Blah Blah Blah

We had a private speech evaluation done today, because for some ungodly reason, it's cheaper to get private speech therapy than it is to get speech therapy through early intervention. Ian did so well. He listened and used his signs. He only had a few meltdowns, and was gracious enough to display his excellent headbanging skills for the speech therapist. He came out on age level for receptive language (what he understands) and at a 10 month level for expressive (what he can say). The speech therapist said that it was great that he was getting therapy and even commented on his imitation (yay to Jodi and Kelly our two therapists that have been working on that!). She also seemed impressed with his signing, thought he had good eye contact, and was really surprised at how well he sat and listened to books. Then, just because I had to show off, I even got him to pick out the letter O from Chicka Chicka Boom Boom. She was like, he knows a letter?!?!?! LOL.

Bath

Around 5:00pm, after a sweaty day of working in my classroom, Ian decided to go up the stairs. I was sitting on the couch, hoping for a few minutes of relative peace and quiet, so I tried the approach that wouldn't invovle me moving; "Ian, get down!" That didn't work. He went up another step, looked at me, and signed "bath". It was so freakin cute, that even though it was only 5, and he was sure to spill the contents of dinner on himself, I had to get up and give that kid a bath. :) Silly boy signed bath all the way into the bathroom and while the tub was filling. :) I love that kid!

Melancholy and the Infinite Saddness

I'm back at work. Not officially, but I'm setting up my room. It was so hard to NOT be home with Ian today. I think it's even harder this year than it was last year. Last year I was frantic and crazed and sort of tired of dealing with a baby that did nothing but cry 50% of the day.

Now, I know what I'm missing. Over the summer, Ian and I have really bonded. He's SO fun (but still cranky) and cute. He's learning so much everyday, and I hate knowing that I'm missing all the little things with him. He's in good hands, I know, but it still sucks not being there.

Woweee Wow

Some exciting Ian things:

1. Today, after his grandmother left, Ian looked at a picture of her, looked and me and said "bu-bu" (bye bye). He knew she went bye-bye and told me that. I was really floored and very proud.

2. Ian likes rice milk. There's a whole possible dairy thing going on, so we're drinking rice milk to see if that helps.

3. Ian's two favorite TV shows are Jack's Big Music Show and Yo Gabba Gabba.

4. Ian is walking. Have a mentioned that (my feeble mind can't remember) and he likes to take cans out of my cabinet and walk around the house with them. Now there's soup in my bedroom, and diced green chilies in my living room.

5. Ian is up to 6 signs; more, all done, open/book, milk, bath, and I want.

Playing Again

It's been a while since I've busted out Photoshop, but I really liked this picture and wanted to do something to the eyes. The top is edited with an action to pop the eyes. It's come out much better than previous attempts. Does it look ok, or does it still look odd? You can get a better look by clicking on the picutres to see them bigger.

What's For Dinner?

To The Beach!

We went to the beach this morning. Ian had a blast playing in the sand. It was pretty warm after a string of cold, dreary, cloudy days. Makes me sad that summer is quickly coming to a close.

Are You My Mother?

When I was little, I made my mother read the book, There's a Monster at the End of This Book about a 1,000 times. My karmatic* punishment is that I must read Are You My Mother? at least the same number of times (if not more). Let me tell you, that book is LONG, and it is not a fine piece of literature. It consistes of sentences like, "Are you my mother? No. I'm a dog." Ian however, loves it. Even when I bury it on the bottom of the pile of books he shakes his head no to all the other books until we get to the familar green cover. Every night he laughs when the egg jumps, kisses the bird, and gets upset when the "Snort" has the baby bird (even though he knows how it's going to end). Even though I tired of this book, I love the fact that my 17 month old can sit through a 59 page book (ok, there's like 10 words on a page, but still). I love that he ASKS me to read to him. I even love that he's smart enough to know that the baby bird is in danger when the Snort has him. So Ian, I'll keep reading that book as long as you keep asking, because I'm your mother, and that my job (and my karmatic fate*)


*Don't you like how I make words up? :)

B-B-B-B Bubbles!

A few weeks ago in OT, we started working on the B sound. The therapist tried to get him to say "B-B-B" for bubbles. We couldn't get him to do it. However, I kept modeling and modeling. Now he's saying "B-B-B" for bubbles and bye-bye!!!!! I'm very very happy about this. Also, in terms of communication, he's got several signs; more, all done, I want, bye, open/book, milk, and a new one, bath. We're working on dog, apple, bubbles, and bed. I'm so proud of the progress that he's made. I'm seeing so much transfer from his therapies. He is still having a lot of tantrums, but on the flip side, he's so much fun since he can communicate better with us. He's also gotten really lovey lately, and likes to sit on your lap, and give hugs and kisses! :) That's the best part.

Yay Imitation!

Ian's friend Ethan came by for a playdate. While Ethan was here, he was pushing about this monkey in the wagon. I have never seen Ian do anything other then spin the wheels on this wagon (unless prompted to do otherwise). After Ethan left, Ian got the monkey and started pushing it around the house! Yay! Thanks Ethan.

Hi!

OMG. I feel like crap.

It all started with a cold on Thursday. One of those great mucous sneezey ordeals that make you feel like your head is spinning. Everyone knows that mother's aren't supposed to get sick, and I bravely marched forward and had lots of family time (my husband was off too, and it's the last time we're getting to do "family stuff" for a while). Of course in the process I've managed to infect BOTH my husband and my child :( and now the lovely "head cold" is slowly dripping into my chest leaving me all cough-y and phlegm-y. Yuck.

Children's Museum

Today we went to the Children's Museum. It was a pretty cool place. Unfortunately it was a little overwhelming for Ian, and he had a lot of temper tantrums. He did enjoy the things that he was calm enough to do. I wish that he could have done more, because there were so many things there that I think he would have enjoyed. The things that he did like was the "air ball", the lizards, the fish, and the baby room. They had lots of puzzles there (right up Ian's alley) and a huge Lite Brite board (but he was screaming at that point, so we didn't get to see too much of it). I'd go back, even though it was a bit expensive. Hopefully Ian would enjoy it more the second time around.

Playing with my baby doll :)

When you gotta go, you gotta go!

Music Together

These are pictures from our last music class this summer. None of these came out particularly well, but you know, Ian's there, so that should be enough for ya'll.

Things in the Life of Ian

Over the weekend, we had a friend, named David, staying with us. We had lots of fun, stayed up too late, went to Dave and Busters AND the beach and generally had a good time. We also watched The 40 Year Old Virgin, which turned out to be a really funny movie.

Ian is walking, mostly, which is very cool. :) He's also picking up a few more signs. He can sign more, I want, all done, and something similar to read book. He's getting some teeth in, so the hands have been in his mouth CONSTANTLY. He's also learned how to pick his nose, which is charming. :)

Today we had Ian's IFSP meeting (for Early Intervention). At the meeting, we decided that Ian is going to have occupational therapy, developmental intervention, and speech therapy once a week. We all agree that he's sort of borderline in regards to his delays, but that he's making nice progress with his therapies and we don't want to slow down that progress. We're still focusing on imitation, expressive language, sensory integration, and coping skills. He's done with physical therapy, which is awesome.

And that's the world of Ian.

PS: To anonymous - in my defense, Picasa was not working, and I actually had to go online to find a work around to get pictures up. :) That's dedication.

Life's Hard

 

Reflecting

 

Drunken Walking

     

Me!

 

Loving the Beach!