Saturday, October 31st, 2009

After months of waiting it was finally time for my first Me & My Shadow dance class. It is for 2 & 3 year old girls and boys and a parent to start learning about dancing. Since it was my first day both Mommy and Daddy went with me. There were about 10 other kids in class. We sat around in a circle and first we worked on stretching. Then we got to get up and move. We started with marching and then moved on to skipping and jumping. We also got to play with scarves and rhythm sticks while walking around in our circle. Now I am on the young end of the 2 year old's and most kids were on the older end of the 3's. I was much happier dancing in the middle of the circle then I was dancing in line and Mommy figures that has something to do with being younger then most of the other kids. It went by really fast for me but Mommy said it was one of the longest 1/2 hours of her life trying to keep me in line and out of everyone's way.

On the way home, we stopped at Kohl's to get me a Christmas dress so I can get pictures with the boys for our Christmas cards. Then I got a few minutes swinging at the park before it was home for my nap. Uncle Jeff had planned to come by to see me trick or treat but he wasn't feeling well. When it started to get dark tonight my parents asked if I was ready to put on my costume and I was raring to go! It only took a few minutes to get me dressed and then we were off. The first few houses were great, I got some candy and was feeling pretty good about trick or treating. But then we came to a house with a witch on the door and when I got close to it, it started screeching and after that trick or treating just wasn't the same. From then on, Mommy would have to carry me to the door and do the knocking and although I was happy to get the candy, I didn't really want to keep going. We went to about 10 houses and of all the items in my Elmo basket the best was the plastic spider ring I got at the last house. Walking home, though, I lost it in a flower bed so while Mommy got me home and undressed, Daddy went back with a flashlight to find it. Thanks Daddy! I didn't even get all the way undressed before I started digging in the basket for my suckers. I ended up with several open at the same time but kept signing "more candy". While I was eating my suckers, my parents traded out the rest of the candy for a few small toys. I kind of like this Halloween thing - I may want to go again next year too!

Peyton Nicole Smith

Friday, October 20th, 2009

Although I actually own a few hats, I would much rather wear a plastic bowl on my head. I'm pretty impressed I could keep the hat on while I was dancing!

Peyton Nicole Smith

Thursday, October 29th, 2009

Just like stores are decorating for Christmas earlier each year, Mommy is prepping me for Christmas as well. Out came the Christmas DVD's and my very favorite is Rudolph. I love signing "reindeer". Unfortunately, there are lots of scenes without any reindeer so Mommy had to fast forward to get to one! Mommy and I also started practicing how to say "ho, ho, ho" like Santa. As you can hear, I've got that down pretty well!

Peyton Nicole Smith

Wednesday, October 28th, 2009

Can you see the war wounds? I have had some issues lately staying on my feet - mostly because I insist on climbing everything on see. The abrasion on the cheek was from falling off my plastic chair while with Lucille. The scratch on my nose was when my foot got stuck as I was climbing off my rocking horse and I feel into the entertainment center while with Mommy. Despite my injuries you can see that I am doing just fine!

Peyton Nicole Smith

Tuesday, October 27th, 2009

Without further ado, the ladybug costume! Was it worth the wait?

Peyton Nicole Smith

Monday, October 26th, 2009

It was time for my semi annual IFSP where we reviewed my progress over the last six months and set goals for the next six months. I, however, slept through all two hours of the meeting! Mommy met with my nurse at SCOE, my case worker from Alta Regional and two of my therapists. Two of my other therapists sent in their reports. All in all I am doing great and everyone continues to be very impressed with me. In the next six months there will be a lot of work towards getting me ready for preschool by my third birthday. My parents will have to make some decisions about the type of preschool program they think would work best for me. Mommy got the official news that she had been expecting that unless my private insurance will not pay for feeding therapy, I will be losing it at the end of January. Mommy is already spending some time looking into therapists in the area that have the expertise to work with me - unfortunately since so many kids are in the same boat I am - most of these therapists also have waiting lists now to get in.

In the afternoon it was time for me PT appointment with Michael. I haven't seen him since April and he was amazed at all that I am doing. It used to be that I didn't want much to do with him but this time around I was ready to play. He had lots of different things for me to do to show off my skills and I was happy to comply. I even climbed into his lap at one point! At the end of the session, Michael let Mommy know that with how well I am doing I really don't qualify for PT services anymore through the regional center. He told Mommy, "You know, the first time I came out to see Peyton I left here thinking what a poor little girl she was - she was going to be so severely disabled. And looking at her now she has proven me wrong. She is an amazing little girl." My parents couldn't agree more.

Peyton Nicole Smith

Sunday, October 25th, 2009

My parents have been promising me all week that we would make it to the pumpkin patch this weekend and just when I had about given up hope we were going - we picked up Uncle Jeff and took a short drive to West Sacramento to Dave's pumpkin patch. I know how much Uncle Jeff must care about me because his favorite team the Miama Dolphins were playing and he missed the game to spend it with us.

