Zoo Trip!

I'm so excited to have a good zoo within driving distance again. So I used some money I got for Christmas to get us a family zoo membership. I'm looking forward to loading you up and heading to the zoo frequently throughout the year. 

We went with Granny and Gramdad last week and had a wonderful time. We gave you more freedom than the last time we went to the zoo. You were allowed to get out of the stroller and look around as long as you didn't run off. You could also ride in the stroller when you were tired.

You loved looking at the elephants and zooming through the ape building. Your favorite part of the visit was the playground. It's been several months since it's been warm/dry enough to play at a playground so you had a ball sliding down the slides and climbing like our very own monkey. After the monkey building, we walked down the biiiiiig hill, saw the koalas, and got some lunch. Note to self, on future zoo visits, pack a lunch. The food at the zoo isn't fit for animals. 

After lunch we rode the carousel. You're still a little leery of the carousel, but you enjoy it as long as you can keep a tight grip on me at all times. Instead of heading to the North American portion of the zoo, we went to the Rainforest. It was clear to tell you were getting tired. After leading me through the foliage to the tree climb, you were content to be held or carried the rest of the way through the building. Very out of character for you.

In our way out, I grabbed a drink for me and an apple for you. You ate your apple as we left and finished it shortly after we buckled you into the car. Within minutes,of getting on the road to go home, you had already fallen asleep in your car seat.

I vote zoo trip every day!

Speech Therapy

It has been a crazy month and a half. Since Grandpa died we have been traveling back and forth to Grandma's house every week or so to help her with various tasks. We'll talk about the insanity that is bedtime at Grandma's another day.

Around the middle of February we finally started speech therapy. Your speech therapist is awesome. She has a little boy about your age so she really "gets" you. I was worried the first time she came because you generally ignore strangers. You'll come look at them, but you don't speak to them or interact with them.

Imagine my surprise when, not only did you speak to your SLP, you showed her your toys, played with her, said "bye," and hugged her! You could have knocked me over with a feather.

Based on what our insurance approved, she comes twice a week for half an hour. Daddy and I definitely see progress which is exciting! We're coming to the end of the sessions the insurance has approved but we're working to get you more sessions so you can continue to improve.

My favorite new word is "Stop!" When you are playing and you aren't ready to transition into something else (or get your diaper changed) you hold up your hand and say, "Stop!" If Daddy and I don't listen you sometimes will come over to us and push us back while saying, "Stop!" 

Unless you're in danger, we stop when you ask us. We do that for two reasons. First, we want you to learn that your words have power and when you use them your thoughts or wishes can be communicated to others. Secondly, we want you to learn that when you tell an adult to stop, they will respect your wishes. I equate it to respecting your boundaries. If you don't want me to do something (right now, my singing is particularly offensive to you) it is your right to tell me to stop. I hope in the future this will help you learn that no means no and to respect other people and their boundaries.

Tonight, you read Brown Bear, Brown Bear with me. I would start and then you would push back the window and say "I see a _______." You will also shout hooray and clap when we sing "If you're happy and you know it."

We're seeing progress, buddy, which is very exciting!