Megan has such a thankful heart. Anytime you give her something she wants you get big hugs and snuggles and kisses. Yesterday we decided to go to On the Border for dinner and when Will told her we were going for a drive he got multiple hugs on the way to the truck. When he carried her to the restaurant and opened the door he got big hugs again.
We were talking on the way home after dinner about how sweet it is that she is so appreciative of everything.
Megan has been more and more vocal lately, especially if Will is holding her and they are "off by themselves". Before nap today she was "talking" like crazy to him. She points at things around the room and just goes on and on about them. I recorded the audio of about a minute of this today. I am not sure what is so motivating about hanging with daddy but I love it.
Sunday, July 29, 2012
Saturday, July 28, 2012
Speech Evaluation
Megan had her speech evaluation on Friday morning. The lady who came was a little strange and she definitely did not inspire confidence. She couldn't get her box open to get to her toys, she referred back to her exam several times a minute and had no clue how to work with a 2 year old.
She would show Megan a toy or book and ask her a question and then 2-3 seconds later go to write down her observation and while doing that she would take away what she had just shown her so the session pretty much went like this....
Therapist: Here is a book Megan
Therapist: Open the book Megan
The therapist would then take the book from Megan and put it on the floor behind her or in her box and then proceed to write down her observation; while this was going on Megan would go get the book wherever it was and try to read it. When the lady was finished recording the information she would pay attention to what Megan was doing again and take the book away from her and try to get her to move on to another task.
The evaluation took 1 hour and 15 minutes. Megan was frustrated with the lady for most of that time because she never let her do anything.
I have no idea what the results of the evaluation will be, but I am sure it will not be an accurate picture of Megan's abilities; however, what matters is that she will qualify for therapy and that is what is important.
She would show Megan a toy or book and ask her a question and then 2-3 seconds later go to write down her observation and while doing that she would take away what she had just shown her so the session pretty much went like this....
Therapist: Here is a book Megan
Therapist: Open the book Megan
The therapist would then take the book from Megan and put it on the floor behind her or in her box and then proceed to write down her observation; while this was going on Megan would go get the book wherever it was and try to read it. When the lady was finished recording the information she would pay attention to what Megan was doing again and take the book away from her and try to get her to move on to another task.
The evaluation took 1 hour and 15 minutes. Megan was frustrated with the lady for most of that time because she never let her do anything.
I have no idea what the results of the evaluation will be, but I am sure it will not be an accurate picture of Megan's abilities; however, what matters is that she will qualify for therapy and that is what is important.
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
What's mine is yours
Megan loves to share food with her daddy. Anytime she bites into something she finds delicious she will immediately offer Will a bite. A couple of days ago she was eating blueberries and sharing with daddy. At one point she put one in her mouth and held her hand up to Will's mouth to give him one and then realized that her hand was empty. So...she took the blueberry out of her mouth to give to him. How incredibly sweet and adorable is that?
Sunday, July 22, 2012
Picking blueberries
Tonight before dinner and we went to a local blueberry farm. We put the kids in the wagon and wound our way through the rows until we found a good spot. Will held Megan up to the bush and showed her that he was picking one and he dropped it in the bucket. Megan looked in the bucket and then watched Will do it again and then she reached in and took them out and ate them. Smart girl.
After Will helped Sam pick some berries I took a turn with Megan. I squatted down and she stood up in front of me. She wouldn't pick them, she just wanted to hit the bush and make them fall off. She would take them from my hand and eat them and give them to me to eat. She stood and ate blueberries with me for several minutes. I was so proud of her.
After Will helped Sam pick some berries I took a turn with Megan. I squatted down and she stood up in front of me. She wouldn't pick them, she just wanted to hit the bush and make them fall off. She would take them from my hand and eat them and give them to me to eat. She stood and ate blueberries with me for several minutes. I was so proud of her.
Saturday, July 21, 2012
Warming up works best
Megan hasn't been wanting to do much work the last couple of days. I remembered today that warming her up before Mandy's session made a big difference so I decided to give it a try this morning. Will took Sam to Home Depot and I started working with Megan.
It only took 2-3 minutes of warm up and she was ready to go. She walked all around the living room with the wagon, pulled up at the wagon and at the table and then she did amazing with the car. She walked the length of our entry, I turned the car around and she adjusted and ended up going back and forth 4 times before stopping; and even then it was a short break. When Will opened the front door she was headed in that direction and she took off really fast to get to the door so she could shut it, then she let go of the car, grabbed my hand and took a couple of steps to get to Will.
She even danced with me and walked across the room a couple of times. She did great this afternoon/evening as well. I need to remember to warm her up each morning so things get going every day.
