Thx, Mom

I do what any doting Mom would do and praise my son for good behavior, accomplishments and anything else that isn't objectionable behavior.  So when Elliott brought home a leaf wreath, I proudly hung it over the mantle and told him how beautiful it is.  His response: " thanks, Mom."  In fact, he's taken to saying this almost every time I offer praise.  But strangely, it's hard to accept this as polite behavior (where would he have learned that from?) and instead it feels like he is above my praise and simply appeasing me.  And if he could write, I'm certain it would be spelled "thx".

In which Mom finally understands (sometimes)

Elliott's speech has been incredibly difficult to decipher.  "Wawa" can be either "Jonah" or "water" depending on the context.  To be fair, with a very discerning ear, "Jonah" has a slightly different sound, edging toward "wowa".  Still, there is typically a lot of hand waving, pointing and context required to understand what he is saying.  I'm certain his vocabulary is hundreds of words at this point, even though I can only comprehend a handful on a regular basis.

Yes, we are seeing progress, albeit slow.  And I've lately found greater confidence in grasping his meaning on most occasions.  So although we are both still frustrated with trying to hold a conversation, the frustration/fussing is getting less and less as the pronunciation/comprehension is improving.

Come, Sit!

Elliott is getting much better at telling us what he wants.  For example, pulling your pant leg (forcibly) and then patting the floor/couch means, "sit here!"  I hope he learns the words before I dragged all over the house!

OW-WL

Every day PopPop asks me for the word of the day.  Sometimes it is a stretch to fashion a word out of a few sounds, but today it was very clearly: au(-e)l  Elliott couldn't have pronounced it any more clearly - which brings to question how clear the Merriam-Webster pronunciation actually is.

This was followed by a long "whoo" contest between Elliott and Jonah.  Elliott's was the soft "ooo" of a barn owl, while Jonah preferred the loud "WHOOOT" of a screech owl.

...Or From Me

EI is going well.  A total waste of higher education for the "developmental specialist" to sit and play with my 21-mo old for an hour a week, but they both seem to enjoy it.  Elliott even greets her excitedly and goes straight to their spot at the table to play.  I'm sure he relishes the 1-on-1 time I can rarely give.

At the end of the session, we often discuss the progress Elliott has made in new sounds and words, following directions, etc.  His therapist is quick to take credit, even when I've seen a behavior at home or at school before.  Ah, enjoy your success!  I do hope your hour a week is making a difference.

A First Foray into Audiology

To check things off the list of possible factors for speech delay, Elliott had a hearing exam today.  Unfortunately, it wasn't as simple as checking the box for hearing impairment:
     o NO

The hearing exam was well set up for a little guy, so I was glad to have chosen the children's hospital over the local audiologist from the town rehab hospital (who, I am sure, excels at hearing aids).  They had a special room for Elliott to sit in my lap and play with toys while speakers played at various frequencies and volumes.  When he looked up to see from where the sound was coming, he was rewarded by a TV screen or animatronic pig turning on.  It was enough to keep my interest, let alone a toddler!  Add to that the technician, who played with toys to keep him focused between the audio distractions - but not so focused he would miss the cues from the speakers.  Not a very controlled scientific endeavor, but well orchestrated to minimize the random chaos inherent in the test subject.

So the troubling part was that Elliott appears to be missing some mid-to-high range of sounds in both ears.  Possibly a fluke, whim or the day, fluid obstruction, etc... but left the results inconclusive.  Even more strangely, I remember having similar results at a hearing test when I was young.

Now because his ear drums were restricted we have to follow up with our primary to check for water in his ears (why no one at a children's medical center is qualified to do this is beyond me).  And we get to do the hearing test again in a couple months.  Sigh.

Early Intervention

We took the pediatrician's advice (or rather, accepted his confirmation of my concern) and set up an evaluation for Elliott with Early Intervention.  Sure enough, he qualified for services for his speech delays.  This took four highly-educated staff members 2 hours and reams of paperwork to evaluate.  Surely, any 20-mo old who doesn't even say Mama or Dada would?

I hate that I'm that person who thinks the whole thing is ridiculous and a total waste of resources, while at the same time taking the free help being proffered.  I'm certain Elliott will be fine and just doesn't have interest in speaking at this time.  Everyone reminds me that Einstein didn't speak until he was 4.  Probably didn't find anything worth saying until then.

