I heard it! I swear! In my heart, I know what I heard and felt…Mama.
Only once and very brief, but it was there. And that’s all I need.
Did Someone Say Mama?
Reply
Category Archives: Milestones!
One for Me, Two for You
The sharing milestone, while great for Josephine, does NOT do wonders for my figure! However, I will take one for the team.
Seriously, though…Josephine has discovered the idea of sharing snacks with Mama, mostly, and an occasional Daddy. Goldfish crackers are a new favorite, as are Cheerios (the ole’ standby) and cookies of any kind. She gets a real kick out of turning toward me and putting the food in my mouth, belly laughs and all.
Another milestone achieved. Now to get her to eat Weight Watchers snacks instead…well, maybe not quite yet.
Weight Check at 20 months
Last weight check was 3 weeks ago when I took Josephine in for an ear infection. She was 16 lbs, 14 oz, which was a loss of 1.5 ounces from her weight check at the beginning of April. But Josephine was sick and had a pretty bad infection, so I will just toss it to that.
Happy to report Josephine is back on track and is now 17 POUNDS even!
Every ounce is a celebration.
As an aside: I must take this time to say I just found out about a big loss at our pediatrician’s office. Becky Larsen, a fabulous medical assistant, passed on to Heaven on April 24, 2010, as a result of a blood clot to the heart. She was 36.
I feel the need to mention her on this blog because she was a true fan and supporter of Josephine in so many ways. She brought a smile to my daughter’s face, to mine and to every other patient and staff member that had a chance to know her. I know she will be cheering on “Josephine-A-Bean” from up above.
Rest in Peace, Lovely Rebecca. You will be missed more than you know.
Wheels on the Bus
Wheels on the Bus by Josephine (CLICK TO WATCH VIDEO)
What can I say? This video says it all for me…
While talking with Carrie (the Speech Pathologist), Josephine started to make the motion for The Wheels on the Bus Go Round and Round. This is NEW. Between the therapists and Stepping Stones, we have been singing the song to her, but Josephine has never done any of the movements, until this morning.
We think she heard Carrie and I talking about objects and songs that motivate her and Carrie mentioned the song title. That’s it. Then, about 30 minutes later, she makes the motion.
Just when I start to wonder when she will move to the next level, Josephine pulls another gift out for me to gush about!
Where’s Josephine?
Here I am! (CLICK TO WATCH VIDEO)
Watch and adore! I know I do.
A Pivotal Move
Josephine surprised us all on Easter Sunday with a present better than Cadbury Cream Eggs and stale Peeps…
Josephine has figured out how to pivot on her bottom using her right arm, legs and abdominal muscles! In fact, she can move in a complete 360 degree circle. Just give her the right motivation and watch her go.
For now, it’s just turning toward the right. Eventually, we will work on the left and getting that side stronger.
The exciting parts of this new milestone are 1) She is using her balance to stay up while pivoting; 2) She is strong enough to move with her arm; 3) She has great abs to keep her balance and 4) She has the cognitive ability to recognize if she needs to see something, she needs to turn to see it.
Could scooting be in her future???
She’s Gettin’ It…
During D.I. therapy today, Lauren commented on the 10 second delay Josephine has when asked to do a task or respond in some way. This part is not new. But it is something we, as parents and therapists, have lost sight of because Josephine’s progress is steady.
What we forget sometimes is all the information that is being stored in her little head; she needs more time to process.
Anyway, it was what happened AFTER therapy today that was interesting to note.
Josephine was sitting nicely on the floor, just hanging out. I noticed she was making little motions, as if mimicking a conversation.
Both Lauren and I realized that Josephine was replaying our session in her head and doing all the things we had asked of her the hour before. It was the coolest thing to watch. She was “practicing”. Touch head, clap hands, twinkle twinkle, Mama, etc… Josephine was very content going through the movements and then she was done. She looked up at me, so proud of her accomplishments.
And Mama beamed.
Lower It Down, Matey!
Major milestone!
The crib mattress has now been lowered down one notch because…
JOSEPHINE IS SITTING UP REGULARLY ON HER OWN!!!!!!!
While we don’t expect her to pull herself up to standing anytime in the next two weeks or so, you can never be too cautious.
Pardon me while I wipe away my tears of pride and joy!
The Gang’s All Here
Yummy red velvet cake with cream cheese icing, tea, chatting. Just what you’d expect during a family training meeting with all our therapists, right?!
Seriously, we have the most phenomenal therapists EVER!
Each therapist discussed their strategy and goals for Josephine. There was a lot of back and forth talk about incorporating all therapies during each session (i.e. mixing a bit of PT during speech and mixing a bit of DI with OT, etc..).
Everyone was on the same page and had one goal in mind: giving Josephine the best opportunity to grow to her full potential!
When pressed for specifics, the therapists offered a range for Josephine’s developmental age.
PT: 5-6 months OT: 7-13 months DI: 8-13 months ST: 8-12 months
Much clearer now, right?
The main point made extremely clear to Sheldon and I is “STOP WORRYING ABOUT DEVELOPMENTAL AGE”. Focus on Josephine’s progress and celebrate those moments as they come. Nothing more.
That I can do!
CLEAR AS A BELL!!!
Josephine amazed me today and brought tears to my eyes, cheeks, the floor, etc…
While Carrie (our speech therapist) was holding Josephine and saying goodbye after her session, Josephine looked me straight in the eye and said,
“BYE BYE”
It was the most beautiful sound. It still rings brilliantly in my ears!
If I wouldn’t have heard it for myself, I wouldn’t have believed it. And I have a witness.
To hear my little girl’s voice in such a way, words cannot begin to describe.
True beauty!