Monday, September 30, 2013

Speech for Max

Max began regular speech therapy last week.  We have an appointment every Monday morning with Miss Jessi.  I am so excited that Max is finally receiving services.  Let me back up...

Around April/May of 2013 I really started to notice that Max wasn't as verbal as his peers.  Max was in Toddler 3 and most of the children in the room with him were about 4 months older. When he first started in the Toddler 3 room, I definitely noticed that the other children were very verbal.  I thought, "Oh wow, that's going to be Max in just a few months."  However, months passed and I couldn't help but notice that Max wasn't saying the words that the other children had at his age.  I know that speech develops on a continuum and there is a large range of "normal," but I knew to trust my intuition.  It has never steered me wrong when it comes to being a mom.  

I scheduled a full evaluation with the CDSA, and based on those results, we had a follow-up evaluation for speech.  The CDSA is a wonderful service, but let me tell you, it is so annoying to be on the other end of the red tape when it comes to receiving services.  As a teacher, the process of evaluating, identifying, and providing services for a student was a long, drawn-out, paperwork-filled, tedious process.  And I completely understand--there needs to be regulations for that sort of thing.  Any cray cray mama can't just "demand" therapy/services on a whim. There has to be a need.  Rules must be followed.  However, when it was my child I was like "what?!?  get your rear in gear?!?  don't you know my kid is the most important kid ever on all the planets???"  I never voiced my frustrations or chewed anyone out, because I know how it is on their end and I know it takes a long time, but I was super annoyed just waiting around.

Long story made longer, after sending in financial information no less than four times, we decided to move forward with private speech therapy rather than go through the CDSA.  Not because of anything they did wrong on their end, but just because it makes more sense with our insurance.  

Sooo...now Max goes to Miss Jessi once a week.  We are working on getting him to use his words to say what he wants instead of whining, grunting, or pointing.  At first I wondered what a speech therapist could do with my 20 month old that I couldn't do at home, but I think being in the controlled environment really helps.  And Jessi has so many tips that I would have never thought of.  For example, Max needs to work on differentiating between vowel sounds and making an "o" shape with his lips.  We are working on blowing bubbles while I pinch his mouth in an "o" and blowing whistles.  I never would have done that left to my own devices!  I have already seen growth in Max.  Just today at therapy, he said "bubble" and "ball" when he wanted them, rather than pointing.  He says those words at home too, but just to name the object, not to say he wants to play with them, if that makes sense.  I'm so happy to be there for his therapy and I'm so thankful for Andres who works so hard at his company, which gives him awesome insurance benefits so Max can receive speech!

Max's Vocabulary at 20 Months
balloon (ba)
boots (ba)
book (bu)
bye bye
banana (ba)
more/mas
please (sign language only)
thank you (sign language only)
hair (said once--yesterday)
vacuum (va)
tickle tickle
hello (a-yo)
woah
wow
uh-oh
se acabo (ca) means "all done" in spanish
agua
Neh (refers to all animals)
knows animal sounds "moo, woof woof, meow, quack quack" when asked
car (car car)
go
milk
papa
mama
that
yay
cup (first attempted today!)

And here is my sweet boy using language in context by waving "bye bye" to a plane.





Friday, September 27, 2013

Seven Quick Takes


I wasn't going to do seven quick takes today because our week was seven shades of boring (haha, i made a book reference, aren't i the clever one).  But, it's our life and I sort of love our ordinary adventures.  Here are seven things about our week.

1
We go to our local playground/library every.single.day.  Almost.  It's actually a really cool playround and I want to play on it, but there's always kids there.  Dang kids.  Get off my playground.  Anyways, there is a small nature trail connecting the playground to the library.  Ya'll. There is an old family cemetery at the end of the nature trail.  It's gated and locked, but ohmygoodness,howcoolisthat?!?  I am going to google the crap out of that when I'm done googling "how to stop hair from frizzing" and "magic hair potion-please advise."

2
Max has been doing this really cute walk where he stretches his arms behind him with his palms facing up.  Where did he get that from?  It is just too cute and so funny!  We have it on video, but I'm not sure how to post a video to a blog.  Is it the same as uploading a picture?  Do I need vimeo?  Vine?  A youtube channel? Too many questions.  Just imagine the walk in your head.

