spring has sprung

the boys are so enjoying the outdoors. it is so cute to see Ethan stomping down the drive way with Bobby running after him. I can't wait for this weeks weather. It is supposed to be in the 50's and 60's this week. Harry only school one time this week but my  new classes start tomorrow and I have one final paper to finish by tonight. We all have spring fever and can't wait for all the snow to melt.

So stinking proud

Harry has been in school since October and to say it has been easy would be a lie. We have had several med changes and this not only affected home life but life at school to. I am happy to say though that we found the correct med and we have been tweaking the dose when need be. In preparation for a trip to Marshfield for a med check and speech/ot eval Harry's teacher emailed me his progress report and I wanted to share it with all who want to read.

HARRY DYE PROGRESS REPORT MARCH 2012

*Harry walks into the classroom by himself. Mom no longer needs to hold him by the hand or carry him.

*He will say hi & bye appropriately in imitation. Harry doesn’t generally play with anyone or with toys in general for more than 1-2 minutes. He did sit at circle with the kids for approximately 20 seconds one day. He initiated this himself. Harry will go and play in the sensory table when the other kids are playing there for 2-3 minutes!

*PECS—he is able to choose from a choice of 3 and with a little help or no help gives the icon to the aide to get his choice. He spends at least one minute with each activity (visual timer set). On one occasion he took the pudding icon out of the all done pocket and gave it to the aide to get pudding. He did this all on his own! He knows where the pudding is kept and he will also go and get it on his own!

*Harry loves to color, sound books, books in general, sound toys, bubbles, sensory table, Lily Doll and the Smartboard. He will draw on the board for 5-10 minutes. The Smartboard is also being introduced in Phy. Ed. and he is very attentive for 5 min. or more. He will also try to move with the music.

*He is aware of the other kids and he becomes upset if the other kids leave for music class. He cries and looks through the door looking for them. He can be redirected after a minute or two with bubbles or the Smartboard.

*Harry is following simple one-step directions related to the routine. He has a visual schedule and he takes off the icon and puts it in the all done pocket when directed. He will walk in the hallway in the direction you want him to go without needing a lot of physical direction.

*Imitates more words than ever!! Ex. “Let’s go!” The aide sings “Old McDonald Had A Farm” when Harry is taken to the bathroom and she indicates that he is singing the song with her. The words are not exact but she knows what he is singing. He will also count with you when going down the steps to the elementary gym (counted to 6)!

*Fine Motor: Harry will complete 4-piece formboard independently when pieces are put in random order. He will also put magnetic pieces back into a puzzle with hidden doors and correlate the correct item with the door. Ex. Dog goes into the doghouse. The physical therapist reported that Harry makes circle scribbles on the iPad—allowing hand-over-hand and when support was withdrawn, he reached for her hand to help him!

Harry is making wonderful gains and he is a welcome addition to the classroom!

I am just so proud of my little man. He is making leaps and bounds and while we still struggle I know we can get through this.

So I don't seem like I am leaving Ethan out of this wonderful progress. He is starting to talk more and developing a little attitude. I'll say Ethan did you ca ca and he'll proudly say YAA. But he will say YAA to many things but I just think it is so cute. He is also such a ham. He loves hugs and kisses and even will give them to the pets. It looks like he is trying to eat them but it's just that he wants to be loving. A couple of weeks ago for example we were at a snow day with our church and there was this 80 year old woman and Ethan gave me a kiss and then she asked for one to. Ethan gave her a nice big open mouth kiss on the cheek and then at the end of the night when we were getting ready to leave he gave her another one. You could just see that it made her day. I was one proud mama. He is also my little helper. If I ask him to pick something up he will and then he gives it to me.
I am just so lucky to have two wonderful loving boys. I am truly blessed.