A Mother's Worry

So. Full disclosure, buddy. Two weeks ago, we had you tested by the state's early intervention program. You see, I've been concerned about your speech or your lack of speech, for several months. In my opinion, you don't talk as much as other children around your age. You will repeat just about anything I ask you to (if you want to) but you don't spontaneously say things. You rarely talk to strangers at all, but you'll talk to Daddy or I. Daddy and I finally decided to contact the program for an evaluation. As we see it, we're either catching a problem early or proving I have been worrying over nothing.

We met with your case manager, signed some paperwork, and a nice girl came out to the house to test you. It was a long test for you and I know it was difficult. When she'd ask you to do things, you would say, "No, no, no!" You very, very rarely tell Daddy or I know so I found that encouraging. As a teacher, I have some issues with how she administered the test but at the end of the day she told me that your expressive AND receptive language were both below level. She didn't say how much below level...we'll find that out when your case manager comes back.

She also said she always recommends an evaluation with a pediatric neurologist in order to rule out any neurological problems.

That's where we stand right now. We've been patiently, impatiently waiting for our follow up meeting with your case manager to find out how and where we proceed.

 We love you, buddy. We love you so very much.

expERIEnce Museum

Last week, while Granny and Grandad were here, we went to the children's museum in Erie. I had never been there, but had checked out the reviews online. We had planned earlier in the year to take you to the children's museum in Cleveland, but then I read some horrible reviews and we decided not to go. The museum in Erie did not disappoint! It was one of the better children's museums we've visited.

It was a little complicated getting there (thank goodness for GPS), but with Grandad driving we made it there without a problem. There are three levels to the museum. The entrance level has a huge water table, lunch area, cave/slide, and a water chalkboard. 

Oh, did I mention the giant blocks, too?

Daddy had fun hammering nails, too!

They had a pedal fire truck that you loved. Your feet couldn't quite reach the pedals, but that didn't stop your fun.

This alligator bank looked a lot like our dinosaur bank, Dino. You love Dino. We use Dino to collect change for your college fund. Anytime you find a coin lying around the house (no matter how hard I try to keep them picked up), you come to me, grab my hand, and take me to Dino to deposit your coin. As soon as you saw the alligator, you immediately came to me for a coin. Luckily, I had one.

The water table was a huge hit. You loved playing in the water.

And fishing in the water....

Daddy had fun playing in the water, too!

So did Grandad!

On the lower level they had puzzles, a Smart Table (pardon Mommy while she drools), a toddler area, blocks, and an art area. Three guess where you spent most of your time...

You, of course, took the opportunity to build a tower. We build towers constantly these days.

The top floor of the museum had an imaginative play area, stage, and TRAIN TABLES! We spent quite a while at the train table. I've tried convincing Daddy that you need your own train table, but he just muttered about having to build another house to corral all the toys you "need."

The imaginative play area had a house play set (that you played in for about a minute), a delicatessen, a court room, a post office, and a grocery store. You grabbed a shopping cart in the grocery store and promptly filled your cart with formula and diapers. Only the essentials, right buddy?

You also enjoyed running around the stage. I tried to put a cape on you, but you were unimpressed.