Who's the toddler?

I hate that I keep looking over and wondering who that kid is toddling through the house, playing by himself, and being so awfully good!  The squeaky wheel definitely gets the grease in this house (hmm... Jonah!)  Elliott is so self-sufficient.  He plays quietly, stacking blocks to knock down and rebuild, trying hard to fit puzzle pieces, and driving trains over bridges and through tunnels.  Some of these skills I hardly knew he had until I started taking a moment to watch him play.  And I can leave him in his crib, high chair, or stroller and he makes not a peep to let me know he's done or wants to come out.

His development seems to be passing right under my nose, as I keep looking for the "milestones" of walking and talking.  Well, he is finally walking with some confidence and will choose to walk instead of crawl in most cases.  And he is trying to talk, but most of the sounds are incomprehensible and frustrating for him when I don't understand.  It's hard to say he really has any words in his vocabulary, since I haven't even heard "Mama" in a while.  But he knows what he wants, and is happy to shake his head "NO" with great emphasis at almost every suggestion!

We love each other, right Mom?

Jonah gets into super-affectionate moods, which are just to die for.  He'll tell me he loves me, and then ask "we love each other, right Mom?"  Lots of hugs, kisses and affirmations ensue.  I do hope he knows how much I love him!

Well, one of these adorable love-fests happened at bedtime.  But then as I was leaving the room, in the same on of voice he says, "I love my Lightning McQueen water bottle."  I'm trying not to be hurt, but to accept that he has so much love to give, there is plenty for his bedside drink cup.

You're my best friend

Jonah has taken to asking me if I'll be his best friend.  No, I tell him, I'm your Mommy!  So much better than a best friend!  I hope he comes to understand that.  I'm pretty lucky to have that distinction, which no one else can claim.

Aloud

Jonah: Can we go in there?
Daddy: I don't think we're allowed.
Jonah: I CAN BE LOUD!

Jonah-isms

"my parking lot" = driveway
"turning wheel" = steering wheel
"we have ____ together" = we both ___
"I am red team" = wearing red
"make yellow" = pee
"my roof" = sweatshirt hood or stroller canopy

Elliott meets Grandpa!

Grandpa came to visit!  Between the constant snow events and his busy schedule, Grandpa wasn't able to meet Elliott until today.  We were so excited... particularly Jonah, who stole the show!  He immediately wanted to show off for Grandpa: his dancing, his trains, his new room, his RC police car, his symphony, kicking a ball, his car, jumping on Flash.  In fact, after showing Grandpa how high he could bounce, Jonah got off the turtle and pointed, "Grandpa, your turn!"  Then he ran across the room to grab the camera, "here, I take your picture!"  This may have been the only activity Grandpa refused, he obliged Jonah in playing with everything else!  The whole visit, I think Elliott only got a couple minutes with Grandpa.

Circle

Jonah's teacher was very excited to show Daddy Jonah's artwork.  She asked Jonah to tell Daddy what it is:

"J-O-N-A-H spells Jonah!" he announced proudly.  The teacher was dumbfounded.  She had expected him to tell Daddy that it was a circle.  News of Jonah's spelling is now talk of the toddler room!

I want to spell Hepicopter!

Jonah's latest hobby has been spelling words.  For Christmas, Santa brought him a set of colorful alphabet magnets for the fridge.  So while I'm cooking he asks to spell his favorite words, which started with "Jonah", "Daddy" and "Mommy", but soon moved on to "Airplane" and "Helicopter".  Jonah will carefully pick out each letter and place it in a neat row as I help spell each word.  He can even do his own name by himself!  Left to his own devices, mine gets a more creative spelling: "Mmommyy".  We once spelled "Truck", but he was disappointed and wanted it bigger.  I think it wasn't long enough for him!  Maybe next time we'll try excavator.

Jonah is also getting pretty good at using the computer keyboard to spell words.  His favorites to type include "Elmo" and "Big Bird", though they rarely appear on the fridge.  Here's the latest email we sent to Daddy (with deletion help from Mommy when the letters repeated for several pages):
daddy,
helicopter
airplane
jonah

"J-O-N-H: That spells Jonah!"

Sometimes he forgets the A, but most of the time he remembers, especially if he can read the letters.

Counting is coming along too!  Jonah sympathizes with the Count von Count in that he sometimes finds it hard to stop counting.  It's a good thing he only knows up to 13!

