Ella has made some improvements in her speech and communication, but not as much progress as we would like. So, we are taking her to individual speech therapy outside of the school environment. She has her assessment tomorrow.
Ella now says "mama", "dada", "nana"(for my mother), "da-oo" (for my father) and has some other word approximations like "og-og" for frog. She also does a few other verbal things to communicate like making a mooing sound for a cow and panting to signify a dog.
We are hoping to find a therapist who will use PROMPT therapy with Ella. PROMPT is a style of therapy where the therapist touches the child in a certain way for each sound that is meant to be made. For example, to make an "M" sound the therapist would press the child's lips together lightly and make the sound. There is some indication that this type of therapy is particularly helpful for children with Ella's disability.
Hope that it goes well tomorrow and that I don't flake out and forget to write another post about how it goes!
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
tickle
Ella's latest thing is to tickle people from a distance. I think that it started out as a made up sign (she communicates using sign language, for those of you who haven't been paying attention), but it has turned into an amusing game. This is how it is played: Ella holds out her arm in your direction and wiggles her fingers at you as though she is tickling you. You, in turn, laugh and squirm as though you are really being tickled. Ella also laughs, repeats said tickle motions, and monotony ensues.
But here is the really cute and funny part. She tries to tickle everything. And she is not dissuaded by non action on the part of the receiver. For example, she continually tries to long distance tickle the cats with, of course, no affect what so ever. I just tell her that cats aren't ticklish.
I have also caught her trying to tickle stuffed animals, my computer, the box of Cheerios on top of the refrigerator, and various toys.
Tonight, as we were leaving a restaurant after dark, I pointed out the beautiful crescent moon to her. She stopped and stared at it for a little while, pointing at its location in the sky. She turned back toward the car, took a few steps, then stopped and turned to face the moon again. She slowly lifted her arm up and tried to tickle the moon.
But here is the really cute and funny part. She tries to tickle everything. And she is not dissuaded by non action on the part of the receiver. For example, she continually tries to long distance tickle the cats with, of course, no affect what so ever. I just tell her that cats aren't ticklish.
I have also caught her trying to tickle stuffed animals, my computer, the box of Cheerios on top of the refrigerator, and various toys.
Tonight, as we were leaving a restaurant after dark, I pointed out the beautiful crescent moon to her. She stopped and stared at it for a little while, pointing at its location in the sky. She turned back toward the car, took a few steps, then stopped and turned to face the moon again. She slowly lifted her arm up and tried to tickle the moon.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Ella's heart procedure scheduled
Today we saw the doctor who will perform the procedure to close Ella's Patent Ductus Arteriosis (PDA for short). We scheduled the procedure for Wednesday, September 16th. Here is a brief rundown of what will happen.
We arrive at the hospital at 6:30am. We will get her checked in, etc. We get to stay with her until she falls asleep (they will be using general anesthesia). Then they take her into the "cath lab" where they do the procedure. They will insert a catheter into her femoral artery at the "hip crease" area near the groin (this is where the artery is closest to the skin). They will send the catheter up to the PDA area (right above the heart, between the aorta and the pulmonary artery). Then they inject iodine into the area and take an X ray so that they have a good picture to see exactly what size the opening is. If the opening is small enough, they use a spring looking device with fibers inside it to close the opening. They insert it, make sure that it won't go anywhere, and then, over a short period of time, blood clots form around the fibers and the spring and the clots close up the PDA. If the opening is to large to use the spring type device, then they use something called a Amplatzer Duct Occluder System. It is larger than the spring device, and looks kind of like a wire mesh drain stopper you would place in your kitchen sink (except much smaller, of course). We have been told that it is "more than a 50/50 chance" that they will end up using the smaller, spring like device. Which translates to: who knows until we really get in there and see what is going on. The advantages of the smaller device is that, if it migrates to some other area of the body instead of staying in the PDA, then it is easy to retrieve. If the larger occluder is used and it decides to take a trip, then they would have to do surgery to remove it. Now, we have been told that the chances of either device moving out of position is very unlikely, but I still think that we are hoping that the opening is small enough for them to use the spring.
