Time Flies

I cannot believe that Caden is already 13 months old. I called to make a follow up appointment with the ENT to check on those crazy ears. I also had to call the Early Childhood Interventionist people because Caden doesn't say any words or wave bye-bye or point. He should at least be doing one of those things. They are coming by Thursday morning to meet with me and Caden. He has no problem understanding language. He does what I ask him to. He babbles constantly and interacts with everyone but he just doesn't "use his words". I think that maybe it is just him being stubborn and trying to give him mom something new to worry about. But the teacher in me knows that if something is actually wrong the earlier we intervene the better. Dr. Ferrel thinks it may be related to all his ear trouble and previous hearing loss. He may just be a little behind the curve. But they will let me know a little on Thursday and then more when they send their person who actually does the assessments.

He loves playing outside and he is a first rate problem solver. I just love watching him work on something until he figures it out. He is currently working on figuring out how to put the batteries back in the remote after he takes them out. His latest solution is to bring the remote to me. Then he goes and gets a battery for me to put in while he watches. Then he goes and gets the other battery and tries it himself. He usually needs a little help getting it in. Last night we played bring Mommy stuff around the living room. It was really funny watching him try to walk while carrying his guitar. He figured it out though. Then he tried a different way when he took the guitar to Daddy.

He still enjoys singing and music. He babbles constantly about things. He has a bizarre sense of humor but then he takes after his Dad in that respect. He loves walking around. I think he is very proud of himself for walking. He wants to walk everywhere now and is learning how to negotiate steps and other hazards in his way. Perhaps he will be more graceful than his mommy.

Chris and I are busy. He has been very busy with implementing OEI at work and then inventory. I do not miss inventory. I have been busy making kindergartners into first graders. I am so proud of my class. They are reading beautifully and most are writing 2 to 3 sentences phonetically that can be easily read and understand. They are beginning to understand the editing process. When I read back to them what they have written they say, :that doesn't make sense." It is wonderful to hear that. Then we work together to figure out how to fix it. I think I am getting better at this teacher thing. Most of my class is now where last years class was at the end of the year in both reading and writing. They are also clever and confident enough to stop me and ask what a word means if they aren't sure. They are wonderful, bright, caring, kids. And yes they are mine. I spend more time with them than their parents, so for this year they are mine.