Big Little Girl!

It's a rainy day here in Nottingham, Pennsylvania.  This rainy day is one that's been long overdue.  Sure, we've had some off and on wet weather lately, but this time Dad got to stay home from work and spend the day with Alexi!  Between the busy weekends and long work days, I really haven't had the time to just take in how lucky I am in a while.  Today during Alexi's lunch it kinda hit me, this girl is growing up so much!

It's no secret, I've always said that people are NUTS for thinking kids grow up too fast.  I mean the quicker they grow up the quicker they do more fun things, right?  Well over the last couple weeks it's really been starting to hit me, that this little baby I have is becoming less and less of a baby every day.  At lunch today, I prepared an elaborate feast of squash and pears...mmm yummmm. Alexi liked it, so it must have been a good combo!  While devouring this spread, Alexi was more eager than usual to try and feed herself with the spoon.  This is something we've been working very hard on with her in and out of therapy, to help with her everyday life.  Us coaching her to do it is one thing, but seeing her want to do it so badly is great to see.

After a few bites of squash I would put some pear bites on her tray and let her chase them around (slippery little buggers) and feed herself.  She's been doing this for a long time, but one of the things she started over the last month is really telling us which food she wants at a specific moment.  She finished her pears and I went to give her some more squash, she politely yet sternly pushed the spoon aside while reaching for the container of pears.  We just love that she knows what she wants and isn't afraid to show it.

Her eating progression isn't the only thing making me realize my baby girl is growing up, she's been working hard and getting MOBILE!  When we started this journey we wondered what a child could possibly do in therapy, let alone 3 different therapies, but we were all for learning.  Well it really is amazing how much work we can do with our little one to encourage development, and it's showing!  Alexi is drinking from straws (among other cups), trying to put the square blocks in the square holes (not quite mastered yet), and crawling around like a champ!  Okay so she's army crawling, but she is getting herself around!  I think that last one is the one that's been causing me to wonder if I'm ready for my little girl to grow up just yet.

Alexi just had her EIS (Early Intervention Service) 1 year review.  At the age of 13 months, Alexi's scores ranged everywhere from 8 months to 12 months for different aspects of her development.  No matter where she "scored" we are very proud of where she has come and know she is working hard to reach her goals.  So what do these scores mean?  To be honest, nothing really, they are a way to evaluate what areas she could use more work, and what areas she is excelling in, so we can work harder on some and keep up the good work on others.  The evaluation is also a good time to reconsider what services she is receiving and what changes to make in her routine.

Alexi will now keep seeing her developmentalist every other week, see her OT (Occupational Therapist) every week, increase PT (Physical Therapy) to every week, and add ST (Speech Therapy!)  We are looking forward to the new schedule and meeting some new therapists!

This little girl has taken her time, but now has another development to show off, her first tooth!!

Now it's time to get off the computer and get back to playing!