The Furlong Family: Luke Jackson

Now that I'm caught up on Emma, up next is Luke. Luke is now 2.5. I'm not sure where to start with Luke. About a year ago, I started questioning Luke's expressive speech. I can't remember exactly what he was saying (or wasn't saying) but I knew he was behind. (Cue the reason for the blog- so I'll remember what on earth was going on with our life when I had 3 littles at home.) He also had 5 ear infections in 9 months. I remember this specifically because his pediatrician suggested that when they have 6 within a year that we should see an ENT. Well, I figured the odds were good he would have a 6th in the 3 months so I went ahead and made an appointment with an ENT. He failed his hearing test in both ears and had a noticeable amount of fluid, therefore the ENT did recommend tubes. We went ahead and had this done in March of 2016. (He has since passed his hearing test twice.) Poor guy- the ENT said we probably sounded like we were under water. All I can imagine are the way the adults sound in "Charlie Brown." No wonder, he had a speech delay! We also began speech at Bliss Speech in North Dallas.

Fast forward to now. He has been in speech at Bliss for about a year now. He also just began at the Callier Center at UTD. We have been VERY impressed with Callier and I am on the wait list to add an additional session there. We are also wait listed for a class called "Talking Toddlers." This class focuses on kiddos ages 2-3 who have an expressive speech delay. It only has 4 toddlers and each toddler has group goals as well as individual goals. Unfortunately, we are still wait listed for this class, but hope to get into the summer session. Luke is making a lot of progress, he is started to "talk" a lot more, speaking in sentences of 5-6 words. However, they are difficult to understand as he often leaves off the ends of words. His therapists are focusing on completing words and articulation in order to make his language more clear. We are excited that he will be in preschool next year, because I think he will benefit from a classroom experience as well.

Luke just started gymnastics a few weeks ago and LOVES it. His first day, he cried when it was over. His class warms up with Emma's, but then separates and he does great. (The same child who doesn't like to go to Target because he is worried I'll leave him. Serious separation anxiety.)

Luke also started swim lessons a few weeks ago and he cried the first 3-4 lessons, but today he did GREAT. He was all smiles and laughed the entire time. He has the same teacher who taught Emma to swim at Emler. Again, we LOVE Emler. Can't say enough good things. We also love Ms. Sara. If you go to the Plano location, request her.

Luke loves the color blue. He loves trains, cars, planes… any vehicle really. He is very sensitive and kind. He always thinks of others and will often bring me a blanket if he thinks I'm cold, or Harvey a burp cloth if he spits up. I don't think he has ever gotten a snack without getting two to give one to Emma. I'm starting to think no matter how much we try to teach kindness, some of it has to be innate. He is still my "squishy," and I love his cuddles. I hope he cuddles me forever. Like when he's 18, he better still cuddle me. (Cue the tears.) Okay, let me find some recent pictures of Luke! I can't for the life of me figure out how to change the order of these so I apologize that they aren't in order… sigh.