This is a warning to all the Speech and Language Therapists who may encounter my children in the future. As an undergrad at EIU, I was required to take a Language Development class for my Special Education degree and therefore I am a self proclaimed semi-expert. I also have the internet as a backup in case I need further assitance. ;)
I have been searching for a diagnosis for A2. I am sure all of her oddities stem from some type of a language disorder. I just can't decide which one at this point.
To start with she has articulation problems. She has the typical /f/ for /th/ like fings instead of things and /v/ for /b/ like Rovvie instead of Robbie. She also has a few STRANGE errors. She will add an extra /l/ blend in words like blanana and plaino for banana and piano. The weirdest is the additional /r/ sound in coppering instead of copying. We have tried correcting her but she refuses to change the way she says them.
Her main language problem currently is incorrect/bizarre word substitutions. The first time I noticed this was when she told me my car smelled guilty. I laughed it off as A2 just being silly. A few weeks ago she complained that the toy room was guilty and she didn't want to clean it up alone. I asked her what it "guilty" meant and she told me dirty. She was meaning "filthy." I corrected her but she continued to call messy things "guilty."
On Saturday she asked me why people "glittered." At first I was thrown off by this. I caught A1's eye in the review mirror. She was equally confused. Then I remember there was a time last winter when she asked me why there was so much glitter on the ground... DUH litter! A1 had a good laugh when we cracked this one. She was imagining people running around sprinkling glitter everywhere. I corrected A2 but she continues to call it glittering.
I am sure A2 has some type of Speech/Language Disorder. Stubborn Goofball is a language problem right?
Monday, August 5, 2013
Thursday, August 1, 2013
August Angst
It is August 1st, the most dreaded day of the year. I always become grumpy and extra irritable on this day. 8/1 is the giant flashing warning sign that summer is almost over. In just 13 short days A1 will be back in school and I will follow shortly after that. Then it is goodbye fun-ish carefree-ish mom; hello stressed out teacher mom.
Don't get me wrong, most of my angst isn't about me returning to work because it really isn't. I love my job. I really do. I am one of those teachers who ends up crying at the end of a school year because I just had the BEST CLASS EVER and no other class will ever be better... every year. It takes me a few weeks to get readjusted to a regular schedule but once I get used to set times to eat, use the restroom, and breath I am good.
My August anxiety stems from the fact that August 1st marks the passage of time. It is the official end of summer, my long new year's eve, and the beginning of my new year. It is a big slap in the face that the girls are getting older and I guess that means I am too. A friend innocently wrote on FB that you only get 18 summers with your child. This sent me into a full on panic. I realized I have already blown through 8 with A1, 5 with A2, and 2 with A3.
August 1st is my wake up call that the girls won't be little forever. I get a little, ok a lot, choked up when I think about this. I know that I complain about the things they do that drive me crazy. The messes, the noise, the constant chaos, but really I love all of those things. I would be lost without those things. Those are the things I get up for in the morning. In just a few more summers I won't have the tiny finger prints and unexplained sticky spots or mystery nail polish puddles. Really with a house full of girls, who seem to have inherited my grace, we will probably have nail polish spills for a while!
In order to get past my August Angst, we will be filling the dwindling days of summer with the things we want to do. The things that make us happy. Please don't judge us if you pull up next to our car and hear Christmas music blasting. It is one of those things that make the A Team and me happy. I will still be a mess, a basket of nerves and potentially on the verge of tears at any given moment but in just a few more weeks it will be September.
Don't get me wrong, most of my angst isn't about me returning to work because it really isn't. I love my job. I really do. I am one of those teachers who ends up crying at the end of a school year because I just had the BEST CLASS EVER and no other class will ever be better... every year. It takes me a few weeks to get readjusted to a regular schedule but once I get used to set times to eat, use the restroom, and breath I am good.
