What's going on at our house?

Well, after many months of wonder, we finally have an answer for Miss Annie - Sensory Processing Dysfunction.  It explains all of the issues.  Occupational therapy and continued speech therapy are the best treatments for Annie.  Essentially, Annie is able to take in information but has difficult or an inability to process what the information.  SPD is a neurological disorder; however, because we've caught it early enough, Annie's central nervous system is still "pliable" enough that we can teach her how to overcome this.  SPD is often a precursor to ADHD, anxiety disorders, etc. so it's imperative that we work with Annie now.  SPD is on the autism spectrum but Annie does not have autism.  Annie's ST, Teresa, feels that Annie is some issue where she is over-responsive to stimuli and other times when she is under-responsive to stimuli.  After looking at some material about SPD, I tend to believe that it explains why I struggled so much as a kid, even into high school.  Kids with SPD tend to also have issues with reflux, allergies, and asthma.  I know it serves no purpose to beat myself up over something I had no choice about but I really hate that idea that Annie got this from me, and I'm really hoping that she's not going to have allergies and asthma like I do.  In short, the plan is to bombard Annie with as much stimulation as possible and teach her how to respond to it.  We're looking into putting her in a Music Together class.  Emma took a class when she was little and she loved.  I'm just hoping that it doesn't over-stimulate Annie.  It's expensive but if it helps . . .  I'm sure this whole paragraph seems disjointed but I'm seriously on overload about this whole thing.

On a happier note, we are all very excited about Emma's first dance performance on December 12, 13, and 14th.  She is in the ice skater dance and mommy (and daddy) could not be more proud.  I get all emotional about my little girl performing but I can't wait to see her.  More information coming soon!

We're finally ALL healthy.  It's a bizarre concept at our house but it's actually come to fruition.  I can't believe it.  

It has been cold and snowy here.  We've not had any accumulation (or delays) but I'm sure that will change in time.  Emma gets really excited about the snow.  I can't wait until we have enough to take her out and play in it.  

Emma's also very excited about Santa Claus coming.  Every commercial we hear, "MOMMY, DADDY, I WANT THAT!!!!!!!" or "Maybe Santa Claus can bring me that".  I cannot wait until Christmas morning.  

We have a busy day tomorrow and a busy week coming up so I need to head to bed.  

More later. . .

Annie's Little Secret

Our sweet little Annie has made tremendous strides eating with a spoon and taking a bottle.  It seems for every achievement she makes, it comes with a list of skills that she's either struggling with, not doing, or behind on.  Annie can't take a bottle in an upright position and a cup incites rage like you wouldn't believe.  Although she's crawling she's not sitting up independently and her crawl is a little awkward.  She's not imitating behaviors or holding her own bottle.  The strange part is not that she can't do these things but it's that she doesn't even try.  She notices us but she just looks at us like she's thinking, "What are you doing?"  I've put handles on her bottles and she wants nothing to do with them.  She insists on having one arm tucked behind me and her other hand on my pinkie.  I feel responsible because I tucked one arm behind me to hold her down when she was thrashing and now she refuses to not have it there.  She makes no attempt to imitate or make hard consonant sounds; she only makes a short a sound.  Annie makes no attempt to chew on anything in her mouth but she does finally suck.  Annie's speech therapist would like us to ask about having an occupational therapist come on board to help Annie.  

I think the ability is there but I'm not sure why she's not doing these things.  She's at a point where being behind in one skill will cause delays in other skills.  We don't want her to get so far behind that it becomes an issue to get her back on track.  We're sort of hoping for a catching up and preventative approach.  Most of Annie's Christmas presents this year are going to be developmental toys her speech therapist suggested.  

As I was snuggling Annie to sleep tonight I feel apart.  I know Annie is exactly the way she is supposed to be and exactly as God intends her to be.  I guess I was crying out of my own selfishness.  I so very much don't want to see this precious little angel struggle any more than she has to.  I know all these things will come in come but I wonder at what time and to what extent she'll struggle between now and then.  I think about how traumatic feeding was for her - and for us - for the first four months of her life and wonder if she'll have to go through the same trauma.  And in the midst of this, I see her beautiful blue eyes open and a sweet smile from behind her binkie while my tears stream down her cheeks.  She is a precious gift and so sweet and funny and through everything she has the most beautiful smile and always a laugh.  And I feel so small and helpless.  

This is the best picture I could get of her TWO beautiful teeth.

Wish Lists

I found the coolest site for wish lists:  Boxedup.com.  It allows you to make multiple wish lists and add items from any store you want.  

Barbie Girls

Emma is all about Barbie and had the opportunity to meet Barbie and have her picture taken today.  She thought it was the greatest.  Here's her picture.

From Meet the Deffenbaughs

Some vids

Long but SOOOOOO worth it!

Emma got chilly so she borrowed Daddy's sweatshirt.

Emma & Ani

Our pumpkins

Daddy and his pumpkin

Cinderella Emma

Cinderella and her pumpkin

These were taken at our last playgroup.  

Emma & Ani

Emma's going shopping

Baby Lucas

Baby Lynsey

Still sick

Well, I'm feeling better and worse.  I found out that it was my new maintenance inhaler that was giving me the shakes and dizziness.  So, without this one, I'm not dizzy  but the bronchitis is taking over again.  And, Emma's on her third round of antibiotics and Annie's running a temp. of 102.6.  My advice:  STAY AWAY!