I woke up early enough for both of us. I do not know how I was quiet enough to let Owen sleep but thankfully he did. I started making the wake-up noise and it wasn’t long before he came to get in bed with me. Once again almost completely under the blanket. His little toes get me every time. I asked him if he wanted to wear shorts or jeans and he immediately said shorts. We went out to wait for the bus and he was asking me when it was coming. I said it would be a couple of minutes but I was sure we would hear it when it came down the street. He started to say something and I could tell he was processing it. He said, “I heard it” like it had a long U sound. It was amazing for him to be saying the word and making the distinction of how to say it. He wanted to lay on the ground with the “dry mud” so I think he is ready for more rain so it won’t be dry anymore. I told him that he could do it after school if he still wanted to. He looks like such a big boy when he gets on the bus now and he always tells me the names of people he will see. He got home and there was no question he was happy for his weekend that went all the way through to Monday. He got all settled in for the night as he started yelling out “grandma” randomly. I ignored him yelling out the single word so he came to me and said, “Grandma.” I still didn’t respond, which was very hard for me, and then he said, “I want to go see grandma.” I asked him when and he answered tomorrow. I think he sees the progression of how the conversation is taking shape mow. The goal is for him to be more expressive so he will ask for the things he likes and needs. He does numerous stimming sounds and actions to help regulate his body. However, some of these are hard on him. He bites his fingers in those very excitatory moments and I am trying to help him redirect to something less painful to his body. He doesn’t break the skin but his fingers tend to stay red. I make gentle reminders to be kind to his fingers and try to keep him focused that way. Thankfully it is working and he is back to doing more of the E sound again and jumping. He had a much calmer night. He was lying in my arms laughing with me. I called him “my baby” and I rocked him. He laughed and said, “I’m a baby.” This was wonderful. He was processing it and I think he was understanding it. I was very happy for those moments. After last night we spent a lot of time working on his behaviors and it went much better tonight. He still wanted to take his tablet in the bathtub tonight but he didn’t fight when I said no. I’m praying that he will sleep tonight even though it’s a Friday night and he is excited about seeing his grandma. His laughter is the best and it does my heart good. Laugh and let the world hear your joy. A smile is always a gift to share. Smiles to all and donut daze!
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