Once they decide which one to use, they will place the device and make sure that it doesn't go anywhere (we were told that if a device migrates, that it will do it very soon after placement...it isn't like she is going to turn 25 and all of a sudden have this thing flying around inside her body). Then she gets wheeled into recovery (she will be in the cath lab for around 3 hours total) and should stay there for 4 hours or so. We will be able to be with her in the recovery room, but not in the cath lab.
If everything goes well and she doesn't have any complications, we will be able to go home late that same day. If they use the larger of the two devices, and/or something does get complicated, they may keep her overnight for observation.
Matt intends to get an I phone before the procedure. Therefore, we will be able to make blog posts and facebook updates at the hospital as things happen. So, if you want to stay updated, just log on.
All your wishes, prayers, or bizarre homemade rituals are greatly appreciated.
I will also take any good book suggestions because I am going to have to be reading something really good to relax me and take my mind off things that day. I am sure that everything will probably go just fine, but a good novel always help make time to faster...and who wants to spend 12+ hours in a hospital just waiting!
We arrive at the hospital at 6:30am. We will get her checked in, etc. We get to stay with her until she falls asleep (they will be using general anesthesia). Then they take her into the "cath lab" where they do the procedure. They will insert a catheter into her femoral artery at the "hip crease" area near the groin (this is where the artery is closest to the skin). They will send the catheter up to the PDA area (right above the heart, between the aorta and the pulmonary artery). Then they inject iodine into the area and take an X ray so that they have a good picture to see exactly what size the opening is. If the opening is small enough, they use a spring looking device with fibers inside it to close the opening. They insert it, make sure that it won't go anywhere, and then, over a short period of time, blood clots form around the fibers and the spring and the clots close up the PDA. If the opening is to large to use the spring type device, then they use something called a Amplatzer Duct Occluder System. It is larger than the spring device, and looks kind of like a wire mesh drain stopper you would place in your kitchen sink (except much smaller, of course). We have been told that it is "more than a 50/50 chance" that they will end up using the smaller, spring like device. Which translates to: who knows until we really get in there and see what is going on. The advantages of the smaller device is that, if it migrates to some other area of the body instead of staying in the PDA, then it is easy to retrieve. If the larger occluder is used and it decides to take a trip, then they would have to do surgery to remove it. Now, we have been told that the chances of either device moving out of position is very unlikely, but I still think that we are hoping that the opening is small enough for them to use the spring.
Once they decide which one to use, they will place the device and make sure that it doesn't go anywhere (we were told that if a device migrates, that it will do it very soon after placement...it isn't like she is going to turn 25 and all of a sudden have this thing flying around inside her body). Then she gets wheeled into recovery (she will be in the cath lab for around 3 hours total) and should stay there for 4 hours or so. We will be able to be with her in the recovery room, but not in the cath lab.
If everything goes well and she doesn't have any complications, we will be able to go home late that same day. If they use the larger of the two devices, and/or something does get complicated, they may keep her overnight for observation.
Matt intends to get an I phone before the procedure. Therefore, we will be able to make blog posts and facebook updates at the hospital as things happen. So, if you want to stay updated, just log on.
All your wishes, prayers, or bizarre homemade rituals are greatly appreciated.
I will also take any good book suggestions because I am going to have to be reading something really good to relax me and take my mind off things that day. I am sure that everything will probably go just fine, but a good novel always help make time to faster...and who wants to spend 12+ hours in a hospital just waiting!
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
summer school is almost over
Ella only has one more day of summer school. Then she and I have 5 weeks of uninterrupted together time. My immediate thought is: Holy Cow, what am I going to do with her for 5 weeks!?!
It was only 5 months ago that Ella even started going to school. Before that she and I were together all day, every weekday. How quickly we get used to a new routine. How attached I get to my little bit of alone time. OK, I don't really spend much of it alone, unless you count running errands at Target and Giant, or working out at the gym "alone time". Most of the time she is in school I spend doing things that are easier done without her around like running those errands, or vacuuming the house (she doesn't like the sound of the vacuum). Yesterday I spent most of my time at the dentist and working out. Today I had to take two of the cats to their annual Veterinarian visit. I guess I should be more worried about how to get things done when she is out of school than about relaxing and having some fun by myself.
