Lately, I have been feeling stressed and overwhelmed. The culprit, transitioning you into a school that will fit your needs. It is so extremely stressful because I only want the best for you. You deserve an environment that will help you thrive, especially visually. I have learned a lot over the past few months and I am feeling more confident as your mommy, the one who loves you more than anything in the world, that I am becoming a very strong advocate. It is not that I have not been an advocate all along, it's just that knowledge is strength and I am learning more everyday.
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| Beautiful little girl |
Last week, we had one of the busiest weeks I can remember. Monday, we had therapy and then you went to a GI appointment. There was concern about your weight. I always knew this day would come but I assured them you eat healthy and larger amounts than most toddlers. You weighed in at 21.14 lbs. I know you are small, but as Mimi said, I was always very petite. There are two reasons I feel are overlooked. One is that you move, constantly. You are such a squirmy little girl and you love to move. I realize you are not running around typically like your peers, but in your own way, you are getting plenty of exercise and you work so extremely hard with constant therapies. I'm so proud of you. Two, it's the visual aspect. You don't see what you are eating so I choose to feed you very healthy. Fruits, veggies, protein, carbs, and not a lot of junk. Trust me, I treat you to cupcakes, ice cream and junk, but you don't see this stuff and can't communicate to me that you would rather have a cupcake than an avacado. Mommy has a sweet tooth so you benefit from this too. Tonight, you even had a few skittles after I squished them and bit them in half. They kept getting stuck to the roof of your mouth and daddy and I really enjoy watching you chew. It's adorable and we feel very fortunate that you are able to eat by mouth.
Tuesday, we had OT followed by evaluations from the school district. You had evaluations from OT, PT, and Speech. You really are the hardest working girl I know. Wednesday we had PT at home so that was our easy day. Thursday, we had school and had a chance to tour the most amazing school for visually impaired students, Perkins. I'm not kidding when I say it's magical. I hope to see you as a student there someday. I dressed you in your new shirt and showed your superpowers with pride. Friday, we had a vision appointment and then clinic where you were fitted for new afo's. I also addressed your pronated wrist, tightness in your right ankle, and my concerns for school. For now, plan is to strengthen your shoulders to help you gain strength in your arms and wrists and to continue to stretch your ankles to prevent losing full range. We will also get another hip X-ray in the near future.
So on top of trying to assure you will be in the right school environment, all the therapies and appointments, I'm struggling with how I will be able to let go of you. We rarely spend time apart. You're my side kick, my favorite thing and I thoroughly enjoy you. I wish the laws in Massachusetts allowed for early intervention services ended at the age of five, not three. Maybe in two more years I would be ready. Probably not. I just really hope you are happy at school and that will make the process easier for me. I love you to the moon and back........
Love, Mommy
