Sunday, November 22, 2009

A Little Church

 

 

There is nothing like a little church to make you feel refreshed and ready to start your life again.  I honestly try to go to church every Sunday but it just doesn't always work out.  Today was one of those Sundays I decided we needed to go.  Bert works for his Uncle on Saturdays and Sundays so it was just me and my two angels.  I was a little nervous taking them by myself because my parents went to the earlier mass.  I don't mind being by myself with the two of them but church is a different story.  You obviously have to be quiet, and Ava's attention span is a little short.  I was so proud of the two of them.  Ava sat quietly next to me for a long time and then she looked at her books, no screaming, no trying to escape.  I was elated!  She really is growing up and I think the whole speech thing will come in a matter of time.  I am going to back off a little bit and let nature take it's course.  If I don't see anything by summer I'll step in again and try to help her.  After church we ate at the chili supper my parents organized at St. Louis Bertrand.  Great job Mom and Dad!  I know how hard you both worked and I think it was a huge success!  Ava enjoyed her hotdog and decorating her dessert.  Alex fell fast asleep.  I am thanking God for my life right now, I appreciate everything I have especially my family.

 

 

 

 



Friday, November 20, 2009

Any Other Suggestions

Yesterday Ava had speech at my Mom's house and my Mom informed me it was horrible.  Ava screaming, throwing herself on the floor, not cooperating.  This whole speech thing has become mind numbing.  It is constantly back and forth, it's good, it's not good, it's good, it's not good.  Ava's review meeting with first steps is December 9th.  I am not scheduling any more visits until after this time.  I go back and forth with this therapist, I want to get a new one and then I don't because Ava will have a good visit.  But honestly, Ava has been in speech for almost 7 months and the only thing she can say without being prompted is Mom and more.  I also go back and forth with myself thinking should I just let it go and let her talk when she is ready?  Should I keep pushing for more answers?  Am I overwhelming her with all the bombardment trying to get her to talk?  Is Ava frustrated with me?  Is there something really wrong with her?  I didn't sleep much last night because of this mess, and it didn't help Bert didn't get one of the jobs he interviewed for because they said he was overqualified whatever that really means.  He still has not heard back from the other one.  My positive attitude is hanging on by a thread.  I always remind myself things could be a lot worse.  All I have to do is turn on the news to assure myself of this. 

Back to Ava's speech, here is what I have done so far after the horrible speech visit on Friday.

Called East Louisville pediatrics to speak to her doctor again, because they keep recomending first steps and I would like another answer.

Called Cardinal Hill Rehabilitation Center because they work with young speech delayed kids, and of course they recommended first steps and I told them the story, so they are getting back to me on Monday.

Emailed Uof L Star Autisim program to have her tested to see if they could work with her or see if maybe she does have some mild form of Autism. (no one panic I really don't think she is autistic and i would be fine if she was i don't consider it a curse.)

Scheduled a formal hearing test at Suburban with Doctor Brown November 30th.  I know she can hear and her speech therapist doesn't think this is the problem but this lets me officially rule it out.

I am writing this post because if anyone knows of anything else to try or do or suggest PLEASE let me know.  I don't care what it is I will take any and all suggestions.

I know most of you will say switch therapists but the thing is, they all come to your house and do pretty much the same thing.  I think we are going to say goodbye to first steps.  Ava needs to go somewhere she is not familar with I think, but I don't know where that place would be, if I decide to persue any more therapy period.

 

'



Thursday, November 19, 2009

Happy 5 Months

 

 

Little Alex turned five months old yesterday!  Bert and I can't believe how big he is getting.  He laughs and smiles a lot because he is such a happy content baby.  He is really really ticklish too.  He has been rolling over front to back and back to front for about 2-3 weeks now.  He loves playing with toys by grabbing them and pulling them to his mouth.  He continues to sleep well and eat well.  I have been giving him about 3 bottles of formula a day and nursing him the rest of the time.  As soon as Alex gets his first tooth, I will stop nursing, my intention was to nurse him for at least six months.  Alex is extremely interested in food, but doesn't eat it very well just yet.  We will keep working on it.  So far Alex has had rice cereal and bananas.  I love him so much, and could not imagine my life without him.  He is simply a pleasure to have.

 

 



Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Possibility

 

 

It has been really nice having Bert home since he was laid off, but I think both of us are ready and excited for him to get a job offer soon.  So far he has been on three interviews and we should hear something soon either way.  There is a possibility and I said POSSIBILITY we could be moving to Lexington.  Actually, Bert and I think Georgetown would be a better fit for us, which is 11 miles away from downtown Lexington.  We have been having so much fun together.  I have recently taken on a job myself watching my friends little girl Caroline on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays.  We have gotten a feel for what it would be like to have three children running around the house, and honestly it's not that bad, but it is change.  Three carseats in the back is Crazy!  Here are a few pictures of the kiddos, not much else to report.  We are looking forward to having a friends Thanksgiving this weekend and of course the real Thanksgiving the following weekend with all of our family!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Sunday, November 8, 2009

Photo Shoot

 

 

We had our first family photo shoot on Friday.  It went pretty well considering Ava is two and Alex is four months old.  Our friend kelly did a super fantastic job taking photos.  We could not be any happier with the outcome.  Kelly is not a professional but you would never know it from the pictures.  I think she should definately consider this as her next career!!!!!!!  Thank you so much Kelly for taking these pictures, you have made us so happy!  I posted some of the pictures on facebook and I'll post a few on the blog, but I am saving my favorite for our Christmas card.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Saturday, November 7, 2009

Ava Is Two

 

 

We celebrated Ava's second birthday with lots of friends and family.  It was a little crowded but I think a good time was had by all.  We had BBQ, potato casserole, spinach salad, two cakes, cookies, and candy!  I never get the chance to take a bunch of pictures, so hopefully my sister got some good ones.  It seems to be a birthday tradition for me to cry.  I honestly can't believe Ava is two.  Bert and I were reminiscing about the day she was born and how it was the most exciting, happiest day of our lives.  We had no idea what we were getting ourselves into, our little miss Ava can give us a real run for our money, and it makes us love her even more.  Ava got so many nice gifts.  Thank you so much to all our family and friends who came and made Ava's day so specail.  Ava' s birthday helped me realize again that life is about love and family.  No matter what happens you will always have your family behind you.  I think most everyone knows by now that Bert lost his job on Friday. I was pretty upset to say the least, but I am looking forward to what the future holds now.  Here are some pictures I managed to get, enjoy!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Sunday, November 1, 2009

Alex and Tillie are Baptized

 

 

Thank goodness.  At four months old my little angel finally was baptized.  We waited for a number of reasons, but now it's all said and done he is BAPTIZED!  A good time was had by all. Both Alex and Tillie were content during the ceremony and Alex smiled a big smile when father Ralph poured the water over his head.  I am so thankful for my family.  It has been a long busy weekend but filled with so much love and excitement.  Thank you to everyone who made Alex' s day so special.