Update on Jo Man

I feel a lot has happened recently, specifically with our little Joey, so I'll see what I can remember it all!

Joey started preschool last month, and already switched classrooms and times to meet his needs. He absolutely loves school even though he can't tell me the names of any of his friends or even his teacher's name. We'll get around to that eventually. Meanwhile he is learning to write letters and enjoys reading books.

Not at his school, but he's pretty excited about his new backpack he wears.

Before he started preschool, he was really enjoying a show called Little Einsteins. Being the classical music lover that I am, I highly approved of this show, and eventually he requested to play the cello. Sam and I gave in right away and ordered an 1/8 sized cello for our little buddy. He called it baby cello as it was so little in comparison to my cello! We won't start him on lessons for at least another year, but it was nice to see him take an interest!

Showing him around the cello

Joey has always been a careful little man, but he has started to get more brave and try things he was scared of doing before. As a result of jumping off a box, he hit his mouth pretty hard to the point that he got a bloody nose, torn frenulum, knocked loose front tooth, and a fat lip! I still don't know what exactly happened since I wasn't looking when it happened. We thought we had dental insurance, but when we looked it up, we weren't signed up. So, we waited it out to see if his tooth got better. It turned gray, but it was less loose. We'll see what happens! I swear it looked less gray today, but do teeth do that?

The result. What a trooper!

We started potty training after our trip end of July to see if we could get him on a routine before school started. He was actually doing better than I thought he would, but we are still far from the end goal of complete autonomy over going on the toilet. In fact, we had major regression just this weekend, so we're back in pull ups for my sanity. But I'm not going to stop training! He is just too old for my liking to still wear diapers.

Other random things: Joey started asking the question "What's that?" to everything, more to test his parents' knowledge than an actual desire to know what things are. It gets annoying quick to be honest. I'm ready for him to understand "why" questions, but not ready for the hoard of "why" questions that will be asked! 

Joey carries two stuffed puppies with him at all times, and even feeds them and gives them water and baths. He would die and go to heaven if we got a real dog, but our rental doesn't allow it. 

Found him like this with his puppies and cello one day. He cracks me up!

Joey is making leaps and bounds in speech, and even knows the sounds to all the letters of the alphabet. He isn't close to reading though, because he doesn't know how to sound out words even when I work with him every day. Still, I'm pretty proud of this kid. 

Lastly, he was walking into the bathroom after I told him to use the potty and he said "there's a bug!" I peeked in to see what he meant and saw a baby lizard. I have no idea how he got in since our bathroom is pretty far from the front or back door and we have no windows cracked. But it sure was cute. We caught it and let it back outside. Hopefully it didn't die of starvation or heat!

The baby lizard was tiny! I think he was brand new.

I think this is about all I'll share, but Joey is one of a kind!

Dear Joseph,

Four years ago we became parents, and not only that, but parents to you! Time has flown by, and yet I can hardly remember life without having you. This was a good year, and I've learned quite a bit. Your speech has really improved, and I can understand most of what you are trying to communicate to me (unless you are hysterical or being silly with your language). We decided to see if you could receive services through the Albuquerque Public School system, and they did some testing and it turns out you meet the "educational criteria" for autism. I don't think it's a full diagnosis, but it has helped me as a mama to be more mindful and patient with you.

We tried potty training you, and you were doing fairly well (as long as I forced you to sit on the toilet), but I think we both started getting lazy. That, and knowing you could have autism, I decided to wait until you are ready for the transition. But some other new things you can do: pedal, slide without coaxing, dress and undress with a little help, unlock our front door, and play simple games. Speaking of unlocking doors, we have to be careful about that. You like to wander out without adults at our apartment and a couple days ago we could not find you anywhere! Of course you were in the last little corner of the complex we didn't check. I'm trying to figure out how to teach you about safety.

You love your screen time and you've taken a liking to many shows. From your third birthday to fourth, you loved Curious George, Super Why, Little Einsteins, then...PAW PATROL. Puppies and firetrucks, you are smitten. The theme song is really the only song you will sing at the moment (but your singing is so cute). You have Paw Patrol toys, blanket, body wash, clothes and shoes. We'll see when you grow out of it, but it doesn't seem like it will be anytime soon. Your love for cars or things that go haven't been diminished, though. And your brother is following in your footsteps with that love.

You and your brother. I'm hoping you are gaining some sort of a relationship, but right now you have typical big brother tendencies. Eli is always bothering you in some way, even if he is ten feet away from you or sitting in my lap. However, we babysit a little boy around Eli's age once a week and you love this baby. He even does the same things Eli does. It's actually funny in a way. You don't like Eli for the fact that he is your brother. You are always wary of any actions of his, thinking all of them are malicious and intentionally annoying. We'll figure out how to get you to to get along one day. You have friends and cousins that you don't mind playing with, although you tend to still like playing by yourself.

Another show you love is the Magic School Bus. Because we were able to get services through APS, you now go to to a preschool that combines speech, occupational, and physical therapy. What you were most excited about was riding the school bus there! You were happy to go to school for the first week, and then the excitement wore off. Little do you know, buddy, that you will be going to school for pretty much the next 20 years or so. Since we are moving to Texas next month, we'll have to figure out school for you. I'm not considering home schooling, but the hardest part of your going to school is having a couple hours in your day that I am not a part of. I don't really know what you do at school, who your friends are, or even what you ate for breakfast. It's hard to see my Joey begin some of his life without us!

We thought you had pinkeye on your birthday, so we took you to the doctor (turns out it was just bad allergies). But we got your weight (35 lbs) which is a 7 pounds heavier than last year. You (and your brother) have been terrible eaters lately, but your favorite foods at the moment are: yogurt, fruit, corndogs, goldfish, jelly sandwiches, soda, pizza, and water. Typical picky eater diet. You got your first cavity this year too, along with your first ER visit. Some of your favorite things include: puppies, the zoo, the aquarium, the beach, Explora, Jeep Grandma (Grandma Hobbs), Chicken Grandma (Grandma Kartchner), Dion's, firetrucks, garbage trucks, police cars, buses, and cousins. Some things you don't like are: scary scenes in movies, most food, sharing, doctors and dentists, using the potty, and going to bed.

If you ever feel you are just one person in the world, remember you mean the world to us. You really do. You are a happy little guy who's learning so much. You became a Sunbeam this year and I'm excited to expand your gospel knowledge and sing all those songs with you. I hope Christ influences your life and that His Light shines through you. This year will be a big one for all of us, so let's make it fun and meaningful. You are so loved.

Love, Mama