Showing posts with label Developmental Progress. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Developmental Progress. Show all posts
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Sunday, August 21, 2011
New Glasses
First, thank you for praying for Tricia. She is nearly fully recovered from her surgery. Yet to know if the surgery has made a difference, but we're just happy that she's back on her feet and back to "normal".
Gwyneth's new glasses arrived yesterday! Her prescription changed, and we were told that it would be cheaper to purchase new frames than to change the lenses. So, we let her pick out the color. We decided to try rectangle frames this time, and she picked the purple, even over the same pink color as her old frames. We love them! The color is actually a darker purple than what showed up in this photo, so I'll try to take a better photo for you later.
Gwyneth's new glasses arrived yesterday! Her prescription changed, and we were told that it would be cheaper to purchase new frames than to change the lenses. So, we let her pick out the color. We decided to try rectangle frames this time, and she picked the purple, even over the same pink color as her old frames. We love them! The color is actually a darker purple than what showed up in this photo, so I'll try to take a better photo for you later.
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Counting
Gwyneth is in the stage where she counts everything. So fun! She can count all the way to ten, if you can understand what she's saying, although she skips seven every time.
Nate
Nate
Friday, June 24, 2011
Good Reports
We made another 24 hr trip to Duke this week for several appointments for both girls. Good reports all around. Tricia lungs continue to show no signs of infection. Gwyneth continues to grow and develop, and she has finally broken the 25 lb mark...only took her about 2 years to go from 20 to 25!
Gwyneth had her first visit with a new doctor. She is now officially diagnosed with mild cerebral palsy, which we had assumed for a now. She continues to wear her AFO (ankle braces), but is making great progress. She is falling less and less while walking on her own, and is now able to step up and down short steps.
We're also making plans for Gwyneth to have another dual surgery...eye muscle surgery for her stabismus which has returned, and another ear tube placement as her first set has recently fallen out and she is continuing to experience ear infections. Hopefully these can both happen on the same day in the same ER as before.
While we were at Duke waiting for mommy to get done with her appointments, Gwyneth and I walked over the the gardens for a few shots...
Nate
Gwyneth had her first visit with a new doctor. She is now officially diagnosed with mild cerebral palsy, which we had assumed for a now. She continues to wear her AFO (ankle braces), but is making great progress. She is falling less and less while walking on her own, and is now able to step up and down short steps.
We're also making plans for Gwyneth to have another dual surgery...eye muscle surgery for her stabismus which has returned, and another ear tube placement as her first set has recently fallen out and she is continuing to experience ear infections. Hopefully these can both happen on the same day in the same ER as before.
While we were at Duke waiting for mommy to get done with her appointments, Gwyneth and I walked over the the gardens for a few shots...
Nate
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Moving on Up
This little girl is moving on up from a crib to a big girl bed tonight! Why tonight? Because I finally have time this evening to convert her crib AND I get to sleep in tomorrow in case she decides it's not as much fun as we've made it out to be.
Nate
Monday, April 11, 2011
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Monday, February 21, 2011
White Rose Blooming (3 Years)
This is a little late, but better than never!
You are now 32 inches tall and you weigh around 24 lbs!
This past year has brought some incredible new experiences for you. You stood up without any help for the first time just before you turned two, and over the next few months you learned how to cruise around by hanging onto the edges of furniture. You also were given a walker that helped you learn to use your legs and take bigger steps. By April, you were taking a few steps all by yourself, and by the end of the summer you were walking everywhere on your own. You continue to use your AFO ankle braces to help keep your feet flat on the ground when you're wearing your shoes, but we think you'll be out of them before too much longer.
In the past few months you've begun to climb steps using hand rails, and you can even go up and down one step all by yourself without falling. You love to jump, and if there is anything nearby worth climbing, you'll give it a shot. You also love to hang from things like a monkey...the kitchen table, door nobs, playground equipment and anyone who will offer you a hand to swing on. You are a daredevil for sure, afraid of nothing, and always getting back up without any tears when you fall.
You received your first hearing aids (pink, of course) in February, and quickly became comfortable wearing them, although you do like to play hide and seek with them in the car...you hide them, Mama and Papa spend a few hours seeking them. Although you can hear very well with your left ear without the hearing aids, you do have trouble hearing anything with your right ear. You began spending time once a week at home with a special teacher, Miss Heather, who helped you learn how to listen and how to speak using sign language and spoken word. Your verbal vocabulary has grown this past year from about 5 words to well over 40, even if just Mama and Papa are the only ones who can understand most of what you say. You can even say a few words together, and love using your signs and spoken words to communicate what you want or need.