3
My thumb joint really hurts to bend and it travels up my arm all the way to my elbow.  I was complaining about it to Andres last night and he made fun of me.  He said something about oh-no, poor Heather has carpal tunnel from too much internets and what a hard life I have.  Um, ok, just raising your child here.  And that is hard to do without the use of an opposable thumb. So, a little sympathy from blogland would be much appreciated since there is no sympathy in my own house.

4
Read this immediately.  I have no clue how I missed this gem until now.  Finding it is definitely a highlight of the week.

5
We have come to the season where I google pumpkin farms during naps and complain about how expensive they are.  Last year we went to Ganyard Farms (view below), but this year it looks like Hill Ridge Farms is going to be the cheapest, coming in at a mere $20 for our family.  Yes, I know, I know, $20 is nothing.  It's not the $20 that gets me, it's the reality that once Max and any future Frowow's are older than 2, our family will pay a minimum of $40 for the Fall Farm experience.  Ridic.  Maybe I can trick them into thinking Walmart is really a farm and the crate of pumpkins is a field.  We'll see.



I paid $25.00 to get those corn crib pictures.  You'd best be thinking, "oh how adorable."

6
I'm going to see my friend Lara tomorrow!  I'm about to explode from excitement!

7
I am super excited about FrancisFest in a week.  We are going to attend the Blessing of the Animals for the first time.  Max is going to love it!  Children without pets are invited to bring a stuffed animal for the priest to bless.  Which is a little weird, but a really nice gesture.  We are going to partake.  I guess that means we can never throw the blessed stuffed animal away?  Do priests use chrism on animals, real and stuffed?  I hope so.  I like the way it smells.

And there you have it.  Our week, our lives.

Thursday, September 26, 2013

Yesterday tried to kill me.

But it didn't.  Here is the rundown in bullet form.

  • woke Max up early 
  • out the door at 7 for a doctor's appointment
  • refused a morning nap
  • threw objects at people and furniture during playdate
  • hit mommy during playdate
  • hit other child during playdate
  • time out at least 5 times during the playdate
  • mommy got a call about health insurance during playdate
  • they lost the form I faxed in, stating that I no longer have coverage under my own plan
  • must find the form and fax it again
  • sent me a "sizable bill," but said to ignore it until they lose receive the form again
  • doesn't that affect my credit rating?  i'm annoyed.
  • refused to fall asleep in a timely manner for an afternoon nap
  • went to speech after only 15 minutes of sleep
  • had to go to Harris Teeter at 5 pm to buy milk
  • Max refused to sit in the cart and ran all over the store
  • was not even placated with the free sugar cookies
  • finally wrangled him into the cart as his screams filled the produce section
  • forgot to buy bread
  • did the entire night routine by myself
  • Andres didn't arrive home until late
  • couldn't fall asleep at night until 2 am
But here's the thing:  I feel so lucky to be a stay at home mom.  I get to watch Max have fun on playdates.  If he hits and throws, I get to see it and discipline him instead of him being at daycare where he may never learn his lesson.  He gets to attend speech therapy with me so I know how to work with him and have a clear picture of his abilities.  I can't tell you how many times the doctor would ask me questions about his development while I was working and I had to admit, "I only see him awake about 2 hours a day...so I don't really know."  The health coverage I receive under Andres's plan is a zillion times better than the state plan.  I got to go to Harris Teeter to grocery shop before 8 pm, which never happened when I was working.  And, who cares if I didn't sleep well?  I get to sit around the house and play with Max all day if I want. There is nothing terribly pressing on the agenda, unless you count a trip to Target, and a trip to the Motherland is always delightful.

So, my bad day wasn't really all that bad in light of my current situation.  It was hard at the time and wrangling Max into a car seat is no fun and takes a long time, but who cares?  Only those near enough to smell me, because is it just me or do other stay at home moms also sweat a lot due to chasing their children?  I call it Eau de Sahm.  I'm always wearing it.

Anyways.  What I'm trying to say is I've been a working mom and a SAHM, and both scenarios are really hard, but they also have good things to.  Each one of them will try to kill you.  But it won't.


