Will he ever?

Ralph is so sharp. I mean smart as a whip! He knows all the baby signs on the three Signing Time DVD's that we have borrowed. I got a smokin' hot deal on four new ST DVD's thanks to my friend Rita from Reece's Rainbow.

Wow! It is so fun to watch him experience something new. I can't capture it in a photo and that drives me nuts. He is actively listening and watching Rachel and imitating the signs. If you have never seen or heard of Signing Time you MUST check it out!

Funny...Ralph just crawled over to see me. When he noticed Rachel's picture here on the screen he started vocalizing "da! da!" which is really his only vocalization. *sigh* He also started signing "time." This is his way of asking to watch Signing Time! Cool, huh?

It's great that a non-verbal kiddo can communicate with others. It can be difficult sometimes, but I'm grateful that we are not ALWAYS dealing with screaming and grunting. The purposeful signing always amazes me and warms my heart.

But...will he ever speak? Will he ever say mama?

Next week is Ralph's sedated hearing test. Even a mild hearing loss can affect speech. I guess I'll know more soon.

Twins

Thomas and Jordan are great friends. They are just a bit less than two years apart. They even have identical shorts on!

I'm back! They're here!

I'm back. Summer vacation is...well...you'd think things would be running smoothly around here since I have so many helpers around. But things have not been running smoothly.

I'll be consulting my Manager's of their Homes book. More on that later.

At last! They are here! The SureSteps!!!

Pretty, expensive. Pretty expensive. LOL


Ralph's not too impressed. He enjoys putting them on and tries to do it himself. But...he doesn't want to walk in them much. Yet.

I'm reserving my judgement on these pricely little plastic doo-dads. I can certainly see an improvement in position. I see Ralph bending his knees more...sort of marching like a baby that is learning to walk.

Video soon.

Special Exposure Wednesday

Holding up the line at the pirate ship slide...that's my boy!!!

Summer food

I hate cooking in the summer time. Sandwiches get old FAST, but I don't like to heat up the house by using the oven. So...I'm always on the lookout for things that the kids will eat that are easy and COOL.

Here's one brand new favorite around here. I use a big can of fruit cocktail, a regular can of pineapple tidbits, little can of mandarin oranges, sliced banana, and a big box of instant vanilla pudding. Just dump it all together and mix...how easy!

If you are cheap like me or you just think it is too sweet you can add some plain cooked rice or pasta bits. I add quite a bit of cooked rice to make this last more than 10 minutes. I add some little marshmallows just for fun.

How about you? What are your favorite cool, kid-friendly summer dishes?

Imagine this scene.

My mom's group met at the zoo this morning. We drive to the zoo in the old suburban, since my van is in the shop. Ruby, who hates to ride in her car seat, screams the whole time. I cannot open the tailgate to get the stroller out. I tug and pull. She screams.

I give up. We go home. :(

My gut.

My gut tells me things on occasion. On occasion I listen.

Ralph has a sedated hearing test scheduled for next Monday at a local hospital. I called a few months ago...they gave me a date and time to be there...no big deal. He has never passed a hearing test, so this is really long overdue.

My gut told me that something was not right. Couldn't put my finger on it. Maybe it was that I had concerns about the sedation drugs that would be used. I was given the phone number to the sedation department at the hospital...no answer.

When I took Ralph to Kansas City for the DS clinic in May I had a bright idea. Why don't I take him to Children's Mercy for the test? The audiologist at the clinic even assumed that I would have the test done there. But, it's not the most convenient place, so I filed the thought away.

Ralph's EI teacher was over this morning and we discussed the hearing test and his speech development. I've always said that one I my wishes for him is clear intelligible speech. I know that won't happen without clear hearing. She encouraged me to look into the possibility of having the test done in Kansas City.

Later this morning I called the audiologist from the clinic. She was so helpful and kind! She explained that his test would need to be done in a procedure room due to his medical history. Reeeeeally? After being transferred to the appointment desk I was educated even more.

I was asked a whole host of questions about his medications and medical history. I was instructed to have a physical exam done and faxed to them in the next couple of weeks. I was also asked to bring him up for pre-op testing sometime in the next couple of weeks. Wow, long drive for that!

Well, the test is scheduled for the end of this month! I talked them into doing the pre-op stuff the day before so I don't have to make two trips. This feels so right. I'm so relieved.

Why didn't my local hospital ask me anything about Ralph when I called to make an appointment here? No questions about medical history, allergies, medications, nothing. Do they care that he is sensitive to a certain common sedative and that one time it made his heart stop? Uggh!!!

My heart can barely take this sometimes. It's not like we live in a dinky, remote little town. We have several large hospitals here. Why do I feel lucky to get in and out of these places alive and well? Sorry, I have a very bad attitude when it comes to medical stuff. It is just a good thing that I still have the freedom to ask questions and shop around for the best care for my son. Can I get an amen?

I'm glad that I listened to my gut today.