OT - Junes

Audrey is making huge gains this month! Today she was able to activate all five buttons on a pop-up toy! She completed a 3 piece form puzzle with verbal cues! She was able to place a square, triangle, and circle in a 5-piece shape sorter with cues! She is crawling to retrieve toys, and she is developing a true sense of self. She knows what she wants to do, and she lets us know with smiles and head nods and shakes. She is making huge gains, and we cannot wait to see what she accomplishes next!

Audrey Rocks the State of PA

Recently, Miss Baby traveled with her entourage to Pennsylvania to perform at a family reunion. She danced; she dazzled. And we learned that she has a healthy appetite for buckwheat pancakes. Audrey did a great deal of walking with assistance, and she demonstrated her developing OT skills by not only pulling legos apart for hours, but putting a few of them together! She is no longer content staying in one room and scoots and crawls wherever she would like to be.

Audrey is imitating more of what she sees, and now brushes my hair when I brush her hair. In case you're thinking, "Awww," you may recall from previous posts that she really HATES that. I think she is brushing my hair more for revenge than affection. She is beginning to experiment more with cause and effect, looking for a consistent reaction from me when she performs certain acts, like pinching me. She sometimes takes offense (the lip!) when I redirect her to more acceptable behavior, but mothers have a special immunity to that really cute, manipulative behavior.

"Hello, PA!!! Are you ready to ROCK?!?!?" she says, as she launches a sippy cup. And the crowd goes WILD....

The Show is on the Road!

Audrey is increasing her mobility everyday! She readily pulls herself up using any available support. She recently scooted herself into the bathroom, in order to stand up holding onto the tub wall.

Seems like Audrey is taking a more active role in the dressing room too these days. I have noticed her sometimes on the changing table, while we are getting dressed in the morning, grabbing her clothes and from me and attempting to put them on herself. She also mentioned something about more diamond studded leather and less Dora the Explorer.

We also met with Audrey's agent (PAT Lynn Austin) in April. Audrey did a great job of showing off her latest achievements, and even busted out some new moves. She did a great job of putting straws into a bottle, as well as, some other tricks that I unfortunately can't remember, since it was a while ago. Next on the appointment book is a pow-wow with manager, Nikki S. (Nikki Scheele not Nikki Six). We will try to get their entire band together for that one, but if you can't make it, no problem, we just ask that you find another way to provide input.

Unfortunately, Audrey had several bouts with congestion during May, which did not make for her best performances. We never had a confirmed ear infection, but she fussed with her ears a lot and Doctors said her ears did look irritated inside. She has been much better congestion-wise the last two weeks, so hopefully we have finished off the last round of antibiotics for awhile. Her two year medical checkup is scheduled for July, and her cardiologist appointment will be shortly thereafter.

Next week, the show moves to Pennsylvania to see family over Fathers Day weekend! Keep posted for more summer tour dates!

Speech Therapy - May

This month Audrey imitated 2 CV (consonant-vowel) utterances.  She is doing oral motor play in the mirror, but doesn't imitate oral motor movements on command.  Audrey is signing "open" and "more" with 70% accuracy.  She has significantly increased her pointing abilities with pictures and books.She is identifying objects with 60% accuracy.  Audrey is successfully following 1 step commands with 80% accuracy!  We also are continuing to work on blowing with horns and whistles.  She is putting the toys to her mouth on her own and is working toward airflow.

Liz