Annika went to see her big brother, Marcus, wrestle for the last time last night. She brought a poster cheering on her brothers (I will get a picture posted later) to the match last night. Too bad the boys' team lost and because Marcus is only an alternate on varsity he will not be wrestling at the individual tournament. So his senior year ends now. We are so proud of Marcus and all that he has done with wrestling over the past 11 years.
Annika has been fighting off a bad sinus infection over the past week. She started with a cold over 2 weeks ago but it never went away. Well, the next thing we know Annika has impetigo from the cold and then was diagnosed with a bad sinus infection. Unfortunately it didn't end there, she didn't handle the antibiotic she was put on so she spent at least one day with stomach cramps and all that goes with that. Thankfully we were able to change the medication quickly so by Thursday this week she started to turn the corner and feel better.
Also this week she went for her bi annual audiology appointment. All went well and there was a little fine tuning that needed to be done. The bad news was that there was fluid behind the ear on the left side-not surprising since she was fighting the sinus infection. We will have to keep an eye on this and if that doesn't resolve it will be another trip back to the ENT. We haven't seen him for over a year so lets hope that we don't have to see him now. No offense to him but we would much rather not have to deal with her ears anymore.
Annika is very excited as her birthday is now less than a week away. I can't believe that she will be 7 years old in 6 days. She is growing up way too fast.
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Annika's cool car
No really that is not Annika's car but she thinks it is. Annika's PCA has a Ford Mustang Convertible and Annika loves to ride in it and go fast!! She will sit in the car and yell for Lisa to go faster!!!
Today I had to write down the news from her. This morning Annika was going over the list of kids and teachers that she will see for the day. She has a teacher whose name is Ms Fischer. All of a sudden Annika picked up her teddy bear that Mrs. Fisher (from Northern Voices) gave her and said "Fisher gave me this bear. The other Ms Fisher." She started to talk about how she went on rides with the other Fisher. I was just shocked. Annika received that bear from Fisher 4 years ago and we haven't talked about who gave it to her for such a long time. And yet out of the blue she starts talking about something that happened when she was 2 years old (almost 3 but still). It is just amazing at all the things that is in that little head of hers and yet we have no idea. Memory is always an issue for Annika so you can't even begin to know how proud I am of her today.
Of course then this little girl who just made my day this morning ended up having a bad day at school and was even told that she did not have appropriate behavior for a kindergartener. Of course the tears started to flow after that. School was just so shocked because they have never seen this side of Annika. Well, at least we know the honeymoon is over. It at least lasted 5 out of the 9 months of school!!!
Monday, February 2, 2009
Finally a post
I was informed by Annika's brother today that I hadn't posted anything lately. He is great at reminding me that I need to get back to blogging!! Our house is a little crazy during wrestling season. On top of that Annika's annual IEP comes due at the beginning of February.
Let's see what stories can I tell about Annika lately. Hhmmm. I think the best one that I can think of is the one from last week and it goes to show you what a little trooper she is and how she is just as determined to make progress as the rest of us are. She has started back at doing weekly speech sessions at the local hospital. Last week when she showed up for her weekly session (mind you she had just spent a full day at school and I followed her schedule one day and I was tired after just 1/2 a day), the therapist asked her if she wanted to work or play. Annika looked at her and said, "I came here to work". Okay how many 6 year olds out there chose work over play. This goes to show how great of a job that all her teachers and therapists have done with her. She knows that she has "fun" even though she has to work. What a little trooper!!
I think we had some ups and downs when it came to her annual review but all in all there is some great things happening. Her actual articulation test showed that she did not make a years' worth of progress but when the SLP pulled it all apart there were parts that she erred on the test that was not typical for her. We also did the test right after Christmas break when I had noticed that she got a little sloppy on the articulation. Nothing major but enough that you could notice and then show less progress on a test. Otherwise all her progress looked very good. Concepts she is about right there with her peers (now understand that in this test we are comparing her with other kindergarteners so there is at least a year delay for her but this is who we expect her to keep up with).
Like I said it is wrestling season so Annika has been spending days supporting her brothers at tournaments. She was so cute on Saturday because she insisted that she give her brother, Daniel, a hug before their second match. At least he was still warming up with the team so we were able to bring her down to mat side and call him over. The boys are great with her and she is really going to miss them as they leave one by one now.
