Thursday, February 3, 2011
A Conversation Between Sisters
Reagan: Looking at Jocelyn and blowing a raspberry
Jocelyn: "Reagan, you are just a baby and you don't know better. When you get bigger you will know better." "You're just a baby."
Reagan, still looking at Jocelyn, has a two-second delay (to process what Jocelyn has just told her, of course) and then blows yet another raspberry.
Jocelyn & Mommy: Laughter
Reagan: Laughter
What a wonderful lunchtime conversation! I love it!
Jocelyn: "Reagan, you are just a baby and you don't know better. When you get bigger you will know better." "You're just a baby."
Reagan, still looking at Jocelyn, has a two-second delay (to process what Jocelyn has just told her, of course) and then blows yet another raspberry.
Jocelyn & Mommy: Laughter
Reagan: Laughter
What a wonderful lunchtime conversation! I love it!
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Speech News
It wasn't very long ago that I was blindsided by Jocelyn's Apraxia diagnosis.
In October, Jocelyn began outpatient therapy with Children's Hospital. She had two 30-minute sessions a week. In December, Jocelyn's therapist was impressed with how far she had come in two months and reevaluated her. From that evaluation we learned that Jocelyn's speech was nearly age-appropriate and her therapist reduced sessions to once per week! We were excited!! Everyone I came into contact with who knew anything about Apraxia and who knew Jocelyn never agreed with the diagnosis. They would say that if it was true it was a very, very mild case. I of course wanted to agree, but didn't want to be a blind parent who ignored the "truth" and didn't get my child the help she needed. The therapy surely wasn't going to hurt Jocelyn. She continued therapy twice a week at Children's and once in our home through the Alliance.
In November, to get ready to transition from the Alliance (a program for children birth through 2) to the 3-year-old program DART, she needed to be reevaluated. She didn't qualify for services! That's a good thing because it meant that her speech had been improving and she no longer showed a 25% delay. Jocelyn had her last session with her therapist from the Alliance right before her third birthday. It was very weird saying goodbye to the therapist who had been working with Jocelyn in our home every week since she was nearly 2-years-old. Todd and I couldn't have been more thankful to have had her helping Jocelyn and helping us help Jocelyn. We are forever grateful! Below is a picture of Jocelyn and Maureen, her therapist through the Alliance.
Now for the BIG news! Yesterday at Jocelyn's session, the therapist informed me that she doesn't foresee therapy lasting much past Valentines day. She said her speech is age appropriate and she is progressing wonderfully. She still struggles with specific speech sounds, but those speech sounds are the sounds that children her age typically struggle with. She will most likely overcome them on her own as she gets older and with a little help from us. This is wonderful news! It almost seems surreal that soon I won't have to take Jocelyn to any therapy sessions. It's bittersweet, though, as I think Jocelyn is going to miss it. She really enjoys going to speech to "play".
As for the diagnosis of Apraxia: I'm thinking it was a misdiagnosis. Typically children with Apraxia do not overcome it as quickly as Jocelyn has. Am I upset that she was misdiagnosed? No. She was able to get more therapy with the diagnosis and that certainly has helped in her quick progression. I was warned by many that I was not allowed to blame them when Jocelyn was talking and wouldn't shut up. We are most definitely at that point now, where we can't get her to shut up, but I still am only thankful for her progression. Ask me again when's she's 8...
In October, Jocelyn began outpatient therapy with Children's Hospital. She had two 30-minute sessions a week. In December, Jocelyn's therapist was impressed with how far she had come in two months and reevaluated her. From that evaluation we learned that Jocelyn's speech was nearly age-appropriate and her therapist reduced sessions to once per week! We were excited!! Everyone I came into contact with who knew anything about Apraxia and who knew Jocelyn never agreed with the diagnosis. They would say that if it was true it was a very, very mild case. I of course wanted to agree, but didn't want to be a blind parent who ignored the "truth" and didn't get my child the help she needed. The therapy surely wasn't going to hurt Jocelyn. She continued therapy twice a week at Children's and once in our home through the Alliance.
In November, to get ready to transition from the Alliance (a program for children birth through 2) to the 3-year-old program DART, she needed to be reevaluated. She didn't qualify for services! That's a good thing because it meant that her speech had been improving and she no longer showed a 25% delay. Jocelyn had her last session with her therapist from the Alliance right before her third birthday. It was very weird saying goodbye to the therapist who had been working with Jocelyn in our home every week since she was nearly 2-years-old. Todd and I couldn't have been more thankful to have had her helping Jocelyn and helping us help Jocelyn. We are forever grateful! Below is a picture of Jocelyn and Maureen, her therapist through the Alliance.
Now for the BIG news! Yesterday at Jocelyn's session, the therapist informed me that she doesn't foresee therapy lasting much past Valentines day. She said her speech is age appropriate and she is progressing wonderfully. She still struggles with specific speech sounds, but those speech sounds are the sounds that children her age typically struggle with. She will most likely overcome them on her own as she gets older and with a little help from us. This is wonderful news! It almost seems surreal that soon I won't have to take Jocelyn to any therapy sessions. It's bittersweet, though, as I think Jocelyn is going to miss it. She really enjoys going to speech to "play".
