First Two Word Phrases

"Hi Nana"

Today we picked up Skye from work. When Skye got in the car, Kapooka waved and said "Hi Nana". Nana is what Kapooka calls Skye. It was great. Skye sure had a huge smile. Skye took this picture with her phone. Taking pictures together is one of their favorite activities.

Later, we stopped for a snack. Wildcat had some fries. Kapooka said his name and then signed please. I think that counts as a two word phrase too! Of course, Wildcat was too engrossed in a book to hear.

New Toys

Kapooka had outgrown most of her baby toys (rattles and batting toys). The speech therapist suggested some different toys and play would help stimulate speech. A lot of stores are having great clearance sales right now, so here are a few of our deals. This was simply because Kapooka loves the bath, and it was on super duper clearance.

This baby doll is one of Bethany's favorite. We probably play with it an hour a day. She loves to give the baby a bottle, hug the baby, and blanket the baby. The baby has helped her learn to say the word "eye". Go new toys!

This toy we got in excellent used condition. It looks almost brand new. We got this because it is a toy that Wildcat and Kapooka can play with together. They like to make the monsters "talk" to each other and they of course like to bowl. Bethany bowls by knocking them down with her hands. Wildcat does it the proper way.

This is just a girl version of a car, so we can make lots of neat sounds.

We love this toy. Bethany can make choices and is learning the words on and off.

A byproduct...mama is much less bored. I like new toys too!

Little Hands

Last night Kapooka was having a terrible time settling down. Finally I lay down beside her. She rolled onto her tummy and tucked her little hand under my arm and wiggled her foot into my other hand. She went to sleep in just a few minutes. I started thinking about how nice it is to have a little one that can be comforted by touching a hand. I am truly blessed to be her mama.

Of course today her hands played in the dog water, stole her daddy's toothbrush and used it, played with her baby doll, dropped a pan on her toes, picked out books to read, banged the ground in frustration, reached to be picked up and signed please. Her little hands sure do a lot these days. Still, I am blessed to be her mama. Although, since she then put the dog water on her head and she smells funky, she gets a bath tonight.

Park Outing

Today we met some friends from school at a local park. We had never been to a splash park before and did not know how wet you get, so we were woefully unprepared. However, we had so much fun. We definitely want to go again. It is free.

Above is just about 1/4 of the splash part without the water turned on. There were also two regular playgrounds on either side of the splash pad.

I was very impressed with the facility as well with the kids and parents that were there today. It was crowded, but everyone was polite and well behaved. The facilities were clean. There was even a day camp there (I don't know from where, or I would brag even more publically), but everyone was pleasant.

Wildcat had a good time playing with his friends. Since everything was so contained, I could just look for him every few minutes and give him a little freedom. Paul came with us, and he played with Kapooka. She just kept getting more brave and more brave in the water. She loved the regular playground too. We didn't have our camera.

If you would like to know more about this park...here you go...

http://www.fishers.in.us/department/division.asp?fDD=9-60&location=billericay

Kapooka

Please ignore the people on the couch. However, check out Kapooka's hair. This is how it looks when she wakes up. She has this crazy curly hair in back, and we love it. Her sides are starting to get long, so she is losing the mullet look. I think in another couple of months it might be time for the first haircut just to even some things up and to possibly trim some bangs. I think she won't look like a baby anymore once that happens though, so I am in no rush.

I also noticed today that her eye color seems to be darkening a little. She still has blue eyes, but depending on the light and her mood, they can shift to more green. They also definitely have a brown rim around the pupil. They remind me a lot of her daddy's eyes.

The other think about Kapooka is that she loves her bath. She loves to splash. She loves to be washed. She loves getting her head massaged during a shampoo. She loves the tub letters. She loves dumping water from a cup. She does not love getting her hair rinsed. She loves to chew on a washcloth. She loves her boats. She would play in the bath for hours if we let her. Her older sister got a very modest, but very funny bath picture on her phone, so we will have to try and get it downloaded.

Speech Evaluation

Kapooka had a speech evaluation today. We've had some concerns because she isn't picking up new words and has started to lose some words. The speech therapist and occupational therapist that came were really nice and very helpful. They are a little concerned about Kapooka's expressive language. However, they said that her receptive language is right on track and that cognitively "she is as sharp as a whip." That made me smile.

With the receptive language they think that she should catch up by the time she is two. They will re-evaluate her around the two year mark. If at that time she has not shown improvement or is still borderline, then they will begin therapy. They believe this is probably related to her prematurity and that in this area she just needs a little extra time to develop. However, if we have additional concerns or she loses additional skills before then, we will get an immediate re-evaluation.

We were also given some simple ideas to help her communicate now, and some fun games to play to help her develop the muscles and skills she will need to be able to speak. I am glad to have a few steps to work on with her. It makes me feel less helpless.

Getaway Picture Post 2

Playing in the waves of very cold Lake Michigan.

Kapooka hated having dry sand stick to her, but she hated the cold water, so we built a battlement that protected her from the waves. She played quite contentedly.

We had a great time!

Kapooka loved the seagulls. She spent a lot of time pointing into the sky just like this.

Getaway Picture Post 1

Wildcat on a sand dune.

What a goofy kid!

The College Football Hall of Fame. Kapooka tried to eat the football.

Wildcat couldn't push it up the hill, but he posed for a picture.

Go Huskers!