Since I've set personal goals for myself on my regular blog, I'm also going to set Mommy goals on here for Nolan and myself as well. Not only do I want to work on becoming a better person, I want to become a better mommy. There's always room for improvement, and I can name several areas where I feel I can do better.
I'll start with speech and learning. I put us on the right path to getting my son to talk, and although the people who are supposed to be helping him haven't started yet, I believe he's been making progress on his own. Lately he's started to hum the tunes to his favorite shows, and tries to pronounce the names of his favorite characters. He got a couple of educational toys for Christmas and I believe that will help. I bought some flashcards with the alphabet, numbers, shapes, and colors as well. If I can get him to talk by Spring, then I'll be a very happy mommy.
Quality Time. During the times that I'm with my son, I don't want to be bothered by any distractions, which includes social networking. There's no reason why being on Twitter or any other network should come before him. It should improve his speech and cognitive skills as well.
Eating Healthy. I think I've done a pretty good job of making sure Nolan gets the nutrients that he needs. I know he likes sweets, but I'm not trying to let him get hooked on sweet stuff the way I am. If he has his daddy's sweet tooth, or lack thereof, I won't be upset. He's caught a couple colds these last few months and I want to make sure he stays healthy. I might add vitamins to his diet.
Play Time and Exercise. I don't want him to become one of those obese kids of America. We'll definitely be visiting the park more often this year. We already go swimming every Saturday during the summer, but he needs to run around also and get some fresh air.
These are the main for I can think of right now, but I'll probably be back to add more to the list.
Happy New Year!
Monday, January 2, 2012
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Speech Evaluation
The other day I had Early Intervention come out and do an evaluation on Nolan to see if he had a speech delay. He speaks fewer words than most kids his age and it had me a little worried. Believe me, this was one of the toughest pills that I've ever had to swallow because the whole time you're pregnant the only thing constantly on your mind is having a healthy baby boy or girl. He's completely healthy but a mother's intuition is very strong and I just feel like he should be saying more than he has been. He's only been in daycare for 3 months, so I'm hoping the exposure to the other kids will encourage him to talk as well.
Two therapists came. One was a developmental therapist and the other was a speech therapist. I guess the developmental therapist comes to see if there's anything wrong developmentally with the child that's keeping him from speaking such as autism. But his development is fine. He doesn't have autism and the evaluation determined that he only had problems with speech and listening to what someone was saying to him. If he had autism, I would have been fully prepared to handle that as well. Nolan is my child and I'm going to love him regardless, but being the loving and active child that he is, I knew he didn't have autism. So they're going to do speech therapy with him once per week to get him up to speed with the other kids. We, his parents, are going to constantly work with him at home to reinforce the sessions as well.
Growing up, I've seen the kids in my classes that were slower than others, and I always wondered if their parents worked with them on their school work. My mother's first career was teaching. She taught in elementary school and made sure that me and my sister were not only on track with the rest of our classmates, but we were ahead of the class most of the time. To me, that's a gift, and that's the same gift that I want to pass on to Nolan. I never want him to feel like he's not good enough or as smart as the other kids. He's already too smart for his own good. Anything you do he automatically imitates, and once we get his speech in line I'm sure he'll be unstoppable.
Besides making sure he's on the same level with other children his age, we need to know when something is wrong with him. A friend of mine has a daughter the same age as Nolan and when she didn't feel good she was able to tell her mom. I would give anything to know exactly what's hurting my son, be it a tummy ache, tooth ache, or sore throat. When our babies are infants they can only tell us that something is wrong by crying, but at this stage children are usually able to indicate what's bothering them. I want to be able to help my son when he is in need, and communication is definitely the key.
Sooooo, instead of all the trucks, trains, and other loud boy toys that they have out there for Christmas, we'll be getting him educational toys, that will still be fun of course.
