1st Grade Homework

Preschool is going well, Eli is making friends and gives hugs and kisses his teachers when we leave every day. He hasn't once complained about going and barely notices when I leave him there (sniff sniff) but is always excited to see me (or Matt) pick him up. I was wondering how long it would take for one of the teachers to say something about him, and it took a whole 4 days. One day he read all the kids names that were listed somewhere and they were sure to ask us that day if we knew "how smart Eli is."

So today, as my 5 year old is doing her first grade homework, Eli picks up her reading material for the day. It is an easy reader, just made of paper stapled together like a book. He reads every word in the story no problem. Sometimes I wonder how much he is going to get out of public school in a couple of years. I know there is more to it than reading, but he WILL be bored and he is a boy. HE already is super stubborn about things so I'm wondering what he'll be doing when other kids are learning phonics. He read to me "Ten Apples Up on Top" as his bedtime story last night (he reads to me instead of the other way around and prefers it this way).

I think he's really hungry by the end of the day but still will not eat dinner. Picky isn't even the word for Elijah. I would be happy if the only things he would eat were hot-dogs and mac n cheese (hey that was dinner tonight!), but he doesn't eat anything like that. He does like yogurt but it can't have chunks in it. And sometimes he'll eat cereal bars, but usually it's a struggle and he just won't eat. I remember as a baby, around 6 months old, I was having a hard time getting him to finish bottles and he woke up from a nap with his tummy growling and STILL would not drink his bottle. It's heart breaking and everyone says wait because when he's 15 I won't be able to fill him up. I am wondering if this kid will be eating cheez-its and dan-o-ninos for lunch everyday through high school. I was looking into OT since I think he would benefit from feeding sessions, but we cannot afford it at $75 a week for a one hour session. My insurance does not cover OT unless it's from an accident or something...bummer!

One thing that is refreshing (for me) is that he has been playing with cars, sticks, and rocks lately. Having an older sister has him playing with girly toys most of the time, but it's good to see there is a true boy in him deep down :)

First day of preschool eve

Tomorrow is Eli's first day of Preschool. He is 3.5 years old and it's been quite an interesting few years. Since is he starting "big boy" school tomorrow it has me reflecting on his life so far.

Points of interest:
1. Born only 5 days early after trying to come 5 weeks early. A "big" baby at 8 lb 10 oz.
2. He did not eat for 24 hours after birth and even then the nurses had to convince him to try a bottle (I wanted to nurse but he was never interested).
3. Slept mostly the first 3 months of his life, but did hit milestones pretty much on time such as smiling and laughing and even rolling over.
4. Started having reoccurring ear infections starting at 4 months old.
5. By 12 months old needed tubes in his ears since ear infections would not clear with antibiotics.
6. From 12 - 18 months old was a pretty good eater. Enjoyed spaghetti, hot-dogs, mac 'n cheese, peas...really just about anything.
7. Very "to himself" most of the time. Almost like anything outside of a 2ft square from where he was sitting was not there.
8. Did not turn to his name being called by 16 months old and was not saying any words except "uh oh"
9. Evaluated for speech and deemed "severely delayed". At 17 months old he had the speech of a 6-9 month old.
10. ALWAYS HAPPY!
11. Speech therapy began at 18 months old and continued for next 18 months.
12. Around this time all interest in food stopped! He loved milk but that was about it.
13. Soon after his speech evaluation, I started noticing his interest in letters. I wrote some letters on a board and he could name most and even tell me the sounds they made. I had no idea!
14. Speech started off slowly and did not really progress until he was 25 months old. Usually he was not willing to participate unless letters were involved.
15. Went to developmental pediatrician and he was not diagnosed with autism (not even on the spectrum), but does have "autistic tendencies" such as not pointing, lining things up, spinning his body in circles, overly picky eating, etc. He also showed "hyperlexic" characteristics.
16. After his 2nd birthday he started reading (possibly even before). He could read so much it would take me by surprise. The speech therapist began using that in our sessions to help him label things. Also around this time he began writing all the letters obsessively.
17. Sometime between 2 and 2.5 he started calling me mommy.
18. By 3 he could talk really well...still delayed but not enough to be qualified for services. Hardest thing for him is pragmatics.
19. Reading had exploded and is sometimes an obsession for him. He can read most K level books and some 1st grade level. Again surprising me with what he knows considering I never "taught" him to read.
20. Today he spelled words on the chalk board in his play room and wrote "mommy loves eli".
21. Meal time is a constant battle, he is not interested in much and would prefer to "drink" his meals.

He has come a long way in the past year and I'm so very proud of him. We can have clear conversations now and he loves everyone! I will use Eli's blog to document how much he has changed and how he will continues to change as his world continues to expand.