Processing

It has been awhile since I have updated Adeline's development. I know that many times I sneak in the word processing to describe what contributes to her deficits. Of course, I feel as though her processing issues are almost tangible even though processing is a quite yet complex task of the brain.

Adeline is no doubt a bright little girl. We are quite surprised that she knows all that she does. However, she is often unable to access her understanding or knowledge that is needed for the task at hand. Adeline is overwhelmed by her environment. She finds it extremely difficult to multitask which causes her to give everything of interest her undivided attention. This is only true until something else catches and receives that attention. For example, I may be doing a puzzle with Adeline while an airplane flies over our house. She freezes and points out the window saying, "Airplane, up high in the sky," over and over again until the airplane leaves. It doesn't matter that I am trying to refocus her back to the puzzle and using hand over hand to help her get the puzzle in. Another example that we see all too often is when we ask Adeline to go and get something like her coat. She will walk to the mud room but is distracted by the car on the floor and sits down to play with it instead of carrying out the task. I have to remind her two or three times for her to redirect her attention to her coat. You might think that this is typical two year old behavior but when observing Adeline during one of the above examples you will see that she doesn't have the ability to keep on task no matter how motivated she is.

Another area of processing that is difficult of her is speech. When asked to repeat something or answer a question that involves multiple syllables or words, Adeline often can't. Her lips quiver, her eyes reflect concentration but her brain won't give her the support she needs for her output. Information goes in but it seems to get scrambled or lost. I don't feel that any of the above reflects a cognitive deficit. I do feel as though she is delayed partially due to her brain not holding information in a typical fashion.

I don't feel like I am making any sense here but processing is pretty hard to describe. I have a video of Adeline trying to hopscotch. She is highly motivated to try and jump down the squares and is often quite proud when she finishes. In the video I ask her jump jump again but she is distracted by the star she sees. She is then distracted by doors and points out the door by the stairs and then our front door. Next, the overhead light catches her eye and she begins labeling that instead of turning around and jumping. Eventually, I bring her attention back to me and remind her to jump jump and she happily does. She wanted to jump the entire time but couldn't tune out the distractions in her environment and hold the task in her head long enough to complete it. She reminds me of Robin William's HBO special when he is speaking of George Bush and his distraction during a public address when he sees a kitty. Of course the HBO special is pretty funny but watching Adeline struggle with her focus is not.

I must mention that we don't have a video camera that works at the moment so I was using our SLR. I can't follow Adeline around when recording because it won't refocus in the process. I hope the video helps you wrap your head around some of Adeline's struggles.

A Random Conversation

As I was snuggling Savannah before bed tonight, we were talking about getting older. I told her she needs to stop because she will be an adult before I know it. There was a very long pause and then,

"14!"

"Fourteen what ?" I say.

"Fourteen years until I am 20 years old."

I couldn't believe she could figure that out without fingers or a pencil. I asked her how she did it and she said she counted. Pretty good counting for a 5.5 year old. I told her that she was smart and explained that the kind of counting she just did would be difficult for most five year olds. She said, "It was easy for me though" in a matter of fact kind of tone. I told her that she was lucky because thinking is easy for her. She came back with, "Well Mommy everyone is different you know." She's so right!

The conversation turned to different color eyes, hair color and the differences she sees in her sisters. It seemed to culminate with skin tones and faces. Savannah told me she liked the color of her hands and especially liked my face. "I love how your faces always looks sleepy Mommy." Okay, I was trying to prepare myself for anything when discussing skin tones with my five year old but wasn't ready for the tired face comment. Is that really what she sees when she looks at me? It was only two days ago when we were examining all my wrinkles and Savannah was squinting her eyes so that she could look just like me. I am not asking for much but could my face avoid going into the dumper before I'm 40?!

