Lately, we’re a family on the go. Always something and somewhere to be! I guess mostly it’s been appointments preparing for Lainey’s upcoming surgery. Today, she had her speech therapy evaluation. They’ve recommended that she have sessions twice a week to help her with her language delay. The clinician estimated her expressive language to be around the 10-12 month age range. We’re not worried, though. She is learning more and more everyday, copying our actions and beginning to mimic our sounds. She’s only been home a little more than 3 weeks, and the clinician was impressed with how well she’s doing. Lainey is now using 3 signs – “moreâ€, “waterâ€, and “milkâ€. Abbey taught her “shoes†today in the car AS she was taking her shoes off.
– oops, I’ve been caught –
Backtracking a little…we had a nice day last Saturday that included a baseball game for the boys, playing outside, and a great Mexican dinner. A few pics…
Here is one way she entertains herself during the boy’s games. I, for one, am glad this isn’t acceptable behavior for anyone other than babies! No pics of the boys this time, I only had the “wimpy†camera. We’ll take some at this coming Saturday’s game. By the way, they are 4-0, the ONLY undefeated team left in their division. Woo hoo!!
The big kids love to pull Lainey around in our wagon. Here…the tables are turned! Does Marley look happy about it??
There is a new, very authentic Mexican restaurant in our area and we’ve been there twice so far…once, a few days before leaving for China and then last Saturday. Lainey (no surprise here) LOVED it. Her favorite was swiping tastes of the sour cream on my plate. Here she is clapping along to the live mariachi band that was playing.
And, seeing a big fan, they decided to serenade her personally…
Wish I could have seen her face!
For those of you wondering, guess who Lainey now likes? Yep, Jack! Our dog is officially out of the doghouse. She still would prefer that he keep his lickity tongue off of her face, but he gets quite a bit of attention from her. I was worried she’d take a huge step backwards when he literally plowed her down in the yard yesterday. He didn’t mean to, he was just excited about running around. She cried a bit, but then was fine. Just another sign that the girl is meant to be here!
March 26th, 2008 at 11:58 am
We LOVE the updates and photos! Thanks!
Your entire family is precious! We’re thankful you’re all together and doing well.
March 26th, 2008 at 2:33 pm
Lainey will make up those months of “expressive talking” in short time. She learns so quickly and wants to please all of you (and make you laugh). It won’t be long before she will be able to out-talk all of the kids.
I figured out why Lainey likes shoes so much… she puts them on to take them off to put them on to take them off…. (you get the picture??)
What a little flirt she is to already have a band seranade her !!!
Lainey is so blessed to have Abbey, Marley, Payton and Ethan in her life. They are great kids and will continue to love and teach their little sister.
Thanks for taking time in your hectic schedules to still post pictures and updates of all the kids. It means a lot to a grandmother (especially a grandmother named Gram)
March 26th, 2008 at 7:26 pm
hey mom, I wish I could see her face to! I bet it was cool! I think it would be VERY funny! I think that her face would look somehting like this, (*.*) I love doing those faces! :P Bye!
Abey
March 26th, 2008 at 10:47 pm
Wow, that second picture shows the same look that Abbey has when she is in the carseat. She also immediately removes her shoes and socks. I don’t care if it was below 0 temperature wise, the shoes and socks would come off. I stopped putting on the shoes so I don’t have to crawl to the other side of the van when we get where we’re going. I just take her out to the car barefooted. Ah, the life of a 5th child. They have no choice, but to like the carseat.
Love,
Lainey
March 27th, 2008 at 10:48 am
I love checking up on how you are doing! Sounds like your older kids are having a ball teaching their little sister new things. Lainey seems so happy ~ Thanks for letting us continue to invade your home life by checking out your site :) :)
Pam
March 27th, 2008 at 7:50 pm
Hi~ Better late than never!! (Been busy @ work!) I love that Lainey is learning to sign! Our neighbor, Karen STILL brags to her friends that Abbey signed back when she was a toddler…she couldn’t get over watching her!! That’s exciting that the boys are 4 & 0..wow!!! You’re right, Marley doesn’t look too happy that Lainey is pulling her in the wagon! I love the look of the violinist as he is serenading Lainey..she probably didn’t know WHAT to think…she’s never seen a violin before!! And LAST but not least, Jack has finally won Lainey over…way to go, Jack!!! I love how you described how he “plowed” her down in the yard…Ha!! Glad she’s ok with that, after a few tears. It’s good to hear that the speech clinician was impressed with how she’s doing only after a few weeks. You ALL are models for her and she will copy everything you do…just as Sheila and I are models in our toddler room…they ALL watch us like a hawk at everything we do! You guys are the BEST models that Lainey could ever hope to have, with your kindness, love, but most of all…your SENSE OF HUMOR!! Lainey is learning to laugh now, and you know what they say…laughter IS the best medicine!! That is so GOOD for her! Love, Mom
March 28th, 2008 at 3:35 pm
Oh, I’m sooooo glad that she likes Jack now! It must feel much better for you! Lainey is so cute!!!!!