Monday, May 25, 2009

Finleigh - An update



I've been meaning to write this post for a while because it's occurred to me that I haven't said much about how Finny's doing lately.

Our most exciting news? She drinking regular fluids now! Yep, no more thickening. So if you know of someone who needs a box of Simply Thick fluid thickener, let me know. We still seem to be having some issues with her spitting up once in a while. We have some theories as to why and we're experimenting, but it's likely mostly because she has low muscle tone and it should correct itself as she grows.

Because of her improvement in the eating department, she has been discharged from the program she was in at the big city. Which means we no longer have a medical excuse to go to the big city for all that fun stuff. Except, perhaps, for a neurology appointment next March.

Miss Finn is walking. And she's beginning to try to run.

She's also been seeing a speech therapist to help her talk. It's coming. She's doing a fair amount of sign language and makes a few peeps here and there. Our theory (again, it's just a theory) is that she has a hard time coordinating her poor weak mouth muscles to get the sounds out that she needs to. We think it's there in her head and she's just having a hard time getting it out.

Which lead to tantrums. All out, lie on the floor, kick her legs, bang her arms, throw things, 20 minute tantrums. Fun! We hope it's just due to her communication frustration and possibly a bit of teething and not some other pain that she's experiencing that we don't know about. So we treat it like we did with the boys and they do actually seem to be improving. A bit.

Now we need to make a decision. Finny's speech therapist would like to see Finny go to EEP (early entry program) at the school. It's like pre-kindergarten. Aimed mostly at kids who need a little extra help leading up to it and also for kids who are ready for kindergarten, but just not old enough. Nate's going. And he is over the moon excited. He'll be going 4 or 5 days a week (depending on the week) for 2 1/2 hours in the morning. We had it all set up and then it was suggested to us that Finn should go.

What?

She's 2 and a bit.

Too young.

Yet she'd get a full time aid. And see therapists. And get lots of social time with kids around her age which should help her start talking more.

And there's a spot for her.

We're very torn. Everyday I'm thinking something different. She's my baby. It's 5 days a week! During her best time of the day! But, really is 2 1/2 hours that big of a deal. And poor Nate having to share school with his sister.

We dunno.

September's still a few months away and the school is very understanding and patient for us to make this decision. So we'll see. I really don't know what to do.

And that is Finleigh today.

3 comments:

  1. you'll find your answer. Letting go is the hardest part and it never gets easier. But..you'll do the right thing for all of you, I have no doubt.

    xo

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  2. Amanda, I just realized that I never did comment on this post about Finleigh and I totally meant to - the week just got away one me!!
    Finleigh is such a sweetie - I just can't get over how much she looks like you!! Its uncanny. :o) I can't imagine being asked to send my 2 year old to a preschool type thing - what a decision. Again, I'll be thinking of you!
    How's this week going for you?
    (well, how did it go, I mean?)

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  3. i will be praying for you as you make such a hard decision.

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