It only took 2-3 minutes of warm up and she was ready to go. She walked all around the living room with the wagon, pulled up at the wagon and at the table and then she did amazing with the car. She walked the length of our entry, I turned the car around and she adjusted and ended up going back and forth 4 times before stopping; and even then it was a short break. When Will opened the front door she was headed in that direction and she took off really fast to get to the door so she could shut it, then she let go of the car, grabbed my hand and took a couple of steps to get to Will.
She even danced with me and walked across the room a couple of times. She did great this afternoon/evening as well. I need to remember to warm her up each morning so things get going every day.
Friday, July 20, 2012
Wednesday's session with Daisy
Margie changed things up a little bit during Megan's riding session on Wednesday. She worked with Megan standing up for a few minutes before the ride because she wanted to compare to how she did after. Also, a little more than halfway through the ride they put these special stirrups on Daisy. Margie wasn't sure they would be short enough but on the highest setting Megan's feet reached. The stirrups had little cup things where your feet go.
They worked with Megan to stand up and tried to get her to do it without holding on to their hands but she wasn't quite ready for that. She did so great. After the ride instead of Margie working with her to stand up (since she did it just fine before) she had her walk across the dirt to get to where Sam was sitting twice. Megan did great - she was a little unsteady because of the surface but she did it.
They worked with Megan to stand up and tried to get her to do it without holding on to their hands but she wasn't quite ready for that. She did so great. After the ride instead of Margie working with her to stand up (since she did it just fine before) she had her walk across the dirt to get to where Sam was sitting twice. Megan did great - she was a little unsteady because of the surface but she did it.
Monday, July 16, 2012
Why was I concerned? and dancing
This morning while Sam was napping I tried to work with Megan to get her pulling up but she was so tired (she whimpered all night) that she would just lay down and cry. Instead we snuggled and sang songs and she played in the jump-jump.
This afternoon was Megan's PT session with Mandy. I decided to get Megan warmed up before Mandy arrived since it made such a difference yesterday. Mandy was a few minutes late so I ended up working with her for about 12 or 13 minutes. I just worked with her standing, I didn't bother with trying to get her to pull up.
For the first several minutes that Mandy worked with her she wouldn't pull up. We talked about the fact that she hasn't been doing it with her shoes on so Mandy took them off of her. Immediately Megan pulled right up and continued to do so multiple times. She had her walk behind the wagon a couple of times and then put her shoes back on her. And then the moment happened......Megan pulled up like it was no big deal wearing her shoes. By the time we took them off of her to put her pjs on her Megan had pulled up so many times I lost count. She even stood and played with Will for several minutes.
And now for the dancing....I was singing "shimmy-shimmy, shake-shake" while holding Megan's hands and twisting her torso back and forth with mine. I let go of her hands and she started doing it on her own. She even did it for Will a few minutes later when he was singing it. So cute to see her twisting and dancing. Can hardly wait to see her up on her feet.
Sunday, July 15, 2012
Back on track
I have been sad the past few days that Megan wasn't pulling up anywhere; and then I was really concerned when I watched her try to pull up in bed and not be able to. So bummed that my relaxed attitude during vacation caused her to regress to much.
This afternoon she took her nap late - she just wouldn't go to sleep and it was 3:00 when she finally fell asleep. Will took Sam with him on an errand right about the time that Megan woke up so I ended up with about 45 minutes of time where it was just the two of us.
The first thing I did was get her to walk behind the wagon - she tried to fight me a little bit but she did it. At that point I decided to try something new, I figured that maybe her legs were a little weak from the break. I sat her on the bench and had her grab my hands and stand up. When she was standing up I would make her dance and clap and we would sing songs. This worked great - she sat down 5 or 6 times but we did this for 10 minutes and each time she sat down she stood right back up.
She walked with the wagon again and then held my hands and walked back to the bench and we sang/danced and played while she was standing. I put Sam's basketball goal on a container that is in the living room collecting all of the toys they have outgrown. This made it the right height for her to stand at the container and play with the basketball goal. She had so much fun - she stood there for 7 or 8 minutes before she even tried to sit down. She was still standing there playing when Will got home and he took over while I worked on dinner.
While I was in the kitchen Sam stood up next to Megan at the container. They played together for quite a while. Megan would throw a ball and Sam would retrieve it and give it back to her. She has him trained already.
After dinner and bath we were back in the living room and Megan crawled over to the coffee table and pulled right up like she had never stopped. She did it numerous times, even when she had the toy she wanted she would do it again to get something else. She even stood for several minutes and played at the table. Yay! She is back on track.
