Rachel and Haley are just 2 months away from turning 3 years old! My miracle little girls are growing up and are making progress in their development. I can't say it enough, but Rachel and Haley are amazing little girls. They are fighters. They don't give up. They have come so far since their unexpected birthday (August 4, 2009). Yes they have challenges, but those challenges don't seem to slow them down. Just amazing! They are beautiful daughters of our Heavenly Father. Thomas and I love them so very much!
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| Rachel and Haley |
Haley :
Haley is so active. She just doesn't stay still and has been climbing on the sofa and climbing on her toys. She is a little daredevil. She is doing great at getting around even with her very limited vision in her right eye. She doesn't have any vision in her left eye. She loves to be held and cuddled. She is doing well at wearing her hearing aids. We can tell she hears good enough with her hearing aids on, but she is still not saying any words. She is vocal, but no words yet. She is doing good with her eating, but we are still working on increasing texture in her foods. She is still drinking Pediasure to help with her growth. She is a small petite girl (she wears 12-18 month clothing). Haley is a sweet little girl. She has a cute laugh. She is so ticklish! She is a lovable little girl. She loves to be picked up so she can give you a big hug. We just love and adore our precious little Haley. Haley is just a sweet happy little girl despite her vision and hearing loss. God be thanked for this beautiful little girl.
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| Haley |
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| Haley laughing |
I just had to add this picture (below) from Mother's day. Haley is just so beautiful and I love her smile!
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| Haley |
Rachel :
Rachel has had a growth spurt. She is getting so big and is getting taller everyday. Rachel wears 24 month to 2T clothing, except for shirts. She has to have 3T size shirts to be long enough. Rachel is feisty! She is strong willed, determined and persistent. If there is something Rachel wants she won't give up until she gets it. She lets us know what she wants in her own way. She is not saying any words yet either. It has been a challenge to get her to wear her hearing aids. She pulls them out and puts them in her mouth. She is so quick at putting them in her mouth. We try to prevent her from doing it, but we don't always catch her quick enough. We have found out that when she does put them in her mouth, it decreases the sound amplification from her hearing aids. So currently her hearing aids are being fixed. So Rachel continues to learn sign language. Rachel is a visual learner. She watches closely what we do and tries to imitate some things. Rachel likes to watch cartoons on Saturday morning. Rachel is still not eating by mouth. She loves to put food in her mouth, but we have not been successful in getting her to swallow the food. It has been a challenge! I look forward to the day I can announce on our blog that she is eating by mouth. I'm sure it will happen, but it's going to take time. Rachel will figure it out, she is smart. Rachel is such a beautiful girl. She has a smile that can light up the room. She has come so far from where she has been. She loves people, she loves all the attention she gets from the various therapists that come to work with her each day. We are so blessed as well to have this beautiful girl with us. God be thanked for her precious life.
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| Rachel |
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| Rachel watching the Doodlebops |
Here is Rachel (below) on Mother's day. So beautiful!
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| Rachel |
Wonderful report!
ReplyDeleteI just want to encourage you on the talking part...(I might have already told you about it) my eldest daughter started to talk at 4 years old.(my second child at 14 month)
My triplets started, one at 4; the other 5; and the last one at 6.The one who talked at the age of 6 is a child with special needs, suffered blood bleeding in her brain. But she knows what she wants to say, I have to find outand guess! The other day it was: "I have a handicap in my head, God created me like that, he created me a la perfection!"
I can tell you we were really moved!
Courage! Our two others are ok and independant in life !
They are both such beautiful little girls and so amazing to see how far they have come!! :)
ReplyDeleteI love the outfits they were wearing on Mother's Day. They are such beautiful girls!
ReplyDeleteI love the entries where you talk about the girls' progress, both the positive and the challenges.
ReplyDeleteYou obviously love these girls with all your heart and have done everything possible to have each reach her potential. They are truly lucky to have been born to your family. Amanda, your spirit is contagious. I admire your positive attitude even when the rough times hit. The girls are so cute and funny. I hope you continue with this blog for along time!
They are getting so big! Your girls are so adorable! They truly are such blessings.
ReplyDeleteI enjoy reading your progress reports and very much admire your positive outlook. Your girls were born two months after mine and Kayla about a month before my son. I love checking in on your blog as just a pep talk on life. By the way, your pictures indoors on this post are really good. What camera are you using? Are you using other special equipment in the background?
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your kind words and compliments! My camera is a Canon digital Rebel XTi. I sometimes use backdrops for my photos. I use a backdrop stand to hold up the backdrops. The black and white damask backdrop was used for the pictures I took of the girls on Mother's day.
Deletea couple of very sweet little girls.
ReplyDeleteAmanda, the girl's progress have so much to do with you and Thomas. Our Heavenly Father trusted these special children to special parents. He knows they are safe with you. Congratulations, you are doing an amazing job!
ReplyDeleteHi Amanda, I really love reading the updates on how the girls are doing and how they are progressing. They are such beautiful girls and are real blessings to you and your family. What a gorgeous smile your Haley has!! And Rachel is so pretty in that pink dress - what a star. May God bless your family
ReplyDeleteIn Massachusetts once children with developmental delays or special needs like yours have and that have gone through Early Intervention are eligible for free pre-school in a classroom that will services their needs. Are you girls starting pre-school in September?
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