The middle of March is here already and it is time for another update about Benjamin. He is growing like a weed everyday! He just got his first pair of Adidas shoes, which are a size 7 1/2. I had no idea it was so hard to find shoes in half sizes for kids! Ben is still wearing a lot of 2T clothing, but in many of his shirts he is already wearing size 3T. He must be built a lot like his Dad and just have a longer torso. This morning his teacher (Ms. Alexia) and I compared to notes and although I already knew my son is a great eater...I was astounded by how much he really eats! Yesterday he ate two bowls of cereal, six slices of orange, two chick patties, two helpings of veggies for lunch, a banana, three tacos, and a small cup of chips. He eats more then I do! I have no idea what we'll do when he is a teenager! His Nagymama wanted a kid that would eat and man did she wish a little too hard! Ben loves to eat his fruits and veggies and will often ask for seconds, which surprises his teacher as many of the other kids just pick at it in his class. I know Ben loves veggies because often he will hog the veggie serving plate after we all get our servings because he wants the last bits of it. I hope that lasts! His teacher is already thinking he'll be built like a football player with all his great, healthy eating habits! I have to agree and I am sure his Dad would be thrilled.
Ben is also having his first speech therapy session this Friday and I am really excited for him about that. It has been a long road to get all the tests, meetings, approvals and forms filled out, but it is finally happening for him. I met with his speech therapist (Ms. Kate) last week and she was wonderful. She is going to work on Ben's oral response as well as his oral speech. Unfortunately they only do the speech sessions during the school year, but when I asked about summer homework, his speech teacher was thrilled to death and told me "I love mothers like you. You really want to help him and are not just going through the motions." Of course I want to help Ben! She has no idea how much that statement meant to me. I almost cried because I've felt so much guilt not getting help for him sooner. For the first time I am excited about getting homework, because I know how much it will help my son. Let the homework and therapy begin! I will also say, since Ben's surgery his speech has improved a bit. This week he said, "apple" and "jacket" for the first time. It may be a little garbled, but he made sense of what he was trying to say. I am so thrilled for him.
Ben also has continued to be such a big help around the house. He loves to help his Mom and Dad. It is so cute seeing his pride written all over his face when he knows he did something great and helpful. Of course we praise him a lot for it. Lately he has helped his Mom bring in groceries from the car (he gets a very light and small bag), takes out the trash (again a small bag usually filled with HIS diapers), helps set the table, waters the plants, throws things away when asked, cleans up small spills, and helps cook/bake (his favorite thing), etc., He just loves to help and even though sometimes there is an extra step in having him help, I love that he does.
Since the warm weather has also FINALLY started to arrive, we have been playing a lot outside. Ben is loving the new side walk chalk I bought him and we have little artist drawings up and down our sidewalk. Ben also is IN LOVE with playing inside a play house at his school. He can't get enough of it and all the teachers comment how much Ben loves playing in there. Once when the kids were being called inside, Ben hid out being very quiet in his house. Obviously they knew someone was missing and easily found out it was Ben...and they knew where to look. Little stinker! His Uncle Danny did something similar once when he was a boy so it seems that our family thinks a lot alike!
