31 MONTHS...ONLY 10 MONTHS BEHIND IN POSTS...
Mom is ashamed of herself. She has let 10 months go by without posting my most wonderful accomplishments and stats. So, she decided that now is just a good as time as ever to pick up and start again.
Mom says I am amazing; all 39 inches, 38 pounds and size 10 feet of me! She is absolutely blown away each day as I reveal more and more of what I have learned from this world and all of its teachers. This morning I helped her recite the months of the year. Mom had no idea that I knew them. We sing songs and such at home, but I think I have to give credit to LMS for this one. We practice the calendar every morning at school.
I can count to 20 or higher independently and to 10 in Spanish if you count along with me. I know all of my colors of course...I have since I was 18 months old, but we are still battling the red and green issue. Mom still thinks that I may be color blind with those 2. She has asked the eye doc, but he can't test me until I recognize all my numerals 1-10 without mistake. He usually tests children in kindergarten...so until then, green is green and red is either or. I have learned to do so many things independently. I turn on and off lights, open cabinets or the fridge to get what I need and if I can't reach it then I just climb on top of my stool and reach. Mom realizes that this is a huge accomplishment in planning and resourcefulness, but she wants me to be VERY CAREFUL too! I am enjoying taking showers these days too. I like to squeege all the shower glass while mom soaps me up. I still scream a bit when it is time to rinse my hair, but whew! as long as the water is cold I am good to go. I do not like warm water! I am taking gymnastics and swimming lessons this summer and having a blast. I prefer gymnastics, but I am doing great in swimming too. My first day of lessons this summer is the first time I have ever put my ears in the water. I have always had infections or tubes and would not wear plugs so swim lessons are working for me. My teacher is Ms. Jennifer and she lays the law of the pool while really giving me the positive support I need. I am learning to reach and pull with my strokes, jump in and go under independently, walk the wall of the pool with my hands and feet and climb out, put my face in and go under, blow bubbles and take breaths and of course float on my back. Mom is amazed, but I still prefer gymnastics. I love to show off my flips around the house. When I first began I was galloping rather than jumping with 2 feet. I would always lead with my left foot. But, TA-DA! I can jump with my feet together now after my 5th lesson I got the hang of it. I even tried making big circles with my arms as I jump and I did it! Now I am practicing feet together and apart while jumping on the tramp. Again, I am told to be careful. I keep trying to flip on the bed and the couch and such. My favorite place to jump is of course on my bed. Dad keeps imaging me flying off, but I'm an expert these days...I have had 6 lessons now. I can front roll, back roll, log roll, put my legs in the straddle and pike positions, walk, roll and jump on the beam and flip on the bars and rings too. I absolutely love jumping off of the tramp into the foam pit. Mom tried it just the other day and thought she would never get out of there. Use your muscles mom! She had to dive for her sock too. Beginners! My favorite books are still those about animals, snakes and insects. I like to read stories, but I prefer informational books with real world pictures. Dad has plenty of Biology and Herpatology books to keep me busy. I have started pointing to the words while we read and I even tell the story or caption as we read. I have a great memory. I know that bats use echolocation to navigate and mimic their sounds while we read and I know that baby birds open their mouths for their moms to drop in worms and bugs to eat. My creative play is still surprising mom. I love to cook it up in my play kitchen and save everyone from illness as I am the best doc in town. I think it is great to go on a bear hunt around the house too. Mom tells me time and again that when I am in the bed we are safe. She wants to make sure that any fears or worked up anxiety from creative play is left behind at bed time. Not a bad idea. We get lanterns and flashlights and run away from the bear. We hide in the closet and look under the covers and under the bed too. I mainly just love screaming and running through the house only to jump under the covers and say "we're safe." Dad likes to kick it up a notch and turn into a monster, but even he knows that the bed is a safe place. I belly laugh the whole time and tell dad to do the jumps and voices again and again. Mom is usually saying "enough, enough" to that guy...she does not like scary stuff. Even on the playground I find ways to use creative play to entertain myself; of course I enjoy playing with someone most. I really use my "thinking brain" as mom calls it. Mom and dad asked me a question at the breakfast table the other day. I sat and stared for awhile then rested my chin on my hand and said, "hummmmm," then I ticked my finger up and down on my lip and said, "let me see...." I have lots of other phrases too like, "do you hear me?", "will you play with me?", "open your eyes, the sun is out...", "1,2,3... "(I learned that from Les and Emma), "Say Bye-Bye" that is everytime that mom is talking on the phone, "I'm sorry Mommy" and the famous toddler question, "WHY???" That one comes in 3's or more for each statement made. "Why, why mommy?, why....", "Help me please; this is hard to do," and "wait, not yet" or "not today okay, alright?" The toughest one to deal with is of course..."NO SCHOOL, NOT TODAY, I STAY HOME MOMMY! ALRIGHT? NO SCHOOL!" Needless to say I was signed up to attend 2 days a week at LMS this summer to preserve routine yet have spent most of my days in the arms of Mommy. I don't know what will happen come August, but I am happy for now spending my time with the woman who loves me the mostest!