Hi all,
Just a note to update you on what Emma's been up to. She continues to enjoy her speech lessons, most of it is play-based, but she is also asked to imitate sounds and words. Yesterday I asked her therapist about speech apraxia, which I had seen online. It's more of a motor function disorder and differs from a speech delay. She said the thought had crossed her mind that Emma may be expressing signs of it, but she is still pretty young to be able to complete a full diagnosis. She suggested I look at www.apraxia-kids.org. It is very informative. Basically, if she does have it, it would involve more intensive speech therapy with more focus on forming sounds and words. Emma is quit verbal, speaks in rhythmic sentences and pauses to wait for a response. But, most of what she is saying is unclear to us. Also, her cognitive development is very near normal. She understands everything we say and ask her to do. We are so glad she is getting help now, whether apraxia is fully determined or not. She is an extremely happy girl and is such a joy for us. We pray that through continued outside help and our work at home, we can help her communicate with everyone better. We are trying to get her to make basic sounds, as well as incorporate more signs to help her communicate. She says Mommy and Daddy very clearly. I think she also calls Mackenzie mama or nanie. She has picked up don't, no and mine. What great words-typical for a two-year-old, I guess! :) She tries very hard to talk and wants us to understand her so badly. She was saying more, then we started saying please, so she combined the words and says mease. She always says it with so much passion and is quite proud of herself. I can't help but be proud of her too.
On another note, the potty training seems to be going well. She is telling me when she has to go more often and we're having fewer wet pull-ups during the day. We have incorporated a potty chart and she gets a sticker each time she goes in the toilet. Call it positive reinforcement or bribery, whatever. It seems to be helping. We're staying pretty flexible though, knowing she's still young. But, we want to encourage her.
The other day, I was getting ready in the bathroom and Emma came up to the doorway and knocked on the frame and said, "Knock, knock!" Then, I'd say come in, and she'd come in and knock on something else. Then, she'd leave and do the same thing over and over again. She got the biggest kick out of it. MJ tries to tell knock jokes plus she knows to know on closed doors before entering. Emma must have picked it up from her.
Also, at speech yesterday she kept going back and forth to the playroom to get things to play with. First, she brought a baby, then she went back for a pillow. She put them up in the rocking chair and was trying to arrange them just perfectly. Then, she decided she needed a blanket, so back she went. Keep in mind, she runs everywhere she goes. It was quite comically watching this go on. She was concentrating very hard on trying to get the baby and herself positioned right and lying in the chair. Then, she decided to move to the playroom so we went and there and she continued to play babies. It's neat to see what she does and plays when MJ's not around. She's quite independent too. One of the things we're working is getting her to let us help her with things. She would rather do it herself and get frustrated then ask for help. We're trying to help her find a balance between being able to do things on her own and knowing when she needs help.
That's our little Emma. Always a firecracker. She keeps us hoppin'. And we wouldn't want her any other way.
Not to miss any of the fun, Emma also got some treats including some new ColorWonder markers (the no mess kind) and a Cars book to write in. Granddad Brock helped her get started. 
On Friday, Sept. 19, Mackenzie turned five years old. My parents flew into town that afternoon so we picked them up at the airport then ran a few errands around Nampa. After a stop for Idaho Pizza Company to grab dinner we headed home. MJ picked out dessert at Albertsons then we enjoyed a little mini family party. She opened presents from us and family in Kansas. 
Last Saturday, MJ and I attended a Bible study tea party with our friends. The book we used is called Just Mom and Me Having Tea. It's designed for ages 6-9, but we were able to adapt it to work for us. The kids had a great time playing together. They played, we studied some verses, ate lunch, had a related craft, then they played some more. I am looking forward to when both girls are older, and we can do more of these kinds of things. 
Mackenzie started ballet last week and is really enjoying it. Her Aunt Michelle is teaching the class of 4-6 year olds. She got a new pink leotard and pink ballet slippers. After her first class, she was showing me the positions she learned. Emma decided to ham it up for the camera. Then, she wanted to be a ballerina too. MJ offered to let Emma wear her old Princess leotard. Emma started dancing around the room. Earlier in the day when Carla came to pick MJ up for class, Emma was so upset she didn't get to go too. We stayed for her speech lesson. She just hates being left. When we drop MJ off at preschool, her eyes get all big when she sees all the kids and toys. It makes me a little sad that she can't get down and play because I know she'd have so much fun. 
It seems like we haven't been doing anything too exciting, but our days and busy and for the most part enjoyable. The other night, the fun was in the playroom as Emma was giving her monkey a ride on the horse. She also thought Josh needed to wear her hat. It was fun watching the girls get so much enjoyment from trying to ride the rocking horse as fast as they could.
