Big sigh! I am feeling every bit of my 47 years today. My joints ache, everything is sagging, and if it weren't for coffee, I'd have no incentive to get up in the morning. Suzanne did something yesterday that I still can hardly believe and yet... I take yesterday's event as conclusive proof that God does exist and that He sends angels to keep track of children with an extraordinary ability to get into hair-raising situations.
I think we've established the fact that Suzanne is a climber. If not, let me say emphatically that Suzanne can climb anything she sets her mind to. We shut a lot of doors around here just to keep her out of and off of things. Suzanne has also embraced the door shutting. She hasn't mastered opening yet, but it is just a matter of time and about 1 more inch in height.
My lovely niece, Hilary, stays with us a couple nights a week and yesterday morning she was hustling around getting ready for work. While she understands Suzanne's capabilities, in the rush of getting to work on time she usually manages to forget something and this week it was the closing of the upstairs doors. The guest bathroom is not a place that Suzanne gets to go that often, especially now that she has forsaken her potty chair (momentarily I hope). That was the door that my darling Hil left open. After she left, Suzanne took it upon herself to go upstairs and check, and sure enough--the forbidden bathroom was wide open. Her bedroom door was also open, so she obligingly closed it and then marched down the hall to the bathroom.
I was in the bedroom folding the never-ending mass of laundry and heard doors closing, which didn't alarm me. In fact, I looked out in the hall, saw Suzanne's door was closed and assumed she was on the inside playing--this happens all the time. It wasn't until I heard the water and the yelling that I realized she was in the bathroom.
Let me cast the vision for you...the guest bathroom has no window. Suzanne shuts the door and is enveloped in total darkness, except for the crack at the bottom of the door. Then, she climbs up on the toilet (Kirk is a fanatic about keeping the lid down). Then, in darkness, she climbs up on the counter and then into the sink where she gets stuck in the basin like an upside down turtle. Then she turns on the water, gets all wet, and turns it off again. This is when I find her babbling merrily away.
She could have fallen off the counter, she could have turned on the hot water, it could have turned out very badly. As I said earlier, there are angels who watch over children, and Suzanne's angel gets quite a workout.
I realize that most folks (including my family) who spend actual time with me think I'm somewhat of a shrill alarmist when it comes to Suzanne. Well, I'm not an alarmist and if people would take me seriously, I wouldn't have to be so shrill. This is what happens when you spend your entire life making people laugh--no one takes you seriously.
I'm not asking for much. Just shut a few doors, keep your purses out of reach, and be aware that it only takes a second for Suzanne to think up something new. You don't have to take me seriously (I'm only the mother, right?) but DO NOT underestimate Suzanne.
Thursday, May 24, 2007
Monday, May 21, 2007
Suzanna and the 'Ventures
My kids lead an interesting life. It's not so much that we lavish spendy toys on them or take them on luxurious vacations, we just DO stuff with them. When Kirk was little he called his weekend outings with daddy his "'ventures." For those of you who don't recognize Kirk's tendency to chop off the first syllable of words, this means adventures. He had such a cute way of speaking when he was 3, either dropping or adding first syllables... (re)mote, (con)troller, rememberies (memories), (Ken)Tucky Fried Chicken. Now he's quite sanctimonious about pronouncing words correctly. I miss the syllable dropping...
Kirk's weekend 'ventures started at 9 a.m. Saturday with a 1.5K run for the Washougal Schools Foundation. Then he had little league at 1 p.m. followed by a camping trip to The Dalles after that. While at The Dalles they went to a train slide show (which I won't bother to explain for those of you who aren't into trains), he saw his friends the Pohlls and the Shaws, slept in the back of the pickup, had breakfast at his train Grandma's and then came home.
Suzanne and I had a girls weekend. Went went to the run with Kirk and cheered him on as he crossed the finish line. Then she helped me pull some weeds in the garden. We didn't go to the game because she was cranky and it was in the middle of nap time. After a long nap I painted her toenails bright orange (no pale pink for my Suzanne!) and then we played until it was time to go to dinner with my Aunt Connie. Aunt Connie recently returned from a 2 week trip to the South of France and she had lots of pictures and vivid descriptions of everything she did. Aunt Connie has never been out to dinner with Suzanne, so she was pleasantly surprised at how well she behaved.