Two therapists came. One was a developmental therapist and the other was a speech therapist. I guess the developmental therapist comes to see if there's anything wrong developmentally with the child that's keeping him from speaking such as autism. But his development is fine. He doesn't have autism and the evaluation determined that he only had problems with speech and listening to what someone was saying to him. If he had autism, I would have been fully prepared to handle that as well. Nolan is my child and I'm going to love him regardless, but being the loving and active child that he is, I knew he didn't have autism. So they're going to do speech therapy with him once per week to get him up to speed with the other kids. We, his parents, are going to constantly work with him at home to reinforce the sessions as well.
Growing up, I've seen the kids in my classes that were slower than others, and I always wondered if their parents worked with them on their school work. My mother's first career was teaching. She taught in elementary school and made sure that me and my sister were not only on track with the rest of our classmates, but we were ahead of the class most of the time. To me, that's a gift, and that's the same gift that I want to pass on to Nolan. I never want him to feel like he's not good enough or as smart as the other kids. He's already too smart for his own good. Anything you do he automatically imitates, and once we get his speech in line I'm sure he'll be unstoppable.
Besides making sure he's on the same level with other children his age, we need to know when something is wrong with him. A friend of mine has a daughter the same age as Nolan and when she didn't feel good she was able to tell her mom. I would give anything to know exactly what's hurting my son, be it a tummy ache, tooth ache, or sore throat. When our babies are infants they can only tell us that something is wrong by crying, but at this stage children are usually able to indicate what's bothering them. I want to be able to help my son when he is in need, and communication is definitely the key.
Sooooo, instead of all the trucks, trains, and other loud boy toys that they have out there for Christmas, we'll be getting him educational toys, that will still be fun of course.
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Happy 2nd Birthday Nolan!
My baby is TWO years old! I wanted to take him to the Children's Museum at Navy Pier, because after attending a couple of two year old parties this was going to be the easiest way for him to have fun and for me to avoid feeling overwhelmed. The thought of throwing a party with dozens of children in attendance just raises my anxiety level. Unfortunately we did not get a chance to do anything because we both came down with a really bad cold. Ever since he's started daycare he catches colds easily because kids are more susceptible to getting sick. I thought I was going to dodge this cold like the last one he had, but on Thursday night he sneezed in my face and I knew it got me.
Several of my family members did stop by the house and gave him birthday presents and cards, and I did make him a cake. I'm getting back into the cake decorating hobby and hopefully it can become a side business one day. So I thought it would be more special and intimate if I made Nolan's cake myself. It turned out better than I thought I would since I was sick and could barely breathe. I think those toddler colds are worse on the adult than the child. For some reason I had terrible back pain with this cold and while I wanted to do more with the cake, I just couldn't stand up anymore. I would have loved to pick him up so he could see the cake but I had to have my husband do it. He's stronger than me anyway ;-)
Thomas the Tank Engine is Nolan's favorite character right now (who knows what it will be next month), but I made him a Thomas cake and he immediately recognized the character, which really made me feel good. I feel so blessed to have this little guy in my life. Even though he was sick on his birthday no one would even know from the way he was running around and being his typical happy self. Hopefully next weekend I'll be able to try again and take him to the museum because even though he still doesn't realize that it's his birthday, I still feel like I owe him a good time. So Happy Birthday to my baby boy! There's no other kid that could make me happier!
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Time Flies
I think the title of this post says it all. I just a few short days my little boy will be turning two and I don't know how to deal with that. Having a baby definitely makes time fly by because you're so busy watching them grow and having a good time doing, that you really don't watch the calendar or count the days. In fact, sometimes you wish that time would slow down. A part of me wants him to stay a baby forever but I know that's not possible. Everybody has to grow up. I am enjoying watching him grow and learn, especially when he discovers something new and for me it's like seeing something for the first time all over again.
I do have to say that I have the goofiest and happiest kid in town. There's literally not one time he's no smiling unless he's sleepy or hungry, and even then he'll laugh about it before he gets really upset. I do wish that he could communicate more verbally with us. I'm not sure if he has a speech delay, but I'm going to have him evaluated by Early Intervention just to make sure there's nothing wrong and to see if maybe he's just a late talker. I read to him almost every night. Nothing gets done on those nights when we're all tried and pass out, but he's definitely into books and enjoys when I read to him. I really hope the reading will eventually encourage him to talk. Other than that, he's a healthy and happy toddler who looks more like a 3 year old than an almost 2 year old. I'll post another entry about his birthday and his speech evaluation.
