Speech Update

Giana has been receiving speech services for two months (just 7 sessions).  She has made amazing progress--she's gained tons of words (well over 50+), she's combining words and using multiple syllables!  I'm thrilled.  And I'm not the only one who's impressed.  At our speech visit this week, Kim (speech pathologist) said G will be exited from the program before her next review (due in August).  She is producing speech sounds that can take up to age four to master!  We are continuing to work on things like pronunciation and using 2 syllables.  She is attempting more, but it's not always very clear.  I am SO grateful for the help we've received.  Kim is fantastic and has been so supportive.  We'll miss her when the visits end, but it's so awesome that Giana is catching up! 

LONG overdue

Yikes! Yes, it's really been over a year since my last post! I guess the wee ones have been keeping me busy! I wanted to update our family and friends on Giana (speech delay).

After Giana's 18 month check up I contacted our school district to inquire about services for her speech delay (recommendation of our pediatrician). Over a month and a half we had observations, evaluations and, this week, a meeting to discuss results. Giana had average scores in all areas of development except communication. Receptive language was at 91% and expressive was at 5%. This is a considerable gap (making a potentially frustrated girl because she understands so much, but can vocalize so little). Her expressive language score qualifies her for services with the school district. So starting in March, Kim, the Speech Language Pathologist, will make weekly visits to our house to work with us and support us as we aim to get Giana speaking at a level closer to her peers. Kim has already given us several things to start working on. Our hope is that G is just a 'late talker' (entirely possible since her brother talks a mile a minute and leaves no time for her to talk). Hopefully once she gets a little boost, her language will take off. Time will tell. We'll review her progress in 6 months. I am so grateful for the support we'll be getting and I must say I'm very pleased with Lakeville School District ECSE (Early Childhood Special Education).

Growing like a weed!

Giana is following in her big brother's footsteps. She was 95% for height at her 4 month check up (only 24% for weight)! . She is doing great! She's a happy little peanut! She's starting to laugh and is occasionally rolling over. I talked with the doctor about some asymmetry of her leg creases/rolls. Dr. V really checked out her hips rotating them all around. He said he didn't feel any clicks and that she has good tone, but wanted her to get an ultrasound and x-ray to be safe. She had a hip ultrasound this morning at Children's Hospital in Minneapolis and the x-ray was done at her clinic on Monday. I am anxious to get the results.

Have I mentioned that I love our pediatrician, Dr. Vlodaver at Fairview Oxboro in Bloomington? He is very proactive. Some might think he is overly cautious, but being a medical professional, I appreciate his desire to rule out more serious issues. He is also the Doc for my sister, Haley's kids!

Ahhhh....Vincent! I really should be writing down all of the funny things that come out of his mouth! He is a riot, although not beyond a tantrum every now and then. He is really starting to pay attention to Giana! I love it-they are so cute together!

Halloween was fun. The kids were Peter Pan and Tinkerbell! We did a few different Halloween activities in the area and Steve took Vince out trick or treating on Halloween. I don't think Vince has quite figured out Halloween, but he sure liked the candy (and so did Mom and Dad)!

Blessed!

That one word describes my life! I feel truly blessed each day!

The kids are amazing little wonders! Vincent surprises me daily with all that he is learning! I am amazed at how much his language has exploded in the last few months. He LOVES books. I bring him to Movin' and Groovin' class once a week and various other activities when we can (ECFE playtime, Open Gym, playdates, storytime). It is such a joy to watch him grow and learn!

Giana is a little doll. She is so happy and smiley! She loves cooing, squealing and attempting to laugh! She is holding her head up during tummy time, working really hard on rolling and grabbing everything she can get her little hands on. She is a huge fan of fingers these days-they must be yummy!

Steve is working his tail off! He's back to 50 hour work weeks and full time school on top of that! I am keeping my fingers crossed that he finishes his IT degree quickly and that we will have our daddy/husband back.

I am doing my best to take care of the family, house and occasionally myself! I am participating in a MOMS (Ministry of Mothers Sharing) group at church. I have met some wonderful women and have realized my desire for deeper friendships with my fellow moms. I am so appreciative of the wonderful friends in my life.

As I look at look at my family and the beauty outside (fall is my favorite time of year), I can't help but be grateful for all that I have! I am truly blessed!

Funny Man

Our little man is becoming quite verbal and is learning new things like crazy! I am often surprised by what he does or says.

Quotes by Vince:

• "What the heck!" is one of his favorites
• "Beep, beep" when he wants someone to move
• "Like it" if he likes something or "No like it" when he doesn't like something and most recently "Oh my, like it!"
  
• "My rock" when he wants to be rocked at night
• "Arm, please" when he wants to snuggle with me and lay on my arm
• "D*mnit" I have no idea where he picked that one up! Oops....

It's really funnier to hear these quotes rather than read them. While he's definitely at a challenging age, he is also at a very fun age. He makes me laugh everyday!

Giana is really growing! She is starting to smile and coo. Oh my gosh-her beautiful baby smile brightens my day!