Friday, April 14, 2006
Thursday, April 13, 2006
Let the Therapy Begin...
The Speech Therapist returned my call yesterday and Rachel will begin speech therapy next Wednesday morning. She's suppose to go once a week for an hour, hopefully we can just schedule the appointment and have a standing day and time for each week.
I hope the Speech Therapist will be impressed with her improvement in the last month. At least we think she's improved. LOL.
In addition to setting up therapy for next week, we got a call this afternoon from Early Start, California's Department of Developemental Services. The case worker had received our request for services and was following up on the referral. Upon answering questions, it was obvious that Rachel could benefit from services offered by the State. The next step is setting up an actual one on one evaluation with Rachel, a step that could take 3-6 weeks. But at least the ball is rolling and Rachel's name is in the system!
I hope the Speech Therapist will be impressed with her improvement in the last month. At least we think she's improved. LOL.
In addition to setting up therapy for next week, we got a call this afternoon from Early Start, California's Department of Developemental Services. The case worker had received our request for services and was following up on the referral. Upon answering questions, it was obvious that Rachel could benefit from services offered by the State. The next step is setting up an actual one on one evaluation with Rachel, a step that could take 3-6 weeks. But at least the ball is rolling and Rachel's name is in the system!
Wednesday, April 12, 2006
Tuesday, April 11, 2006
Starting to 'Click'
Something is starting to click for Rachel as far as her speech goes. The last couple of weeks she's been making new noises and sounds and the past couple of days she's really been trying to repeat words when we ask her to. We've been working pretty hard with her on saying what things are. The speech therapist told us she can teach her HOW to say it, if Rachel knows what it is. So we've been asking her where her eyes are, her nose, her ears, etc. And she's getting it.
Last night, as I was preparing dinner, I grabbed some cheese to grate, without me saying anything to her, Rachel noticed what I had gotten out of the refridgerator and came to me and said "chee" (cheese) and signed 'please'. She did it again when I brought her back to the office to show Steven what she had said. LOL.
We're still waiting for her speech therapy to begin. In fact I left a message for the speech pathologist in reguards to getting going. But meanwhile, all these little improvements are encouraging.
Last night, as I was preparing dinner, I grabbed some cheese to grate, without me saying anything to her, Rachel noticed what I had gotten out of the refridgerator and came to me and said "chee" (cheese) and signed 'please'. She did it again when I brought her back to the office to show Steven what she had said. LOL.
We're still waiting for her speech therapy to begin. In fact I left a message for the speech pathologist in reguards to getting going. But meanwhile, all these little improvements are encouraging.
Saturday, April 08, 2006
The Hesperia Zoo
Last week on a trip to the local pet store, Rachel was overcome with excitment to see tank after tank full of fish, and was even more amazed at the birds in the cages, as well as the guinea pigs and little mice. Hannah was never this interested, or shall I say, showed such outward excitement. So it's fun to watch Rachel when it comes to new and exciting things.
Today we went to The Hesperia Zoo, previously called The Cinema Safari Zoo because all the animals at this zoo are in showbiz of some sort...commercials, movies, etc. It's a small zoo, maybe 50 animals, in cages and exhibts where you are rather close to the animal. We thought it'd be fun to take Rachel. Not to mention it's also a favorite of Hannah's. The zoo is around the corner from Gramie's house, so Hannah has frequented this zoo quite a few times. Needless to say, we called and asked Gramie if she wanted to join us at the zoo, and she did.
Just as suspected, Rachel loved seeing all the animals. She was more excited at the beginning of the tour than towards the end, but I think it's because she didn't get a nap.
Saying "Hi" from one lil piggy to another. 
Alta Dena the Cow. This cow is MASSIVE in size! 
CrackerJack the Camel gets a little closer 
This is Safari. He sure had his eyes on Rachel. It was rather neat to see him crouch down as if he was going to pounce on lunch. LOL.
Thank goodness for cages!
