To the Beach

You know you're livin' the good life when the toughest decision you have to make in a day is whether to go to the beach or the pool. We had about 6 of those days in a row last week and let me tell you, it was nice. Really nice.

We spent the entire week as a family vacationing in South Myrtle Beach, SC. Our dear friends, the Hampton's from NC, invited our family to join theirs. There was plenty of room to comfortably accommodate our party of four and their party of five in their ocean front condo. I anticipated a fun but tiring week, although vacation, due to the packing, hauling, unpacking, wrangling of children, and whatever else traveling away from home requires with two small ones, but the week was truly the opposite of tiring. It was downright relaxing. Wake up, eat breakfast, make the toughest decision of the day and then stay there until mid-afternoon. Return to condo, eat a late lunch, nap if needed, cook dinner, repeat. Awww, the good life.

Oia did awesome navigating at the beach, or "beap" as she pronouces it. We bought her a pair of Keen's just days before we left with the intent of them being her water shoes. She wore them well (sans SMO's) while playing along the shore. These protected her toes from dragging in the sand, as her right foot sometimes will do. Sometimes though, she did roam the shore barefoot but she mostly wanted her Keens on. The sand was not an obstacle for her and she tolerated the waves well until they became knee deep or higher, which at that point she required a hand to hold from one of the adults. But overall, she was fearless about the ocean. Wanted in, wanted to jump over the waves (which required max assistance), wanted to run into the water, wanted to turn around and run out only to run back in again... over and over and over. Last July she was at the tail-end of post-op recovery, and this July she's rompin' in and around the ocean. Love to use these little experiences as our dipsticks to measure and highlight her progress.

And Esme. Her first glimpse of the ocean. Her first taste of salt water (and sand). She, too, loved it. Pure baby bliss. And when naptime arrived, she and I would venture for a brief walk with the double jogger along the shore where she would zonk out in seconds for a decent and peaceful nap. Probably one of the daily moments I enjoyed most about our trip. My walks, her naps. Precious times.

Of course, I took more pictures than one person should ever be allowed to take in one week. But, put me with 5 cute kids along the ocean and I just can't put my camera down. Memories. I have the need to capture them all...

To Chad, 'Gita, 'Nola, Taft and Collens, Thank you for a wonderful week of friendship, fun, sand and sun. We've been blessed. Until next time.

Short and Sweet

It's officially summer and the girls and I are busy living each weekday without a plan in place. We wake and unless therapy is on the schedule, we do whatever we please as we please to do it. Popsicles for breakfast and watermelon for lunch. We're taking it easy and staying wet. But still, these busy little bodies that I am responsible for each and every second keep me hoppin'. And quite tired. Once the scent of sunscreen has been bathed off and replaced with Johnson and Johnson's and each are cozy and (hopefully) sound asleep under their favorite blankies for a long night of sweet dreams, I'm done. Tapped out. DONE. I sink into the couch, catch up with the most wonderful husband, and wish there was more left in me to pound out a coherent post. But most nights, there just isn't.



I wish I had the energy to sit down and tell you that Oia's new speech goals from Nancy Kaufman arrived last week in the mail. Also, in the mail arrived our new K-SLP Workout Book and Kit 1 cards and all 7 one-on-one sessions between Oia and Nancy arrived on DVD. Last week felt a little like Christmas when Santa brings everything on your list.

I wish I had the energy to tell you what a tiny miracle the K-SLP method has been for our family. In a nutshell, we are scripting and it is working. Totally working. The list of new words that Oia has spoken since camp at KCC would no doubt end up more long than she is tall. Some spontaneous, some from scripting. Beautiful, beautiful words. She begs to read the Workout book multiple times a day saying, Read me, peez... Read me, Mommy, peez. How cool is that?

I wish I had the energy to share with you that our sweet Esme is now mobile. Crawling everywhere, opening everything, and eating all in sight. It's baffling to witness. And it's inconceivable that her mobility has come without the aid of a therapist. And even more mind blowing that in one effortless motion, she can move from back, to tummy, to hands and knees, to sitting, to pulling up onto her knees with the intent to stand. All on her very own. Add to the bag of milestones the fact that she is speaking her first words (Momma, Dadda, uh-oh, dog) and now you've got one really amazed, blown-away Mommy experiencing Italy. What a neat place.