The interesting part of dinner was the booster seat. Suzanne usually gets to sit in a high chair because high chairs have seat belts. Seat belts which confine children to a particular spot and which keep them from sliding under the table and escaping. Booster seats rarely have seat belts. Suzanne did really well until she was finished with her dinner and started looking for a new 'venture. Only then did she realize that she was free to slide under the table and head out on her own. She was so silent about it that if she hadn't touched my pant leg, I might not have noticed until she was helping the hostess seat the guests! Now, neither my aunt nor my niece, who were sitting facing her, saw a thing. Suzanne is shaping up to be a really good escape artist.
There is a reason that I put Suzanne in a cart whenever I'm at a store. If no carts are available, she goes in her stroller. Greg thought he could take her through the grocery store on foot a couple of weeks back. Ha Ha Ha...nice try, honey! She protested every inch of the way and pitched a little fit when his hands were full of stuff, then sat down and refused to move. She wanted to go where she wanted to go and at least if she's in a cart, you can roll her in spite of the protesting.
After dinner we ended up at Fred Meyer (a one stop shopping center, for those of you who don't live on the west coast). You see some interesting people at 9 p.m. on a Saturday--not the creepy types, they hang out at Walmart. You can tell who has a date and are getting provisions vs. those who do not have a date and are just buying comfort food to take home. And then there are the people watchers like Suzanne and me. She had a pretty good time until exactly 9:27, then it was time to go home. I could tell because she kept making the sign for "go" and yelling it at the top of her lungs. She did her pageant wave past the line of checkers (who all waved back) and we sailed out the door, drove home, and she went to bed. A fine evening it was!
So you see, you can have adventures wherever you go if you're with the right person. Suzanne is the girl to have adventures with!
Kirk's weekend 'ventures started at 9 a.m. Saturday with a 1.5K run for the Washougal Schools Foundation. Then he had little league at 1 p.m. followed by a camping trip to The Dalles after that. While at The Dalles they went to a train slide show (which I won't bother to explain for those of you who aren't into trains), he saw his friends the Pohlls and the Shaws, slept in the back of the pickup, had breakfast at his train Grandma's and then came home.
Suzanne and I had a girls weekend. Went went to the run with Kirk and cheered him on as he crossed the finish line. Then she helped me pull some weeds in the garden. We didn't go to the game because she was cranky and it was in the middle of nap time. After a long nap I painted her toenails bright orange (no pale pink for my Suzanne!) and then we played until it was time to go to dinner with my Aunt Connie. Aunt Connie recently returned from a 2 week trip to the South of France and she had lots of pictures and vivid descriptions of everything she did. Aunt Connie has never been out to dinner with Suzanne, so she was pleasantly surprised at how well she behaved.
The interesting part of dinner was the booster seat. Suzanne usually gets to sit in a high chair because high chairs have seat belts. Seat belts which confine children to a particular spot and which keep them from sliding under the table and escaping. Booster seats rarely have seat belts. Suzanne did really well until she was finished with her dinner and started looking for a new 'venture. Only then did she realize that she was free to slide under the table and head out on her own. She was so silent about it that if she hadn't touched my pant leg, I might not have noticed until she was helping the hostess seat the guests! Now, neither my aunt nor my niece, who were sitting facing her, saw a thing. Suzanne is shaping up to be a really good escape artist.
There is a reason that I put Suzanne in a cart whenever I'm at a store. If no carts are available, she goes in her stroller. Greg thought he could take her through the grocery store on foot a couple of weeks back. Ha Ha Ha...nice try, honey! She protested every inch of the way and pitched a little fit when his hands were full of stuff, then sat down and refused to move. She wanted to go where she wanted to go and at least if she's in a cart, you can roll her in spite of the protesting.
After dinner we ended up at Fred Meyer (a one stop shopping center, for those of you who don't live on the west coast). You see some interesting people at 9 p.m. on a Saturday--not the creepy types, they hang out at Walmart. You can tell who has a date and are getting provisions vs. those who do not have a date and are just buying comfort food to take home. And then there are the people watchers like Suzanne and me. She had a pretty good time until exactly 9:27, then it was time to go home. I could tell because she kept making the sign for "go" and yelling it at the top of her lungs. She did her pageant wave past the line of checkers (who all waved back) and we sailed out the door, drove home, and she went to bed. A fine evening it was!
