Happy New Year! Belle’s year is off to a solid start! I am happy to report that we have been pretty consistent with our TalkTools oral motor program, created by Monica Purdy. We have been staying on track except for the 4 days that Belle stayed with her siblings and grandparents while we got away for a little mini-vacation without kids. She did well, as I expected, and didn’t miss me at all, as I also expected. She is always thrilled to go new places and do new things.
Belle has always had a good sense of humor, and enjoys the typically preschool banter like “miss me, miss me, now you have to kiss me” and “you are the craziest woman in the world” (which she tells me often), etc. Her six year old brother also enjoys serving as a catalyst in her orneriness. Within the past few months, however, Belle has begun making up her own silly phrases and ‘one-liners.’ Last week, an older child who is a close family friend, was getting out of our car and Belle rolled down her window and said, “check you out turkey butt.” I am not sure why I am sharing this, since to most parents this wouldn’t be a newsworthy occurrence and probably even something to discourage. Of course, I am not encouraging naughty words, but man oh man I do love the creativity! And I do value the fact that she can come up with some non-concrete ideas on her own. It’s the small things, right?
Here is a video of Belle doing many of her alphabet sounds.
Cheers!
-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.