Making Stuff

My crayons were chewed and broken up. They were falling apart. Today, we recycled them and made new crayons. We peeled off the labels, broke them into little pieces and placed them into a mini muffin pan. Then we baked them at 265 degrees for 8 minutes. Afterwards, we froze them for 30 minutes. As you can see, the finished product is easy for me to hold and cool to look at. My old crayons are new again!


Yesterday, I had Conductive Education with Jake. It was our first session together. We both learned from each other. We had to parallel play and take turns with Zsuzsi. First, we did some floor exercises, sitting, laying on our backs. Then we held onto the ladder and walked/stepped across the room. We also climbed up and rolled down the ramp, stood with our backs against the wall and little support in front, and passed rings to each other from a face down position on an exercise ball. For for the grand finale, we stepped across the room together. I was holding onto an aluminum walked and Jake was in his gait trainer. My parents and his parents were there and everyone was impressed at how our stepping almost appeared simultaneous. They had never seen us step so well. We definitely encouraged each other to reach a whole new level. After an hour and forty-five minutes, we were both ready for lunch and a nap. See ya next Saturday Jake!

Stander

We brought a stander home yesterday. We borrowed it from therapy. Here I am standing in it today. It helps my parents stay hands free while I do some standing exploration of my own. It's not a mobile stander, as St. Louis recommended, but Ms. Greta thinks I will be strong enough after a few months of standing in this. Therefore, I may not need my own. Ms. Greta is making more time for me. Soon she will see me three times a week. We might not have to look any further if this is the case.

I had hippo and aquatherapy today. My dad is here this week so he has been attending my therapies also. Even though he was there, I didn't cry. This is a big improvement for me. Maybe I will soon outgrow my separation issues. They are getting better. We all went swimming at aquatherapy and were all pooped after the pool. Ms. Cindy liked my new glove. Ms. Maryann liked it on Monday too. Maybe they will start ordering it for other kids because of me. I could be paving a new path. The possibilities...

I have to work on saying "I want" and "please." Ms. Amy thinks I am ready for this level of speaking. Right now, I am not aware of myself as "me". I am "you" since that's what I hear. Confused yet? My two year-old tantrums are in high gear. I get frustrated when no one understands me, but I try really hard and speak clearer everyday. This week I have learned to say "my turn" and "your turn."

There is diversity in my tv viewing lately. I don't just like Elmo's World anymore. I request "Baby Elmo" (Sesame Beginnings) on a daily basis and "Elizabeth" (Bounce) the singing, guitar playing lady. Pink Dinky Doo is also a favorite for me. She helps expand my vocabulary.

Moods

I am a moody! I could be sooo happy one minute and crabby the next. Looking back, I have always been a fussy guy. I used to scream during feedings (because of acid reflux). Now, I just scream when I don't get what I want; and sometimes, I don't know what I want. What is going on here?

On a good note, I took some steps in the aluminum walker this week. I have to hold onto the sides and walk with nothing in front of me. On Monday, I took only a few. On Wednesday, I took more steps. A lot more. In fact, I even made it down the hall. Sure, I stopped for a break to talk to the chicks, but I made it anyhow. My right leg kept crossing in front of my left.

My parents no longer believe I require a stander. Well, mostly. It could still be helpful, since it is difficult holding me up for two or more hours a day. I'm surely giving them arthritis. They just like to complain.

I dislike the highchair with great intensity. I won't even sit in it anymore. We have been using a booster seat, but it is too small for me now. I am growing like a weed. What are we to do? I am still not steady enough to sit in a chair by myself.


I am happiest in front of the portable dvd player. Careful mentioning these three letters in front of me. I understand everything. No more "W" sitting. I have made an effort to sit at my new table quietly, as long as I get control of this particular electronic device. I love pushing the buttons and fast forwarding through all the boring parts. I also like to watch the same things over and over and over... Hooray!

Conductive Ed

I wore some socks. The left one filled with flat stones and the right one filled with dry corn kernels. I stepped across the floor with them, with Zsuzsi's help. This reminds my senses that I have two feet and they both need to work together.

I held onto the ladder and stepped all the way to the mirror, utilizing my strength and balance. The floor boards are slightly angled to help balance me out. My in-turning ankles feel even with the floor.


My grandpa and my dad built a table for me. It's eight feet long and high enough to roll my gait trainer under it. I can stand and play without interference. Our dining room table has been moved out to make room for me.