Speech

Frustration.

Comparison...something we all shouldn't do, but we all do whether we admit it or not.

Today was one of those days you take a step back and ask yourself if you are doing as much as you can as a parent?

Over the past several months I have blogged several times about Harrison's language development. The answer we always get is to give it more time. Well, time ran out tonight. Honestly we are so frustrated, obviously not at Harrison, but at this whole system. It's just like when MA denied giving us assistance with Harrison's medical bills because he weighed too much at birth. Apparently 3lbs, 52 day NICU stay wasn't sick enough.

We think it's all backwards. The reason Harrison didn't qualify for speech therapy several months ago is because he wasn't old enough for therapy to be billed. Yep, it's all about the money. So, here we have been waiting and waiting and waiting. And like I mentioned in the paragraph above, we wait. Harrison was assessed by a Birth to 3 language specialist in November, he was currently 3 months behind, not enough to qualify for therapy again. So we wait, AGAIN. Harrison is due to be reassessed in February again.

Today I had a moment. A moment that has been replaying all day. It probably sounds silly to you, but hit me hard. I met a mom and another little boy (in Harrison's class) outside the door and put their coats away. The little boy turns to Harrison and says, "Hi Harrison," and he turns to his Mommy and says, "Harrison shirt is yellow." That little boy is 4 months younger than Harrison. In reality there has been several moments in the last few weeks that I just brushed off. Here is another example; Late last week I was later dropping off Harrison to his class and almost all his classmates simultaneously said, "Hi Harrison and hi Harrison's mommy," when we entered the room.

I still have a lot of people asked me how old he is, and when I tell them 2, they greet him and there is maybe a smile from Harrison, but nothing else. And to clarify, he isn't a shy child. I get the impression that everyone is looking for him to say something back to them---maybe that is just me overreacting, I don't know anymore.

What I would give to hear Harrison greet his peers, what I would give to end his/our frustration with communicating...and what I would give most is to hear him say he loves me."

Doug and I will be looking into therapy through Gundersen this week, something has to be done. I am no longer accepting a 15 word vocabulary for a 2 year old, nor am I accepting "maybe he is just quiet," and we are no longer excepting the "wait and see approach." I would much rather tackle a smaller problem than wait until that problem gets bigger and then try to tackle that then.

We are also looking into teaching additional signs. Hearing loss has been ruled out 3 times.

On happier note---check out the March for Babies tab at the top of this page (right under the blog header). I finally updated it, YEAH. This is my second year on the committee for Winona County March for Babies walk. Great things are happenings this year, we have a few new teams already and donations are coming in for the day's event, it's fun to be part of the behind the scenes of a very good program.

Have you been a part of Team Baby Harrison in the past? Come back and help us make 2012 the best year yet! Click HERE to join us!


Oh and if you haven't checked out last night's post, scroll down, you won't be disappointed!

26 Months (yesterday)

Call me crazy, but as each month passes I want to write down every little thing that Harrison does...I don't want to forget anything. We are so thankful for every single day.

A story I follow online hit me hard this week. Two days ago a couple lost one of their premature twins Maddi. The twins were born at 24 weeks gestation on October 16, 2011. In honor of Maddi, Harrison and I are tying a note to a white balloon and letting it go on Valentines day. Not everyone gets the leave the hospital with their baby. We will be praying for big sister Izzy. If you would like to read their story and join Izzy's fight click HERE. 

What better way to start off 26 months than this adorable photo?

26 things about 26 months

1. Sleeps with his plug and at least 3 blankets.

2. Loves Mickey Mouse.

3. Says, "mow, mow" for vacuum cleaners, lawn mowers, & motorcycles.

4. Surprised me by humming "twinkle, twinkle" for the first time on 1-25-12.

5. When asked a color of something, everything is green or purple.

6. Favorite food is grapes & lunch meat.

7. Starting to use two words like, "Where daddy?"

8. He wakes up every morning with as much energy and the energizer bunny,

9. Loves being tickled.

10. Still uses the signs, "more", "help", "please," "thank you."

11. We have to spell the words "outside" or  we must act on immediately.

12. Can zip his coat (with some help getting started)

13. Loves to wear his mittens in the house

14. Word used most often, "yeah."

15. Loves Llama. Llama books---we own every single copy, newest one ordered.

16. Pretends to put make-up on with me in the mornings.

17. Favorite toy: Play-dough

18. One word for potty training: NO

19. Identified the letters H, D, M tonight during bath time.

20. Always eager to help Mommy in the kitchen, knows where the mixing bowls and spoons are.

21. Will practically do anything with the incentive of watching Play House Mickey.

22. Has the attention span of a 2 year old.

23. Can independently put together 5 peg puzzles

24. Still has some separation anxiety issues at daycare drop off

25. Love to catch him dancing when he doesn't know I am watching.

26. Gives the best hugs and kisses

There are just some days that you need to sit back a take a look at your life and appreciate it for everything that it is.

Life is beautiful.

TGIF {first Pinterest post}

I love Fridays.

For those that don't know me well, I am fortunate to work 4 day work weeks--having every Friday off. I wouldn't consider it a day free from work itself (laundry, cleaning, cooking & picking up after a 2 year old). Despite having to fit chores in for the day, it's also a bonus day that Harrison and I get to hang out.



Harrison loves to help....with EVERYTHING. Honestly on of his favorite thing is to scrub the toilet. Crazy this mom lets him clean it and crazier I post of photo of him doing it. No real every day life should go ignored.

Love his Pjs? Sky diving. They were a $5 steal Old Navy. I love after Christmas Clearance shopping.