So, this is my plan. Every morning we get out of the house for a few hours. We run no more than one errand at a time, and then we get to go to the playground or to the pool. One or two days a week I will take her to the gym so that I can still try to work out and shed some of my love of chocolate off of my stomach. One day a week we will try to do something out of the ordinary like going to the science center in Baltimore. We will always try to be home by nap time and the hour or two after nap but before dinner will mostly be spent running around the back yard (her new favorite past time). We both need variety. I need it to make the time pass more quickly, and she needs it because she gets so much variety of activity in school.
I have my plan. Now I just need to pray that she doesn't decide to drop her nap on me before she starts school again in September.
It was only 5 months ago that Ella even started going to school. Before that she and I were together all day, every weekday. How quickly we get used to a new routine. How attached I get to my little bit of alone time. OK, I don't really spend much of it alone, unless you count running errands at Target and Giant, or working out at the gym "alone time". Most of the time she is in school I spend doing things that are easier done without her around like running those errands, or vacuuming the house (she doesn't like the sound of the vacuum). Yesterday I spent most of my time at the dentist and working out. Today I had to take two of the cats to their annual Veterinarian visit. I guess I should be more worried about how to get things done when she is out of school than about relaxing and having some fun by myself.
So, this is my plan. Every morning we get out of the house for a few hours. We run no more than one errand at a time, and then we get to go to the playground or to the pool. One or two days a week I will take her to the gym so that I can still try to work out and shed some of my love of chocolate off of my stomach. One day a week we will try to do something out of the ordinary like going to the science center in Baltimore. We will always try to be home by nap time and the hour or two after nap but before dinner will mostly be spent running around the back yard (her new favorite past time). We both need variety. I need it to make the time pass more quickly, and she needs it because she gets so much variety of activity in school.
I have my plan. Now I just need to pray that she doesn't decide to drop her nap on me before she starts school again in September.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Isn't it funny
I find it very amusing that Ella behaves differently when at school than when she is at home. For example: she will not eat a sandwich at home. Even if I cut it up exactly as the assistant has told me she does it for her at school.
Also, her teachers are always exclaiming to me how pleasant Ella is. She never gets angry, throws tantrums, or cries. "No," I always say, "she saves all the tantrums for me, at home." At least I am lucky that about 90% of her tantrums are at the house. The other 10% are usually at the grocery store.
As a side note. She has a new food. She now likes grilled cheese sandwiches. She won't eat one at home....but she will eat one at school!
Also, her teachers are always exclaiming to me how pleasant Ella is. She never gets angry, throws tantrums, or cries. "No," I always say, "she saves all the tantrums for me, at home." At least I am lucky that about 90% of her tantrums are at the house. The other 10% are usually at the grocery store.
As a side note. She has a new food. She now likes grilled cheese sandwiches. She won't eat one at home....but she will eat one at school!
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Annual Cardiologist Visit
Brief review of last years meeting: Ella's Patent Ductus Arteriosis is small but still open. It will not close by itself. It has caused no harm to the heart yet, and Ella has no symptoms. She will eventually need a cathaterization (as opposed to the more invasive surgery) to close it. The procedure will include anesthesia but it is done out patient style.
Today's meeting: PDA still open. No damage to lungs. Left ventricle of heart is starting to enlarge. The enlargement is minimal and is not causing any damage. We are being referred to the doctor who does the actual cathaterization procedure, but are told that there is no big hurry. The new doc will look at Ella's info and make a recomendation as to when she will have the procedure. He may say do it soon, he may say wait and year and see what happens.
notes on the actual details of trip to the doc's office: Ella is grunting and groaning in the waiting room. I check her diaper and it is clean. When asked if she wants to go the the potty, she says yes. In the bathroom there is more grunting and groaning but no action and she says she is done. Once out in the waiting room again, she immediately fills the diaper. So, back to the bathroom for a full diaper change.