She loved getting up close and being able to pet and chase the lamb. 
Kazoo, eating a treat. 
It was a great trip to the zoo. We were the only ones on this tour, so we had the animal trainer all to ourselves to talk to and ask questions. She even took a little longer on the tour for us. Rachel had a lot of fun, and I think if she had had a nap, she would have lasted til the end with her excitment over the animals.
Today we went to The Hesperia Zoo, previously called The Cinema Safari Zoo because all the animals at this zoo are in showbiz of some sort...commercials, movies, etc. It's a small zoo, maybe 50 animals, in cages and exhibts where you are rather close to the animal. We thought it'd be fun to take Rachel. Not to mention it's also a favorite of Hannah's. The zoo is around the corner from Gramie's house, so Hannah has frequented this zoo quite a few times. Needless to say, we called and asked Gramie if she wanted to join us at the zoo, and she did.
Just as suspected, Rachel loved seeing all the animals. She was more excited at the beginning of the tour than towards the end, but I think it's because she didn't get a nap.
Thank goodness for cages!
It was a great trip to the zoo. We were the only ones on this tour, so we had the animal trainer all to ourselves to talk to and ask questions. She even took a little longer on the tour for us. Rachel had a lot of fun, and I think if she had had a nap, she would have lasted til the end with her excitment over the animals.
Thursday, April 06, 2006
Yipeee!!!! This is Fun!!!
For some reason, Rachel loves this scooter of Hannah's. She found it abandoned for a few brief minutes this evening and hopped on it. 
Wednesday, April 05, 2006
Some Pics from Gramma & Papa's House
These pictures were taken by Gramma and Papa when Rachel and Hannah spent the weekend with them two weeks ago.
"I enjoyed the chocolate cake Gramma made, can you tell?". 
Finding Nemo.
"I like suckers!" 
Playing with Wendy 
Finding Nemo.
Wednesday, March 29, 2006
Feeding the Ducks
Cousin McKenzie is spending the afternoon with Gramma today. We decided to take the girls to feed the ducks at a nearby Veterns Hospital that has beautiful grounds with a little lake.
Rachel was a riot to watch. She was squaking and yelling. Frankly, I'm surprised she didn't scare off the ducks. LOL. She has no fear of the ducks that would waddle pretty close to her. She just kept squaking and clapping her hands in excitement.
Rachel was a riot to watch. She was squaking and yelling. Frankly, I'm surprised she didn't scare off the ducks. LOL. She has no fear of the ducks that would waddle pretty close to her. She just kept squaking and clapping her hands in excitement.
Friday, March 24, 2006
All Packed and Ready to Go...
...to Gramma and Papa's house for the weekend for her first sleepover away from Mommy and Daddy! 
Mommy and Daddy are going away for the weekend to celebrate their 10th anniversary.
Mommy and Daddy are going away for the weekend to celebrate their 10th anniversary.
Thursday, March 23, 2006
Speech Evaluation
Today was Rachel's speech evaluation with the speech pathologist from our craniofacial team. It went well. It was pretty interesting the things she did in order to see where Rachel is in her language development.
Adrianna, the speech pathologist, had a box of objects that she introduced to Rachel. She asked her to do certain things with them and observed how she responded and reacted, also watching for any vocalization or sounds Rachel made.
Her observations were that Rachel is a little delayed in her receptive language. This means her ability to take in what she's being told, or being asked to do. And obviously she's delayed in her expressive language...her being able to verbalize or sign.
The plan is, once her official report has been written and submitted to the board to review, to start speech therapy, once a week for an hour. Therapy will more than likely start the second week of April.
She also suggested that we pursue Early Start, California's Department of Developemental Services. In Rachel's case, because she was born with a cleft lip and palate, she most likely is eligible for speech therapy through the State of California. Involvement in the two programs will only reinforce one another and make each more beneficial. Unfortunately, I've tried contacting the local office a few months back with no success. But I recently discovered there is a mother of one of Hannah's classmates who can help get my information to the right people as she works in the system.