So you see, you can have adventures wherever you go if you're with the right person. Suzanne is the girl to have adventures with!
Friday, May 18, 2007
It's not how you start, it's how you finish!
"Song Titles for $100, Alex!" For those of you who have never been to a big Mary Kay event, you might not have heard this song. Too bad for you, since it has a nice beat and you can dance to it! And while the message is a bit schmaltzy, it is very true--it's not how you start, it's how you finish.
Suzanne is a prime example. She had a rather humble beginning at only 6 lbs. 11 0z. To give you a little perspective, she's wearing a 0 to 3 month dress and she is just swimming in it. In fact, the bloomers wouldn't even stay on her little fanny because she was so scrawny. We probably should have gotten a few preemie outfits just so we didn't lose her in her clothes!
But I'm not really thinking that much about Suzanne today. She's booing and hooing in her bedroom right now because her mean mommy thinks she needs an early nap. Too bad Sister! You're just going to have to trust that I know what's best for you...
No, I'm really thinking about someone else who is equally special to me. Today I'm thinking a lot about my dad. My dad and I have always had a special relationship--I was the one who would go fishing with him, but I wouldn't touch the worms or the fish. I'd go to the dump with him, but he wouldn't let me heave the trash over the side. And I was the only one who had the patience to help him hitch up the trailer that I talked him into buying. I was 8 at the time.He has a very special anniversary this month, which epitomizes my phrase of the day, "it's not how you start, it's how you finish." You see, my dad made a decision 20 years ago that not only changed his life, it changed all of ours too. Because of his decision to change his life, my kids have the best grandfather that I could ever ask for. My parents celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary last November, but I think this ranks right up there as equally momentous.
Greg, the kids and I are going on vacation with my parents in June. In fact, we do this every couple of years because we like being together. 20 years ago this never would have happened, but now my son gets to look forward to taking his grandpa on the bumper cars in Seaside. The big joke is that my family likes to travel in packs. We've been on 2 cruises with them (3 for Susan and Jim) and another fun trip to the beach (6 days, 7 adults, 2 kids, 1 dog, 1 house, no fatalities). We enjoy each other's company--imagine that.
So Dad, know that you are loved and appreciated. And please forgive me for putting the idea in Kirk's head about the bumper cars...
Greg, the kids and I are going on vacation with my parents in June. In fact, we do this every couple of years because we like being together. 20 years ago this never would have happened, but now my son gets to look forward to taking his grandpa on the bumper cars in Seaside. The big joke is that my family likes to travel in packs. We've been on 2 cruises with them (3 for Susan and Jim) and another fun trip to the beach (6 days, 7 adults, 2 kids, 1 dog, 1 house, no fatalities). We enjoy each other's company--imagine that.
So Dad, know that you are loved and appreciated. And please forgive me for putting the idea in Kirk's head about the bumper cars...
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
Dancing Queen Bee
Suzanne has definite likes and dislikes with regard to televised entertainment. She...
Likes real people
Dislikes cartoons
Likes shows with color and action
Dislikes slowness
Likes Elmo
Dislikes Cookie Monster (how do you not like Cookie Monster?)
Likes any show that requires clapping and cheering
LOVES Dancing With the Stars!
I think this falls under the category of color and action. She also really likes hockey. I don't even want to think about that...
Last night we were watching DWTS and Suzanne was doing her best impression of Arthur Murray. When she sees the dancers she actually tries to imitate them. I'm certain that dance will be a huge part of Suzanne's life if we find the right class and instructor who understands the mechanics of a child with Down Syndrome. Just because she can do the splits both ways doesn't mean that it is necessarily a good thing. The object is to build strength in all of her muscle groups, which Ryan (our beloved physical therapist) has been working on for nearly 2 years now. She can do some amazing things and she's learning more all the time.
In fact, I caught her walking up and down the bleachers during Kirk's baseball game last night. Two weeks ago she was too scared of falling underneath to even try it and now she would scramble right up to the top if I'd let her. She does have a problem with the visual aspect of going down things, but when she gets the hang of it, watch out!
