I just need to say WOW!

After posting yesterday I went back and read the stuff from last year.  We have really come a long way!  I still have the same fears as described yesterday and saw that I voiced those before but when I started writing, Christopher had virtually no verbal skills. He is now talking in full sentences, using I, me and you, calling people by name...it is just amazing.  Granted, there is still a lot that he says that I can't understand so we guess a good bit.  But even with that he is patient and will say yes or no and repeat it if needed.  Christopher is still pretty easy going though.   After a while he will just move on to something else.

We have also come a long way in toileting.  There are still a lot of accidents, I had to wash a new pair of shoes tonight but I haven't bought pull-ups in over a month.  He stays dry at night and doesn't wet first thing in the morning, which is good because he still comes and crawls into our bed.  Those were some fearful nights/mornings so as soon as he starts waking up we usher him into the bathroom.  I'm not quite as worried now and will give him a little more time to wake up.  We still have to do a lot of cues throughout the day to go to the bathroom.

Pretend play and cooperative play are also coming along.  His sister is an elaborate story teller, and changes the rules of the game as she goes along, but he can play right along with her.  They were vampires earlier today, but only when they had the fake teeth in.

Another amazing feat, today we had lunch out at a sit down restaurant and there were no meltdowns or attempts at escape!  We did have the trusty Kindle Fire and he watched cartoons on it for part of the meal.  His sister did complain that he had it, but it was working.  However, the car ride wasn't as smooth. He has his own sense of direction and I was not driving the way he wanted to go.  But like before the meltdowns or tantrums are still very short.

I just need to teach him the difference between a watering can (which we don't own) and a gas can.  Back in the spring he poured gas on my mom's flowers to "water" them and while I was cleaning the garage today he lugged an almost empty can down over the hill to "water" them again. Fortunately, my can had a safety latch on it otherwise, the flowers would have gotten it by the time I got to him.

Snips and Snails and Puppy Dog Tails

It has been a hectic couple of months.  I'm in my final week of class and will have a one week break before starting the next class.  I'm only doing one class next term to ease my stress levels.  The kids finished school earlier this month.  Christopher will start Summer School in a couple of weeks.  I'll actually be out of town for work his first two days.  Allison is away for Girl Scout Camp and is trying to talk us into sending her to church camp next week.  With that over with, the meaning behind today's title:

What are Little Boys Made of?  Some versions say Snips and others say Frogs.  How does that apply to my world?  Christopher has developed an imagination.  At times, it seems to be a little extreme.  He has started to pretend to be a puppy.  He barks and tries to give puppy kisses, but I think I put a stop to that one.  My mom lives behind our house down a hill and keeps Christopher until I get home from work.  I've been calling to say send the kids up and I wait for him half-way down the hill.  Christopher has been crawling up the hill on his hands and feet.  He will stand every few feet to regain himself and then its back to all fours.  I'll admit it has been cute.  He looks up with those big eyes and gives a little bark and on he goes.  Perhaps something a little more disturbing has been he wants to eat like a puppy too.  This may include licking his plate but it has also included eating off of the floor.  So far I can say thank goodness he isn't eating or drinking out of the dog's bowls.

Christopher has continued to be an inspiration at church.  He causes some disruption but I take him to class after we sing so he will not disrupt the sermon.  My goal is not to get attention for him but for him to tolerate following my direction and what I want him to do for that short time period.  When we are consistent, he has been able to maintain good behavior for the entire singing time.  The congregation has appreciated him being in the service and I have not had anyone complain to me about his behavior.  I have people tell me they miss him when we've attended the other service.

Another awesome thing was our last haircut experience.  Christopher had been getting a bit shaggy so it was time to deal with it.  The girl that cut his hair has worked with him before and did very good.  She suggested we try clippers and that was a lot easier.  I think I like the scissor cut look for the top but its just hair.  It grows back.  He'll need another cut before fall.  They gave him a sucker and he sat really well (Mammaw still holds him).  We did have to do a little clean-up afterwards because he was finished before the stylist.  But in the end he has a good little boy cut.