Late Talker

So...I think Z is a late talker. I try not to get too concerned, but then I do not want to be that oblivious parent either. We discussed it at his 15 month appt and doc said not to worry too much until after 18 months. He says momma and ball ALL the time and occasionally Da (dad) and uh oh. I have noticed with the lessening use of the paci, we are babbling and grunting MUCH more but those clearly are not words. I try not to compare to my friend's kids, but of course we all know that never happens.

Yesterday when I picked up Z, his teacher mentioned that another kid in his class was receiving speech therapy help from ECI which is a free program for 0-3 year olds for all kinds of developmental delays including speech. She asked the speech therapist about Zach because he doesn't talk much and the lady said she could give us her info if we wanted to have him tested. Of course, my heart swelled and eyes welled a little because of course no one wants anything wrong with their babies...but at the same time, it is a concern of mine too and I appreciate his teacher looking out for his well being too.

Zach follows tons of commands (helping make the bed with the pillows, retrieving things we ask of him, brushing his teeth when asked, putting things in and taking things out, etc), he is physically developing fine meaning his walking/running/balance is great; no sensory issues...the boys just isn't saying words yet.

So, what to do? Any one have experience with EarlyChildhoodIntervention (also known as Keep Pace or Head Start) or a similar program? Should I have them check out Z now or wait until after the 18 month appointment? Thoughts?

According to their website, these are the milestones that when not being reached, should call ECI:

WHEN SHOULD ECI BE CALLED?
if a baby was premature or weighed less than 3-1/2 pounds
if a 3-month old does not hold a rattle
if a 6-month old doesn't look toward voices or noise
if an 8-month old is not sitting
if a 12-month old does not say mama or dada
if a 12-month old cannot pick up small objects such as food, toys or a spoon
if a 12-month old does not play with toys if a 15-month old is not walking

Room Re-dos!

Bedding arrived and it is super cute! Can't wait to start working on his room! Now will come the hard part...cleaning out that room, and more importantly the CLOSET!, and getting furniture for Zachary.

The great debate over twin vs. full is still going on. The issue is a twin would definitely be a space saver as Zach does love to play in his room....versus a full which he would prob have for the rest of his life...or at least college! ;-) Mom told me to get over it and we could get another bed in 10+ years if he needs it. LOL. Or I guess could pass on to #2 or beyond if there is a beyond. I went to Babies 1st yesterday and found a set I really like, PLUS it is 15% off through the end of the month. Need to get M over there and see what he thinks I guess. Takes 4-6 weeks to come so I guess we have a little bit of time still to decide.

We are headed to Austin tomorrow to see Grandpa Dan and Manda! Last time we went up there was during IKE so it will be quite a different experience with the walking tornado there now. Last time he was barely scooting. Hopefully we can find some activities to tire him OUT! :)

New Bedding

Little Man's bedding is due to arrive tomorrow....I am most excited to see it!  Still cannot figure out what to do with Zach's room and probably need to decide sooner than later.  The summer is passing quickly and October will be here before we know it!  Oh my!!

Baby Pool at the Neighborhood Pool

OK.....so what is the rule on the baby pool in the neighborhood?  Is there an age limit there?  I find myself turning into that "old lady" lately!  I don't mind older kiddos being in there...but when they start running and jumping and splashing and are surely old enough to be in the big pool....I think they need to be in the BIG POOL!  The baby pool ALWAYS fills up with kids during Adult Swim.  Which is fine but then when adult swim ends, shouldn't they go back?  A couple of weeks ago, Z and I were there on our own.  Adult swim ended...but these three 8ish year old did not.  They decided to start swimming in circles to create a "whirlpool".  It was fine at first because Zach was siting on my lap watching.  But when he was ready to play again, I could not let him go because of the under toe they created!  And then, one of them swam into him and knocked him over!  That's when I finally had to say something "You kids need to be careful when there are babies in here!"  And that's when I got the "mean old lady look" as they scurried back off to the big pool!  

So, what would you say? When kids you think are too big are in the baby pool, would you say something or wait for their parents to notice?  Would it be okay to mention it to the life guards?  Thoughts!  What do you think?

Mommy & Me Monday....+ Daddy!

Today was the day of get crap done.  We had appointments this morning with an electrician and the pest control man.  Both came in their allotted times and were finished by noon.  Zach had a bad night sleep.....but that equalled an over 3 hour nap!  Can I get an Amen to that please? :)

Electrician hung our 2 new chandeliers (breakfast and dining area) and they look really good.  Very happy to have no more builder lights there!  Pest man came a bit later and all good there too.  Glad to have those 2 things checked off my list.  After pest left..we still had time since Z was napping so I was able to organize laundry room with the new Target storage bin thingie we bought, clean the hardwood floors, sweep, and some other odds and ends while Matt mowed and tended to the lawn.  Go Us! :)

When Z finally woke up, we all had a late lunch and played around the house for a bit.  The pool behind our house is closed on Mondays so we packed up and went to the other neighborhood pool.  It has one of those water mushroom/splash pad thingies.  Z was scared at first when I took him over by the shooting water but when Zach went with Matt, he liked it!  We spent almost 2 hours at the pool.  I think Z would have stayed longer but it was getting close to dinner so momma called it a night.

