Happy Birthday Heidi

Heidi's 1 year developmental "report"

motor
- pulls to stand on furniture, and sits back down controlled.
- can get into a sitting position independently from her stomach
- crawls up and down stairs
- is now crawling on hands and knees
- cruises along furniture, and bridges from one piece to another
- uses pincer grasp to pick up small pieces of food or things from the floor
- just learned to make marks on paper with a brush
- bangs toys together
- puts small toys in and out of containers
- isolates pointer finger
- releases objects
- not interested in taking steps forward

self-help
- uses fingers to feed herself
- hands a fork or spoon to adult for them to put food on it, then puts it into her mouth by herself
- drinks from an open cup while an adult holds it for her
- drinks from a sippy cup independently - a great help in the car
- has preferences for different foods
- eats a variety of textures, all adult food, some just cut up smaller
- nurses 2-4 times a day
- helps to pull a shirt over her head
- enjoys taking her socks off, and attempts to put them back on
- can take loose pants off
- has not learned to use a straw cup
- loves bath
- takes 2 naps a day, and sleeps 12 hours at night

social
- loves to watch other children
- will share a toy with children and adults
- shy around strangers, prefers to hang on to mom
- hasn't figured out how to stay at church nursery
- imitates actions with hands and body - such as motions to "If You Are Happy and You Know It"
- has toy and activity preferences
- testing boundaries and limits
- plays peek-a-boo, pat-a-cake
- calls attention to herself by "talking" or saying "mama" or using a sign
- beginning temper-tantrums when told "no"
- gives lots of affection to people, and gives kisses to baby dolls
- has a happy personality
- reserved in new situations
- dances to music

cognition
- can find hidden objects, imitates hiding objects
- turns pages in a book, looks at pictures
- plays appropriately with music toys, cars
- emerging ability to stack 2 blocks
- imitates gestures and sign language signs
- uses objects correctly - pretends to drink from a cup, puts a phone to her ear, puts a bow on her hair, shoe on her foot, hairbrush to her hair
- points to a few pictures and uses the sign to label (dog, bird)

language
- verbal words: hi, mama, dada, grandma, laura, I got it
- sign language words: hi, bye, more, eat, milk, please, dog, all done, open, book, bird, where is it
- imitates words and sign words
- babbles expressively with inflection
- pays attention to others talking
- looks for people or dogs when asked
- responds to directions such as "give it to mom to open, put it on the table, no mouth, go get a book, wave hi, blow kiss, hi-five, clap hands, pat the dog, be gentle" and mostly without gestures
- is not shaking her head "yes" or "no"

If you made it this far, that's great! Now, for what you are waiting for....

Happy First Birthday Heidi

We love you greatly. You are a blessing from God, and it is miraculous watching you develop each and every day. I am so thankful to spend my days playing, teaching, and learning from you.


And a few more pictures, because Heidi is cute.

Heidi loves balloons

signing "open"

signing "where is it?"

Heidi

Funny Story

Heidi has become very intrigued in her surroundings, and is exploring boundaries. A current interest is the dogs food and water bowl. I've told her "no" before, using a stern voice, while showing her the sign for "no" but she continues to gravitate toward the bowl when she is on the floor. She has even moved obstacles aside in order to reach the bowl.

The other day, I decided enough was enough. It was time to put all my work skills to work. I let her crawl over to the bowl, and as she went to touch it, I told her "no" and pulled her a few feet away. She crawled forward to try and touch it again, and I repeated "no" and pulled her away. We repeated this over, and over, and over.... 21 times to be exact. On the 22nd time, instead of crawling over to the bowl, she crawled over to me and started to cry. She formed some new neuron connections, and started to learn!

I didn't think she would fully understand and remember after just this experience, so the following day we repeated the activity. This time, it only took her 15 tries before becoming distracted with another toy.

Fast forward to today, and as she started to crawl over to the bowl, I told her "no" and she turned, looked at me, and stopped moving. She thought for a minute, and then crawled past in order to reach a dog toy. Not that I want her putting the dog toys in her mouth, but that is better than the dog food!

Success!

and now for many more teachable moments.

And a totally unrelated picture... a walk in a park the other day resulted in this picture. It's a Texas sized leaf, transplanted to NY!!! Picture taken by Grandma, with her new camera

Heidi

Insurance update on Heidi's helmet.

We absolutely appreciate all the support that has been given to us. I now know why people keep blogs in trying times. It's easier than having the same conversation over and over, but we are still able to keep people updated. And to top everything off, I became sick, as in throwing up and fever. Medicine is keeping the fever down, but I still feel crappy. Heidi has received extra naps these last two days, as that is all I want to do.

An insurance update: Before we even went to the appt, I talked with Heidi's insurance at length, and was told that there were no exclusions to prevent them from covering a helmet. Well, fast forward, to Cranial Technologies telling me that insurance is saying "no" to her helmet because her plagiocephaly is not severe enough! Even with this, I still need to write a letter to insurance describing how I have already tried re-positioning techniques. Grrr... and it probably won't make a difference. A slight positive is that Cranial Technologies will "only" charge us the price that they would charge insurance, $2,400. Not great news, but do we really want Heidi's ears to be off center, to cause possible ear issues in the future, and for her eyes to be unbalanced? Easy answer, no. Anyone have money laying around...???

I think my sister sums it up the best.
        "Well good thing you have 
        A. Savings and 
        B. Parents 
               haha" 

I am thankful that I caught this before it became more pronounced.

I am thankful that I have had experience stretching other babies' necks. It is heart wrenching to watch her cry. She is not in pain, but is uncomfortable and is sure to let us know. And we have to do the stretches at least 5 times a day. After diaper changes is easier to remember.

