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In brief Chart (below is in detail)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In detail Milestones

Tara is walking up to 15-20 steps.  She is also eating by mouth more now.  She signs the following, more, and eat.  Update : 7-30-05  Tara is now walking, would rather walk then crawl, Tara has been off (not using) her g-tube since February 27 th 2005, uses a bowl with a suction cup on the bottom of it,  uses a spoon;  She is on pureed foods and along with regular liquids.  Tara has had good health as she is getting older. She is learning to use a communication book besides the sign language.  Update: 8-25-05  Went to conference in St Louis Missouri.  had a blast!  Tara met a lot of other children that were just like her.  The best part about the conference that Tara liked was going home knowing that Mom bought a new swing.  Mom decided to take part in the blood test to help find out more about the Cri Du Chat syndrome (5p-).  Update: 10-24-05  Tara turned 5 years old today!!!!  Tara has been hitting allot of her goals.  Tara  walks around her whole school and go up and down stairs.  Tara loves to play catch with Madison her friend from school.  Tara goes to therapy (outside of school) pt 2 times a week for 45 minutes each session  Tara also goes to a ST 2 times a week 45 minutes long each session and she is really good with Tara,  Tara is working on lightly textured foods and trying very hard to get used the table food tastes instead of the baby food. Tara is getting used to the stair climbing and descending, she is afraid of new stairs that she has to go up or down. Tara loves the elevators.   Update: 11-15-05   Tara is doing great in her outside speech therapy.  Just working on straw drinking for 3 sessions and at home she is now able to drink out of a container made by rubber maid with a straw like spout.  She is also working on the textured foods and tonight for the first time she ate a whole jar stage 3 foods.  Tara is doing well with the potty training but not mastered yet, we (Tara and I) are going to keep on working on it though.  Tara is verbalizing allot more.  Update: 11-19-05  Tara is on table foods now.  still has the sensory issue, still working on that.  Tara still needs her foods to be mashed.  Tara gets around 3,500 calories a day.  Tara is getting so good at walking, we practice going up and down a wheel chair ramp before speech therapy 2 times a week.  Tara can now walk up the "hills" without holding on to the railing.

Update: 2-26-06  Tara is walking up and down the stairs with the help of the railing, she is able to go up them with out any assistance.  Tara will take you to the bathroom when she needs to go.  Tara signs a new sign and it is with meaning!!! Can you guess what new word she can sign??? Hungary! Go figure since that is one of her favorite things to do... eat. Tara understands around 35+ signs.  Update: 4-21-06  Tara is using a picture communication book.   Tara has been mom's little buddy and attached to my hip.  She loves to go to the park on nice days and play.  She loves going for bike rides and she gets the easy way out, she doesn't have to pedal she gets a ride in her bike trailer.  Tara also likes to go for walks, and car/truck rides.  Tara is able to write her first name with hand over hand and beginning to do it on her own, just with verbal cues sometimes. Tara is a very routine girl.  She knows exactly when she needs to do things and she takes my hand to what it is and she will initiate what needs to be done.  If you are not watching the clock Tara will let you know what time it is to do something.  Tara likes clock work and she goes by it.  Update: 7-7-06  Tara is making great strides on learning how to chew!  She will allow at least 3 goldfish crackers during 1 meal.  She is also learning how to drink out of a straw.  She is doing great with that also.  Tara goes in the pool about everyday and loves it. She is learning the doggie paddle and does awesome.  Jonny and Tara love to get in splash wars. Tara laughs and Jonny yells.  She loves to have piggy/horse rides in the water till she slips off or lets go of me.  Tara goes to horse back riding 1 time a week for 1 hour and does wonderful.  She also goes to ST 2 times a week in GB, OT 1 time a week and PT 1 time a month for 1 hour.  Tara has a new bed it is totally enclosed and she is sleeping much better now.  She doesn't wake up at night at all no pounding on the door or wondering around the house at night either.  Now I can get a great nights sleep. She is really growing and learning.

        This is a Pedia Craft enclosed bed.  It is all padded on the inside, and the mesh is zipped together then tied under the bed. The head of the bed raises, it is all washable, the outside rail is padded, all wheels have casters and all individually lock. You can find this at www.pediacraft.com If you have any questions please feel free to ask. 

