I must admit, I love living in the northeast come Autumn time! The apples are delicious and all from our local farms, the pumpkin patches are everywhere outside of the city, and I love finding new places to take the kids. The past two months have been busy busy busy, but many great things are happening.
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The other day, Gladys (her physical therapist) walked in, picked her up, said "Hi Anna! Hello! Hi!" As Anna smiled and responded with her usual big smile. The next thing we heard was Anna sigh and breathe out "Hiiiiiiii." Gladys was absolutely convinced Anna had figured out how to say "Hi" by breathing it out. So she said "Hi" again. And... Anna breathed it out. Clear as day. "Hiiiiiiii," with a big smile on her face.
She has been turning the pages in her books (with assistance, of course, but this is a big step from her trying to eat the books until a month ago), and we have little cue cards with different picture representing her favorite songs. She will pick a card and we will sing the corresponding song. While we know she is capable of so much more, and know there is an eye-gaze system in her future, these are wonderful stepping stones for a 2-year old who before didn't even have this. We are learning, bit by bit.
We are really excited to receive her alternative augmentative communication technology and really hoping it comes before Thanksgiving and Christmas so we can share it with our families in Florida and Ohio.
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Gabe's doing great at his new school and loving kindergarten. Tomorrow I am one of the chaperones for his first field trip! I can't wait! Hopefully we have another beautiful sunny Fall day like we did today. He's been a great listener lately and he is thisclose to memorizing the Lord's Prayer and reciting it on his own. He's working on writing stories of his own at school and drawing pictures to go with the stories. He has quite a bit of homework, so we have developed a great routine for after school. We have snack, and he works on his homework at the kitchen table while I make dinner. We usually finish at the same time, then it's (what else?) dinner! Usually it's after 6 when we finish up, then bath, then bed. The evenings go so fast! I'm not exactly complaining, but I can't help but think what it will be like once he gets a little older and into a Fall sport and has practices and games. I think I will count my blessings that he is still in kindergarten.
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As for Manny and myself, we have been working hard! I've had my fair share of writing assignments at The Tablet and he has been working at what seems like every studio in Manhattan and New Jersey for the past 6 weeks. I am thankful for all of the work but I will be a little happy when things settle down around the Holidays. On top of it all, I decided to "get back into it" at the gym. I was so happy with the weight loss and overall "in shape" I was last year before life seemingly spiraled out of control and we were diagnosed. I haven't had much time to devote to taking care of myself the past few months, but now that we are finding this "new normal" we speak of, I've been hitting the gym and calorie-counting. It's been really good for me and my mental (and of course, physical) health... While I love me some comfort food, I hate the way I feel after. I am excited to take back control again!
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One more thing:
And mom, get on Facebook already!
You are the only one I have to post this link for...
You are the only one I have to post this link for...
I love you.
:)
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