I feel like so much has happened since Harrison's 4th birthday...all good, and enough little steps forward that dare I say we are making some progress in this house?
Mr. Popular has been to 2 gym birthday parties this month. At the first one he was part of all of the group games and activities, loving the music and moving around, especially Freeze Dancing- he cracked up every time the music stopped, and he loved the sudden running and stopping and falling to the floor and jumping up again. I have never seen him have this much fun, ever!! He had just as much fun as the rest of the kids, and it was the greatest thing to watch.
At the second party, two of his best buddies (one was the birthday boy), who are themselves attached at the hip, were so happy to see him that they separated and made room for him between them in the beginning circle! And the birthday boy stopped in his tracks every time he ran past Harrison to give him a hug and a kiss for being there. I cannot describe the feelings of love and pride and acceptance that made me feel, for both of us. Those boys' moms may say they are trouble, but I will take them any day and if they can get my kid to actually get into trouble...bless their hearts! (Will I be sorry I said that?)
I posted a picture on Facebook which I will repost here, because the video that follows was taken two days later by Harrison's nurse (the one who can get him to do ANYTHING- I guess that's a "normal" thing too, right, that they perform for everyone but Mom?)
I took this picture of him holding a pretzel rod and swiping it across his lips...take a look at that and then the video- more reason for me to burst with pride!
Harrison is doing a lot more talking and communicating as well. In fact, this same nurse reports that before he actually ate that pretzel, he was in the other room playing and signed "more," then made his attempt to sign "hungry" and then put his fingers to his mouth that he wanted to "eat." SERIOUSLY??? Hey, we'll take it! I give him credit for everything, I know how hard he is working!
His eye contact has improved, his gaze at objects to indicate choices, and he has been experimenting with his voice and his mouth nonstop, really talking as best he can. We walked by our neighbor's house the other day and he turned his head all the way toward it, did that little first wave thing with the fingers facing his own face, and definitely vocalized something that sounded like "hi!"
I know I am bragging...I hope that's ok. Well, for me it's bragging.
I also posted on Facebook an article that was the most meaningful piece of writing I have seen since this all began. I responded to the writer, on the page, and this experience of reading and responding took a HUGE burden from my shoulders. I hope you will go to the address below and read.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/maria-lin/special-needs-parenting_b_1314348.html?ref=fb&src=sp&comm_ref=false
