Enjoy this clip...my apologies for my singing!
Such a cutie!
The things we do when its cold outside!
Saturday, January 29, 2011
ELVIS!!!!
Maggie has these pajamas that well make her look like Elvis.. Maybe its her hair!
Enjoy this clip...my apologies for my singing!
Such a cutie!
The things we do when its cold outside!
Enjoy this clip...my apologies for my singing!
Such a cutie!
The things we do when its cold outside!
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Therapy
I don't know if I mentioned or not that Maggie is enrolled in a state funded program called First Steps. First Steps is a developmental aid for kids up to the age of three. Your little one gets evaluated and if need be they are given physical therapy sessions and/or occupational therapy sessions... Other therapy is also available. The great thing about this program is the therapists come to you! So no having to drive off to some office and because I am unemployed and not legally bound to my love Seana and her wallet... the state covers the cost!
When Maggie was evaluated soon after we got her home from the hospital the evaluation concluded that she needed some therapy. She was set up with physical therapy once a week and occupational therapy once a month. The physical therapy was recommended because Maggie doesn't use her stomach muscles and arches her back way too much. The occupational therapy was to continue monitoring her suck, swallow, breathe function when eating.
So Maggie has met with her physical therapist 3 times, today being the 3rd. Today's session went very well, the therapist felt she has corrected a lot of the arching and is using her stomach muscles correctly and we are now going to reduce her therapy sessions to once a month! Which means she is just going to monitor her progression. Of course Karen (the therapist) said all the right things to this Mommy... That Maggie is really progressing well, and is actually quite advanced in her motor skills especially in how aware and observant she is of her surroundings!
We have met once with her occupational therapist, Susan, who observed her breastfeeding. She thought Maggie did a good job and didn't seem to have any concerns. We discussed the food transition (babies can start transitioning at age 4-6 months to cereal and mushed foods) and given that Maggie didn't really start feeding herself until she was a month or so old Susan suggested holding off on introducing cereal a little while which will give her a chance to really get used to the breast and bottle before adding in a spoon. To me that seemed reasonable... or it did at the time we met which was a couple weeks ago now. The catch is Maggie is no longer sleeping through the night because she is hungry every 2 or 3 hours. We meet with Susan again next week.. I am going to discuss making the switch at least before bed.
When Maggie was evaluated soon after we got her home from the hospital the evaluation concluded that she needed some therapy. She was set up with physical therapy once a week and occupational therapy once a month. The physical therapy was recommended because Maggie doesn't use her stomach muscles and arches her back way too much. The occupational therapy was to continue monitoring her suck, swallow, breathe function when eating.
So Maggie has met with her physical therapist 3 times, today being the 3rd. Today's session went very well, the therapist felt she has corrected a lot of the arching and is using her stomach muscles correctly and we are now going to reduce her therapy sessions to once a month! Which means she is just going to monitor her progression. Of course Karen (the therapist) said all the right things to this Mommy... That Maggie is really progressing well, and is actually quite advanced in her motor skills especially in how aware and observant she is of her surroundings!
We have met once with her occupational therapist, Susan, who observed her breastfeeding. She thought Maggie did a good job and didn't seem to have any concerns. We discussed the food transition (babies can start transitioning at age 4-6 months to cereal and mushed foods) and given that Maggie didn't really start feeding herself until she was a month or so old Susan suggested holding off on introducing cereal a little while which will give her a chance to really get used to the breast and bottle before adding in a spoon. To me that seemed reasonable... or it did at the time we met which was a couple weeks ago now. The catch is Maggie is no longer sleeping through the night because she is hungry every 2 or 3 hours. We meet with Susan again next week.. I am going to discuss making the switch at least before bed.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Two Hours of prodding for a signature????
So today I had the following:
An entire physical including the simple things like Blood pressure to the “wear this gown” tests
A urine test for … who cares what for, I had to pee in a cup
A blood draw – which took both arms due to my shy veins
A Tuberculosis test – which includes needles and something called “a wheel” under my skin
You may be asking … “Are you ill? Why all the tests?” Well apparently for my adoption paper work they need to know if I have high cholesterol, a bad BMI, TB, STDs, and diabetes. Explain to me why adoption cares about this? The paperwork also asked my Dr. if I had history of drug abuse or was emotionally unstable ….. wait ….. how would my Dr even know that!?!
Well what made it all better is MJ and Maggie were there cheering me along (and Melissa had blood work done too cause she lives in the household where I am adopting). Maggie even threw up milk to show her disgust at the whole injustice of the situation. When we left the office, Maggie was exhausted and MJ and I looked all beaten up, but I think we all felt better knowing it was behind us.
Up next …. Setting up the home study.
