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Hi my name is Kim and I am a recovering bigot and ignorant sole…once was the day I agreed abortion was a woman choice…sole choice…once was ...

Friday, November 4, 2011

Speak

Fine lines…teeter tottering…balancing…that is what I do when I am very apprehensive of questions and interactions in regards to Maddie’s development…tumbling is wonderful…Maddie is a joy to watch…she is growing so much from this experience…but I cringe every time the teacher asks her a question…not that I do not think she knows the answer…she clearly does…but she does not have the spoken words…not even close to a spoken word for her colors…the teacher will ask what color of puppy she wants to hold…Maddie just looks at her…the 1 year olds tellS the teacher in broken language but you hear the nuance to the word and get the color out of it…and it seems to be repetitive questions about colors…I get what she is trying to do…and I would not want to exclude Maddie from this…but it is just a obvious hurt to my selfish mojo…she also said that she was changing up the songs soon…Maddie has not even gotten the hang of the all moves for the beginner songs…I just wish we could stay on them till Maddie gets up and participates in the whole song with all the slick dance moves…she practices the moves all week…and just this week she did almost the whole teddy bear song with ALL the moves…and jumping…this is the next thing we will be doing in class…that is Maddie’s year goal…not 6 month goal…I know it is extra practice, therapy and she will surprise us all…she is trying so hard to jump…but I know the way milestones work…lots and lots of practice and then maybe it will happen…just because she is close does not mean the actual jump will be anytime soon…I forget that Maddie is considered delayed…I forget that she is not developmentally where a “normal” 2 ½ year old is…so when it is there staring at me it is hard not to get uncomfortable…I am not sad…I am not frustrated…I am just trying to be peaceful and mindful about it…I am trying to compare Maddie to yesterday not today…tumbling by far has been the best thing we could have done for Maddie…she loves it…I love it and it is something only we share…so I will figure out how to get over it…and just go with the flow…but sometimes this is easier said then done…

9 comments:

  1. I sometimes forget Sutter is behind a typical 21mo old too....and then I see an 18 mo run circles around him! I'm having a hard time with the lack of words at this point. I knew he wouldn't be talking sentences or singing his "abc's" but I was hoping for at least a few words by now. So frustrating for both us and them! For now just keep on tumbling and having fun with your girl!

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  2. I'd LOVE to see her do the Teddy Bear song! Do you have video? This class sound like such a GREAT experience for Maddie - things will fall into place, just at a different pace, and it certainly won't lessen what Maddie is getting out of it. :-)

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  3. Yes, speech is a tough one. There is no doubt about that. Even at four, when Kristen is asked a question, I think "if you could only answer like all the other kids." But, the light at the end of the tunnel is that when the words come, and they will, you will cherish every single one. Even though Kristen does not talk like her peers, she talks like she is supposed to. Just as it took you time to except the physical delays, enjoy them when they come and wait for me, the same will happen for speech. Are you using sign at all? This is where it helped us...I would offer Kristen a choice, and she could sign. I could help others understand her too. Then, when the words came and I could not understand them well, I knew what she wanted. It helped showed others "there is something there" because I think that is one of the things that bothered me most. The lack of response and the look from the person like, "yeah, nothing there, huh?" Maybe my sensitivity too. All that to say, it is tough. But, as with everything with our kids, patience and that little face of love looking at us makes it all perfect at the end of the day. Sorry so long...:)

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  4. Okay, major typos above and not making sense in one sentence. That is what happens when I try to rush and put a comment up before I proofread. What I meant to say is that just as it took time to accept (not except) the fact that there were physical delays you have to do the same for speech...and then when she sat, pulled to stand, walked, it was pure joy and celebration. The same for speech. As her peers began to talk more, it brings the delay forward. I hope I am making sense because I think I am not. I am just going to stop! Just enjoy every minute of that tumbling class! :)

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  5. I know I often forget Russell is behind the "typical" two year old until we are around one, and then it does hurt a little. So I get what you are feeling. And I agree, "go with the flow" IS easier said than done! But Madds is doing awesome and she will get there!

    And I just want you to know I love that you always blog about what you are really feeling. Your blog has always been one I have found comfort in.

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  6. if Mads is copying the Teddy song actions maybe she might sign a song with colors in it like "I can see a rainbow"? Our music teacher holds up 2 balls of dif colors to Owen and asks which ball do you want and this past week he actually signed red and took the red ball from her! It was an awesome moment. I so want to see Mads do the Teddy song too.

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  7. Repetition is key with our kids. We do a song in speech every time, for a year now. Lucas is just now starting to do all the moves. It's frustrating but little progress is still progress. And as far as jumping is concerned I know that will take a while. Lucas looks like he's doing a "hoe down" when he jumps, lol.

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  8. Thanks for all your comments on my blog. The speech thing will happen...I promise. She will say mama, and when she does, I want to have a drink with you...okay? I will buy :)

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  9. I can't wait until Claire can do a tumbling class. I'm sure Maddie is having so much fun. I often forget Claire is behind her typical peers, which is funny because it's so obvious when I drop her off at daycare everyday.

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