As for the diagnosis of Apraxia: I'm thinking it was a misdiagnosis. Typically children with Apraxia do not overcome it as quickly as Jocelyn has. Am I upset that she was misdiagnosed? No. She was able to get more therapy with the diagnosis and that certainly has helped in her quick progression. I was warned by many that I was not allowed to blame them when Jocelyn was talking and wouldn't shut up. We are most definitely at that point now, where we can't get her to shut up, but I still am only thankful for her progression. Ask me again when's she's 8...
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Friday, January 21, 2011
Bath Time
When I took Reagan to her 6-month well-baby exam the doctor commented on what nice skin she has. Both Jocelyn and Reagan always receive compliments on their skin and how beautiful it is. Genetically, I cannot take any credit for it. Actually, I'm not sure I can take any credit for it in a non-genetic way either. Either way, when the doctor asked me what I do to keep Reagan's skin so beautiful, I told her that I did nothing special. Reagan occasionally gets rubbed down with Eucerin cream if she looks a bit dry, but other than that I couldn't think of anything other than breastfeeding that may have had an effect on her skin. The doctor didn't seem to believe me. She told me that with Reagan's super-fair skin she should be "eczema city".
When I got home, I got to thinking that maybe her skin is so great because she has never had a bath. YEP. I said it. Reagan never had a real bath until January 15th. She was 6 months and 4 days old before she was immersed in water. I admit it! Okay, it's not like she wasn't ever cleaned. She just had sponge baths up until the time I finally put her into a bathtub full of water. It worked for both of us--she got clean, and it was much easier and more convenient for me. I could do it right on the living room floor while Jocelyn watched something on TV to occupy herself. Reagan didn't mind it at all. It's not like she was out playing in mud or getting super sweaty doing anything. How dirty can a baby really get?
I finally decided it was time for a real bath when she was in the bathroom one time while Jocelyn was taking a bath and she was literally trying to jump from my lap to get into the tub. I ordered a little bath seat so she could take a bath in the big tub with Jocelyn. I knew it was what she wanted anyway. She loves it!
She especially loved that she was with her big sister! How fun!!
So, Reagan's days of sponge bathing are over. She will never go back. She loves her bath chair too much! That's okay with Mommy, but the big question is: Will she still have beautiful skin? I'm thinking she probably will--Jocelyn screamed through "real" baths at a very young age and still had many compliments on her skin! Time will tell...
When I got home, I got to thinking that maybe her skin is so great because she has never had a bath. YEP. I said it. Reagan never had a real bath until January 15th. She was 6 months and 4 days old before she was immersed in water. I admit it! Okay, it's not like she wasn't ever cleaned. She just had sponge baths up until the time I finally put her into a bathtub full of water. It worked for both of us--she got clean, and it was much easier and more convenient for me. I could do it right on the living room floor while Jocelyn watched something on TV to occupy herself. Reagan didn't mind it at all. It's not like she was out playing in mud or getting super sweaty doing anything. How dirty can a baby really get?
I finally decided it was time for a real bath when she was in the bathroom one time while Jocelyn was taking a bath and she was literally trying to jump from my lap to get into the tub. I ordered a little bath seat so she could take a bath in the big tub with Jocelyn. I knew it was what she wanted anyway. She loves it!
In the first picture she looks a little hesitant, but believe me, that only lasted for the half-second it took to take a picture. She was probably wondering why she was sitting in a chair in the bathtub and was shocked that she was actually allowed to take a real bath. Poor baby! 
She splashed around like she had been taking baths for months!
She splashed around like she had been taking baths for months!
She especially loved that she was with her big sister! How fun!!
So, Reagan's days of sponge bathing are over. She will never go back. She loves her bath chair too much! That's okay with Mommy, but the big question is: Will she still have beautiful skin? I'm thinking she probably will--Jocelyn screamed through "real" baths at a very young age and still had many compliments on her skin! Time will tell...
Thursday, January 20, 2011
More Snow Fun!
Last weekend we tried to go outside and build Jocelyn's first snowman. Jocelyn has wanted to build a snowman in the worst way since she saw the first snowflake fall this winter. Todd took her out in an attempt to build it, but unfortunately the snow wasn't the right type for snowman making. Instead we pulled her around on the sled and taught her how to make snow angels. The disappointment wore off quickly and Jocelyn had fun doing the other snow activities!
Jocelyn's first snow angel!
Reagan made an angel too!
Jocelyn's first snow angel!
Reagan made an angel too!
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Jocelyn's 3rd Birthday
On January 8, Jocelyn celebrated her 3rd birthday. This year she was completely aware that it was her special day and was excited for all the fun birthdays bring to little girls!
The morning started out right with the birthday girl's choice for breakfast: Scrambled eggs, Papa toast (toast with butter and jelly), bacon, and apple juice. She ate every bite!
That afternoon we had her family party. She wanted a Tinkerbell theme this year!
That afternoon we had her family party. She wanted a Tinkerbell theme this year!
Her "big" present from Mom & Dad!
After her party she got to pick where she wanted to go out to dinner. She chose Pizza Hut, and we had a great time there as well. Jocelyn's 3rd birthday was a big success! She had a great couple of days and dare I say it even trumped Christmas for her. She was the princess and enjoyed every minute of it!
Friday, January 7, 2011
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Jocelyn's 1st & 2nd Years in pictures
I just can't believe Jocelyn is almost 3-years-old and is starting her 4th year!!
She will always be my baby!
Jocelyn @ 1-year-old
Watch the video I made of Jocelyn's first year HERE.
She will always be my baby!
Jocelyn @ 1-year-old
Watch the video I made of Jocelyn's first year HERE.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)