It was a beautiful fall day a little on the windy side and the pumpkin patch was busy. Mommy had promised there would be lots of activities and she wasn't kidding. We started off by watching the pig races. OK, so the pigs didn't do much racing it was more a slow trot but it was still fun to watch them. We also went on a hay ride together and spent quite a bit of time looking through all the pumpkins to find the perfect one to take home. But the best part of the day was when I got to ride on a pony for the very first time! I wasn't so happy about having to wait in line but when my time came I didn't fuss a bit when Daddy put me up on the pony. Daddy led the pony around the place while Mommy stood by me to make sure I stayed put and Uncle Jeff walked backwards to take the video (and provide his own unique commentary). After my time around the track the owner of the pony told my parents to take me around again since I was having such a good time. Back around the track we went and although the owner offered to let me lead the pony (yes, me lead the pony around on his halter like my doggies on a leash) a third time around my parents figured it was getting time to go. I was a very good girl and Daddy promised to get me a pony some day. (It's in writing Daddy, can't go back on it now!) Such a great day and I have a feeling this will be a tradition for years to come.

P.S. Although I have been very adament that I will not wear my lady bug costume for Halloween my parents were able to get me in it (hat and all) for a little while tonight before bedtime. Pictures to come soon!

Peyton Nicole Smith

Saturday, October 24th, 2009

I have become quite the talker lately but I definately prefer to occlude my trach with my finger rather then use the speaking valve. Some words come out pretty clear - uh oh, bye, hi, up and some are a little less clear but still understandable - cracker, water, daddy, mommy, juice, more. My parents are just so excited to hear me talking that they aren't complaining. It does help that most of the time I will sign and talk together so my parents have a little help in figuring out what I am trying to say. That's better than most parents get!

Peyton Nicole Smith

Friday, October 23rd, 2009

Can the swine flu be passed from doggy to human?

Peyton Nicole Smith

Thursday, October 22nd, 2009

I finally got off the swings long enough to try out some other toys at the playground!

Peyton Nicole Smith

Wednesday, October 21st, 2009

For a girl like me, the beautiful fall weather in Sacramento just can't be beat! I got to spend an hour at the park on the swing and then a nice walk back home in my stroller.



Peyton Nicole Smith

Tuesday, October 20th, 2009

Because of some afternoon appointments, Mommy suggested to Lucille that I take an early nap today. Lucille was sure I was going to fight it - but at 11:30 I went down for my nap and was asleep within minutes. Not only did I fall asleep easily but I stayed asleep for 3 hours (usually I only sleep for two). Now Lucille is wondering if napping earlier in the day is the way to go!

At 2:30 the RN who monitors my case at SCOE came out for my annual visit. As you can imagine, a lot has happened in the last year so Mommy was kept busy answering questions. Good thing Karen, my occupational therapist showed up at 3 pm for our appointment. While she worked with me, Mommy worked with Pat to get her all the information she needed for her report.

Daddy had another late night, so Mommy tried to find some ways to keep me entertained (some days are easier than others). Tonight we spent some time looking at the Signing Times website and watching the Signing Stars (a new kid each month showing off their signing ability). When Mommy tried to record me demonstrating my knowledge of 200+ signs I was more interested in saying the words then signing them so I guess I won't be a Signing Star anytime soon!

Peyton Nicole Smith

Monday, October 19th, 2009

This is the face of a girl watching the newest episode of Yo Gabba Gabba. My parents may find the show creepy and strange but I continue to be fascinated by it and Mommy thinks I am actually picking up some good values. The new episode has the theme "love" and there was a song called "Be nice to everyone". It included a line about being nice to cats and dogs and other animals. If this will convince me to stop hitting and kicking the dogs - Mommy will let me watch Yo Gabba Gabba every day if I want!

Peyton Nicole Smith

Sunday, October 18th, 2009

After the zoo trip yesterday and some other errands, today we stuck closer to home. Although I did convince my parents to take me to the park twice today to get some time in on the swing.

While Mommy was taking a nap, Daddy let me help paint his nails on one hand and he even work it out to get his hair cut before removing it - what a great Daddy I have!

Peyton Nicole Smith

Saturday, October 17th, 2009

It's official - I had my first trip to the zoo today! It was going to be such a beautiful fall day that my parents decided it would be the perfect day to check out the zoo. We got an early start to avoid the crowds and hopefully catch the animals before their mid-day naps. I loved looking at the animals - kangaroos, giraffes, monkeys, birds, zebras, and the list goes on and on. I thought the apes were great. They were chasing each other around the exhibit and then one jumped out of a tree and onto a rope swing right in front of the window I was standing at. As he went swinging by the window and started signing "swing"! I got to practice all the animals signs I know and my parents were pretty impressed with all the ones I remembered.

After leaving the reptile house I started running down the path and tripped and fell. Not only did I have a bump on my head by road rash as well! I wasn't concerned about that, though, I wanted to keep checking out the animals. As the zoo train kept passing us by I eventually had enough of looking at animals and wanted to get on the train instead. Mommy had already bought some tickets so she took the train ride with me and once we got back - Daddy took me on the carousel. He let me pick out which animal I wanted to ride and I ended up on the tiger (we had just come from the tiger exhibit). I didn't want to get off the carousel but Mommy had saved the best for last - a trip to the gift shop to pick out anything I wanted. It was a huge place and after much looking I picked out some plastic animal figurines.

It was a great day at the zoo and my parents promised me I can go back again really soon!

Peyton Nicole Smith