This afternoon she took her nap late - she just wouldn't go to sleep and it was 3:00 when she finally fell asleep. Will took Sam with him on an errand right about the time that Megan woke up so I ended up with about 45 minutes of time where it was just the two of us.
The first thing I did was get her to walk behind the wagon - she tried to fight me a little bit but she did it. At that point I decided to try something new, I figured that maybe her legs were a little weak from the break. I sat her on the bench and had her grab my hands and stand up. When she was standing up I would make her dance and clap and we would sing songs. This worked great - she sat down 5 or 6 times but we did this for 10 minutes and each time she sat down she stood right back up.
She walked with the wagon again and then held my hands and walked back to the bench and we sang/danced and played while she was standing. I put Sam's basketball goal on a container that is in the living room collecting all of the toys they have outgrown. This made it the right height for her to stand at the container and play with the basketball goal. She had so much fun - she stood there for 7 or 8 minutes before she even tried to sit down. She was still standing there playing when Will got home and he took over while I worked on dinner.
While I was in the kitchen Sam stood up next to Megan at the container. They played together for quite a while. Megan would throw a ball and Sam would retrieve it and give it back to her. She has him trained already.
After dinner and bath we were back in the living room and Megan crawled over to the coffee table and pulled right up like she had never stopped. She did it numerous times, even when she had the toy she wanted she would do it again to get something else. She even stood for several minutes and played at the table. Yay! She is back on track.
Saturday, July 14, 2012
Overcoming her fear and learning her colors
Last night we opened up our new tunnel in the living room floor. After letting Sam play with it for several minutes we kicked him out so Megan could have a turn. I sat her on the floor in front of me with her halfway in the tunnel and she burst into tears. It took awhile and both of us working with her but we did get her to play in the tunnel and crawl out of it. I am so proud of her for sticking with us and getting over her fear.
I have been working with Megan on her colors off/on when we have down time and I did some more time again tonight. I put three shapes (red, yellow, orange) in my hand. I held up the yellow one and told her it was yellow and did the same for the red; and then I put them in my other hand in a different order and asked her to show me the yellow one and then the red one. She did it perfectly. We put all of the shapes into the container and played with them for a couple of minutes and then I put the same three back in my hand and asked her to show me the yellow one and then the red one again and she did it. I waited about ten minutes and tried again and she didn't get it right that time, but I still think she is making progress.
Friday, July 13, 2012
Various
Megan can now get out of an onesie, meaning she understands how to work the snaps. It was really warm here a few days ago and I didn't want to put her down in her nap pjs because though they don't have feet they are still long sleeve pants; so I put her in a onesie. I didn't bother putting shorts on her because I knew she could get those off, but up until that day she had never taken off a onesie. I am not going to teach her how to work a zipper until she is over this phase or potty trained.
Yesterday while she was reading a book to herself she started "talking". She would say a few noises, stop, turn the page and then do it again. She was reading outloud. It was so cute.
I have mentioned that Megan often fails tests she is given during evaluations because she has never been exposed to it. One of the things they asked about and then tested her on during her last evaluation was pointing to objects in books when asked; we haven't done this with her. So a couple of nights ago Will was reading an ABC picture book with lots of pictures for each letter. I asked her to point to the drum and she did, then the pig (on a different page) and she did, then a couple of other items. I was so proud of her - she is doing so much better with doing things when asked.
Yesterday while she was reading a book to herself she started "talking". She would say a few noises, stop, turn the page and then do it again. She was reading outloud. It was so cute.
I have mentioned that Megan often fails tests she is given during evaluations because she has never been exposed to it. One of the things they asked about and then tested her on during her last evaluation was pointing to objects in books when asked; we haven't done this with her. So a couple of nights ago Will was reading an ABC picture book with lots of pictures for each letter. I asked her to point to the drum and she did, then the pig (on a different page) and she did, then a couple of other items. I was so proud of her - she is doing so much better with doing things when asked.
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Rock Star
Megan was a rock star today. She did so amazing riding Daisy and standing afterward. She participated in everything they asked her to do while riding; she clapped, patted Daisy, turned around, blew kisses, reached for objects, etc. Megan has always done things with me that she doesn't repeat for others and it was so nice to see her doing them today.
After the ride she was standing with Margie reaching for toys - she was doing okay standing for 10-15 seconds at a time and then she would try to sit down. Margie doesn't let her sit - she holds her up or lets her lean, etc; but Megan tries. After 4 or 5 minutes of this they switched toys and grabbed a long princess wand that was filled with bright pink liquid and glitter. Megan took two steps forward and grabbed onto that thing and stood there for 3 or 4 minutes just playing with it. Margie was extremely impressed.
