We let her clean out her pumpkin this year too. She really didn’t know what to think of the stuff inside. You can see L’s hand helping her. Oh..and she’s wearing her gymnastics outfit!
For Thanksgiving we went to my BIL’s house. It’s always nice to spend a holiday with your relatives. They have accepted Little T into the family in such an easy way that its like she has been here since day 1!!
She made her first gingerbread house this year!!! Not bad for her first time – she actually had candy left to put ON the house instead of IN her mouth!
And here’s a picture of what happens when you have a 3 1/2 year old and you leave her alone for a bit while you are working!! Yes, she was “working” to and decided to tape up her work on the TV!
I’m actually done shopping for everyone except for the stocking stuffers and the usual socks and undies. We can’t wait for Christmas morning this year! She will not be as overwhelmed as she was last year so it should be a hoot! We got her a new Ittby Bitty Baby from American Girl, a Jeep Rubicon, a bike glider (heh…she’s riding that right now! better put it away for Christmas) some puzzles, books, clothes, crayons, etc. I can’t wait!! I’d tell you what L got this year but he might actually decide to read the blog so I better not. Today or tomorrow I plan to get the Christmas photo done of L and Little T so I can get the cards out by next week.
On another note, this time of year is always bitter sweet for me. Putting up decorations, hearing Christmas carols, decorating the tree…it all brings back the flood of memories that I have of my mom and dad. I wish they were still here with us, enjoying their favorite time of year and enjoying their newest granddaughter and their great-granddaughter! Yes, I know they are watching over us and are very happy in heaven but I’m a tad bit selfish and want them here!
Its hard to believe that Little T has been with us for almost a year and 1/2!! She’s changed and grown so much since those first few days in China. Everyone comments about how tall she’s getting (yeah!) but she’s still so small compared to the other kids in her pre-school. And her talking? No, its not there yet though she is trying. I’ve not been very happy with the results of the school’s ST so I’m looking into getting her back into some private ST. We actually saw her old therapist and she said that she was disappointed because it seemed to her that she has not progressed very much. Yeah…trust me…I know! I think it has to do with the atmosphere of her therapy. She’s in a room that other people go in and out of during it. How can you teach and expect a 3 1/2 yr old to pay attention to you when people are constantly walking in and out of the room? Yep, you can’t. Plain and simple. I’ve watched her therapy a few times and it felt rushed to me. Like the therapist was just going through the motions with her – does that make sense? I’ve also decided to learn American Sign Language. I’m hoping that this will help her communicate better. I talked to my oldest about it and he thinks that maybe this would encourage her NOT to speak but I’m not so sure. What do you guys think? What else can I do to help her? I swear, if I hear one more person say “she’ll talk soon” or “she’s only been in here for 1 1/2 years so she doesn’t understand the language yet” I’m gonna scream! She understands the language people!!! She understands what you say to her, she can follow complex instructions (go put your coat in your bedroom on the back of the chair and then go wash your hands for dinner). She just has expressive language issues.
Ok – enough. Sorry – went off on a tangent there. If anyone can think of something else that I can do to help our sweet girl talk please let me know!! And no…I do NOT allow her to point to what she wants. I make her tell me mostly by her signing it but sometimes by her babble so please don’t say that we are “talking for her”.
3 comments:
I laughed sooooo loudly when I saw what Little T did to your TV!!! Thanks for the a.m. giggle as I worked on Christmas cards ;o)
I wholeheartedly agree with you on getting Little T speech therapy. She definitely should be speaking in simple sentences by now. Lil Pumpkin did well on language acquisition, comprehension, and speaking, but trust me, agrief and attachment issues were the giant challenge for us (I offer this so you don't think I am trying to paint a "sunshine and roses" picture on our end).
Not sure where you live, but perhaps call the local Children's hospital and ask for a referral to someone who has experience dealing with children who have been internationally adopted -- like you said, she understands the language perfectly, but I think someone who is skilled in adoptive & international placements will have advanced abilities to help Little T get on track sooner. You are right in that this isn't a "oh, it will happen" kind of thing - language is the foundation of all learning, and Little T needs to be ready to say all of those brilliant ideas bouncing around in her head by the time school rolls around next year :o)
You have some great shots! I can't believe how much she has grown since our visit.
I think ASL is great! It will help both of you and there will be less frustration. Don't believe it when people say that learning ASL and teaching it to your child as a way of communication will prevent them from talking. That is so not true. With therapy and time she will talk. I'm sorry she is not progressing as she should be. I agree, seek out more therapy and someone who is HIGHLY skilled. ((HUGS)) I know your struggles.
Great to read your updates. We thought we might need ST for Emelia but she is progressing really well now. I think preschool has been the key for her. It does make sense what you said about the atmosphere of her current therapy. It would probably be wise to try another and see if progress is better. We were not too terribly far from you at Thanksgiving, Blowing Rock. Wish there would have been extra time to check in with you all.
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