Update: 7-21-06 Tara is drinking out of a straw 100% on her own, what a great step to make.  Tara is insisting on feeding herself her whole meal and she is also starting to help get her food ready. Tara loves to eat at the "big" table, no more high chair for her.  We have Picture communication on the fridge door and if she wants something she has to tell us before we open the fridge.  She is doing great with starting to tell us what she wants even though we know what she wants she has to still tell us.

           

                                                                                                                 Yes I'm feeding myself, so why are you taking a picture?

       

  Update: 8-8-06  Tara on her new swing that I built for her.   It has the same therapeutic affect as the swing that  costs 100.00 to 400.00. It spins or can swing back and forth in all directions. Tara and Jonny love it, and we are proud of it!       Update: 9-8-06  Tara threaded 2 beads on a string, with a little help from mom!   that ( I just wish I had it on video).   Update: 9-something-06  Tara has a new Paraprofessional her name is Carol.     Carol has plenty of experience in the special needs field and that is a great help. Update:10-18-06  Tara received her bike this week.  She loves it.  She likes to ride in the house on the yucky days, but she loves to ride out side as much as she can.  She can go around the block and then half way around again.  Tara will sit with me and listen to books to be read to her.  She loves this and picks out 2 books a night, by the time I get to the end of the 2nd book she is sleeping.  I love reading to the children and they love it also.   Update: 11-20-06  Tara also learned how to climb into the tub but not back out.  Tara is "asking" Jonny and the rest of the family to play catch with her and her huge super ball (her new favorite toy.)  Update: 11-22-06  Tara is working on  picture communication, she understands at least 10 pictures but it is all on her terms.  She is starting to do simple commands.  I was feeding Tara her pudding and she signed more and I told her to go get it off the counter if she wanted more and bring it to me.  She sat for a second and then went and got it and brought it to me to give to her.   Tara was being a stinker tonight and went in the Tupperware drawer and took out the measuring spoons and lids and a few containers, I told her to pick them up and put them away and she picked up 5 of them and then she was done, Tara also learned a new sign I bet you can't guess what it is....  Please!  I signed it and showed her hand over hand 4 times and I then gave her time to sign it and she did!  She has 2 more loose teeth on top.  She is getting her 2 front teeth in so she wont have to ask for them for Christmas.   Update:  12-21-06  Mom got a 98 Town and Country  4 door for Christmas.  Tara loves this new addition to the vehicles since she loves to sit up and look out the widows.  There is much more room for the kids and it is easier for Tara and Jonny to get in and out.  Tara wants to leave almost everyday now, depending how busy she was at school.  Tara will take a nap after school on her busy days.  She is working hard at her projects for Christmas.  When Tara wants something she will sign please and if she wants more of it she will sign "more please".  Two words in a row is a great step to sentences.  She is still using the picture communication and doing well.  I have a schedule for her and keep introducing new pictures to her.  Other people that are not with her everyday are starting to be able to understand Tara and her communication skills.    

 

I have walked, climbed and  jumped over many obstacles this last year.  I made so much progress even Mom was surprised.  Mom does not put limits on me except for safety reasons and I am doing wonderful.  Lets see what I will do this year in 2007!!!

Update:  1-10-2007  Mom told me that they talked about me the whole time on how good I'm doing in school.  She told me that everybody is so proud of me and the progress I'm making.  I will step over objects that are in my way instead of plowing through them.  I pedal my adaptive tricycle at least 50 feet with out stopping unless I want a drink.  I will go to my spot to sit and to hang my coat up (everybody said that I have to start hanging up my coat though :( that is hard work for me)  I zip my zipper and unzip it.  I can sort my colors and shapes.  I will use 1 hand to hold a bucket and the other to put things in it.  I point to my pictures of what I want.  Everybody makes me say please before I get anything.  Oh but did you know that when I want something really badly I sign please a bunch of times fast in a row?  I will look to see what is making a noise and if I like it I will laugh very hard then get the hiccups.  Since I like to watch people that are moving around all the time it is hard for me to concentrate.  I played a bongo drum in music class and I loved it.  Mom and Jonny came with me to class and that was neat.  

1-27-07:  I can pull my pants down, put my shirt on after it is over my head.  I'm so close to dressing myself.  I'm working on my socks that one is really hard cause I have to put my body in weird directions and make my hands and legs work at the same time.  Mom bought me new shoes from converse, I don't like them cause I cant get them off, I'm getting used to them though and working on keeping my shoes on all day.  I'm also going to school till 1:30 in the afternoon.  Jonny got a new kitty for his birthday and I like to watch her go crazy and pet her. I can finally stay out of the kitty litter since mom kept telling me NO and it is yucky. ( I thought it was sand). 

