Exactly 18 months ago, I wrote one of my favorite and initially most popular posts: Lessons from a Tricycle. At that time, Ashlynn was close to 4 and still could not pedal a tricycle. I describe how we bought it a couple months before her third birthday when I was pregnant with my son. A year later, I wrote that post and explained that she STILL wasn’t able to
We went on a Santa Train again this year at Georgetown Loop Railroad. Ashlynn has never talked to Santa before. When she was 3, she cried and clung to her dad for dear life. When she was 4, we went on a different Santa Train, and though she wasn’t scared, she was too reserved to say anything audible enough for him to hear. This year a four year old girl
The day started long before the AM. Preparations were in place to decorate the house after Ashlynn went to bed. This year was different though. When I left to leave while Cody was putting her to bed, she asked me where I was going. “Mama? Where you going?” Though I tried my best to cover, she asked, “You going for my birthday?” Freeze time. My daughter has ALWAYS been astute
Today was Ashlynn’s official first day to her last year of preschool. It was also two years ago today I heard the words, “Laura, this is apraxia.”
Oh summer, how I love thee. Filled with swimming lessons, play dates; visits to the park and zoo. During summer, I get to see my children be children. Their carefree smiles light up a room, and the echoes of their laughter can be heard long after they lay down their head. Yes, therapy appointments are a way of life for Ashlynn, but even speech and occupational therapy bring positive updates
These words are cherished by any parent. These words are eagerly anticipated. When you have a child with a speech delay, the eager anticipation eventually gives way to desperation, and maybe, (though hopefully not) apathy. Ashlynn has been able to say “I love you” for awhile now. Once she really got good at imitating, we had her imitate it every time we told her goodnight and tucked her into bed.