And I haven't even had time to share a word about Father's Day, which already seems like forever ago. We celebrated with a picnic by the river. Rob's first Father's Day as a Daddy of two. The Daddy of two very fortunate and unique girls. A Daddy who works very long, often stressful days, but one who still comes home each evening and helps with bathtime, simply because he wants to. A Daddy who unknowingly drives to work with a bucket of sidewalk chalk on the bumper of his car, and returns home with said chalk in hand and a huge smile on his face. A Daddy who asks to put the littlest to bed just so he can have some quality time with the one who seems to be growing up way too fast. He gives so much. And he rocks. I couldn't do a lick of this without him.



I know there is more. More to document and more to share. For now though, this must suffice. Tomorrow is a new day and one with two therapies, and whatever else we get ourselves into. It will be fun, whatever it is, but I'm already tired just thinking about it...

Turtle Camp

As Oia's preschool year was ending for summer, I began to think How in the world am I going to keep this child entertained all summer long? She is so busy, rarely stops to sit, has a tiny attention span, and have I mentioned she's busy? I created a mental list, a summer bucket list if you will, of small tasks, crafts, and outings to keep the days from getting too long. One of the things on my list was to enroll Oia in a non-therapy related summer camp (ie. something FUN!) where she must attend without me and be among peers of the same age group all the while carrying over some structure to mimick preschool. This idea is a major leap outside of my comfort zone. I'm her voice, her interpreter, her safety net, her coach and cheerleader, her front line. Leaving her amid neurotypical peers without me is not my idea of easy. But I knew I had to make it happen, for the both of us. Growth happens outside the box. Usually.

I began collecting any local publication I saw that featured summer camps in our area. I have to admit, I read selectively for ones that may be geared for or have experience with special needs campers. It's just engrained in me. I also looked for camps that would offer a nice balance of physical movement and structured activity. Indoor vs outdoor, all day vs. a couple of hours per day, camper:instructor ratio, etc... I considered a number of things. After a few phone calls to various potential places, I finally decided to have faith and send Oia to a week of turtle camp at Explorations Play Studio.



We (the girls and I) went to an open studio session prior to making the decision. We had never been before and I had to check out the place first. The studio is small, one level, and full of plenty of things to do. Mainly self-guided exploration. Imaginative play. Trays of "stuff" to manipulate, make, mold, build, touch. Blocks for building, various manipulatives. Fine motor heaven. Not at all what my visually impaired, gross motor seeking Oia is interested in. My child is the total opposite of fine motor and self-guided. It was a stretch. But, I sent her anyway. I liked the balance between (flexible) structure and free play they provided. But still, I forced us both to step outside of the box with this one.

Camp (drop-off situation, no parents) was last week, Monday - Friday, for 3 hours each afternoon. Oia was one of 7 campers. The week's theme was all things turtles. Turtle books, turtle stories, turtle games, turtle figuerines, live turtles, turtle crafts, tons of turtles, turtles, turtles.... but I didn't care about that. I just wanted Oia to A) follow the structure and routine of camp, B) be an accepted part of the whole, and C) engage/communicate/play appropriately and safely with her peers. Sounds simple, but it's a continuous learning process for Oia. And because of this, she needed a shadow to help her successfully make the most out of the camp experience. So, that's what we got her ~ her very own shadow.

Our wonderful PT suggested a girl in her neighborhood that she thought would be a perfect shadow for Oia. The situation worked out beautifully. Oia quickly fell in love with "Anna", as she called her, and "Anna" was so dedicated and attentive to Oia that I felt completely at peace each day with Oia under her care. In discussions with the teachers prior to camp, they stated they felt comfortable enough to help Oia as needed but I knew they didn't fully understand her demands so "Anna" was a true blessing.




On the last day of camp, the teachers presented a brief slide show of photos to showcase the week's activities. All of the turtle masterpieces were on display as well and kids were busy showing their parents what all they did throughout the week. Some were stating turtle facts, facts I didn't even know. Impressive really, especially coming from the mouths of 4-8 year olds. But, bittersweet too. My child was at camp for other reasons, not to learn and retain turtle facts, although that would have been nice. I just wanted Oia to learn to speak the word "turtle". To focus. To pay attention. To remain on her mat for all of circle time. To attend a task or craft from start to finish. No, scratch that. To sit down and begin a craft. To interact with a new face and have that new face interact with her. I think she did that. Most of it, maybe. With the help of her shadow, at least. A shadow that the teacher's admitted on the final day was necessary for Oia.