We just got back today from spending the weekend at Grandma and Grandpa's house. The boys had a wrestling match up near their home so we opted for a house versus a motel room for the weekend. It was better for Annika to be able to sleep in a bed that she was used to. Though Grandma found her up in the middle of the night one night-cleaning up the living room. She was sleeping in the living room so let's at least say that she was trying to clean up the place where she was sleeping. It makes me want to put a camera in her room to see what she does at home.
Well, I had better close for now as I need to get up for work tomorrow and the a.m. comes very soon.
Let's see what stories can I tell about Annika lately. Hhmmm. I think the best one that I can think of is the one from last week and it goes to show you what a little trooper she is and how she is just as determined to make progress as the rest of us are. She has started back at doing weekly speech sessions at the local hospital. Last week when she showed up for her weekly session (mind you she had just spent a full day at school and I followed her schedule one day and I was tired after just 1/2 a day), the therapist asked her if she wanted to work or play. Annika looked at her and said, "I came here to work". Okay how many 6 year olds out there chose work over play. This goes to show how great of a job that all her teachers and therapists have done with her. She knows that she has "fun" even though she has to work. What a little trooper!!
I think we had some ups and downs when it came to her annual review but all in all there is some great things happening. Her actual articulation test showed that she did not make a years' worth of progress but when the SLP pulled it all apart there were parts that she erred on the test that was not typical for her. We also did the test right after Christmas break when I had noticed that she got a little sloppy on the articulation. Nothing major but enough that you could notice and then show less progress on a test. Otherwise all her progress looked very good. Concepts she is about right there with her peers (now understand that in this test we are comparing her with other kindergarteners so there is at least a year delay for her but this is who we expect her to keep up with).
Like I said it is wrestling season so Annika has been spending days supporting her brothers at tournaments. She was so cute on Saturday because she insisted that she give her brother, Daniel, a hug before their second match. At least he was still warming up with the team so we were able to bring her down to mat side and call him over. The boys are great with her and she is really going to miss them as they leave one by one now.
We just got back today from spending the weekend at Grandma and Grandpa's house. The boys had a wrestling match up near their home so we opted for a house versus a motel room for the weekend. It was better for Annika to be able to sleep in a bed that she was used to. Though Grandma found her up in the middle of the night one night-cleaning up the living room. She was sleeping in the living room so let's at least say that she was trying to clean up the place where she was sleeping. It makes me want to put a camera in her room to see what she does at home.
Well, I had better close for now as I need to get up for work tomorrow and the a.m. comes very soon.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Wow time just flies
I can't believe how fast time just flew by during Christmas. Lots of updates to write about but right now I am trying to post a video on this blog. Everytime I try I get an error. I will be working on this hopefully tonight and then get it posted if I have sucess. Stay tuned.
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Dad turned 40
I forgot to say one of the funniest stories that happened this past week (or at least I think it is funny because it was Dad not Mom). Allen turned 40 on Friday. I don't know if the boys or who has been coaching Annika that turning 40 is old but when she was at her OT appointment on Friday she made her Dad a birthday card. It had a gingerbread man on the front so that was cute but when you opened it said, "Man are you old". She came up with this all on her own-at least at the appointment. What a kid!! So then when Allen came home from work and read the card, Annika proceeded to find little "gift" to bring to him and as she would give him the item she would say "Happy Birthday, old man". She would run away giggling as Dad pretended to look offended. It was way too cute to get upset over!!
Christmas Season
Wow, I can't believe how fast the last few weeks have flown by. Christmas is right around the corner. Annika is having so much fun counting down the days until Santa comes. She will miss school for sure during the break but she is getting a little worn down so the break will be good.
First of all, a little over a week ago we went to Annika's first Holiday program at school. She did such a great job!!! As soon as I find my patch cord for the camcorder I will get the video on the website. The school did great on creating a solution for her also. Because it would have been hard for her to stand up there during all the songs and still do all the actions, they had two benches up next to the risers-one on each side. Annika sat on one of the benches in between two of her friends from school and then 3 kids from the other kindergarten class sat on the other bench. She just sat up there and sang her heart out. On the last song they sang, "We Wish You a Merry Christmas", all the kids learn how to sign to the verse. Of course there is always those that do better and those that do worse. That being said I found it ironic that the "deaf" child that was up there was one of the worse ones. She really only learned a couple of the signs. She was trying but it just goes to show us that she loves to talk and we are so glad we made the choice we did. I am not saying that some day she may learn sign language but for now she is very happy with using her words and bossing everyone around.
