Have you been "Bitten" by the Concierge "Bug"? aka The LIZARD LOUNGE!

[#1hockeymom]

Best of wishes for your surgery this week, Kerry! I know you will come through with flying colors! You've got the DIS to keep you company through recouperation!

SteveandDonna>> I am laughing over your "sleep around" comment, but you are so right! Now if only I could take my own advice and actually do it! What do we want to hear... how about ALL? The magical moments, the not so magical, the food, the locations, the happy faces! I know, I am asking for a lot especially when I am not capable of writing my own report but do better tagging onto Disbug's and JGates'!

Big wave to everyone!
Debbie

 

[GoofyJoofy]

Originally posted by steveanddonna
We have 2 more trips planned, one Oct. 19-26 - hopefully we will meet lovesdumbo on that one - and Dec. 8-11 with our nephew, younger brother to the niece we took earlier this year. Looks like we'll just miss Elisabeth on that one.

Oh my! We will be there, at the GF, Dec 9 - 13! Where will you be staying?

 

[ead79]

Thanks so much for all the birthday wishes, everyone! I had a very nice day. It's amazing how quickly the time off from work went by, but the other wonderful thing about 3-day weekends is that the week after it is a short work week. My DH got me a really nice collage picture frame that we are going to put some wedding pictures in (when we finally get around to ordering them, LOL!) and my parents will be funding my next hair dye, LOL! I got my dad's early graying gene, and having two process coloring to cover the grey then make it blend into my natural hair is a bit pricey. I'm excited about that gift! The best gift was getting to spend time with my DH though. He is still in school full time as well as working full time, so we rarely get to spend more than an hour or so together each day. This weekend was a very special one because of that.

 

[lovesdumbo]

Kerry-enjoy your day at the store today (sorry it will be a bit sad for you not knowing what's going on) and best of luck tomorrow!

Today I have an appointment with Early Intervention to see my baby at our house at the recommendation of our pediatrician. I am really so torn about this. I truly want what is best for her but don't want to put her (or the rest of us) through something she doesn't need. She is nearly 18 months and has just 3 words-mama, baba(bottle-sippy cup actually) and ball (sounds like ba and hard to distinguish ball, ball, ball, ball (ba, ba, ba, ba) from baba, baba. She's made lots of strides the past few weeks-lots more babbling and is starting to repeat sounds so I'm wondering if she needs help. But if she could use some help I'd really like to get it for her before she starts preschool. My DH is worried that were inviting the state into our home will create troubles for ourselves. The process is voluntary (we can stop at any time) so I guess we'll see how today goes.

Best get to work since I've got to leave early!

 

[cajunfan]

Good morning all!

I have returned from my 10 night stay at the Poly concierge. What a wonderful trip! We met BT and Steveanddonna while there.

I will write more on Poly as soon as I get caught up on things here in the real world!

Leaving out pastries and Orange Guava Juice for all.

 

[Kimberle]

Originally posted by lovesdumbo
Kerry-enjoy your day at the store today (sorry it will be a bit sad for you not knowing what's going on) and best of luck tomorrow!

Today I have an appointment with Early Intervention to see my baby at our house at the recommendation of our pediatrician. I am really so torn about this. I truly want what is best for her but don't want to put her (or the rest of us) through something she doesn't need. She is nearly 18 months and has just 3 words-mama, baba(bottle-sippy cup actually) and ball (sounds like ba and hard to distinguish ball, ball, ball, ball (ba, ba, ba, ba) from baba, baba. She's made lots of strides the past few weeks-lots more babbling and is starting to repeat sounds so I'm wondering if she needs help. But if she could use some help I'd really like to get it for her before she starts preschool. My DH is worried that were inviting the state into our home will create troubles for ourselves. The process is voluntary (we can stop at any time) so I guess we'll see how today goes.

Best get to work since I've got to leave early!

I have gone through Early Intervention with Brittany. I can't even tell you how highly I recommend it. Don't worry, you are not inviting the "state" into your home. It is the BEST thing you can do for your child.

All they do is watch what your child does. My evaluator used the Peabody scale. They look at things you'd never even dream of. It is just to determine if your baby is on "track" developmentally. If extra help is needed, it is best to know as early as possible. It also really puts your mind at ease to know your baby is doing just fine!

Don't worry, it is the best thing you can do for your child!!

 

[lovesdumbo]

Kimberle-Thanks! I needed to hear that after listening to my DH! I know this is what we should do for her. She was born at 39 weeks, 8 lbs 13 oz and is very healthy. Developmentally she's on track or ahead in all areas except speach. She's got amazing gross skills-she climbed up the rock wall at the playground (with my DH right there!) and did a little victory dance at the top. And her fine motor skills are great too. She understands everything we say she's just not talking herself and she's getting frustrated. Her pediatrician said it could be her personality but she'd rather be safe than sorry and so would I. My oldest has always had very good verbal skills but we are having my DS(3 1/2) evaluated in September (My DH is worried about that too "they'll label him as special needs...."). I would think she'd be happier if she could communicate with us in some way other than screaming! You can tell she's got a lot on her mind! You don't think they'll be wearing white gloves do you? Its so hard to keep the house clean with 3 little ones at home.