Due to our vacation I haven't been able to work with Megan much since her last session and due to her molars she slept through her Monday session with Mandy. I was really looking forward to getting her going again this evening. She walked behind her wagon a few times, twice completely by herself (meaning I didn't have to push it). She stood up and played at the table for several minutes and had a great time.
After her bath we went to our bed for the last few minutes of Sam being up. After we put Sam down Megan stood up at our headboard and played with our blinds and then the window. She stood for about 6-7 minutes the first time and then another 3-4 the second time and third times. We have a sleep number bed so it was unstable for her and she would make adjustments and did great with it.
I am so proud of her for participating, working hard and enjoying herself today.
After the ride she was standing with Margie reaching for toys - she was doing okay standing for 10-15 seconds at a time and then she would try to sit down. Margie doesn't let her sit - she holds her up or lets her lean, etc; but Megan tries. After 4 or 5 minutes of this they switched toys and grabbed a long princess wand that was filled with bright pink liquid and glitter. Megan took two steps forward and grabbed onto that thing and stood there for 3 or 4 minutes just playing with it. Margie was extremely impressed.
Due to our vacation I haven't been able to work with Megan much since her last session and due to her molars she slept through her Monday session with Mandy. I was really looking forward to getting her going again this evening. She walked behind her wagon a few times, twice completely by herself (meaning I didn't have to push it). She stood up and played at the table for several minutes and had a great time.
After her bath we went to our bed for the last few minutes of Sam being up. After we put Sam down Megan stood up at our headboard and played with our blinds and then the window. She stood for about 6-7 minutes the first time and then another 3-4 the second time and third times. We have a sleep number bed so it was unstable for her and she would make adjustments and did great with it.
I am so proud of her for participating, working hard and enjoying herself today.
Monday, July 9, 2012
Using her feet
Megan has been using her feet to do everything the past few days, and I do mean everything. She turns on toys, picks stuff up, moves stuff, tries to use them to take toys out of containers, brushes her hair, etc. If she can't control her foot enough to get it to do what she wants she will hold it with her hand and make it do it.
I am not really sure where this is coming from but it is comical to watch.
I am not really sure where this is coming from but it is comical to watch.
Sunday, July 8, 2012
Ocean, Pool and happy at home
Megan had a great time sitting in the ocean with me. She needed a couple of minutes to warm up to the environment but as soon as I showed her she could splash she was a happy camper. Will had a very difficult time getting a picture of her face because she wouldn't look up from the water. She loved playing in the sand too. Will built a little pool with a mud wall and she loved helping him.
When we were finished we put the kids in the wagon and headed up to the showers to clean up. I used the buckets to dump clean water on them, trying to get all of the sand off. When I had done what I could I went across the deck to use another shower on myself and Will had the brilliant idea of filling the buckets with water and putting them in the floor of the wagon between the kids. They had so much fun splashing in the water and it helped to clean them off more and keep them busy and cool at the same time. The buckets came in handy when we got back to the truck and I was changing them - I needed the water for my wash cloths to keep more sand off of them.
The next day we took the kids to the pool. Again Megan needed a couple of minutes to warm up to the idea but then she had so much fun riding around in her float. We were the only ones in the pool for quite a while and eventually a lady showed up. She ended up being from Texas so we talked while she swam. She said hi to the kids but they weren't interacting much. When we were finished swimming I took the kids into the showers one at a time to give them a shower. I took Sam first and while I was gone Will said that Megan had a blast playing with the Texas lady. The lady was splashing toward Megan and she would laugh and when the lady turned away Megan tried to splash her back.
We got home around 7ish and needed to unload several items from the truck and trailer so we put Megan in the jump-jump. Oh my goodness I don't think there was ever a happier little girl. She was jumping like a maniac - seriously flying high and spinning and just smiling and laughing the whole time. She was happy to be home and so happy to see her jump-jump.
A couple of days ago Will was talking to Megan and rubbed his hands together and she has been doing it ever since. She will clap and then rub her hands together.
When we were finished we put the kids in the wagon and headed up to the showers to clean up. I used the buckets to dump clean water on them, trying to get all of the sand off. When I had done what I could I went across the deck to use another shower on myself and Will had the brilliant idea of filling the buckets with water and putting them in the floor of the wagon between the kids. They had so much fun splashing in the water and it helped to clean them off more and keep them busy and cool at the same time. The buckets came in handy when we got back to the truck and I was changing them - I needed the water for my wash cloths to keep more sand off of them.