I do have to say that I have the goofiest and happiest kid in town. There's literally not one time he's no smiling unless he's sleepy or hungry, and even then he'll laugh about it before he gets really upset. I do wish that he could communicate more verbally with us. I'm not sure if he has a speech delay, but I'm going to have him evaluated by Early Intervention just to make sure there's nothing wrong and to see if maybe he's just a late talker. I read to him almost every night. Nothing gets done on those nights when we're all tried and pass out, but he's definitely into books and enjoys when I read to him. I really hope the reading will eventually encourage him to talk. Other than that, he's a healthy and happy toddler who looks more like a 3 year old than an almost 2 year old. I'll post another entry about his birthday and his speech evaluation.
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Preview of An Empty Nest
Why do children grow up so fast? Not to sound too cliché, but I remember the day that little man was born. He didn't exactly come as planned but it was still a good day. Now I'm sitting here researching daycare and preschools to enroll him in. I may get a possible promotion at work and it will require me to change my hours, which will also require me to place my son in daycare. I've actually been wanting to do it for a while, I just could never get my husband on board because of the cost. Now that I have a good reason to do, with a possible substantial pay increase, my son and I finally get our chance to move on to the next step: Socialization.
Although my son loves to be around other people, he doesn't quite understand how to play with other kids. He also doesn't understand how he's going to need to defend himself when other kids are being mean.
*Digression Start* We went to a birthday party where there were plenty of children his age. There were plenty of toys around to play with but for some reason kids always want what they see someone else with. My son was playing with a toy when another kid his age came out of nowhere and snatch it from him and rode off with it. It was one of those toys that you can ride on. Nolan went to pursue the kid with the toy and the other kid pushed him to the ground. My little boy didn't understand what happened but I did. Without even thinking I grabbed the other kid's arm and strung him up telling him he shouldn't do that to other people. His mom or grandmother was standing right there but I didn't give a damn. NOBODY messes with my kid! Of course when he gets to be a teenager I promise I won't try to fight all his battles for him, but right now he's just a helpless little kid. *Digression End*
Kids are mean, and Nolan is going to learn this as he grows in life. I just hope he doesn't become jaded like I did. He's such a happy baby and I really want him to stay that way. I was a happy kid once too, but as I got older I realized how mean people can be and now I'm not much of a people person anymore. I don't want that to happen to him. SO, I want to get him into daycare as soon as possible. I want him to learn how to deal with people effectively at an early age. I know it's hard to explain the happenings in life to a child but I'm going to be there to do that no matter what it takes. Children needs explanations in life about why things happen.
I also want him to start talking more. He babbles most of the time (nonstop) now. I know he's going to be a talker but I want to hear the words come out of his mouth. I know boys talk later than girls but he's 20 months and I'm becoming a little worried about his speaking skills. I'm also taking into an account that he was a preemie and may start speaking later than usual. He hit a couple of his other milestones a little late as well. He's a very healthy and active boy other than that. I always look back on the picture of me holding him on my chest and look at him today. He's so much bigger now and I just feel so happy to have him.
Although my son loves to be around other people, he doesn't quite understand how to play with other kids. He also doesn't understand how he's going to need to defend himself when other kids are being mean.
*Digression Start* We went to a birthday party where there were plenty of children his age. There were plenty of toys around to play with but for some reason kids always want what they see someone else with. My son was playing with a toy when another kid his age came out of nowhere and snatch it from him and rode off with it. It was one of those toys that you can ride on. Nolan went to pursue the kid with the toy and the other kid pushed him to the ground. My little boy didn't understand what happened but I did. Without even thinking I grabbed the other kid's arm and strung him up telling him he shouldn't do that to other people. His mom or grandmother was standing right there but I didn't give a damn. NOBODY messes with my kid! Of course when he gets to be a teenager I promise I won't try to fight all his battles for him, but right now he's just a helpless little kid. *Digression End*
Kids are mean, and Nolan is going to learn this as he grows in life. I just hope he doesn't become jaded like I did. He's such a happy baby and I really want him to stay that way. I was a happy kid once too, but as I got older I realized how mean people can be and now I'm not much of a people person anymore. I don't want that to happen to him. SO, I want to get him into daycare as soon as possible. I want him to learn how to deal with people effectively at an early age. I know it's hard to explain the happenings in life to a child but I'm going to be there to do that no matter what it takes. Children needs explanations in life about why things happen.
