Measurable Progress!!

I have always wanted to say that I see MEASURABLE progress in my girls. It is easier said than done. Watching your children develop day in and day out muddies the water. Since we were going to be away for 10 days and both Mommy and Daddy were going to be with the girls, I figured we could find away to "measure" progress during our vacation.

Before leaving, Alex and I sat down and made a list of things to work on with both girls. Although there are many areas Lila Grace could improve upon, her list was more general and (I hate to admit it) less focused. Not so measurable! Adeline's, on the other hand, was very specific. It contained the following:

Point to pictures when asked to do so in a book

Use the signs, car and cracker

Wave on command

Follow the commands "Give the _____ to Mommy." Take the ______ to Daddy."

Look at her family members when asked, "Where is Savannah etc."

Follow the command, "Go get Bunny."

Stack four to five blocks


Although the list seems rather simple, Adeline wasn't doing any of the items constantly and most not at all.

After working with her for about 15 to 20 minutes each evening, I am very proud to report that Miss Belle is doing most of the above. She points to pictures in a book and, at times, will isolate her index finger to do so. She isn't always willing to point but I would say that she consistently does it 75% of the time. While reading her favorite book, "Good Night Moon'" she pointed out the red balloon, fire, kitties and star multiple times before her nap today. I have also observed her stacking four blocks (not five and not often). During our evenings together, Adeline would take things to Daddy and then to Mommy. It took direction and encouragement but it is a start. Finally, her signing is what surprised me the most. Within a day or two she was using cracker and car without prompting. She also picked up open and all done. I guess we need to get going with these signs!!

I don't know if measuring her progress is more for me or her. It holds me accountable and gives me hope in the cognition department. I think it gives Adeline more one on one time with her parents which makes her light up. Do I dare say she is most teachable after 9:00 p.m. I believe everyone in this family has the night owl gene except Miss Grace.

Let's hope I continue to follow through with "Mommy therapy sessions." It seems to be much easier when Daddy is around.

Happy 4th of July!!

More Fun in the Sun

I can't emphasize how proud we are of our girls. Never in our wildest dreams did we think we would be able to log multiple hours at a time on the beach. For the past two mornings, we have been out for two or three hours at a time. The girls have done amazingly well. Oddly enough, Lila Grace is the one who has the most anxiety when on the beach. If she stumbles and falls or finds sand on the top of her toes, she very quickly breaks down. More often than not she has to return to the stroller for a quick "bunny snuggle" before returning to the water. On the contrary, Adeline can't get enough. She walks independently all over the beach. She even walked in the dry sand today. Adeline is highly motivated by the water. She would spend all day jumping waves if she could. When I walk her away from the ocean she is kicking and signing for "more." Savannah has made nice strides as well. She runs and jumps into the tidal pools and "swims" around. Just today she told me she was taking swimming lessons in the ocean.

Family time was something we thought would be done using divide and conquer tactics. Luckily, we have been able to spend time as a family of five on the beach. Never underestimate your children!!

Holden Beach, Here We Come!!

Wednesday marked the first day of our annual vacation to Holden Beach, NC. We packed the girls, three in a row, and loaded the van to maximum capacity (must say we were pretty happy to not have a van full of oxygen tanks this year) and headed south. This was the first year we decided to divide up the ride as well as the first time our family of five stayed in a hotel. Amazingly enough, the girls traveled well and slept well. Miss Belle went from carseat to bed in the hotel without stirring until morning. A true sign of a second/third child.>

These are some of the memorable questions heard along the way:

Daddy, where does the sky end?

(It doesn't, Savannah)

No Daddy, I mean, where are the edges?


Mommy, are you excited to be Nlivia's Grammy? (the baby she thinks she is carrying from now until adulthood).



Upon arriving at the beach, we headed to the ocean and did the ceremonious toe dipping. The wind, noise and waves had the little girls apprehensive but not for long. This morning we lathered everyone up and took them out to the beach. Lila Grace loved it but hated seeing sand on her skin. Thus, the beginnings of a tumultuous relationship with the beach. Miss Belle tolerated the elements quite nicely (something we doubted would happen since sand is high on the "sensory overload" list). She even sat down and splashed in the ocean. A huge smile swept across her face when Savannah sat down to play with her. Savannah, as always, loved it and wants to jump waves all day long. There is something truly serene about a morning beach outing when all the kids are fresh, the beach is empty and the tide is just beginning to come in.

I am so proud of all three of my girls for being flexible while traveling and brave while experiencing the ocean for the first time all over again.

A Rare Family Outing

This weekend we were able to get out as a family. It is something that doesn't happen very often so we appreciated it that much more. Our township had a hot air balloon festival which ended being quite enjoyable.

Savannah and her friends got their arms painted while Lila Grace got a taste of running around barefoot and carefree. I am happy to report that even Miss Belle was willing to walk around in the grass (not barefoot but a major milestone for her due to sensory issues). As you can see, Savannah had her first snow cone and our neighbor bought her her first bag of chips. You should have seen her shovel them in being that chips are a food we keep off limits.

We had a great time. It was nice bumping into neighbors and even the girls' physical therapist. The girls really enjoyed all of the attention from the neighborhood kids and Savannah had fun running around and dancing with them. Adeline got snuggles from Abby while Lila Grace dominated Miss Becky's lap in order to capitalize on her snow cone. We couldn't have asked for nicer weather or a better low key event to attend. The balloons were beautiful.
A red ladybug to match her red mouth




Walking in grass!!!



Taking a little rest with Bunny




Watching the take off

The Latest

Much to my dismay, temper tantrums have descended upon us. Miss Lila will roll back, kick, scream and sometimes bang her head. Unfortunately, this occurs more than once a day. Is this what most two year olds do? Believe it or not, Savannah has never thrown one. God help me if I have to put up with them for another year or two.

While honing her tantrum skills, Lila Grace has also started to string two words together. Most of the words only I can understand but they are words nonetheless. I often will hear, "Drink please," or "Open please." I pushed her to say, "Open please Mommy." It came out all jumbled but I give her lots of credit for making the attempt. Just a week or two ago, I was trying to get her verbalize more. Now she never stops!

Lila also wants to do everything Savannah does. They have hit an all time high on the sibling rivalry spectrum. It really highlights their personality differences. Lila Grace gets screaming mad and Savannah sulks and moves off into a different room. I guess it is better than two screaming mad kids.

Along with trying to take everything her sister is playing with, Lila has also tried very hard to take Savannah's chair. Yes, we still have a booster at the table for Savannah. She prefers it to sitting on her knees when eating. Lila climbs up in it any chance she gets and tries very hard to buckle herself in. Of course, once successful, she is screaming, "Open please!"

We have pulled out the "blue cup" for Lila. Savannah used to walk around the house with this cup filled with Cheerios and cranberries. We allowed her to walk around with it because she was careful and only ate one at a time. This is why we make Miss Grace (aka shoveler) sit and eat.


Is that really a Cheerio hanging off of her foot?



Finally, Adeline has graduated to two full ponytails. I think I finally tamed her hair. Too bad it doesn't stay this way all day.

A Lesson in Patience

After a very hard morning - three very fussy girls - my oldest looks up at me and says, "Do you want to know how many patience I have?"

"Yes," I reply.

"1022," Savannah says.

She follows that up with, "Would you like me to share some with you?"

"Yes!"

"Okay Mommy, pretty soon they are going to come out of me to you."


If only it was that easy!!!!