Early Intervention, Day 1!

Thanks so much to everyone who read my blog about Finn yesterday and took the time to send us some love.  It was hard to write, and Billy and I thought about it a long time before we hit "publish".  It ended up being a huge relief.  So many people reached out to us with the most kind and encouraging words, and with so much love and tenderness for our Finn.  It really means the world to us.  Thank you, from the bottom of all of our hearts.

I'll keep this recap of our first experience with Early Intervention brief. 
In one word, it was surprising. 

For some reason I had it in my mind that when the developmental teacher said she was coming over to "play" that there were going to be lots of laughs and games and Finn would miraculously emerge with a new skill and a grin on his face.  That did not happen.  Billy and I realized pretty quickly that Early Intervention is WORK.  Work for us, and work for Finn.  It was not easy, and it was not fun.  Not yet, anyhow.  I feel as though it may be akin to breaking a horse. 

Maybe calling my 17 month old a horse is offensive, but I feel the analogy is accurate.  Especially considering our sweet, good natured, tantrum free little boy responded by literally bucking like a bronco when I tried the very first of his teacher's gentle suggestions.  I swear to you, he knew exactly what was going on.  He seemed to be listening quietly but defiantly to everything she said, and then he turned and gave me this dead on "ohhh helll no" face.  It went downhill from there. 

We have a few basic things to work on this week.  The main thing is hand over hand.  Taking Finn's hand and making him point to a picture in his book.  Helping Finn's hand hold his brush and brush his hair.  Helping Finn's hand hold his spoon and feed himself.  I am telling you, he wants no part of it.  He literally would not eat his applesauce tonight unless I fed him myself.  He could secretly be a very lazy genius. 

Seeing his exaggerated defiance at the slightest of change was so shocking that it was funny.  Our teacher let us know that she wants Finn to get a little frustrated, so that he learns he has to give something to get something.  We previously have avoided his frustration at all costs and line up his day so that he gets everything he needs in a timely manner without having to ask for a darn thing.  Turns out we may have been creating a monster.  I think this monster exists in any spoiled toddler, regardless of developmental delays!  We all had a rude awakening.  I'm sure tomorrow's visit with his speech therapist will be quite interesting.

Despite the Murphy temper showdown, we are confident that this is really going to work for Finn and that he really is going to make big strides in this program.  More than anything, we're grateful for the league of cheerleaders he has in his corner. 

Lots of love from the fighting Irish.