Also, this year she HATED the EKG test. Screamed and cried through most of it. Last year the EKG was easy and problem free, and the ecocardiogram was difficult for her. However, she had little to no problem with the ecocardiogram today. Strange.
So, now I make another doctor's appointment and we see what this one has to say.
Today's meeting: PDA still open. No damage to lungs. Left ventricle of heart is starting to enlarge. The enlargement is minimal and is not causing any damage. We are being referred to the doctor who does the actual cathaterization procedure, but are told that there is no big hurry. The new doc will look at Ella's info and make a recomendation as to when she will have the procedure. He may say do it soon, he may say wait and year and see what happens.
notes on the actual details of trip to the doc's office: Ella is grunting and groaning in the waiting room. I check her diaper and it is clean. When asked if she wants to go the the potty, she says yes. In the bathroom there is more grunting and groaning but no action and she says she is done. Once out in the waiting room again, she immediately fills the diaper. So, back to the bathroom for a full diaper change.
Also, this year she HATED the EKG test. Screamed and cried through most of it. Last year the EKG was easy and problem free, and the ecocardiogram was difficult for her. However, she had little to no problem with the ecocardiogram today. Strange.
So, now I make another doctor's appointment and we see what this one has to say.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
school
Since mid-March Ella has been attending a MINC-T (mixed intense needs class-toddler) in a local elementary school. She has done very well and made lots of progress. So, she is being moved up for next school year. Beginning in September she will be in a 3 year old preschool class (as opposed to a MINC-Preschool). It is still a special ed class (half of the students are in the special ed program and half of the class, called peers, are paying "normally progressed" students), but the children in it have less intense delays or disabilities than in the MINC.
I am very happy that she has made so much progress that they want to move her up to a "better" class, but I am sad for her at the same time because none of the kids who are in her class now will be going with her. Given how social she is, I am sure that she will love the new class just as much as she loves her current one.
Also, she is attending a summer session of classes (called ESY: extended school year) so that she won't lose any of her skills over the long break.
I am very happy that she has made so much progress that they want to move her up to a "better" class, but I am sad for her at the same time because none of the kids who are in her class now will be going with her. Given how social she is, I am sure that she will love the new class just as much as she loves her current one.
Also, she is attending a summer session of classes (called ESY: extended school year) so that she won't lose any of her skills over the long break.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
colds and naps
I have another cold. I have lost count of how many I have gotten since Ella started school. This one, however, seems to have come to me via my husband. He and I are both sick and Ella is fine.
Yesterday Ella spent her nap time playing with books on the floor of her room. No sleeping. So, when I get her out of her room she is especially snugly and cuddly. After some time on the couch reading books and playing a little she tells me she wants to play on her swing. So, we move to the back porch for some swinging. After about 20 minutes on the swing she begins to stare outside and stop interacting with me. Next, her hands go behind her head (her preferred sleeping position when she was younger). Within 5 minutes she is asleep, still swinging.
Yesterday Ella spent her nap time playing with books on the floor of her room. No sleeping. So, when I get her out of her room she is especially snugly and cuddly. After some time on the couch reading books and playing a little she tells me she wants to play on her swing. So, we move to the back porch for some swinging. After about 20 minutes on the swing she begins to stare outside and stop interacting with me. Next, her hands go behind her head (her preferred sleeping position when she was younger). Within 5 minutes she is asleep, still swinging.
Monday, June 8, 2009
speech progress
For the longest time the only consonant sounds Ella will reliably make are "D" noises. You could get her to occasionally make "B" or "N" noises. She would even, through rarely, make "M" noises. Also, when you try to get her to purse her lips to create a concentrated stream of air (like you would to blow bubbles) she would only blow out with her mouth and throat wide open (as you do when you try to fog up glass).
The great progress is that she is making "B" noises much more frequently. Also, last night she repeatedly pursed her lips to blow a concentrated stream of air. We even got her to blow about 10 bubbles over a couse of 3-4 blows on the bubble wand.
The great progress is that she is making "B" noises much more frequently. Also, last night she repeatedly pursed her lips to blow a concentrated stream of air. We even got her to blow about 10 bubbles over a couse of 3-4 blows on the bubble wand.