 

3-06-07  I am working on potty training and I'm doing really good.  I have a few accidents everyday but I'm getting better everyday.   I saw a Pit-bull dog at school and I loved it.   Jonny's cat comes in my room to play with me and I really enjoy her.  She likes coming to my room since it is more quiet.  I am able to open doors now and I will go where I want to, but mom wont let me outside unless she is with me.  I like to play outside in the snow, but I have to taste it first.  I like it when it snows, but I could do without the coldness.  After a month with my shoes from converse I will keep my shoes on for most of the day but I still need a break from them.  I am trying new food and I love the roast with vegetables that mom makes me.  I also like the sauce Bertolli on my food, it makes it taste so much better.  Mom made me some Mac and cheese and she put ham, chicken and garlic salt in it and I LOVED it.  I'm so glad mom is starting to make more tasty food for me, some days I cant get enough food. 

4-08-07 Happy Easter!!! Well this month has been very busy for Mom and I.  Mom had my IEP meeting and it was a really long one.  She has to finish it later this month.  I have a new audiologist and she is very nice.  My hearing without my hearing aid is at 50 to 55 DB.  I lost my hearing aid at school so now I have to get a new one.  I was very good at the appointment.  Mom had someone come to help get an educational interpreter into school for me. Her name is Marge and she told mom and i that she will help get the service in school. Mom had Jonny's IEP meeting also.  I'm still working on potty training and I'm still doing the same as last month.  I'm so glad that the warmer weather is coming that means I get to be outside more.   Mom and a Dr. made me get some blood work drawn and it came back all ok for the heavy metals and my vitamin B12.   Mom has at least 2 more meetings for me this month and she is in a hurry to get everything taken care of for me.

4-26-2007  Tara has been doing great potty training she is only having about 1 accident a day.  She is in big girl undies now and she loves them!  She will go potty in all of the girl bathrooms at school.  She weighs 40lbs now and growing.  Tara is pulling up her pants and undies.  She is doing wonderful.  Tara has been playing with the kids out on the playground and loves it.  Tara got a new stroller and she loves it even when it isn't moving.  Tara loves going for her bike rides now she can ride almost 1 mile. Tara is learning how to make cookies she only likes to squish the dough after it is all mixed.  Tara is learning more signs and she has picked sign to be her main language.  Tara's paraprofessional is going to be staying with Tara next school year and that is such a huge relief.  Tara loves her and she loves Tara great pair to have together.  Tara is almost able to walk up the school stairs just with stand by assistance.  Tara has really learned how to "run" everybody over and get her way.  She uses her cuteness also.  Tara will also be going to horseback riding this year.  The summer is looking pretty full so far.  Tara is able to dress herself but not yet when I tell her to.  She puts shirts on all the time one over the other no matter who's they are.  Tara gets to have her own buddy at school each day to help her in the classroom and outside to play with and this has really stopped allot of behaviors that we were seeing before.  Tara just wanted a kid friend like everybody else her age.  Do you blame her????  She has really adjusted to going the full day of school. Today she was so happy to see me and Jonny that she was running out of school almost.  We are still working on the oral sensitivity since it is still high.  Tara still hates to have her teeth brushed but she loves Listerine.  Help figure that one out!?! Goofy girl.  Tara is widening her variety of foods up finally and wanting to eat more different things with different tastes.  She is growing and gaining just fine and she is covering allot of ground on her goals and becoming a bit more independent.   

6-09-07   Tara is now diagnosed with Autism besides the Cri Du Chat that she has.  What does this mean?  Diet changes (no dairy at all) 20 hours per week of Ot, Pt, and St therapy and a sensory integration program for her in home. The last 2 months have been very busy. I have been getting everything set up for the summer but now I have more to do and more hoops to jump through.  Tara has been doing very good, she is on a soy diet (no dairy) now for 1 week.  This is all for now since I have to get going to  find information. 

