The Times They Are A Changin'

Well, life as Kyle and I know it is over and on Monday, our "new" life will begin. Kyle officially "graduated" from the First Steps program and will transition into the school district beginning on Monday. He will be attending his new school 4 days a week for 3 hours per day. Recently, I've been having anxiety over the transtion, but now that the time is approaching I'm getting more excited. I'm postive he will love his new school and will do fabulously. Kyle has always adjusted to new surroundings and enviroments with no problem...he better not make a liar out of me!! Also, I had the opportunity to speak with his new teacher today which put me more at ease. I've heard WONDERFUL things about his new teacher.

Another big change is...no more in home therapy...all therapy he receives will be at school. Now, I will have twelve hours per week for "me" time. What will I do to occupy my time? I haven't decided, but I'm sure there won't be a problem to fill the time.

We have a fun filled weekend planned because someone I know is turning three!! Can you guess who?? I will be back to post about all of the celebrations!

Gift Suggestions

In two weeks, it will be time to say "Thank You" and "Good Bye", to several wonderful ladies who have worked with Kyle. He doesn't really understand the changes which will be taking place, but it is a very bittersweet time for me. On one hand, Kyle is "graduating", which is a milestone and I am very excited. On the flip side, his therapists have been such a part of our everyday life and they are genuinely interested in Kyle, so it will be a change to not see them and have them involved in Kyle's development anymore.

I would like to give a gift to each of his therapists and wonder if any of you have any great suggestions. In the past, I've always given a gift certificate, but for this occasion I'm thinking of any actual gift. I know they all love having pictures of the children, so I am planning to make a special card for each of them with various pictures of Kyle.

Thanks in advance for the ideas and suggestions! Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!

Testing Testing Testing

Kyle's evaluations with the local school district began this week. We are having all areas tested (speech, fine motor, sensory, pre-academic, gross motor, cognitive, and behavioral) to see which particular areas he will need assistance with once he starts his new preschool in October. We have a total of seven appointments over the next few weeks. Monday, he had a hearing and vision screening and did well with the test...he can see and hear!! We don't have any concerns in these areas, but the test was required. Tomorrow he has an appointment to have his fine motor and sensory skills tested. We will have a break for vacation and be back in full swing once we return. It is such a relief to have the process in motion and all the appointments scheduled. Wish My Little Munckin luck!!

Munchkin Time

I know I've said it before, but I need to say it again...Kyle is just on his own little time frame with his developement, mainly his speech. He still is making great strides in the right direction. It's exciting to witness his progress, but sometimes I feel myself getting a little impatient. I realize their isn't much I can do, but to encourage him to speak, work with him, and provide him with all the services available to him, all of which I am doing. All the therapists that work with him, all six of them, are so impressed and proud of him, which in turn does make me feel proud of My Little Munchkin.

One cool thing he is learning is sign language. He knows many signs including...more, all done, cookie, open, book, fish, sleep, milk, and apple. I'm sure I am forgetting a few. He is learning the signs from mommy and daddy, his therapists, and the Signing Times DVD's. These are fun interactive videos with really upbeat music that Kyle enjoys dancing too. Believe me, I would much prefer to hear him speak the words, but I'm just so proud of what he does learn. He is really imitating a lot more as well, including sounds, actions, and a few words.

Speaking of dancing, Kyle loves to dance. Anytime he hears music, he starts moving. It's so adorable to watch. His favorite song to dance to is the Bob The Builder theme song. At times, I will turn on Bob the Builder just so we can dance. It's really fun!! I really want to record his dancing and post a little video on my blog for all to see.

It's beginning to hit me that we will soon be officially transitioning from The First Steps program and into the school district. I'm sure once we are back from vacation all the evalutions and testing will get underway. I'm nervous, but also very excited. I only hope he will transition to his new preschool setting the way he did to his current school. I'm sure he will because Kyle has a very "go with the flow" personality and attitude.

Enough rambling for one post. Hope everyone is enjoying their week!

Very Thankful

I try to keep this blog very upbeat and cheery, but today's post will be a little different. I will be back this weekend to share with you our fun family adventures.

The past few days I've been reading a few really sad, heart-breaking stories on the internet. Reading these stories certainly makes me very thankful for what I have. Life hasn't always been easy and I sometimes throw a "pity-party" for myself, but I really want to express how blessed I really feel. Often times, I take the "good" things for granted and spend my time focusing on the hard times...this is just human nature.

