February update!

This month hasn't been too bad so far but I wanted to keep you posted on my progress, which in turn will make me accountable. Let me start by saying that God is great! He has truly blessed my family if I take the time to look at the small things. Noah started full blown walking this month and it has been a joy to watch him flourish since he began daycare. I love the daycare he attends because of the staff and the Christian teachings they provide my son. You can never get started too early!

Noah has been making progress in all areas except his expressive language. I was concerned as an SLP and a mom and brought it up to the developmental psychologist we see every 6 months. She referred us to Early steps. The lady came by our house in early January and did a screener. Based on that info, he was in the gray area which wasn't concerning because he was premature. She said that based on his birth weight though that he would automatically qualify for services. We needed to do a full eval though. So we went at the end of January. In order to qualify for services, 2 areas need to be under 78 or one area under 70. Noah was a 73 in communication and all the others were in the 90s and 100s. Which agin didn't qualify him. But because of his birth weight, they will start providing Speech services at his daycare 1 time a week since they say his delay is mild. I was super happy! I didn't study birth to three years early intervention because that age group didn't interest me so even though I'm an SLP, I don't feel I have the tools to do therapy with Noah. Most importantly. I just want to be his mommy. I met the therapist last week and again she said that his delays were mild and based on his adjusted age he is right on track but we will work to close the gap between his adjusted age and chronological age. She will be working on identifying and naming objects and pictures. Sounds so easy right?! Not when it's your kid! But she's given me a few strategies like sign language and constant repetition that seems to be helping. This mom stuff is tougher than I thought! Lol. He will have his first session this Wednesday. From there, we will have a 6 month run and reevaluate to see if he continues to need services.

I must admit I struggled with this decision. How can I be an SLP and not be able to treat my child? What do I look like? What am I not doing?! It was hard but I know that I'm doing what I SHOULD be doing which is relinquishing control and letting someone with expertise in that area do hat they know best. I'm getting him services early so that he won't have to struggle with this when he starts Kindergarten. I'm doing exactly what any other mother that wants their kids to succeed would do. And for that, I'm satisfied. Of course, when I say "I" I mean "we" because I've got to make every decision with the big Benjamin :)!

Ok, now that I've aired out all of my laundry... Here's the update!

1. Read the Bible... Still working on it but becoming more and more consistent!

2. Tithe on every check! Yes! It's been working for the most part! If I'm out of town, I do it the next week, and if I mistakenly pay some bill before taking out the money, I owe Him plus extra. We currently owe him $250 but did tithe yesterday. It's been awesome. Getting back to what I know how to do best... Give of myself!

3. Get out of debt! Yes! We have finally paid off one of the Rooms to Go cards and plan on paying off the other, my hospital bill, 2 credit cards, get current on all bills, and put a down payment on our vacation with our income tax check. Carl brought up a good point about why are we going in vacation this year. We should be using that money to help us get out of debt. You know what that means?! He gets it!!! I made a budget sheet for every month, showed him how in debt we are, made a spreadsheet of all the bills we need to pay by order of smallest to largest, and I think it spoke to him! But.. We need a vaca! I'm sorry. I'm gonna cheat on that one. I want a week in the Caribbean away from everyone to spend some quality time with my husband. But I'm SO proud of what he said.

4. Watch my mouth! Yes I'm working on it. I'm human and will fail, but getting better. Doing the 30 day husband encouragement challenge and hope to do all 30 days. Relearning my hubby's love language to be a better wife. Not because we have a bad marriage, just because it can always be better!

5. Take one day for me a month to either do a little shopping, or get a mani/pedi, or eyebrows. I haven't done it yet this month but did do it last month for my bday. Maybe once things are in order? Oh pedicure how I miss thee!

6. Read 3 books by the end of this year. Doesn't have to be educational or anything, but I need to do something more than just going to work and spending time on the computer. Haven't done it at all.

7. Try (at least) 1 new, healthy recipe each month. Don't know what I are last month but will do it this month and post about it!

8. Make better eating choices on a regular basis. Don't indulge in anything. Eat more green, filling foods, and less of the unnecessary crap that keeps the pounds on! January was filled with festivities. February not so bad. March, I'm coming for you!

9. Lose weight (for real this time...LOL) I don't want to enter the next decade of my life wishing I had shred a certain amount of pounds...just do it! I have some important events coming up (sis bday in June in NY, BFF wedding in August, cruise with the Hubs in September which includes a special surprise, and 30th birthday fun in Vegas!) so far I haven't gained. Have been buying more and more fruits and veggies and incorporating them in my everyday meals.

10. Be more involved in church activities and ministries. I really suck at this one. I want to get to know those at my church because I don't know if i'm growing...but don't know if it's because I havent taken the step to get involved, or if this isn't the church i'm supposed to be at. Everytime I ask God, He always makes the pastor say something that makes me stay...mpa konnin..maybe I need to stop asking God and realize He already answered my prayers. So let's get involved!!! They have these life groups but i can't make the times they are at. I'm going to find something though! I even signed up for cleaning but they do it on Monday mornings. I'm at work! Ugh!

So that's my update!

See you next month!