Bring It On!

So today has been all over the board. I have been frustrated with trying to get Gavin in some sort of speech therapy program--it seems so hard to get it scheduled, figure out the cost and find someone that can navigate between those lines.

Today I finally called Early Intervention the state program because I hadn't heard anything back from them and it has been over a week. She said she'd start working on getting him a placement but there is a waiting list and it could take up to 6 months!! Can you believe that 6 months? I was sad and frustrated and determined to do some research for another option.

This afternoon I searched online for a speech therapist in my network. Low and behold, there is a woman, in Mokena so I called. She just happened to have a woman cancel THIS morning for a once a week session and she is also an Early Intervention provider.

So...from this morning thinking it could be months until Gavin gets a start on this therapy stuff...things quickly changed and he now starts MONDAY! Can you believe that? From 6 months to 6 days.

I am so excited, even though I found out our insurance covers nothing, we are able to go through Early Intervention still which is state funded and the cost to us is far less than going privately. They will come to my house on Mondays for awhile and then it will change this spring when the grad student helping her leaves...which coincides nicely with when my work day changes as well.

Seriously, God totally planned this out. All these "coincidences" were not just luck...

Oh and one more odd coincidence...she has an 18 month old named Gavin.

Crazy.

He's Just Not That Into You

Ok so the theme doesn't really apply to us (obviously! why would it even if we were fabulous and single!) but ...the movie was a super fun outing for our Girls Night Out on Friday night.

It ended up only being 4 of us instead of the whole gang but we had a super fun night watching a very funny chick flick followed by enormous desserts and drinks. We went to the early show thinking we wouldn't be out so late but time flew by and knowing our kids and hubbies were home in bed...we stayed out until midnight.

Super fun night ladies! I had a great time catching up, venting, laughing and getting some quality time with each of you. Thanks for making it! We'll do it again for the next romantic comedy must-see!

Monkey See, Monkey Do

So, Gavin is in a phase where everything you do, he wants to also do. He thinks he is being quite the little helper. Especially since we have moved into this house, there have been lots of projects that require tools, all of which he wants to operate. So far he has tried to "help" Chad (or I) do the following: put together his big slide toy, climb the ladder to hang a ceiling fan, mount our tv on the wall, install all the childproof locks on the cabinets (he's kicking himself in the butt for that one), clean the house, change the laundry and any other small or large job that needs to be done. Here are a couple pics of him "helping" around the house.

Choo Choo Johnny's

Last week Monday we went on a super fun playdate with our friends to Choo Choo Johnny's. It is a restaurant in Frankfort where they have a model train in front, a train going around the top of the restaurant and of course, a train that delivers your food to you. It was right up Gavin's alley. He was SO amazed. From the minute we walked in, he just started pointing and grunting. Since the restaurant was kindof empty, we was running around the whole thing while chasing the train that went along the ceiling. He was IN HEAVEN. Actually, all the kids had a blast, Gavin and Cooper being the oldest were totally into the trains but even Lauris and Jackson were fascinated at all the movement going around. He even ended his experience with a train ride with Elena. It was a fun morning to catch up with the girls and watch the kids have so much fun.

Speech Evaluation

A couple of weeks ago, Gavin had his speech evaluation which went well. There was both a speech and developmental therapist there and he warmed up to both of them and thier big bag of toys quickly. After observing and interacting with him for about 1/2 an hour, they told us their findings:

Developmental--no concerns whatsoever. Gavin reacted really well to all of her commands and demonstrated great comprehension. He was able to do things like put the puzzle piece where it went, pick an object out of 3, feed the baby/comb the baby's hair and he moved around really well. She said he is developing very well socially by showing the right "reactions" and "emotions" to different behavior. She said he is right on track and in some areas, was even able to complete tasks well beyond his age level.

Speech--definite concerns. She said he is 44% behind which puts him around the age of a 9 month old (yikes). She does not think he has any developmental issues as to why he isn't speaking...no problems with mouth muscle control or anything but that he simply needs a "push" to help him get started. She recommended therapy once a week for an hour and gave us some tips to really help him work on some easy words.

So, it was interesting and informative and Chad and I now have to come up with a plan of action going forward. I feel like we will start something to help nudge him along but we do feel confident that someday, he WILL talk. At this point, we just aren't holding our breath for when that is going to happen. :)

Moving Day

So the day finally came for us to pack up and leave Tinley Park in order to relocate to Mokena, IL (aka "the sticks" as I like to call it). It was a very busy and chaotic weekend but we survived with a lot of help from our family, friends and something called professional movers (which I HIGHLY recommend for the record).

The last few weeks have been unbelievably stressful. The term "when it rains, it pours" often came to mind. We were packing, preparing our house to sell, going through walk-thrus of the new house, choosing new paint, getting Gavin's hearing checked and speech evaluated and either taking Maddie to the vet or talking to the vet every couple of days. It has been an insane time of stress and I seriously don't know how we got through each day.

Regardless...we moved. We're here. In a new house. A house that doesn't quite feel like home but hopefully will someday. Here are some pics of the move....

Last morning at home.

One last family cuddle in the morning.

Arrival of the movers.

Gavin was watching as they loaded up.

Loading up our lives into one big orange truck.
Moving the beast.
Between all our helpers, movers and Comcast, we filled the cul-de-sac.
Our new home.
Our friends were hanging out early.
View from above...it doesn't look like anyone was helping but they were!