2 Years 10 Months
Summer has gotten the best of us, in a good way. We have been busy with family reunions, lake trips, and a long road trip to a beach vacation. Belle enjoyed each of these adventures immensely, but I have to admit that we have not been consistent with our oral motor exercises this month. With that being said, Belle continues to be very chatty and has some new favorite words and phrases including “boat, beach, snack, dinner ready,” and “my turn”!
In addition to our adventures, we have also been potty training. I thought Belle would slow down in her speech since I have been pushing this pretty hard but she hasn’t. We have been working on day training for one month now and she is doing really well. “Potty, pee pee, and poopy” are, of course, frequent words in her vocabulary as well (as is “no no Mommy!”).
Here are some recent pictures of Miss Belle, and pictures that include Annabelle’s big sister Lyla doing their “mean, sad, and excited” faces.
And here is Belle chatting, singing and counting with me one evening before bed.
2 Years 11 Months
How is it possible that Miss Belle will be turning 3 next month? I think she has made great strides during her second year of life. Her vocalizations have really come on strong, which is probably her biggest accomplishment (in my opinion ;)). Although we are still striving for better articulation, Belle continues to have more and more to say each day. Belle is frequently using 2-3-4 word phrases but I am starting to get some five word phrases every day including, “Look at my shirt, Mommy” and “Burke back home, eat lunch.”
My motivation for doing the TalkTools program is that I want to help Belle develop her ability to better communicate with others. We know that she has many thoughts she wants to share, her own perspective on events, and lots of insight into her daily world. She loves people and enjoys building relationships, which is founded upon communication. I am grateful for the skills she has developed thus far and look forward to the year ahead. Thank you Whitney and all of the staff at TalkTools for making this possible!
Below are a few recent pictures of Belle enjoying our state fair.
And here is a video of Belle saying some of her common phrases, while “doing” her hair in front of the mirror. She is just too busy these days :D.
Have a great day!
-Lanie Beetsma
Annabelle has Down Syndrome and has been using TalkTools Therapy since she was born. Her story is a great inspiration for parents seeking help for a child with Down Syndrome. Follow Miss Annabelle’s journey from the beginning here.