Maggie's Communication

This is a video clip that really shows how Maggie communicates to us on a regular basis. You will see her pretending to swim, signing that she wants to sit and signing that she is sleepy.

She's such a precious little doll and I love her so much!

This is why it is hard to let her go out into the public right now. Taking her to church has been great, but it just kills me inside to think of her trying to communicate with people that don't know her. If she is thirsty how will she tell someone?.... if she is hurt how can she tell someone?... if she is afraid how can she tell someone?

We LOVE the new church we have been attending. It really is a place that I feel God desires for us to grow. Maggie has loved going to church and is excited to show us the picture she colors during the service!

I know Maggie is strong. She is a light of God and I know that she will bless many people with her tender personality and gentle love. Just yesterday as we were leaving church Eric recognized one of the ladies that have been with Maggie in her class. We introduced ourselves to her and her family. The very first week we were in church, this lady actually asked us how to sign some words to Maggie. It meant the world to me that someone would take an extra second of their life to ask how they can talk to Maggie. On Sunday she also told us that her youngest daughter just loves Maggie and she always asks if she can go in an help in Maggie's class.

Oh, the tears just welt up in my eyes, and I could do nothing more than hug this loving family! They love Maggie and I feel so very encouraged by that...

Starting the Process

I contacted our local school district to see if Maggie will qualify for Special Pre-school Services. I have a few pages of paperwork to fill out and then they will assess Maggie.

It's an interesting process. I don't want to be a difficult parent, but I feel like I am going to want to be very involved. I do know that we need professional help through the therapists. But I also know that the old saying is true, "The Squeaky Wheel Gets the Grease."

It's not that I want to be inappropriately "squeaky" but I do want to be Maggie's biggest advocate. That my privilege and my responsibility.

So, here we go... I will be praying along every step that I allow God
to be glorified through all we do.

Reality...

I just wanted to take a moment to journal about Maggie.

While Maggie is making her own progress with development, there is a reality that I often have to visit each day. Maggie is delayed. That fact doesn't make my love for her any less... it doesn't make me wish that she were different... and it doesn't make me sad. It's just reality.

I am in awe of God's creation in Maggie. I know that God knew what Maggie would struggle with in this life. I know God is my strength in helping Maggie. Humanly speaking, though, I do struggle sometimes. I watch as we work with Maggie's speech. We say things like, "Maggie can you say YELLOW?" What we hear is our 1 year old, Elijah, saying yellow. Maggie is 3 and she still can't speak.

Now, let me back up a minute and explain why I am journaling about this. It's therapeutic for me, I guess. I remember when Maggie was 1. We went to a birthday party for another 1 year old. Maggie wasn't able to crawl yet and we watched as most of the other 1 year olds at the party crawled, walked and waddled about at the party. It hurt inside to know that Maggie was struggling. Now that Maggie is 3 I am feeling a little bit of that pain again. Most of my friends with 3 year olds are potty training their kids, they are sharing stories of the funny things they say, and some are even talking about Preschool.

I do have a fear that I lay at God's feet every night. I fear that Maggie will continue to struggle the rest of her life. There is an aspect of reality there. Maggie will most likely need physical and educational support throughout her school years.

Physically she will most likely need to have some ankle supports as her muscles do not have the correct tone to keep her bones in line. Her knees, ankles and hips are very floppy for this reason. So, eventually she will need to wear supports to keep her from having joint problems. We are actually praying that she will really like swimming. That would be an awesome sport for her as there would be no impact on her joints.

Educationally, Maggie will most likely need special services throughout school to help her with curriculum. I am not really positive on that aspect, but I suspect that she will need help. We are currently working with the local school district to see if she qualifies for speech therapy through the Preschool that works with special needs kids.

Now, having said "Special Needs"... that's where a slight fear enters my mind. I have been a teacher and I know the label that gets put on kids that have RSP services. The parents and the students all know who goes to RSP services. Those students do find it harder to make friends. Elementary school can be very hard for kids. Teasing, fighting, learning to be independent, etc.

I know, I know... Maggie's only 3 and already I have her in Elementary school with no friends.

There it is... my fear... my prayer request... the burden I have that I must lay at God's feet. I love my Maggie. I am blessed to have her in my life and I couldn't imagine ONE minute in this life without her.

Just wanted to share a raw moment with the blogging world...

She's Saying "Birthday!"

Happy Birthday, Maggie!

It seems like yesterday you were born...
It is hard to believe that we were chosen to be your parents.

You are an unbelievable blessing in our lives
and we love you so much!
God loves you even more!

Happy 3rd Birthday, our sweet Maggie-Pie!