Speech... We are finally on the right track!

When we went to the doctor for Mollie's 18 month checkup the doctor and I discussed Mollie's language. Mollie had lots of words, but no one was able to understand what she said except me. She would say something and everyone around me would look at me to translate. Most of her words started with d's and b's (even when they weren't supposed to) and she just started saying Momma 2 months before (which is very late for the average child). She was also not repeating words like she should at this age or saying words that I believed she should at least be attempting. When she would say a word it would have the right amount of syllables, it just wouldn't have any of the right letters in it. However, she understood EVERYTHING we said to her. She understood almost too much.

I know every child is different, but I was kind of freaking out. I think a lot of it boils down to being a special education teacher and not wanting to teach my own child. I also think that I know what to look for, and I am oversensitive when something takes more time than it should. So, as I was talking to the doctor, she seemed a little concerned as well. Since we were getting tubes the week after our appointment, she said she wanted us to come back in 3 months if we had a lot of the same concerns.

After her tubes I waited and waited for something to happen. Nothing was changing... She had more words, but they were just more words for me to translate or try to figure out. We did a lot of show me (where she would take us to the object) or just agree with what she was saying. Mollie was starting to get frustrated and I was just getting more and more sensitive to her language and people understanding her. We went to the ENT for her post op appointment and she had an ear infection and her tube wasn't even working in one of her ears because it was clogged. I was completely overwhelmed and frustrated. We are paying all of this money, and things aren't even getting better. They fixed the tube through an office procedure and asked to see us back in 3 weeks.

Well the in past 2 weeks EVERYTHING has changed! Mollie has gained a ton of words, and slowly they are becoming so much more understandable! She repeats everything we say and wants to have a conversation with us. She is able to tell us what she wants, will ask for help, and say please. (These are all things she wasn't doing 2 weeks ago.) She is speaking in some 2 word sentences.  She says "Thank you, Daddy" and "No, Mommy". We love the Thank you daddy much more than the no, mommy, but we will take it all!

I truly believe that since her ear infections started in September she has heard everything underwater. Everything was muffled and that is why she would speak with the right amount of syllables, but couldn't find the right letters. Every time she says a new word, I praise and I praise and I praise. A little too much I think... but I am so proud that we can all understand and I have to translate a lot less. I am so excited that my little girl is finally being understood and getting what she wants because she knows the right words and sounds.

I was so worried that we would be in speech before the age of 2. It looks like we are progressing perfectly now and she is very close to her developmental age with her speech. This makes me one proud momma!

St. Patrick's Day Celebrations!

Since St. Patrick's Day is on Sunday, Mollie's school decided to they would celebrate today. I was so excited to get Mollie dressed in her outfit. (You already know this is something I enjoy.)

A few weeks ago, I found an outfit that was very similar to the outfit she wore last year. I LOVED that outfit, especially the bloomers that came with it. They were green with a huge shamrock on them. Well, this outfit had the same bloomers and I just couldn't resist.

On Wednesday, when I was at my mom's, we were going through old pictures of Mollie. We saw the picture from last year and it just showed me how fast my baby girl has grown!

It is unbelievable at how quickly it has all gone! There are days that I miss my baby, but I wouldn't change the age she is now for anything! She is so fun. We have some very brief conversations, sing songs together, and have our own little moments together. I wouldn't change it for the world!

Valentine's Day with Mollie

One of my favorite things about having a girl is getting to dress her up for the holidays. I am a little overboard when it comes down to it, but it is my absolute favorite part about holidays!

This morning I got Mollie dressed in her Valentine's day attire. This whole week she has worn Valentine's day colors and outfits, but today was THE day! When I put her skirt on she walked around the house saying "pretty, pretty". I (of course) validated that and told her she did look pretty as she turned around and around to see her skirt flow out. Then, she had to get her daddy's approval. She walked into the living room and said, "Daddy, pretty?" He too agreed and she kept her turns going until it was time to walk out of the house.

It is amazing to me how much she understands and knows how to make us laugh. She is getting so big!

I know I am biased, but she is perfect!

February Family Day

 
 

As you might have noticed, January's Family day is missing.... that needed to be rescheduled due to weather and sickness around the Evanina's. We hope to make that up one weekend in March.

Ready to head on our way!

So we start with February! Back around Christmas, we ordered tickets the Wild Animal Safari in Pine Mountain. This was always somewhere that I wanted to go, but I didn't know much about it. We ordered the tickets through Half Off Depot so I decided this was the perfect time!

We started our trek toward Calloway Gardens area on Saturday morning. We stopped by Subway to pick up breakfast and lunch and headed on our way. Mollie napped all the way there! It was great! She was in the best mood throughout our entire day because of that sleep.


When we got there, we walked into the shop, bought our animal food and a slober towel, got the keys to our car, and headed on our way through the drive through portion of the safari.

Our sweeeeeet ride!

There were all kinds of animals: Zeedonks (zebra and donkey mixes), camels, giraffes, deer, ducks, pigs, and so many more. Mollie had a BLAST the whole time! She isn't scared of animals one bit. It did make me a little nervous, just because the animals would come straight to the car and ask for food. Mollie wasn't shy to put the food in their mouths. Sometimes it was a little too close for comfort for this Momma....



Here are some of our pictures for the drive thru section:

This is what they call a zeedonk (zebra-donkey)

He wanted in!

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Look at that tongue!

Food please!

Then we went to the walk through zoo part. There was lions, tigers, monkeys, and a reptile house. It was fun, but it was a little boring compared to our fun adventures in the car.

Here are more pictures: