Survival Mode

Sorry I have been MIA. Cross country season (I coach) started two weeks ago and that means running two times daily, and then keeping house, tending to Tuks, pets, and of course getting rest. When the CC season is going we are basically on survival mode, and starting next week, school starts and that means at minimum 10 hour days for us until the end of October. So what I am trying to say is that you may not see as many consistent posts as you have before, but then hopefully I will get back to more regular posts come November. This is also the reason of why there are still no new photos.

Yesterday we met to talk about Tuki's Birth to 3 evaluations. Basically, she scored at age level or higher in every area, except expressive language (talking), which is at the 15 month mark. This of course is no surprise to me because this is why I had her evaluated. She was at age level and higher on her receptive language (understanding), fine motor and gross motor skills, hearing etc. They also informed me that most parents don't have their children evaluated until they are around 2 years old for a language problem, and since I was "proactive" (their words) in getting her tested, it leaves me some room to let her attempt to develop on her own. Thereby, since the next two months will be nuts, and she isn't two yet, I have decided to wait until she does turn 2 (end of November) and if I don't see these changes:

1. real quick word imitation
2. about 100 word vocabulary
3. putting two words together

then I will start speech and language therapy. I figure what will it hurt..nothing, and if anything it will give her (and me) more confidence to try new words.

What is interesting to me is that she is behind in her expressive language --5 months, which is exactly the same amount of time she was in Guatemala hearing Spanish. I wonder if there is any correlation. She is so gosh darn observant, and really studies things that I wonder if she started picking up the Spanish language, at least a little, and then coming home to me, who knows no Spanish and speaks no Spanish..it just may have set her back. I know that doesn't happen with all children adopted internationally, but I can't help but notice the similar span in months...

Next week several moms will be traveling to Haiti to pick up their kids from the same O as Panda. How exciting!!!.

As far as Panda's adoption process...well it is basically sitting at a stand still for various reasons and I have been told by different people next week, next week etc., onto IBSER..BUT the weeks keep coming and going with no change. So I won't be talking about it much until we are in to the next stage, because basically I am just WAY TOO frustrated to say much...You know the old saying, "if you can't say anything good or nice, say nothing at all"....