The dreaded "no"!

Happy boy

It's been a week since our last round of ABM sessions.  Carson has continued to be a talking champ.  He just loves to gab right now!

He is consistently and purposefully saying "mama".  Yes that's right - he loves me!!!  :)

He has also said "dada" which makes Kevin thrilled.  Typically when saying daddy, it's been in a whisper and he just says "da".  It's been a joke in our home that people will starting speaking Kevin's name with reverence from here on out.  Now he's moving from a reverent "da", to a loud and proud "dada".  Quite exciting.

And probably the word most feared by parents - "No" - has now been uttered.  He isn't using it properly yet but he at least knows how to say the word.  haha.  But I'm sure the meaning behind it is around the corner  :)

Carson loves petting (and kinda hitting) our dog, Kobe.  Kobe loves to lick Carson like a popsicle. It's a mutual relationship of being in each others personal space.  Just this week, Carson has been saying "Koko" for Kobe.  So now Carson smiles at the mention of Kobe and says her name.

Lying on right side

Also this week - we starting working with Diane, Carson's TVI (teacher of the visually impaired) to work on feeding.  We typically put his food right on the tray of his high chair, but are now going to consistently use plates and bowls.  Part of this is teaching Carson to know when all his food is gone and giving him opportunity to ask for more.  As part of this, we always make a big deal of saying "all done".  Carson is now saying that back to us  :)  And it seems that he is making the connection to what that phrase means!

Happy on his right side

With physical changes - he isn't rolling completely over much anymore.  I think its because he dislikes being on his tummy so much.  But even though he's not rolling to his tummy, he is really getting the hang of rolling to his right side!  Carson has always hated being on his right side - his head or his body.  But even right now as I'm watching him play on the floor, he keeps rolling to his right side.  So great to witness him learning his body and his 'place in space'.  It's so exciting!

Keep it coming little man..................

Rollin' and a Rockin'

Sleeping with his head
to the right!  Now he's
rocking towards his
right!  RIGHT on!  :)

It seems like all I'm doing right now is posting awesome updates on Carson.  NOT COMPLAINING in the least.... its just a bit surreal.

So, not only has our boy becoming a rockin 'roller' from his back to his tummy towards his left side, but now while on his back, he's rocking to the side towards the RIGHT!  Not quite ready to roll to his right, but we have never seen him wanting to be on his right side - let alone intentionally moving in that direction!  We've witnessed it a few times the last couple days.

My son is awesome.... that's all there is too it.

The Good, the Bad and the Uh-oh

Carson & Adrianna by the tree on Christmas Day

Christmas is over.  What a great couple days with family!  Carson was unfortunately on the fussy side - between getting in his pesky 2 year molars and over stimulation from the festivities, tears were a'plenty.

But over the last few days, we've noticed Carson trying to roll from his back to his tummy, towards the left side.  His left arm gets caught under him so he can't go completely over, but he's as 'over' as possible with a stuck arm.  He really uses his entire body now to make the motion - legs, hips, pelvis and head which adds to the 'awesomeness' of him doing it.  He's been able to 'struggle' to roll from his belly to back from quite some time - so this is the first time we've really seen him purposefully trying to roll from back to tummy.

That's the Good.

Happy Boy on Christmas Eve

The Bad.... we have grow accustomed to propping Carson up on our couch.  He typically sits in the corner of the couch or on top of the crack between two cushions.  Today the couch and the rolling collided... we didn't see it happen but one minute he was sitting like normal, and the next minute he was on the ground.

THANKFULLY he let out a couple cries but then was fine.  He was more startled then hurt.  For the life of us, neither Kevin or I can figure out how he ended up on the ground, on the OTHER end of the couch from where he was sitting.  It'll always be a mystery.

Regardless, now that we've had this 'uh oh' - it means no more sitting on the couch by himself.  Bummer as its helpful when we are trying to get ready to leave somewhere or when he's eating a snack, but so it is.  So thankful we learned this lesson without injury.

Very excited to see rolling is just around the corner  :)  Just no more rolling from the couch  ;)

"Ba Ba" please

Carson is such a happy, funny, cute little man.  Recently though, his happiness has been overshadowed by tears and fussiness - darn 2 year molars!!!!  Teething has been such a difficult thing for him!

Planting his left foot during his session today

In spite of the teething pain, Carson did great during his two sessions with Naomi today.  

Over the last few weeks, we've noticed him planting his right foot while lying on the floor on his back.  Today during our sessions, he planted his left foot and kept it strong for a bit - and later saw him keep both his feet planted for a few seconds at a time.  So cool to see!

After our second session today, while sitting on my lap, Carson said 'ba ba'.  He normally only says that after I say Bottle.  I assumed he was asking for a drink so I gave him one.  Not sure if he was asking for his Bottle or not, but it was great to hear him initiate it!

And to end our night - Carson was so fun!  So much talking, so many laughs, so many smiles.  Was a wonderful way to end our day.  Looking forward to two more sessions tomorrow!!!

"Where's Carson"?

Sick little man

Little man came down with the flu this week and has had a hard time getting back to his perky self.  Thankfully today we started to see some smiles and hear his voice again.  Was worried that he might have another 'set back' with this flu, but things seem to be progressing still!!!

We've been witnessing a few more cool things.....

While lying on his back, Carson is continuing to plant his right foot.  Even if he's not 'pushing' with it, he's keep his leg steady.  Unless he is kicking, his legs are always 'floppy' and frog-legged.  He now likes to keep his foot on the ground!  It looks so strong!  Even his nurse noticed it this week.

Today while on his back, he rolled to his side to play (not unusual to roll to his side, but he doesn't usually stay in that position for very long, but he did this time).  While on his side, he started rotating his right hip back and forth.  One of the things our practitioner is looking for, is helping Carson understand 'differentiation' in his body.  Until recently, his entire body just moved like it was one big 'block'.... his upper torso, lower torso, and head would all just move together (where with most people, we typically can move one section of our torso, apart from other parts... this is not something that has occurred with Carson's body).  Seeing him purposely move his hip (and later, a little movement in his pelvis, separate from the rest of his torso) was so great to see!  

A game daddy tries to play with Carson is "Where's Carson"?  Carson covers his eyes with his right forearm when he's tired.  When he does that, or after Kevin puts his arm in that position, he'll say "Where's Carson" and sometimes, Carson will move his arm from his eyes.  Super cute to watch.  But tonight........... Kevin randomly said "Where's Carson?" when Carson was just playing, and with a smile, he was intentionally moving his arm up towards his eyes.  He did it so quickly but it was purposeful and fun!  I was able to capture it a bit on this YouTube Video [at about the 25 second mark]....  

Exciting things!!!  Encouraging things!!!  Beautiful things!!!