Speech Evaluation

Charlotte had her speech evaluation today. At first they were going to do an entire evaluation, including social and physical, but based on the observation from the in-take meeting, they determined only a speech evaluation was necessary. We think this means that it was not obvious that she was behind in any other area besides speech, so that's a good thing.

Chris took her back for the evaluation while I entertained Cooper. It took about an hour and they tested her cognition, receptive language, and expressive language. For cognition Chris would show her two cards, one of a child playing and one of a child brushing her hair. He would ask Charlotte which one had the child brushing her hair and Charlotte pointed to the correct card. She also had to do a matching game and match like items to like items, again she did well.

For receptive language she was given directions to follow to see if she understood what to do. The woman doing the evaluation asked her to kiss the plastic dog and she gave it a hug. Then when Chris asked her to kiss the dog, she blew it a kiss. She followed other directions well also.

The area that the evaluater was concerned about was her speech. She was not able to mimic many words, and did not talk much during the evaluation. The woman said she should be putting two words together by now. She determined that Charlotte has the expressive language of a 9-12 month old and is recommending speech therapy once a week. The paperwork will be sent back to the Early Start program, we will notify our pediatrician and then we will take it from there. It sounds like therapy will be more to teach Chris and I what to work on with her at home, especially since Chris is a stay at home dad and can spend a lot of time with her.

I know everyone told me not to worry, that she sounds normal, and that she will catch up soon. In this particular instance I'm really glad I listened to my gut. I was concerned since she hadn't seemed to make much progress since 12 months old. I have to say to any parent who has a gut feeling that something might be off with your child to listen to it because you may be able to help your child by doing so.

The toughest part of this evaluation for Chris and I is to not take it personally. Chris especially is bothered since he feels like he is somehow responsible since he is the stay at home parent. He feels like it's his job to make sure they are developing on target for their age. I keep thinking that maybe I'm not spending enough time with her, or maybe because we have two so close in age that we can't give either of them the time they need. We keep reassuring each other that it's nobody's fault and the important thing is that we are doing something to help her. I wonder if other parents feel this way for things like this?

Toddler's Definition of Bigger

On Saturday we went to my friend Christina's house warming party.  They bought a beautiful new house just 10 minutes from us and they love seeing the kids.  There were several other children there, some older and some younger than ours. 

One little boy, Anthony, was 3 1/2 yrs old and seemed to enjoy playing with the giant yoga ball with Cooper and Charlotte.  While Charlotte was running all over, Anthony and Cooper started rolling the ball back and forth.  Anthony's parents yell over to him:  "Be careful, you're bigger than him."  To which Anthony replies, "No I'm not, he's bigger."  His parents rephrase and say 'Well he's younger than you, so be careful.'  Yes, Cooper was the same size and maybe slightly taller than a 3 1/2 yr old boy.  Funny how adults used the word bigger to mean younger.

On Sunday we went to the aquarium in Long Beach.  Since my company donates money to them we get a free week a year to go to it.  We've never been in the 7 years we've lived here, so we decided to take the kids this year.  All I have to say is that I'm glad it was free.

I just don't think I'm a fan of aquariums.  They are small and overpriced, and I don't find fish that interesting.  They did have a cool bird exhibit where you could buy little cups of nectar and the birds would fly up and eat right out of your hand.  We didn't buy any, but that didn't stop one of the birds from landing on me!

Cooper really loved it.  Charlotte seemed a little afraid of the fish and the birds.  She was cranky the whole time.  It was a nice little outing, but again, glad it was free.

Cooper trying to tell us about the fish.

Cooper trying to get closer and completely enthralled, Charlotte trying to move further away.

Charlotte was either crying, whining, or sucking her thumb.

Ooo, sharks!

Escape Artist

Last weekend about 45 minutes after putting the kids down for nap, I was in the office and hear this loud thump upstairs.  I just assumed it was Charlotte still playing instead of sleeping.  Then Scout freaks out and runs outside to howl/bark.  Then I suddenly hear Cooper crying -- hiccup crying!  I run to the stairs and what do I see??

Cooper sitting on the 3rd stair from the top crying really hard.  I was in such shock because the last I knew he was in his crib!!  I guess that explains the loud thump!  We think he fell out of his crib in attempt to get out.  The monitor was turned down and he was likely crying for a bit and since I didn't come check on him, he took matters into his own hands.

We haven't had a repeat of crib escape, but he does try to climb up the cribs from the outside.  We are trying to decide what to transition to - toddler, twin, or just the queen that's already in his room.  Also trying to decide when.  We coslept until 14 months so he knows how to sleep on a regular bed, but he sometimes wakes and puts himself back to sleep in the crib.  If he can get out of bed, we might have some real sleep issues on our hands.

Charlotte had her first preliminary speech evaluation meeting with the Early Intervention services program.   We filled out a bunch of paperwork mostly about her medical history and then the case worker came to the house to interview us and Charlotte.  Mostly she asked a lot of questions about what she could/couldn't do and also observed Charlotte playing, coloring, and talking.  She said she could only make out 2 clear words - mama and hi.

Charlotte's full speech evaluation is this Thursday.  We also may need to get her hearing checked.  Although she doesn't seem to have any hearing issues (follows directions, responds to her name, whispers with us), she may not be able to hear certain sounds correctly and that's why she isn't speaking as much or saying all of her words clearly.

What we find interesting is just as we get worried and make all of these appointments she is starting to talk more.  She now says the following words clearly and with purpose:

Hi, Bye, Mama (she actually says it now to get my attention), Dada (she says it now to get his attention, to ask where he's at, or to explain that something belongs to him), Yay, Yes, Yeah, ah-choo (mimics us sneezing)

She says these words, and although not clear, they have a clear meaning to the sound:

Baw (ball), Aw-daw (all done), Daw (dog), Uh-uh (uh-oh), Bugh (book), heh (help), baba (nursing),  bipeh (diaper), bampa (grandpa), bubba (bubbles), gah-na (good night/night-night), aw shi (aw shit), mmm-mmm (vroom), agh-agh (woof, woof), ehhh-ehhh (mimics sound of drill, vacuum, or blowdryer), puh-puh (up), huh-puh-puh (singing 'hop up, jump in' from Handy Manny), dat (that), dee (this)

Cooper is also starting to talk more and says the following words:  daw (dog), ka (cat), tout (Scout), hi, ni-ni (night, night), mama, dada, cackeh (cracker), banuh (banana), agh-agh (woof, woof), ehhh-ehhh (mimics sound of drill, vacuum, or blowdryer), uh-oh, dat (that), dis (this)

Tickle me toddler

We have a very fun game right before bed where we play tag and either jump out and scare each other or we tackle the kids and proceed to 'eat their bellies' so they laugh.  Cooper especially loves this game.

In the last couple of days we noticed the kids were starting to play tag with each other.  They chase each other with the vibrating Handy Manny 'Pat the Hammer' toys and giggle!  So cute to watch.

Well last night before bath, I was getting everything ready.  I hear the little baby feet running down the hall and them some real giggling, but no more running.  I peek into Charlotte's room and Charlotte is sprawled on the big bean bag/Love Sac.  Cooper is 'eating Charlotte's belly' and she is laughing up a storm.

How cute is that?!!?

Coloring with Mommy