Saturday, May 31, 2014

End of May..

Hi, everyone! Sorry..it's been awhile..
 
We had Gracie's meeting for pre-school & it went well.
She'll be starting September 2, 2014..
when I think of that, I get a little teary eyed.. she is such
a little love, a little love bug & a BIG girl!! (lol)
 
With PT, OT & Speech.. we got her services all lined up
and honestly, it's very overwhelming!
They'll tranisition & work with her pre-school teacher
to do things in the class room..
Her pre-school teacher is AWESOME!
And of course, who knows what kind of things she'll be doing 100x's
better in the fall than right now!
 
Here she is waiting on the principal's bench:
 
 
 
soo cute!!
 
Our dear friend, Kim went with us & played with Grace during the hour or so
long meeting.  Everyone seems to be on the right page..and we are very
excited to see her start pre-school.  In the fall, she'll go M-Thurs 8:20-11:10 a.m.
and in January, 5 days a week!
 
Already in just two short months, we've noticed with her toddler class
Grace is really enjoying being around other children..
(makes me more teary eyed that Maxwell isn't around.. because who knows
what both of their growth patterns would've been with each other!!)
I know he's watching & guiding her..  
 
 
 
 
Grace knows where her knees are!
And when you say 'are you talking on the phone'..she'll put
her hand up to her ear.. (my little smart bug!!)
 
 
 
 
We've built a little garden in the back yard..
cucumbers, tomatoes, escarole, cilantro, zucchini..
we'll see how it turns out :)
 
 
 
Thanks everyone!!
for reading & praying, and keeping up with our little miracle!
 
love,
pattie & gary, Gracie & maxwell
 


Wednesday, May 21, 2014

Here's my cutie...

who will be getting glasses!!
With a mom & dad who are nearsighted, it was almost inevitable
that Grace may be as well..
Yes, her optometrist says to order her some glasses..and
see how she does with them..
 
There's soo many new frames out there for little kids..
but remember Grace is only 2.5 years old..
we want her to look like a 2 1/2 year old..
so we ordered these:
 
not the best picture because she wasn't looking right at me..
I know the lenses look a little thick..but they make her look like the little
girl that she is!!! Sooo stinkin cute!!!
 
The real challenge is to keep them on her face..
we will practice..because as it would be, they take 6-8 weeks to come in!!
Maybe by school??
 
Nah just kidding, maybe by mid-July!
 
 
 
The other big appointment this week was a trip to her
gi doc.. 25 lbs. 2.2 oz!!
BIG GIRL!!
 
 
Next week is her first IEP meeting at school to get ready for Fall..
 
 
 
Lots of stuff happening here..we appreciate you all keeping up!
 
love,
pattie & gary, Grace & maxwell



Thursday, May 15, 2014

Busy..busy!

Hey everyone.. sorry it's been awhile..
been busy.. doctor appointments for Grace (just every six month visits)..
seems like they all come at once.
These will be evals for school today..sooo it's okay!
 
 
This week she saw her physiatrist, who recommended some
botox treatments for Grace.
She is scheduled for a visit to Tufts in July.
Grace will be getting a couple of shots in her right hamstring, to help
loosen her tone in her right leg & hip.. I have several preemie mom
friends who have gone through this therapy with their child
and have noticed a big difference!  We hope the best for Grace!!
 
 
Today was toddler group! She absolutely loves it!
I spied & she was sitting up on the floor like a big girl!
She comes out laughing & smiling!!
(& doesn't want to get back in the car.. maybe she wants to stay all day!!
 
She brought home 2 kites & an construction paper umbrella she made
as well as a little plant.. I'll take pics & post tomorrow!
 
 
She's out big little girl!!
 

 
And today is International Kangaroo Care day..
a skin-on-skin option to help promote care to preemies with the their mom!
I remember my first kangaroo care with Grace was 8/20/11..
20 days after she was born!!
 

 

 
 
love our big girl!!
 
thanks for keeping up with us!!
 
love,
pattie & gary, Gracie & maxwell :)


Friday, May 2, 2014

Getting ready for Pre-School...

What an awesome day today!
I couldn't be prouder than I already am..
Honestly, I feel soo blessed to be MOM to 'baby' Grace..as she
is getting ready for pre-school!!
 
Today was pre-school evaluation day..
Grace, myself & our friend "auntie" Kim came with us..
Grace did great!!
She first had Speech Therapy (ST) evaluation..and although
she said NOTHING.. she did say 'hi' to the pre-school teacher, Kathie
who came in to visit & as soon as the ST left the room
she said "hi" again! (of course!!)
 
  Then she had her Physical Therapy (PT) evaluation (above)..she LOVED the swing.. & she did soo well.  She was tired and frustrated at one point (maybe a few times) & she cried..but then she saw a big ball in the room, and she was eager to play with it.. throw & catch the ball.
The PT was very happy with her trunk muscles & her strength.
She walked a little bit in her gait trainor for him too.
 
We also got a tour of her classroom.. there were four little boys in there, and one
came up to Grace & said his name was Ricky & asked her
if she wanted to play trains with him..
of course she just looked at him, then she held his hand!!
AWEEEEEE.. it was soo cute!
 
I'm ready for this step for her..
she is soo smart and truly understands..
 
I wish pre-school started tomorrow!!! lol
 
I know.. I'm enjoying this awesome time with her..because they
do grow up fast..i mean come on she's going to be THREE!!!
 
She truly is a blessing!!
 
 
Next week is Occupational Therapy (OT) evaluation.. I'm sure
she'll do great!!
 
 
 
Thanks for reading!
love,
pattie & gary, Grace & Maxwell
 



Thursday, May 1, 2014

Early Mom's day gift..

Grace had toddler class this am.. she LOVES it..
& this is what I got when I picked her up:
 
It brought tears to my eyes!! My very FIRST art piece..and when they gave it to
me, I showed her..and she smiled..
she got in the car (actually she didn't want too..) & she was
chatting all the way home.. I'm sure about her new friends!!
 
 
 This was from the other day, when our friend Kim watched Grace
for a few hours...  soo cute! We hadn't seen Kim in a week since we
were away..and it's soo nice to see her!
Now her parents are going to be up from Florida..
so who knows when we'll
see her!! (two weeks! wink!)
 
Tomorrow is evaluation day for Grace, as we head to her pre-school
for speech & PT evaluation!!  We are lucky to bring Kim with us, as Gary has a work
day he couldn't get out of.. and it's always good to bring someone with you!
 
 
I've been crazy busy with Tastefully Simple..just learning & networking..
creating & doing trainings.. actually loving it!!
(making some $$ too!!)
 
And today.. milestone.. Grace said "HI" to her dad as she WAVED..
she usually just does one or the other.today was the
first day she did both together!! 
How cool!! 
 
After nap, Grace also said "E"..the sound..like ..'eeeee'
& then when I said it.she giggled.. uh oh, it sounds like a story from school!!
 
 
 
 
 
Thanks for keeping up!
love,
pattie & gary, Grace & maxwell