I also want him to start talking more. He babbles most of the time (nonstop) now. I know he's going to be a talker but I want to hear the words come out of his mouth. I know boys talk later than girls but he's 20 months and I'm becoming a little worried about his speaking skills. I'm also taking into an account that he was a preemie and may start speaking later than usual. He hit a couple of his other milestones a little late as well. He's a very healthy and active boy other than that. I always look back on the picture of me holding him on my chest and look at him today. He's so much bigger now and I just feel so happy to have him.
- Just a few weeks old.
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Spoiled Rotten
My son is a spoiled brat. Living with my parents has done nothing for his sense of discipline, which is why I can't wait to move. My biggest issue is putting him to be at night. First of all, he doesn't have a real bed. He's been sleeping in the play pen because there's no room for the crib. Then, I've been rocking him to sleep at night since we've been here. I don't even know how that started because I used to be able to lay him in the crib and he would go to sleep on his own. Nights like this really make me hate those guys that broke in our place, because if we had our own place then putting him to bed wouldn't be such a problem.
My dad doesn't like it when we let him cry, so that's essentially why I rock him to sleep. Don't get me wrong, I love the bonding we get by rocking him to sleep, but sometimes I wish I could just lay him down in his own bed, use the key bedtime words, and let him fall asleep on his own. Now I have a spoiled brat laying in my bed between me and husband, who by the way, likes to blame this all on me. Wednesday we're supposed to be closing on a house so I'm looking very forward to this new chapter in our lives.
My dad doesn't like it when we let him cry, so that's essentially why I rock him to sleep. Don't get me wrong, I love the bonding we get by rocking him to sleep, but sometimes I wish I could just lay him down in his own bed, use the key bedtime words, and let him fall asleep on his own. Now I have a spoiled brat laying in my bed between me and husband, who by the way, likes to blame this all on me. Wednesday we're supposed to be closing on a house so I'm looking very forward to this new chapter in our lives.
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Thursday, December 2, 2010
Happy Birthday Nolan!
I've been so caught up in my own drama that I hadn't done my post about my baby's first birthday! It turned out to be a great day. I successfully put on the small birthday party that I wanted for him, and might I add, he had a blast! It was almost like he knew it was his birthday. He woke up excited and had energy the whole day. Didn't cry once at his party, and took his nap right before guests started arriving so he wouldn't be grouchy. He dozens of gifts (which I still need to do the thank you cards for) that he loved immediately.
Everyone that know and love him came, except for a few unmentionables...but that's a different story. I'm so thankful that he has all these people in his life that care about him and want to see him become successful. They're the same people that cared about me when I was growing up.
He also had his first piece of cake that, like mommy, he instantly devoured. Well, more so the icing than the actual cake part... He hasn't really gotten the concept of ripping the wrapping paper off the gifts, but we'll see what happens at Christmas, which I'm excited about since it's his real first one he's been able to enjoy. Last year he was a newborn. I'm happy he was able to enjoy his birthday, and after all the excitement he slept the night away. Happy 1st Birthday Baby Nolan!
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Everyone that know and love him came, except for a few unmentionables...but that's a different story. I'm so thankful that he has all these people in his life that care about him and want to see him become successful. They're the same people that cared about me when I was growing up.
He also had his first piece of cake that, like mommy, he instantly devoured. Well, more so the icing than the actual cake part... He hasn't really gotten the concept of ripping the wrapping paper off the gifts, but we'll see what happens at Christmas, which I'm excited about since it's his real first one he's been able to enjoy. Last year he was a newborn. I'm happy he was able to enjoy his birthday, and after all the excitement he slept the night away. Happy 1st Birthday Baby Nolan!
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| His first piece of birthday cake! |
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