Back in March, when we had Samantha evaluated for speech therapy, they asked me to set some goals for what I would like to see happen after 6 months. Talking over some norms with the speech experts, I set a goal that Samantha would have 30 words by August. I also hoped that she would begin to play along side peers and not be so scared of social interactions.
I have been extremely impressed with the program that Samantha is in. I mentioned how wonderful Samantha's speech therapist Janine is. She has shown us some very helpful strategies to encourage Samantha to talk. Simple things like when we are reading books or singing songs that Samantha is familiar with, we will stop and let her fill in the word. I was amazed that Samantha could do it for many rhymes, books and songs. In doing that we also learned that she can identify many letters in the alphabet. We also do exercises with mimicking and making fun noises. Working with Janine for just over a month, Samantha now has over 20 words. I admit the term "talking" is a stretch, but we are getting there!
The other incredible piece of the program which has been great for us is their community calendar of events. Through the Dayspring program, they have activities at Gymboree, gymnastics centers, farms, museums, etc. Each week there are about 3-5 structured classes for the kids in the program led by occupational therapists. These have really helped Samantha feel comfortable around other kids in a safe environment and they are fun! This week, my mom was out of town visiting family in Oklahoma. I have loved taking Samantha to the activities and watching how far she has come, it is amazing.
I don't expect that she will ever be the most chatty kid around but I love seeing her break out of her shell, express herself and have a good time doing it.
No Way Jose
I figure it was inevitable. Our baby who said "yes" long before "no" has now entered the "NO" phase. It started out with a head shake and lately no matter what you ask her, her reply is no.
On Saturdays in April, Samantha has been taking a swim class with Dave. I go along each week because Samantha's pure enjoyment is priceless. She has the biggest grin ear to ear the entire class. Then, every week when she gets out of the water I ask her if she had fun at swim class and she replies with an adamant no.
First, this is what she looks like for most of the class. She is ecstatic!
This is after the class, you can't quite hear but I ask her "Samantha, did you have fun at your swim class?"
On Saturdays in April, Samantha has been taking a swim class with Dave. I go along each week because Samantha's pure enjoyment is priceless. She has the biggest grin ear to ear the entire class. Then, every week when she gets out of the water I ask her if she had fun at swim class and she replies with an adamant no.
First, this is what she looks like for most of the class. She is ecstatic!
This is after the class, you can't quite hear but I ask her "Samantha, did you have fun at your swim class?"
Date Night
This month Dave is taking pottery class every Thursday evening with our friend Sara. He started doing pottery in high school and has since found great enjoyment doing pottery at this old school house/pottery lab up on the Hill in Boulder.
This has left Samantha and I alone every Thursday evening and so far, we have used the opportunity to dine out together. I love this for many reasons. I love special mother/daughter time with her and it is exciting to me that she is mature enough to sit calmly and enjoy a meal out with me, she is very good with utensils so she doesn't make a mess and of course I appreciate that she loves Mexican food as much as I do. She absolutely loves chips and salsa and people always stop to comment on her dipping skills. In fact, when we are driving back from work/Grandma's house and I ask if she would like to eat rice, beans, chips and salsa for dinner she begins to giggle excitedly and proclaim "YES!"
This has left Samantha and I alone every Thursday evening and so far, we have used the opportunity to dine out together. I love this for many reasons. I love special mother/daughter time with her and it is exciting to me that she is mature enough to sit calmly and enjoy a meal out with me, she is very good with utensils so she doesn't make a mess and of course I appreciate that she loves Mexican food as much as I do. She absolutely loves chips and salsa and people always stop to comment on her dipping skills. In fact, when we are driving back from work/Grandma's house and I ask if she would like to eat rice, beans, chips and salsa for dinner she begins to giggle excitedly and proclaim "YES!"
Confessions of a Boulderite
I tried to pretend for awhile on this blog that I am not a "typical" Boulderite. But by now, if you have been reading, you know that I exercise regularly, recycle, I breastfed Samantha until after her first birthday, my husband drives a Subaru and I did mom and baby yoga. I am Boulder!
I have recently become quite obsessed with yoga. Hot Core Power Yoga to be exact. This is yoga you do in a room that is about 100 degrees. I don't know what it is but it is the only exercise that I have ever done in my life that I truly enjoy while I'm doing it. It is also the only thing I've ever done that my mind is calm the entire time. Once I am done, I feel like I just got a massage. If only running could do that!
This week I'm really turning up the notch of my Boulder ways. Tonight I will be attending an Evening of Meditation and Wisdom with Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. I have seen him in the past, actually while I studied in Costa Rica. Tonight they are promising "a unique opportunity to sit with Sri Sri, experience deep meditation, gain insights into relationships and soak in wisdom. Plus, he is adorable and I love saying his name...just try it.
Then on Saturday, I will be attending a Know and Flow workshop at the yoga studio. It's going to be a yoga and astrology day where we do two sets of yoga and in between we have our astrological charts read. This is pretty hokie, even for me. Makes me giggle every time I think of it, but I'm excited to see what it's all about!
I will share any profound wisdom and insights I learn this week!
I have recently become quite obsessed with yoga. Hot Core Power Yoga to be exact. This is yoga you do in a room that is about 100 degrees. I don't know what it is but it is the only exercise that I have ever done in my life that I truly enjoy while I'm doing it. It is also the only thing I've ever done that my mind is calm the entire time. Once I am done, I feel like I just got a massage. If only running could do that!
This week I'm really turning up the notch of my Boulder ways. Tonight I will be attending an Evening of Meditation and Wisdom with Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. I have seen him in the past, actually while I studied in Costa Rica. Tonight they are promising "a unique opportunity to sit with Sri Sri, experience deep meditation, gain insights into relationships and soak in wisdom. Plus, he is adorable and I love saying his name...just try it.
Then on Saturday, I will be attending a Know and Flow workshop at the yoga studio. It's going to be a yoga and astrology day where we do two sets of yoga and in between we have our astrological charts read. This is pretty hokie, even for me. Makes me giggle every time I think of it, but I'm excited to see what it's all about!
I will share any profound wisdom and insights I learn this week!
Lucky
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