I do believe camp was a good idea, even if just for the exposure of something new. For Oia, exposure is key. I'm proud of the smiles I got from Oia at pick-up each afternoon. Those speak volumes. I'm proud that by the end of the week, Oia could say "turtle" if I scripted it for her, maybe she got something more out of it, like some useless turtle fact, but I'll never know. "Anna" told me that the older peers of camp willingly helped Oia. That's nice to hear. I'm proud that by the end of the week, Oia was more attentive during group activities than at the beginning of the week. And really, I'm just proud that I have daughter to drive to camp and one who is able enough to be there and enjoy it. She went. And bottom line, I'm proud of my turtle camper and her personal best.


Non-therapy related summer camp. CHECK!

Photos: One of Oia's turtle masterpieces from the week, and Oia with her lovely shadow, "Anna".

Hell-oooo Summer

A pint sized Adirondack with matching side table turned foot stool, a (pink) ice cream cone, and new pink Hollywoods are a few of the necessary accessories in Oia's world required for an enjoyable summer day...



because this girl has it all figured out.

Time to Script

From May 21st through the 24th, our family was in West Bloomfield, MI where we attended a 4 day speech camp with Oia at The Kaufman Children's Center (KCC). In all honesty, we had no idea what to expect. We just arrived at our first session with hopeful hearts and as it turns out, those 4 short days were exactly what we had been in search for for a really long time. Let me explain.

About 8 months ago, we (rather Rob) stumbled upon KCC while cruising the internet for therapies used to treat kiddos who battle with childhood apraxia of speech. Our current therapist does not have training in any specific technique geared for apraxia but she does the best she can with Oia. But still, we felt like we were cutting Oia short by not seeking a more specific approach for her diagnosis. KCC, more specifically the founder of KCC; Nancy Kaufman, has spent her entire professional life creating, perfecting, and implementing her technique to help children chisel away at their apraxic obstacles. It's called the Kaufman Speech to Language Protocol, or K-SLP. I was on it.

So last fall, I video'd a few short clips of Oia during one of her speech sessions with our current therapist and submitted them directly to Nancy Kaufman for a consult. It's a service she provides for those who live far away. She reviewed my material and called me within 48 hours after submission to say that she was willing to treat Oia. She noted the potential she saw in her and felt her technique would prove beneficial. It was an answered prayer. It was all I wanted, just a chance to try. The holidays passed and the new year came, preschool broke for summer, and Rob's travel/work schedule provided just enough of a gap that we were finally able to set our camp date. We had been anticipating last week for a really long time.

The sessions were a lot for Rob and I to take in. Each were a short 30 minutes (a total of 7 sessions in 4 days) but very intense and fast paced. It was a true picture of quality vs quantity. We sat staring through a one-way observation window from an adjoining room as Nancy pulled sounds and words from Oia that we had never heard before. She made it look so easy. Our mouths hung open and our heads overflowed. Wonderfully shocking. All three of us learned A LOT.

Because it's so complex and there's no way to share everything we learned, here's the idea. First, approximate. If a child can learn to make their best approximations of words, consider it a starting point. As time and therapy goes on and language skills continue to develop, then you can help the child bridge the gaps and fill in the missing parts. For example, Oia says "caw" for car. R's are not something she can easily produce and the placement of certain letters (like R) within the word makes a big diffence too. As I learned from Nancy last week, breaking down words to their simplest form and encouraging Oia to make the best word approximations is perfectly okay. Think "weh-ter" for sweater, "s-ide" for slide, or "pee-po" for people. You get the idea. If Oia said "I go down side" you'd still know she was telling you that she goes down the slide.

Second, script. To ask an apraxic child to come up with the answers out of thin air to a question you've just hurled at them is extremely hard and in some situations, it's nearly impossible. Instead, scripting safely facilitates a response or answer for your child. But first, we must figure out what Oia wants/needs. Here's an example. Oia may bring me one of her baby dolls and without thinking I'd say "What do you want me to do?" but a better way for me to help her is to say "Do you want me to hold baby?" By doing so I've answered her question with what would be her answer/request if she could speak it independently, which is "hold baby". If that is in fact what she wants me to do, then I say to her "Tell me: Mommy, hold baby." Then I'd immediately script the words "Mommy, hold baby" for her using as little verbal or visual cues as possible. Scripting is word for word, or sound by sound. I cue the first word by making the /m/ sound, she'd follow by saying "Mommy". I cue the second word with /h/ sound, she'd follow by saying "hold". Same with baby. That's scripting; creating your child's dialog when they can't create it on their own. Scripting over and over again trains the brain and over time the cues should fade and eventually Oia should be able to speak more words independently with some spontaneity. So far, Oia has been very receptive to scripting and we do it just about all day long. I have seen a number of positive changes in her already.