My August anxiety stems from the fact that August 1st marks the passage of time. It is the official end of summer, my long new year's eve, and the beginning of my new year. It is a big slap in the face that the girls are getting older and I guess that means I am too. A friend innocently wrote on FB that you only get 18 summers with your child. This sent me into a full on panic. I realized I have already blown through 8 with A1, 5 with A2, and 2 with A3.
August 1st is my wake up call that the girls won't be little forever. I get a little, ok a lot, choked up when I think about this. I know that I complain about the things they do that drive me crazy. The messes, the noise, the constant chaos, but really I love all of those things. I would be lost without those things. Those are the things I get up for in the morning. In just a few more summers I won't have the tiny finger prints and unexplained sticky spots or mystery nail polish puddles. Really with a house full of girls, who seem to have inherited my grace, we will probably have nail polish spills for a while!
In order to get past my August Angst, we will be filling the dwindling days of summer with the things we want to do. The things that make us happy. Please don't judge us if you pull up next to our car and hear Christmas music blasting. It is one of those things that make the A Team and me happy. I will still be a mess, a basket of nerves and potentially on the verge of tears at any given moment but in just a few more weeks it will be September.
Tuesday, July 30, 2013
Mommy loves you but...
Dear Girls,
Mommy loves you BUT... Mommy is an introvert. This means she NEEDS time by herself. In order for mommy to be a nice mommy you need to give her what she needs. She has tried to hide from you in the bathroom, only to be interrupted by screaming and crying after being MIA for a mere 30 seconds. She has tried setting her alarm to get up before you do, only to have one of the three of you magically wake up 10 minutes before the alarm. She has tried to go against her early-to-bed instincts and stay up to have some alone time, only to have someone, mostly A,1 sneak books, Ipods, or Ipads to stay awake too. She has tried to leave you downstairs with Daddy only to have you scale the baby gate and bang on her bedroom door.
Mommy has tried to compromise and get some alone time by leaving this house but this really doesn't work because there are always people out in public. Mommy is an introvert trying to survive in a family of extroverts. This means she NEEDS time by herself to recharge. A3 might be a fellow introvert the jury is still out on her but she really does enjoy her alone time.
Mommy loves spending time with you listening to your stories, songs, dreams, games, and whatever other crazy things you come up with but mommy is an introvert. This means she NEEDS time by herself to reboot. She wants to be the best mommy she can be this means you need to let her have some time by herself. When mommy says "Go to bed" it is for your own good. Mommy needs a few minutes to think in quiet. Mommy is willing to compromise. Just 15 minutes a day isn't too much to ask is it?
Mommy loves you but she is going crazy. Mommy is an introvert and she NEEDS time by herself. If you have any questions about this, please ask your dad.
Love,
Mommy
Mommy loves you BUT... Mommy is an introvert. This means she NEEDS time by herself. In order for mommy to be a nice mommy you need to give her what she needs. She has tried to hide from you in the bathroom, only to be interrupted by screaming and crying after being MIA for a mere 30 seconds. She has tried setting her alarm to get up before you do, only to have one of the three of you magically wake up 10 minutes before the alarm. She has tried to go against her early-to-bed instincts and stay up to have some alone time, only to have someone, mostly A,1 sneak books, Ipods, or Ipads to stay awake too. She has tried to leave you downstairs with Daddy only to have you scale the baby gate and bang on her bedroom door.
Mommy has tried to compromise and get some alone time by leaving this house but this really doesn't work because there are always people out in public. Mommy is an introvert trying to survive in a family of extroverts. This means she NEEDS time by herself to recharge. A3 might be a fellow introvert the jury is still out on her but she really does enjoy her alone time.
Mommy loves spending time with you listening to your stories, songs, dreams, games, and whatever other crazy things you come up with but mommy is an introvert. This means she NEEDS time by herself to reboot. She wants to be the best mommy she can be this means you need to let her have some time by herself. When mommy says "Go to bed" it is for your own good. Mommy needs a few minutes to think in quiet. Mommy is willing to compromise. Just 15 minutes a day isn't too much to ask is it?
