Sunday, September 6, 2009

New editions...

Yep. We added to our family, in a rather large number... 22 to be exact. We've actually had these newest members among us for nearly 2 months, but I've been quite the procrastinator ;0) Here's a photo of part of the bunch:




Jon & I both have wanted an aquarium for the house. I've always loved watching fish swim... they look so peaceful & graceful. Jon's Dad had aquariums when Jon was little & he's always said he wanted to have one.

We started off back in January with a 5 gallon tank that we bought for Gabby for her birthday. I think I posted about how we went through quite a few gold fish in a short time. We decided after losing nearly 15 fish inside of 2 months, that we would try tropical fish instead of goldfish. Our 'dream' however was to have a larger tank. I was at my Mom's shop one day & Holly (one of their floral designers) said that her Mom had a big tank that had been sitting empty because she got tired of taking care of it. I asked her to get the particulars on how big, how much, etc. So a few phone calls later, & we have what you see in the picture.

We ended up getting the whole set up for a huge bargain, so much so that we just couldn't pass it up! So we now have a 75 gallon tank, a 5 gallon tank, & a beta bowl! In all we have 22 fish, including 2 sharks! Vaeh picked out one of the sharks & named him "Sharky" (such an imagination she has when it comes to naming things ~ LoL)! We are really enjoying having them to look at, plus its helping me teach the girls a little responsibility with feeding & caring for them.

In other news, Miss Vaeh will actually be going to preschool!... sort of. I'm not sure if I blogged about this, but about a year and a half ago, the county changed providers for therapy through the Help Me Grow program (here in Ohio). The gals that worked with Vaeh in the beginning had a tough road getting through with Vaeh, but once they broke that barrier, she really began to work with them & progress. Right about the same time, the county switched providers. As a (now former)therapist assistant I knew more than the average mom did when it came to Vaeh's treatment, although I never dealt with pediatrics. There's a world of difference, but there's enough similarity that I knew the new therapists weren't doing anything to benefit her.

With Vaeh "aging out" of that program, she was up for evaluation by the next level therapists... who just happened to be the original girls. In the spring Vaeh had a "play-based assessment" by some of the staff that would possibly be working with her. At that time they said that Vaeh didn't qualify for services. A few weeks later, I got a phone call about Norma (Vaeh's original PT) wanting to take one last look at her before she signed off on her not needing services. Well, Norma was here on Friday & she said that, even though it was by a very slim margin... Vaeh does qualify!! She still considers her about 8 months behind on gross motor skills, which boils down to she doesn't jump/hop or do stairs independently.

I was ecstatic!! Vaeh will get to work with the girls that got her so far in the beginning! Even though they still consider her "behind" they're going to be able to help her get what she needs! For right now, she'll be getting what they call "itinerant" services. Basically I have to take her to the building & then pick her up when she's done. I think they'll even get her into a classroom situation, which is wonderful!! I'm so excited.

So, both of my girls are going to start school this year:0/ I'm very excited, but at the same time sad... what will I do?! (Let's just say there's a few ideas floating around...)

Hope you all are having a nice extended weekend!

9 comments:

Kathy said...

girl...you've been busy!

that fish tank is what my oldest son has been BEGGING me for! It's salt water? You'll have to tell me how hard that was to put together.

and that's good that she'll continue to get pt. We're getting ready to do our assessments for aging out...but, I know that Isaac will for SURE get in.

Have the girls decided what they want to be for Halloween??

Just asking...because I've started firing up the sewing machine!

jencooper said...

Yea!! Veah is going to school!! That is awesome. She will love it.

I am digging the new fish tank. I am sure that it is keeping you very busy. There sure is something calming about watching fish.

I know that I haven't been able to sign lately. I am back at school. I can read the site, but I can't log in to sign it. I still read every single day!!

<3,
Jennifer

Wendy said...

Hi Tina,

Your aquarium is beautiful! I love them, too....we had one set up when we lived in Alaska, with little water frogs even, and planned to set it up when we moved here. (That was 4 years ago! Of course I didn't know then what life had in store for us with Emma!!) Maybe one day...

How exciting that Vaeh will be going to school! It is sad at first...but you'll like getting a little break. (How would I know? I went TO school with Emma last year! ha!)

Take care and give those pretty girls a big hug from us! I hope they have a wonderful time at school!

Lots of Love,

Wendy (& Emma, too!)

Unknown said...

I just love the aquarium it's beautiful. I bet both girls are having such fun naming all of the fish.

How exciting to have both the girls in school and being able to continue therapy.

What will you do with all your free time, You stay out of trouble.

The Portas said...

Congrats on the new additions to your family! The tank is beautiful and I'm sure the fishies are happy to have such a loving family. :) Tell us what all of their names are!

That's great that Vaeh got into school. It will be great for her! It's so good knowing that she will still get some great help.

Have a great week!! xo

mina said...

Enjoy the fish, I'm sure it will be so soothing to watch them!

It's great that Vaeh qualified for therapy so that she can get the help she needs. I have a feeling it probably won't have to be for too long :)

Unknown said...

I LOVE the aquarium! I'm glad the girls are enjoying them.

I'm so excited about Vaeh going to school. I need to schedule Arianna for the evaluation through the school district to find out if she qualifies. I think she might qualify for speech but not sure. So is Vaeh going once a week for a few times a week?

Lots of love,
Vanessa

Melanie said...

Wow-preschool for Vaeh! She is definetely growing up!! And I love your fish tank-they are very relaxing and beautiful.

Maddison Ford said...

Thank you for your kind note on Maddi's page! Glad to know we have you following her blog :o) We are also following Nevaeh!