Happy December! I can't believe we are already at the end of the year! This is going to be a crazy busy month with photo shoots, present shopping, Santa wrapping, traveling and much more! But, I welcome the crazy busy.....
Ailyn is continuing to amaze us every day! She is really a toddler now! TROUBLE for sure! I remember a NICU nurse telling me that when Ailyn throws a fit or gets in trouble, just remember what she went through to get here..... and let me tell you...... I have to think of that every time she eats cat food, spills cat water, eats an ALIVE stink bug, plays in the toilet water, BITES us all day and night. She is stubborn that's for sure! There is no telling this little girl "no", she will laugh in your face and do it over and over and over again! So thank you to the nurse that gave me that advice! It really helps when I am frustrated!
I get asked all the time to post how much Ailyn weighs now. She is 16 pounds and 1 ounce.....yes I have to add that ounce! Still tiny yes..... but we are really working with her with solids. She won't start the feeding clinic until January so I have to do it on my own right now. She had stopped letting me feed her from a spoon but since has started letting me feed her stage 3 foods.....and only when she wants too. There is no "making" her eat. She can lock her jaw up very tight. It's frustrating because I want her to eat more solids and less Pediasure. At the same time, she LOVES food! She will beg you for anything you have. She chews it, sucks on it, and when she is done she takes it out of her mouth and throws it on the floor. I welcome ANY advice you have! I do have a few tricks to get her to swallow. She will choke or gag but she can swallow.
Ailyn has been doing so so well for her therapists. She is trying to cruise furniture and walk with a push toy. She can understand many directions. Her new favorite game is handing you something (over and over). She loves her therapists and enjoys "playing" with them.We went to the Pulmonologist a couple weeks ago and she put Ailyn on a low dose inhaler. She had had croup back in August/September and still had a lingering cough. The cough is now gone and the inhaler will help with any future colds. We are STILL waiting for the RSV shot to come in!!
Ailyn started a class once a week with other toddlers. We have only been to one class but she really enjoyed herself! It's a free class offered through infant and toddlers. They sing, do gross motor play, bubbles, parachute and much more, and the best is that we get a chance to see her therapists again! Ailyn now has a teacher come to the house once a month. We are working on some signs, so far she has "all done" and "more" down pat.
Her speech is really starting to take off. It's still very simple and no where near her adjusted age of 16 months, but I notice a huge difference in the past few weeks. Her new word is "Ba Ba". She even woke at 4am to say it over and over! She is also putting two sounds together and can imitate the sound when I say a two syllable word.
And, sniff...sniff.....I put Ailyn on the waiting list for Two & U. It's a great class I did with Camden. I can't believe she is already going to start school next year! This class is so nice. It's two days a week, I go with her. We play, sing songs, do art projects, play outside. In January, the Mom's stay behind and they go outisde with the teacher all by themselves. Miss Sally is one of our favs! She is looking forward to having Ailyn in the class. And, a 3's teacher already has dibs on her! I am excited to be back in the school! I miss everyone!
She has a few big appointments coming up this month, so check back for hopefully a great update!
*** The adorable guinea pig is our Sarah! Our Daddy thinks she is too fat. Dalia was in her cage ;)
