3 Years Young

Sadie turned 3 last week and I still can't believe my baby is growing up.  I absolutely love this age (with the exception of the tantrums). Sadie is such a funny, smart little girl. 

We had a Dora party to celebrate her 3rd birthday.  Sadie was blessed to have lots of family and friends help celebrate her big day.

Sadie also moved up to the big kids class at pre-school. She moved from the Ladybugs classroom to the Zebras and has done very well with the transition.  Her school has the best teachers. They just love Sadie, and she loves them!

In other news, now that Sadie has turned 3, she is no longer eligible for First Steps services.  Therefore, we had to find a new speech therapist.  Luckily, Midwest Ear Institute has a SLP, so we have started sessions with Miss Megan.  We had an evaluation this week and will find out the results  in a couple of weeks at our next session.  I figured it was a good sign that all throughout the session she kept saying "She JUST turned 3?!?."  We should also be getting some new hearing aids in the next couple of weeks.  More to come once she gets them!

And finally, to celebrate Sadie turning into a "big girl," we gave her a big girl room.  We had so much fun painting and decorating it.  Huge thanks to Granny Kathy and my mom for helping out.  Sadie absolutely loves her new room!

 Barbie Stuff!  Just what I wanted!

 Light up cowgirl boots...princess boots!

 And a matching light up cowgirl hat...mom might be stealing that!

 Barbie Princess wings!

 YAY! More Barbie stuff!

 And MORE Barbie stuff.

 Opening a card from grandma on my actual birthday

 

Miss Tina telling me to get my gloves on!

Passing out cupcakes at school 

Sadie reminding every child not to eat them until they sing Happy  Birthday! 

 That is a gooood cupcake! 

My new room! 

My book nook!

Saying Goodbye

"Its so hard, to say good-bye"....insert 80's Boys II Men music here.

I have been dreading this day, and writing this post (therefore I am about a week late in writing it).  I am sad to say that Sadie's audiologist, Miss Erin, left the Midwest Ear Institute to move to California.  To say I was devastated when she told me the news is an understatement.  Erin is the one that helped get me through the mental, emotional and physical stress of  having a child diagnosed with hearing loss. She is am amazing person and audiologist and I am so sad to have lost her at MEI. She has taught me so much, but most of all that hearing loss is not a limitation in life.  Every child has their own set of challenges, Sadie's just happens to be her hearing. 

I had to find a little irony in the last visit we had with Miss Erin a couple of weeks ago.  The first time I met Erin she gave me bad news...Sadie had hearing loss.  At my last visit with Erin, she gave me bad news again...Sadie's hearing loss has progressed over the last two years.  Her hearing is about 10 db worse than when she was born.  The good news, though, is that Sadie is still making GREAT progress.  As for now, her hearing aids are still working for her.  If for some reason that changes, we can try stronger aids.  If that doesn't work then we might have to investigate a Cochlear Implant.  However, at this time, Sadie is doing just fine.  I pray her hearing loss doesn't get worse, but if it does, I am so grateful to have the Midwest Ear Institute.  Even though I won't have Erin there anymore, there is a team of great audiologists who will take great care of Sadie.

Erin told me before she left, and with such conviction that I have to believe her, that "No matter what happens with Sadie's hearing, she is going to do just fine."   And she couldn't me more right!

Thank you Miss Erin, for everything. We miss you!

4th of July Vacation

We decided this year's family vacation would be a week long stay at the Lake of the Ozarks.  Before we headed out of town, however, we thought Sadie might enjoy Kaleidoscope and lunch at Fritz's.

 Waiting in line with Grandma. We were the first ones there!

 Water coloring. Something I rarely get to do!

 Drawing like an expert.

 

 Final touches on my masterpiece.

And of course I have to finish lining up all my supplies! I am so organized!

 

YAY! Lunch time!

 

The next day we headed down to the lake. We had some relaxing time before the rest of the family joined us, so we decided to take Sadie on her first Go Kart ride, as well as watch the sun set with a glass of wine (water for Sadie of course).

 

 Getting ready for Nascar!

 Special treat for mom and dad!

 

Later that week the rest of Troy's  family arrived.  Sadie LOVES getting to spend time with her cousins.



 

 Happy Americas!

Cousin Nolan and Aunt Veronica.  Nolan is a heart breaker! 

 Making cupcakes with Pap, Caleb, Nolan and our buddy Roman!

 Um, this is pretty good

 

 

And of course I have to jazz up my 4th of July outfit!  Scuba mask..the perfect accessory!

 

Oh, and I did a little artwork while I was down at the lake. 

Yep, I can color better than my mom and dad!

 

Later that night we headed out on the boat for some fireworks! Sadie really enjoyed them..for about 5 minutes. Then she was off to play with her buddy Kate!

 Watching the fireworks in the front of the boat with daddy!

(PS-Anyone else have hair envy of this child!)

 

Sadie and her buddy Kate!