You love to wear your glasses, and sometimes even refuse to take them off when it's time for a bath or to go to sleep. But, with or without them, you love to see and explore new things. You still love to read books, and you are fascinated with watching other children play. You are particularly in love with anything that involves Dora, Clifford the Big Red Dog, Elmo, Yo Gabba Gabba, and especially Toy Story...Woody, Buzz, Jessie and Bullseye are happy to go with you anywhere.
You still love water. The ocean, the pool, the bathtub or even just a cup of water to dip your fingers in. Your favorite part of every day continues to be bath time...we literally have to drag you out of the tub sometimes. You took swimming lessons in the spring, and we spent a lot of time at the pool this year. And, anytime we go to the beach and walk over the dunes and see the ocean, you can't contain your excitement.
You have spent a lot of time with your friends and cousins this year. You love to play and dance with other children, and you are so good about sharing toys and getting along with others. You made several trips out of town to visit family and friends, and you are never scared about meeting somebody new and offering them a hug and a kiss. Your hugs are famous...you love to squeeze as tight as you can and let others know jut how much you love them. And, if a hug and kiss aren't appropriate, you also love to give out high fives and fist bumps.
In December, you began to attend a special preschool program twice a week at one of the local elementary schools for children just like you. You LOVE school, and you always come home ready for a big lunch and a long nap. You've also graduated from the nursery at church to the preschool Lil'K classroom. Even though you're the smallest and youngest in the class, your teachers say that you love to participate and are totally engaged with everything around you.
Turning three also means that you had to say "bye bye" to some people. Miss Donna, Miss Tanya and Miss Jenn have been spending time with you at home each week for the past three years, helping you to learn to speak and walk and play. You have loved your time with them, and they have been a huge part in your development and progress.
In the coming year we look forward to hearing you continue to develop your vocabulary as you grow in your ability to communicate with the world around you. We are anticipating that your time in school with be a huge help as you learn to play and socialize with others. We think that you might be running by the end of the summer. We'll spend as much time as we can at the beach and the pool this summer!
We Love You!
Mama and Papa
You are now 32 inches tall and you weigh around 24 lbs!
This past year has brought some incredible new experiences for you. You stood up without any help for the first time just before you turned two, and over the next few months you learned how to cruise around by hanging onto the edges of furniture. You also were given a walker that helped you learn to use your legs and take bigger steps. By April, you were taking a few steps all by yourself, and by the end of the summer you were walking everywhere on your own. You continue to use your AFO ankle braces to help keep your feet flat on the ground when you're wearing your shoes, but we think you'll be out of them before too much longer.
In the past few months you've begun to climb steps using hand rails, and you can even go up and down one step all by yourself without falling. You love to jump, and if there is anything nearby worth climbing, you'll give it a shot. You also love to hang from things like a monkey...the kitchen table, door nobs, playground equipment and anyone who will offer you a hand to swing on. You are a daredevil for sure, afraid of nothing, and always getting back up without any tears when you fall.
You received your first hearing aids (pink, of course) in February, and quickly became comfortable wearing them, although you do like to play hide and seek with them in the car...you hide them, Mama and Papa spend a few hours seeking them. Although you can hear very well with your left ear without the hearing aids, you do have trouble hearing anything with your right ear. You began spending time once a week at home with a special teacher, Miss Heather, who helped you learn how to listen and how to speak using sign language and spoken word. Your verbal vocabulary has grown this past year from about 5 words to well over 40, even if just Mama and Papa are the only ones who can understand most of what you say. You can even say a few words together, and love using your signs and spoken words to communicate what you want or need.
You love to wear your glasses, and sometimes even refuse to take them off when it's time for a bath or to go to sleep. But, with or without them, you love to see and explore new things. You still love to read books, and you are fascinated with watching other children play. You are particularly in love with anything that involves Dora, Clifford the Big Red Dog, Elmo, Yo Gabba Gabba, and especially Toy Story...Woody, Buzz, Jessie and Bullseye are happy to go with you anywhere.
You still love water. The ocean, the pool, the bathtub or even just a cup of water to dip your fingers in. Your favorite part of every day continues to be bath time...we literally have to drag you out of the tub sometimes. You took swimming lessons in the spring, and we spent a lot of time at the pool this year. And, anytime we go to the beach and walk over the dunes and see the ocean, you can't contain your excitement.
You have spent a lot of time with your friends and cousins this year. You love to play and dance with other children, and you are so good about sharing toys and getting along with others. You made several trips out of town to visit family and friends, and you are never scared about meeting somebody new and offering them a hug and a kiss. Your hugs are famous...you love to squeeze as tight as you can and let others know jut how much you love them. And, if a hug and kiss aren't appropriate, you also love to give out high fives and fist bumps.
