Car Rides

Do you dread taking your child for rides in the car? Have you ever referred to your child as a 10lb terrorist? Well then do we have a lot in common! When I brought Mags home from the hospital as a baby, she cried but everyone knows that's what newborns do! However as time went by and with each excruciating road trip, changes had to be made. I would plan trips to the store while she was at therapy or have my parents watch her if I needed to run to the bank. Even short trips were miserable. Now I don't have any brilliant solutions but I can tell you, when she was finally big enough (20 months) to change car seats to a forward facing seat, life got better. I mean not drastically at first but gradually. Baby steps! And I am happy to say there is light at the end of the tunnel - this sweet child was happy the majority of the road trip from minneapolis to chicago! What more could a mom want?

Playing with the dough

Ok So I have the song American Pie stuck in my head... go with it!

A LONG LONG TIME AGO, I CAN STILL REMEMBER WHEN THAT PLAY DOUGH USED TO MAKE YOU CRY. I KNEW THAT IF I HAD MY CHANCE I COULD MAKE YOU ENJOY THE DOUGH, BUT SENSORY ISSUES WERE TO MUCH :-)

While she did play, she did spend quiet a lot of time simply looking from a distance.






A few years ago, a few months ago it was like pulling teeth to get her to touch anything that set her off sensory wise! WAY TO GO MAGGIE! See Play Dough is not scary!!!

Trader Joe's

I love seeing my little girl act like a big girl! She is just so adorable! Trader Joe's has carts for children, like other grocery stores, and every time I have taken her she has shown absolutely no interest in pushing her own cart or helping. But today she wanted to! She was even excited about pulling food off shelf! Such a big helper and when we found the cereal - WOW! Happy girl!

Cereal and rice milk what more do you want in life?

She started signing cereal the rest of the way through the store and became less than amused as time passed and she did not get what she was asking for.

Super Cute!

Physical Therapy A Thank you Note

Not that long ago, I had this adorable little baby who was 16 months old and barely crawling. Along came 19 months and she was standing and taking one, then two steps and it was a slow and steady processes but it was a start! I remember being at a family get together where Maggie's cousin, 2 weeks younger than her, was climbing on the furniture and running, trying to catch his older brother. The rest of the family joked "He's so fast because he has an older brother to compete with, Don't worry" Well obviously I worried! You tell a first time mother, don't worry - that's all she will do! It was clear at that moment that Maggie was not developing as fast as 'normal' - And then I was introduced to the world of Physical Therapy. It was a rocky relationship in the beginning. I was first told that "NO, your child is just slower because she's a first and girls tend to not be as physical" then I was told "Your child is behind in several developmental milestones and we advise you to have her participate in physical therapy twice a month" that later turned into twice a week. Wait? The first said it's no big deal give it time and now the second opinion is saying the opposite! Ultimately I felt that she was behind a little, I felt that it couldn't hurt for some additional help.

I was sitting with the Physical Therapist and she had a questionnaire for me that was about 2 hours long. The questions included:

"Does your child jump?" NO

Does your child kick a ball? No

Does your child walk up stairs? NO How about down? (really?!?) NO

Does your child fall, trip easily? YES (finally a yes, although a negative question...)

Etc... The list goes on and at the age of 2 PT became a regular part of Maggie's life.

I loved her first permanent Physical Therapist, she was energetic and creative and pushed Maggie enough so that she wouldn't have time to get up set she just had to get trying! Her new therapist, although wonderful, has experienced Maggie slightly older 4 & 5 and has seen the vast improvements but the long term issues we are faced with. All sorts of fun!!

But when I think back to when my almost 2 year old was struggling to walk and then I see my 5 yr old balancing on the curb of the walk way - I am SO grateful for the Physical Therapy, the ability of the human body and for my little supermodels stubborn determination.

Moments of Zen as John Stewart says

Sh*T

I was sitting in the waiting area yesterday while Maggie was with her Speech therapist. A fellow parent who I exchange experiences with was sitting next to me patiently waiting for her son to finish up his therapy. Maxwell is 5, about 2 weeks younger than Maggie. He is completely adorable. He has more words than Maggie but for the most part just makes sounds and avoids all eye contact. His mother, Naomi was telling me about how her husband has become increasingly strict and into enforcing eye contact with Maxwell. As we laughed and joked she honestly said "I would be happy if Maxwell would just say he's mad instead of looking away or hitting someone" another woman, not a parent but a PCA, butted in saying "well I would be afraid if what he wanted to say was inappropriate!" Naomi, whipped her head around shot her a look

lady, don't judge and until you've walked in my shoes...

