Today I had a meeting with Erin’s preschool teacher, the OT/PT specialist, and the para in the class. It has taken Erin much longer than I expected to warm up to the class and her teachers. For a long time she wouldn’t talk at all. They could tell she wanted something but she refused to “use her words.” By Halloween she had started to come around. In time she began doing morning exercises with the class, singing along, asks for snack/juice, and she stopped using the special chair the teachers had picked out for her (because of her back limitation). Erin now requests the same type of chair the rest of the class uses. She just rests her fanny on the edge of the chair or she’ll stand next to it. I was surprised to hear that she is actually walking down the stairs to get off the bus in the morning, but she’s also holding both teacher’s hands. Erin actually can put her backpack and her jacket on the hook. That might not seem like a big deal but she has to use her shoulders and arms to reach up. I was excited to know that she’s doing things independently. The only problem the staff has is Erin’s coat. She had a great hoodie/zip-up that we took on our trip. I think it got left behind in New Jersey. That was the one sweater that we were able to maneuver easily over her left arm. I have bought two separate coats since and neither worked as well. I guess I will take Erin shopping this weekend for a new coat. I usually go by myself but I think it would be better if I brought her this time around.
Erin and the boys spent the weekend with their Uncle Sean. Sean was gracious enough to spend the weekend watching the kids while Alan and I took off for an anniversary weekend to Lake Chelan. I prepared her all day Friday. She would get sad but then ask, “Uncle Sean playdoll house me?” When we left, she gave us kisses and waved good-bye. Of course she wasn’t cranky for Uncle Sean and barely cried all weekend. She saved all of it up for me! Even my father said he called Sean to check up on everyone and he said there was no background noise. Little booger…she knows she can get away with A LOT with Mommy and Daddy (more Daddy than Mommy though)!
