Jessalyn & Anyka

My Review of Signing Time DVD/Flashcard Set

2009-02-14T13:55:00.001-08:00

Research shows that babies who can communicate through sign language are happier than others — and often develop higher IQs! With our entertaining DVD/flashcard sets, learning American Sign Language is fast and fun. Each set include 30-minute DVD and corresponding flashcards. Developed by the...

These products are amazing!

Aly San Antonio TX 2/14/2009

Gift: No

Pros: Holds Attention, Colorful and Fun

Best Uses: Older children, Crawlers, Toddlers, Infants

Describe Yourself: Parent of Two or More Children

We used this product with my daughter and she learned all her letters - upper AND lower case - by sight, sound and sign before she was 18 months old. She was recognizing words by 2 and fully reading by 3. Rachel is a wonderful entertainer, and at least one video is watched in our house every day. The songs are engaging and fun for the whole family.

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Show me a Sign

2008-03-26T11:00:00.000-07:00

http://www.brickfish.com/Pages/Blogs/BlogView.aspx?bid=25055&=PBB_DianeVonFurstenberg_247_PPIMEMAIL&isep=1&pbapi=530689&pbvi=14024708

Check it out and vote for my post!

Check this out!

2008-03-10T12:16:00.000-07:00

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/23556514

This baby uses the same Signing Time that Anyka uses - and she has had awesome results too! I know Anyka's reading skills - which, as she proves every day, are extensive - have some from signing. Those of you with babies - sign with them!

2008-02-22T15:14:00.000-08:00

Expectations vs. Reality

2008-02-02T10:31:00.000-08:00

We have all experienced times where our expectations and reality didn't match. Usually it is when a situation or person doesn't live up to what we thought it would be, and we are disappointed. It's a part of life and we've all accepted that. But sometimes, we are pleasantly surprised, even having wonderful moments in the most unxpected places.

Weeks ago I bought tickets for the four of us to go see the Hannah Montana movie this morning. I have been griping about it ever since. Not in an "I will groan because it is not cool, but secretly I am excited" kind of way - in a genuinely "I would rather eat my own eyeballs than go through with this" kind of way. But I had resigned myself to sitting through it because I knew the kids would love it, and that's what parents do. I know my mom sat through her fair share of Chipmunks and My Little Pony and goodness knows what else.

So off we went this morning. We stood in line, were issued 3-D glasses (I rolled my eyes at that idea too) and when the teenager behind the glass said "enjoy the show" I responded with "Oh yeah, I am sure I will have the time of my life" in a voice dripping with not only sarcasm but genuine contempt.

There we were, surrounded by mothers dressed up like rockers from the 80s (I kid you not - bedazzled purses, big hair and belts, the whole package) and their mini-Montanas, complete with sparkles and wigs and lots and lots of merchandise beraing the likeness of the Part Time Pop Star herself. And then, it started. I settled in for the ride.

About ten minutes into the show, my mean heart was melted. As I watched my little girl be-bopping in her seat, singing along and genuinely caught up in the joy of the experience, I found her enthusiasm contagious. An hour and a half later, Miley Cyrus belted out the theme song I have heard so often, and I sat watching Anyka bounce along on Chad's lap, completely entranced. She doesn't care that the whole thing is a mass-marketing mania created by Disney and Wal-Mart to make tons of money. She doesn't care that her lack of depth perception makes the 3-D film inaccessible to her. All she knows is that she loves, loves, LOVES the music, the dancing, and the hoopla that accompanies the whole presentation.

I realized that I am, in fact, old. I am not the "cool mom" that I always thought I would be. I am just like every other parent, a generation away from all the things their kids love best. I am every bit as guilty of being irritated at High School Musical the fortieth time it is played in a weekend. But I love my kids, and seeing them happy makes even the Hannah Montana movie a worthwhile experience.

Hooray for Cultural Awareness!

2008-01-28T13:38:00.000-08:00

http://www.pepsiusa.com/bobshouse/

This almost makes me want to give up Coke for Pepsi! (Almost). Based on a very well known Deaf joke, this commercial is set to air - in silence - on SUPER BOWL SUNDAY! This is a very enlightened action by Pepsi and I am so excited to support their initiative!