And so I think of things like tutus and tights and all the fun things that girls should get to do when they're little. Even I got to be a ballerina once and it is something I've always remembered fondly. I'm not sure my mother remembers it that fondly--from what I understand those costumes were a real pain to make!
Suzanne is going to have a lot of things happen in her life in the next few months, what with preschool and anything else I can find to shave the tomboy edges off of her. Perhaps I'll get to be a baseball/dance mom--I can but dream!
Jennie
PS - the weather is getting nice so get outside and plant some flowers--it is very therapeutic. Except you folks in Klamath Falls--you should wait a couple more weeks. Do what I'm constantly telling Suzanne...wait, wait!!
Likes real people
Dislikes cartoons
Likes shows with color and action
Dislikes slowness
Likes Elmo
Dislikes Cookie Monster (how do you not like Cookie Monster?)
Likes any show that requires clapping and cheering
LOVES Dancing With the Stars!I think this falls under the category of color and action. She also really likes hockey. I don't even want to think about that...
Last night we were watching DWTS and Suzanne was doing her best impression of Arthur Murray. When she sees the dancers she actually tries to imitate them. I'm certain that dance will be a huge part of Suzanne's life if we find the right class and instructor who understands the mechanics of a child with Down Syndrome. Just because she can do the splits both ways doesn't mean that it is necessarily a good thing. The object is to build strength in all of her muscle groups, which Ryan (our beloved physical therapist) has been working on for nearly 2 years now. She can do some amazing things and she's learning more all the time.
In fact, I caught her walking up and down the bleachers during Kirk's baseball game last night. Two weeks ago she was too scared of falling underneath to even try it and now she would scramble right up to the top if I'd let her. She does have a problem with the visual aspect of going down things, but when she gets the hang of it, watch out!
And so I think of things like tutus and tights and all the fun things that girls should get to do when they're little. Even I got to be a ballerina once and it is something I've always remembered fondly. I'm not sure my mother remembers it that fondly--from what I understand those costumes were a real pain to make!Suzanne is going to have a lot of things happen in her life in the next few months, what with preschool and anything else I can find to shave the tomboy edges off of her. Perhaps I'll get to be a baseball/dance mom--I can but dream!
Jennie
PS - the weather is getting nice so get outside and plant some flowers--it is very therapeutic. Except you folks in Klamath Falls--you should wait a couple more weeks. Do what I'm constantly telling Suzanne...wait, wait!!
Friday, May 11, 2007
The Children We Deserve
Not long after Suzanne was born we got a call from someone who told us that God had given us what we deserved. This remark was intended to hurt us, but since it came from a very sick person, we considered the source and blew it off. Her loss, because Suzanne is a little ray of sunshine to everyone she meets. We will never allow her to be a part of Suzanne's life because Suzanne deserves to receive as much love as she gives.
I have pondered this remark from time to time, though, and while this person meant it in a cruel way, there is a lot of truth to it. In many ways I think we get kids who are way too good for us and our challenge is to raise them without botching it up too much. Take Kirk for example--he has a natural honesty and frankness about him that is both shocking and endearing. Like the time he and Greg went to Bi-Mart to buy another plunger. (We had 3 toilets and only 2 plungers and I firmly believe that each toilet deserves its own plunger.) Anyway, as they were checking out, Kirk strikes up a conversation with the cashier and calmly informs her that they were buying the plunger "because Daddy overloads the toilet." Poor Greg--I'm not sure he's ever been back to Bi-Mart since then! The question is, how do we teach Kirk tact and discretion without squelching the very thing that makes him so interesting?
And then there's Suzanne. This has been a week of huge learning, but at the same time we are trying to teach her boundaries. The two don't go together as far as Suzanne is concerned. I was mulling this over awhile back when we met another couple with 2 children. The mother is a lovely young woman who takes issue with germs--she would never allow the 5 second rule. Most of us get over the cleanliness issue with the second child, but I doubt that she ever will. Hey, she has the kind of nice clean home that I can only dream about so more power to her.
But I was thinking about how it would be if Suzanne were her daughter. I don't think she would fare very well with Suzanne because Suzanne insists upon controlling her own environment. I have given up on controlling Suzanne's environment, it's just not feasible. About the second time she found poop nuggets all over the bedroom floor we'd probably have to ship her off to the spa for some aromatherapy and a relaxing facial.