Unfortunately we have spent part of this Christmas season sick. The "flu" bug was going around the kids' school and they must have brought it home. Annika and I were the ones that it hit the hardest. It took Annika 2 full days to recover so she missed a couple days of school. We knew she was sick because she did not complain about not going to school.
She did receive her new shoes that have a lift built into them and we are seeing great improvements in her walking again. Also the Botox is starting to really kick in up in the hamstrings so she has more movement in there. On Friday we did record a tape of her in therapy as we are trying to get her doctor to approve a different therapy to work with her. I haven't gotten to see it yet but I look forward to this.
Today we will be having our Christmas program at church. She knows all the songs an has been practicing them almost every day so it will be fun to watch her there. Of course that all depends on how the weather cooperates with us. Yesterday we got hit with a storm that caused the boys' wrestling tournament to be cancelled. Allen was out later in the day and said that the snow had stopped and the roads were not bad, including the side roads but you never know what may happen overnight now.
If I don't post again before Christmas. We wish you all a very Merry Christmas!!
First of all, a little over a week ago we went to Annika's first Holiday program at school. She did such a great job!!! As soon as I find my patch cord for the camcorder I will get the video on the website. The school did great on creating a solution for her also. Because it would have been hard for her to stand up there during all the songs and still do all the actions, they had two benches up next to the risers-one on each side. Annika sat on one of the benches in between two of her friends from school and then 3 kids from the other kindergarten class sat on the other bench. She just sat up there and sang her heart out. On the last song they sang, "We Wish You a Merry Christmas", all the kids learn how to sign to the verse. Of course there is always those that do better and those that do worse. That being said I found it ironic that the "deaf" child that was up there was one of the worse ones. She really only learned a couple of the signs. She was trying but it just goes to show us that she loves to talk and we are so glad we made the choice we did. I am not saying that some day she may learn sign language but for now she is very happy with using her words and bossing everyone around.
Unfortunately we have spent part of this Christmas season sick. The "flu" bug was going around the kids' school and they must have brought it home. Annika and I were the ones that it hit the hardest. It took Annika 2 full days to recover so she missed a couple days of school. We knew she was sick because she did not complain about not going to school.
She did receive her new shoes that have a lift built into them and we are seeing great improvements in her walking again. Also the Botox is starting to really kick in up in the hamstrings so she has more movement in there. On Friday we did record a tape of her in therapy as we are trying to get her doctor to approve a different therapy to work with her. I haven't gotten to see it yet but I look forward to this.
Today we will be having our Christmas program at church. She knows all the songs an has been practicing them almost every day so it will be fun to watch her there. Of course that all depends on how the weather cooperates with us. Yesterday we got hit with a storm that caused the boys' wrestling tournament to be cancelled. Allen was out later in the day and said that the snow had stopped and the roads were not bad, including the side roads but you never know what may happen overnight now.
If I don't post again before Christmas. We wish you all a very Merry Christmas!!
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Holiday Pictures
We did finally get the Christmas tree up today-just a day later than planned. Annika had a blast. She spent all morning at church today telling everyone that we have our Christmas tree and presents. She saw the ornament packages that I had wrapped up for the kids so she was excited to get home today to open them.
The boys did a great job of putting the tree togethe and decorated. They did most of the "work" while I supervised. Annika had to put on her "princess" dress before we decorated the tree. So her she was in the Snow White princess dress and her princess Santa hat bossing the boys around the room.
Next came time to do the pictures. She jumped up and said "Me first, okay? I will sit up on my knees.". So of course she went first. Then she directed who would go next. And wouldn't you know it that little stinker who has now caught up with her brother's teasing, popped her head in and made faces while I was trying to get Marcus's picture done. That is the picture I put up on this blog. I will put a slide show together of all the other Christmas pictures.
Gotta keep this short as I need to get ready to go to a Football Banquet for the older kids. Happy Holidays everyone!!!
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