.

The Speech Therapist from Early On called yesterday to schedule Jack's evaluation.  It will be January 8th.  I am so glad.  It took longer than the social workers predicted, but I am ok with it.  I know they are incredibly backed up and understaffed.  I asked my pediatrician to see about also going through his health insurance to get additional speech help, but she said she wasn't sure if it would be approved or not.  I haven't heard from that side yet.

The virus that has been running rampant through our home may finally be dying.  I have been thrown up on more times than I care to count.  Thankfully, I didn't get that part of the deal.  I hate to vomit.  Ok, I just thought, wait, who really enjoys it.

I still have some Christmas shopping to do for small items and stocking stuffers.  My pennies are being pinched so hard that they are crying.  Poor pennies.  My friend, Teresa and I will go together early next week to shop together.  I am looking forward to it.  She is a good buddy.  I haven't begun baking yet, but I will.  Eventually.  When I am no longer contagious.  Yeah, that is why I haven't started.  Suuure.

I do, however, have my Christmas cards done.  Woot!  I used the picture from Tuesday's post.  I am amazed that they are all smiling so nice and looking at the camera.

Happy Weekend Everyone!

 I haven't been tagged in ages, it tickles!


Francesca from Three Bay B Chicks tagged me for a holiday meme.  I love her blog, go and peek!




Egg nog or hot chocolate?
I like both, but we have egg nog on the holidays.  And it is *gasp* store bought.  I can only enjoy one cup then it is too much for me.




Does Santa wrap presents or set them under the tree?

The presents arrived unwrapped under the tree.  I figure it saves paper and frustration on my part and the kids can just go for it!!




Colored lights on tree or white?

Colored and blinking please!


When do you put your decorations up?

The day after Thanksgiving is my favorite day to decorate, but sometimes, like this year, it gets pushed back a day or two.


What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)?

My mom makes the best sausage balls that we eat cold with quiche or muffins on Christmas morning as we enjoy presents.  I am a HUGE fan of green bean cassarole also.


Favorite holiday memory as a child:

This took some thinking.  I think running about my Granny Belle's house with my cousins while all the adults were cooking in the kitchen.  My Granny Belle was a rough neck and might smack you as you went by, but she wouldn't spill her old milwaukee beer.  She could cook like nobody I have known before or since and was hilarious.  I miss her.


When and how did you learn the truth about Santa?
I don't remember, but I think I was 7 or 8.  I don't have a cool story to tell about it, sadly.


Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve?
We do because it is a family tradition started by my mom when I was a kid to wear new pajamas to sleep on Christmas Eve.  This year my boys will be wearing these . 


How do you decorate your Christmas tree?

With christmas music blaring, people laughing and much singing and tomfoolery.


Snow! Love it or dread it?

Dread it, if you live in it, you know.  I do love to sit with a hot cup of coffee and watch it fall through a window.  Beautiful.


Can you ice skate?
hahahahahahahahahahah, whew.  What was the question?




Do you remember your favorite gift?

As a teen I got some badly wanted Duran Duran albums.  I squealed for an entire evening.  As an adult, every year is filled with such wonderful memories that the gifts are secondary.




What's the most important thing about the holidays for you?

Making sure that my sons remember that this holiday celebrates the birth of Christ.  


What is your favorite holiday dessert?

Jam Cake made by my mom.  I shall have to get the recipe and post it.  I love it.


What is your favorite tradition?

On Christmas Eve after all have gone home and my sons and I are in our matching pjs, I dim the lights and read the story of Jesus birth from the Bible.  My children's faces are lit only by tree lights and they look so beautiful to me.  It is a time of bonding and love that matches nothing else.


Which do you prefer, giving or receiving?

Everyone say giving and I love making sure somebody gets that present that makes them smile.  But, I love to receive for the simple reason that it is giving the giver joy.  Did that make sense?


What is your favorite Christmas Song?

Oh Holy Night especially when sung by Josh Groban.


Candy canes! Yuck or yum?
I am gonna say yum.  I don't crave them, but I can dig it.

Ever recycled a Christmas present?
Not as far as you know.


Don't Be A Scrooge! Tag 7 friends to Deck the Halls...

I hope I don't retag anyone, but I choose scifimama.  Anna ,  Eyes that keep the old soul , and C Beth 


Sorry I couldnt do 7.


