I really like the fact that the school sends a daily update of Lil’ B’s progress.  It helps me figure out what the rest of the day is going to be like… At least usually.  If I get a note like the one I got today it usually spells a pretty good afternoon:

Another Great Day. He helps me at circle and music time.  He likes doing the weather.

Most days that would spell a great homecoming.  Today is not quite one of those days.  Perhaps it’s a matter of perspective, but to me Lil’ B. seems crankier than usual today and a bit prone to throwing a fit at the drop of a hat.  I think he’s just overtired, but I can’t prove that theory until after dinner and bed time.

On the plus side, he’s advancing in language skills very rapidly.  when we first heard that he was probably autistic we were warned that he might never speak, but he’s proving the doctors wrong all across the board on that one.  With any luck we’re dealing with an extremely delayed child that will be a very close approximation of normal (whatever that is) by the time he’s in High School.

That’s my hope at least, but then it’s my job to dream big, isn’t it.

For today; Peace. I’m out.

It’s been hectic around the Russell compound for the past few days, what with long weekends and nagging coughs. Add visits by grandparents and half-brothers and all kinds of craziness, and I find that I’m just a bit behind here, but this will be corrected immediately!

I have Three days worth to catch you up on.  I promise I’ll get the routine back on track now that we’re done with short weeks for a while!

So, Friday’s Report from School:

Great Day. Very polite. Saying “Thank you” and “You’re welcome”.

Yep, that’s my boy.  He’s using his manners, even if he has a difficult time forming a sentence sometimes.  It makes me smile.

And Monday:

Good day.  does the hand motions to the songs and sings them.  Imitates very well.

I would be thrilled with this if they’d send me a list of the songs they sing in class.  have to remind myself to send a note tomorrow.  While he is singing songs and doing pretty well, I don’t recognize them, so I can’t sing with him!

And lastly we get caught up with today:

Starting to use his classmates names when he talks to them.  He has come such a long way in the short time he’s been here. He is a pleasure to have in class.

Now that’s a great way to end a post, donchathink!

I have a lot more tomorrow.

Peace. I’m out.

There have been troubles in school this week.  Lil’ B. has fallen, gotten scraped, been bitten and had a perpetual cough that he can’t shake.  There have been mornings when he didn’t want to go to school until he saw his bus.  There have been a few tantrums too, all part and parcel of a three year-old’s life.

Today was a very good day for him though:

Great day. Very engaged with staff and watched the other kids intently. A lot of imitating what others were doing. (Smiley Face)

A lot of this mirrors what I’ve already seen at home.  Lil’ B. has been doing a lot of imitating.  He has also begun to initiate interactions with his brothers, myself and the dog. (I was worried about the last part, he missed our last dog terribly and I was afraid he would not get close to the new one.)

He’s doing his best to ask for what he wants and pointing when the words fail him.  He’s been doing consistently better with these things and others.  He sings songs, sings TV intro tunes, knows the names of characters in his brothers’ favorite shows. In short, he’s slowly but steadily putting chips and cracks in the glass bubble that’s held him inside himself for his entire life.

I’m incredibly proud of the little guy.  His efforts inspire me to to more myself, to push harder when things get difficult and to strive to break out of the habits I’ve formed over a lifetime.  He inspires his brothers, his friends and everyone he meets.

I could go on of course, I’m his father after all.  But I’m sure that I’m not the only father that has ever stood where I stand now, nor will I be the last for at least a while.

I’d love to hear the stories those parents have as well, so if any of you are listening out there in the bit streams that form up the Internet, chime in.  My sons story is no more important than the stories that you have to share.

Peace. I’m out.

It was a worry.  There is always a worry when kids, especially young kids go back to school after a long break.  worries that they will have forgotten how to behave.  Worries that they won’t want to go at all.  Worries of fits, tantrums or long, drawn-out fits.

News from the school today:

Great day. got right back into the routine without any problems. Followed directions very well.

I shouldn’t have worried.  Lil’ B., you’re doing just fine.  I’m proud of you.

Peace. I’m out.

It’s been a long while since I’ve updated this space, and that’s jut a bloody shame.  There have been a million things going on, some good, some bad, some horrendous but each a learning experience in its own right.  the lack of updates then, is not due to a lack of things worthy of comment, but rather a lack of time on my part to handle more than the necessities.

That changes today.

with a new year upon us and new goals and challenges facing us, I think that he least I can do is take just a few minutes per day to update the world on my son’s progress and the challenges that he is rapidly overcoming.

Speech is less of an issue than it used to be.  Lil’ B. now speaks nearly as well as most 18-20 month old children do. He can ask for a cup, an apple, a banana or chicken.  The words aren’t 100% clear, but they are understandable.  he can say Daddy and cup.  he no longer relies on a bottle.  He goes to school, where the teachers call him a ray of sunlight.

His laugh still makes everyone in its vicinity break out in a smile.

No, life isn’t perfect, but it is moving along.  For the most part it moves in a positive direction.  The school sends a daily status report home for us and at the very least, I’ll be sharing those notes five out of seven days a week.  When possible I’ll share more about Lil’ b, my thoughts on the news of the day or whatever else I can find to say on the subject.

In the end though, this is a “daddy blog”. Even if that daddy happens to be a professional blogger in other circles, this is, and always will be, about my family, my life and what affects them.

five minutes in sequence.  That’s all I’m asking for.  In that time I could fill you in on some of the things that have been going on with Lil’ B.  In that time I could start writing several of the articles I’ve got jotted down on notepads next to my keyboard. If I only had five minutes in a row.

Unfortunately I haven’t had five minutes. I’ve already had to stop three times while writing this.  After checking email to make sure I’m not missing something from my Realtor, checking twitter to make sure that I’ve answered anything that’s pointed at me and checking my well overdue to-do list, I’ve barely had time to post a few recipes.  there hasn’t been time to work on any of the other projects I’ve wanted to get done.

(A brief pause while the kidling is diverted from tearing his headboard off the bed)

Things have been going well and Lil’B. has been making great strides.  I’m hoping that at some point this week I have the time to share all of this with you.  for now, I think I have to go put the lil’ guy back in bed…

Again.

Peace, I’m out.