We are losing our early intervention services. It's GREAT news, but so sad at the same time! EI has become a huge part of our lives... since Russ came home on oxygen at 8 weeks old!
The kids are 2 and a 1/2 and doing fantastic. They have reached each and every developmental goal and are testing WAY above their actual age in EVERY area. It's amazing and so humbling. They are smart, strong, independent, social, and loving little people. We just can't believe how far we have come. These are the babies (Conor and I were told) would likely never be "normal." It's hard not to cry as I type these words.
The first to go was Physical Therapy, last month. Jenny has become a part of our family and a true life long friend. She was so proud to graduate the kiddos and at the same time so sad to say goodbye. But, as she was leaving she said, "now we can be real friends!" I loved that. Especially since she is expecting her own set of twins! Jenny, we love you.
We meet with our case worker, Bonnie, this month and I will know for sure if we are losing ALL services; Child Development, Speech Therapy, Music Therapy, and Occupational Therapy. Ally has made HUGE progress with OT, so I'm hoping we can at least hang on to that. Graduation day will be a happy one, but I can't hide all the emotion behind it. Like I said before, it's just so humbling. We have been so blessed to have all of these wonderful people in our lives and are even more blessed with the children we have been given. They are truly, without a doubt, 4 little miracles.. and I NEVER want to forget that!
Our last night in Portland
(L to R)
Ally, Libby, Molly (not happy) and Russ
Happy Tuesday Everyone! We came home Saturday and are still getting back into the swing of things. I think we will even head to the zoo today if it's not raining!
XOXO
Gen
PS: Below are just a couple of the many posts we have done on EI, if your new to our blog!
Posts
24 comments:
As a Pedi PT, I know how bittersweet graduation is for both therapist and mom! Congrats and thank you for the sweet words about therapy!!
We too had EI. We had Miss Janet come to our home each week & work with our little ones. It ended up being Brendan that received her assistance the longest. They "graduated" last January. I was SO afraid that it was TOO soon but in the end they were SO ready. We still keep in contact with Miss Janet & pass along developmental toys to her so her other kids can benefit from them! Congrats on them "graduating"! love, Cathy
what a huge help. What a neat person. Oh and they're ADORABLE! congrats on such beautiful, healthy babies :)
WOW! Gen, this is just incredible!
What an amazing journey they have been on. 4 miracles!!!
Congrats on them doing so well!!!!!
I, of course, don't have quads, but my oldest was in OT, Speech and behavioral therapy and the day she graduated was also bitter sweet. She went through a great program in our school system and now she's doing great. Congrats to the quads and the parents!
i felt the same way when james & ella were discharged from our EI program, incredibly happy at how far they had come but sad to lose the friends and support! Cameron still gets p/t every other week though, so at least we get to see our favorite p/t :)
i felt the same way when james & ella were discharged from our EI program, incredibly happy at how far they had come but sad to lose the friends and support! Cameron still gets p/t every other week though, so at least we get to see our favorite p/t :)
congratulations to all 4 of your little miracles!
That is awesome Gen! You should be so proud!
What wonderful news! Yes, as a special ed teacher, I understand the bittersweetness of it (I've hugged and cried with many parents as their children moved on from my classroom) - but that's such an AWESOME accomplishment for all four kids AND a HUGE kudos to you, too! While I know that the therapists helped lots and guided the way - You and Connor were the ones there 24-7, teaching and helping your little ones grow and learn!
Good luck with the case worker and maybe you can still hold onto OT for some reassurance. I'm glad to hear Ally has improved so much! Yeah!
Congrats again on all your hard work!
Gen ~ Don't feel silly...I too cried as Hayden was "graduated" from EI services. Some of it was fear, "what if he regresses?", some of it was loss of a new friend, "the therapist", but most of it was because people never thought he would come as far as he has...those were tears of great joy! As a matter of fact we just had his first transition meeting today for next year and kindergarten. I was teary eyed at that meeting too! (I'm way too emotional!)
You and your kiddos are amazing and you HAVE come so far and their future is sooo bright!! Congrats to the "Graduates" and Mommy & Daddy too for helping them get their diplomas!
CONGRATS on the bitter sweet moment :) This must be a hard transition, but they will continue to strive and do so well. Look at them now...they will be more improved in 6 months! Hang in there :)
~Elyse~
Congrats on graduating! First of hopefully many! Pre-School, Kindergarten, Middle School, High School, College, Grad School.. hahah! No pressure!
This is completely off the subject, but when are we going to see pics of the new digs!?
Thank you EVERYONE! We are so proud of our kiddos!
Dear Anon-
I guess with the move and the holidays i just kinda forgot! I'll work on getting some pics of the new house together! xoxo
G
ooo that is such an amazing milestone! Your little kiddos are doing amazing and such an amazing blessings.
That is bitter sweet, ECI is so great!! XOXO
i'm a pediatric ota & if you would ever need any ideas for home, i can help ya out! just find my blog :) & p.s. ur babies are soooo cute
I recognize some of those jammies:) It is bittersweet but such a blessing for your 4 absolutely perfect, NORMAL children!! And what a joy it must be for all of your service providers to graduate the kiddos with flying colors.
I teared up reading that sentance also. I can not imagine hearing those words. Your children are amazing and all 'normal'
You have done a wonderful job!
it is a scary milestone. y'all have been through so much with your EI team and it is hard to imagine the next step without them. when Daniel was discharged from EI i was happy but freaking out at the same time. as an ex24 weeker there was so many debilitating potentials in his eventual outcome. as a nicu nurse i watched and waited for each one to be realized and usually needed one of his EI team to tell me it's okay to embrace normalcy...even celebrate it. we still send updates and last year, thanks helped with a fundraiser where we got to see everyone again. the best was Daniel's reunion with his PT, James. when they first met, Daniel cried the whole time. this time James was the one in tears (of joy and pride).
I know what you mean about being sad when you graduate from services... it breaks your heart to have your child(ren) and yourself lose someone who has been so important to your lives for so long.... HGUS!!
Oh..and I gave you an award over at my blog :)
Wow! Was there any doubt? Gen and Conor, you are amazing parents! Congrats and pats on the back.
By the way, I have been stalking your blog for sometime now. Thanks for sharing everything with us in the blog world! I am a grandma and my blog is www.grandmasgottablog.blogspot.com It is my goal to get MORE GRANDMAS blogging!
I would like to nominate you for the Honest Scrap Award. If you want to see how it works, visit my blog or my daughter's www.mlphjmd.blogspot.com (Rhyme & Reason).
Hey! Was there any doubt? You and Conor are amazing parents! Congrats and many pats on the back! It is so fun to be able to follow so many families through the blog world, isn't it? Your babies are adorable and I really have enjoyed your posts and pics.
I am a grandma and my goal is to get more grandma's blogging with me! www.grandmasgottablog.blogspot.com That is my blog and because M-Louise(Ryhme & Reason www.mlphjmd.blogspot.com) tagged me and because I think your blog is so interesting I am nominating you for the Honest Scrap Award. You can take the challenge and tag some of your favorite blogs with the Award too, if you want to accept the Honest Scrap Award!
I totally understand how you feel.....our EI therapists have become second family to us....it is bittersweet. But I agree, remembering what miracles our children are is the key to a lot!!!
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