Day 37 - 40 Days of Blogging

Since I wasn't exactly blogging when Zay had his first School Conference, I thought I would put a quick 'report card' up here! Glad to report that he's doing well, his teachers seem to think he's pretty close to the perfect little boy and I couldn't be happier with our first year in school! :) 

I love reading his teacher's notes...he loves to make his teachers laugh and loves routine. And snack time hasn't been a problem...yay!! Speaking of snack time, it's worth noting that everyday the class has graham crackers for a snack...in the beginning of the year I made Zay's version of graham crackers so that he could eat the "same thing"...but Zay informed me early on that he would prefer to eat his pretzels. He definitely has not problem not fitting in! And on another note...he can count to 100 now, so I'm pretty sure he could have done more than 10 a few weeks ago, but you know...he's gets his own ideas of when he's going to show his skills! ;)

 One of Zay's favorite things at preschool...Art time! One of Zay's teachers brought me in one day and wanted Zay to show me his art project that day. As we go down the row looking for Zay's "sheep", we look at all the other students sheep, and they have 5 or 6 little puff-balls on them. Then we come to this one...Zay REALLY liked this project! ;)

And another art project...he tells me "Mommy, I had to pick a PINK egg because there wasn't any RED eggs!" (This week's favorite color is red!)

Day 24 - 40 Days of Blogging

Today I was asked to speak to a University of Iowa Public Health class on the importance of newborn screenings and promote awareness for PKU. After the class I was able to tour the State Hygienic Lab and I learned soooo much...maybe even more than I wanted to know concerning the realities of public health! Very thankful for the experience to meet those working to keep Iowans healthy...Our State Hygienic Labs really are top notch...and its a blessing to live in Iowa!! :)

Thanks to the TA for snapping this pic!

The State Hygienic Lab...lots of important things happen here!!! 

Day 23 - 40 Days of Blogging

A few weeks back, Zay had his Preschool pictures taken. I was so interested to see if he would listen to the photographer and smile (nicely) for her. I mean...he's used to getting his picture taken, obviously...but his listening skills when I attempt to take his picture aren't always the best. But looky-looky! He did great! As a matter of fact, doesn't he look like the perfect little posed child...haha! :)

Preschool Class Picture!

Day 3 - 40 Days of Blogging

Zay has the BEST preschool teachers!

I received this picture as a text yesterday morning. It said "Isaiah wanted u to see what he made. :)"

I am absolutely not surprised that my little man convinced his teacher to text me this! Seriously, he is so into sending texts, pictures and emails! And I'm totally okay with it...because for one - I really think technology is okay for kids. It is the future. I always wonder when Zay will take 'keyboarding' in school. I bet whenever his little hands are big enough he will be at a computer typing away! And I also love it, because he is so into spelling words...see it's an educational activity! And hence, him being proud of spelling his name! He can sit for hours asking me how to spell different words. Just this morning - Shane and I were downstairs working out, and I had to help him write "40 Push ups" and "40 Pull ups"........that was 'his workout' he was going to do! ;) 

And here's one more pic...he spelled his sister's name. 

Anyway...I was super excited to see a tiny tidbit of Zay's day at Preschool. I always wonder what he is up to, and some days I get very little feedback from him. He knows that I'm always going to ask him who he sat by at snack time...so he coughs that info up right away! ;) 

ABCs

Zay and I were saying all the ABCs one day and I had an idea to do a fun little game with him! He knows all the sounds of the letters and so I thought it would be fun to find objects around our house that start with all the letter sounds. He came up with some of them and then needed help on some others. Overall I think it was a fun learning activity!

Baths, baking, and bunches of fun!

A day spontaneously greeting us with a lack of morning sickness is a day that is sure to be rejoiced in this house! Remarkably, that day was today!

Bath time was extra long this morning, with mommy right alongside the bubbles and splashes.

There is something I adore about seeing my baby wrapped in his towel as he runs all the way through the house, pausing only a moment to catch a glimpse of Sesame Street.