Saturday, December 20, 2008
reading books
I have discovered that many parents dislike reading to their children. I understand that the repetition of reading the same books over and over, day in and day out can get a bit annoying. But, I am very thankful that I don't fall into that parental category.
Now, there are times that my love of reading to Ella fails me (like the other day when she wouldn't take a nap and discovered that her new favorite toy was a bell that she rang almost constantly). But for the most part I am happy to read many books in one sitting (even the same one more than once), with her snuggling in my lap for up to 45 minutes at a stretch. Ella is, however, lacking one of the more annoying traits that many toddlers exhibit during book time: constant interjection. She does not ask me to spell our words, or threaten to tattle to her father if I skip a page (accidentally, of course), or insist that she read the story to me. Now, she does like to sign along when she sees a picture or hears a word that she knows the sign for, but that isn't quite the same as interrupting. I suppose that this trait will surface when she learns to talk, but until then, I will keep on reading with joy.
Now, there are times that my love of reading to Ella fails me (like the other day when she wouldn't take a nap and discovered that her new favorite toy was a bell that she rang almost constantly). But for the most part I am happy to read many books in one sitting (even the same one more than once), with her snuggling in my lap for up to 45 minutes at a stretch. Ella is, however, lacking one of the more annoying traits that many toddlers exhibit during book time: constant interjection. She does not ask me to spell our words, or threaten to tattle to her father if I skip a page (accidentally, of course), or insist that she read the story to me. Now, she does like to sign along when she sees a picture or hears a word that she knows the sign for, but that isn't quite the same as interrupting. I suppose that this trait will surface when she learns to talk, but until then, I will keep on reading with joy.
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
helpfull child
Today I was holding a pair of my socks in preparation for getting on the treadmill after Ella went down for a nap. When Ella saw them in my hands she showed interest in holding them, so I gave them to her. Then the phone rang and I got side tracked for a few minutes. Then the time comes for me to take Ella for a diaper change, etc. before bedtime and I notice that she no longer has my socks. I walk around the kitchen and living room looking for them to no avail. So, I give up and go to put her down for her nap. When I am done and Ella is quiet, I take another look around for the socks. In the kitchen, I get a sudden flash of an idea and decide to look in the trash can. There they are, in the kitchen trash.
I have been teaching Ella to do little things to help out lately. Having her put her laundry in the drawer, putting her dirty dishes on the counter, carrying her milk to the table at meal time, and occasionally throwing trash in the trash can.
I wonder if it is time to bleach my socks.
I have been teaching Ella to do little things to help out lately. Having her put her laundry in the drawer, putting her dirty dishes on the counter, carrying her milk to the table at meal time, and occasionally throwing trash in the trash can.
I wonder if it is time to bleach my socks.
Friday, November 28, 2008
places to eat
Ella is not the most diverse eater. So, going out to eat with her can be challenging. She will not eat burgers, grilled cheese, or any kind of pasta (at least not more than one or two bites). There is only one kids menu staple that she does consume: chicken fingers/nuggets with french fries.
When Ella was younger our restaurant choices focused on the ideals of quick service and good high chairs. We brought all her food with us, so the menu didn't matter. Now we look for places with kids menus, and good high chairs/booster seats. We still don't have a wide selection worked out because when we do decide to go out with her, we tend to stick with what we know rather than try someplace new that will not meet our criteria.
When it comes to fast food Chic-fil-A is the best, with McDonald's a close second.
Chicken Out Rotisserie wasn't a big hit at first because their kids meal nuggets are usually dry (white meat that isn't fried), but we have found that if we cover the chicken in ketchup or bring in our own sweet and sour sauce (left over packets from chic-fil-a) for them, it has worked out great.
Our most popular place to go is Applebees because we get a wide variety to chose from, and we know she will eat their chicken with no problem.