Wednesday, September 25, 2013

The Cincos

Linking up for the weekly Favoritos de Cinco.  
1
This series of books:
I loved the first, now I'm on the second.  Let me tell you--the second is giving me major sadz.  I'm in the beginning and it's talking about three characters (Jane, Frank, and Peggy) and their childhood experiences in British Workhouses.  Ugh. It's so sad to think of all the children separated from their mothers (a young as toddlers!) and the husbands and wives separated, never to see each other again.  And because I'm a worrier, I keep thinking, "OMG, what if we end up in a workhouse one day?!?"  Andres keeps reminding me that workhouses don't exist, but I'm having nightmares of being separated from Max just the same.
2
Heaven in a mug.  Is there anyone out there who doesn't love this stuff?  See me immediately so I can smite you.  (Disclaimer:  not 100% on what "smite" means, but I will do it.  Real good.)
3

On the Square is my favorite restaurant ever.  There is the duck and brussels sprouts I had for our anniversary dinner this past November.  The brussels sprouts had bacon on them and name one thing that doesn't taste amazing with bacon.  You can't.  The first time we ever went, I had their shrimp and grits.  It changed my life.  If you've never had shrimp and grits, you are really, really, really missing out on a formative life experience.  Go eat some immediately.
(I can't believe I took a picture of my food.  Do you know what I find odd?  Food blogs.  Seriously.  Just eat and enjoy your dinner sans camera.  No one wakes up and wonders, "omg, i NEED to know what Heather Frowow is having for breakfast!  Food blogs are weird).
4
This store.  All the things.
5
This picture of Max is my favorite of all time.  It was taken over Christmas of 2012 at Founding Farmers.  Founding Farmers is a bunch of hype and all disappointment.  I think people go because it makes them feel cool/foodie/organic/enviro conscious. BUT it was worth the trip for a pic like this.  And now that we have the pic, we don't ever have to go back.  Winning!

So, there you have it.  There are more Cincos here. 

Monday, September 23, 2013

Myrtle Beach

Every year my parents take a two week trip to Myrtle Beach.  Max is always invited along for the first week, but not the second.  Why is anyone's guess.  I can't imagine the reason.  
Last year Max was 5 months old and hated to be put on the sand.  I had to hold him the entire time, which was fine, as long as he was napping.  He got bored and squirmy pretty quickly when awake and on my lap.  Luckily, the ocean lulled him to sleep most of the time and despite our struggles with naps at home, Max was an champion napper at the beach.  
This year was much more fun and a leeeetle bit easier.  Max slept through the night (as usual) and napped at least an hour and a half each day.  He enjoyed being in the sand and loved the water.  This guy had absolutely no fear.  He went running straight into the ocean and got mad when he had to hold my hand.


As much as Max enjoyed the ocean, he didn't care too much for the pool.  I guess there wasn't enough excitement and danger. 

See how apathetic he is compared to the ocean pictures?  Pools are boring.  Which is fine with me, as I find hotel pools a little on the icky side.
When he wasn't trying to swim across the ocean, Max really enjoyed the planes that flew back and forth with the advertisement banners.  He would stop and point to every plane, wave, and call out "bye bye."  He did this every.single.time.  It was so cute.  Where does he get these things?

Going to the beach with a toddler is a very different experience.  My days of lounging in a chair by the water with a book are long gone!  Maybe they'll return in about 13 years!  However, what is lost in relaxation is made up for 100 times in fun!  It is so special to see the beach through the eyes of Max and remember the thrill of making and destroying sandcastles.


I remember being deathly afraid of the ocean when I was about three.  Who knows if Max will develop that fear one day as well, but right now he has nothing but a sense of adventure!  I can't believe how fearless he was.  The waves must have appeared huge to him, but he kept running and crawling straight towards them!



Andres joined us the final weekend and I just love these pictures.  Papi missed his boy!  Next year Max will be almost 2 1/2 for our beach trip.  It is so hard for me to believe how fast he's growing.  I'm hoping that each year gets easier as Max becomes more able to entertain himself with sand toys and building sandcastles.  Who knows?  It is so much fun playing with him and I'm just trying to soak in every stage because the time moves so quickly!

Friday, September 20, 2013

7 qt



Linking up for Friday's Seven Quick Takes.