In December, you began to attend a special preschool program twice a week at one of the local elementary schools for children just like you. You LOVE school, and you always come home ready for a big lunch and a long nap. You've also graduated from the nursery at church to the preschool Lil'K classroom. Even though you're the smallest and youngest in the class, your teachers say that you love to participate and are totally engaged with everything around you.
Turning three also means that you had to say "bye bye" to some people. Miss Donna, Miss Tanya and Miss Jenn have been spending time with you at home each week for the past three years, helping you to learn to speak and walk and play. You have loved your time with them, and they have been a huge part in your development and progress.
In the coming year we look forward to hearing you continue to develop your vocabulary as you grow in your ability to communicate with the world around you. We are anticipating that your time in school with be a huge help as you learn to play and socialize with others. We think that you might be running by the end of the summer. We'll spend as much time as we can at the beach and the pool this summer!
We Love You!
Mama and Papa
Monday, January 31, 2011
Breaking Up Is Hard To Do
For the past 2+ years, since shortly after we arrived home from the hospital, Gwyneth has had some very special people in her life. A group of therapists and teachers have been coming to our house each week to work with Gwyneth and help her grow and learn as she overcomes her developmental delays.
There isn't any way that we can thank these women for the impact they have made on Gwyneth and our family. Gwyneth fell in love with each of them and would look forward to each and every visit. To her, it was play time, but Tricia and I can see the difference that each session made in Gwyneth's development.
When she turned three a few weeks ago, Gwyneth officially graduated from the care of each of these women and transitioned into a special pre-school at a local elementary school for children with disabilities. We are truly going to miss our time with them each week, and we know that they will miss Gwyneth. To do what little we could to say "thank you", we took this incredible group out to eat last week, and snapped a few photos so that Gwyneth will be able to remember forever.
Miss Heather, hard of hearing teacher
Miss Tanya, physical therapy
Miss Jenn, occupational therapy
Nate
There isn't any way that we can thank these women for the impact they have made on Gwyneth and our family. Gwyneth fell in love with each of them and would look forward to each and every visit. To her, it was play time, but Tricia and I can see the difference that each session made in Gwyneth's development.
When she turned three a few weeks ago, Gwyneth officially graduated from the care of each of these women and transitioned into a special pre-school at a local elementary school for children with disabilities. We are truly going to miss our time with them each week, and we know that they will miss Gwyneth. To do what little we could to say "thank you", we took this incredible group out to eat last week, and snapped a few photos so that Gwyneth will be able to remember forever.
Miss Donna, speech therapy
Miss Heather, hard of hearing teacher
Miss Tanya, physical therapy
Miss Jenn, occupational therapy
Nate
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Happy Birthday, Gwyneth Rose!
Happy birthday Gwyneth Rose! You are the most beautiful gift from God. The joy of our hearts. Your smile is infectious, and your laugh is contagious. We love you beyond words and are so excited to show you how much fun being three years old can be. You continue to grow in your own incredibly special way, and we wouldn't trade being a part of it for anything in the world.
Love, Mama & Papa
Love, Mama & Papa
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Pre-School
This is just a quick post to let you know that a certain little girl began pre-school this past week. She's attending a special class at the local elementary school for children with disabilities...her 5-6 classmates share similar developmental delays, and her teachers are all therapists. She loves it!
Nate
Nate
Monday, October 4, 2010
New Words!
Gwyneth has been slowly progressing with her speech development. Just this week, for the first time, she is able to say "mama" consistently. Tricia is very excited. Below is a video that highlights a few of the words that Gwyneth can say (there are more), both by sign and by mouth.
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Thursday, April 22, 2010
First Steps!
We've waited a long time for this! Gwyneth has finally taken her first few steps by herself! They're still very shaky, and it will probably be a while longer before she's really able to walk, but we're very excited!!! We shot the two videos below with my phone tonight before bed!
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
GO!
As we were spending several hours together at Duke today, waiting during Tricia's appointments, I taught Gwyneth a new word! Here she is tonight showing it off in her walker!
Nate
Nate
Monday, March 22, 2010
Gymnastics!
Gwyneth has enrolled in 2 year old gymnastics. At this age, all they really do is let them run/crawl around and play...nothing really organized, which is fine with Gwyneth. She loves it, and takes long naps afterward, which Tricia loves. Her favorite thing to do is to "jump" on the big inflatable thing.
Nate
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Monday, February 22, 2010
Do You Know What Time It Is?
Gwyneth loves water...the pool and the bathtub especially. The video below shows what has become our nightly ritual...nothing gets her more excited...