Mommy loves you but she is going crazy. Mommy is an introvert and she NEEDS time by herself. If you have any questions about this, please ask your dad.
Love,
Mommy
Sunday, July 28, 2013
Six Flags
On Friday we took the girls on our day-vaction to Six Flags. A1 earned a free ticket for completing 600 minutes of reading so we knew we needed to cash in that free $300 ticket. There were so many things I could choose to complain about on that trip, especially if I started comparing it to the most magical pace on earth. The fact that it rained the first 2.5 hours we were there was slightly miserable or the fact that we dined on 3 entrees of sub par dorm like cafeteria food that cost us $60 are just two of the grumble worthy occurrences from our adventure.
Instead of being a Negative Nelly, I need to focus on the good of the trip because there were just as many good things that we experienced, like the amazing Funnel Cake Hot Fudge Sundae that the five of us happily shared. Even with the heavenly goodness we devoured, I was most impressed by the the girls' behavior. A1 and A2 know how to get along when it really matters. The entire time we were at the park they were full of smiles and kind words for each other. I even saw them holding hands a few times as we tromped around in soggy shoes. They compromised and worked together. A1 even helped A2 on and off of rides without being told. Other parents stopped us to compliment us on the girls' behavior. They were completely amazing.
A1 didn't want to ride the little train but she knew A2 wanted to ride it so without complaining she rode it 11 times. Thanks to the rain we ran into very few lines.
I was bursting with pride when the girls rode Taz's Twisters. This seemed to be the ride that inspired the most family feuding. During the three times the girls rode it, I witnessed numerous sibling fights. I saw brothers arguing with brothers to the point they would scream and then punch. Sisters fighting with sisters, yelling, sticking out tongues, and pouting. One brother and sister pair antagonized each other so much the mom had to lean over the fence to yell at her children. I saw several younger siblings get their feelings hurt as the older sibling insisted on riding independently. The little ones had to ride alone, crying in the little twisting buckets all by themselves.
Not my girls though. They were working together to get their tornado spinning. I could hear their laughter over the the music and sirens. Never once did either girl say something hurtful to the other. They never hit or kicked. A3 was even a trooper even though she wasn't big enough to do anything. She was happy just to be in her stroller or sling. The highlight of her day was probably eating.
It was beautiful. I was living in a dream! It was totally worth the $300 we spent on A1's free ticket. We plan on going again next summer when A1 gets her free ticket again.
I woke from my dream by the time we left the parking lot and the girls started arguing about who got what blanket... It was still totally worth the trip though.
Instead of being a Negative Nelly, I need to focus on the good of the trip because there were just as many good things that we experienced, like the amazing Funnel Cake Hot Fudge Sundae that the five of us happily shared. Even with the heavenly goodness we devoured, I was most impressed by the the girls' behavior. A1 and A2 know how to get along when it really matters. The entire time we were at the park they were full of smiles and kind words for each other. I even saw them holding hands a few times as we tromped around in soggy shoes. They compromised and worked together. A1 even helped A2 on and off of rides without being told. Other parents stopped us to compliment us on the girls' behavior. They were completely amazing.
A1 didn't want to ride the little train but she knew A2 wanted to ride it so without complaining she rode it 11 times. Thanks to the rain we ran into very few lines.
I was bursting with pride when the girls rode Taz's Twisters. This seemed to be the ride that inspired the most family feuding. During the three times the girls rode it, I witnessed numerous sibling fights. I saw brothers arguing with brothers to the point they would scream and then punch. Sisters fighting with sisters, yelling, sticking out tongues, and pouting. One brother and sister pair antagonized each other so much the mom had to lean over the fence to yell at her children. I saw several younger siblings get their feelings hurt as the older sibling insisted on riding independently. The little ones had to ride alone, crying in the little twisting buckets all by themselves.
It was beautiful. I was living in a dream! It was totally worth the $300 we spent on A1's free ticket. We plan on going again next summer when A1 gets her free ticket again.