I am thankful that I saw pictures on the internet of a baby wearing the stocking over their head, otherwise that would have freaked me out a little. We saw the pictures, and with her hair and ears covered, it doesn't even look like her!

I am thankful that her pediatrician took me seriously, and made the appropriate referral.

I am thankful that there are locations up north, with this same company.

If only I had energy to start packing up the apartment, but that will wait.

If only I felt like eating, anything. Apple juice it is!

pictures from our day

Here are a few pictures from the last couple days.


Before moving, I wanted to document Heidi's first bedroom. Not too shabby, for an apartment. Numerous sentimental items spread throughout, from the rocking chair, to the quilt on the back of the futon, to the animals and books on the wall above the crib, to the crib skirt, to Heidi's letter name.

Heidi's Texas room

Notice how close both dogs are to me! They both follow me from room to room. This is a great activity for face-to-face time. Depending on where I place Heidi on my legs, will depend on how much head control she is required to do. If I take away my pillow, it turns into a stomach crunch workout for me. We sing a made-up Bouncing song, and Heidi smiles the entire time. As a side benefit, it helps relieve pressure on Heidi's stomach.

Kristin "flying" Heidi.

With work, I was always reluctant to have families use flashcards during therapy/play sessions. Most people hear flashcards, and picture a child sitting at a desk, running math facts. This is far from that! With the kids under age three, flashcards can be useful, as there is only one picture in front of the child at a time. This way, you can ensure the picture that the child is looking at, is the same picture that you are talking about. Heidi will do this activity for about 10 minutes, at a picture a minute. We are using these flashcards. As she grows, I like the fact that there are textured parts on the picture for her to touch (using another sense besides vision). Also, they are pictures of actual objects, not cartoon drawings.

Kristin and Heidi looking at pictures

Heidi is enthralled and focused. Great fine motor activity by holding the card, as she tries to put it into her mouth. Receptive language activity as I am describing the picture as she looks at it. Expressive language activity as when she "talks" to the card, I respond back to her, thus reinforcing her attempts at sounds.

Heidi holding a picture

I just liked the storm clouds in this picture.

Fast moving storm.

Some naps, I just let Heidi fall asleep on the floor where she was playing. She has started this habit of rolling to her side to fall asleep. She happened to be holding a blanket before she fell asleep (I took it away after taking the picture, not comfortable with the suffocation risk yet). And yes, she is sucking her thumb. Most times, she refuses a pacifier! And yes, she is without clothes on. Most days, it is too hot, as in 80+ inside temperature, and that is with the AC running.

Heidi trying to sleep.

I feel like a productive wife this evening. Any bets on whether Kelby even notices this in the fridge? I made Red Beans and Rice, and it was delicious. I cut back slightly on the spicy flavor, hopefully Heidi doesn't revolt tomorrow. Lots of leftovers.

Kelby's lunch

Will I ever see play as play and not therapy?

My job (or I should say my previous job) was working with little children with delays and disabilities. I taught the parents how to help their child in all areas of development, with behavior, and feeding. We did lots of problem solving, and many techniques were through trial-and-error. I did develop a tool box of tricks, and proven techniques.

Now that I have a child of my own, not a moment goes by where I don't think about what developmental skills we could be working on. Or which moment or skill reminds me of a previous client. This sure puts my brain on overload. I have been improving my self-talk, that it is okay to sit back and enjoy this time with Heidi and she will learn skills on her own. I have no developmental concerns at this point, and if some arise, I am equipped to figure them out, know what resources are out there, which friends to call, and I can help treat her if needed.

I am making an effort to see play as play time. We still have times where we work on developmentally appropriate skills for a 3 month old, such as tummy time, listening to stories and looking at pictures, holding toys, listening to music, and talking to each other. But I am purposely not counting minutes or repetitions per day on certain activities. The TV is on in the background at times (shocking!).

But she does have a preference for only rolling over her left shoulder, so we practice the right side as well. :) I can't give up all my training. I do take notice when she learns a new skill, such as bringing her hands together in mid-line on her back. Or holding a small toy in each hand. Or imitating facial gestures. Or when she makes a new sound. It will always be like this. But I do resist from doing developmental tests on her.


Picture time.

While we were in Boston for my sister's wedding, we took Heidi on her first subway ride. How's that for giving her new experiences and stimulating her senses?!

Laura and Heidi, Boston subway

 First time Heidi reached up to hold onto a toy without it being placed in her hand. She was confused, as she couldn't figure out how to let go.

Heidi holding onto a toy

At Daddy's graduation ceremony. We never expected to have a young daughter in this picture, but it was a wonderful experience.

Kelby's graduation ceremony

8 minutes... really?

I was at Firestone early this morning, and by early I mean 7:30am, as this was while Heidi was sleeping, and they are not backed up at this time of day. While there, I amused myself with the recent issue of Family Fun magazine. An article shocked me, and here is one quote "Kids average fewer than 8 minutes of unstructured outdoor play a day." I had to go back and read it a second time, out of disbelief. Yes, I know many kids spend too much time with electronics, but really, only 8 minutes? Crazy!!! Currently living in Texas, and working with families, I noticed how parents tend to have kids play outside only in perfect weather. The summers are too hot, and the winters are "too cold/windy." By taking away "imperfect" weather conditions, parents limited outside time. It's unfortunate, and sad. Kids learn so much through independent play, and how to self-entertain.

Outside time is something I will make a priority in my parenting of Heidi. Already, I take Heidi outside. Some days, it is to the dog park, or on a walk with the stroller. Other mornings (before 10am, and in the shade) I take a blanket and spread it on the grass, and Heidi looks around, with the dogs nearby.

Here's a picture of Heidi in my parent's backyard. Look how green and beautiful it is! And notice that Heidi is enjoying this "unstructured" time.

Heidi - 2 months