New Year, New Experiences....and Some Old Ones

2008-01-21T13:10:00.000-08:00

Life in the Miller Clan seems ever-changing, but in reality it is just same-old same-old. For example - Anyka is turning five, and it's a new accomplishement every day in reading or counting or life skills. She is leaving preschool to be home schooled by her stepmother, Stephanie. Yet we still struggle with listening and eating, she still wears 2T-3T clothes, and she still has surgery on a regular basis just to keep us on our toes. The next round, on January 24, will involve her teeth, and her eyes may not be far off. But hey - we're making it! Despite normal step-family stress, we are living la vida loca and loving every minute of it.

I have a kid in the DOUBLE DIGITS?

2007-12-26T15:23:00.000-08:00

I cannot believe Jessalyn is 10 today. Seems like not that long since she was born! That means she has known Chad half her life, has been a big sister half her life, has had a brother 10% of her life...and that I am officially a DECADE older! Good grief. She got a RipStik (deathtrap) and electronic banking Monopoly and, the piece de resistance - a Wii! I am spectacularly bad at it, but she is pretty good. Let the games begin!

Signing Time! Series Two a Huge Hit!

2007-12-25T12:35:00.000-08:00

Anyka and Jessalyn watchd all sever episodes of the Signing Time! Series two - and the results are all positive! Anyka loves the Happy Birthday one and days of the week. They both are working hard to learn all the new signs and are enjoying the increased challenge. The new format took some getting used to, with the Practive Time and other bits in the middle, but they still enjoyed themselves. The rest of Christmas was a hit, with Jessalyn getting som DS games and Heelys (those sneakers with wheels in them) and Anyka getting a High School Musical barbie of Sharpay (against my will) that rapidly became her favorite thing ever.

Waiting for Signing Time!

2007-10-16T09:40:00.000-07:00

Anyka doesn't know it yet,but her Christmas Present has already arrived - the first 3 volumes of Series TWO of Signing Time! You have no idea how hard it is for me not to preview them - the last couple of years they have had new DVDs out right at the holidays and I have always peeked. But this year I am resolved. of course, being active on the forum (http://www.signingtime.com/forums/) and the weekly chat (http://www.signingtime.com/chatroom/) has only served to taunt me endlessly about the fun that awaits when she finally gets them and has free reign to play them...but wait I must. Have any of you ever wanted to play with your kids' toys before they get them for a present?

Welcome to the Wonderful World of Technology?!

2007-09-22T06:54:00.001-07:00

I figured, OK, it is 2007. I have a 4th grader and a Pre-Kindergartener. I have learned how to text message to save minutes on my cell phone. I have a Digital Video Recorder on my cable service so I can watch shows whenever I want. I make digital srapbooks, have a website and belong to online forums for a variety of topics. It was inevitable - I need to get with the program and start a blog. But I don't have to like it! So hang with me as I share the ups and downs of life using this technologigal marvel called a blog.

Hang on, it is going to be a bumpy ride!

2007-07-06T10:17:00.000-07:00

Anyka is doing so well at her new school! Or should I say, her old school? She is more relaxed, better behaved, sleeping better...it is a wonderful thing. She is also thriving under her new "traffic light" behavior system - so simple I can't believe it works! She has a little chart with four colors - green, yellow, orange and red - and the days starts on green, with misbehavior requiring a change to the other colors in progression. A simple "do you want to go to yellow?" can affect change like a time-out never could!

2007-06-23T10:16:00.000-07:00

Last night, Anyka was crawling around and slipped, knocking her face on the hard floor. Her two front teeth were loose and bleeding, so I called our ultra-fabulous dentist. He ANSWERED THE PHONE at 7pm on a Friday and asked me to meet him at his office this morning at 9. He looked at her and did x-rays. The good news is, her permanent tooth buds are in there, well formed and look great. The bad news is, she has to have two more teeth extracted. Her two front middle teeth, to be exact. The two on either side are questionable, but we will leave them for now and see how long we can keep them before they have to come out.

2007-05-14T10:14:00.000-07:00

Here is how my birthday unfolded:

5:30 am - phone rings. one of my husband's employees, calling in sick. this put husband in an extremely bad mood as it is a particular habit of this employee to be sick on Monday mornings.

