Wednesday, August 04, 2010
April Visit to Atlant
The bottom two pictures were taken by Jantzen..I wanted to remember Talia's missing teeth. About a week before this trip she and I were starting to clean up her bedroom when she tripped and hit her front two teeth on the wooden frame of her bunk bed. Ouch. Much blood and many tears later, we see both teeth are hanging by a root each. It is 5pm on a Friday afternoon. Finally I decide to call her dentist's office and, who knew, there are on-call dentists-even on Easter weekend. So a little laughing gas and three extracted teeth later, we make it back home. (She knocked out 2 teeth but he pulled three because the third was starting to make other teeth move and it was super loose.) Tooth fairy brought her double-$2.00 a tooth. She thought it was the best thing ever. Now its the beginning of August and the top teeth still aren't in all the way.
Wednesday, March 03, 2010
Hiatus over?
As if I ever did anything with any regularity or consistency...but wow-not posting since Jan 7! Bad girl. So, minor appologies to the 2 people who ever read this thing :)
Kate has been developing so fast I fear I will forget all the huge milestones she is flying past if I don't put it all here.
First teeth at 4 1/2 months. Been chewing on her hand and stuff (right now its Daddy's smelly sock-nice!) since then but no more teeth. Even so, I still have to throw her on my lap (daily), wrench open her mouth and do a tooth check. She laughs at me. Maybe even scoffs. Nah.
Started rolling over at 6 months. Opps. I'm back. She'd stopped eating the smelly sock and was trying to eat stuff from the carpet. I have my standards! After learning to roll over, the world was her oyster! Rolled here, there and under every where. I'd come back in the room and see a head sticking out under the couch.
In the past 3 weeks she has started crawling. It still isn't up on her knees (I spelled that nees first-ha) but it gets her where she needs to be. At daycare she crawls under the cribs, under chairs, etc. They'll be kicking her out of the infant room soon, to the mobile infants. That whole idea made me a little verklempt until she returned from my mom and dad's house this weekend sitting straight up. Grandma Catherine (and, well, me) almost cried. Our little girl is growing up. It's time.
She can feed herself her bottle. She eats ANYTHING we give her, including avocado (which she stares at the ones I try to selfishly eat until I am forced to be maternal and share), hummus, banana, pasta, and on and on. Sigh. We are trying to teach her to sign more for more food, but I think she is already saying mmmmmm for more. She's been doing that. It actually sounds a little like more now.
And she can clap. And clap at music. And wave. And says her version of "hi." Oh. And has said dada. What do I do when I hear that? Instantly say, "Say mama! Say mama!" Last night at dinner she became a little scientist...Let's see what happens when I throw the towel on the floor...Wow, mom and Talia pick it up. Again and again. Dang little developing monster! Such a doll!
Talia is doing phenomenal at school. Hasn't had her name on the board since she returned after the winter holidays. Her writing has improved 100%. She attends and answers questions in class. She tells me what they do in class. She actually got "Bobcat of the week" last week!!! She and her cousin and 2 other friends also were in a talent show at school and sang "We are the World." I'll post pics soon. We are still having some tantrums at home but I am upping my game and her doctor upped her meds so they'd last longer. So, I'm hopeful. I've just spent the last 4 days reading the. entire. internet. (Mike and I got the horrid stomach virus-me worse than him) and found lots of ideas for streamlining house stuff so I can spend more time with the girls. Mike has been home (sick, too) but it has been so wonderful having him at home at night to talk with, to help with the girls, to put one to bed, to just dialogue with...really very sad that he is returning to health, and work, today.
Off to wake the older beastie! It snowed a tad last night (twice in one year!) and the girls' schools have a 2 hour delay. Hense, I blog and the older one sleeps. Kate-not so much.
Kate has been developing so fast I fear I will forget all the huge milestones she is flying past if I don't put it all here.
First teeth at 4 1/2 months. Been chewing on her hand and stuff (right now its Daddy's smelly sock-nice!) since then but no more teeth. Even so, I still have to throw her on my lap (daily), wrench open her mouth and do a tooth check. She laughs at me. Maybe even scoffs. Nah.
Started rolling over at 6 months. Opps. I'm back. She'd stopped eating the smelly sock and was trying to eat stuff from the carpet. I have my standards! After learning to roll over, the world was her oyster! Rolled here, there and under every where. I'd come back in the room and see a head sticking out under the couch.
