greta graduated from early intervention
and
moved onto preschool.
it was the most bittersweet thing that has happened with greta. greta first entered the early intervention program when she was 8 weeks old. she has had an occupational therapist, a physical therapist, a vision therapist, and 2 speech therapists in her 3 years in the program. all of these women that have worked with greta have shaped who she is today. greta would not be holding her head up, eating properly, rolling, sitting, walking, and talking without their help. i have had someone in my home working with greta and supporting me for 3 years. the early intervention program ends when i child turns 3 and then they are sent to preschools through the school district. greta will still have a physical therapist and speech therapist at school but it will be in a classroom setting. i hate that this part is over but i am glad we are moving forward. i owe the early intervention program so much. you have no idea how amazing this government program is, it is the reason we are where are today.
i have loved them all but i have loved one of them the most. greta's physical therapist, julie, has been with us through it all. she was there when greta could not even hold her head up, she was there when i was told greta would die from a terrible disease, julie was there when greta first sat, she was there when greta first walked with a walker and without it 6 months later, and julie was there when greta graduated from early intervention 2 days before her third birthday. i love this woman. she was more of a friend to me and more like a grandmother to greta (and jude too) than a government funded physical therapist. i will miss her minnesota accent, her catholic charm, her personal mothering stories, and of course our gossip over current fashions. julie is amazing and i hope that when i see her again in the future she won't believe the progress greta has made and the person that she is.... all because julie was their to teach and support her first 3 years. i am FOREVER indebted to miss julie jung.
and now someone else is going to be over greta's development... the public school system.
DEEP BREATH.
my baby girl left my side and when to school, and it broke my heart. greta was so excited to finally go to school and she did not cry as i handed her off to a teacher she didn't know. as i drove away i looked back at her empty car seat, i sobbed knowing that the game had changed. going to school makes her older. i was not ready for her to go to school, she is my side-kick, my best friend. i know its where she is suppose to be and that it too will make a huge difference for her but i don't have to like it. i could of used some more greta time at home. she is my angel girl.... an angel girl who loves school.
Sitting here crying as I read this post. I'm so proud of you for being so proactive and being Greta's advocate at every turn. I too am grateful for your early intervention therapists and I'm so, so proud of our Gretsie. My cup runneth over with the love I have for her and you. Brave girls...both of you!! XOXO
ReplyDeleteTears. :)
ReplyDeleteShe is doing so well because of what a fabulous mother she has! What a lucky little girl. She is happy to go to school because she knows you will be waiting to pick her up and hear about her day. :)
ReplyDeleteI love that last picture. I seriously feel like it wasn't that long ago that you were announcing her birth.
What a sweet & beautiful little school girl you have! :)
I, too, am a little worried about the public schools being in control - and I taught there!!! I am so glad that she is liking it. She is a doll.
ReplyDelete