7:00 - took a very clingy Anyka to school. Broke my heart to leave with her crying "but today should be a snuggle mama day!" as I walked down the hall.

7:45 - Our team of 5 employees is down to three today, due to one resignation and a vacation. The typical "someone is out" crises ensue.

9:30 - Call from school. Anyka's face, which my mom had discoverd was swollen, is causing her pain and she is complaining. I tell my boss I am taking an early lunch to run her to the dentist but I will be back in an hour. Our normal dentist is not at the office 5 minutes from work, but across town (20 minutes). I sigh and tell my boss it might be more like an hour and a half.

10:30 - our normal dentist takes one peek in Anyka's mouth, goes pale, and makes 8 phone calls until she finds a pedi dentist who can take her in immedaitely. This dentist is 30 minutes away from her office (45-50 from home). Anyka is given a necklace and a pencil with a dental mirror on the end.

11:30 Arrive at emergency dentist only to be told he is not a provider for our insurance. Agree to a $44 emergency exam to at least determine the problem and options for solutions. The ultra-fabulous nurse takes an x-ray and gives Anyka a sticker.

11:55 Ultra-fabulous dentist informs me that Anyka has an absess in two of her molars that is ragingly infected. Both must be extracted immediately if not sooner. Ultra-fabulous office staff has already arranged with Roy's insurance to cover 80% of any charges, meaning my bill will be less than $150 out the door. Impressed, I agree to the procedure. I am told I can be with her the whole time. The ultra-fabulous nurse gives Anyka two stickers.

12:05 Oral sedative is prepared and given to Anyka, who promptly pukes it back all over me. She is cleaned up and given three stickers.

12:25 Nasal membrane sedative applied. She is given two stickers and a bracelet for bravery.

12:45 Sedative is fully in effect, sats are good and nitrous oxide is making her deliciously still. The dentist checks her out and says he will begin in 20 minutes.

1:00 The dentist pulls two teeth, cleans out the sockets and remaining infected tissue, and stitches up the hole. 1:05 Anyka is given pure oxygen and awakes puzzled by the cotton in her mouth. 1:20 after passing the walking test, Anyka is given four stickers and a sugar-free lollipop for being so good. She has a hissy fit when told she cannot yet eat her sugar-free lollipop, until she is mollified by the fact that she can have all the ice cream she wants.

1:25 She has plastered her twelve-dozen stickers all over her arms and legs in the car and fallen fast asleep. 2:15 I drop Anyka off at Roy's. While carrying her up the stairs, totally zorked, I get the benefit of literal mouthfuls of bloody drool on my shoulder. The whole process is comical, carrying my bestickered preschooler, her very full backpack, a Hello Kitty the size of a Buick, twelve dozen gauze pads and the ultra-fabulous dentist's CELL PHONE NUMBER! (Have I mentioned he is fabulous?)

2:30 I arrive back at work, still covered in vomit and blood. I check for emergencies. There are several, and even my foul state cannot keep my co-workers from getting their answers. I manage for about an hour and then beg off for the rest of the day.

4:35 I arrive at the gym in no mood to work out but suffer through cardio and a session with my trainer. By now I am totally fried, but my husband is on his way home determined to take me to dinner so there is hope! PF Chang's here I come!

2007-02-03T10:13:00.000-08:00

Ready for a story of incredible bravery? For years now, Anyka has had a phobia of life-size characters - Elmo, Hopkins from Signing Time!, McGruff the crime dog - you name it, she freaked out if it was anywhere near. Meals at Red Robin were plagued by "Is the bird here?" as a panicky Anyka searched the restaurant for a 6-foot robin. When asked why she was a afriad, Anyka replied, "Because I am little, and I am three. When I am FOUR, I will not be afraid and I will shake that bird's hand!" This was repeated over the course of several months, and the adults in her life figured she would eventually realize she was four and push back the deadline. Well, Saturday came and on the way back from her birthday party, Anyka asked if we were going to Red Robin so she could shake the bird's hand. Surprised, I called and got the time that the robin would be there. We headed over, and despite my doubts I took her inside. The bird was across the restaurant and Anyka asked to go RIGHT THEN. So I headed over - and her grip tightened with every step I took. Once near the bird, she extended her (visibly shaking) hand and grasped the tip of the bird's wing. She giggled nervously, shook his wing and said "Get a picture for my scrapbook mama!" So we took a photo. While eating, she was able to talk to the bird every time he came around and by the end of the evening announced that he "is my friend now!". I was so proud of her for facing down her fear!

