First Baseball Game

This is an example of how not to take your family to its first baseball game. We headed out to see the Reading Phillies play (minor league) with friends only to be disappointed by rain. We had a picnic table on third baseline with an all you can eat buffet that was supposed accompany our viewing of the game. No such luck. Just rain, rain and more rain. We hovered under umbrellas and tried to eat while waiting to see if they were going to try and play the game.

The field was never uncovered and the game was called less than an hour after we got there. I think the girls had fun regardless but we were all VERY wet on the ride home. I hope the girls realize that there is more to baseball than hovering under umbrellas and eating.


We love Miss Dorothy for coordinating all the fun. Better luck next time.

Developmental Preschool Classroom

Adeline started her developmental preschool classroom today. We were out of bed bright and early due to the start time of 8:30 a.m.! I tried my best to explain to her that she was going to school to see her teacher Miss Lois but I am not sure she got the part of mommy leaving.

It was clear she was nervous, as was I. Unfortunately, her classroom is housed in a fairly large elementary school which makes one tend to feel overwhelmed. The buses coming and going were very distracting for Adeline. We met her teachers at the buss drop off which prevents me coming into the room or arriving a few minutes early in order to peek inside. I am not thrilled about the black box classroom but will get used to it over time. There is a communication notebook that is supposed to keep parents in touch. It only mentioned what the class did today and nothing about Adeline's disposition. The teacher said she did well and was happy. I only have the face to face interaction because I choose to drive her to school instead of having her bussed like the other kids. I just can't imagine putting Adeline on a little school bus, most likely just her and driver, and not seeing her off to her teacher.

Day one down. . . too many more to go. I can't wait until her mainstream classroom starts and she is back in the hands of the one and only Mrs. Stueve.

I don't know what is going on with the bright idea pose. . .

Miss Lois offered to take a picture of us which I thought was rather nice.

Good Bye Early Intervention, Hello IEP

Tomorrow is the "IEP day." We will sit down with the Intermediate Unit and plan out the services the girls will be receiving. They have exited the Early Intervention program and with that comes all new therapists.

Adeline has been recommended for a developmental classroom which is made up of kids with delays and disabilities. After observing this classroom, I found it pretty difficult to picture the Belle there four days a week. Receiving therapy in our home is one thing, joining a group of delayed and disabled kids in a classroom is another. It is hard to see her in this environment when she is doing so well. That is not to say that I don't appreciated her needs and all this classroom will offer her. I just plan to offset the peer group by enrolling her in a mainstream classroom as well. The downside is that Adeline will potentially spend five mornings a week at school with additional speech therapy and special instruction on the side. I guess time will tell how all of this works out.

Lila is only receiving speech therapy and special instruction. She will attend a mainstream classroom and meet with a speech therapist once or twice a week. A special instructor will follow her in order to track her overall progress in the attempt to catch that other shoe if it decides to drop.

With this transition comes very sad and tearful goodbyes. We will miss all of our EI therapists. The week before we left on vacation the girls had their last therapy sessions with these wonderful women. Miss Ruby, Miss Adrienne and Miss Cynthia gave the girls an early birthday party as a going away gift. The girls were all smiles.

Miss Ruby

Miss Adrienne

The cupcakes and candles



The very hard and tearful goodbye with Miss Cynthia. She has been with us from almost the beginning. We love her dearly and attribute much of Adeline's motor success to her endless work with the Belle. Adeline adores her and melted right into her for one last, long hug.

Home Again, Home Again

We are settling back into our Pennsylvania way of life. We left for the Seattle airport at 12:00 p.m. (PST) and arrived home at 2:00 a.m. (EST). It was a long day as this trip was our first cross country adventure that included layovers. We managed just fine and had the car seats strapped to strollers etc. like pros. We did get a many looks but after scanning the airport and planes for traveling families, we seemed to have it pretty easy. Our girls were superstars yet again and even had the routine down of letting daddy board first with car seats and carry-ons while we waited at the gate.

It felt like we were walking down the red carpet when boarding. I followed my three girls. Savannah was all smiles, Lila would stop at every third person and give them an unintelligible earful all while Adeline brought up the rear with her waves (two inches from people's faces - each aisle person that is). The passengers thought they were something else and one was even nice enough to seek us out after the flight and tell us how good our girls were for the long flight. Luckily, Lila and Savannah slept a good portion of the first flight while Adeline was asleep before the second flight ever made it off the ground.

I remember flying with baby Savannah and know how much more difficult flying could be. Thank goodness these girls are good travelers!!

Happy Amazing 3rd Birthday, Little Girls!

The Beautiful Northwest

One of those beautiful Seattle (actually Gig Harbor) days that makes you say, "I could live here." Two seconds later you remind yourself that clouds are plentiful and rain dominates the weather forecast. However, when it is beautiful, there is no better place to be.


No pictures by the water's edge because it was just too risky. The boat house had to do.

Flying the Nest Too Soon

We are currently at my parent's house and Savannah and I are staying in my old bedroom. In this bedroom there is a collage of my graduation pictures. I have caught Savannah eying them each night. Last night, she burst into tears after I had tucked her in and left the room. I ran downstairs as I was confident she had hurt herself. Hurt herself she did. I just wasn't expecting a broken heart. She told me she was so sad because she was thinking about when she grows up and leaves me. I was floored. To be honest, I almost started crying myself. I told her we could always be together and that she never has to leave me.

Fast forward to tonight. Savannah starts crying when standing in front of the same pictures. We replay the above conversation but this time she adds, "I am sad because I think I might want to leave you when I grow up." It is like she has realized that part of growing up means flying the nest. As much as the thought breaks my heart, I think it hurts her even more. I tried to calm her and told her that we could live next door if she feels the need to leave me. It didn't really work but lessened her anxiety to some degree.

Alex says that he remembers the day he realized that all people die, including himself. I guess that really freaked him out pretty bad for a few days. He thinks this is pretty similar. I don't know, but what I wish is that it would no longer be the center of her thoughts.

I think it was an ah-hah moment for both of us. Is this child really going to leave someday? She is the light of my life and I can't bare even thinking of it.