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"Mommy's eyes are orange!"
A little background here - Travis keeps telling FFM he's got to wear his sunnies because his eyes are blue. I just ask him to please wear his sunnies because it's bright, but Travis is right, it's extra important for blue-eyed people to protect their eyes from the sun.
So all of sudden FFM's become really interested in the color of everyone's eyes. And I guess yesterday mine were orange (they're really brown, which he does know).
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Getting our Moneys Worth
I took FFM in for a developmental assessment today. FFM was a bit slow to talk back in the day and our pediatrician in Perth suggested that we check in with a speech therapist when we returned to the US. She proposed waiting since the wait for one in Australia would put us at our return date anyway. In the meantime his vocabulary exploded and while he's still sometimes hard to understand (when he's tired or excited) his new pediatrician thought while he probably didn't really need it we should go ahead and do it. She's actually a pretty good doc and said, well, if his doctor who knew him well thought he should be screened, let's do it. Plus it's done through a program associated with the school district so let's use that program all your tax dollars go to pay for.
The assessment covers the whole she-bang, from speech, to cognitive ability, to gross and fine motor skills. It involved lots of paperwork and annoying stuff beforehand on my part (I mentioned it's funded by taxes, see?) but all in all seemed well worth it. We learned a lot today from three therapists that all sat down on the floor and played with FFM.
Turns out his speech is just fine, he's right where he should be, and even using some sounds ahead of schedule. All that practice we've been doing has paid off. We got some exercises to do at home so he can learn to say 'F', it's a consonant that normally comes later in the scheme of speech but since it's the first letter of his name the therapist thought he/we might like him to be able to say it a little sooner.
His cognitive abilities are great, too. The psychologist had nothing but great things to tell us, that FFM's way ahead of schedule, when she described what she found. It made me sit up a little straighter and feel those millions of questions we've fielded and thousands of stories we've read and hundreds of games we've played are worth it.
Oh, and gross motor. Well, he's got some work to do. He's cautious. He'll do the skills but will compensate. Hmmm. Probably my fault, I say. He doesn't like to go up onto things without holding on to something (like stairs, stepping over a toy). And he'll jump with two feet off the ground but only if he's doing something funny with his arms (I missed this part, they were out in the hall). And he's a bit timid (physically, not socially). I've noticed this at playgrounds recently, even more so than when we were in Oz, when Mac and Lexie would go charging all over play structures and FFM wouldn't be quite so sure about some new part of a playground.
So we'll go back again and they'll play some more. Since he's been 100% healthy, i.e. no chronic ear infections, no one's really very concerned at this point, it'll be interesting to see what happens. I'm glad to see our tax dollars at work.
The assessment covers the whole she-bang, from speech, to cognitive ability, to gross and fine motor skills. It involved lots of paperwork and annoying stuff beforehand on my part (I mentioned it's funded by taxes, see?) but all in all seemed well worth it. We learned a lot today from three therapists that all sat down on the floor and played with FFM.
Turns out his speech is just fine, he's right where he should be, and even using some sounds ahead of schedule. All that practice we've been doing has paid off. We got some exercises to do at home so he can learn to say 'F', it's a consonant that normally comes later in the scheme of speech but since it's the first letter of his name the therapist thought he/we might like him to be able to say it a little sooner.
His cognitive abilities are great, too. The psychologist had nothing but great things to tell us, that FFM's way ahead of schedule, when she described what she found. It made me sit up a little straighter and feel those millions of questions we've fielded and thousands of stories we've read and hundreds of games we've played are worth it.
Oh, and gross motor. Well, he's got some work to do. He's cautious. He'll do the skills but will compensate. Hmmm. Probably my fault, I say. He doesn't like to go up onto things without holding on to something (like stairs, stepping over a toy). And he'll jump with two feet off the ground but only if he's doing something funny with his arms (I missed this part, they were out in the hall). And he's a bit timid (physically, not socially). I've noticed this at playgrounds recently, even more so than when we were in Oz, when Mac and Lexie would go charging all over play structures and FFM wouldn't be quite so sure about some new part of a playground.
