My Bug

Before AJ started really communicating, there wasn't a TON of things to post about him.  No "you won't believe what he said" posts.  Now that he is POINTING - and he has been pointing about a year now....and trust me, that was just as exciting as him talking!!! -- and saying words, I want to make sure I record this so that I remember.

First of all...just for memory sake and for all that didn't know, AJ was diagnosed with PDD-NOS at 3 years of age and Intellectual Disability at age 5.  He's had neonatal diabetes since birth.

AJ is 5 1/2, but probably more like a 2 year old...some things being less, some more.  He can be a problem solver about a lot of things like stacking things up to reach something, he knows how to open the fridge and pantry to get things, always knows which buttons to push to turn things on and off - but he can't yet get dressed on his own and is not potty trained.  I believe as he starts kindergarten this fall, we are going to see a lot of changes in AJ as he learns and grows more.  He could be more stable as far as walking, but I know that will come.

AJ is HAPPY.  All of the time.  He has his terrible 2 moments like not knowing how to be patient, testing all of the time, not sharing and throwing fits....but I would say he is happy 95% of the time.  He will wake up in the morning and just chat and chat with his musical toys in his crib.  I can hear him as I get ready for work.  It's hard not to go in there and smooch and hug on him.

AJ LOVES his sister.  He loves to laugh with her and chase her.  When he sees something funny, he will look at her so they can laugh together.

AJ's favorite toys are balls, blocks and his mp3 player.  He loves his crib and loves the routine of getting in bed at nap and bedtime.  He will take his things and throw them in the crib and then lift his arms for you to put him into bed.  He loves his projector and his aquarium.  He, of course, still loves fans and anything that spins...and loves the patterns on his sister's clothing. 

AJ's favorite show is sponge bob and he knows almost all of the theme song.  He cannot sing it, but he does his best at trying to imitate it.  I will have to get it on video.  AJ loves to pretend he is having a phone conversation and will carry on the CUTEST conversations in AJ language for a LONG time!  Avery has a really good recording that I will need to get up on YouTube.  AJ loves to see himself in the mirror.  It is really, really adorable.

AJ also pays VERY close attention to where we are going on the road.  He knows where the 270 exit is and if I'm not headed to VA, he will be MAD!  LOL

AJ loves school and on the days he isn't "testing" - and thinking "i'm so cute and funny, all look at me", he's very good with the structure.  Sits where he should, puts his back pack where it should go, can almost unzip his coat all of the way, knows which books are which, the words of the songs, he is good at matching colors and shapes and knows alot of animal sounds.  He loves dogs!  He will make dog noises and carry around any puppy toy or stuffed animal.

AJ's words:
Wan Wan (he's saying want, want while pointing to fridge):  Milk --- and if you say milk, he will make the K sound.
Wan Wan - just also for anything he wants.
Gook or Book - also re book for read book
Ewee: Strawberry
Eeches:  Peaches
Roll
Kay Cakes: Pancakes
Chooch: Toast
Fish:  Goldfish 
Bubbles
Bob:  SpongeBob
My:  Music player
Boon:  Balloon
Where Da Ball?
Did It?:  Get It?
Mommy, Daddy, No, Ma Ma (Grandma), Go
Up, Get Down, More
Champ
Sit Champ
Here Champ
Puppy
Bye Bye
Luh You:  Love You
Ahpee: Open

Did I mention "No" ???  LOL

He repeats SO much and is SO proud when you repeat back to him so he knows you understood.

If I left anything off, email me or comment so I can add it!  I really want to keep a good record for the future.  I LOVE this kid.  He has the most wonderful smile.  He loves to be tickled and kissed.  He blows kisses and waves backwards.  Adorable.

AJ's Silly Laugh

Dancing

AJ learned to dance at school. :-) Christina learned from her daddy. Obviously. hee hee Near the end of the video AJ plays peek-a-boo with the hat he refused to take off.

Christina (after I did her hair): "You did a great job, Mommy! Not as great as I did (brushing her doll's hair), but that's ok! It's still a great job!"

3 1/2 Going on 13

Well it's pretty impossible for me to remember all of the things that come out of this princess' mouth, but she is so smart. She thinks ahead, you can reason with her, she is really good at putting positive spins on things and she is super sweet. She says "I wuv you Mommy" out of the blue all the time and she'll lean in to hug me. She can be quite bossy, but she's very strong and secure and she LOVES her family. Her tummy seems to talk to her quite a bit. It tells her if it doesn't feel good enough to clean up, or to finish her dinner or if she needs to be carried. :-) She pays such close attention to everything going on around her and she doesn't forget anything. She is very compassionate with her brother and always helpful with him. She wants to make sure everything is equal with them. "Mommy, is AJ going to take a nap too? Did AJ eat lunch? I'm just making sure Mommy!" She loves to brush her teeth and wash her hands as many times as you'll let her daily. She wants to vacuum with me and clean with me and she can pretty much operate the Wii and DVD players all by herself. She isn't that great at going to bed at night...she just isn't a big fan of it...but she does sleep later in the morning and on the weekends she wakes up and asks me "Are you going to stay home today Mommy?" She loves it when we are all together. Christina's been potty trained for quite some time, she is able to dress herself including buttons and she REALLY wants to learn how to tie her shoes...but that's a bit tricky so we aren't there yet. She started going to school and she loves to learn, do crafts, play with her friends and she really likes her teacher. Grandma takes her and picks her up on Mondays and Tuesdays and then they go to Wendy's. Every. Single. Time. She loves to play with her friends and she ADORES and LOVES her cousins...the sun rises and sets on them! Yesterday at the park she said to Ashley "I am brave" and Ashley replied, yes, you are very brave! A little bit later she declares "I am not afraid of anything!" Gotta keep an eye on this little one! She is trying to teach AJ how to say her name, but she does get him to say THREE after she says one, two and GO after ready, set. She loves to run and have him chase her and they love to slide down the stairs together. Christina loves to wear clothes that have her favorite characters on them with the matching bows and she also likes dresses. She loves bows and jewelry and she REALLY wanted cowboy boots because Jessie wears them. She LOVES Jessie...she LOVES Toy Story and we have the best time reciting lines from our favorite movies. It's so much fun to be able to share things that just crack us up! There isn't really anyone there at night to tell us to stop giggling and go to bed! She's an amazing little person...a bundle of sunshine. Life is good for Christina and she makes mine better every day.

Sooooooooo BIG!

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. :-)

So Colorful!

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First Time Bowling!

Love the Vibrating Toothbrush!

Bathtime Smile

He is not bouncing so I got a pic!
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