I woke from my dream by the time we left the parking lot and the girls started arguing about who got what blanket... It was still totally worth the trip though.
Thursday, July 25, 2013
Dear Friend
Dear Friend,
Well it has been a year since you decided it was time for you to leave this world and end your own life, forever altering our lives. My emotions fluctuate from day to day. Some days I am angry. Some days I am sad. Some days I am numb and I don't know what to feel. Most days I am just confused.
Today I am feeling reflective. I think back to the day I had to tell my girls that you were gone. I kept it brief. I didn't want to glamorize or glorify what had to be a mistake, a lapse in judgement. I didn't want my girls to follow in your example. When I told A1, your God daughter, the one you promised to set a Christian example for, she pointed out that you wouldn't get to see her any more. She is right you have missed out on so many things this year. Not the things that will eventually be put in History books but the important things. The things that make life worth living.
A1 lost her first tooth. A1 started reading chapter books. A1 learned to swim. A1 learned to make her own bed. A2 went to preschool. A2 learned to spell her name. A2 performed in her first musical. A2 performed in her first dance recital. A3 starting rolling, sitting, walking, and talking. There were so many important things you missed.
On days when I am sad I am not just sad for myself. I am sad for your other friends, as well. I know the void the feel. The one that won't be filled no matter how much time passes or how many new friends we make. I am sad too for your family, especially your mom. I can't even begin to imagine what she goes through on a daily basis. My brain, heart, and stomach won't let me go there. Mostly I feel sad for you. I am sad that you felt this was the only option. I am sad that you didn't think anyone would be willing to help. That you felt so alone.
On occasion I feel guilty. I feel guilty that I didn't see this coming. I feel guilty that I didn't stop you. My guilty days are always shared with angry days. How dare you do this to us? How could you put us in this position? Why would you want to hurt us all so much? Then I go back to guilt. How could I think these things about someone who is no longer here to defend himself? How could I be so angry with someone who felt this was the only way?
Life is so precious. I am sorry you decided you were done with it. This year I have repeatedly been reminded about how precious life really is. Losing you and two of my grandparents in the same year was rough but I learned from it. I won't take life for granted I will live everyday I am blessed enough to live. I will do my best to make a difference to those I meet each day. I will be a smile for some student who may be struggling to find a reason to keep living. I will be a better person.
On second thought perhaps today I am feeling angry, sad, and guilty in addition to reflective. That is kind of the way it goes. I feel so much all at once. Even when I am feeling all these negative feelings I can still be happy knowing that I am feeling something and no matter what I am feeling it is ok.
Well it has been a year since you decided it was time for you to leave this world and end your own life, forever altering our lives. My emotions fluctuate from day to day. Some days I am angry. Some days I am sad. Some days I am numb and I don't know what to feel. Most days I am just confused.
Today I am feeling reflective. I think back to the day I had to tell my girls that you were gone. I kept it brief. I didn't want to glamorize or glorify what had to be a mistake, a lapse in judgement. I didn't want my girls to follow in your example. When I told A1, your God daughter, the one you promised to set a Christian example for, she pointed out that you wouldn't get to see her any more. She is right you have missed out on so many things this year. Not the things that will eventually be put in History books but the important things. The things that make life worth living.
A1 lost her first tooth. A1 started reading chapter books. A1 learned to swim. A1 learned to make her own bed. A2 went to preschool. A2 learned to spell her name. A2 performed in her first musical. A2 performed in her first dance recital. A3 starting rolling, sitting, walking, and talking. There were so many important things you missed.
On days when I am sad I am not just sad for myself. I am sad for your other friends, as well. I know the void the feel. The one that won't be filled no matter how much time passes or how many new friends we make. I am sad too for your family, especially your mom. I can't even begin to imagine what she goes through on a daily basis. My brain, heart, and stomach won't let me go there. Mostly I feel sad for you. I am sad that you felt this was the only option. I am sad that you didn't think anyone would be willing to help. That you felt so alone.
