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.
