Halloween

So, in one picture Lydia did have an eye patch and in another Paul had a pirate hat, but really they didn't think it was too cool.

Look at Tom's gruff. He did make an excellent pirate.

RRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!!

Halloween is Coming

Halloween is coming, coming coming

Halloween is coming oh what fun!



and pictures of our costumes are coming too. Yes, I hand made them. No, I'm not a seemstress, that's why it took me weeks to create. I really need to get better at sewing. But, Arrr Matey, it was so much fun to dress up at the ward party.



ps, don't forget the funny poem a few posts down. it is really funny.

Orwa, Ora, and Owiy

WE MADE IT GUYS!!!! Lydia will now be recieving Speech Therapy begining Oct. 30th. Thanks for all of your support, prayers and phone calls. I'm so happy and excited for Lydia. These last two weeks she has truly wanted to speak and she says tons and tons of stuff. Unfortunately they all end up pretty similar so it takes us a while to get around to what she wants or what she is excited about and then it is too late for her to be interested in it still.

Here's some words she likes to use and I've finally broken some of them down:

Orwa: water

Ora: Dora

Owiy (sounds like O-why): outside

eef: teeth

eef: Up

eef: treat

eef: tree

eef: feet

eef: eat

ees: eat

ees: cheese

ees: please

ees: yogurt

mama: MOMMA, right now! hahah

ewe momma: I love you

You Know You're a Mom When...

I checked out one of my favorite Poem Author's book the other day, Pizza, Pigs, and Poetry by Jack Prelutsky. Of course I chuckled a way through until I saw this poem. Then I burst out into fits of laughter... just ask Tom.

I can remember as a child my mother doing this and now as I mom I completely do this. So to all you moms out there: you will really appreciate this poem. And to Jack, thanks for making life so fun to laugh at.

Deep in Our Refrigerator
by Jack Prelutsky

Deep in our refrigerator,
there's a special place
for food that's been around awhile . . .
we keep it, just in case.

“It's probably too old to eat,”
my mother likes to say.
“But I don't think it's old enough
for me to throw away.”

It stays there for a month or more
to ripen in the cold,
and soon we notice fuzzy clumps
of multicolored mold.

The clumps are larger every day,
we notice this as well,
but mostly what we notice
is a certain special smell.

When finally it all becomes
a nasty mass of slime,
my mother takes it out, and says,
“Apparently, it's time.”

She dumps it in the garbage can,
though not without regret,
then fills the space with other food
that's not so ancient yet

Text © 2000 Jack Prelutsky.

Lydia's Evaluation

Lydia was officially evaluated by a state child intervention services program today (Child Link). She was evaluated in all areas of development. All areas proved to be remarkably advanced except for her speech. "Let's not get this confused with her understanding," said the Therapist, "Lydia understands very well and executes a task on demand. She is simply not verbalizing clearly although she is babbling and communicating enough physically."

That's about it. They are sending out a Speech Therapist on a weekly basis as I understand and I will also be learning ways to help Lydia orate, and we will learn together how to most effectively communicate when words become a barrier. We will still be seeking medical advice from CHOP as well. Child Link encouraged that I continue with the medical profession as well as the social/therapist as well. I have so much to say, but that sums up the big picture.

I am satisfied with the results. Robbie is right: Lydia is one smart little cookie. She did so well they tested her on some higher-level development skills (3-4yr) and she even passed those. All these days of singing and dancing and repeating the repetative glimmered through today, and to see her respond so acutely and with "style" made me...well, just happy.

Now we just have to get her to smile for the camera, haha.

Just a few tips for some parents who might have a delayed talker.

1. They suggested that I continue with signing, it helps her to commun. and when she learns orate the word she will know how to identify it.

2. Continue getting down on her level physically. I make sure Lydia can see my eyes when we are talking so I know she is paying attention. They also said it will help her read my lips and move her mouth.

3. Tell her everything that we are doing. That's not hard since I chat all the time anyway. Although, I admit, being an adult it's hard because we get in our own little world.

Family Photos

These photos were taken by Mar, Tom's sister. I know, she's fantastic and did it will a regular old camera. But don't worry, she's professional.

These are to give my mother in law some options on which family pict. she wanted before I print one off. Then I thought my fam might like some too.

So here ya go guys, just let me know which one's you like. you can email or leave a comment, or just call. I love to chat, as you all know.

HELLO ELECTIONS

http://www.factcheck.org/elections-2008/factchecking_debate_no_3.html

Okay people check this amazing site out. I found it on Natalie Mecham's blog. Currently I am in a huge limbo about the candidates. After hearing many comments from my comrades about why or why not they are voting for a particular candidate something struck me: WHAT IS ALL OF THIS BASED ON? McCain's bad rep? Obama Mania? Your mom or dad's good opinion? the latest gossip column? Obama's big talking? (he does have charm), McCain's war experience?NPR radio, or Rush?

I thought it strange that I feel so passionate about the elections, and yet, how much do I really know? How much do you REALLY know? That has thrust me into my latest obsession: the facts and the wanna be facts. Thus, here's a great website to go to. I've watched three out of the four debates, took careful notes, compared each candidate on their own officail website, read a couple books, but this--this website is really helping my see clearly and make my own judgements.

Who will I vote for? Currently, I have no idea, but I promise you this: I WILL VOTE FOR WHO I THINK WILL POINT THE COUNTRY IN THE WAY I THINK IT SHOULD GO. Mind you, I don't think Obama nor McCain will or is capable of turning this country around in eight years. I sincerely hope I'm wrong for either who will become President. Alas, it isn't the person who becomes president, it's the three judges who will be appointed by the president. Remember, this is a life long position...big decisions made.

So know the facts, don't go off what you heard in the headlines or your best friend's dog. Be educated. And to Taylor who I thought was mislead, sorry. You are a much more educated person on this subject than I. Kuddos to you and thanks for the example.

If you have more neutral ground websites I can go to, I'd love to know.