AJ has now been in school for 6 months. He has improved FOUR months in the last 6. That's really great! He was diagnosed 2 weeks ago with pdd-nos and he is currently on a 16-18 month level at 3 1/2 years old. AJ loves school, his teachers, the activities and he really knows the routine. Lunchtime is still pretty icky. Sometimes the healthroom tech "Miss Ann" can get him to eat, but it all depends on his mood and how he feels that day. Sometimes it depends on the presentation...a certain spoon, cup, color, etc. He is mimicking alot more than ever. You will hear him say "one, two" often when he's climbing stairs or just randomly. He also took the bottle of bubbles, brought it to me and said "bubbles". When he wants you to do something, he will bring it to you and put it in your hand for you to help him. He will also take stools (or anything to give him height) and use them to climb up to reach something that he wants. He always seems to want what Christina has...and vice versa at times. It seems red is his favorite color when it comes to choosing objects and he loves any clothing that has interesting patterns on them. One day his shirt was wet after he got some milk from lunch on it and he got another shirt and brought it to me. So cute! Recently I've been saying "SOOOOO BIG!" to him and raising my arms in the air. When he does it, I tickle him. He can't say SO BIG, but he does say "gaa ga" when he raises his arms. He can say "no" and uses that alot. He is a big tease! He will go up to something he knows he shouldn't have and say "no". He also says Mommy and Daddy, but alot of times he will say it, make sure he has your attention and then say DADDY to me. He thinks it's hilarious! So I know he knows the difference for sure. His temper has gotten so much better. The more we can understand what it is that he wants and meet his needs, the less he throws fits. His fits have always been pretty short lived anyway and he's VERY happy most all the time that he's not hungry or tired or sick. He has a LOT of energy and bounces ALL the time! He still loves to stack his blocks and carry them around. His favorite thing in the world is a small soccer ball, but balloons are a close second and bubbles are probably tied! He will play catch with you throwing the ball back and forth and he LOVES to have people paying attention to him and clapping and praising him. Such a little ham! He is STILLLLL amazing at bedtime. He never goes right to sleep and stays up alot longer than he ever used to because as soon as I put him in the bed he stands up to start playing with his aquarium! But he doesn't cry and he's a very good boy. He will sometimes just chat to himself or play with his seahorse and gloworm (which he now knows how to get to work!). I switched Christina and AJ's room and his room is darker now so he gets alot more sleep than he used to. That probably has alot to do with his temper getting better as well. He STILL loves to ride in the car....but he does hate to get back in the car when we leave mom or grandma and aunt nancy's houses. He throws such a fit when we have to leave - he doesn't even want to put his jacket on when it's time to go. He starts throwing a fit as soon as I bring the coat to him and even when I get him to the carseat, he straightens out to make it harder for me to put him in. He has such a wonderful time with his family. :-) AJ loves being outside. He gets to play outside at school nearly everyday! I can't wait till it's a bit warmer so I can take him to the park and see all of the new things he has learned! He is more challenging lately to brush his teeth. He wants to hold the toothbrush and he will NOT keep his mouth open well for me to brush. It's a bit of a challenge. He not only is understanding how to pull up his pants (still needs help), but he knows to put his arms up for his shirts. He also can completely undress on his own. Completely. When you don't want him to. He is lovey and cuddly and soooooo funny. He's a big tease and he adores animals, his sister and Bubble Guppies is his favorite show by FAR! AJ has the nick name Buggy or Bug now and it's stuck with Avery, Christina and I. He knows that's him and we love him. :-)
4 months ago