Today we tried a new place for lunch, and I must say I was very happy with it. We went to a Houlihan's. Their menu is very diverse, and their kid's chicken and french fries was a hit with Ella. The value also struck me as fantastic. Her kids meal was only $5 and it came with veggie sticks and dip, applesauce, a drink, 4 chicken strips with fries, and ice cream for desert! Our only complaint was the seating. We chose to try sitting at a booth and having Ella on a booster seat. The booster seat did not work well with the booth seat. She was sitting way to far back, and could not move forward to reach the table without fear of falling off totally. Consequently, poor Mentalfather spent the whole meal holding her in place and eating with one hand. We plan to go again, but we are going to go for a high chair next time.
When Ella was younger our restaurant choices focused on the ideals of quick service and good high chairs. We brought all her food with us, so the menu didn't matter. Now we look for places with kids menus, and good high chairs/booster seats. We still don't have a wide selection worked out because when we do decide to go out with her, we tend to stick with what we know rather than try someplace new that will not meet our criteria.
When it comes to fast food Chic-fil-A is the best, with McDonald's a close second.
Chicken Out Rotisserie wasn't a big hit at first because their kids meal nuggets are usually dry (white meat that isn't fried), but we have found that if we cover the chicken in ketchup or bring in our own sweet and sour sauce (left over packets from chic-fil-a) for them, it has worked out great.
Our most popular place to go is Applebees because we get a wide variety to chose from, and we know she will eat their chicken with no problem.
Today we tried a new place for lunch, and I must say I was very happy with it. We went to a Houlihan's. Their menu is very diverse, and their kid's chicken and french fries was a hit with Ella. The value also struck me as fantastic. Her kids meal was only $5 and it came with veggie sticks and dip, applesauce, a drink, 4 chicken strips with fries, and ice cream for desert! Our only complaint was the seating. We chose to try sitting at a booth and having Ella on a booster seat. The booster seat did not work well with the booth seat. She was sitting way to far back, and could not move forward to reach the table without fear of falling off totally. Consequently, poor Mentalfather spent the whole meal holding her in place and eating with one hand. We plan to go again, but we are going to go for a high chair next time.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Unconventional toys for toddlers
Sometimes I find it amazing what odd things attract Ella's attention. And, of course, everytime she picks up something from around the house and gets fascinated playing with it, I ask myself why I spend any money buying her fancy toys. Here is a sampling of some of those household toys.
belts
tubes from toilet paper rolls and from wrapping paper rolls
aluminum pie plate
red string
plastic storage containers
remote control
phone
mostly empty water bottle (tightly screwed shut, of course)
twine
cat toys
rolling foot massager
shoes
DVD boxes
bowls and spoons
blankets and pillows
house plants
bungee cords
raquet balls (the bounce is amazing and lots of fun on hard floors)
sunglasses
toilet paper
combs and brushes
canned food
So, if you are running out of ideas for entertaining you little one, give something from the list a try. And if you have any other good ones to share, please let me know. I love anything that changes things up in my day, and I love great opportunities for picture taking.
belts
tubes from toilet paper rolls and from wrapping paper rolls
aluminum pie plate
red string
plastic storage containers
remote control
phone
mostly empty water bottle (tightly screwed shut, of course)
twine
cat toys
rolling foot massager
shoes
DVD boxes
bowls and spoons
blankets and pillows
house plants
bungee cords
raquet balls (the bounce is amazing and lots of fun on hard floors)
sunglasses
toilet paper
combs and brushes
canned food
So, if you are running out of ideas for entertaining you little one, give something from the list a try. And if you have any other good ones to share, please let me know. I love anything that changes things up in my day, and I love great opportunities for picture taking.
Friday, November 21, 2008
Snow!
OK, this is not a flurry! Big fat flakes are sticking to the grass and my front deck. And it isn't even Thanksgiving yet. Yes folks, we do get some strange weather in Maryland.
Ella could have cared less when it was just a flurry 15 minutes ago. But now that it looks more like a real snow, she is just standing next to me in the kitchen and staring out the window.
I also saw a fox in the yard a few minutes ago. All I need now is a deer in the back yard and I am good to go.
OK, I have just had a dryer ball thrown at my butt by Ella. Time to go and play.
Ella could have cared less when it was just a flurry 15 minutes ago. But now that it looks more like a real snow, she is just standing next to me in the kitchen and staring out the window.
