What a start to the spring

So here it is, a long time since I have written a thing, and so much to tell! Let's start where I always start, with Alex.

Alex has been through horse therapy 8 times now, and I swear by it. I have seen a turn around in this kid. His balance is better, his coordination, his fine-motor skills, and his overall confidence. He still doesn't speak, but he grunts often and with inflection. He even does this weird gurgling, scratching thing with his throat like he is congested. When I asked my OT about it, she thinks he is playing with his throat muscles and trying to start his speech. I hope that's the case!

We have also been through AISD's special education referral process. In February, we went to see the district's audiologist who gave Alex and Elle a good score on their hearing report. Good thing those long-term tubes are working. Elle was referred for speech as well, but didn't qualify since she was labeled "average." Never thought I'd be so happy to have an "average" kid! We went to have a formal evaluation at a place called Kooken which is AISD's early childhood special education center. Elle was great, and was dismissed from their services. Alex was consistent with his testing through my ECI therapy and qualified. I am very excited about this (not the fact that I have a kid who qualifies for these services, but estatic that I have the chance to help my kid who needs these services). He will now have a daily PPCD (Preschool Programs for Children with Disabilities) program from 8:05 to 11:05. He will then be bussed to CLC (Alex and Elle's church preschool). During his daily class he will receive speech. The lady will work with Alex two days a week. Next year, he will be evaluated for OT (Occupation Therapy), PT (Physcial Therapy) and MT (Music Therapy). Made that last one up...not sure if it is MT or just music therapy. Here is the cool part. He gets to start next week. Since the twins are turing 3 on Saturday, he will have the opprotunity to start right after his 3rd birthday. So we get to begin all these wonderful services right away. Yeah!

Today we attended Alex's first ARD (Admission, Review, Dismissal). Matt got to sit in to see how one of these work. Thank goodness I have sat through my share of 7th grade ARD's to know what was happening. I can easily see how a parent who is just starting out could feel overwhelmed. It was great though. The teaching staff was so accomodating and helpful. I know that Alex will be in great hands. Not to mention, Noni will be a few hallways away along with her amazing teacher friends like Lisa, Barbara, and Teri (and all you other Divas). I know he is in great hands!

This summer, I am going to continue the horse therapy (some of these kids have been in it for years...so we are going to keep it up as long as he likes it). I also plan to get Alex in aqua therapy so that he can learn to swim and learn to move his body through the use of water.

Now, let's move on to Elle. My sweet yet sassy little lady. So, we have learned the art of ignoring. How a three year old can master this concept is beyond me. She is also really good at changing the subject in the blink-of-an-eye. I frequently have to hold her cheeks so that she will stare at me so I can talk to her. Then she says "Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes....MOMMY" until I shut up. Awesome! On the other hand, she gives kisses like they are going out of style and loves to play with my hair. She hasn't learned how to be gentle yet, but we are trying. She has to do everything herself even though it takes forever. I am pretty sure I have peed my pants a bit because I am holding it in while waiting for her to decided to get out of her car seat and get in the house. Then she will look at me and say "Mommy, I am trying, please hold on!!" So, Sorry! Her attitude is refreshing though, and I know that she is just being a true 3 year old. As a friend of mine said (little shout-out to Jessica H.) "You want that attitude because you know she will be able to hold her own when she gets older." I am pretty sure I butchered what she said...but it was something like that. We love dancing (especially Dancing with the Stars), so we are about to embark on our first dance class on June 3rd. Fun! She has a unique sense of style too. When picking out some new PJ's the other day, she did not choose the monkey, frogs, ice-cream cones, or butterflys. No, my daughter chose the...crab. She said "whooooo, crabs." Again...Awesome.

So to make a long story longer, we are about to head into our 3rd birthday this Saturday, May 7. We are getting so big (just hit the 30lb. mark for both of them. I know they are little for their ages...preemies). Alex loves balls and trucks right now, and Elle loves anything that tickles her fancy at the moment. Right now it is princesses. She was so excited to see the royal wedding and the beautiful princess, but was confused as to where the witch was. We love trains and Dora and dancing in front of the TV. They sure are fun!

Thanks for keeping up with us! Our twincident has been an experience to date, and our fun will just keep chugging along.