SO BEHIND!!!!!

Dude...Delilah will be three in a little over a month. You know how I always create a scrapbook for her, and have it printed in time for her birthday. Well...guess who dropped the ball?!?! This girl! In the past 11 months, I have completed 3 layouts. That's right. ONLY 3!!! AHHH!!!!! (Please excuse the excessive punctuation.) Tonight I finally got the motivation to get to work. Nothing like a tight deadline to get the creative juices flowing! Anyhow, here is the layout I completed tonight:  

11 months after the fact, I finally created her birthday layout. Pathetic! 

4 down. Only 24+ to go! Hopefully I can finish in time. Wish me luck!

Sassy Sitting

This week, Delilah and I took care of Addie's dog, Sassy. Basically, we went over to let her out, love on her, and give her treats. Well, at least, that is what I did. Delilah took it upon herself to keep Addie's playhouse and trampoline in tip top shape. She couldn't decided what she wanted to play with most, so she kept going back and forth between the two. Sassy and I just sat back and watched the action. 

Cutest playhouse ever!!!

Being silly!

This girl is always on the phone!!!

Obviously she is in love with both. They are both conveniently available for purchase at Sam's. Thinking one or both may have to be her birthday present this year.


Don't forget, May is Prader-Willi Syndrome Awareness Month. Help us make a cure a reality by donating to my Virtual One SMALL Step Walk today!

Click on the picture or this link to be taken to our donation page:

http://onesmallstep.fpwr.org/dw/users/unfriedoss/2012-virtual-walk

PWS Awareness Month

It is May 1st, which means the start of Prader-Willi Awareness month. I wanted to do something special to help bring awareness to PWS, and possibly some much needed Research funds. I had originally intended to plan another One SMALL Step walk. Unfortunately, with John's TDY and other circumstances, it just wasn't in the cards. Luckily, I have the option to host Virtually. That's right, folks. From the comfort of your own home, you can participate in a One SMALL Step walk. Can it get any better than that? 

So my challenge to you, during the month of May, help me spread the word about PWS. Let people know about our Virtual Walk. Facebook, Twitter, email, and Blog about it. If you have the means, please donate, even if it is only $1 or $5.  Every dollar counts! 

Click on the image to go to our fundraiser page or on the link: http://onesmallstep.fpwr.org/dw/users/unfriedoss/2012-virtual-walk

Backyard

Today was spent out in the backyard. I desperately needed to clean the sunroom, so I pulled out all the furniture, set Delilah up at her sand table, and I got to scrubbing. Just so you know, I HATE spiders. (shivers) Even with all the little creepy crawlies, I'm glad I got it accomplished. D and I need a lot more fresh air in our lives. I'm getting a bit of cabin fever in my house. 

I am hoping to do a little yard work this week, as well. The back yard it in rough shape, and not really child friendly. Luckily I have someone coming to mow every 2 weeks, but I still need to do something about all the weeds and such. The biggest issue I have is with the little ball things (sweet gum?) that cover the ground. Makes it tough to walk around out there. But I refuse to let them stop us from enjoying our yard. Besides, I figure they will help D with her balance. 

My main motivation for cleaning up the backyard is for D. I really want to get her some fun outside equipment. Things to keep her moving. I have my eye on a Tiny Tots Trampoline and a dreamy Swing Set. The trampoline is most likely joining our family soon. The swing set will take some planning. You see, it's one of those massive, wood ones, that takes A LOT of time to put together. Oh, and bodies. Not a project I could accomplish alone. So I have to think on it and plan. It would make a hell heck of a birthday present for one amazing little girl.  

Seeing how no post is complete without pictures, here are a few I managed to catch while playing out back today. Enjoy!

A Reflection

Wow! It's been so long since I've posted to the blog. What can I say? Life just gets in the way. Unfortunately it is about to get even more in the way. I start summer classes at the end of May. Yay! But I will be busy. I will try to keep the blog updated as much as possible. It may be just pics. Something is better than nothing, right? Speaking of, here is a pic I took about an hour ago. I was just practicing with my camera (working on focus) and I happened to get a very lovely shot of D in front of the window. Notice the reflection. I'm a bit proud that I managed to capture it. 

I really should talk some about how things have been around here, but that could take FOREVER! SO here's the short and sweet version. D is great. She is very strong willed, so I am working on managing some behavior issues. It was a bit rough for about 2 weeks, but I think we have found solid ground again. After struggling through several different discipline techniques (which she pretty much just laughed at), we found that a reward system, of stickers, works best. Now we don't go anywhere without a pack of stickers.

Well, that's all for today. No promises on when the next post will be. Hopefully sooner than later.

Happy Valentines Day!

 

 

Moving on Up

So some news on our little rockstar. She is moving to a new class at The Bell Center, called Explore Everyday. Here is the description off their website:

Explore Everyday

Toddlers in Explore Every Day participate in center-based activities that are designed to promote independence in a structured therapeutic environment. A team of therapists lead children, and their typically developing “friends” through preschool routines and activities. Activities are modified accordingly to provide opportunities for children to work on individual therapeutic goals while becoming more independent in a preschool environment.

One of the main differences between Explore Everyday and her current, All About Me, class, is she will no longer have a one-on-one volunteer helping her. As it states above, this new class is geared towards preparing the children for preschool. She will also only be attending this class 2 days a week, instead of the 4 days a week for All About Me. (Definitely gonna help the gas budget.)

I am both excited and a little sad about this change. I'm obviously excited because it shows how much progress Delilah has made since she first started The Bell Center, last February (if I remember correctly). She just isn't a baby anymore, she is a little girl. (Small tear.) This is also a great opportunity for her to build her speech skills. She will now be surrounded by peers who will have similar communication skills and who will help her build hers. We will miss her friends and fellow mom's in her current class. Luckily, we will still see a few during Kindermusik, and hopefully we will see the others in passing.

The only downside to the new class...the time. 8:15 a.m. Birmingham Drivers: Keep a watchful eye out for the Zombie Mom while commuting on Wed and Fri mornings. With John's current work schedule of swing shift, sleep deprivation may roar its ugly head.

This month also begins the process of transitioning out of Early Intervention programs and into the school system (should she qualify). We have our first Transition Planning Meeting on the 13th. Basically, we go sign a bunch of paperwork and set up appointments for her evaluations with therapists. The real fun doesn't start until the evaluations are completed and we sit down to discuss the results. Don't worry...I plan to keep you all up to date as it happens.

One last thing...I shared this video on Facebook, but though all you non-facebookers might enjoy it as well. My favorite part is when she sings "hey, hey, hey". So stinkin adorable! Enjoy!