hide-n-(sensory)-seeking

Ever since our youngest was born, sleep has been one of our biggest challenges. After months and months of two steps forward one step back, and trial and error (oy, lots of error!), we can finally say we are making some progress. Baby and Daddy still sleep on the couch. Every night though, for about a month, Daddy gets her corner ready just how she likes it. Then she cries because she doesn't want to be apart from Mommy. But then he says its time for a story... She quiets down, settles in and waits. Then, every night, Daddy tells her a story using signs. They are usually about a baby, and a daddy, and going outside. And when Daddy forgets a sign or doesn't know one, he asks her...and she always knows, and shows him. She listens, she smiles, and she signs along. When they finish, Daddy says a prayer with her, lays her down, and covers her with her weighted blanket. And for the first time in her life, she falls asleep by herself, without nursing, being held...

What do we do here all day?   Well, on any given day one might find :       A baby who colors herself two-tone... A  boy writing a poem on a roll of tape, about writing a poem on a roll of tape... Fantastic architectural sculpures (this one by Grace)...       A toddler giddy with excitement at having more colored hangers added to her bath... Throw in Grandpa arguing with Daddy about American Idol ( which is really The X Factor right now), and telling him how much he hates the show, and would Victor like to come watch with him?   Somewhere in there we usually manage to feed our brood, convince them for the 9,457th time that they really don't want their permanent teeth to fall out before they have even reached adulthood and so should brush them, scriptures, prayers, and hugs and kisses for the big kids, and two parents who are very happy to say goodnight to them (someday we...

So way back in April, in this nearly-never-ending-post I mentioned that Kit used to hum and sing a lot. Pretty much every day, until she just sort of stopped. That was...sadder than sad. But! She seems to enjoy surprising us. So, just in the last couple of days, guess what I've been hearing? A lot of this:   And by a lot, I mean all throughout the days and evenings. When she's walking, jumping, spinning, eating, playing, or laying, she's all the while humming or outright singing! She obviously understands what she's saying even if we don't! It's crazy ADORABLE! And I am ridiculously excited to have my Music Major back at the pipes!!

My family cracks me up on a daily basis. Here are just two instances that made me smile today... Scene: I'm in the bathroom. I can hear bickering from the other side of the door, but I'm purposely trying NOT to hear what they are disputing. Then I hear Zak, now standing right outside the door, "MOM! Grace is falsely accusing me!!" I didn't answer. He went away, finally. Scene: I'm sitting in the recliner with Kit. Zak is bouncing on the exercise ball, when he slows to a stop. "Mom, I think it's about time you let Koda out of time out, don't you?" "What?" "Look at her!" Well, I don't know what she did, but she sure looks guilty!

             Olivia always wanted an invisible leg...              ok, 1.) She sat there and let me do it!! 2.) She left it in for like seven whole minutes!!!!     A bag of limas under each arm...now where's that pot I wanted?                  Terrific Tuesday to All!

"How many signs do you think she knows now? A couple dozen?"   A good friend asked when we finally were able to get together after several months of crazy summertime life.   "Probably close to two hundred, if not more, actually."   Wow! Even I am astounded by her amazing capacity to see and remember so many signs. Even when she can't yet fully perform them.   Long before she lost her spoken words, I had taught her several basic signs. More, please, eat, all done.   Right about the time that it was clear that her words were not making their way back of their own accord just yet, my sister loaned us a baby sign language video.   It quickly became Kit's favorite, and though it took her several weeks to start to use the signs herself, when we used them, she clearly understood and would smile in agreement, or shake her head if it was not to her liking.   To my grateful surprise, our local library also had both seasons of...

"More."   This is the first sign I have taught all my children, including ones who weren't mine, but spent time in my care.   This sign is a priceless tool to a baby. It is one of the most powerful gifts a parent or caregiver can bestow. Especially, since babies develop control of thier hands much earlier than the numerous muscles required for speech. But their minds develop even earlier! They can understand even sooner.   That one little word lays a foundation for back and forth conversation. Reduces both the child's as well as the caregiver's frustration. And it teaches the child that there is a way to communicate that allows him/her to remain more in control emotionally. This is very important because no one really likes to feel out of control.   °°°   Have you ever lost your voice? Did it make you feel somewhat insecure? Or even occasionally panicky?   Likely, you were able to make your needs known through writing, texting, or ...

We haven't had a sensory bin for a couple of months now. Mostly because I just didn't have the energy to supervise or sweep up beans eighty times a day. But, it was noticeable that Kit missed it. I hadn't realized how many times a day/week/month that she actually occupied herself with it, quite happily, for good chunks of time. Without the bin, those chunks of time were harder to fill than sweeping up beans eighty times a day. It is a very soothing activity for her as well. Today she leaned in over the bin and massaged the beans up and down her belly. She so wanted to be swimming in dry beans! Despite my low tolerance for sweeping over the summer, I did keep the bin in mind, and anytime I was at the dollar store, or Target, or Wal-Mart, I always rummaged through the sale racks for items that can be used in our bins. And I found many wonderful treasures, which I store in a special box to pull out and add to the bin as needed. Kit has been especially passionate about color...