The Poor Bug has been neglected lately. His constantly-exhausted parents are not the greatest company at the moment. I even stopped my State of the Bug posts because I am so terrible.
No, not really. I stopped the State of the Bug posts because it felt much harder to quantify the ways the Bug is progressing and where his challenges are. It was so clear-cut at the beginning but now that he’s done so well it’s much more about small and specific things.
Still, I often find myself forgetting about his progress so I want to get back in the routine. It won’t be the same as other State of the Bug posts, with clear headings, but it’ll focus on how things are going for him right now.
Before I get to his achievements, I have to give the Bug some props. This kid has done nothing but adapt to new circumstances. We moved to Boston, he got a part-time nanny, he lost the part-time nanny, he got her back, he got another one, he started therapy, he lost a nanny, he gained a nanny, his therapy schedule changed about a million times, he was tossed around and now he’s in daycare. And next week he’ll be back out of daycare. And in a couple months there will be a new baby. Lucky kid. He does have his little regressions. But he handles it all surprisingly well.
Mostly it’s me that feels guilty about all the change-ups. The Bug is a serious trooper. And it’s a reminder of how well he’s done.
It’s okay if you find this post insanely boring. But I have to keep up with how he’s doing or I fear I’ll miss it all.
He now says “apple.” This may sound silly, but it’s kind of a big deal. “Apple” was one of his earliest words but he always said “ah-chi” instead. Always. Until this week he said “apple” correctly and he’s done it that way ever since. It’s the only word he’s ever blatantly misprounced. I have no idea why the sudden change happened, but it’s a good sign. We’re working on pronunciation, since he often will say words incorrectly that involve sounds we know he can make properly.
He dances. My Bug, who has never shown much interest in music, dances. I think this is one of the blessings of daycare, where dancing is part of the day. I know there are things he’ll learn better from his peers, which is why I’m trying to find a good playgroup. Of course, his dancing is about on par with your average 12-month old and involves little more than bouncing. But he smiles. And he does it unprompted when he hears music.
He describes EVERYTHING. I can’t believe how talkative he is, even if it’s all in that mumbly toddler-speak that most people wouldn’t understand. Rewind 9 months back to last February. In his initial diagnosis, Graham’s expressive language was on par with a 3-month-old infant. He was 17 months old.
We were told by a sitter we brought in last week that he was very talkative for a 2-year-old. Recently a cashier at the grocery store took him for 3 and a half. He doesn’t have the sentences of a 3-year-old. But he is doing quite well at his own basic sentences, most of which start with “I want-”. The basic communication we strove for through the summer has been achieved. He asks for help. He says what he wants. He firmly states yes or no when offered something.
I don’t even worry that much about him stimming anymore. When he does play with his trains, he generally narrates their activities. While most of it sounds like gibberish (with the occasional “downhill” thrown in, his new favorite word) I see him actively involved with his toys instead of just staring vacantly.
I wrote recently about how the Bug now lets me sing to him when he goes to sleep. It’s gotten even better. I no longer have to ask, “Do you want me to sing?” Now when I sit with him in bed he says, “Sing.” I don’t mind the command (though we may work on a “sing, please”) because I like knowing he likes it.
He isn’t quite 100% yet on the upcoming baby. But he regularly refers to my belly as “baby.” We are introducing him to the idea of the baby having her own things, too. Our new stroller has arrived and it functions not only as a carseat frame but a regular stroller, too. He calls it the “baby stroller.” He does get to take it for test drives (both riding and pushing) but I think he may actually get that it’s not just for him.
We are making the teensiest amount of progress on the potty training front. Never fear, I have sworn never to discuss such things on the blog. But he’s never been good at these “self-care” milestones and it’s nice that he’s finally starting to move forward. We are nowhere near really working on it, but at least we’re seeing that he’ll be able to eventually.
I’ve had fantastically positive reports about daycare. He adjusted really well to his peers. (Less than a year ago he ran away from other kids.) I’ve been told he works well with the group, transitions well into activities and that he often stays in the back a bit. This doesn’t surprise me. I have little doubt he quickly gauged the alpha role of the 3-year-olds, who are quite precocious.
Every time I pick him up from daycare he is SO happy that it makes me happy. He is excited to show me things. He is excited to see me. I love that it’s been a positive experience for him and I look forward to getting him more involved with his peers.
He lets me read him a book. This is another massive milestone. He still will occasionally turn it to the last page right away, but he often lets you READ the entire book. Meaning the actual text, not just pointing at the pictures while he anxiously waits for you to turn the page.
He has not only learned his shapes but generalized them. Meaning he recognizes not only the “oval” from his puzzle but ovals he sees elsewhere in the world. We are working on colors, but it’s slow going. I’m not too worried.
In short, the last month has seen some pretty astronomical heights in terms of change and progress. I am pretty thrilled, especially since I’m about to be home with him full-time and all these changes will make him easier to handle with my massive self.
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About Me
Jess is a procrastinator, a former working mom who is suddenly staying at home, a Dr-Dr's wife, a non-practicing lawyer, an Autism Mom, a devoted reader, a penny pincher, a coupon clipper, a new New England-er, a low-key agnostic, a nice girl, a top-notch speller, a hardcore blogger and a Twitter fiend.
The blog covers everything from coupon tips to Autism support to adorable toddler pictures to hilarious tales of my daily grind with the occasional review & giveaway thrown in for good measure.
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