Meanwhile, while we wait for official therapies to begin, we just need to keep on doing what we've been doing...reinforcing words and signs.
Adrianna, the speech pathologist, had a box of objects that she introduced to Rachel. She asked her to do certain things with them and observed how she responded and reacted, also watching for any vocalization or sounds Rachel made.
Her observations were that Rachel is a little delayed in her receptive language. This means her ability to take in what she's being told, or being asked to do. And obviously she's delayed in her expressive language...her being able to verbalize or sign. The plan is, once her official report has been written and submitted to the board to review, to start speech therapy, once a week for an hour. Therapy will more than likely start the second week of April.
She also suggested that we pursue Early Start, California's Department of Developemental Services. In Rachel's case, because she was born with a cleft lip and palate, she most likely is eligible for speech therapy through the State of California. Involvement in the two programs will only reinforce one another and make each more beneficial. Unfortunately, I've tried contacting the local office a few months back with no success. But I recently discovered there is a mother of one of Hannah's classmates who can help get my information to the right people as she works in the system.
Meanwhile, while we wait for official therapies to begin, we just need to keep on doing what we've been doing...reinforcing words and signs.
Saturday, March 18, 2006
Friday, March 17, 2006
Always into Something
For some reason, ever since we moved Hannah's room around and I put this little chair next to the bookcase, Rachel loves to sit there and look through the books.
Wednesday, March 15, 2006
Speech Update
Last month at Rachel's yearly Craniofacial Team appointment, it was determined that Rachel needed a speech evaluation and speech therapy. After having left several messages on various voice mails over the past week, the speech pathologist finally returned my call today to let us know that our insurance approved the initial evaluation and 19 sessions of therapy! I assume after 19 sessions she gets reevaluated at which point the insurance will approve for more visits. Anyways, Rachel will have her speech evaluation next Thursday, March 23. Should be interesting to see how they test her!
Friday, March 10, 2006
One of the Big Girls
Hannah's friend Emma came over this evening for a few hours. All Rachel did was follow those two around and want to play with the big girls. She was happy when she was placed at the same table as them for dinner! And pulled up a chair to join them when they watched a movie. 
Saturday, March 04, 2006
Cousin Kym's Wedding
This evening my cousin got married. It was a beautiful wedding and we all had a great time. 
Here, Rachel sits...quietly...and breifly, looking around at where she could possibly go next.
One of the added touches at our place settings were the goodie bags placed on the girls chairs. Inside were things to keep them busy during the reception...a miniature My Little Pony, a slinky, a silly straw, some bracelets, and a Wooly Willy (you know the picture of the bald man and you use the black magnet dust to give him some hair and a beard). I was excited to see the Wooly Willy because we have something similar where you make pictures using a magnetic wand and magnet balls to make pictures and Rachel absoultely loves that thing. So she had fun with the Wooly Willy.
Rachel was all over the reception. She just kept walking around, checking things out. And when it came time to dance, the dance floor is where you could find Rachel! She was having a good ole time dancing around and being silly. She was hilarious to watch! 
Here, Rachel sits...quietly...and breifly, looking around at where she could possibly go next.
One of the added touches at our place settings were the goodie bags placed on the girls chairs. Inside were things to keep them busy during the reception...a miniature My Little Pony, a slinky, a silly straw, some bracelets, and a Wooly Willy (you know the picture of the bald man and you use the black magnet dust to give him some hair and a beard). I was excited to see the Wooly Willy because we have something similar where you make pictures using a magnetic wand and magnet balls to make pictures and Rachel absoultely loves that thing. So she had fun with the Wooly Willy.
Rachel was all over the reception. She just kept walking around, checking things out. And when it came time to dance, the dance floor is where you could find Rachel! She was having a good ole time dancing around and being silly. She was hilarious to watch! 
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