Happy Holidays!

The ex husband arrived after an hour delay and the kids were thrilled.  Last night was very mellow.  Today the kids went to school while the ex, Jack and I went to my mom and dad's house for the two grown men to replace a part on my van.  Then we had coffee and donuts.  Then the ex, Jack and I went grocery shopping where he laughed with the baby and I shopped in almost total peace.  Then the ex put gas in my car.

Home we went to start Taco Soup and back out to pick up big boys from school.  Then all boys stayed home while I went and rang the Salvation Army Red Kettle Bell for an hour in 17 degree weather.  It was awesome and I am not being sarcastic.  I am doing that again next year.

Now, I am sitting on the couch in flannel and all the big boys and the ex are laying in about eleventy hundred blackets on the floor watching movies.

I smell a rat.

Ok I am kidding.  It is just being a good visit.

I AM BLESSED!

It may seem that I focus on what Jack can't do, but honestly I am super proud of my 4th son. I wish I had thought to do sign language with the first three.




Words Jack can sign:


Eat
Drink
Cracker
Cookie
Water
Milk
Banana
Finished
Mom
Change/Diaper
More
Bird
Fish
Cat
Dog
Horse
Frog
Baby
Shoe
Sock
Hat
Coat
Shirt
Please
Thank You
Car
Train
Airplane
Boat
Ball
Doll
Bear
Sleepy
Bath
Brush Teeth
Book
Bug
Up
Down
Tree
Flower
Outside
Rain
Snow
Stop
Go
Again/More
Star
Good
Hot
Cold
Yes
No
You
Me
Dirty/Yucky
Clean
Telephone
Music
Apple
Pear
Carrot
Cry
Nice
Mouse
Hippo
Cow
Pig
Lion
Peas
Cheese
Monkey
Lala (fingerspelled, almost has this one)
Write
Light
Kiss
Goat
Sheep
Hurt
Cry




WOW!!!!!! I just went back and counted. I got 83 words. I knew he was getting a few under his belt, but I hadn't bothered to count in some time. Now, I am REALLY impressed!   Everytime I thought I probably had them all another one would come to mind. Now, he does more than 75% of these perfectly. The other 25% he knows the word when I say it and attempts the sign getting pretty close.


He also knows his body parts, dances like a fool, remembers the moves to certain songs, not only walks well, but runs! He climbs on things and follows directions very well. Tonight, I told him to throw his diaper away as we were getting naked for a bath and he put it in the bathroom garbage can which I didn't even know he knew about.


I think that is why I get worried for him. If you could see the frustration in his eyes when he tries to copy my mouth.


The most endearing thing is watching him "babble in sign". If he is trying to tell me something and does not know the sign for it, he will try a few on me and then kind of make up some arm/hand movements. It is adorable.

He is really putting his birthday present to good use.

I sent a question to this website called AllExperts to see what they said about Jack.  Here is what I got.





Subject: Speech delay or mountain out of molehill?

Volunteer Expert: Tim Runner

Question:
My 15 month old son has no words as of yet.  I started sign language with
him at 12 months and he currently has about 50+ signs.  His hearing is
100% and he communicates with me very well using either his signs or
gestures.  He will mimic me when I encourage him to say mama, baba, dada.
All other attempts to get him to mimic are ignored or he signs back at me.

He has been evaluated by Early On and they found that he scores higher than
age level in all areas except speech.  His signs known and used actually put
him higher than age level for language.  We are currently waiting (4 weeks)
for a call from the speech therapist to find out IF she wants to evaluate him.


My question is should I be worried??    I have heard everything.  He will grow
out of it, Einstein didn't talk until he was 4, you are creating the problem by
letting him sign instead of speak and more.

He seems to focus so hard on my mouth and WANT to mimic, but just can't.

Answer:
Monica,

It sounds to me that your son has a significant delay in speech and needs professional help right away. I'm glad that you are having your son assessed by a speech and language professional. Many medical insurance programs will pay for this. If your plan does not, contact the school in your area that he will be attending when he gets older and seek their help. They can tell you what government agency to contact for help.

I wish you and your son the best,
Tim Runner, Education Advocate
You can learn more at my web site:
 www.special-education-answers.com
 www.education-advocates.com (for DSL and phone)