 

 

We had a great vacation, even if we didn't travel too far.  We got to spend lots of quality time with Sadie and enjoy our boat!  Sadie even got the be the captain!

 

I rule this joint!







Summer Time Fun!

We have kicked off the summer right by spending lots of time at the lake, as well as Sadie enjoying her first Royals' Game. 

We headed to the lake for the first time over Memorial Day.  The water was FREEZING, but that didn't stop Sadie from jumping right in (her daddy was so proud!).  She is going to be a fish in water, just like her dad.  We had some friends join us for the weekend, so Sadie had a great time playing with Stella and Baron.

 Nice night to chill, don't you think Stella?

 Model Pose!

 Boat Ride!

 

 

 Swimming with dad, I don't care how cold it is!

 Might as well drive the boat while I am at it!

All snuggled up with Stella!

The following weekend Sadie got to experience her first Royals game.  Troy's company purchased tickets for all of its employees, as well as family members.  All Sadie could talk about the week prior was going to the game and getting cotton candy.  I got a little backlash from a friend for not dressing Sadie in any Royals gear (ahem, Jenn), so I ended up splurging and getting Sadie a Royal's hat while we were there as well.  She was quite the trooper and actually made it through the entire game.  Within 5 minutes of getting into her car seat, though, she was fast asleep.  It definitely wore her out!

 A little ladder golf lesson before the game.

 Me &Mommy!

 Finally....some Cotton Candy! (Notice my new hat too!)

Family pic!

I won't smile for mom, but I will when Nathan takes my picture. Hmmmm?!

 



Last weekend we headed down to the lake again with some more friends.  The weather wasn't all that cooperative, but we still had a great time. 

 I'm ready to snorkel!

 Hannah enjoying the lake!

 Sadie hangin' in her boat!

 Mike, Tracy and Maddie!

 More chillin' on the patio

 

 

 The girls!

 Um, dad, what is on your head?

 

Wasn't that just on dad's arm?

Transition

When Sadie hits 3 years of age, she will no longer qualify for services from First Steps.  First Steps is an amazing program run by the state of MO that allows children with disabilities get the therapy they require in order to progress as any "normal" child would.  After First Steps the local school district then takes over any services that the child would continue to need.  In April when Sadie was about 2 1/2, we met with our school district to transition services.  What this means is that Sadie would transition from an IFSP (Individualized Family Services Plan) to an IEP (Individualized Education Plan) through the school district.

Sadie went through several Hearing tests and Speech tests with the Early Childhood Center to better understand what her needs were and if she would qualify for any services.  It is with such overwhelming (and unbelievable) joy that I  announce Sadie did not qualify for ANY services.  Basically she is doing so well there is nothing that she needs additional assistance with at this time.

Let me give you a breakdown of the tests that were conducted for Speech:  (90-110 is within normal range, with 100 being Average):

1. Wiig (WABC): Combined score of 116 (112 receptive, 116 expressive)

2. Goldman Fristoe: Score of 101 (27 errors on 77 tested phonemes)

3. Language Sample: 1-7 word utterances, 4.9 average. Most words were easily understood with a few words not discernible.

4. Preschool language Scale (PLS-5): Combined score 126 (126 receptive/122 expressive)

 

She also had a couple hearing tests, but those are a little more difficult to explain, so I won't :)

While I am absolutely thrilled that Sadie is doing so well that she will not qualify for any services, I am also a little nervous. The last thing in the world I want to happen is for Sadie to regress, or even plateau for that matter.  So Troy and I have decided that we will continue with speech language services for Sadie even after she is through with the First Steps program.  We are very fortunate to still have services through a free program called Families First.  Sadie can get weekly (currently we are doing bi-weekly) speech therapy until she is 8 years old, and then we might also supplement with monthly speech therapy that is out of the Midwest Ear Institute.  We are blessed that her Families First therapist is also the Hearing Impaired teacher at our local school district so Sadie will always be "watched" over.

Once Sadie hits Kindergarten we will work to get her on a 504 plan. The 504 Plan is a plan developed to ensure that a child who has a disability and is attending an elementary or secondary educational institution receives accommodations that will ensure their academic success and access to the learning environment.  So we will want her to have an FM system, as well as make sure she sits at the front of the class, has closed caption on all videos, etc. 

When I look back on Sadie's journey, I never imagined we would be in such a wonderful place.  I remember everyone telling me how lucky we were that she was diagnosed/aided at such an early age and that early intervention was key.  I also remember thinking that if I heard one more person say how great early intervention was I was going to scream.  Ironic because today I cannot preach enough about the power of early intervention :)  One of the SLP's that did Sadie's testing said that at a recent conference she attended they discussed that with the technology and resources today, there is absolutely no reason a hearing impaired child can't grow up and progress as any "normal" child would.  Sadie proves first hand what can happen when you are aided early, have determination, great therapists, and a wonderful support system to help you along the way.  A huge thank you to every single person that has touched Sadie's life.

Way to go Baby Girl. I am forever proud of you and your accomplishments!!