1
Wow.  Max had quite the morning.  He woke up at 8:00 (unheard of!) and was pleasant until, UNTIL...I tried to brush his teeth.  I'm so mean.  He never got over it and now he's in his crib fussing because I'm convinced that despite the late wake-up, little home skillet needs a nap.  

2





















Look at Max all ready to go "out out" on a "trip trip."  He has my flip flops on.  (Thought I'd state the obvious for the confuseds).  He even has his toes through the thongs.  (Ugh.  I hate that I had to type that word.  Should I delete it and say toe separator part thingies instead?  I don't know). Is it just me, or is that sort of genius?  Really?  It's just me?  Oh.  Ok.

3
























Last Saturday we took a spontaneous family trip to Wrightsville Beach.  The weather was perfect and we didn't even need to put up our umbrella.  Which is good, because Team Frowow sucks at that jazz and our umbrella always ends up inside out and rolling down the beach at the slightest breeze.  My stepdad, now there's a man who can put up a beach umbrella.  Anyways, the point is that we went to the beach and had so much fun with the little man.  He still loves the ocean and wants to live in it.

4























While Andres packed up the car, I let Max run around with only a diaper.  You only get about 3 years of life to be able to run around at the beach sans clothing, so Max better live this up.   How cute is that guy?  Seriously.  I die.

5























Max has always had this saying:  Everything I like, my Nana gave me.  It's so true.  His big swing, miracle blankets, bouncy seat, every toy ever, and especially his horsie.  He hugs and kisses it every morning, noon, and night.  Here are a few fast facts:

  • We call it "Neh."  Every animal is a "Neh" to Max, but especially the horsie
  • We also call it pony
  • It officially lives under the end table in our family room
  • We call that area "the stable"
  • If we ask "Where's Neh?", Max will search all over until he finds it
  • When we say, "Put Neh in his stable," Max will push him under the end table
So, there you have it.  The love between a horse and his boy.  

6






















Above you see Max's special project.  He took this on while I was browning meat for tacos yesterday afternoon.  He got into the napkins (why do you have the napkins where he can reach them?  Umm, they're napkins.  Chillax, yo). and he must have post-nasal drip or something, because he would grab one, blow his nose with it, and then toss it aside.  It was hilarious!  It reminded me of the scene in a Ramona Quimby book when Ramona goes into the basement and takes one bite out of several apples while she is being babysat by Beezus.  So that's my text-to-self connection.  And yes, I put all the napkins back in the bag, so if you come to our house for a meal, make sure I remember to give you a non-wrinkled napkin.  K?

7
And now we come to the MOST EXCITING QUICK TAKE EVER EVER.  This:























Some parents have real preschool, we Frowow's have Moppets.  Moppets is the program children attend while their moms are at MOPs.  MOPs stands for Mothers of Preschoolers and you should DEFINITELY check it out.  Meetings are bi-weekly for two hours...that is 4 hours a month of moms-only time while our chilrens are being cared for by wonderful volunteers.  I'm really happy that Moppets is more than just babysitting.  It runs sort of like a Sunday School or Mothers Day Out.  There is outside play, snack, a Bible story, and crafts.  I'm so glad that Max has the opportunity to be around other kids on a more regular basis.  He barely shed a tear on the first day, which surprised me.  His teacher said he looked sad and almost cried a couple of times...it was like he suddenly remembered that I wasn't with him.  However, he became happy when his teacher held him and then could carry on with his day.  I'm so proud of him.  

I am so excited to have Max meet new friends and for all of the playdates he's going to attend. We have an SPCA playdate in November, which is going to be epic for my little animal lover. And, I'm really excited for myself.  I mean, I get two hours every other week to just be around grown-ups.  So google MOPs, then join it.  :)

Happy Weekend!


Thursday, September 19, 2013

How do you measure up?

When I was engaged, I had my second grade students write a paragraph of marriage or wedding advice.  I laminated their work and placed them in baskets at our wedding reception. Since we moved, I found our box of wedding paraphernalia and two things became clear:
1.  I am so glad our wedding is over (moving sucks, but planning a wedding sucks worse!)
and
2.  I am so glad I made my students do that assignment

Their paragraphs are so funny!  I feel I can appreciate them even more now that I'm not a teacher.  I remember getting compliments on their hilariousness from wedding guests, but at the time all I could do was cringe and think, "They misplaced periods!  Where are the capitals? Why are you switching topics...pick ONE wedding aspect to FOCUS on, you chilrens!"