So I guess in some ways we do get the children we deserve. I may not like Suzanne's learning process or the control she has over my life, but I can live with it (grumbling all the way...).
And speaking of the spa, should anyone in my viewing audience wish to take pity on me, please nominate me for a makeover at http://1041thefish.com/makeovermonday.aspx . I could nominate myself, but that seems a bit pathetic. Alright, begging for nominations on a blog is equally pathetic but I have no dignity left.
(sigh....) Let's go see what Suzanne has in store for me today!
I have pondered this remark from time to time, though, and while this person meant it in a cruel way, there is a lot of truth to it. In many ways I think we get kids who are way too good for us and our challenge is to raise them without botching it up too much. Take Kirk for example--he has a natural honesty and frankness about him that is both shocking and endearing. Like the time he and Greg went to Bi-Mart to buy another plunger. (We had 3 toilets and only 2 plungers and I firmly believe that each toilet deserves its own plunger.) Anyway, as they were checking out, Kirk strikes up a conversation with the cashier and calmly informs her that they were buying the plunger "because Daddy overloads the toilet." Poor Greg--I'm not sure he's ever been back to Bi-Mart since then! The question is, how do we teach Kirk tact and discretion without squelching the very thing that makes him so interesting?
And then there's Suzanne. This has been a week of huge learning, but at the same time we are trying to teach her boundaries. The two don't go together as far as Suzanne is concerned. I was mulling this over awhile back when we met another couple with 2 children. The mother is a lovely young woman who takes issue with germs--she would never allow the 5 second rule. Most of us get over the cleanliness issue with the second child, but I doubt that she ever will. Hey, she has the kind of nice clean home that I can only dream about so more power to her.
But I was thinking about how it would be if Suzanne were her daughter. I don't think she would fare very well with Suzanne because Suzanne insists upon controlling her own environment. I have given up on controlling Suzanne's environment, it's just not feasible. About the second time she found poop nuggets all over the bedroom floor we'd probably have to ship her off to the spa for some aromatherapy and a relaxing facial.
So I guess in some ways we do get the children we deserve. I may not like Suzanne's learning process or the control she has over my life, but I can live with it (grumbling all the way...).
And speaking of the spa, should anyone in my viewing audience wish to take pity on me, please nominate me for a makeover at http://1041thefish.com/makeovermonday.aspx . I could nominate myself, but that seems a bit pathetic. Alright, begging for nominations on a blog is equally pathetic but I have no dignity left.
(sigh....) Let's go see what Suzanne has in store for me today!
Monday, May 7, 2007
Patience, jackass, patience...
I am a lousy joke teller. Don't get me wrong--I think I'm quite humorous and witty when it comes to off the cuff remarks and the occasional practical joke. But to sit and tell jokes? Not my forte. I can never seem to remember the joke right or I get the punchline backwards. In fact I can only remember about 3 jokes and one ends with the line, "Patience, jackass, patience.
I am telling myself this several times a day lately. Because life with Suzanne requires superhuman patience at times. Especially when it comes to the potty training. And as you know from a previous post, I am up to my eyeballs in poop.
As I was shampooing the carpet in Suzanne's room today (2 potty accidents) I kept muttering, "patience, jackass, patience." Pretty funny if you know that there are two slang names for mule--one is jackass and the other is Jenny. Yup! In fact, my great grandma Jenny was appalled to find out that I would be named after her since she had gone through a lot of name calling when she was young. And I have been accused on more than one occasion of being as stubborn as a mule. I think my parents got it right when they named me...
So, I suppose I should just fall back on my inate stubborness, keep chanting, and hope that sooner or later she takes an interest in the potty chair as something other than a nice place to sit next to the tub. If I can ever figure out what her primary motivator is, I'll have it made!!!!
I am telling myself this several times a day lately. Because life with Suzanne requires superhuman patience at times. Especially when it comes to the potty training. And as you know from a previous post, I am up to my eyeballs in poop.