Given that Mommy was feeling able-bodied and desperately needed to do some cooking for Zay…it was an occasion to get the baking supplies and rice out!

The amount of time and amusement a few bowls, cups, and spoons will give a two year old is remarkable. Grateful! 

Yes, there was a mess to clean up. A few lost grains of rice on the kitchen floor…and living room…

...and probably more to be discovered later, but a great deal of fun while it lasted. 

On to the markers.

Zay desires to sit down and color at least a few times a week. Mainly with his markers, but sometimes we throw in some crayons and/or finger paint.

There are days when I marvel at the fact that they actually make little boy’s shirts in white. Really? Can these two pictures above justify that it shouldn't happen! (Note: this shirt was not purchased by me...it was a gift and this is probably only the second time he's worn it...eek!)

 Peace out, ya'll...it's naptime! Have a splendid day! :)

Goodbye AEA!

I thought I would do a quick update on Zay's AEA Early Access progress! I'm sad, but also thrilled that we won't be seeing the AEA teacher anymore. I've been so spoiled having our teacher come about every other month since Zay was born to 'observe' him and make sure he's where he needs to be developmentally. And they've been so helpful giving me ideas on everything from the pacifier to educational activities! They've calmed my worries many times and overall just been a big help to me as a first time mom!

When we moved we met a new teacher and after she came a couple of times and worked with Zay, we both decided that he just didn't need to be observed anymore. She was giving him activities for 3 and 4 year olds and he was whizzing through them. Not bad for a little guy that just turned 2! I was surprised when she told me how far advanced he was, and of course so thankful that Zay is progressing so well! :) We can call her at anytime if we have questions, etc. Although Zay still qualifies for this service because of his PKU, we are thankful that he just doesn't need it. I'm happy to free up our teacher's time to go work with other children that need the extra help.

With that being said, we have started meeting with a Speech Pathologist. They tell me that Zay's speech is borderline on needing help, but since he qualifies for the service I feel strongly that I want the extra help for Zay (really the help is for me...teaching me how to work with him!). We've let go of one service and added another!

It's funny, because it's only Zay's speech that suffers...his language and vocabulary are amazing! We can teach him a sign and he only needs to be shown once before he immediately starts using it! I've met multiple speech pathologists through various situations and they all have highly encouraged sign language! This helps with a lot of things, but it keeps the communication flowing and helps kids not get frustrated!

Our speech pathologist was also mentioning that there have been studies done that show babies that have been taught sign language are more likely to develop larger vocabularies and become better readers. The signing stimulates the synapses of the brain by using both the right and left hemispheres of the brain, whereas learning spoken language by itself only uses the brain's left hemisphere. Now, I haven't read these studies, but I thought it was interesting!

It's a bummer that Zay's little mouth just doesn't want to make all the sounds we want him too, but I know it will come with time! We already are hearing more and more words! Shane and I laugh, because we know that one day Zay is going to just start talking away and we will REALLY know everything that he's been hearing!

I always remember my mother-in-law's words..."you work so hard trying to get your kids to walk and talk and then you spend the rest of your parenting years trying to get them to sit down and be quiet"...Ha - so true!!

Anyway, we were happy to hear some great news on Zay. Always happy to have a good report on our little guy! :)

Nearly as good as the sandbox...almost like building a snowman...

Yesterday Zay and I made some 'cloud dough'! And boy was it fun...and messy! Basically it's mold-able dough. Zay was entertained for at least 45 minutes, however there was need for constant supervision since we were inside and trying to keep everything in the tub!

Recipe= 8 cups flour, 1 cup baby oil...EASY!

At first Zay didn't like it on his hands...he kept trying to clean his hands off!

Scoop and dump...scoop and dump...

Our little snow man...much warmer than going outside in the wind!

Overall it was a ton of fun...

And when it was all over...we needed a complete change of clothes! And as you can see, Zay is changing his tune about being without clothes...he's turned into a shy little guy now!