Monday, November 4, 2002

Life's still whizzing by around here. I was at least able to make it home at an early enough hour last Thursday to go trick or treating, which Timothy enjoyed. He doesn't get oh so excited about the chocolate, but the kid loves lollipops like you wouldnlt believe. You'd think he's hit the lotto and was set for life! Timothy went as a football player. Morgan didn't join us as he was still under the weather, and wouldn't put on his costume. He didn't seem to care though. Timothy also loved answering the door and insisted on holding the bowl of candy while the kids picked what they wanted.

Morgan is starting to get the hang of using words. Tonight Timothy kicked him off the couch and he said "no! no! no!", so that was very encouraging. Saturday night he was playing with me on the couch and did something I can't remember anymore and wouldn't stop so I spanked him and put him down. He ran to Josh for comfort, who wouldn't give it and told him he had to go tell mommy sorry. Back he came and climbed in my lap. He pointed at himself with two fingers and said "uh-oh" and then gave me a kiss. Is that cute or what?!

Morgan has taken to singing. Ok, most would not call it singing. I had my mom listen when she was on the phone. "do you hear him singing?" I said. "I hear someone yelling" she said. He sits in the kitchen where we keep the keyboard (well where else would you put it?) and plays jingle bells (thank you elmo) on one note while singing at the top of his lungs holding the last note as long as he can.

I had Timothy's parent teacher conference today. They didn't recommend therapy so I guess it went well. They said he spent the first month mostly observing, and is starting to interact with the other kids but hasn't quite figured out how to play WITH the kids instead of taking the toys away from them. Still, they seemed to think he was getting there and recommended we try to invite one of his closer friends over for more one on ones. I got to read his journal. He draws all his people with belly buttons. there was a picture of me next to which said "that's mommy, she's going to work". Then there was Josh "that's daddy he likes to go shopping". Then Morgan "that's Morgan. he's sad because he doesn't like to go to my school". Then Timothy (he spells his name Timmy now) "that's me. I know the letters for mommy, daddy, and Morgan too". There were also pages from September that were mostly scribbles, so he's definitely showing improvement. He has trouble with Ms, but the rest of his letters look pretty good. the teachers asked me about wheel of fortune. Giving my forehead a slap, I explained that my weird kid has always liked game shows - now he's addicted to Nick GAS which is reruns of kid game shows from the early 90s. They said that it was impressive he knew vowels from consonants since that's a 1st grade skill. Well, at least tv has some redeeming qualities!

Morgan has finally started playing the computer and knows how to say bear game. He loves the animals on the farm part and has learned new sounds for old macdonald (my favorite is the snake as he does a very good hiss). Unfortunately, he does things to the computer that we're not sure how he does them, but end up weird, so we have to be careful when he plays. He's also taken quite a liking to wheel of fortune, and repeats all the letters and cheers whole heartedly for the winner. There may be hope for him yet!

Both boys adore the Raffi video we have. Timothy's memorized all the songs, plus the commentary in between, so he can pretty much give the whole concert from start to finish, which will come in handy if the power ever goes out.

I guess that's it from here.