I have an awesome husband, who works very hard to provide his family with a wonderful life. Kyle and I couldn't ask for anyone better!! Kyle is such a little miracle. Granted, he had a very rough start, but he has overcome so many obstacles since his birth. Being born a micro-preemie at just 1 lb. 10 oz. and 12 inches long and spending the first 86 days of his life in the hospital, he has proven to be a strong, determined, little fighter. He has shown us that he can make it through anything...from his respiratory/breathing issues, infection, laser eye surgery due to ROP, to his therapy service, wearing a helmet due to plagiocephaly, and his many many doctors appointments . I am so thankful that Kyle is such a healthy and happy little toddler. I read stories often about micro-preemies who are faced with such challenging medical issues. Kyle's main challenge from being born a preemie is his developmental delays. We have and continue to work with many wonderful therapists at home and at preschool who assist Kyle with his developmental goals. I'm thankful that we have the programs in the state of MO., as well as St. Louis to assist children and parents with these needs. I have no doubt that Kyle will continue to progress and will have no remaining signs of his prematurity in the years to come. I love my Little Munchkin so very much!! I'm so very proud of all his prior accomplishments and look forward to celebrating his future accomplishments!! I think when I get "down in the dumps" for any reason I will need to come back and re-read this post to set my mind straight.

Hope everyone has a great weekend and please take a moment to reflect on the things in your life that you are thankful for, which make you happy!

Slowly, But Surely

Kyle's main developmental delay is speech. He receives speech therapy at home and also at preschool. He is a very vocal little guy and is always making noise of some sort. (Takes after his Daddy.) At first it was strictly babble, but it has recently turned into jargon...AKA "Kyle-ese". He has quite a few consistent words he uses frequently and plenty of words he uses every now and then. Not everyone would be able to understand his words or phrases, but I do and can make out what he is saying due to the context of what he is doing. As a homework assignment his speech therapist asked us to write a list of words he says, so just for the record I wanted to list them here. (Car, dog, clock, cracker, Kyle, daddy, no, yes, down, ball, up, duck, star, book, wee, what's that, oh no, all done, and Thomas, Dora, this is (have heard only once or twice.) I'm sure there are several I am forgetting, but the list will be a work in progress.

It's so cute to listen to him talk...his tone of voice is so adorable! His favorite word of all time is "car" which he must say a thousand times a day. Anything with wheels is a car, although he is beginning to understand there is a difference. "Oh No" is another one heard in our house countless times a day, considering he is constantly dropping something or being too mischeivious... it is very appropriate.

On the flip side of his communication skills, Kyle's receptive language (what he understands) is amazing. The child understands most of what we say which certainly helps a great deal and follows most directions like a pro. He certainly knows when he is in trouble and will lay his head down or cover his eyes with his hands. After a few minutes he usually wants a hug just to assure him that everything is OK. Oh, I love my sweet, affectionate, little boy!

It will be very exciting when Kyle and I are able to have a "true" conversation. When that time comes, I will most likely say, "Why was I so anxious for you to talk." Kyle has overcome so many obstacles in his two and half years and I have faith he will overcome his speech delay in the near future. He is definitely "My Miracle Baby", as well as "My Little Munchkin".

Kyle At Work

Who said that therapy isn't fun? As you can see in the pictures below Kyle was having a pretty good time. During his Developmental Therapy session Kyle played with shaving cream. For children who are tactile defensive, therapists often use shaving cream to help them adjust to different textures. If we had tried this six months ago with Kyle he wouldn't have had anything to do with it. His therapist used cars, trucks, and animals to get Kyle involved in the activity. Actually, I was shocked that Kyle didn't attempt to "eat" the shaving cream. That is certainly progress, at least in my book.

It has been a very busy week. In a million years I never would have dreamed a toddler could have such a busy schedule. With home therapy sessions, preschool two mornings, and a doctor's appointment, Kyle has been on the go this week. In between, we had our normal running around to do. A couple of nights this week Kyle didn't sleep very well and in turn I didn't sleep well. Kyle sure is making up for his sleeping today though..he took a FIVE hour nap. Needless to say, his bedtime schedule is out of sync, but we will readjust tomorrow...keeping my fingers crossed!

Hope everyone enjoys the long Memorial Day weekend.