On occasion I feel guilty. I feel guilty that I didn't see this coming. I feel guilty that I didn't stop you. My guilty days are always shared with angry days. How dare you do this to us? How could you put us in this position? Why would you want to hurt us all so much? Then I go back to guilt. How could I think these things about someone who is no longer here to defend himself? How could I be so angry with someone who felt this was the only way?
Life is so precious. I am sorry you decided you were done with it. This year I have repeatedly been reminded about how precious life really is. Losing you and two of my grandparents in the same year was rough but I learned from it. I won't take life for granted I will live everyday I am blessed enough to live. I will do my best to make a difference to those I meet each day. I will be a smile for some student who may be struggling to find a reason to keep living. I will be a better person.
On second thought perhaps today I am feeling angry, sad, and guilty in addition to reflective. That is kind of the way it goes. I feel so much all at once. Even when I am feeling all these negative feelings I can still be happy knowing that I am feeling something and no matter what I am feeling it is ok.
Your friend,
Carrie
Tuesday, July 23, 2013
Gateway Drugs Update
The other day A1 had a friend over. All the girls were sitting at the kitchen table making jewelry when I heard A1 whisper to her friend, "Hey, can I tell you something in private?" Naturally her friend agreed and they tried to sneak off to the toy room. As any well meaning mom would do, I quietly followed them and listened behind a door.
A1 confessed after her friend agreed she wouldn't tell anyone her secret, "I took drugs."
Her friend was confused but used to A1's over the top drama, "No you didn't. What are you talking about?"
A1 started getting a little hysterical, "I did. I took drugs and my mom caught me and the police are going to get me cause I did it in front of the camera."
Her friend wasn't buying it, "You didn't take drugs. People who take drugs look gross and act all crazy and break things."
A1, "No I mean it, I really did."
Friend, "What was it?"
A1, "Cough drops."
I decided I better intervene. I walked in to the room to see A1's friend give her an "are you serious" look. I offered my explaination that cough drops are medicine and if you use medicine when you don't need it, it is a drug. A1's friend seemed to understand. She looked at A1 and put her hand on her shoulder, looked her in the eyes and said, "A1, it was only cough drops. If you stop now it will be ok."
I know who I am calling if we ever need an intervention!
This morning A2 was helping me clean the living room. She discovered a bag of cough drops beside the couch. She calmly brought them to me. With a look of complete devastation she said in the quietest voice she had ever used, "Mommy, I found these. I think A1 is using the cough drops again." She showed visible relief when I explained that daddy had a bad cough and he left them out.
I am impressed that I managed to convince A2 that cough drops are drugs even if they taste like candy. As a bonus she now thinksA1 has a problem and is addicted to cough drops and was willing to turn her in. She was basically laughing in my face the day of the initial intervention. SOMETHING SUNK IN! I win!
A1 confessed after her friend agreed she wouldn't tell anyone her secret, "I took drugs."
Her friend was confused but used to A1's over the top drama, "No you didn't. What are you talking about?"
A1 started getting a little hysterical, "I did. I took drugs and my mom caught me and the police are going to get me cause I did it in front of the camera."
Her friend wasn't buying it, "You didn't take drugs. People who take drugs look gross and act all crazy and break things."
A1, "No I mean it, I really did."
Friend, "What was it?"
A1, "Cough drops."
I decided I better intervene. I walked in to the room to see A1's friend give her an "are you serious" look. I offered my explaination that cough drops are medicine and if you use medicine when you don't need it, it is a drug. A1's friend seemed to understand. She looked at A1 and put her hand on her shoulder, looked her in the eyes and said, "A1, it was only cough drops. If you stop now it will be ok."
I know who I am calling if we ever need an intervention!
This morning A2 was helping me clean the living room. She discovered a bag of cough drops beside the couch. She calmly brought them to me. With a look of complete devastation she said in the quietest voice she had ever used, "Mommy, I found these. I think A1 is using the cough drops again." She showed visible relief when I explained that daddy had a bad cough and he left them out.