So we'll go back again and they'll play some more. Since he's been 100% healthy, i.e. no chronic ear infections, no one's really very concerned at this point, it'll be interesting to see what happens. I'm glad to see our tax dollars at work.
Monday, January 25, 2010
Really?
I'm still undecided on the gross out factor on the episode I'm about to tell you about. And whether or not I should do anything about it. So, I'll put it out there to see if anyone has anything to say about it.
Late last week I went to one of those beauty super stores to purchase some shampoo and conditioner. With the change in environment, water, hair color, etc I've been on the hunt for a new shampoo for the last few months (this is common when we relocate). Beauty super store's policy is that if you don't like the shampoo that you buy you can bring back the unused portion and exchange it for something else. I've always been aware of this, but have never been so dissatisfied with a shampoo to actually bother doing it. I'll just go ahead and use it up, toss it in my travel kit, or make Travis use it.
So I buy the new shampoo last week and it was AWFUL. So, Sunday afternoon, I went back to exchange. Other than slightly dim staff the whole process was totally painless. Now, here's the part where I start to wonder...
Making small talk during the exchange I ask the cashier, "What do you do with all the returned shampoo?"
"Well," says the cashier, "Often the bottles are almost used up and we just put those in the back and sometimes they get used in the salon. But this one, you used it, what, once? We'll just put it back on the shelf."
I blink. Seriously? So someone is going to pay full price for the slightly used bottle of shampoo that isn't full and got all wet and soapy in my shower? OK, now our shower is nice and clean, but that sort of grossed me out. I'm a bit fuzzy brained due to the household cold we've all got right now, so it took me a few beats to sort it all out, but after getting home I bounced it off Travis to see what he thought. He asked if it went into a discount pile with other gently used shampoo. Nope, right back on the shelf with the new shampoo (as I pulled away I watched her put it there). Discounted I'd be OK with, you know, like scratch and dent shampoo. But full price? I'm going to start looking at those price tags to see if they look like they got wet...
I can't believe that it's the beauty super store's corporate policy to do this, so who decided it? And why? And at what point is too much shampoo used up to put it back on the shelf?
OK, so I know in the grand scheme of life, the world, and everything this is a seriously insignificant problem. It's one of those annoying bits of daily life that make you wonder about the future of customer service and what really goes on behind the scenes.
Late last week I went to one of those beauty super stores to purchase some shampoo and conditioner. With the change in environment, water, hair color, etc I've been on the hunt for a new shampoo for the last few months (this is common when we relocate). Beauty super store's policy is that if you don't like the shampoo that you buy you can bring back the unused portion and exchange it for something else. I've always been aware of this, but have never been so dissatisfied with a shampoo to actually bother doing it. I'll just go ahead and use it up, toss it in my travel kit, or make Travis use it.
So I buy the new shampoo last week and it was AWFUL. So, Sunday afternoon, I went back to exchange. Other than slightly dim staff the whole process was totally painless. Now, here's the part where I start to wonder...
Making small talk during the exchange I ask the cashier, "What do you do with all the returned shampoo?"
"Well," says the cashier, "Often the bottles are almost used up and we just put those in the back and sometimes they get used in the salon. But this one, you used it, what, once? We'll just put it back on the shelf."
I blink. Seriously? So someone is going to pay full price for the slightly used bottle of shampoo that isn't full and got all wet and soapy in my shower? OK, now our shower is nice and clean, but that sort of grossed me out. I'm a bit fuzzy brained due to the household cold we've all got right now, so it took me a few beats to sort it all out, but after getting home I bounced it off Travis to see what he thought. He asked if it went into a discount pile with other gently used shampoo. Nope, right back on the shelf with the new shampoo (as I pulled away I watched her put it there). Discounted I'd be OK with, you know, like scratch and dent shampoo. But full price? I'm going to start looking at those price tags to see if they look like they got wet...
I can't believe that it's the beauty super store's corporate policy to do this, so who decided it? And why? And at what point is too much shampoo used up to put it back on the shelf?