Happy St. Patty's Day

It is a good thing that Savannah told me today was St. Patricks's Day. I don't typically keep track. This region of the country is much more into the holiday than where I grew up. I figure I have to "keep up with the Flannigans" so I adorned my girls in green. I am gearing up for some coin hiding thanks to my neighbor who was on the ball and purchased them before today. Savannah made a little felt pouch at preschool and took it out of her backpack today to find a shiny gold coin nestled deep inside. She was so excited that she grabbed her friend next door and went looking for Leprechauns for an entire hour. I guess I need to establish some Leprechaun tradition in the Wolf-Shaw household.

March Madness

It is that time of year again when we dust off the TV and pretend that we know what is going on in college basketball. The girls can't seem to understand that Mommy and Daddy are watching TV. They also don't understand why Elmo doesn't appear since he plays endlessly in the van.

Not so long ago, Savannah sported a Duke cheerleader outfit for Halloween. Looks like it might be a good fit for Miss Grace this year. She loved wearing the dress and had to have the hair bow dangling from her not so sturdy ponytail. "Go Duke" echoed throughout the house for a short while but soon nap time was upon us. Yes, she slept in the outfit and fought me when I took it off for dinner.

Some of us don't let basketball define this time year. Savannah is a bit more into the egg theme and was very pleased to drag out my Easter decorations and spread them throughout the house. Notice the itch for spring as shown by her choice of dresses

Bliss

In-Laws in town

Alex at a conference in Chicago

Cheap airfare

No overly important events scheduled at home



Put it all together and it equals BLISS. For the first time since the twins were born, Alex and I are "getting away." I flew into Chicago yesterday to enjoy a 48 hour vacation from my life. Don't get me wrong, I love and appreciate my life. Due to the fact that we NEVER have anyone babysit all three kids, Alex and I are well overdue for some R&R.

Times have certainly changed. Before children or when we just had Savannah, I would have felt pressured to take in all that Chicago has to offer. And, yes, Chicago does have an extensive list. Now that I am stay at home mom of three young children, often times without a husband, all I want to do is stay in this wonderful hotel room. Luckily, Hitachi sprung for quite the posh pad.

After arriving yesterday, Alex and I took the train to the hotel and I was able to see the enormity of Chicago which was reminiscent of Philly in places. Later, we headed out to Michigan Ave., the "5th ave." of Chicago. We found ourselves in Lego Land and other children stores and never in a store for adults. A sign of the times. We followed up our stroll with a nice, quite and delicious dinner. The grand finale was coming back to the hotel around 9:00 p.m. and watching American Idol, random shows on HBO and finally a late movie until 2:00 a.m. I realize this is not out of this world for most but I haven't seen American Idol in years and mostly likely watched more TV last night than I have watched all year. Being able to lay in bed and watch TV with nothing to clean, no one to attend to and sleep as long as I want is an amazing change of pace.

Today marks the first 24 hours away from the girls and I definitely miss them. Time away allows you to look at your life and take in all of the blessings. Alex and I found our conversations often going back to how lucky we are. The twins baffle me. I am in awe at how lucky we are. I could give a long list of blogs that I follow of preemies, all born bigger and some later than Adeline. Most of them have profound, life altering disabilities. We, from the outside looking in, look like a typical family. Three vibrant and sweet girls who fill us with joy and love are more than I could ask for. We are blessed to have a job, a home that is not in foreclosure and community of friends who we completely adore.

This time away, although very brief, has been priceless. I am madly in love with my life!!

Dance Dance Dance

The video below is a bit long but worth watching if you get a kick out of kids spinning themselves dizzy. Lila and Adeline seem to spin more than "dance" when out on the dance floor. This is clip of Lila showing off her spinning moves. I have her pause to look at me every now and then which demonstrates her state of dizziness. Towards the end she tries to break out in song. The spinning baffles me as I can only go around twice at the most without loosing my lunch.

Working on a Smile

It is about time for the girls to perfect their smile on command face. Adeline is pretty much there but Lila, even when willing to try, closes her eyes. Somehow the smile and closed eyes go hand in hand. Today we practiced on smiling with her eyes open. She tried so hard that her cute little face would contort. After 10 seconds of trying she would say, "Yeah" and give me a high five.

Looks like we have some more practicing to do.