I also saw a fox in the yard a few minutes ago. All I need now is a deer in the back yard and I am good to go.
OK, I have just had a dryer ball thrown at my butt by Ella. Time to go and play.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
collective sigh
Ella has started having tantrums, but today's was a whopper!
Early in the afternoon, about an hour before her nap time she started testing me. For example: she hit me in the face when I wouldn't give her something then refused to say she was sorry. So, when nap time came and I changed her diaper all hell broke loose. She ended up walking around the house screaming and throwing a book around. Eventually she started vomiting (thank goodness it was in the kitchen so it was easy to clean up) which, of course, made her cry even more. She even slipped in a puddle of it before I got to clean it up and fell on the floor. It took me forever to calm her down, but at least she was amenable to my attentions (true tantrum crying would involve her pushing me away). I had to strip her down to her diaper in the kitchen because she was covered in vomit. Eventually she got dressed again and took a nice nap.
Whew!
Early in the afternoon, about an hour before her nap time she started testing me. For example: she hit me in the face when I wouldn't give her something then refused to say she was sorry. So, when nap time came and I changed her diaper all hell broke loose. She ended up walking around the house screaming and throwing a book around. Eventually she started vomiting (thank goodness it was in the kitchen so it was easy to clean up) which, of course, made her cry even more. She even slipped in a puddle of it before I got to clean it up and fell on the floor. It took me forever to calm her down, but at least she was amenable to my attentions (true tantrum crying would involve her pushing me away). I had to strip her down to her diaper in the kitchen because she was covered in vomit. Eventually she got dressed again and took a nice nap.
Whew!
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Hugs
One of Ella's favorite things to do is give hugs. She will even give things to me and request that I hug them (using sign language). So here is a list some of the many things that Ella has hugged.
her Mickey Mouse doll
balloons
flashlights
my leg
blocks
her Elmo doll
a container of goldfish crackers
books
pillows
a cardboard tube from the center of a roll of wrapping paper
sippy cups
and once (this is my favorite) she hugged a can of soup when we were in the grocery store
her Mickey Mouse doll
balloons
flashlights
my leg
blocks
her Elmo doll
a container of goldfish crackers
books
pillows
a cardboard tube from the center of a roll of wrapping paper
sippy cups
and once (this is my favorite) she hugged a can of soup when we were in the grocery store
things I have gotten used to, and some things I haven't
Things I have gotten used to:
-" How old is your son?" (come on people, she is a GIRL)
- people telling me how hard it is to get their 2 year olds to string 3 words together. (Ella doesn't even talk at all)
- women at the playground exclaiming how big Ella must be for her age. (because they assume that, since she isn't talking or running, and needs a lot of help climbing on things that she must be a lot younger than she is)
I really have gotten used to this stuff. It doesn't annoy me at all anymore. Actually, this is a really funny story. The one woman who was talking about how hard she was working with her son (who was only 1 week younger than Ella) on stringing 3 words together, I ran into her a few days later at a different playground. We had been talking about using sign language with our children, and so she knew that Ella hasn't started talking yet. So, when we ran into each other again, she apologized to me for being insensitive and complaining about her son when my daughter was so much "worse off" (her words, not mine). I found myself comforting her and assuring her that we all have work to do with our children and that it doesn't really matter what level they are on, it is still work.
What I haven't gotten used to :
"What is wrong with her?"
Do you blame me for not liking that one?
How about I use this as a response: "What is wrong with you?"
-" How old is your son?" (come on people, she is a GIRL)
- people telling me how hard it is to get their 2 year olds to string 3 words together. (Ella doesn't even talk at all)
- women at the playground exclaiming how big Ella must be for her age. (because they assume that, since she isn't talking or running, and needs a lot of help climbing on things that she must be a lot younger than she is)
I really have gotten used to this stuff. It doesn't annoy me at all anymore. Actually, this is a really funny story. The one woman who was talking about how hard she was working with her son (who was only 1 week younger than Ella) on stringing 3 words together, I ran into her a few days later at a different playground. We had been talking about using sign language with our children, and so she knew that Ella hasn't started talking yet. So, when we ran into each other again, she apologized to me for being insensitive and complaining about her son when my daughter was so much "worse off" (her words, not mine). I found myself comforting her and assuring her that we all have work to do with our children and that it doesn't really matter what level they are on, it is still work.
