EI meeting

So this week was Colton's EI evaluation. One lady came on Tuesday for his "meet and greet". That went well. She asked questions and wanted to know specifically what my concerns were. I told her that my concerns were his lack of speech and his biting. She observed him and told us that he seemed fine to her, but since I requested it, she would arrange for an evaluation with a specialist and an occupational therapist. The appointment was this morning and he passed with flying colors. All my concerns were for nothing. They seemed to think that he might actually be gifted based on the criteria that they test for. Yes he doesn't say the words, but his cognitive reasoning and thinking was off the charts for his age. They tested him all the way up to two and he exceeded those expectations. They said he was very advanced in his gross motor and fine motor skills. They were even surprised a couple times by what he could do or interrupt. They were not worried about his talking at all. They pretty much said that boys talk later than girls and that he was too busy to pay attention when we say words to him. We have to try and work on making him watch our mouths and pay attention to our voices when talking to him. As you can tell, I was a very proud mommy!!! I was very happy with my little man today.

18 month check-up

The "sign" shot!!
On his actual "half birthday". He was eating a Nutella sandwich, which he REALLY enjoys.

After his appointment, we decided to take him to the Jax Zoo. We took him last August, but he was still to small to really take it in.
At the zoo looking at the elephants. He really liked their trunks.
On the train with me. He was too interested in everything around him to look at the camera. We saw a lot of different animals, but I think his favorite was actually a HUGE (like 20 foot) rock python. It was moving around the enclosure and came over to the glass and was "feeling" everything with it's tongue.
He favorite part of the zoo. They have a water play area for the kids. You just have to remember to have a swim diaper and a bathing suit. They have different animals that squirt and you can sit on. He made a couple little friends while and there was NO BITING!!! I was very proud. He did hug one little baby with his mouth open, but he didn't bite. We are still really struggling with the biting. Everyone says it is a phase and he will grow out of it, but I am beginning to think they are wrong. I have been doing a lot of research and reading why kids bite and he doesn't fall into most categories. I will just have to dig a little deeper.

All in in all it was a great day. I love spending time with my little guy outside. He can burn off energy and I can get a tan!!!

18 months old

Today by little BABY is 18 months old. I will take his picture with his "info" sign after his appointment on Wednesday. We actually are going to zoo that day after his appointment so I can get some good shots there as well.

I don't know why that seems like such a big number to me. It is just one more month older, but to me, it sounds like such a big deal. Maybe because he ACTUALLY made it to a year and a half!!! Last night he almost didn't make it. Mom was leaving our house and Colton was outside with us saying goodbye. Well I walked around the sidewalk and he started running towards Grammy's car. Well she was backing up and obviously can't see this little 33 inch child behind her car. I started hollering "STOP STOP STOP" and she did only about 1 inch from him!! It was a scary moment but all turned out good (thank God!!).

I have really been frustrated with him these last couple days as well. His biting is out of control. Everyone says it is just a phase and he will grow out of it--WHEN?!?!?! Mom was over on Friday night and she was holding him and he bit her on the leg. It left a pretty good bruise. I told him "No biting" and sat him in time-out. Then he was playing with me and bit me. Again I said "NO BITING" and I popped him and put him in time-out. Saturday I was carrying him to change his diaper and he bit me on the shoulder. I actually bit him back and said "NO BITING". He cried, I felt awful, and of course it did no good. He is getting really bad and I am losing all patience with him. He has his EI "meet and greet" tomorrow so I guess I can ask her as well. I have TRIED EVERYTHING and nothing is working. I think he is defective and I need a refund!!!

ALOHA FRIDAY

In Hawaii, Aloha Friday is the day that we take it easy and look forward to the weekend. So here on Fridays we're taking it easy on posting, too. Therefore, I’m asking a simple question for you to answer & nothing that requires a lengthy response.

If you’d like to participate, just post your own question on your blog and leave your link at the very friendly place of Islandlife808.com. Don’t forget to visit the other participants! It’s a great way to make new bloggy friends and find new followers!