I am impressed that I managed to convince A2 that cough drops are drugs even if they taste like candy. As a bonus she now thinksA1 has a problem and is addicted to cough drops and was willing to turn her in. She was basically laughing in my face the day of the initial intervention. SOMETHING SUNK IN! I win!
Monday, July 22, 2013
Dear Miley
For what it is worth I have some advice for a certain young pop star...
Dear Miley Cyrus,
I understand you are trying to prove to everyone, including yourself that you are a grown up, but I am not buying it. First someone who is a grownup doesn't go around saying, "I am doing this or that because I am a grown up." That is something a young child would say when he/she is playing house or trying to convince a parent to bend a rule or get their way.
Second the outfits you are choosing to wear in order to make a statement that you are an independent young adult make you look childish and somewhat foolish. An adult would wear clothes. Some of your outfits are reflective of something I would throw on my 16 month old if we were playing in the backyard on a 90* day. Case and point the ensemble worn while you performed on Good Morning America. Were you trying to say, "Good morning America I am an adult wearing a diaper?" because that is what it looked like to me. Also the makeup looks very similar to the makeup my 7 and 4 year old wear when they are playing dress up trying to look like adults.
Third, Sweet Miley, the lyrics of your new grown up songs scream immature teenager trying to rebel against parents. Please! You are trying to be sneaky and talk about doing drugs as if we wouldn't catch on. Lying to people so they can play your music and then verbally sticking your tongue out at the people who bought the lie and played the song by announcing that your song is, in fact, about drugs. A grown up wouldn't use such infantile tactics. You might as well say, "Nah Nah Nah Boo Boo I tricked you into playing inappropriate songs because I am a grown up!"
If you really want to show everyone that you are an actual grown up Miley, stop telling everyone that you are a grown up and just be one. Wear adult sized clothes that actually cover your body and don't look like fuzzy diapers. Sing songs that are about grown up topics and not some rebelious teenage urge to sneak drug messages on the air so unsuspecting tweens can sing them and not really know what they are singing about.
P.S. I realize you won't actually read this and even if you did you won't want to follow any of this advice because you are a grown up.
Dear Miley Cyrus,
I understand you are trying to prove to everyone, including yourself that you are a grown up, but I am not buying it. First someone who is a grownup doesn't go around saying, "I am doing this or that because I am a grown up." That is something a young child would say when he/she is playing house or trying to convince a parent to bend a rule or get their way.
Second the outfits you are choosing to wear in order to make a statement that you are an independent young adult make you look childish and somewhat foolish. An adult would wear clothes. Some of your outfits are reflective of something I would throw on my 16 month old if we were playing in the backyard on a 90* day. Case and point the ensemble worn while you performed on Good Morning America. Were you trying to say, "Good morning America I am an adult wearing a diaper?" because that is what it looked like to me. Also the makeup looks very similar to the makeup my 7 and 4 year old wear when they are playing dress up trying to look like adults.
Third, Sweet Miley, the lyrics of your new grown up songs scream immature teenager trying to rebel against parents. Please! You are trying to be sneaky and talk about doing drugs as if we wouldn't catch on. Lying to people so they can play your music and then verbally sticking your tongue out at the people who bought the lie and played the song by announcing that your song is, in fact, about drugs. A grown up wouldn't use such infantile tactics. You might as well say, "Nah Nah Nah Boo Boo I tricked you into playing inappropriate songs because I am a grown up!"
If you really want to show everyone that you are an actual grown up Miley, stop telling everyone that you are a grown up and just be one. Wear adult sized clothes that actually cover your body and don't look like fuzzy diapers. Sing songs that are about grown up topics and not some rebelious teenage urge to sneak drug messages on the air so unsuspecting tweens can sing them and not really know what they are singing about.
With Love,
Carrie
P.S. I realize you won't actually read this and even if you did you won't want to follow any of this advice because you are a grown up.
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