In the past 3 weeks she has started crawling. It still isn't up on her knees (I spelled that nees first-ha) but it gets her where she needs to be. At daycare she crawls under the cribs, under chairs, etc. They'll be kicking her out of the infant room soon, to the mobile infants. That whole idea made me a little verklempt until she returned from my mom and dad's house this weekend sitting straight up. Grandma Catherine (and, well, me) almost cried. Our little girl is growing up. It's time.
She can feed herself her bottle. She eats ANYTHING we give her, including avocado (which she stares at the ones I try to selfishly eat until I am forced to be maternal and share), hummus, banana, pasta, and on and on. Sigh. We are trying to teach her to sign more for more food, but I think she is already saying mmmmmm for more. She's been doing that. It actually sounds a little like more now.
And she can clap. And clap at music. And wave. And says her version of "hi." Oh. And has said dada. What do I do when I hear that? Instantly say, "Say mama! Say mama!" Last night at dinner she became a little scientist...Let's see what happens when I throw the towel on the floor...Wow, mom and Talia pick it up. Again and again. Dang little developing monster! Such a doll!
Talia is doing phenomenal at school. Hasn't had her name on the board since she returned after the winter holidays. Her writing has improved 100%. She attends and answers questions in class. She tells me what they do in class. She actually got "Bobcat of the week" last week!!! She and her cousin and 2 other friends also were in a talent show at school and sang "We are the World." I'll post pics soon. We are still having some tantrums at home but I am upping my game and her doctor upped her meds so they'd last longer. So, I'm hopeful. I've just spent the last 4 days reading the. entire. internet. (Mike and I got the horrid stomach virus-me worse than him) and found lots of ideas for streamlining house stuff so I can spend more time with the girls. Mike has been home (sick, too) but it has been so wonderful having him at home at night to talk with, to help with the girls, to put one to bed, to just dialogue with...really very sad that he is returning to health, and work, today.
Off to wake the older beastie! It snowed a tad last night (twice in one year!) and the girls' schools have a 2 hour delay. Hense, I blog and the older one sleeps. Kate-not so much.
Wine Tour!
Some friends and I went to the Yadkin Valley area and toured FOUR wineries. The second winery gave us 16 wines to taste! Yikes. We had a blast. After the wineries we went to Full Moon, a local restaurant, and had delicious food. Then we slept.
I think I was thinking about the 4 S's of wine tasting...
My sis, the lush.
SIXTEEN!
Them. :)
I think I was thinking about the 4 S's of wine tasting...
My sis, the lush.
SIXTEEN!
Them. :)
Wednesday, February 03, 2010
Thursday, January 07, 2010
Meds Update
So this week has been terrific! I met with a potential IEP team at Talia's school yesterday and had the PT, OT, speech and regular ed teacher there. She was too good to qualify for all, but the OT is weighing one section of tests more heavily than others so she can qualify for OT. The OT will serve her through a 504. I tried to call and get some community based OT to supplement the school therapy. The one place the school's OT recommends has a 25 kid waiting list. I'll try to call other places tomorrow! Anyway, the OT thinks with the lack of touch, nutrients, normal stimulation, etc. that Talia experienced in the orphanage is causing some sensory processing gliches, So, when she is anxious, everything goes in her mouth.
But the most important part of the meeting was her teacher saying that Talia is behaving perfectly! Its been amazing listening to her come home and tell me what she's done that day. 4 days=4 blue faces!
But the most important part of the meeting was her teacher saying that Talia is behaving perfectly! Its been amazing listening to her come home and tell me what she's done that day. 4 days=4 blue faces!
Monday, January 04, 2010
Day and a little rambling
Talia ate almost the entire mini bagel for breakfast...a container of yogurt and a few goldfish crackers for lunch and I shoved soup down her at dinner. A friend at work has a protein shake that she gives her kid..supposed to taste better than Pedialyte. She had a tremendous day at school, though! Her teacher wrote an entire page of the great day she had. Yay for that! So, we traipse on.
Kate is 6 months old on Wednesday and we have her 6 month checkup on Thursday. She learns so much everyday! I have said it to a few people, but if we'd adopted Kate first, we would not have adopted Talia. I was petrified of an infant. I knew I did not want one. I was devastated when we couldn't adopt internationally for the second child. But, all things for a reason. I LOVE the baby stuff! I don't share night time feedings with Mike because I am stingy! I love kissing her cheeks and rubbing noses. Anyone that knows me is probably yacking because I am NOT this gushy normally. But babies! MY baby. Wow. Love. I also see what we missed with Talia and how remarkable she is without having the first 10 months with us. Tonight I let her sleep in my arms even longer than normal because I didn't want to let her go. Me. These words are coming from me. Again-if you know me-you are fainting from shock.