My question is: How did your husband propose?

My husband was going to be going to Afghanistan to be working for a private company for a year and when he got back, we were going to get married. Well he only lasted 21 days there (long story short--he was scared and homesick, but didn't want to admit it!!!) So we are sitting on the couch one night and he said "are you going to marry me or what?" I know, I know--how romantic!!! He spent the money he was supposed to use to buy the ring on a gun, so I had to wait a couple more weeks to get my ring.

Slow Thrusday

For some reason, this week has really drug on. You would think that since Monday was a holiday, it would have gone a little faster, but no such luck. I can't believe my "little baby" will be 18 months old on Monday. As the old cliche goes "My how times flies by." Once you become a parent (or maybe just an adult) time does seem to pass much more quickly (contrary to the title of this post!! LOL). I remember as a child thinking how slow time passed and how it seemed summer lasted forever. Now I look back on certain events and think "holy cow that was 5 (or 10 or 15) years ago."

Next week will be somewhat of a busy one. Monday of course will be slow--we are REALLY slow on Mondays. Tuesday, Colton has his "meet and greet" with EI. I am still not sure if he needs it or not, but I thought it would be good to get an "outside"opinion. It can't really hurt anyway. I think he is pretty smart in logic and cause and effect type of situations. He has great hand and eye coordination and I don't think he is developmentally slow--he just doesn't talk. He says a couple words, but I know he should be saying more. Yes, every child is different and they all develop and do things on their own time, but I still just want to get that second opinion. He can recognize certain things, stacks coasters (he prefers those to blocks!!), says about 6 or 7 animal sounds, says about 7 words and can follow direction. You know that mothers always worry about their kids.

Back from long weekend

We had been chatting about trucks and birds and he got REALLY quiet.
About 5 minutes after the first picture.
This is the way the poor boy looked form about half of of our ride--20 minutes or so. I know that cannot be comfortable!!! I felt so bad for him. It has a screen that is usually pulled over it in the front as well, but it was so warm (at 9:30 AM) that I wanted him to get the breeze on him. I guess it was very relaxing sitting in his little cart.

We haven't had an official holiday since January, so it was nice to have off during the week and not have to use leave. My aunt came over yesterday on her way back home to Destin and we put together a gazebo that my parents have bought. It definitely took 4 people and my dad needed all the help he could get to prevent the gazebo from becoming tiny pieces strewn about the front yard. It is a good size space, but I really don't know when they will use it. It is too hot right now to sit outside and there are mosquitoes by the 100s out there in that area. Maybe when it cools down this fall they can get some use out of it.

MOPS pool party

Today was the official end of MOPS. Since he got "kicked out" by the ladies at the church, who don't actually have anything to do with MOPS itself and this was at one of the MOPS Mom's house, I took the morning off so I could take Colton.

First he started out on the swing.

Then he had a "swing mate".

Next on to the bounce house. He really does enjoy bouncing, but he hasn't quite mastered the concept yet. He looks like a chicken while trying to bounce!!

Then it was pool time. I just got him this swimsuit that has the life jacket attached to it. He tried it out by jumping off the side to me.



Next we tried some Swimmies.

Getting used to them

A little braver

Look at him go.

I really want to look into swim lessons for him. He loved the water and I think now is a good time to teach him to swim. Then we ate pizza and had a cookie and milk and then I had to leave so that I could get back to work. He fell asleep on the way home and then only slept for 45 minutes. His afternoon nap lately has been shorter than usual. He used to go down at 1:00 and sleep until 3-3:30. Lately though he has been up by 2 or 2:30 at the latest. It might be time to drop the morning nap completely and see if that helps. On the weekends, he rarely take a morning nap because we are usually outside or busy, but during the week, Mom puts him down for about an hour or so in the mornings. Maybe she will have to try and cut that out and see if he naps better in the afternoon.