As I was shampooing the carpet in Suzanne's room today (2 potty accidents) I kept muttering, "patience, jackass, patience." Pretty funny if you know that there are two slang names for mule--one is jackass and the other is Jenny. Yup! In fact, my great grandma Jenny was appalled to find out that I would be named after her since she had gone through a lot of name calling when she was young. And I have been accused on more than one occasion of being as stubborn as a mule. I think my parents got it right when they named me...
So, I suppose I should just fall back on my inate stubborness, keep chanting, and hope that sooner or later she takes an interest in the potty chair as something other than a nice place to sit next to the tub. If I can ever figure out what her primary motivator is, I'll have it made!!!!
Friday, May 4, 2007
Pet Peeves
It's been a busy week. Suzanne's been on a tear and I've been waiting impatiently for my new computer to arrive. It came yesterday. Today Suzanne was her little poopy, obnoxious self, but it didn't get out of hand mainly because I was where I could keep my beady eyes on her and still get something done. In fact, I am typing this from the kitchen as she is wailing because the pizza isn't getting done fast enough. Nothing is ever fast enough for a 2 year old.
I've had some people ask me lately what I thought of the early intervention system. My first comment would be that it all depends. It depends on who you are talking to at the time. In general, the teachers that we have encountered are wonderful. Where the trouble begins is when you are talking to someone about your IFSP (more on acronyms later) and the person has never actually met your child. Yes, Oregon people, it happens this way in Washington. The nice woman assigned as our Family Services Coordinator had never actually met Suzanne until she was at the PRIDE center for something totally unrelated to Suzanne. I find it hard to believe that someone can coordinate services without even a brief introduction to the child in question. Now, I am an educated, sensible person but even I have had difficulty navigating the early intervention system. I can only imagine how hard it must be for someone else who doesn't have the support that I do.
1, Sometimes you just don't know what to ask for. As if it weren't tough enough being on the emotional rollercoaster that we all find ourselves on, you also need a degree in early childhood education to figure out what to ask for.
2. The Emotional Rollercoaster. Suzanne is almost 3 and still I'm on the emotional rollcoaster with her. On the one hand, Iwant people to know about Suzanne and all the wonderful things she can do. On the other hand, I want her to be treated like any other kid. I want her to be like any other kid. Now, I know that the various therapies are going to help us get to the point where she is just like everyone else, but I've also seen parents who resist therapies out of fear that it marks their child as "different." I guess I have it easier because my kid is different and there is no changing it--just look into her almond shaped eyes and there it is. The Emotional Rollercoaster is deadly--it can make you fear the very thing that will help your child the most.
3 The Acronyms. Please, if you are a teacher or therapist or Family Service Coordinator do not use an acronym for everything. I've just gotten the hang of the original bunch and now at age 3, we have another bunch to learn. Gads!!! I have enough to do without having to learn a new language every couple of years...
All in all, I'd have to say that I'm pleased with Suzanne's walk through the early intervention system. She has benefitted mightily. I, on the other hand, haven't enjoyed it quite so much. If I didn't have Ryan to pick on, I wouldn't be having any fun at all....
I've had some people ask me lately what I thought of the early intervention system. My first comment would be that it all depends. It depends on who you are talking to at the time. In general, the teachers that we have encountered are wonderful. Where the trouble begins is when you are talking to someone about your IFSP (more on acronyms later) and the person has never actually met your child. Yes, Oregon people, it happens this way in Washington. The nice woman assigned as our Family Services Coordinator had never actually met Suzanne until she was at the PRIDE center for something totally unrelated to Suzanne. I find it hard to believe that someone can coordinate services without even a brief introduction to the child in question. Now, I am an educated, sensible person but even I have had difficulty navigating the early intervention system. I can only imagine how hard it must be for someone else who doesn't have the support that I do.
1, Sometimes you just don't know what to ask for. As if it weren't tough enough being on the emotional rollercoaster that we all find ourselves on, you also need a degree in early childhood education to figure out what to ask for.
2. The Emotional Rollercoaster. Suzanne is almost 3 and still I'm on the emotional rollcoaster with her. On the one hand, Iwant people to know about Suzanne and all the wonderful things she can do. On the other hand, I want her to be treated like any other kid. I want her to be like any other kid. Now, I know that the various therapies are going to help us get to the point where she is just like everyone else, but I've also seen parents who resist therapies out of fear that it marks their child as "different." I guess I have it easier because my kid is different and there is no changing it--just look into her almond shaped eyes and there it is. The Emotional Rollercoaster is deadly--it can make you fear the very thing that will help your child the most.
