Finally back to it!

As you can tell, I took a little hiatus from this blog. Not intentionally, but things just got so busy that I didn't even think to take time to post.

It is the last day of summer vacation, if you can call it that. I have been back to work for a week, but tomorrow I get to have my first day with the students. I am excited ad nervous as you can imagine. I have read most of their files, but until you lay eyes on the kids, you just don't know them. I have 9 students, I think. They are mostly labeled in the severe range, meaning they have difficulty with basic funtioning skills. We work on feeding, toileting, communicating, etc. I have been told that there are less behavior problems in this class, than in my previous class, but we shall see. I do have 2 paraprofessionals (aides) who are there all day I am told. So, that will help. Of course, the first day I already have a conference scheduled with a parent and another parent calling wanting a conference. One is just moving to our area, the other has issues with the class/school her daughter attends. (GREAT! Controversy right from the start!) Luckily, the decision about which school/class to attend is not up to me. It would be a decision for the higher ups, so that is nice. I can just pass it along as their fault/problem.

As for Jenna, she is doing well. She went to the doctor this past week for her 9 month check up and she did receive a good report with one exception. The Doctor thinks she is too small. She is 27 inches long and only 16 pounds, Which means that although she gained 2 inches in the last 3 months, she only gained 1/2 a pound. He said she wasn't "skinny", but he was concerned about her size. I asked what I should do and he told me to keep doing what I was doing. But, of course I started feeling like I was starving the little one. I did try and give her more formula before bed one night and that first time, she took it okay. Although she had refused a bottle earlier that day. The second time I did it, she threw up all over me. So, I am not going to try that again.

She is not walking yet, even though I really thought she would walk by 9 months, but she is very close. She will pull up to stand next to anything. She will hold on with only one or two fingers, even letting go for a few seconds, but then down she goes.

Last night, she crawled over to Bella and used her as a step stool to get onto the leather footstool and chair. Bella of course didn't move while Jenna crawled on her and Bean was so proud of herself once she got up there. (We have a climber!) It was very cute and I wish I had it on tape, but it happened too fast.

I guess everything else is status quo. Kelly works in Virginia now, so we don't see him everyday. It is tough, but our wonderful neighbors and friends have really helped. Also, the fact that I have 2 cats and 1 and 1/2 dogs to look after makes me have very little time for sad thoughts. Once in awhile though, I still get a little depressed about him being gone. But in the long run, it will all be for the best.

Hope everyone had a great summer. Pics from our trip to Cleveland to come soon.