We ended the evening enjoying fajitas with my parents and simply being entertained by the antics of Zachary.  He was quite funny tonight!  My parents got to see the very cool toy box that Grandpa Dan built for Zachary.  It is beautiful, I need to take some pics of it.  Z likes it more as a climbing device now or to throw anything he can get his hands on into it.  I can also envision a day when one or both of the boys will be in it for some kind of "magic trick" or something too!  

Anyway, all in all a very good family day!  I am off tomorrow too but Z will have to go in to school while I attend my appointments.  

Hope everyone had a great weekend and enjoy the week!

Happy 5 Year Anniversary to Us!

Ok....so I am 2 days late but I couldn't let the weekend slip by without wishing my wonderful honey a happy anniversary!  I can't believe sometimes that 5 years have already passed...and other times it seems like more!  I know its cliche, but I am so blessed to be married to my best friend.  We have had quite a ride so far, with ups and downs, but thankfully more ups than downs.  Matt makes me laugh and can comfort me like no other and gives me the best hugs ever...and he rubs my feet!  The last year has definitely been the craziest part of the ride so far.  Adding our little monkey into the mix definitely makes things more interesting but oh has brought us so much joy too.  I love to see Matt with Zachary together and it's getting better and better as Z gets older.  They LOVE to play and I can see how much Zach loves his daddy too.  They can play in a way where I just don't get!  It's too sweet!  I look forward to see how things are when #2 arrives in the fall <3

Anyway, Happy 5th Anniversary honey!  I am blessed to have you as my husband and I look forward to many many more years to come!  

Summer Fun!

I am totally digging the summer traffic since school got out.  It is seriously like half the time.  FABULOUS!  So I can leave later in the morning and still get to work early....and leave same time in the afternoon and get home earlier.  Woohoo!

And the other great thing....the POOL IS OPEN!  We are fortunate that one of our neighborhood pools is just behind our house so we can walk over there in like 2 minutes!  Fun!  We decided to take advantage of that tonight and go for a quick swim before the evening activities.  Zach is loving the baby pool and cruising around it and splish splashing  away.  We even ran into Robin, Paul and Daylan tonight which was a nice surprise!

Looking forward to many more summer adventures to come! 

Big Boy Furniture?

Starting to look for new furniture for the Z Man since we will be using his stuff for his little brother soon enough. Rox let us borrow their toddler bed so we will for sure start off in that, but will still go ahead and get a bed, dresser, and nightstand probably. I cannot decide on a twin bed, twin with trundle, full, or bunk beds. Any thoughts or suggestions?

Today Has to Be Better...

Apparently I must have had a hormone imbalance yesterday...I was quite emotional for some reason but think I am better today! ;-) Zach still hates mornings and getting dressed (which makes it hard for me to leave in the mornings) but Esther and Matt were able to get him smiling before we left today at least...until it was time to get into the car and he got upset again.

Not sure why this started all of a sudden. He usually seems happy when I pick him up at school and Matt says he is always fine once they start driving too. So is it just the saying good-bye to me part? Z is definitely in a mommy attachment stage that is for sure. I guess I will just keep asking his teachers about it and hope he grows out it!

Hair Puller?

I know...how could a face so adorable be so feisty?  He pulled Charley and Julia's hair on Saturday when I was opening presents and that's really the first time I had ever seen him do that, besides occasionally to me.  In fact, he hardly even pulls my hair at all anymore so I thought that was the end of that phase and Saturday was perhaps just because he was tired or just being a boy.  Well apparently, he had a big day of hair pulling at school today.  

His teacher said he was intent on doing it all day.  Apparently he will randomly do it but today it was like an all day affair.  I think he knew he had done wrong because when I picked him out of the high chair he was having his snack in....he buried his head in my neck as we talked about his day with his teacher.  Usually when I pick him up he is chatty and smiley but today he was almost shy.  His teacher came over to give him a hug and he gave her his sheepish/guilty grin...the reason no one can stay mad at him!  He is one of his teacher's favs and she takes him along with her places during the day so perhaps he is just wanting more of her attention?

I called mom cause I was upset and she googled it did some research and everything came back that at this age it is merely a means for attention, not anything malicious or mean.  I guess when he is used to getting our undivided attention at home, going to school and having to share the time, it would be hard!

Any words of advice on this one?  Unfortunately when I am not with him most of the day, it is hard because I am not the one disciplining him.  And at this age too, I don't know that he even understands most discipline actions?  Thoughts?  Add this to the mommy guilt for the day....

Here is what babycenter had to say, http://www.babycenter.com/0_hair-pulling_11553.bc.  Guess its fairly common if they have articles on it too! ;-)