2 Year Update

Now that Jonah is 2, I thought it time to (try) record the things he is doing now:

Language:
Jonah's communication has just exploded, and I long ago stopped trying to track all his new words.  He's up to sentences, such as:

• Mommy and Daddy all done working
• I come, too!
• Mama hold this one ("this one" is a Jonah-ism for "this")

Jonah can sing the ABC song with 90% accuracy and recognize a dozen letters by sight, though he knows them by word association, so "A" is airplane, "D" is Daddy, etc.

Jonah can count to 10, and everything thereafter is 13.  When left on his own, he will keep going instead of stopping when he runs out of items to count.

Sings "ABC", "Row, Row, Row Your Boat", "Twinkle, Twinkle", "Itsy Bitsy Spider", "Baa Baa Black Sheep", "Old McDonald" and others.

Gross Motor:

Jonah can actually get off the ground when he jumps!  He climbs the playground by himself, but only occasionally does the slide.  (And holds Mommy's hand for the tall twirly slide.)  He loves anything sport, so any objects become bats and balls inside or outside.  He has some success with throwing a ball up and hitting it with a bat.  He can also throw a ball with some accuracy, though catching is still a challenge.  He can shoot a basket on the highest setting, which is just above his reach.  He loves to run, and scoots on his tricycle with his feet or sometimes tries the pedals with assistance.  He's not much of a climber, but has figured out to move the ottoman or stool where he wants so he can reach up high.

Fine Motor:

Jonah has mastered peg / shape puzzles and has them complete in a flash.  Can use a fork, but usually prefers not to.  He tries to use the side of his fork to cut food the way Mommy and Daddy do.  Brushes his own teeth, and likes to unscrew the toothpaste cap on his own.  Has a lot of trouble taking off his clothes or even socks, but we're working on it!  Loves to build with Duplos and make long trains.  Favorite craft involves gluing beads.  Hates to have paint on his hands.

Potty Training:

We have begun in earnest!  Jonah finally associates sitting on the potty with doing his business, which is a huge accomplishment.  As a reward, we sing a very boisterous song and let him play on the iPad.  Gifts of books and toys had no effect and he rejected any sort of candy treat!

Food:

Jonah is a fan of starches.  He devours multiple servings of rice, noodles and breads.  He also eats his meats and veggies, but sometimes as a trade for more of his favorites.  Jonah also loves fruits, cheese, and beans of any color/variety.  Skip the squash and potatoes.  He drinks only milk and water.  We've tried juices and strawberry/chocolate milk, but he doesn't like either.  Tries, then spits out any type of dessert, candy or sweet.

Wordsmith

Jonah's verbal communication has just exploded recently.  He regularly puts together multi-word thoughts (usually lacking a verb, and thus not sentences).  My favorite was while I was making dinner, from the kitchen I heard: "Daddy, all done news.  Blankets!"  (In our house "blankets" = building a 'fort' on the couch and then collapsing it when Jonah starts saying, "uh-oh! uh-oh! uh-oh!"

Knock, knock!

Jonah loves knocking on doors, always accompanied by saying, "knock, knock!" and occasionally including a forced entry, if he can open the door.  Tonight in the bath he was knocking on the tub, so we practiced knock-knock jokes:

Jonah: "Knock, knock!"
Mommy: "Who's there?"
Jonah: "Jonah"
Mommy: "Jonah who?"
Jonah: "Jonah!"

Jonah: "Knock, knock!"
Mommy: "Who's there?"
Jonah: "Jonah"
Mommy: "Jonah who?"
Jonah: "PopPop!"

It's funny in the way knock-knock jokes usually are[n't]: "orange you glad I didn't say banana?"

The TV is Broken

How many parents have used this line: "the TV is broken"?  It seems such an easy fib to elaborate on why your toddler can't watch his favorite programming.  In our case, it's the truth.  The hard drive on our home-made DVR computer died.

So Daddy has been setting up the new computer every evening over the past week.  Jonah sees him programming on the big screen and will point: "TV!", "Elmo!".  No, Jonah.  We're not watching Elmo today.  "iPad!", "Big Bird!".  No, no iPad or Big Bird either.  "Cookie Monster!"  No, the TV is broken!  Then starts the spew of every syllable combination in Jonah's repertoire, just in case he missed something that Mommy and Daddy would agree to.  When at first you don't succeed, try, try again!