An entire physical including the simple things like Blood pressure to the “wear this gown” tests
A urine test for … who cares what for, I had to pee in a cup
A blood draw – which took both arms due to my shy veins
A Tuberculosis test – which includes needles and something called “a wheel” under my skin
You may be asking … “Are you ill? Why all the tests?” Well apparently for my adoption paper work they need to know if I have high cholesterol, a bad BMI, TB, STDs, and diabetes. Explain to me why adoption cares about this? The paperwork also asked my Dr. if I had history of drug abuse or was emotionally unstable ….. wait ….. how would my Dr even know that!?!
Well what made it all better is MJ and Maggie were there cheering me along (and Melissa had blood work done too cause she lives in the household where I am adopting). Maggie even threw up milk to show her disgust at the whole injustice of the situation. When we left the office, Maggie was exhausted and MJ and I looked all beaten up, but I think we all felt better knowing it was behind us.
Up next …. Setting up the home study.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Maggie Chips In
So here is a short video of Maggie and I shoveling the drive after some snow!
We make quite the team!
We make quite the team!
Monday, January 24, 2011
The giggle that launched 1000 videos
Its official – Maggie laughs at her environment and I now find myself enthralled with her giggle. Maggie first laughed when grandma visited and she would giggle when you tickle her or play certain games with her, but just this week she has started to squeal and giggle at the environment – specifically the dogs. I wish she was laughing at my excellent jokes or my witty songs of diaper changing …. but no …. she laughs when Odie tries to lick her face or Marley sits by her.
I first discovered this when Maggie and I were playing superman – which is where I rock her belly down in my arms while making “swooshing” noises. We have been playing superman since she was super little but now she gets the added sound effects and bigger flying motions (upgrade since she can hold her head up). This weekend I was playing superman and flying her toward Marley when all the sudden she started to giggle. I did it again, and she started to giggle more. Then she was in full squeal every time she got close to his face.
Every week she gets more fun. I love that little girl.
I first discovered this when Maggie and I were playing superman – which is where I rock her belly down in my arms while making “swooshing” noises. We have been playing superman since she was super little but now she gets the added sound effects and bigger flying motions (upgrade since she can hold her head up). This weekend I was playing superman and flying her toward Marley when all the sudden she started to giggle. I did it again, and she started to giggle more. Then she was in full squeal every time she got close to his face.
Every week she gets more fun. I love that little girl.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Your Baby Can Read
For Christmas Maggie got the "Your Baby Can Read" kit from her Grandpa & Grandma T. If you haven't heard the infomercial it is a system that teaches babies how to read.... I had seen it before and was curious but not curious enough to shell out the $$$ to get it.... Well to my surprise and delight Grandma and Grandpa were curious enough!
It has a 7 month schedule provided with the materials... We started Month 1 at the beginning of January... Maggie has a DVD she is supposed to watch twice a day, flash cards to use and a book of words.
This program is a challenge... I haven't been able to consistently watch the video twice a day... I have done it at least once a day everyday... but this video is SO BORING!!! It is very repetitive and not in the least bit intellectually stimulating.... BUT I know how to read and I am not its intended audience. I try to remind myself of that fact. It's for Maggie not Me... my little mantra (I have to chant this in my head everyday before I turn the DVD on).
Maggie isn't always that interested in it either... I find myself holding her and doing the keep her facing the TV dance... I thought for sure she would be into it like she is when she watches the baby einstein DVDs but alas... her attention isn't captured by words on a screen... or it isn't for very long. Im pretty sure that is why they want you to have them watch it twice a day... it is twice the opportunity for them to see the words as they glance around. The good news is she seems really intrigued by the flash cards and does pretty good with the book.
I will keep this going, I think the results could be great, but the only way to get them is to keep at it. They say that it takes about 6 months for your baby to grasp the concept of reading, and that once they can read 50 words they go into turbo learning mode.. so I want to see if this holds true, I think if it is true this will be a great jump start for Maggie!
I am going to try to watch the DVD twice a day for the rest of January. Wish me luck!
It has a 7 month schedule provided with the materials... We started Month 1 at the beginning of January... Maggie has a DVD she is supposed to watch twice a day, flash cards to use and a book of words.
This program is a challenge... I haven't been able to consistently watch the video twice a day... I have done it at least once a day everyday... but this video is SO BORING!!! It is very repetitive and not in the least bit intellectually stimulating.... BUT I know how to read and I am not its intended audience. I try to remind myself of that fact. It's for Maggie not Me... my little mantra (I have to chant this in my head everyday before I turn the DVD on).
Maggie isn't always that interested in it either... I find myself holding her and doing the keep her facing the TV dance... I thought for sure she would be into it like she is when she watches the baby einstein DVDs but alas... her attention isn't captured by words on a screen... or it isn't for very long. Im pretty sure that is why they want you to have them watch it twice a day... it is twice the opportunity for them to see the words as they glance around. The good news is she seems really intrigued by the flash cards and does pretty good with the book.
I will keep this going, I think the results could be great, but the only way to get them is to keep at it. They say that it takes about 6 months for your baby to grasp the concept of reading, and that once they can read 50 words they go into turbo learning mode.. so I want to see if this holds true, I think if it is true this will be a great jump start for Maggie!
