EK's last day of Early Intervention

Today was Eva Kate's last day of Early Intervention. We will miss her sweet sweet therapist Sally so much. We are however so very thrilled that EK will start at Trace Crossings (TC) Preschool next week. Here she will get therapy and regular structured playtime with peers 3 hours a day M-F. We have been on a mad hunt for a MDO program that is located in Hoover City limits that could be her extended care after she leaves Trace Crossings on the days I work. We finally found one that would work at 4 pm today and we are thrilled at the blessings God has showered us with today. The school EK will attend each day after she leaves TC is Discover UMC's preschool program. It is packed with lots of fun activities that other MDO provided and extra things like gymnastics, sports, Spanish, music arts, and crafts. The best part is it's right across the street from TC. I just wasn't thrilled about putting my 3 year old on a bus to travel across Hoover to go to extended care.

Yesterday at 3 pm we recieved a call from TC saying EK's after care wasn't in the Hoover City Limits and we would have to take and pick her up each day from school. After many tears, looking at all options, and much stress yesterday, last night, and this morning I will be able to continue working on the Birth Suites 4 days a month along with working for the Wellness Dept. teaching classes and doing health fairs. I guess through all the immediate stress over the last 24 hours I realized work is important but being a mommy comes 1st. Hopefully all of EK's programs will work well together, especially with the city providing EK with a special Ed bus to take to Discovery each day after she completes her day at Trace Crossings. So many new changes to come, but we are so glad EK will finally get the extra help she needs everyday. Thanks again Early Intervention for helping us make a smooth transition into the public school setting.

Private Speech Therapy

EK had her 1st speech therapy session today at Child's Play in Hoover.  We went two weeks ago to meet her therapist and fill out paper work.  Today's session was our 1st real session.  Her therapist, LuLu, did several activities that EK really enjoyed.  First they played with Dot Paint and EK was obsessed with the color purple and said it over and over.  She made great eye contact with LuLu and even took turns with her as they made a picture.  Next they played with bubbles and of course EK loved this.  She really enjoys poking the bubbles and saying "Pop, Pop, Pop".  They ended their 30 minute session with a jack in the box.  EK requested it from the toy shelf by using the word "Box".  She even said the word "clown" several times which I have never heard her say.  Eva Kate had several melt downs between activities, but luckily they were short lived.  So hard to see her have these melt downs on the other side of a two way mirror/window.  On a positive note- The therapist said that she met many of the goals that she had set from our 1st meeting and was very impressed with EK's jargon.  LuLu said that her jargon had great tone and her voice went up and down when she jabbered showing some good language patterns.  I just hope to hear more and more new words come from Eva Kate's mouth that I can understand.   Below is a photo I took through the two way mirror during EK's session.

Today at Child's Play I also purchased a chew stick for Eva Kate.  I felt like I was purchasing a dog toy.  I have gone back and forth on whether or not these are a good thing.  I decided it was more of a safety measure for EK.  In the evenings when I am cooking dinner and EK is having TV time we have caught her on several occasions chewing on the laptop computer's charger cable.  We find that her chewing is the worst while watching tv.  We try to limit TV to times when we can't physically be in the room watching her every move- because tv is something she is very attentive to.  After noticing that her chewing habits are decreasing in frequency and noticing they are usually only seen during tv time, made me decide to get her this tool to get her oral "fix" in for the day.  My biggest fear has been that we would be encouraging a bad habit by giving her this chew stick.  It's only the first day with the chew stick, but hopefully this will be a safe chew device for her to increase the oral sensation she is seeking and also cut down on amount of time she spending chewing each day.

EK did qualify for Trace Crossings Elementary Special Ed Preschool program.  We go next Thursday to her eligibility meeting and to write her IEP.  A HUGE thanks to Laura Jones for helping get me several good resources as we transition from the early intervention program in our community to the school system.  Laura is a special ed teacher who has also worked with Early Intervention.  She has been such a wonderful resource for us during this time of million questions.

The Big Birthday Bash

Paul reminded me today that neither of us have posted lately on EK's blog.  A lot has happened in the past few weeks.  We decided to take EK off the casein free diet a little over a week ago.  We just were not seeing the results that we had read about.  We of course offered her regular 2% "bilk" as she calls it, and she would have NOTHING to do with it.  So we must have traumatized the poor child.  She now only drinks juice and water.  She did enjoy having a few Kraft Singles and yogurt though.  :)

We had a joint 1st birthday party for Mollie and 3rd birthday party for Eva Kate this past Saturday.  It was a Minnie Mouse themed party and was a lot of fun.  Thanks to all the family and friends who came and made this day so special.  We had the party in Gardendale at my mom's house and had a cool jumpy house and baby pools set out for the kids to enjoy.  We could not have asked for better weather.  It was low 80's and great for everyone to sit out in the yard and socialize while the kiddos ran around.  The decorations came together really well from some ideas I found on pinterest and Paul's mom (KK) did an outstanding job on the girl's birthday cakes and cupcakes.

EK seemed to really enjoy her birthday party and actually interacted with her cousins and friends.  We are seeing baby steps of progress with better peer interaction and eye contact when we address her.  Her teacher at MDO said she could really see improvement in her social play compared to what it was in early summer.  She is also becoming so much more affectionate towards Paul and me.  She loves giving hugs, sometimes kisses, and holding hands.  She also seems to be warming up to Mollie slowly. Mollie is still enamored by her big sister.  I think Mollie's obsession with Eva Kate and willingness to keep engaging in Eva Kate's activities will actually be so important in Eva Kate's road to improvement.

Today we met with EK's precious speech therapist at Hand in Hand for one of her final visits with Early Intervention.  She had a good session with lots of play and a few melt downs here and there when we transitioned from one activity to another.  Overall her therapist said she feels like the tantrum/ meltdowns are becoming less intense and lasting a shorter amount of time.  I would have to agree.  I find myself ignoring her 1st tantrum when we transition but if it happens a second time or last more than a few minutes she then goes to time out.  Usually this discipline nips the negative tantrum in the bud.

I'm still praying that Eva's language will become more clear.  She jabbers so expressively and it's so frustrating for us and for her when we can't make out what she needs or wants.

That's all for now...
LC