Lessons learned....

Ella's first day of preschool
September 5, 2012

School, swimming, and now ballet! Ella has a busy schedule for a three year old. Preschool is going very well. She gets great reports from her teachers and therapists. She is enrolled in a full day preschool program. She also gets all of her therapies at school...PT, speech, OT, and even music therapy. It's been an adjustment for me more than her! I am so used to having the therapists in my home and being an active participant in each session, so to not see her doing PT or hear her practicing with the speech therapist is hard. I have been getting lots of reports from everyone and so far so good. Just yesterday her occupational therapist told me that she sees a big change in Ella's confidence in only a week. I was so happy to hear that she holds her own in the classroom and is very involved with every activity.

While Ella is doing a lot of learning and growing, I am learning (or being reminded at least) of some important lessons myself. I learned once again this week to NEVER underestimate my daughter.
I learned that a few extra/missing/mixed up chromosomes do not define Ella.

First ballet class!
September 13, 2012

I was so excited to bring Ella to her first dance class. She looked so cute marching right into the studio to sit with all the other little girls dressed in pink. I was also a nervous wreck....worried that she wouldn't be able to keep up or that the other kids/parents might question Ella. It's an insecurity that I have every so often. This was the first time I was putting her in a group with "typical" kids. Most of her activities until now have been through early intervention and the toddler group special ed program. I know that she is not as coordinated as many kids her age and her speech is not as good yet, but I also know how far she has come. I am so proud to even be able to take her to this class. The smile on her face when she was with the other kids was very reassuring. Ella has no idea that she can't run as fast or doesn't have the strength to jump as high as these other kids. She has no idea what "low tone" is, but it was clear to me when she was in the group that she fit right in.

That's Ella standing up...getting ready for her turn
to tumble!

I still cried though. I cried enough to send me to the bathroom so that the other parents wouldn't see me. I am even a bit embarrassed to admit it. I wasn't crying because I was upset. I think they were a mixed bag of tears. I was proud to watch my daughter at her very first dance class and sad at the same time that I would ever doubt that she would be able to handle it. The trigger was when the teacher asked her what her name was, she spoke up and said Ella. The teacher didn't quite understand her though and thought she said Anna. Ella said her name a second time and the teacher looked up at me. I quietly corrected her and said Ella. It is such a silly thing to get upset about.

There were other little girls that were shy and didn't want to say their name. Some even left the room crying. Not Ella. She made it through the entire 45 minute class....she tumbled, twirled and tapped. She followed along with the teachers and seemed to have a great time. I couldn't help but be emotional. I think the tears were my way of relief from all the built up anxiety I had. Clearly it was a lot of worry for nothing! I don't care that the teacher didn't understand her. She said her name (and pretty clearly too, I thought!) All I want for my daughter is absolute happiness and to never be looked at as different.

On this day, Ella didn't look different at all. She looked beautiful, confident and happy!