Random Scout observation of the day......

Scout 5 1/2-

(observing me getting dressed this morning)

"Everyone puts their pants on first.......................except for cavemen."

Elinor Bonk Bonk

Well, here she is eating- she didn't give it her all, so I'll keep trying.

This video was just too cute though, I think I may have a future film maker in Scout (or a dj or commentator- she made this whole thing up on the fly, and it really amuses me).

Random Scoutiness Vol VI

It's been over two years since I last did a random Scoutiness post (I checked- vol V was in Jan 09). I think it is high time there was another one, and I thought we could use a change from Elinor posts.

Here we have her miniature stuffed animals going for rides on her hooks.

This rock is Mama Elephant. Here is a big reason to love Scout. Months ago while we were out, Lola chewed the trunk and tail off of Mama Elephant. I was so dismayed I hid it in my closet so Scout didn't know, with the intention of buying her a new one, replacing it, and Scout would be none the wiser. Well, no surprise- I promptly forgot all about it. One day she is playing with her animal train and she chugs it by me, explains it a little bit and when she gets to the elephant part- says in a determined yet sad little voice, "this is mama elephant. All I have is this rock." I manned up and let her know what happened. She got excited that mama elephant was accounted for and made me show it to her. I did and she perked up and told me that it was ok and maybe I could just glue it. I ended up glue gunning it and Scout was thrilled with the results. She told me that she didn't want a new one, this one was just fine. A few minutes later she informed me that I COULD buy her a new mama elephant, but she still didn't want to throw this one away. She's such a loyal little thing and I don't think she can stand the thought of her toys ending up in the trash. It makes her sad.
I keep going back to how on her own, she was missing mama elephant (I got the impression that she's felt the loss for a while), needed a mama to play that day, and on her own- saw that rock, decided it was gray and about the right size, and used it and was happy. I just love that about her.

If you think the classrooms at your school are crowded...................

I imagine this dog and rooster are feeling a little like the minority here.

Last but not least, I give you "books galore".

Scout came down the stairs to dinner singing a song she made up on the fly. I eventually had to secretly record it, then not so secretly. Our favorite book you miss was "books about polka dotted zebra aliens"- Rob tries to get her to say it again in the video, but she didn't take the cue.
Watch for Elle getting progressively annoyed that she is in her eating seat, yet there is no food.

Occupational Therapy

Well, I just got good and scared by this morning's appointment. We met with Elle's occupational Therapist and Elle showed some signs that were a little concerning. This guy basically works with fine motor skills which involve mostly the hands. For starters, her left hand is behind the times. With her right, she grasps small things with her thumb and forefinger, but her left still palms objects and at this stage, they are supposed to be equal. The jerky, excited thing she does with her hands and holding them up all the time is "atypical behavior". She is really hesitant and slow to grasp things (I told him about her 1st birthday cake and how it took her a long time to dig in). On a day to day basis, when you hand her a toy she waves her hands for a while before attempting to take it (crackers too). He told me that sometimes damage can happen (such as the cord at birth incident) that can cause problems with nerve connections getting from her brain to her hands, etc. I of course want to know the ramifications of all of this and how it could impact her life into adulthood. All he can tell me right now is that she is still very young and it's hard to say. He did say (and I suppose this was supposed to be comforting), but at this point he doesn't see any reason that she wouldn't be able to walk. We were left with some assignments until we see him again.

-The first thing he wondered about is her eyesight. It's possible it is not good and could be hindering her development, so I am supposed to get her eyes checked.

-We also need to work on putting things in containers. She needs to put things in buckets or whatever is around and take them back out.

-He also wants me to hand her toys with just a small piece of it available for her to grab so she uses her thumb and finger more to develop that skill.

-We need to have more tummy time and I am supposed to put toys out of reach ahead of her and help her to army crawl towards the toy, so she can understand that she can move and hopefully start wanting to.

-I am also to put her in the crawling position, up on her hands and knees (which is the same thing the other lady told us to do).

So, yeah- I'm scared. I'm scared my little girl is going to struggle her whole life to do simple things we all take for granted. I am comforted that at a young age, even though she's behind, she is able to do many things. I can't believe we are looking at a worse case scenario, and I have to remind myself not to freak out and speculate too much. But as a mom, your heart bleeds a little just thinking about your child having to struggle more then normal children have to struggle, cause childhood and adulthood is already a struggle. I just love her so much and she is such a sweet little spirit and she's so fun. Dang she's fun, I could just play with her all day. But right now, the fun sounds I hear from her in the other room are sounding like not so fun and maybe a nap is more in order, so I better go. I hope this isn't too depressing, but I figured I would record my thoughts fresh from that meeting, whether that is a good thing or not. Keep us in your prayers and thoughts- we may just need them.

Perspective

Today, a friend of mine that I met years ago because we both had molar pregnancies, lost her 2 week old baby girl. I don't have a lot of details, but I know that 2 days ago, they didn't know anything was wrong, yesterday they found out she had a heart condition and she'd need surgery when she is stronger, today, it's little heart and brain were too damaged to save and she passed away. I am just speechless and heartsick for this little family (they have a little daughter about 2 years old). What a shocking and horrible tragedy I can't even begin to comprehend.
I know I have worried about Elinor's heart in the past. I have (and still do) worry about her little brain. Today, all I want to do it give her hugs and thank Heavenly Father for the beautiful little girl I have blessing my life everyday.

Elle on the move

Well, Elle had her little appointment yesterday with the "Kids on the move" lady and big surprise- she qualified for their program. Elle wasn't her typical sunny self, she was more like her "I will tolerate this, but my mouth hurts" self. The lady (she is named Emily too) still got a few smiles though. (Above picture was taken this morning during a great mood and plenty of Tylenol).
She asked me a lot of questions about Elle's pregnancy complications and birth and I was sad to report that I did have some. Her asking me about all that stuff brought my fears to the surface again, but I am shelving them until Elle is more thoroughly examined. Next Monday she meets with the team and will introduce them to Elinor (on paper), after that meeting, I supposedly will get phone calls asking for appointments to see Elles by: a physical therapist, a nurse, and someone who will be giving her a more comprehensive skills test (all in our home- they are big on that- they think these kids do better and are more comfortable in their own environment).

After we meet with all these people, I think mostly we will be seeing Emily. Until then, we were given a little homework. I am supposed to get her to put weight on her legs

And when she does this:

I need to straighten her back. This is tougher then it might look! She really likes her back hunched if I make her stand.

Success!
(Scout took these pictures by the way)

I took this one.





We switched roles for a few pics.





The other thing we were told to do, was put her in the crawling position so she can get used to it.Rest.
(one can only think about crawling for so long you know).


Especially when one is very, very lazy.