Delayed

I've known for a bit that Rowan wasn't quite on track with his speech. He has a pretty good vocabulary but doesn't really know how to apply it. He goes to preschool 3 days a week, and was evaluated by a speech therapist about a month ago. He passed hearing but they felt that he needed further screening. After contacting the school district, we set up an appointment for a screening. Today was that day. It took about an hour and a half, and we met with a Speech Pathologist, Early Special Education Teacher and a Psychologist. He was actually pretty cooperative for most of the testing which I was glad about. They had me fill out a bunch of papers, one for Asperger's. He really doesn't exhibit the signs for that, and the survey I took showed that, but he is delayed in other areas. They rank children on a scale much like they do a growth chart. So like if your child is 50% for weight, that means they weigh as much or more than 50% of other kids their age.
In cognitive development, Rowan ranks in the 3rd percentile, meaning he doesn't know how to use his words appropriately. He also ranked in the 10th % for receptive and expressive language, and 4th % for Social/Emotional. In order to be referred for a category, they need to be at or under the 7th percent. I guess they felt like he needs help in receptive and expressive so they are referring him for that as well. He ranked in the 11th % for adaptive behavior/ self-help skills and 80th % for physicial/motor development. So he's actually ahead on physical and motor, but is lacking everywhere else. We are getting referred to a special preschool through the district and we will get a meeting set up in the next couple of weeks to see if he will be am or pm and how many days a week he qualifies for.
This has honestly been a really hard thing for me as a mom. It's hard not to compare your kids to other kids their age and see what they are doing. I know people are proud of their kids, but it almost hurts when I see what another kid is doing or I see a Facebook update about how amazing and smart their kid is. I know I shouldn't feel this way, but I've shed some tears over it.
At this point, I am so glad that we are getting some help for Rowan. He is the most amazing and wonderful little boy and I want to give him every advantage this world has to offer.

Oh Christmas Tree!

We got our little tree up tonight! For the last few years, we've been saying that we are going to get a new Christmas tree and it doesn't ever happen. We have a skinny little tree my mom gave us probably 5 years ago and it's served it's purpose, so we keep it. Tonight we cranked the music, and put up that little tree. Chandler exlaimed that it was the most beautiful tree that the had ever seen. I love how simple things make him so happy. The boys were so happy to decorate the tree and I foresee Rowland our elf making his appearance in the next day or two. He's an elf that plays at night and watches the boys during the day. He reports back to Santa to make sure they are being good. For now, here's our humble and most beautiful Christmas tree!

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving this year was spent up in Idaho. We spent the majority of our time at Marsh's parent's house. We left Thanksgiving morning and got up there that afternoon. The next few days were filled with lots of laughter, tons of food, and wonderful family. The boys had such a great time with their cousins and played until they were exhausted. All of the girls went to Breaking Dawn on Saturday and it was fun to have some girl time. We stayed at Snedaker's home until Saturday evening and then we spent Saturday night and Sunday at my parent's house. It's so much fun to be able to spend time with family.

Gma Snedaker with Chan, Rowan and their cousins Claire & Jake

Yo Gabba Gabba Live!

We went to Yo Gabba Gabba Live! again this year. I think the boys both liked it a ton more. Instead of being at The E Center, it was at Kingsbury Hall. We were only about 15 rows back, so we were a lot closer to the stage. I think that helped the boys get into it a lot more. Plus, they've been watching it on Netflix so they knew the songs and the characters a lot better. They sang, danced, and smiled to their heart's content.

Chandler's 6th Birthday

We celebrated Chan's birthday on a few different days. Marshall's parents were supposed to come down the weekend before, but ended up not being able to make it. I had already ordered a cake for Saturday, so we decided that we would celebrate anyways. Chan woke up Saturday the 29th early in the morning screaming that someone was hurting him. He must have slept wrong on his neck because his neck was hurting him the entire day, he couldn't even move. That changed a few of our plans since he basically stayed in bed until 4 in the afternoon. Marshall still went to pick up his cake though and he got to open his presents from us when he was feeling better. He got a Spiderman figure and the Cars edition of Sorry! The rest of the night we laid low and played his new game.








We celebrated again on the day of his actual birthday. He got to open his presents from his grandparents. Grandma & Grandpa Snedaker got him some Pokemon cards, a folder to put them in, and a Pokemon game. That folder with those cards hasn't left his sight since. Puppy & Papa Nielson sent $20 so that Chan could go pick out a present. He ended up getting a Joker toy that goes with his Batman Imaginext stuff. We then went to Planet Play and played on their arcade games, mini bowled, and Chan played laser tag with Marshall. Chan kept asking me that day when he was going to turn 6 because we weren't celebrating? I finally realized that he thought he had to have a party with lots of friends in order to celebrate. I told him that we don't have a party with friends every year and this year we were just celebrating with family. I guess I just don't want him to have expectations every year of a party. We ended the night at Coldstone. Still can't believe he's 6.

Halloween

Halloween this year was fun! Chandler got to dress up for his parade at school that day. Then that evening we went trick or treating. This is one time that I love living in town homes. The homes are close together so there's less walking. We went for about an hour and the weather was absolutely perfect and warm. Marshall sat by the door to give out candy while I went trick or treating with the boys. My sister had a witches brew party a few weeks before so I already had a great witch costume. I dressed up and a few people didn't recognize me. I think it was the blacked out teeth. Nice, right?

The boys were both transformers, bumblbee and optimus prime. This was the first year since I've had kids that I didn't have any say in their costumes. Chandler didn't care at Rowan's age since he didn't have an older brother. But because they like everything alike, they both wanted to be Transformers. (I forsee some duplicate toys at Christmas so that everyone is happy.) The boys loved coming back and helping hand out the rest of their candy. I actually think it was their favorite part.

Happy 6th Birthday Chandler

Chan,
It's hard to believe that you are 6 years old today. I look back on the last 6 years and it's been some of the best of my life. Our whole world changed when you were born. This last year I've seen you grow and stretch in so many ways. You started kindergarten just a few months ago and can already write your name, all of your letters, and are starting to read. You're so smart and I'm surprised at how quickly you catch on to things.
You have really mellowed out the last few years and are a really good boy. You are a great helper and listen really well.
You've lost your first two teeth in the last 3 weeks, both your bottom. Just another realization for me that you are growing up. You're definitely a mama's boy and always want to sit next to me at the dinner table, will hold my hand if I lay by you before bedtime, and are always good to give me hugs and kisses. You are a great example for your little brother and are so patient with him.
You love to play the ipad, loved going swimming countless times this summer, and love playing with other kids.
Your favorite foods have not changed much and include corn dogs, and bean burritos. You and your brother are really into superheros and especially transformers. You are really witty and say the funniest things right now.
Thanks for being you and for being such a wonderful little boy. Dad and I love you. More than you'll ever know.

Love,
Mom