The next day we took the kids to the pool. Again Megan needed a couple of minutes to warm up to the idea but then she had so much fun riding around in her float. We were the only ones in the pool for quite a while and eventually a lady showed up. She ended up being from Texas so we talked while she swam. She said hi to the kids but they weren't interacting much. When we were finished swimming I took the kids into the showers one at a time to give them a shower. I took Sam first and while I was gone Will said that Megan had a blast playing with the Texas lady. The lady was splashing toward Megan and she would laugh and when the lady turned away Megan tried to splash her back.
We got home around 7ish and needed to unload several items from the truck and trailer so we put Megan in the jump-jump. Oh my goodness I don't think there was ever a happier little girl. She was jumping like a maniac - seriously flying high and spinning and just smiling and laughing the whole time. She was happy to be home and so happy to see her jump-jump.
A couple of days ago Will was talking to Megan and rubbed his hands together and she has been doing it ever since. She will clap and then rub her hands together.
Monday, July 2, 2012
Vacation happenings - day 3
We brought the trike and wagon with us so that Megan and Sam could have something to play with outside (not that it has been an issue for Sam the explorer). Megan has had so much fun riding the trike all over the patio. I put the blanket down today and put some toys on it that I hadn't gotten out yet and she sat there and played with them for such a long time until she decided it was time to go for another ride.
Our sleeping arrangements in the trailer involve the kids in pack-n-plays that are back to back in front of the couch. This is the first time, other than our long road trip to Texas when it was mid-night before they went down, that they have experienced this. I wasn't sure how it would work out but I knew that it would be an adventure and eventually they would get some sleep. Well, it has been wonderful. The first night they got to bed late because we arrived late and had to setup, etc and they went down without an issue and were both asleep pretty quick. Will and I take the monitor and sit outside while they go to sleep so as not to add to the situation and they didn't even have an issue with us stepping outside.
Yesterday we skipped Sam's morning nap because we were out and about so the afternoon nap was the first one of the day. Instead of staggering their nap and bedtimes like we do at home we are just putting them down at the same time. So we put them down yesterday for nap and left again without any issues and then we got to watch them play together. Oh my goodness...Sam immediately stood up at the end of his bed and looked into Megan's bed, which made her laugh. She went over and got into high knees and touch his hands and then stood up and pushed him down; which made him laugh. Then she sat down and waited for him to come back. She was watching and as soon as he stood up she did it again. The next time she waited and he didn't stand up she stood up and then he did and they clapped together. This went on for about 20 minutes off and on and then when they got tired they both laid down and went to sleep. Bedtime last night was a repeat performance, as was nap today. What a delight that our kids can play together and then get sleep when they are ready.
At dinner tonight Megan was adorable. A waitress was walking by with drinks for another table and she stepped closer to Megan to get out of someone's way and Megan reached out and grabbed her hand. The lady thought it was cute and then Megan pulled her hand to her face and kissed it which delighted the lady. She did it a couple of times. The manager saw this and came over to see if Megan would kiss her hand too and like the sweet little miss that she is, she did it.
Our sleeping arrangements in the trailer involve the kids in pack-n-plays that are back to back in front of the couch. This is the first time, other than our long road trip to Texas when it was mid-night before they went down, that they have experienced this. I wasn't sure how it would work out but I knew that it would be an adventure and eventually they would get some sleep. Well, it has been wonderful. The first night they got to bed late because we arrived late and had to setup, etc and they went down without an issue and were both asleep pretty quick. Will and I take the monitor and sit outside while they go to sleep so as not to add to the situation and they didn't even have an issue with us stepping outside.
Yesterday we skipped Sam's morning nap because we were out and about so the afternoon nap was the first one of the day. Instead of staggering their nap and bedtimes like we do at home we are just putting them down at the same time. So we put them down yesterday for nap and left again without any issues and then we got to watch them play together. Oh my goodness...Sam immediately stood up at the end of his bed and looked into Megan's bed, which made her laugh. She went over and got into high knees and touch his hands and then stood up and pushed him down; which made him laugh. Then she sat down and waited for him to come back. She was watching and as soon as he stood up she did it again. The next time she waited and he didn't stand up she stood up and then he did and they clapped together. This went on for about 20 minutes off and on and then when they got tired they both laid down and went to sleep. Bedtime last night was a repeat performance, as was nap today. What a delight that our kids can play together and then get sleep when they are ready.
At dinner tonight Megan was adorable. A waitress was walking by with drinks for another table and she stepped closer to Megan to get out of someone's way and Megan reached out and grabbed her hand. The lady thought it was cute and then Megan pulled her hand to her face and kissed it which delighted the lady. She did it a couple of times. The manager saw this and came over to see if Megan would kiss her hand too and like the sweet little miss that she is, she did it.
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