After chores comes some fun!

I have done countless posts of Harrison cooking/baking since he was a year old. Seriously, this child will do anything (except sit on a potty) if you mention cooking or baking. Sometimes I don't even need to say anything and he walks out to get me with a mixing spoon. Thank goodness we eat everyday, so there is plenty of opportunities to help out.

Friday Harrison and I created two of my pins from Pinterest. Still don't know what Pinterest is? Click HERE.

AGENDA: Peanut Butter Cup Brownies and Pizza Casserole.

First up? Yummy Peanut Butter Cups.



First: put the ingredients in.

 Then, stir

 stir...

 and stir...

 Love the excitement on these next 3 shots.

Shot #1

 Shot #2

 and shot #3

 Hey---you, sneaking in a bite.

 Yep...you were caught.

 Yes, you with the chocolate smile.

 We used a mini muffin pan

 and measured the peanut butter.

 Next we used a tooth pick to create holes for the peanut butter.

 We were both messy with the peanut butter. Turns out to be almost impossible to get the peanut butter in the holes.

 Despite telling Harrison "gentle, gentle," things got a little rough.

 MMMMMM...chocolate chips and peanut butter chips.

 Look at this face of concentration. LOVE.

 and...the finished product, YUM.

 I don't think there is a face that I don't love...LOOK AT THIS ONE!

 Or how about this one?

If you would like the recipe for Peanut Butter Cup Brownies, click HERE (trust me, you do).

Next up...Pizza Casserole.

With Harrison's 2 year old attention span I didn't think he would be interested in continuing helping me with my pins, but he surprised with bountiful energy so I kept the camera rolling.

First the noodles

 then the meat

 sauce and CHEESE.

 I've never met a child so excited about sprinkling cheese.

Want this recipe too? Click HERE.

After baking and cooking, we headed outside to "paint" the snow...another pin from Pinterest.

These are the only two peeks you get, I am saving the rest for another post.



Want to see this pin too? Click HERE.

A great day, brought to you by Harrison, Mommy & Pinterest.

Oh and the excitement won't stop anytime soon, I finally got a portable island for the kitchen---yeah for more counter space!

Oh and we can't forget daddy, he got a 51 inch plasma flat screen TV. I guess we are finally moving up to the 21 century around here. I even agreed to finally get an i-phone (after tax return that is). I have a love/hate relationship with technology---I love it, it hates me.

Linked 52: Tired

I love sweet, simple and so peaceful shots like this.

If your counting..this next photo currently has four blankets. He is laying on top of two more, grand total: six.

Nap time is a good thing..a welcomed good thing.

And ironic I sit down to post this entry and this is happening right next to me, so here is a tired bonus.

They fight over this snowman blanket everyday---the little one always wins.

Be sure to check out everyone else participating in Linked 52 (and show them some love---all so talented)

Stacey, Michelle, Tracey, Heather, Andrea, Jenn, Jessica, Amanda, Kristin, Sara, Tracy, Lesli, Janet, Naomi, Rhonda, Rose, Carla, Lena, Heidi, Veronica, Heather

My newest addiction (and some pretty cute photos)

I used to think I could become a professional blogger, keeping up to date with everyday in life by posting photos and words. But then I met Pinterest. Ahh--this a horrible (and I mean horrible) addiction. I thought my addiction to Facebook and ESTY was bad...but Pinterest is obsolete.

For those that don't know what Pinterest is...I suggest skipping this paragraph and moving on---sparing yourself. Basically what Pinterest is, is a collection of contributors that put their home improvement ideas, decorating, wedding, photography, pets, food and my favorite category words (which is a collection of quotes) into photos and sharing those for others to like, create and repin. I feel like such a computer nerd---between editing photos and feeding my addictions. So with said...I am now going to do a Pinterest post a week (yep---more feeding of this big, FAT, addiction). The post will range from a wide variety of stuff from organization, crafts, to yummy foods, and my FAVORITE photography. The ideas and posts will all be from Pinterest. If you want to know more about Pinterest click HERE. If you would like to check Pinterest for yourself click HERE and don't say I didn't warn you!


Now---on to a few photos from the past couple of weeks (which is a rather unorganized collection)

The sweetness behind these two photos has a secret.

 Those shots were taken by Harrison.

 Seems I was going through a bunch of stuff over the weekend & found the remote for the camera.

We went bowling last weekend. This was Harrison's second time going and he got his first strike...SHOW OFF! :)

FLASH BACK:

I think the strike was well earned...seems he has grown a lot since his first bowling attempt. (March 2010)

 We are currently working on learning colors---according to Harrison everything is purple or green, you have to love toddlers.

On top of watching Club House Mickey, we also play with Play-Dough every. single. day. Here is a ever so cute shot of Auntie Potter with her little man (that's not so little anymore).

I guess maybe Harrison should share the spot-light with his sister and daddy.

On Saturday we attended this young man's (Micah) first birthday party.

It's no surprise Harrison enjoyed the cake.

He enjoyed it again tonight during Micah's cake smash session.

Here is a little of the behind the scenes from Micah's session this evening. You could say he is stealing the show, but seriously, how much more adorable can that face get?

This is the first time in months he willing sat on back drop---I am thinking something sweet will have to be incorporated into a session so I can get sweet Valentine photos that I have yet to attempt. Correction---I did one attempt and decided to give up, but I am reconsidering,

He has changed a lot since his first cake smash:

This last one is just a few hours old... He fell asleep during our bed time story.

I can't resist these piggies...10 loves.