19 months: We met with the neurologist. Every test came back negative. He wants to wait 3 months and see where therapy gets her. If she does not have substantial improvement, he will do individual chromosome analysis.

She seems much more active this week. She is starting to climb on us and slightly elevated objects. We started Kinesio Taping her hands and abdomen. This stretchy tape reminds her to open her hand or contract her abdomen. I saw a difference in her stance immediately. Hope we see some improvement.

I went to group OT with Whitney because her sitter did not show up to take her. I was quite impressed. She got a lot of attention because she was the youngest one there. They had play time, snack time, gym time, craft time, and music time. Whitney was able to participate in a lot. Now I know where she has picked up some new signs and games.

She kept putting her hand over her face during group. I didn't catch it for a LONG time; I can be dense. She was saying she was sleepy, a sign we have been working on for a long time. As soon as I recognized it and verbalized her need, she stopped being fussy and joined in the rest of the time, although she was very sleepy.

They had a mirror song where they held a mirror up to each child, then had them hit a big button that said "good morning to you". They came around to Whitney, she LOVED the mirror, then hit the big button just like everyone else. I almost cried. It was very emotional.

We finally got speech therapy set up. Dr sending a prescription for the evaluation to my OT office, but we have scheduled one session of speech per week, with the therapist being a consultant for working with her other therapists on speech and oral issues.

EI teacher said Whitney measures at 12 months cognatively right now.

Our FSC said their guidelines for funding limit whitney to 5 sessions a week. We are now up to 5. I'm wondering about that "guideline" and will need to research it a bit. I now see why our FSC has been hesitating so much. It's all about money.

Made the followup appointment with our Neurologist now that all of WWW's tests are finally finished.

FINALLY, we have a meeting set up to discuss speech therapy. We go tomorrow to meet with our team of therapists. OT said she is not sure the cognative results of our eval were correct. She thinks whitney is more developed cognatively.

Whitney started clapping this week. She really likes the sound, but gets frustrated when she misses. Today she picked up her sippy cup and drank out of it herself. WOW.

Strange thing happened today cognitively. We were watching Star Trek, TNG, and Riker walked onto the screen. Whitney said "DADA!". I barely noticed, but then he walked off and back on again. She said "DADA!" I looked at the screen and at my husband...dark wavy hair, beard, burgundy shirt, dark pants...wow. She had totally made the connection that the person on TV LOOKED like daddy! As daddy was holding her hands at the time, I'm not sure if she thought it WAS daddy or just looked like him, but how cool was that?

Lab called about the urine sample...they forgot to freeze it and we need to do it again. OH MY. Here we go again.

18 months: Well, have you EVER tried to get a urine sample from a little girl in diapers? After a week of trying, we finally got the sample today. Yea! This is the end of this first round of tests.

Called about getting her speech again and discussed with her OT. She thinks we should be getting it too. Said to get a prescription from the Dr, but I'm pretty sure it's not covered by our insurance. Time for research.

We took Whitney off milk. I think we are seeing a difference. She is "talking" more. Definately says "no" when she means no, and calls me mama when she is looking for me. She had a milk product last night by accident and today she is a little funny...more flinging her head, more hand waving. I think there is a connection.