3 The Acronyms. Please, if you are a teacher or therapist or Family Service Coordinator do not use an acronym for everything. I've just gotten the hang of the original bunch and now at age 3, we have another bunch to learn. Gads!!! I have enough to do without having to learn a new language every couple of years...
All in all, I'd have to say that I'm pleased with Suzanne's walk through the early intervention system. She has benefitted mightily. I, on the other hand, haven't enjoyed it quite so much. If I didn't have Ryan to pick on, I wouldn't be having any fun at all....
Tuesday, May 1, 2007
Delay is not Denial
What is a developmental delay anyway?
Women, in general, are very familiar with the concept of developmental delays because most men suffer from them at least part of the time. I call this occurrence a "Football Season Induced Delay." A perfectly normal 40 year old man will, at the beginning of ESPN College Game Day, become a Dorito gobbling, soda swilling, insult hurling ogre of a 13 year old. This condition worsens when actual tailgate barbecue smoke is inhaled.
(Of course, my Gregory doesn't fall into this category. He never loses his sense of dignity or decorum. Except during the January 1989 Superbowl (XXIII) when he broke the couch. We blame this on Joe Montana...)
My beloved Suzanne does not have this kind of delay. She may not have a lot of words yet, but she knows how to conduct herself at all the sporting events. She knows "Yay" and "Go" and "oooooh" when something bad happens. I do fear, however, that she is taking after her father and brother in her love of sports and that I should just chuck my dreams of ballet recitals. Unless someone comes up with full-contact ballet, that is.
I'm thinking a lot about the issue of developmental delays only because we got an assessment report yesterday that listed Suzanne at the level of a 2 year old. This isn't a bad thing, by the way, it's just a report. I happen to know that on the day they did the testing it was in the afternoon when she was tired and not particularly cooperative. If it had been done in the morning, the result would have been somewhat different.
At any rate, Suzanne is right where I thought she was developmentally. I like getting this kind of information, not because I'm pigeon-holing Suzanne in any way, but because I like to know what to shoot for. Right now, I'm shooting for college and the Miss America pageant. As long as she is always moving forward there is no reason not to set the bar high for her. She is beautiful, charming, poised, very motivated when it is something that interests her, and she handles a hockey stick like a pro. What more could you ask out of ANY two-year old?
Women, in general, are very familiar with the concept of developmental delays because most men suffer from them at least part of the time. I call this occurrence a "Football Season Induced Delay." A perfectly normal 40 year old man will, at the beginning of ESPN College Game Day, become a Dorito gobbling, soda swilling, insult hurling ogre of a 13 year old. This condition worsens when actual tailgate barbecue smoke is inhaled.
(Of course, my Gregory doesn't fall into this category. He never loses his sense of dignity or decorum. Except during the January 1989 Superbowl (XXIII) when he broke the couch. We blame this on Joe Montana...)
My beloved Suzanne does not have this kind of delay. She may not have a lot of words yet, but she knows how to conduct herself at all the sporting events. She knows "Yay" and "Go" and "oooooh" when something bad happens. I do fear, however, that she is taking after her father and brother in her love of sports and that I should just chuck my dreams of ballet recitals. Unless someone comes up with full-contact ballet, that is.
I'm thinking a lot about the issue of developmental delays only because we got an assessment report yesterday that listed Suzanne at the level of a 2 year old. This isn't a bad thing, by the way, it's just a report. I happen to know that on the day they did the testing it was in the afternoon when she was tired and not particularly cooperative. If it had been done in the morning, the result would have been somewhat different.
At any rate, Suzanne is right where I thought she was developmentally. I like getting this kind of information, not because I'm pigeon-holing Suzanne in any way, but because I like to know what to shoot for. Right now, I'm shooting for college and the Miss America pageant. As long as she is always moving forward there is no reason not to set the bar high for her. She is beautiful, charming, poised, very motivated when it is something that interests her, and she handles a hockey stick like a pro. What more could you ask out of ANY two-year old?
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