffe for his ABA therapist, Amy. It was pretty funny!
I started physical therapy for my ankle. I had an MRI done, and completely tore the ATFL (anterior talo fibular ligament). I also have tendinitis in my peroneal tendon, which is because my ankle is unstable so the peroneal tendon is working overtime so I don't fall over! Anyway, the doc said we are going to try physical therapy for 6 weeks, and if it doesn't work, surgery... So, we're hoping the therapy works! I go back September 12th for the big decision day...
JT's therapies combined with my therapy twice a week are keeping us busy busy busy.
Audrey's still a pretty princess, helping with her brother however she can. Such as sweet girl.
I got a new job writing articles for Demand Studios... Still with Writers Research Group, too, but the articles with Demand Studios gave me a good raise :0)
We're still truckin' along!
JT is talking tons now! He loves to tease his daddy by saying "The Hubs" (haha). He also says car, truck, uhoh, whoa, hey, hi, boo, pull... And so much more! He said giraffe for his ABA therapist, Amy. It was pretty funny!
I started physical therapy for my ankle. I had an MRI done, and completely tore the ATFL (anterior talo fibular ligament). I also have tendinitis in my peroneal tendon, which is because my ankle is unstable so the peroneal tendon is working overtime so I don't fall over! Anyway, the doc said we are going to try physical therapy for 6 weeks, and if it doesn't work, surgery... So, we're hoping the therapy works! I go back September 12th for the big decision day...
JT's therapies combined with my therapy twice a week are keeping us busy busy busy.
Audrey's still a pretty princess, helping with her brother however she can. Such as sweet girl.
I got a new job writing articles for Demand Studios... Still with Writers Research Group, too, but the articles with Demand Studios gave me a good raise :0)
We're still truckin' along!
Monday, July 14, 2008
Time Flies
Every once in a while, as a parent, you realize how fast time really goes.
This weekend was one of those times.
Audrey turned 4 years old on Friday, July 11th. Four years old. Old enough for public (pre) school. It's been four whole years since the day she came into this world. Four years since the day I fought with the nurse to send me home (probably the only woman to ever decide she was NOT having the baby today, they had to be wrong...). Four years since her daddy passed out on the delivery room floor (love ya, The Hubs!). Four years since I became a parent.
And it made me think.
There are times that you think time is dragging... When your two year old is throwing a tantrum. When you're waiting for husband to get back from a business trip so you can have a break - because you need it. Bad. But the truth is, when you look back, it seems like it went even faster then...
My baby doll is four years old. I only have 14 more years until she is grown... And won't need me anymore. Hopefully she'll still want me around (haha), but she won't need me. And I used to kid around... "Ugh! 6 months til she gets out of the terrible twos" "3 months until I can wean her"... But I've discovered I miss all those things. I miss Audrey the baby, Audrey the toddler... I LOVE Audrey the preschooler (sounds so grown-up, right?). She is the most caring, beautiful, compassionate, smart, funny child anyone could ever dream of (not that I'm biased or anything). But once those phases go away, you still grab for them... It's like trying to keep a handful of sand. You're so busy with life, that you don't realize that it's slipping through your fingers...
I don't have any regrets - besides maybe being able to stay home with my babies from the beginning. But I was lucky in that I had wonderful people caring for my kids.
I am so glad that Audrey was my baby, and is my little girl. She is now a four year old (who can read). She makes me SO proud.
Onto other updates...
JT has been talking. REALLY talking. His behavioral therapist, Amy, has started, and he is beginning to label things. We've got car and ball, and he has been saying tons of other words, although those seem to be his echolalia.
He also made huge progress last week... At Target, I was looking at something on the shelves, and all of a sudden, I hear "Ha". I turned around to see my son waving... And saying his version of HI to me. It was SO precious. We spent the next thirty minutes greeting each other - me, Audrey and JT. Audrey was just as proud as I was (see? sweetest child EVER), and he was proud of himself! Since then, he has been saying it frequently (and appropriately!).
His other favorite words are 'whoa' - as he's falling off something on purpose trying to send me into cardiac arrest... 'Whee' - for anything fun... 'Uhoh' - for obvious reasons... And he tries to count - un, doo, free, fow, fie, see, said, aye, nigh, teh! Woohoo!!!
I also got three kisses in a row yesterday!!! He pulled my face to his and kissed me, then pushed it back a little, then pulled it back, pushed it, then pulled it back again... There is nothing better than kisses from your baby. Especially when you know they don't really like it... Cause he REALLY means it...
Life is good. We're all doing SO well (knock on wood, right?).
I hope everyone else is doing well!
Lots of love!
This weekend was one of those times.
Audrey turned 4 years old on Friday, July 11th. Four years old. Old enough for public (pre) school. It's been four whole years since the day she came into this world. Four years since the day I fought with the nurse to send me home (probably the only woman to ever decide she was NOT having the baby today, they had to be wrong...). Four years since her daddy passed out on the delivery room floor (love ya, The Hubs!). Four years since I became a parent.
And it made me think.
There are times that you think time is dragging... When your two year old is throwing a tantrum. When you're waiting for husband to get back from a business trip so you can have a break - because you need it. Bad. But the truth is, when you look back, it seems like it went even faster then...
My baby doll is four years old. I only have 14 more years until she is grown... And won't need me anymore. Hopefully she'll still want me around (haha), but she won't need me. And I used to kid around... "Ugh! 6 months til she gets out of the terrible twos" "3 months until I can wean her"... But I've discovered I miss all those things. I miss Audrey the baby, Audrey the toddler... I LOVE Audrey the preschooler (sounds so grown-up, right?). She is the most caring, beautiful, compassionate, smart, funny child anyone could ever dream of (not that I'm biased or anything). But once those phases go away, you still grab for them... It's like trying to keep a handful of sand. You're so busy with life, that you don't realize that it's slipping through your fingers...
I don't have any regrets - besides maybe being able to stay home with my babies from the beginning. But I was lucky in that I had wonderful people caring for my kids.
I am so glad that Audrey was my baby, and is my little girl. She is now a four year old (who can read). She makes me SO proud.
Onto other updates...
JT has been talking. REALLY talking. His behavioral therapist, Amy, has started, and he is beginning to label things. We've got car and ball, and he has been saying tons of other words, although those seem to be his echolalia.
He also made huge progress last week... At Target, I was looking at something on the shelves, and all of a sudden, I hear "Ha". I turned around to see my son waving... And saying his version of HI to me. It was SO precious. We spent the next thirty minutes greeting each other - me, Audrey and JT. Audrey was just as proud as I was (see? sweetest child EVER), and he was proud of himself! Since then, he has been saying it frequently (and appropriately!).
His other favorite words are 'whoa' - as he's falling off something on purpose trying to send me into cardiac arrest... 'Whee' - for anything fun... 'Uhoh' - for obvious reasons... And he tries to count - un, doo, free, fow, fie, see, said, aye, nigh, teh! Woohoo!!!
I also got three kisses in a row yesterday!!! He pulled my face to his and kissed me, then pushed it back a little, then pulled it back, pushed it, then pulled it back again... There is nothing better than kisses from your baby. Especially when you know they don't really like it... Cause he REALLY means it...
Life is good. We're all doing SO well (knock on wood, right?).
I hope everyone else is doing well!
Lots of love!
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