7-3-07  Tara is in summer school 5 days a week from 8:00am to 11:50.  She has her wonderful paraprofessional with her through the whole day and is doing wonderful.  The first day was hard but she got better.  Tara's diet changed once again and now she is on Dari Free by Vance's Foods it is a milk supplement but dairy and soy free.  She is doing good with the new diet and her behaviors are getting much better.  She is not fidgeting as much and she is not having problems with #2.   She is eating much better but she does have her favorites.  Asparagus is not one of them but baked beans is.  She is still requesting that her food be pureed for her and at the consistency that she likes but she will eat and try to eat anything that someone has. Tara got some blood work done and I'm waiting for the results to come back.  That will say what needs to be done or if she has Celiac Disease.  She had 2 different panels taken.  Tara is growing like a weed she jumped from a size 4-6 in girls to a size 10-12 in girls.  Tara is walking up the stairs with the railing and trying to walk up them without the railing.  She is making many gains in that area.  She still loves the water and has flooded the bathroom 4 times in 1 week.  She figured out that if she plugs the sink that she can play in the water and tons of it.  So Much that it goes through the floor to the basement.  She also almost flooded the tub because she feels that half the tub full is not enough water.  I asked her "what did you do"?  She looked at me and laughed, then splashed into the tub. 

 

8-18-2007    We went to Grandma, Grandpa, Uncle Nick, Aunt Keri and Uncle Chad's House today for a bit ate lunch and then we left to go to a relatives surprise birthday party.  Mom said that I did really good!  I didn't have any episodes or anxiety.  I walked around but after about 3 hours I wanted to go.  I had fun with my family and got wore out.  Today is mom's birthday also and she is 27.  We are going to celebrate next weekend.  For the updates the last month I have been eating allot and very often.  I will and can feed my self my whole meal and I also like to have my food warmed up now. I also like to eat crackers. I try to eat what everybody else eats but it is hard for me to chew it.   Mom is still teaching me sign language and 1 day she didn't say anything to me she signed every word she said to me.  I was a bit confused but happy.  I verbalized to her for 20 minutes straight.  I thought it was fun.  Jonny is signing to me allot more and it is funny cause he will move his arms and act like he is saying things and trying very hard but I do not understand what he is signing to me (at least he tries right).  I'm getting ready for school to start.... Mom keeps telling me about it but I'm a bit nervous. Mom says that I get a new aid this year and I'm going to be in a different room.  I know I'll make friends but how is the new aid going to know what I want and need and all that stuff? At home I can walk up and down the stairs using the railing and no other help.  I help mom make my food and we always have extras cause I'm a growing little girl that loves to eat.  Jonny and I are learning to play together better and in September I will be getting therapy in my home for 10 hours per week.  Mom said that she would start me off slow so it wouldn't be so hard for me.  My blood levels came back fine just a bit low on the B12. So that is a relief for mom and everybody. I'm still on the no soy and casein free diet.  I have some Dr appointments coming up and I will get more tests done then I will be able to either eat milk and soy products or I might end up losing more foods.  Well that is all for now, I'm sure mom is going to write more later.    

9-07-2007  Jonny and I started school this week on the 4th.  I have  a new aid at school and she is nice to me just like carol but it will take a bit for me to get used to mom not being at school with me.  When mom is at school with me I like to cuddle with her and not do my work.  It is hard though cause I don't have a schedule yet and I never know what is going to be going on.  I'm feeding myself my whole meal and eating like a horse.  I'm doing good and playing with Jonny and my family.  I like to play catch with them.  I went to the dentist and no cavities but I have to go back in and get sealants put on a few of my big teeth.  Mom got a new kitty cat and she is funny to watch run around and play with boots.  Smokey our new cat is Himalayan Persian.  She likes to cuddle with mom and I in the chair at night before bedtime.  I have found a new food that I like; it is any kind of chocolate my favorite are M &M's.  Mom Jonny and I make homemade ice cream and I get to put in the flavors like strawberry or chocolate, candy bar flavored, or cookie.  Mom is still trying to find a way that I can have ice cream though to cause that is another favorite thing I like to eat.  I also like to help mom put clothes in the washer well play in the water after I out 1 thing in otherwise mom won’t let me play in the water while the washer is filling.  I let mom brush my teeth now daily with no fighting and mom is doing it 2 times a day now instead o just 1 time cause that is all I would let her do.  Mom is making me learn how to brush my teeth now also.  I start therapy this month after school for 2 hours per day (Monday through Friday). 

Welcome to the Year of 2008

After last years progress I'm ready to make and show much more this year!

This year has been hard with meetings and trying to get Tara's IEP straightened out and with the state complaint that was filed against Shawano School district I didn't get much time to update before May.  I had to get together laws and such and PROVE that Tara needed what I was asking for Tara to make progress. 