 

[Tess]

Our son worked with ISD (early intervention) here beginning at 3 y/o--the earliest it was available at the time. It did wonders for his speech.

Did the pediatrician send your child to an audiologist before recommending speech therapy? Just curious. . .our son's delay was caused by fluid behind his ear w/o infection. He suffered a 30% hearing loss in each ear and the audiologist likened it to listening to someone speak underwater. Our son could understand and follow all commands at 18 months although his gross motor/fine motors were delayed (we learned VERY much later it was due to cerebral palsy, mild)--he just couldn't speak intelligibly. He had begun speech at 9 months and suddenly that communication ceased and he lost skills. This was attributed to the fluid build up occurring at this point.

Tubes were put in around 23 months of age and within a month he had 80 words! It was like a light switch for him. Speech therapy was then undertaken at 3 y/o to bring his verbal skills in line with his EXTENSIVE vocabulary. Due to his speech delay, he had to have therapy in order to correct mispronunciations of many consonants also attributed to his lengthy hearing loss.

By the time he was in first grade, his speech problems were completely corrected. Unfortunately, his gross motor/fine motors have never been resolved fully and, while he's not obviously debilitated by his cerebral palsy, it shows when he tries to run and in his writing skills. The CP was not, in any way, related to the auditory problems, however, and speech therapy did wonders to resolve his speech deficits from the pronunciation standpoint.

Don't hesitate to involve these folks--I was hesitant to have my child "labeled" as "special needs" and I did have issues when they made an effort to explain his motor delays without benefit of medical documentation, but all-in-all it was a success for our child and he LOVED the attention he received from the case workers.

BTW, he's 16 now and a 4.0 junior in high school--on track to be valedictorian if he can ace AP chemistry and AP calculus this year! Not bad for a kid who was labeled "special needs".

 

[k&a&c'smom]

lovesdumbo - The State of Missouri implemented a program like you describe for all children in the state many years ago. The local school systems employ teachers to go into the homes of all children beginning about 18 months or so, to evaluate and encourage, and they return periodically to see how they are progressing. It's a very good program, and helps to catch any problems early, possibly avoiding the need to put the child in "special" classes later.

BTW - my second child did not do very much talking, as his older brother did most of it for him. It seemed like he did not know how, but actually he did, he just let his brother do it!

 

[lovesdumbo]

Tess & k&a&c'smom-thanks for more encouraging words. We did have my DS's hearing tested and he was fine. My pediatrician did recommend having my baby's hearing tested but we haven't gone yet. We did see a speech therapist at a party in June and she "unofficially" said my DS had a problem-his tongue is too far forward-likely due to pacifier use (gone for a year now) and sippy cups. I switched him to straw sippy cups. He is getting a bit better but I think he could really benefit from some help. He's very social so I think he'd love the attention too.

Tess-you should be very proud of your DS all that and he's very handsome too!

Originally posted by k&a&c'smom
lovesdumbo BTW - my second child did not do very much talking, as his older brother did most of it for him. It seemed like he did not know how, but actually he did, he just let his brother do it!

I really don't believe this is the issue. She doesn't let anyone "speak" her mind but she just screams instead of using words. My other 2 were NOT screamers. We try to discourage this and she is getting better now that she can do more for herself but she is very strong willed and does get frustrated. She doesn't want her big brother or sister or anyone for that matter getting anything over on her. My DH & I tend to sympathize with her as we are both youngest children. And it doesn't help that she is so darn cute-I hope we don't spoil her too much. We were in Maine this weekend and our friend's DD(16) who is just great with kids-baby sits a lot said she was the cutest baby she'd ever seen-by far. My DS just adored this girl. He gave her a big hug and kiss when he said goodbye and then kissed her hand.

 

[YCFAN]

Thank you, thank you, thank you. You never know when or where the right words or encouragement are coming from! I've been putting this off with our pediatrician for quite some time now because I didn't want our youngest to be "labeled" either. I just called and made the appointment I should have made a year ago. Thank you.

 

[lovesdumbo]

Originally posted by YCFAN
Thank you, thank you, thank you. You never know when or where the right words or encouragement are coming from! I've been putting this off with our pediatrician for quite some time now because I didn't want our youngest to be "labeled" either. I just called and made the appointment I should have made a year ago. Thank you.

Isn't this just the best group of lizards you've ever met?

Hugs for all!

 

[YCFAN]

lovesdumbo: There goes the pixie dust in my eyes again!

 

[hightown]

lovesdumbo, my DD (no 10) had speech problems too and basically I feel it was all due to extended use of her pacifier! She basically learned to talk with this thing depressing her tounge. She was talking but in a way that didn't use her tounge much--after all the pacifier held it down! I had to translate.

