It's All Good

Things have been going very well in Bobby's World lately.  He has been surprising us almost daily with new achievements, some big (at least to us) and some small.  It is like he has entered the toddler developmental stage where you are so excited to see what they are learning...better late than never!!! Compared to where we were this past Feb-July (almost rock bottom), we couldn't be happier!!!!

Santa's watching you Bobby...you'd better be nice!!

Today was his school's holiday program.  This is the first year that Bobby is actually going into music class and participating (well, participating Bobby style...I'm sure other kids would get in trouble if they acted this way!!  LOL).  Bobby had a HUGE achievement yesterday while the school was having their dress rehearsal.  All the kids sat in the bleachers to watch each other so that they could see the show.  Bobby Smith went into the gym and sat in the bleachers and watched the program for an hour.  Yes, for those who really know him, I said an HOUR!!!  He sat for an HOUR. In case you didn't get that...he sat for an HOUR.  Ms. Kim sat beside him, not holding him.  They used his token system and he earned his tokens for his reward.  Yeah Bobby!  Now this is a skill that this child really, really, really needs to learn.

He didn't/couldn't stand with his class during rehearsal without being held by his teacher, so his teacher and I decided that he wouldn't participate in the actual program.  I didn't want him being held there by a teacher, I want him to be able to stand there independently and participate.  But I am still so beyond thrilled that he stayed in the bleachers and watched.  Who know, maybe one day we will be able to take him to a movie or a show or something!!!  I know, I'm jumping way ahead of myself.  I went to the program anyway and watched the other kids, they did a great job.

 Checking out the Christmas tree before school this morning.  Grandma did a great job modifying Bobby's holiday shirt so that he can't chew on the sleeves anymore.

I already shared that Bobby ate lo mein, well he also ate a whole piece of Long John Silvers fish.  I know, it's definitely not the healthiest fish, but it was a piece of fish.  Even funnier, he didn't eat the french fries (his absolute favorite), just the piece of fish.  He took a bite of my hamburger the other day, chewed and swallowed it.  He didn't come back to get another bite, but he didn't spit it out either.  He has also been trying yogurt, it takes him over an hour to eat about 1/4 container, but it is not his preferred consistency of food.

He gets himself set up on the computer all on his own (it's a touch screen computer).

Putting on his coat to leave school today.

Bobby figured out how to zip his coat completely independently.  I don't have to start the zipper for him, he's got it covered!!!  Fine motor skill triumph!!!!

A few weeks ago Bobby was sitting playing in the dirt.  He removed all of the rocks from his dirt pile one by one and pitched them away.  I finally dawned on me...he is throwing those rocks overhand with purpose and getting them to go where he wants (over the fence).  Throwing overhand has been a goal on Bobby's IEP since he was 3 years old.  Yeah Bobby, he's got that one down!!!!!  Not sure if he has demonstrated this for Coach Lorri, I'll have to remember to ask.

Words are starting to come to Bobby.  After we got home from school today Bobby said "outside" which he does often.  This can either mean that he wants to play outside or that he wants to go for a ride in the car.  He then said "play."  This is a word that I have never heard spontaneously so I jumped up and said "yes, Bobby!  Lets go play outside!!"

For those of you who have heard Bobby in therapy while you were in the waiting room because your child was next or if you were in with another therapist, you know very well that he has had some rough sessions this year.  Over the past month or two he has been doing so much better.   The tone of the sessions lately has moved from feeling like pulling teeth to his behavioral therapist and I jumping for joy.

The hallway of Bobby's school where his classroom is located.  They are having a door decorating contest and the teachers decided to do a theme hall...The 12 Days of Christmas.  SOOO CUTE!!

The door to Bobby's classroom is 3 French Hens and Bobby actually painted the hens.  His teacher picked out the colors and gave him a paintbrush and he painted them with water colors.  Someone else cut them out and made the actual hens, but Bobby painted them.  I'm not sure that I would have believed it if he hadn't done such a great job working on a Christmas craft project (I'll share those pictures after the presents have been distributed).  

Lovely hens...a true genius must have painted them!!

After Bobby was diagnosed with autism, a special needs mom said to me "ebb and flow...ebb and flow."  I totally get what she meant.  We have been ebbing for so long that it is about time that we get to sit back and flow along.  It's so exciting to be in this period where he is wanting to learn.  I pray that it lasts for....well, forever!!!!!