We concluded the camp with one final consultation with Nancy after Oia's last 30 minute session (which she rocked!). Rob and I had the opportunity to ask all the last minute questions we could possibly think to ask. We also talked of returning for camp 2 in the future, which we plan to do. Nancy provided us with new speech goals which will be formally written and sent to our home along with all the video'd sessions. I will be sharing these goals and videos with her private ST and her school ST as soon as they arrive. In the meantime, I've made it my personal mission to get my hands on the K-SLP materials that Nancy used during camp. Overall, the trip was well worth the 600+ miles one way and ironically, Rob and I were the speechless ones. Just grateful beyond words for the opportunity. Consider hope restored. Oia Teaster has a lot to say and one day we WILL hear all about it.

Photos of Nancy and Oia on the last day of camp.

Happiness is...

...just enjoying the first of many long wagon rides with your sister.

Since the Last Post...

My favorite month is rushing by at lightening speed and I've documented nothing. I hate that. More than enough has happened to blog about but I can't seem to find my way to the computer through the mounds of unfolded laundry and God knows what else that piles up around me. This place is a wreck but I have two kiddos who are far more important (and demanding) than this messy house. Sadly, it seems the ol' blog is getting neglected too.

But speaking of kiddos, I'll start with the tiniest, my beautiful, almost 10 month old Esme. Affectionately called Esme'-me' by her big Sis. Six teeth have taken over her gummy grin and she makes the cutest fishy faces on command. She waves bye-bye, initiates the best games of peek-a-boo, and is babbling beautifully. The sounds that leave her mouth are simply fascinating. She loves to feed herself and still only laughs for Oia. I love her to pieces but I won't lie, she is a handful, a real Fussy McFusserson most days. Seperation anxiety is a new experience for me as a mother and it's happening in full force right now. She's a fabulous sitter but she has no desire to ambulate in any way which has me a little stressed. Luckily for her, I remember a thing or two from the days of teaching Oia to crawl so I'm feeling the need to play therapist. And yes, you can remind me of how anxious I was for her to crawl once she finally learns and is tearing through those said piles of laundry, amoung other things.

Big Sister is doing well, who by the way, now calls herself Oia Wee (Lee). She just finished her second year of preschool and is currently full of pee and vinegar. Lucky me. She is challenging my parenting skills and discipline strategies on a daily basis but I must remind myself this challenge is all a blessing in disguise and that one day this strong will of hers will serve her well (I hope!). Somedays, knowing this is the only thing that restores my patience. Being a mother is hard. And I'll bravely go out on a limb to say that rightfully raising my 4 year old globally delayed child is even harder. Still, I must raise her as no different and often times that is the true challenge. It's an emotional one for sure. But God, I love her.

Oia Wee was seen by her ortho doctor and ophthalmologist last week, both appointments were delightfully uneventful. Ortho doc was overall quite pleased with all he saw. She impressed with her "run" and jump, and ankle movements. We discussed the recent bracing adjustments (sans KiddieGAIT) and doc was totally on board with that. Right leg still looks well post surgery and left leg is maintaining its optimal function. Our only orders from ortho doc were to continue active and passive dorsiflexion exercises and swim, swim, swim all summer long. Easy enough.

The ophthalmology appointment went smoothly, although the office was running waaaay behind schedule that day. Our drive to the eye doctor is about 2 hours so the office visit of 3+ hours makes for a very long day, especially with both girls. Oia's script in both eyes has changed so new lenses are in order. Right eye has slightly improved, and I do mean slightly, but vision is changing simply due to eye growth. The cataracts of the right eye seem more "cloudy" this time around but there is nothing to be done about them at this time, just continue to monitor and keep the girl in sunglasses. Her current pair of sunglasses have become too small so this weekend we're heading into town to find and order her a new pair of Hollywoods.

We have taken on strawberry picking as a family tradition in early May. Last weekend we went again and came home with way more strawberries than a family of 4 can eat. Plenty for sharing and freezing. Oia loves the adventure, more so the eating part than the picking. The weather was drizzly which made for muddy rows but it didn't dampen our afternoon of fun or picnicing too much.

Stick around, some things to look forward to... Oia begins private OT, a speech camp at Kaufman Children's Speech Center in Michigan, and Oia's first non-therapy related summer camp. All three warrant their own posts, but for now I must hit the sack and just dream about tackling all this laundry.