After Gabe's 2 year appointment, we discussed Gabe's delayed speech and asked if we should do more for him. The doctor suggested we could call this early intervention program through the schools to have him evaluated. We made the appointment and the evaluators came today. They were super nice ladies and they worked well with Gabe. He was in a good mood so that helped. They assessed he is a little behind but just barely. The constant ear infections are absolutely the blame since to him, he heard everything like it was under water for six months.
They're going to work with us and Gabe to help him catch up. We're a little overwhelmed by what we need to do at this point but I think it will get easier as we have more practice. They'll come every 3-4 weeks to follow up with us. A lot of the advice is backing up to about 6 months ago and trying to stop asking Gabe to "say" stuff but instead give him choices and then clearly annunciating whatever he picks. For example, at snack time I will show him an apple and an orange and ask him which he wants. Once he picks one, I will say clearly and overly annunciate whatever he picks. The ladies don't think it will take long for Gabe to catch up so we're excited to get started for him. I can tell he's very frustrated he's not communicating well with us when what he's mumbling is clear to him but foreign to us!
We also have a couple silly things to do that help him with his tongue strength. He gets to eat things off a beater =) So far that is a favorite of his and thank goodness he likes doing it!
Nanny update: My previous nanny didn't work out as expected. She was super nice and I didn't have a problem with her interaction with the kids. I had more issues with the amount of times she couldn't come. She has some health problems and needed to take off for either doctor appointments or she wasn't well. In the end it was getting clear this might not be the best situation for her at this time. I started looking on care.com again for a new nanny. Luckily I found a great potential and I met her this afternoon. Her name is Maggie and she's another student at Western studying Occupational Therapy. She has nanny and day care experience. The interview went well and she will be coming tomorrow evening to meet the boys. I'm crossing my fingers it all works out!
February 8
Henry had his first ever friend birthday party this afternoon. He was invited by a fellow preschooler to come to his party. I wasn't sure what to expect but in the end it all turned out well. The party was held at a local gym and they played games in the basketball court and had cake and ice cream. Henry recognized many kids from preschool and had no problems joining in on the fun. The parents of the birthday boy were very nice and we both had a good time. Henry was pretty wore out by the end of the day but he held it together to meet the new nanny that evening.
Maggie came over in the evening to meet the boys and it went pretty well. Henry was definitely not totally himself since he had a busy afternoon, but he liked Maggie and wanted her to stay and play longer than the interview. Gabe was also interested but he was more concerned Mike and I were going to leave at any minute and that was not okay with him =) Maggie seemed to like the kids well enough she accepted the position and she'll be starting on Monday. Fingers crossed this work out!
February 9
Today was another work day for Mike! =) We went back up to Grand Rapids to help put Rich and Lois's new TV on the wall. Well, "we" is really just Mike. The kids, Lois and myself were in the basement watching TV and playing with the kids. The guys did a good job working quickly and a few hours later the TV was installed nicely in Rich and Lois's living room.
Lois was overly generous with some Valentine's Day gifts for the kids and presents for the twins. Henry got "The Shredder" from turtles as well as a costume shell he's wanted for a long time. Gabe got stuffed TMNTs that make noises when they're dropped. He's always excited to have something Henry wants and Henry definitely wants those stuffed turtles as much as his new Shredder =) The twins got diapers, wipes, and a few outfits. The kids are definitely spoiled!
After the TV was installed, Rich and Lois kindly offered to watch the kids so we could go see "Monument Men" at the theater. The movie was really good and it was nice to get away for a bit. I know our "alone" time is numbered with two more almost here! The kids had a fun time playing with grandma and grandpa while we were gone. Lois took some cute photos of them playing "pool" in the basement.
February ?
Here are a few photos of the kids up to now =)
No comments:
Post a Comment