It is the little things.....

Benaiah has been a busy little guy.  Yesterday, he made this snow man.  He cut out the circles and glued them. He also can fly through the first set of his apraxia flash cards now and even say a couple he didn't know before.  His new words include turkey, boys' room and saying boat correctly instead of  saying boak.  Today he worked with Vacil and got covered in cement, but he had fun.  Tonight before going to bed he said "Momma no read book me no nini"( If mommy doesn't read a book to me I am not going to sleep).  I have been pushing the book reading and it has clicked obviously.

This is the snowman that Benaiah made.

Therapy

 Ever since Benaiah was a baby, the presents all revolve around things that can be used for therapy.  So Benaiah was given a scooter board to work on upper body strength from Miss Denise.  We gave him a put together set that requires 2 hands and a alphabet puzzle that will be used for speech.

 Benaiah was working on his scrapper sounds with me Christmas night.

 This morning he played his lego game which requires 2 hands.  Then we changed up the plans and worked on tracing and repeating the names of shapes.  Benaiah took a break and played with play dough.

 This is the first time I pulled this out here in Ukraine.  He seemed to really like doing this and worked long and hard.  We talked about all his OTs that are back in Missouri- Miss Denise, Miss Cathy, Miss Abby and Mr Justin.

His hand looks good to me.  He still holds his pencil correctly.  Benaiah is a sweet boy who is starting to say more words and over all he really has joy about him.

Why?

    The why questions have started.  Benaiah has been asking why for a while now, but never has he asked why do I have to wear braces, why not Silas?  Why can't I talk? 

     So tonight while putting him down for bed I got to tell him all about his stroke, how happy we are that he survived, why he can't talk, why he has to wear his night braces.   He seemed to understand epilepsy the most, but up until this summer that was the biggest thing we were dealing with that he would remember.  During our furlough this time he ended up with alot of physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech so he has figured out that something is different with him.  I told him I was so proud of how hard he has worked and how far he has come. How he can use a scissors, hold a pencil correctly, jump.  I told him that I believed that he has many words in his head that his tongue can't get out.  He then proceeded to say tongue and then stuck it out.  I told him God is using him already and that God never makes a mistake.  Patch the Pirate sings a great song that he wrote when he was battling cancer.  These are the words:


Rejoice in the Lord

God never moves without purpose or plan
When trying His servant and molding a man.
Give thanks to the Lord though your testing seems long;
   
In darkness He giveth a song.
I could not see through the shadows ahead,
So I looked at the cross of my Savior instead.
I bowed to the will of the Master that day;
Then peace came and tears fled away.
Now I can see testing comes from above;
God strengthens His children and purges in love.
My Father knows best, and I trust in His care;
Through purging, more fruit I will bear. 
O rejoice in the Lord, He makes no mistake.
He knoweth the end of each path that I take.
For when I am tried and purified,
I shall come forth as gold.
—Ron Hamilton (“Patch the Pirate”)

    Tonight was tough for me, but I knew it was coming.  I believe he went to sleep understanding more about himself.  

12 weeks

Being prompted to say Merry Christmas and presents.  

A better smile

Benaiah made 12 weeks seizure free yesterday.  We were obviously very happy and I am counting it as one of my Christmas presents.  Benaiah has complete understanding now about what Christmas is.  He can mimic Merry Christmas.

A month home

So we have been home for a month now.  Benaiah has adjusted very well to being home.  He likes to help in the kitchen and play with Silas, 7 yrs old.  We have been working on his preschool workbook pages and he really seems to understand the concepts. He holds his pencil good and is cutting with a scissors well.  I have to watch his hand position but I am pleased with how he is doing. I have him repeat the pictures so he is also getting speech.  He has fallen in love with books and enjoys listening to them.  This morning I woke up to him working on his flashcards by himself.  Oh and lastly, he loves the snow.