Sensory play

Last summer, Matthew rarely played on playgrounds or any play equipment. Occasionally, if he was exceptionally well-rested and he was 100% comfortable in his surroundings, he would do play well, but other than that, he mostly was afraid of it all.









So far, this summer is proving to be much different. This is in our backyard, but we've gone to several playgrounds and with 1 exception, he's played great!















We're working on alot of sensory play, and he's doing well! What is sensory play, you ask? That is a good question, and I'm not really sure how to answer, so I'll give you examples:

• Slides


• Swings


• Merry-go-rounds


• Finger paints


• Shaving cream


• Sandboxes


• Play-Doh


• The list could go on and on.

Are you getting the picture? Its experiencing different sensations, I suppose. It involves much more, but those are the basics. We swing Matthew back and forth in a blanket sometimes and he and his daddy love to wrestle. I've drug him around in a washbasket, which he loves. When he's riding in his wagon, he often says "Go fast!!" This is very important for him, to get him used to all kinds of stuff that he'll experience all his life. We won't be taking him on a roller coaster anytime soon - really, its ok if he doesn't like them. After all, Mommy doesn't!! (Hmmm, do you think I could have some sensory issues?)

Again, this stuff was very difficult last summer. He would never have climbed willingly into a washbasket then, and when it came to sand, he didn't even want to touch it. Now, he likes to lay in his sandbox and as long as we can incorporate letters and numbers, he'll stick his fingers right into the shaving cream.

One of the things that occasionally gives us problems is running water. So, its a little touchy to wash his hands sometimes and he's afraid to stick his hands under the faucet when his tub is filling up. The other night, one of his bath toys was directly under the water. I watched him try to work up the courage to reach for it, and he ended up asking for help. We'll just keep working on it!

And, as a bonus, are the flowers in my backyard pretty? My clematis did well this spring, and there are tons of peonies and a huge hollyhock!

A jam-packed day!

Yesterday, we hit the Columbus Zoo! We had lots of fun! Last summer it would have been a little different. There were alot of indoor exhibits with loud noises, drastic temperature changes, stinky smells and were very dark. We hit them all, and Matthew only got scared in one and asked to go home. He didn't love them all, but tolerated them. It was great! And...thanks to Dramamine, we had a most enjoyable drive that didn't include any clean up or changes of clothing. Whew. That in itself was a huge accomplishment!

Outside the bear exhibit. Matthew had ENOUGH of riding in the stroller! He really did well though, it was a long day! There weren't many people around, so we just let him run for awhile after this.

While we were eating lunch, we listened to this lion roar. One of the females answered back from the other side of the enclosure and he lifted his head and listened intently. It was very cool! I wonder what they were saying to each other? lol!

At the petting zoo. Matthew would look at this goat and say, "It's not a cow." Apparently he thought Gary and I may be confused since it was black and white! ;)

This pair of goats were fast asleep. The tan one made a very weird snoring noise and his bottom teeth were always showing. They were so content until Matthew sat on the tan goat - I couldn't get to him fast enough to stop him! The goat just got up and left. Matthew's friends, Jack and Annie have a wonderful Golden Retriever named Fletcher who doesn't mind when Matthew lays all over him, so I think thats what Matthew was thinking of! He's pretty fearless when it comes to animals - I can't wait to go to Rolling Ridge this summer where we can actually feed them!

The bigger reason we went to Columbus yesterday was to follow up with Matthew's Neurologist, Dr Emily in the afternoon. At Matthew's initial diagostic appointment 9 months ago, she was quite concerned with his speech. The first question she asked was how many words are now in his vocabulary and after a pause, I told her that he's doing 4 and 5 word sentences. She was very pleased - and didn't seem concerned with his echolalic speech. (parroting what is said to him). She asked basic things like does he know his numbers? colors? shapes? letters? We were able to answer "Yes" to all of that stuff and Matthew said the alphabet backwards for her and she took our word for it that he can count to 100. ;) She told us to keep doing what we're doing and Matthew gave her a hug and blew her kisses when we left.

She had a few minor concerns about things that we are working on right now with him, but we don't need to contact her or see her again unless he regresses or we have other major concerns. We have a few details to work out about it all yet, but I must say, as much as I've come to appreciate Dr Emily, I hope I never see her again! :) Matthew still has 1 Doctor in Columbus who keeps much closer tabs on his development - maybe we can get rid of him too! I think I might be getting ahead of myself on that one...

Dr Emily sees follow ups in the afternoon and does diagnostic appointments in the morning. My heart hurt for the parents who had their little ones there yesterday morning and heard heart-breaking news like we did 9 months ago. On our drive home I commented on the vastly different tone of this appointment and how GREAT we felt when we left this time. This is not the journey I would have picked, but it is, in fact, the one we are on, and God has been and continues to be faithful!

What a good day!

Let it be known...

That on this day, Feb 6 at 5:15 pm, Matthew looked at me and spontaneously said "I love you, Mommy." Then, 10 minutes later he asked for a kiss.

Life.Is.Good.

Great achievements!

Did you know, that when their children are diagnosed, many parents are told by Drs that they will not be able to expect meaning conversation with their child? Their children will probably not spontaneously say "I love you" or initiate a back and forth conversation with them. (We were NOT told this, by the way, but I read about it.)

Matthew did several great things this week and I want to document them while I can remember:

1. Today I was leaving for Mom's to help clean. I told him I was going bu-bye and he asked: "Where?"
2. While changing light bulbs in the computer room, he was watching intently and then came running to ask: "What you doing?"
3. He was trying to put a new puzzle together this week and was getting a little frustrated. When I walked into the room he looked up and said "I need help!"

I will continue to wait patiently for the day when he comes to tell me "I love you, Mommy!" I know without a shadow of a doubt, that he will do it.