That place where your desperate for any word to come out of your child's mouth

At that moment, Maxwell came from around the corner and like everyday he was avoiding looking at any of us. Mumbling something to himself. Walking towards the empty corner so he wouldn't have to be near any of us. Naomi grabbed Maxwell's arm to put his coat on and instantly he started to get worked up. Annoyed and starting to get physical. Naomi looked at me and joking said

"I wish he would just say, This is Shit Mom!"

We all laughed and thought this cute little boy doesn't even say 'ball' or 'mom'

Naomi got Maxwell to make eye contact with her and focused him long to enough to say

"Maxwell are you upset? You don't want to put your coat on?"

Maxwell looked away and Naomi moved his head around and asked him again

Maxwell looked right at her and said

"It's shit"

Naomi was so happy she was smiling and crying. We all were laughing and getting emotional for Naomi and for Maxwell.

The Normal Parent would probably be mortified if their child said a swear word. Embarrassed and probably worried about anything else they might have said that their child could repeat. Gossip, a joke, an unkind description of a person etc. But for a parent of a child with Speech limitations and especially Autism.

We will take ANY word!

EVERY word! Sound. Sign. Anything!

As I see it. The "S" sound is important in many words. Maggie chooses to hiss when she sees a picture of snakes. It makes her super excited and we understand her "S" and that gives me joy that she, on her own, created a sound with the correct word/object (in the word of Speech therapy it's a big deal too)

One day at a time. One word at a time.

Andy and Maggie

I have always loved how Andy Loves Maggie. These are some of the ways He loves her.

He is sweet to her.

Gentle, always holding her hand.

Supportive, always encouraging.

Uplifting, he never puts her down or says something like "can't or she won't"

He is the first to clap for her.

When I tell him Maggie's new sign, he is the first to want to practice with her.

At soccer practice he waves and comes over to hug his biggest fan

He takes her on the trampoline - and doesn't bounce (he restrains himself so Maggie can bounce and he won't knock her over)

He reads labels and makes sure foods don't have gluten or dairy

He is also really concerned about calorie intake and sodium/sugar levels - it's cute

He sings "Vanilla Twilight" by Owl City

He loves the Beatles and wants Maggie to like his music too

He watches VeggieTales with her and is almost as entranced as she is

When we go out and people say things like "your such a good big brother" he just smiles and then says to me "they don't understand" - :)

He wants to go where Maggie goes, always and forever

He makes plans about the future and taking care of Maggie

He always is optimistic for her

He is always happy with a sign, or pointing or even a grunt - it's enough for him to understand her

He is hopeful, happy and the best Uncle I know

We love you Uncle Andy

Maggie - pointing skills

For any other parent this may be s simple forgotten milestone with their child. 

But for me, For Maggie - This is a wonderful, long awaited and amazing milestone. 

Progress. 

All these months of therapy are starting to show actual and practical results. 

the first, of many to come, is pointing and identifying an image in a book. 

Larry. 

Larry's Nose.  

Handing me her VeggieTales Bible story book so she can help me turn pages and find Larry.

Because she is learning how to communicate better with her hands she is getting more excited when we understand her - doesn't everyone want to be understood!

Maggie is now signing 'More' - one clap

And saying 'Yes' and 'No' 

:)

 

Fun and New

Maggie has been participating in all sorts of Fun and New Activities. 

1. Car attachment on Cart at grocery store thingy - Uncle Andy insisted we find this Cart thingy (I'm not sure on the correct term) because he felt Maggie would enjoy it. He was right, she did enjoy the ride, however I did not enjoy steering, it was like the 18 wheeler of Carts. 

That's a relaxed and happy kiddo :) - nothing sadder than the day you out grow the seat in the grocery cart and have to walk around to shop. 

2. Horse Therapy - Oh She Loves it! When we arrive at the barn she starts to do her happy dance. Freckles is the horse Maggie rides. Her head is so small we had to adjust the helmet and put toilet paper in the back so it wouldn't slide into her face. But my little girl is so happy on her horse, nothing could bother her.

too cute for mere motherly bias

While she is riding I joke with her that she's practicing for the Olympics or the Rodeo. I'll ask - Maggie are you the rodeo queen? she laughs and waves like the true Equestrian Princess she is. I love how comfortable she is. No fear - simply joy.