So, here you go.   In the words of Leilani, This wedding advice will make your wedding a success so please listen up!

Also, you should never fight until it has been 5 months.--Riley

The rings should smell like pumpkins.  Your decorations should be little bats and ghosts hanging down from the cake.  It should smell so good you should smell it from a mile away! It will smell like three musketeers inside.--Parker

The boutonniere should be a red guitar.  Just to tell you, Mrs. Frowow would not like that.--Zack

I also want you to be president so that I will get to see what you look like on TV for once.--Kiley

I also think you should not fight but instead you should have peace.--Ryan

I think you should marry in church not outside because if you are marrying outside your dress might be wet if that grass is wet.  And your dress will drag leaves.--Nedhe

You should have turkey, stuffing, wine, water, apple cider, coke, cookies, pie, spaghetti, pasta, lasagna, pretzels, and caramel cubes for your feast--AnaClaire

The music needs to be wedding music, not rock music.--Abby

The biggest thing is to have kids.  If you need help raising them get a "How to Raise a Kid/s" book.  Hopefully that will help.  After that you just keep a steady beat and have fun.--Ami

You shouldn't run out of the room and say "I have to go to the bathroom" when the pastor says "do you lovely woman like to marry this handsome charming man."  Don't say bathroom out loud.--Lydia

Put whipped cream on the top of the cake.  Now you put chocolate pudding on the cake.  Now that sweet cake is going into your stomach.--Elana

You might make a big mess.  Help each other, especially if it's a big mess.--Regan

You should have 9 inch sleeves or however long you need the sleeves to be.--Elissa

This is marriage advice.  Do not dance in the house.  Only have two kids.  Do not kiss.  Do not spend all your money or you will be poor.  Do not watch scary shows.  You will have dreams of vampires.--Douglas  (Oh, Douglas.  Douglas, Douglas, Douglas).

Here is some good advice for after you get married.  You should climb Mount Mitchell in the Appalachian Mountain Range.  I prefer you climb it in spring instead of summer.  If you climb Mount Mitchell in spring it would look a lot prettier.  After you climb Mount Mitchell you should parachute down.  Make sure you find a good parachute.  You should go with  a parachute professional so you don't get injured.  I think you will think this is some good advice.--Sohum

There is a lot of things you have to do after you get married.  After you get married take a nap.  Then you can party with your friends.  You should invite some relatives over from your family and the person you marrieds family.  Your honeymoon should be in the middle of the grass with a picnic blanket.  Then smooch your lips and...  Those are all the tips I have for you.--Jack  (Yes, really!  Copied verbatim.  Even the "...".  Priceless.).

Happy Wedding Planning if that is your stage of life.  Happy Marriage to the rest of you!

  

Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Five Favorites: Libro Edition

Hello, Five Favoriters!  I've done rooms, I've done clothes/beauty products, I've done random...and now I'm doing books!  Because occasionally we read something other than the internets around here.

Let me tell you how Max was born:  a scheduled c-section.  It was pretty awesome.  The nurses at Rex took such good care of me.  I want to have 10 kids so I get to be at Spa Rex 10 times. Nevertheless, I've been loving this book:

Uno
Spiritual Midwifery by Ina May Gaskin























It's a collection of birth stories that took place on The Farm (a hippie commune) in Tennessee in the 1970s/80s.  She calls contractions "rushes," as in "what a rush."  The women in labor get high off the energy between themselves and their midwives.  There is frequent use of the word "psychedelic."  But I think my favorite phrase was, "helping your wife give birth is where it's at." File that under things Andres Frowow would never, ever say.  It peaked (piqued?  I could google it, but i won't) my interest enough to read this book:

Dos

The first part is similar collection of far-out, hippie birth stories.  The second half is about the nitty gritty of labor.  The last section of the second half has me terrified of getting pregnant again and having a repeat c-section.  But not terrified enough to attempt a vbac.  To be fair, I don't think that fear was Ina May's intention, but can I just say that medical intervention is the bees knees when it comes to childbirth?  Max was transverse, and that would have equaled a dead Heather and a dead Max had I been born on the wrong page of history, so I have some serious c-section love.

