Our Wonderful Children!

Gordon and Mommy!

Sarah and Kaitlyn

Happy Day!

So the last little while I have really been concerned about Sarah! But I just didn't know what to do for her. A few months ago I just was talking to my Mom and Sister about Sarah and I knew there wasn't something right about her developing with her communication, her oral fixations, she wasn't progressing like I thought she should. Around three is when Jonathan started taking off and getting caught up, which it is hard to say if it was just Jonathan was finally ready to start talking and learning more or if it was the Montessori school we put him in. Well, I have brought my concerns up with my Dr before, but he never seemed to be concerned (and when she was in PEEP she was tested out of speech cause they said she was improving- I was very upset and frustrated cause I knew she still had a long way to go!) With that said PEEP wanted to see if I wanted Sarah tested for the special needs preschool in the district. But I declined since PEEP tested her out of speech therapy and that is what I felt like she needed help with. So finally about three months ago I asked my Dr straight out for a speech eval (he is always willing to do what you ask him, but I have to have the ideas of what to do). He said sure. Well I finally got her tested in June and the lady was so great with Sarah. Without scoring her results she said she DEFIANTLY needed therapy. Well, I finally felt some validation that I knew what I was feeling was right. Well, she encouraged me to have her tested for preschool through the district. I told her my experience with Jonathan and how I had my reservations about it. She understood cause she also worked part time for another school district. So I went ahead to try to get her tested, but since it was summer there wasn't much testing going on. So in the mean time she also said that I should make sure her hearing was okay. So with both of these things I had to really fight to get these things rolling. Well, her hearing was okay, which is a relief cause I have problems with my hearing. There was a class that was being held back in July about Sensory Integration Disorder in the stake. I have read learned about this a little but I thought that it was not exactly Sarah. Well, I went to the class cause I felt like I should. I learned that there are degrees of this disorder and that Sarah has a mild cause of it and with increased sensory input into Sarah life she can work through these issue. But I learned that I have to work on her sensory issues before I can work on her behavior or even her learning. And I believe this is one of the reasons she has so many problems with oral fixation. But I knew first things first, I needed to first have her tested for preschool so that if she was going to make it I didn't want to mess up her chance of getting in. Well, today was the big day. I know how hard it is to get into the program, so I worked it. I did it on Monday when Sarah is the most tried from the weekend and then also at 11 am so she would be hungry. The more uncooperative a child is the more the don't answer the question and the more the have a chance of getting in. Well, she worked so hard and it was very apparent that she needs help and not just her mother could she it the tester could to and I could see them wanting to get her in the program and I just saying a prayer cause she needs this! AND SHE MADE IT IN! I was so happy because I know she needs help and we don't have the money to spend on speech therapy cause our insurance doesn't pay for it or Montessori. I also feel that giving her 6 months past the time of the normal testing helped show that she was very behind and not just a little bit like the PEEP people told me. This was a little tender mercy that I feel that Heavenly Father gave our little family today! Next, step is doing and IEP, so if anyone has any tips I would love it!

Gordon is 7 months!

This has been a big month for Gordon, he has grown so much this month! I can't believe it! At the beginning of August Gordon started to move and scoot to get things and then more and more and then within the last few weeks he has become a great sitter. Gordon now moves from the family room to the kitchen; he gets what he wants! Gordon is our BIG eater (I have never had a baby eat so good- I thought that Sarah was good but Gordon has proved me wrong!) Gordon can eat about 8 oz of baby food and four of it is packed with rice cereal to help him get full. And the picture below depicts Gordon after each bite. Food ready, take thumb out of mouth, eat food, thumb right back in mouth! His favorite vegetable is sweet potatoes and his favorite fruit is bananas! His least favorite food is carrots! He continues to be my happy boy and smiles at anyone. At the grocery store I had my hands full trying to check out and Gordon was done so I was holding him and trying to pay. This sweet lady behind me offered to hold him. And Gordon just talked to her and wasn't phased one bit. Gordon has been off and on with his sleeping cause he has ONE tooth! I don't have any pictures of them but hopefully soon! He also has become a side sleeper which Mommy thinks is way cute! I think that he can roll from his back to tummy, but not sure! Gordon had a photo shoot this past Tuesday (Aug 23) from Aunt Liz and he did so good! I can't wait to see them!

Gordon getting on his knees getting ready to move!

On his toes!

Enjoying time with Daddy!

Sitting at his new toy that Mommy got out for him! The kids and Gordon enjoy playing on the piano!

Mommy thinks this is next?

Family Reunion at the Sawtooth Mountains

We went up to Idaho for a family reunion, we had so much fun! On the way home Jonathan told us that he LOVED Idaho!

They were doing a lot of construction on the road up to the camp we were at! So we had to wait a while, so we got out and stretched!

Went exploring and Gordon was exhausted! It was so beautiful out there!

Feeding the squirrels

Tradition to have foot races!

The kids did a longer race and Jonathan wanted to do it, he was bringing up the rear but as you can tell he loved every minute of it!

Sarah cheering for Jonathan

Sarah's First

During Sisters Weekend Daddy took Sarah and Jonathan to McDonalds and Sarah got her very first Happy Meal!

Sisters Weekend

On Sunday (Aug. 7th), we attended Jameson's baby blessing. Afterward, we headed out to the Stillwater Lodge in Heber for 2 days for our annual Sister's weekend (we also had Gordan and Jameson with us since they are still nursing). So it was nice to be able to spend time with everyone and have some time to relax. When we got there we had dinner, went for a walk to look around, and then discussed some talks that Mom had picked out. Then we had some homemade ice cream and popcorn before heading to bed. None of us slept great due to less than comfortable beds and babies waking up during the night, but it didn't seem to bother anyone.The next day we ate breakfast, did a craft (making hair bows), ate lunch, went swimming, and just talked and relaxed. After dinner we wrote things that we admired about each other, had homemade ice cream and played Chicken Feet with Dominos. We were all pretty exhausted, so I think we slept a little bit better the second night. On our last day there, we ate breakfast, got everything packed up and then headed over to Park City to go to the outlets, have lunch and walk around Park City Main Street before heading home. Jonathan and Sarah seemed to have a fun time with Daddy while I was gone, they even got Mc Donalds. They got to go to Trafalga with all of their cousins on Monday. I love sisters weekend in that I get a break and I feel refreshed to be a better mother and do the important things that matter! We missed Marcie this year but were excited that Liz could make it this year!