Assessment

Sam was assessed today!

So between filing the initial paperwork and having the assessment Sam learned: yes (nodding only, though he did say it once), no, ing-ing (for Ingrid in AZ), deedee (for kitty), boat, bone (pointed to a dog bone in an illustration in one of his books and said "bone"), plane, mo (more) ... maybe there are even more words. If I were to be making the decision today about whether to make the request for the assessment, I'm not sure I would. I know he is still technically behind in his speaking, but at the rate he's picking things up, I'm less worried now than I was a month or so ago.

Anyway, we followed through with the assessment. Two women came out -- I can't remember if one specialized in one thing and the other another. At first they seemed cold. They pulled up in separate cars and were each on their cell phones. I warned them about the dogs, we started to go inside and of course the dogs were barking. I asked them if they wanted/were able to do the assessment outside and they said yes, so that's what we did. Much nicer!!

They were impressed with how bright Sam was and he seemed to be able to do all the tasks they were looking for. He played nicely with them and was very quick to pick up new games. In the end, both women were really quite friendly. I asked what would happen next. They will submit the paperwork and the intake person I spoke with before will get back in touch with me. There is a speech delay, and they believe he will most likely qualify for therapy. But they also indicated that that doesn't mean I have to do it. They couldn't tell for sure if he wasn't speaking because he COULDN'T or because he didn't WANT to. Most likely it's just that he doesn't want to/doesn't have to. Usually if there is a muscle problem or physical problem keeping him from speaking, we would see problems in eating (and we certainly don't have that!). They didn't see any other sign that there was anything wrong -- just that he isn't talking at the rate that most kids are at his age.

So annoying that I really don't have any more information yet. It is not likely that there is a problem with his development, but he's not talking. We could do speech therapy. We don't have to. We could wait another three months and see. I should probably try to encourage him to speak more. And I should probably get him socializing with other kids more. Ugh. So far I haven't been able to get myself to do the play group thing. Guess I should try more!

Sam Stuff

There have been a lot of things I've felt like making notes about, but haven't gotten around to. So this post will be a random selection of stories and observations...

Sam and fast food
So the other night I didn't feel like cooking and Aaron and I were running around doing other things so we decided to pick up dinner. We decided to go to Dog 'n' Suds -- a drive-in sort of serve-you-in-the car hot dog and root beer stand. But the weather was a little chilly and we weren't really wanting to sit in the car so we couldn't decide whether to follow through with the plan. Aaron and I are going back and forth about this in the front seats, and Sam is quietly listening in the back. At one point Aaron and I decided not to get the food -- Sam started crying. I looked back and he was rubbing his tummy, signing hungry. He completely was following our conversation! So then we decided to go ahead and get food and soon as we pulled up to order, Sam started giggling and clapping. Ok, so this is not like unusual or anything, but it is funny and it still amazes me that my little baby has transformed into a kid who wants hot dogs and burgers.

Sam and late nights
Sam has gotten into a bad sleep schedule. I can't remember how it started, but one night last week Sam wanted to stay up and watch movies, eat popcorn, and cuddle on the couch. Aaron was gone and it sounded like the perfect evening activity. So I let him. He's been going to bed at 10 every night now. Negligent mom! All because I want to sit and watch movies and eat popcorn with him... Well last night we got him to bed at 9:30 so we'll ease back to a better bed time.

Sam and sleeping
However, Sam is now SLEEPING THROUGH THE NIGHT!! MOST nights!! He goes down, and doesn't wake until sometime between 6 and 8 in the morning. What the heck?? Where did this come from?? Not that I'm complaining. But the first few nights I would wake up all nervous and confused because Sam hadn't woken and/or wasn't in our bed. the past couple nights it is very warm at bedtime and then gets very chilly during the night. He half wakes all cold, with his blankets off him, curled into a little ball. We hear his cry and go get him and bring him into our warm bed. Any ideas to deal with the warm going to bed and cold waking up? I don't want to put more pjs on him because he'd be too hot going to sleep, but he always ends up kicking the blanket off. Hmm. Poor little guy.
Anyway I feel like this whole sleeping thing makes me think that no matter what you try to do, your kid will do what he's ready to do when he's ready to do it.

Sam and Harry Potter
So, um, Sam loves Harry Potter. And since his mom is a Harry Potter fan too, she's sorta proud and sorta embarrassed. Sam loves to play being a wizard -- picking up any stick or pen and pretending it's a wand, stunning you. So fun. So cute. I mean, my kid is playing pretend! What fun! But I also feel a little mother guilt or something 'cause maybe it's not good to let your toddler watch scary movies like Harry Potter. And he loves the scary parts too -- like the big spiders and stuff. Sam even reenacts scenes from the movie and has signs to request certain parts.

Sam and socializing
We still go to the library, but Sam is very shy these days. He will say hi to other kids, and loves to watch kids, but he stays pretty close to mom. He is learning new words but still hesitant for talking, though he does a lot more "pretend" talking now, sounding like he's talking in sentences of gibberish. He even has "conversations" on the phone now! Which consist of a good hello and good bye and some mixture of words and sign language in the middle.

And now, for some reason, he's not going down to his nap. This is all a result of our weird sleep schedule, I think. So I guess I should check on him. But that's what's new with us. Spring and playing. Work is still going ok though I've had some rough moments. I still want to buy a house, but we're nearly convinced we should wait. I mean, we are convinced...but I still look at what's on the market...hmmm