Kate is 6 months old on Wednesday and we have her 6 month checkup on Thursday. She learns so much everyday! I have said it to a few people, but if we'd adopted Kate first, we would not have adopted Talia. I was petrified of an infant. I knew I did not want one. I was devastated when we couldn't adopt internationally for the second child. But, all things for a reason. I LOVE the baby stuff! I don't share night time feedings with Mike because I am stingy! I love kissing her cheeks and rubbing noses. Anyone that knows me is probably yacking because I am NOT this gushy normally. But babies! MY baby. Wow. Love. I also see what we missed with Talia and how remarkable she is without having the first 10 months with us. Tonight I let her sleep in my arms even longer than normal because I didn't want to let her go. Me. These words are coming from me. Again-if you know me-you are fainting from shock.
Sunday, January 03, 2010
Day 4
Really, I'm just posting this for my own recollection later. Yesterday, last day in Atlanta, it took and HOUR AND A HALF to get the medicine in her. Yes, that long. Kicking, screaming, threats (from both of us), bribery, Facebook posts/begs, M&Ms, etc. etc. I finally "hid" the medicine in between pudding and it went down like butter. Only wasted a pill a day...gunna have to explain that to someone at some point. So, the medicine got in her at 9:30am...I almost didn't give it to her, knowing it had a 10-12 hour effective period...But it was fine. Had her strapped in the van for over 5 hours..that'll make anyone ready for bed!
So, today. Did the ole hide-the-medicine-in-the-pudding trick. Down in 10 seconds. Very interesting day, too. After I hounded her to eat a peanut butter and jelly roll up sandwich, she ate nothing else all day until dinner at 7pm. This can't go on more than a week. She is 32 pounds!!! She wanted to start crafting and spent at least 4 hours making paper crafts-mainly little books. Very interesting. Talia has NEVER been able to sit still long enough to do anything...FOUR HOURS, and probably longer, but I didn't count. Too much going on.
So, this is it so far.
So, today. Did the ole hide-the-medicine-in-the-pudding trick. Down in 10 seconds. Very interesting day, too. After I hounded her to eat a peanut butter and jelly roll up sandwich, she ate nothing else all day until dinner at 7pm. This can't go on more than a week. She is 32 pounds!!! She wanted to start crafting and spent at least 4 hours making paper crafts-mainly little books. Very interesting. Talia has NEVER been able to sit still long enough to do anything...FOUR HOURS, and probably longer, but I didn't count. Too much going on.
So, this is it so far.
Friday, January 01, 2010
Day 2
Talia was awake until 1am last night and woke up at 6:51am. I finally brought her downstairs at 7:30 for today's dose, which almost didn't get taken. (She swallowed the pill yesterday but couldn't today. Finally put it on yogurt that she also said was impossible to swallow, but eventually did.). Her affect is better today but eating still stinky. All day-only 2 mini pancakes. All day. Again, just needed to vent. Will this get better?
Thursday, December 31, 2009
What a long, strange trip its been...being...
So, among other things with which I've been dealing, Talia has been struggling at school. Her entire kindergarten day is spent unfocused and inattentive. She hunts for things in the carpet. She wanders off while heading to lunch. She chews her sleeves. The only way she can get her work done is if an adult sits with her. So after visits with the teacher and a community psychologist, we've diagnosed her with ADHD and today she started Adderol. Heaven help me. She already is a tiny, thin girl that only wears a size 4, and all she's had today is half a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and 3 1/2 chicken nuggets. I've been counting. I've been watching her in hyperfocus today. I should be carrying around a scientific journal in which to document her behaviors. Everything she has done today I've viewed through the Adderol lens. For the past two hours she's carried around one of Liam's shoes asking him if he wants Lightning McQueen. Over and over and over. She hasn't laughed all day. Its only day one. I'm trying to remember that.
Sunday, November 01, 2009
Sate Fair 09!
If Kate had more mobility, she'd be eating that corndog!
Fisk french fries!
More pics at http://www.flickr.com/photos/28380864@N06/
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