Hannah @ Preschool

Hannah has been doing well so far at school - it’s only been, what, three weeks? 

I realized last week I wasn’t getting any reports on how her day was going, but I hadn’t written it in her IEP. I decided to just ask if there was some way to have a summary of her day/week - couldn’t hurt to ask! 

After some back-and-forths, Hannah’s teacher returned with this form for a daily report. I think they must use it for other kids as well. We received one yesterday and it was so great... the teacher wrote specific notes on each activity. Her speech therapist had specific feedback on how their session went. 

I feel much better! Though on “snack time” yesterday, Hannah did not eat her graham crackers. I wrote her teacher asking if Hannah ever eats snack and if she stays seated. This was Ms. Booth’s response: 

“Yes she does usually eat snack.  She must not have liked the snack yesterday.  She tries to get up a few times during morning work, carpet and snack.  She thinks it’s funny.  I will tell her to sit back down and she comes up and gives me a hug and says “aww.” She must know she’s cute :) .  She will then go back to her seat and sit down.  She just needs redirected a few times.”

Stinker.

Nora Learns About Ds

In a non-eventful way, Nora finally connected the dots that Hannah has Ds. Or maybe she already had (she’s smart) and she verbalized it this week. 

During bedtime with Tim, Nora was pointing out which characters in books were Hannah and which were her (these were given to us when Hannah was born).

What I Want You To Know

47 Strings

This morning she picked up a DSAGC flyer and said “Hannah is one of the people we walk for at the Buddy Walk.” I was startled - this was the first time I’d heard her describe Hannah as having Ds. 

“Yes she is! Do you know what it means to have Down syndrome?”

“It means you have to do therapy.”

“Well, yes. It means it just takes Hannah longer to learn things.”

“How did she get it?”

“Well, she was just made with extra ingredients in Mommy's belly.”

“But you, me and Daddy look alike.”

“Well, yes, but... Hannah looks like us, too. We all have our own special look.”

I ended the conversation with “...and we’ll make sure we take good care of Hannah just like we have been. We’re doing a great job!”

She stared at the flyer a bit longer and then that was it - went on singing the John Lithgow kids’ songs on the stereo. Unfazed just like a sibling should react with that information.

Siblings don’t see the Down syndrome. They see the sister/brother that they love.

PRESCHOOL!

I posted on social media that a friend once told me having children is like having your heart live outside your body - which is how I felt taking Hannah to her first day of preschool on Monday!

Let. Me. IN!

I’ve never been emotional about sending Nora - she’s always been very independent and clever. Hannah is equally independent, however, the hard part is that she can’t tell me how her day was or what they did. The staff doesn’t know the nuances of her signs or partial words. 

Hannah didn’t know how to follow her class in single file - I know she’ll learn that eventually. She tried to sit down and color at a seat that wasn’t hers and two little girls just sort of stared at her - hopefully just curious as to who the new girl is. 

Hannah was super busy checking out the classroom. She made it easy for Tim and I to slide out - saying “Bye” to her may have made leaving more difficult. I may have shed some tears leaving the preschool...

Around noon on Monday Ms. Booth emailed me: “I just wanted to let you know that Hannah had a great day today.  She played nicely in centers, loved the swing outside, and sat in a chair for circle time. Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.”

It was so nice of her to let us know how Hannah’s day went. 

Our sitter, Alison, said Hannah was so happy getting off the bus to greet her. An aide was sitting with Hannah in a seat. 

On Tuesday, Alison said Hannah had no problem getting on the bus - Hannah was excited! 

So we’ve gotten over the initial hump of preschool... I hope Hannah has a great start to her school journey... I just hope she finds true friends and people aren’t just “arms-length pleasant,” as Paul Daugherty says. 

THREE!

I can’t believe Hannah is three now! So many more accomplishments met! Walking now, getting more confident with stairs, words are slowly starting to find formation. Preschool starts in ten days - ! 

We still need to learn to jump, drink from an open cup and listen to Mommy & Daddy - especially when we need to hold hands for safety! 

She’s certainly a sassafras, too! She yells at Ailo when he’s in her way “Eye-LOW!” She certainly lets Nora know when she’s irritated, too. 

So don’t be fooled by the extra chromosome; she is acting like most typical 2/3 year olds! 

Happy 3rd Birthday Hannah Banana! We love you so much and thank you for all the lessons you’ve taught us!