I am going to try to watch the DVD twice a day for the rest of January. Wish me luck!
Schedule... Ssshmedule
Since Maggie's birth we have heard and read that babies need to be on a schedule... Seana and I have discussed it and attempted it and ignored it over the past 4 months... But this last week we decided it was time.
We are getting on a schedule...There are various reasons... for instance: I am tired of staying up until the middle of the night, I want some down time and I want it at night not if I wake up before her. Most importantly Seana and I don't have any one on one time really and we miss each other.
So we are on day 3ish of getting Maggie to bed at 9 and asleep soon after. Let me just say that we did keep a schedule before it was called Maggie's schedule... she dictated her needs and we met them. I haven't wandered to far from this... during the day I feed her, change her diaper and let her nap pretty much when SHE dictates it, but I have noted the times these are taking place and I have been trying to veer her to do these things at about the same time every day so that there is some consistency.
Right now this is Maggie's day (Please note that this is week 1 and these times are in the key of ISH as in 1ish or 2ish we are not that tight of a ship!):
930 AM- Rise and Shine its Smiling time and a quick diaper change!
10 AM-MMMM Breakfast! Another diaper change...
11-Noon-Play!!!! and EAT! sometimes a mini nap....
Noon-1 PM- Short Nap Time
1 PM- Diaper change
1PM - 3PM- Your baby can read time and ride with Mommy in my Snugli!
3PM- Time to EAT!!! Diaper change time!
3PM-6PM- The big Sleep
6PM-830PM- Diaper Change....EAT!!! Hang out with Mutti (Seana), watch Mommy and Mutti eat dinner and PLAY!!!
830PM-Get ready for bed... put on my PJs, go through flash cards or read a book, and get ready for bed!
9PM-EAT!!!! Fall asleep for the night....Mommy and Mutti hope anyway!
This is kind of how her day goes... some days she takes more naps or eats more snacks... but you get the idea.
So far we have successfully gotten her to fall asleep by 930 PM... the trick is whether she stays asleep... wouldn't you know it... she WAKES up at about 1030 and wont get back to sleep until midnight or 1 AM!!! BAAAAH! Not a good time for Mommy or Mutti!!! It is during this wonderful period of time... the schedule becomes a ssshmedule in my mind and I want to throw it out the window!!
Luckily, I have learned patience.. or I have a Seana!! Who is great at answering my "Im going crazy" pleas and gives me a few minutes to calm down!!
We will get this schedule thing going... it seems to be working... after all this post exists! I accomplished writing this while she sleeps! YAY!
We are getting on a schedule...There are various reasons... for instance: I am tired of staying up until the middle of the night, I want some down time and I want it at night not if I wake up before her. Most importantly Seana and I don't have any one on one time really and we miss each other.
So we are on day 3ish of getting Maggie to bed at 9 and asleep soon after. Let me just say that we did keep a schedule before it was called Maggie's schedule... she dictated her needs and we met them. I haven't wandered to far from this... during the day I feed her, change her diaper and let her nap pretty much when SHE dictates it, but I have noted the times these are taking place and I have been trying to veer her to do these things at about the same time every day so that there is some consistency.
Right now this is Maggie's day (Please note that this is week 1 and these times are in the key of ISH as in 1ish or 2ish we are not that tight of a ship!):
930 AM- Rise and Shine its Smiling time and a quick diaper change!
10 AM-MMMM Breakfast! Another diaper change...
11-Noon-Play!!!! and EAT! sometimes a mini nap....
Noon-1 PM- Short Nap Time
1 PM- Diaper change
1PM - 3PM- Your baby can read time and ride with Mommy in my Snugli!
3PM- Time to EAT!!! Diaper change time!
3PM-6PM- The big Sleep
6PM-830PM- Diaper Change....EAT!!! Hang out with Mutti (Seana), watch Mommy and Mutti eat dinner and PLAY!!!
830PM-Get ready for bed... put on my PJs, go through flash cards or read a book, and get ready for bed!
9PM-EAT!!!! Fall asleep for the night....Mommy and Mutti hope anyway!
This is kind of how her day goes... some days she takes more naps or eats more snacks... but you get the idea.
So far we have successfully gotten her to fall asleep by 930 PM... the trick is whether she stays asleep... wouldn't you know it... she WAKES up at about 1030 and wont get back to sleep until midnight or 1 AM!!! BAAAAH! Not a good time for Mommy or Mutti!!! It is during this wonderful period of time... the schedule becomes a ssshmedule in my mind and I want to throw it out the window!!
Luckily, I have learned patience.. or I have a Seana!! Who is great at answering my "Im going crazy" pleas and gives me a few minutes to calm down!!
We will get this schedule thing going... it seems to be working... after all this post exists! I accomplished writing this while she sleeps! YAY!
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