What I haven't gotten used to :
"What is wrong with her?"
Do you blame me for not liking that one?
How about I use this as a response: "What is wrong with you?"
Thursday, August 7, 2008
sorry it been so long
Mental Father has been writing up a storm lately and I have only just started to get back into writing. So, if you want more detailed and reliable updates on Ella's progress, please check his page out.
Yesterday was a very happy and surprising day. While at the mall Ella walked about 50 feet all by herself, not touching anything. She would have gone further, but she was starting to veer away from me and where we needed to go so I called out to her to follow me. She then realized that she wasn't near anything to hold on to and she dropped into a crouch with her hands touching the floor. Later in the day she walked to whole distance of the house (also about 50 feet) from front to back 2 times without touching anything.
It is so freeing to be able to walk around with her and not have to hold her hand all the time. And she seems to like her new freedom of movement, too.
More later, including a list of all the things that Ella likes to hug.
Yesterday was a very happy and surprising day. While at the mall Ella walked about 50 feet all by herself, not touching anything. She would have gone further, but she was starting to veer away from me and where we needed to go so I called out to her to follow me. She then realized that she wasn't near anything to hold on to and she dropped into a crouch with her hands touching the floor. Later in the day she walked to whole distance of the house (also about 50 feet) from front to back 2 times without touching anything.
It is so freeing to be able to walk around with her and not have to hold her hand all the time. And she seems to like her new freedom of movement, too.
More later, including a list of all the things that Ella likes to hug.
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
music class
I enrolled Ella in a Music Together class. She has had 4 classes so far.
She spends most of her class time (45 minutes) trying to get at the instruments in the bins that are piled up under a bakers rack that is used for storage/desk purposes. She also loves playing with the blinds that run along one side of the room.
Her teacher (Ms. La La) says that it takes them about 6 classes to get into the participation, etc. She does participate some of the time, other times she will stop what she is doing and look at all of us, or listen to the music and dance a little.
There are some articles out there about how these music classes can help to stimulate children with disorders and help them learn better. It is a little early to tell if it is helping Ella, but time will tell.
She spends most of her class time (45 minutes) trying to get at the instruments in the bins that are piled up under a bakers rack that is used for storage/desk purposes. She also loves playing with the blinds that run along one side of the room.
Her teacher (Ms. La La) says that it takes them about 6 classes to get into the participation, etc. She does participate some of the time, other times she will stop what she is doing and look at all of us, or listen to the music and dance a little.
There are some articles out there about how these music classes can help to stimulate children with disorders and help them learn better. It is a little early to tell if it is helping Ella, but time will tell.
Sunday, April 13, 2008
sensory stimulation
So, her therapists are putting more emphasis on giving her sensory stimulation. This means a schedule where she gets to spin and move around in a desk chair, swinging in a blanket, or moved around in a Billibo (cool toy that is impossible to describe) 3 times a day. Also, she is supposed to have "messy play" with yogurt, shaving cream, or something like that.
One other sensory stimulation exersise is letting them play with a container with sand, beans, rice, etc. in it so that they can feel what it is like to pick it up and let it fall, bury their hands in it, etc. We did this for the first time yesterday. We used rice in a large plastic container. It is a good thing we did it outside because her favorite thing to do was put her hands into the center of the tub and pull toward her so that the rice came up over the edge and covered her legs. She had a great time playing in this way. And when we were done, her hands and face were covered in rice startch!
One other sensory stimulation exersise is letting them play with a container with sand, beans, rice, etc. in it so that they can feel what it is like to pick it up and let it fall, bury their hands in it, etc. We did this for the first time yesterday. We used rice in a large plastic container. It is a good thing we did it outside because her favorite thing to do was put her hands into the center of the tub and pull toward her so that the rice came up over the edge and covered her legs. She had a great time playing in this way. And when we were done, her hands and face were covered in rice startch!
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