Talking and Speaking

Thanks to the worry of one Public Health Nurse, Mark and I have started an adventure called Speech Therapy. While initially I was really annoyed with all the phone calls, assessments and forms I had to fill out, it has been beneficial.

It all started at Ellie's 18-month shots back in March - she didn't really have any identifiable words at that time which according to the "normal" standard (what is that anyway?) was behind. So then the process began which was followed by completing a questionaire to get Ellie on the waiting list. I received a phone call almsot immediately and we had a telephone assessment - the verdict: Ellie had gross motor delay. The reason: because she wasn't walking upright, up and down the stairs.

At this point, I was quite furious - the woman on the phone couldn't understand that my daughter is so incredibly short that her legs are the same length as the rise on a stair! Only after the fact did I think that I should have asked her to climb onto a table in the upright position without holding onto something. Thanks to the wisdom and insight of a dear friend, we started going through the processes that were recommended to us, and I am thankful we have.

We have learned how to play differently with Ellie that makes sense to her (not us). I'm learning how dumb we can be as parents, something I am sure I will re-learn in the teen years! I have also learned that there is a difference between speech and language - Ellie speaks, anyone who has had the priviledge of 5 minutes in her presence knows how well she communicates. Her issue is that she just doesn't speak a language - a valuable difference to know! Mark and I went to Speech School For Parents 101 that the Health Region put on and we've taken a few things to try and implement - it's been very neat to see her words sharpen over the last week as we've tried these new tricks.

Maybe we'll figure out this parenting thing yet!!

2nd birthday prep already!

Today I put together the invitations for Ellie's second birthday party. How has two years passed by already?

Many years ago, I read an article about Martina McBride (country singer), who had two daughters at the time. She told the interviewer that they had always intended on having more children but had been surprised that their youngest was now 4 as time had passed so quickly. When I read that I thought "yeah right, what a load of baloney", not having any clue as to how fast time does fly with children. Now I realize just how right she was!

As I was walking through the living room just moments ago, a photo flashed up on our digital picture frame of Ellie in the delivery room. One of those typical photos of a screaming naked baby covered in goo. How is it possible to be transported back in that split second and hear the crying and the hustle and bustle, and then look down and there's this little girl in front of me who's independence is growing on a daily basis?

I love the moments I get, like last night when I was tucking her in bed, how she snuggles into my neck and holds onto the neck-line of my t-shirt. Those precious moments are so sweet to treasure in my heart.

Father's Day

They say that from the instant he lays eyes on her, a father adores his daughter. Whoever she grows up to be, she is always to him that little girl in pigtails. She makes him feel like Christmas. In exchange, he makes a secret promise not to see the awkwardness of her teenage years, the mistakes she makes or the secrets she keeps.

- Unknown

Growing part 2

I should have mentioned that the change table pictures in the previous blog were from Dec'08 (3 months) and May'10 (20 months).

These car seat photos are from Oct'08 (1 month) and May'10 (20 months).

Always growing

I'm sure I've posted something like this before, but it is amazing to me to watch this little person grow in front of my very eyes! The trial and errors, and trials and success are fascinating! I often wonder if Mark and I are still learning at the ripe age of 30-something the way Ellie is.

I don't know if we cheer on Ellie's growth and development differently because she started out so small, perhaps we do, but for whatever the reason, I am glad we celebrate them. Lately Ellie has taken to clapping for herself when she knows she's done something remarkable - I love it.

Mark and I are in the process of replicating photos of when she was an infant so we can show people that while she is still a little miniature version of the average kid her age, she has come leaps and bounds from where she started.

Climbing

When it became clear that Spring was around the corner, we decided to buy Ellie a little slide for the back yard. The first few times on the slide were a lot of fun, but also a lot of work for Mark and I, as she hadn't quite figured out how to climb up the ladder. I thought perhaps we had bought something too early for her and that it would have been a better purchase for next summer.

One night we were in the yard and Mark worked with Ellie over and over to teach her how to climb up the ladder - now I see her climbing everywhere.

My favourite memory was when she climbed into her little rocking chair, stood up and let go - laughing the entire time. The base of the chair was rocking away, yet she kept her balance and stayed upright for the three seconds she had let go for - she's our little dare devil.

Then last weekend, I was in the kitchen and I turned around and saw her playing at the counter top with Mark's iPod, head phones and loose change he'd left out. I'm thinking as soon as she realizes she can push the kitchen stool around and climb up wherever she wants to be, we may have to put the stool away.

Big Girl Shoes

It was very exciting for me to purchase Ellie's first pair of Big Girl Shoes back in November just after she started walking. We went to Brown's Shoes at Southcentre Mall and found a great pair on sale. Of course, that they were pink suede with hearts and little diamonds made them a quick favourite for me. Nevermind that Ellie's feet were so small that I had one pair of shoes to choose from!

But now we've come to the end of an era - Ellie has outgrown her first pair of Big Girl Shoes and we must hunt for a pair of Size 3's. We went to Brown's Shoes at Market Mall on the weekend and like flies to honey, she went and hugged all the shoes that had sparkles or were pink. We didn't find a pair that shopping trip, that sang to me like her first pair of shoes, so we're still looking.

This photo was taken in March when Great Uncle Norm and Great Auntie Kathy were visiting. Uncle Norm saw Ellie's little shoe and couldn't resist a few photos with his own shoe.