OK, so I know in the grand scheme of life, the world, and everything this is a seriously insignificant problem. It's one of those annoying bits of daily life that make you wonder about the future of customer service and what really goes on behind the scenes.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Naughty Kitty
FFM's got a nasty whammy of a cold/strep/earache right now and he's having a hard time sleeping. He's also been pacifier-less since Jan 1, and while we're excited about that it hasn't made for smooth bedtimes every night. Add to that a very creative budding imagination and you get our conversation tonight:
Two things you need to know - 1) he sleeps with a gray stuffed cat every night and 2) this whole conversation started when I went to check on him 30 min after I've put him to bed because he's singing at the top of his raspy little lungs.
Me: F, it's time to be quiet.
FFM: Mommy, not me! Kitty!
Me: Oh really? Kitty?
FFM: Naughty Kitty. Tell Kitty be quiet, go to bed.
Kitty being too noisy. Naughty kitty, Mommy!
At this point he thrusts Kitty toward me for 'punishment.' I'm having a VERY hard time to maintain my serious parental composure.
So we ended with a quiet bedroom, Kitty on patrol against monsters like she's supposed to be, and everyone's asleep now. Me, I'm wondering if my little storyteller is being creative or learning how to prevaricate...
Two things you need to know - 1) he sleeps with a gray stuffed cat every night and 2) this whole conversation started when I went to check on him 30 min after I've put him to bed because he's singing at the top of his raspy little lungs.
Me: F, it's time to be quiet.
FFM: Mommy, not me! Kitty!
Me: Oh really? Kitty?
FFM: Naughty Kitty. Tell Kitty be quiet, go to bed.
Kitty being too noisy. Naughty kitty, Mommy!
At this point he thrusts Kitty toward me for 'punishment.' I'm having a VERY hard time to maintain my serious parental composure.
So we ended with a quiet bedroom, Kitty on patrol against monsters like she's supposed to be, and everyone's asleep now. Me, I'm wondering if my little storyteller is being creative or learning how to prevaricate...
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Watch Out for People Walking
One of the super-duper-nifty-licous things FFM got for Christmas was a set of blocks from his cousins Ryan and Skylar (and their parents Byron and Melinda). Along with the oversized blocks, which make really great roads and bridges, came a set of wooden cars and road signs. Curious little bugger FFM had Travis explain to him what all the signs mean. 
Now while we're driving around town to our umpteen billion appointments this month he makes sure that I'm paying close attention to all the signage.
"Mommy, watch out for people walking."
"Mommy, let other people go first." (this for ANY yield, our lane or not)
"Mommy, STOP SIGN. STOP."
"Mommy, watch out for bikes."
"Mommy, don't go too fast." (for speed limit signs, especially flashing school zones)
Add this to:
"Mommy, go left."
"Mommy, go straight.
"Mommy, go right."
"NO MOMMY, GO THIS/THAT WAY!"
"Mommy, red light."
"Mommy, green light."
"Mommy, redyellowbluegreenorangepurplewhitesilverindigo car."
And counting, he counts the cars at stop lights, counts his fingers, counts anything he can think to count.
It's very noisy in the car.
But my favorite every time is the ever helpful, "Watch out for people walking!"
Now while we're driving around town to our umpteen billion appointments this month he makes sure that I'm paying close attention to all the signage."Mommy, watch out for people walking."
"Mommy, let other people go first." (this for ANY yield, our lane or not)
"Mommy, STOP SIGN. STOP."
"Mommy, watch out for bikes."
"Mommy, don't go too fast." (for speed limit signs, especially flashing school zones)
Add this to:
"Mommy, go left."
"Mommy, go straight.
"Mommy, go right."
"NO MOMMY, GO THIS/THAT WAY!"
"Mommy, red light."
"Mommy, green light."
"Mommy, redyellowbluegreenorangepurplewhitesilverindigo car."
And counting, he counts the cars at stop lights, counts his fingers, counts anything he can think to count.
It's very noisy in the car.
But my favorite every time is the ever helpful, "Watch out for people walking!"
