A Very Merry Thanksgiving To You!

Now that Danee's a "big girl", she "gets" to go into Nursery at Church...  Last Sunday was actually the first time she spent the whole time in there, which made Cindy and I very proud.

But my pride swelled to possibly  unhealthy levels when I saw the craft she had made while being a big girl...



YES!! Her first handprint turkey picture!!

While I'm sure we'll enjoy many many more of these, we're currently savoring this first one like so much giblet gravy!

The Wind, oh how she blew!

We had quiet the wind storm last night, knocking out power and uprooting trees all over our neighborhood. The yard and roads were covered in debris this morning and all schools were at least 2 hours late to start. Romeos school never did get power back and so he spent the day with the babies (Danee and Tavis) and me.







He raked the leaves, the babies threw them around. It was a fun little game until nap time. Looks a bit blustery outside again this afternoon, I wonder what tonight will bring?

Skipping School.....

Last week I let Kaylee skip school. I know I shouldn't, Junior High isn't as easy to catch back up on when you miss. But.... it just seems so rare that I get to spend one on one time with anyone besides Danee these days, that when Kaylee mentioned she had forgot her back pack at her dads, it seemed a perfectly good excuse to stay home from school. So she did, and we did crafts. It was fun!
I sure do love my Lil Peanut girl!


Rocks for the rock garden one with each Puddle Jumpers Name on it.


A winter cottage all painted and ready to light up our mantel!

On A Beautiful Fall Morning

Today's weather is nothing short of dismal... But LAST Saturday we were over in the Tri-Cities, and enjoyed a picture perfect example of what a Fall Morning should be like!

We were staying with Danee's grandparents (Wayne & Ginger) who live right across the street from the Badger Mountain trailhead, so what better way to enjoy the morning than to hit the trail?

We weren't sure how Danee would handle a mountain hike, but we had a brilliant backup plan...



She was so excited to see the little blue wagon, she jumped right in, and before you know it, we were on our way!



Mommy pulled her for the first couple minutes, but then it was Daddy's turn.



Before long, Danee was showing signs that maybe the wagon wasn't the MOST comfortable place she's ever been...











After that last position, she started dragging her fingers on the wheels, so we let her out, and she had a great time being a big girl, walking with Grandpa Wayne.





Yep, walking was DEFINITELY more enjoyable than the wagon!



Then it was Grandma Ginger's turn to receive Danee's help...



Danee did an EXCELLENT job of helping to walk the doggies.



Then she decided she wanted to blaze her own trail, while eating her apple.



But then all that walking started taking its toll on her tiny little legs, so it was time to be carried.



So all of us took turns carrying her down the mountain and back home!

All in all, we made it about half way up the mountain, and I'd gladly do it again, rather than being cooped up in the house on this miserable drizzly Saturday!

Neo-Natal Follow up

Today was Danee's 18th month follow up at the Mary Bridge Preemie Clinic. I have been anxiously awaiting this appointment for some time but due to Danee's illnesses we have had to reschedule several times. This explains why she is only having her 18 month check up even though she is almost 2!

Even still, she did not meet the developmental milestones of a 18 month old toddler. Danee is way...way...way behind. I am not really surprised as I have been suspect for a while. I am however a bit taken aback by some of the ideas that were talked about today.

Danee isn't verbal yet and I knew that by 15-18 months most kids should have a vocabulary of around 25-50 words. She maybe has 5 if we prompt her. I expected that the Speech Therapist would want to do some interventions immediately, and they do.

The Occupational Therapist noticed some things that weren't even on my radar, like weak arms and trunk. Danee is still a bit wobbly when throwing or kicking a ball. She also would go up one side of the stairs but rather then go up and over and down the other side, she just turned and went back down the same way she went up.
So Danee will also get O.T.

For me the biggest surprise is that they are concerned with her "Sensory Integration". Danee is really, really busy. I always knew she was by far the craziest kid I have ever had, but I guess I just chalked it up to her personality. It Turns out that she is so busy because she is unable to organize the information she receives through her senses. She is a "Sensory Seeker", this explains the constant movement, dumping of toy bins, climbing...etc. It also explains just why she isn't talking yet. She can't stop moving long enough to hear or see what we are trying to teach her. It's good to know I am not crazy and it is not my old age making me so tired!

The final concern is Danee's weight. She had gained a pound last month and by today has lost weight. At her last "well baby" appointment she was (negative) -3rd percentile for weight today she is -5th. So we will continue to let her have bottles and eat what ever she wants but now she will be monitered by the G.I people. I am not sure what that means but will keep you posted.

All of this new information certainly gives Mike and I a lot to mull over and of course many new appointments to make and therapist to meet. I am looking forward to getting Danee the help she needs and moving her in the right direction. I get to learn a new skill and teach Danee sign language until she begins to talk and hopefully she will be less frustrated and someday soon calmer as she begins to file and organize her information.

She is happy and full of life and we couldn't love this little girl anymore then we do. She may be small and full of it but at the end of the day she is perfect to me!