5-11-08  Tara is signing 1-4 word/Phrases to request what she wants and needs.  She is learning more and more that using her hands she is able to get what she wants and needs.  She is eating the same (Like a horse) and doing great health wise.  She only got sick with colds this summer we skipped the flu so far.  Tara has been going on bike rides with Jonny and mom and doing great.  She is learning how to steer much better around corners.  Tara can pull up her pants all on her own, but still needs to be reminded to do it.  She is "playing" around with sounds (g, sh, ha and ma) She says go and dada. She learned how to change the channel on the remote for T.V and thinks it is funny when she changes the channel if you are watching something that she doesn't want to watch. Of course she gets her way to watch what she wants to watch!  Tara has also gotten the "OK" to get the children's waiver for in home therapy.  She will be getting a therapist in a couple times a week to help get our daily living skills down pat and use them.  

6-11-08 Tara signs: I want more please help!  Check it out! It is a 5 word PHRASE! Tara is playing with Jonny the way siblings do.  She is wanting him around and gets upset if he is outside and Tara is inside.  I think that she may be worrying about Jonny?!.  Tara is learning to push herself in her swing in the basement and she is getting better at jumping.  She can jump at least 1 inch off the floor, in other words she is learning how to self regulate when she gets over stimulated.  Tara is starting to "help" make food for the family well at least her help.  I was making homemade jelly last weekend and Tara went and grabbed a handful of sugar out of the bowl and put it on her head.  Hey at least she is taking a bigger interest in "helping".!  Tara is also taking me to the bathroom MORE often to go potty!  Underwear coming her way sooner then later, hopefully 1 day she will only need 1-2 pairs of underwear instead of 10+.

Tara is now graduated from kindergarten today and she did wonderful!  

June 11th 2008 Graduation from Kindergarten

The children had their graduation today and it was absolutely wonderful!  Tara was very good during the ceremony and Tara's aide (Julie) was  wonderful with Tara.  Julie has the potential and tries very hard.  She was over all a good fit for Tara because she listened to what Tara was trying to tell her, and she tried very hard to do what she was suppose to do, and also because of Julie Tara has made a HUGE step.  Tara will take me to the bathroom and stand in front of the toilet and then go within 5 minutes!  THANK YOU JULIE!!!

 Jonny had a part to do in front of everybody. He did wonderful and made the crowd giggle (Jonny make someone giggle no way) Yeah right who am I trying to "kid".  What happened was they were al singing a song and it went something like this:  I have a grad etude attitude Yea Yea Yea, I have a grad etude attitude  Yea Yea Yea What are you grateful for ? What are you grateful for? Jonny says "I'm grateful for Chocolate chip cookies". I have a grad etude attitude Yea Yea Yea, I have a grad etude attitude  Yea Yea Yea!

We came home after the ceremony and we celebrated.  I Made a cake for them and decorated it with Jonny's Help.  Tara wanted to dig right in and eat it before it was done so I had to "fix" the cake.  We had candles and we sang the congrats song.  One of the days I will not ever forget!

We had a blast and it was defiantly once in a life time experience!  I sat with one of my friends and we were both in tears! Our "babies" are growing up FAST.   Tara and Jonny will be both going into the 1st Grade and growing and getting bigger and bigger.  Time flies when you are having fun, I enjoy being able to watch both my kids grow up some days just go to fast! I will be posting some graduation pictures feel free to stop on by the Photo page to see them!  I'm sure that they (Tara and Jonny) have grown since you last checked the pictures.

September 2008  Tara can independently undress her self for the bath tub using only cues from mom.  Tara is also making progress with behaviors also.  She is using her picture communication VERY well and will use the picture and bring it to the person she wants help from.  After only about 3 weeks of therapy (ABA) she is making tons of progress. She is no longer sitting "on top" of the TV and no longer hitting the TV.  She is able to communicate her needs much better now that there are more pictures through the house for her to use. We are seeing less behavior tantrums through the picture communication.  We are trying to use them for grocery shopping but this is a challenge for her.  Tara is waving Hi and Bye after cue but does it right away after being told to "say hi/bye".  No more "waiting" for response! Tara will be riding horseback again but first time during the fall sessions, she gets Jennifer (WE LOVE HER SO MUCH) in 1 time per week to help with Therapy for 2 hours.  School we are going to be fighting a bit harder this year WITH an ATTORNEY, no more screwing around and letting them slide for anything!   So 1 MAJOR fight done so far this year just to continue to fight the school.  Tara WILL get what she NEEDS!