My Friendly Little Boy

When we are out Kyle has to wave and say "Hi" or "Hi There" to practically everyone he sees. To me it's cute and exciting to see him using his words and hand gestures. Quite a few people will only look and smile which is totally unacceptable to Kyle. He is very adament in getting a response. He will keep telling them Hi in a louder voice until they finally respond back. For now it is really cute since he is in his stroller, cart, or holding my hand. As he grows older I may not feel as comfortable with him being so trusting and friendly with strangers. So if you happen to see My Little Munchkin please, please, please tell him Hi...it will certainly make his day a little brighter!

It's finally Friday. I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend! We have plenty on our "To Do" list, but most of it isn't anything to very exciting!

Munchkin Time

I know I've said it before, but I need to say it again...Kyle is just on his own little time frame with his developement, mainly his speech. He still is making great strides in the right direction. It's exciting to witness his progress, but sometimes I feel myself getting a little impatient. I realize their isn't much I can do, but to encourage him to speak, work with him, and provide him with all the services available to him, all of which I am doing. All the therapists that work with him, all six of them, are so impressed and proud of him, which in turn does make me feel proud of My Little Munchkin.

One cool thing he is learning is sign language. He knows many signs including...more, all done, cookie, open, book, fish, sleep, milk, and apple. I'm sure I am forgetting a few. He is learning the signs from mommy and daddy, his therapists, and the Signing Times DVD's. These are fun interactive videos with really upbeat music that Kyle enjoys dancing too. Believe me, I would much prefer to hear him speak the words, but I'm just so proud of what he does learn. He is really imitating a lot more as well, including sounds, actions, and a few words.

Speaking of dancing, Kyle loves to dance. Anytime he hears music, he starts moving. It's so adorable to watch. His favorite song to dance to is the Bob The Builder theme song. At times, I will turn on Bob the Builder just so we can dance. It's really fun!! I really want to record his dancing and post a little video on my blog for all to see.

It's beginning to hit me that we will soon be officially transitioning from The First Steps program and into the school district. I'm sure once we are back from vacation all the evalutions and testing will get underway. I'm nervous, but also very excited. I only hope he will transition to his new preschool setting the way he did to his current school. I'm sure he will because Kyle has a very "go with the flow" personality and attitude.

Enough rambling for one post. Hope everyone is enjoying their week!

Slowly, But Surely

Kyle's main developmental delay is speech. He receives speech therapy at home and also at preschool. He is a very vocal little guy and is always making noise of some sort. (Takes after his Daddy.) At first it was strictly babble, but it has recently turned into jargon...AKA "Kyle-ese". He has quite a few consistent words he uses frequently and plenty of words he uses every now and then. Not everyone would be able to understand his words or phrases, but I do and can make out what he is saying due to the context of what he is doing. As a homework assignment his speech therapist asked us to write a list of words he says, so just for the record I wanted to list them here. (Car, dog, clock, cracker, Kyle, daddy, no, yes, down, ball, up, duck, star, book, wee, what's that, oh no, all done, and Thomas, Dora, this is (have heard only once or twice.) I'm sure there are several I am forgetting, but the list will be a work in progress.

It's so cute to listen to him talk...his tone of voice is so adorable! His favorite word of all time is "car" which he must say a thousand times a day. Anything with wheels is a car, although he is beginning to understand there is a difference. "Oh No" is another one heard in our house countless times a day, considering he is constantly dropping something or being too mischeivious... it is very appropriate.

On the flip side of his communication skills, Kyle's receptive language (what he understands) is amazing. The child understands most of what we say which certainly helps a great deal and follows most directions like a pro. He certainly knows when he is in trouble and will lay his head down or cover his eyes with his hands. After a few minutes he usually wants a hug just to assure him that everything is OK. Oh, I love my sweet, affectionate, little boy!

It will be very exciting when Kyle and I are able to have a "true" conversation. When that time comes, I will most likely say, "Why was I so anxious for you to talk." Kyle has overcome so many obstacles in his two and half years and I have faith he will overcome his speech delay in the near future. He is definitely "My Miracle Baby", as well as "My Little Munchkin".