At 3 cut a hole in the nipple of her "nee-nee" and it just didn't hold her interest any more. Couldn't suck. At 4 I did take her in for testing through state run program called "Child Find" and they did say she would qualify for theapy but at the same time, her pediatrician told me to give it time. I went with time and trying to work with her myself.

Her speech improved but still by Kindergarden she couldn't say combination consonants like SP SH SM. We worked hard she's fine now. The school did send people in to listen and they felt speech therapy not needed. So much clears up with just a little work and being around other kids.

Anyway, hope everything is fine. 18months is still really young and sometimes developement in one area will suddenly speed up or seemingly happen overnight.

k&a&c'smom, where in Missouri are you? Things are shaking around at the company I work for and IF I keep a job, I may be moving to St. Louis.

Sharon

 

[sista]

We are staying concierge at WL in December. I have tried reading through this thread for info but I see lots of info for other resorts but not WL. I don't have time to read all the pages - can anyone give me an idea of what to expect? Menu, service, etc. We have no idea at all. This will be our first time in a deluxe and first time staying concierge. We have always stayed in the FW cabins while onsite. We have checked out the resort on our last trip in February. We are bringing our sitter with us and have booked two connecting rooms. Any ideas that I can suggest to concierge for special evenings with DH would be welcome and also with the kids. This will be our one time only since we don't travel without the kiddos and probably won't be bringing a sitter again and we want to do fun things while we can!

P.S. If we are splitting our stay - will concierge only help reserve something say for a dinner for the days we are in their resort?

 

[#1hockeymom]

Sista>> There are a few WL experts here so I am sure they'll be able to help you! On the IPO making PS's question, many of the IPO's have been willing to make reservations for more than just their "resort's" part of the trip. Please ask in a phone or email and I am sure you'll be pleasantly surprised!

LovesDumbo (and YC fan)>> This is a good thing, sweetie! Please don't worry about it! They will definitely NOT have white gloves on and they will only have the interest of your little one. As far as being labeled, they won't be, you won't be, and it really is a win/win situation! Many top students have been helped through the early years! We always preach to raise your hand if you need help, ask a question if you need help. This is just the "help".

Happy news! The BOARD called today. The pink slip is officially rescinded! WOO HOO! Last year it was literally a few hours before school started. This year I have a few days to NOT panic *panic had set in last weekend* and enjoy myself while still making plans for next year! Our school starts earlier than the district's schools, (and much earlier than our own this year), so I was worried about the first bunch of call backs not being made and us being put further down the list. It all worked out!

Have a great day!
Debbie

 

[samnbilly]

LovesDumbo,
Just a few more words of encouragement. My son had an expressive speech delay.They said it was apraxia-weakened muscles of the mouth. We started speech therapy at 2y.o., then he went to preschool handicap for 2 years and kept going to private speech therapy-they also gave him group speech therapy at school. He learned to use some sign language, and as soon as he had a way of communicating what he wanted-the frustration and temper tantrums ended-immediately. He continued to improve and also went to half day special ed kindergarten and also half day regular kindergarten, all in the same day. He went to speech therapy for a total of 6 years. I never felt he was "labeled". All of the decisions were made amongst a whole team, that included me. He is now going into third grade. No one even knows that he was in special ed, and the kids that were in special ed with him were wonderful, and I considered them extremely helpful, because they all helped each other. It also gave him a good respect for kids who have special needs. Kids are kids, regardless of their disability. He has achieved many academic awards and is a straight A student. They even recognized him recently at a baseball game for his academics. Hope everything works out well for you and your family.

 

[Kimberle]

Sista,
Majestic (Fred) has stayed at the WL concierge a few times. He used to post here, but I haven't seen him on this thread for a bit. Also, MagicInMyHeart (Beckie) has stayed here. They are both very nice. You can always try PMing them.

Enjoy your stay! WL is beautiful and we loved our stay!

 

[hightown]

Just talked to Don at AKL C to schedule Sunrise Safari for us on 11/9. SOOO nice and got him to do Donald. He and my DD are going to do a 'duck off' but afraid he'll win.

Was explaining to him that we'll be there the 6th but because could not get discount we won't more up to 6th floor till Sunday the 7th. He said that generally they block discounts on concierge level on Saturday nights. Maybe that's new or something with this e mail code. We were there last year and checked on Conc. w/AP discounts on a Saturday

Any way, was great to talk to him and adds to excitement.

Sharon

 

[GoofyJoofy]

Originally posted by #1hockeymom
Happy news! The BOARD called today. The pink slip is officially rescinded! WOO HOO! Last year it was literally a few hours before school started. This year I have a few days to NOT panic *panic had set in last weekend* and enjoy myself while still making plans for next year! Our school starts earlier than the district's schools, (and much earlier than our own this year), so I was worried about the first bunch of call backs not being made and us being put further down the list. It all worked out!

Have a great day!
Debbie

Debbie - That IS great news. I am soooo happy for you.
Take a deep breath and breath a sigh of relief. Now think happy thoughts and before you know it, you'll have another counter to help sail you through the rest of the year.

Kerry - Just so you know, I PM'd you. No rush, just wanted to let you know.