2004-12-17T10:13:00.000-08:00

Anyka is GLUED to her new Signing Time DVDs! SHe is totally in love. she is still not speaking, but thanks to rigorous work on all our parts, Anyka is learning signs, with a current active sign vocabulary of over 125 and a passive vocabulary of about 300 more. We're so proud of her!

2004-10-27T10:12:00.000-07:00

Anyka saw Dr. Wang today, who pronounced her palate in excellent shape. A week from Friday, she can start having hard food again! There are no holes though, and her stitches looked good.

2004-10-02T10:12:00.000-07:00

Anyka came home today. She is supposed to be in her restraint 24/7 for the next 4 weeks, but there is no way! So we are just watching carefully. I will be home for the next week with her.

2004-10-01T10:11:00.000-07:00

Anyka is doing better today. Visits from Vincent, Blake, joyce from Any Baby Can, and Oma have helped. She has several new Elmos and is watching Signing Time practically non stop. She seems to be hurting less though there is still significant swelling in the back of her throat. We'll be here at least one more day. She has no interest in dringing but has begun eating - ice cream, jello, popsicles...

2004-09-30T10:10:00.000-07:00

Anyka remains hospitalized after having some pain and breathing trouble related to the swelling in the back of her throat. After arguing with the PICU docs, we managed to get her some pain meds (they were giving her TYLENOL!) and so she could rest better. we will see what the next few days bring.

2004-09-29T10:10:00.000-07:00

Anyka is having surgery today to repair (again) her cleft palate. She is expected to be out by noon and home tomorrow afternoon. Dr. Wang and Dr. Garza are performing the surgery, with Dr. Olomu doing the anesthesia. We're very fortunate, since Dr. Olomu is no longer scheduling other than heart patients - he agreed to come in on his day off for her procedure!

2003-02-03T14:13:00.000-08:00

I am going to start a series of posts called "Anyka's Life Story". I believe that there are people out there who can benefit from this story. So I begin here, on the day and time of Anyka's birth. We don't know it yet, but Anyka was born with Pierre Robin Sequence...

http://www.faces-cranio.org/Disord/PierreRobin.htm

What is Pierre Robin?
Pierre Robin is not a syndrome or a disease. It is usually referred to as Pierre Robin Sequence, although it is also know as "Pierre Robin Malformation Sequence", "Robin Anomalad", and "Cleft Palate, Micrognathia and Glossoptosis." It is the name given to the following birth defects if they appear together:
small lower jaw (micrognathia)
a tongue which tens to ball up at the back of the mouth and fall back towards the throat (glossoptosis)
breathing problems
horsehoe-shaped cleft palate may or may not be present
Why did this happen?
Doctors do no know exactly why Pierre Robin occurs. They do not believe it is the result of anything the mother did or did not do during pregnancy. If the child only has Pierre Robin, many experts believe that it is the result of the positioning of the fetus in the early weeks of pregnancy.
Will this happen to children I have in the future?
Pierre Robin does not tend to run in families. The chances of you having another child with Pierre Robin are very small, unless the Pierre Robin Sequence is a part of a syndrome.
What kinds of problems could my child have?
In addition to the physical characteristics common to Pierre Robin, your child may have the following problems:
feeding problems in infancy
ear infections
reduced hearing
about 40% of infants with Pierre Robin have Stickler Syndrome and about 15% have Velocardiofacial Syndrome. FACES recommends genetic testing be done to determine if your infant has either of these associated syndromes. The Pierre Robin Network has excellent information concerning genetic testing for babies born with Pierre Robin Sequence.
Will my child need surgery?
Depending on the severity of Pierre Robin, your child may have some or all of the following surgeries:
surgery to repair the cleft palate
special devices to protect the airway and aid in feeding
surgery to improve breathing
the small jaw associated with Pierre Robin usually grows out on its own during the first two years, and usually no surgery is necessary on the jaw.