Tres
I cannot say enough good things about this book.  It is absolutely Max's favorite.  We read it every night and it's the only book he will specifically ask me to read.  It rhymes and I think that's part of the reason why Max enjoys it so much--the rhythm and the "music" of the stanzas.  It also has animals and teaches their sounds, and my little Maxo is definitely a lover of animals.  (How he came by that is anyone's guess--I certainly didn't teach him to love our four legged friends).  However, what really makes this book stand out is that it actually includes all major story elements.  Setting, characters, problem, solution, author's message, and the strong opportunity to make a personal connection--they are all in the text!  And not only are there characters (duh), but there is character development.  Max and I discuss all these elements and he totally gets it. wink.

Cuatro
Little Blue Truck Leads the Way is the Little Blue Truck companion book!  Reread the above favorite because all those sentences apply to this book too.

Cinco
This book is loooooong.  And sometimes very slow moving.  However, once I was at an interesting part, I just could not put it down.  I think Kristin is such a strong female character, especially compared to Bella Swan and female lead in 50 Shades, but I haven't read that garbage, so I wouldn't know for sure.  This story follows Kristin Lavransdatter through her life in medieval Norway from the age of 7 until her death (of the Bubonic Plague!)  I love a good Bubonic Plague story.  Throughout her life, she makes some questionable choices and has to deal with realistic consequences to her actions.  It definitely was not an "I'm in love and everything is great because I'm with you and we're going to live happily ever after" story.   Kristin Lavransdatter is multi-faceted unlike the girl from Twilight who goes from obsessed with Edward to obsessed with Edward and then is obsessed with Edward.  Anyways, I think you should read it.  Scan the boring parts and find an interesting one because the interesting ones are really, really good.  

Wow.  I should write reviews for publishing companies, no?  Imagine these on the back of books:
"This story ends with the Bubonic Plague  Plus also, I like all the Norwegian names.  If you like the Middle Ages, Norway, and the Plague you should read this book."--Heather Frowow, on Kristin Lavransdatter

"This book rhymes."--Heather Frowow, on Little Blue Truck and Little Blue Truck Leads the Way

"I don't want to give birth without drugs, but you should and you should read Ina May's books to help you do it."--Heather Frowow, on Spiritual Midwifery and Ina May's Guide to Childbirth

I feel I could make some money there.

And more five favorites are there.

Monday, September 16, 2013

Easter 2013

We were still in our apartment for Easter this year.  Apartment life does have some benefits. For one, I wasn't too concerned with keeping clean.  It is true what my parents always said--"You don't think (spilling on the carpet/doing the dishes/picking up your toys, etc.) is important because you're not the one paying for it!"  I was infinitely less concerned about wiping countertops, vacuuming, and spot cleaning the carpet when they weren't my counters or carpet.  Another benefit of apartment life was these two cute pics of Max:

One major disadvantage of apartment life is the noise.  Especially when the people who live above you have parties every night starting at 10 and ending at 3 or 4 am.  Miraculously, Max rarely woke up, but Andres and I were very sleep deprived.  We jumped at the chance to go to my in-laws for Easter to escape the noise. 



 Here we are in our Easter outfits on Sunday morning.  My outfit was a last-minute selection from Target.  I had planned to wear a cute springtime dress, but Easter was really cold this year.  I needed to buy something I could wear with boots.  :)
Max is wearing a tie.  A tie.  It kills me.
 After church, Max received his basket from the Easter Bunny.  He got alphabet letters for bathtime and two snack cups.  So practical, that Easter Bunny!
Max really enjoyed playing with the Easter eggs.  If I had known what a hit they would be, I would have asked the Easter bunny to bring a couple dozen instead of just six!
 Luckily, Abuelita came to the rescue and not only had extra eggs, but put some candy inside for Max.  He is such a spoiled little guy.
Max spent the rest of the day hunting eggs and dancing with his Abuelito.  And yes, that is a pajama top he's wearing.  I remembered the tie and white button up shirt, but managed to forget casual clothing.  And baby wipes.  Just another day of coming thisclose to proficiency in parenting.