Clap, Clap, Clap!

Carson is a rock star!  That's not new news of course but what is new - Carson is clapping!!!!!!!!!!!!  What adds to the excitement is - he taught himself!  This was not something we purposefully taught him.  I'd been seeing him do it for a few days, but it took me a bit to realize he was clapping!  

I finally figured it out this weekend - Adrianna was entertaining us with a song, and I began to applause - what shocked me was when Carson starting giving his applause as well!  Was awesome!

We got it on video here.

Very sleepy boy at Seattle Children's
Hospital this week. And yes, he helped me
put on this shirt  :)

Verbally, he is just continuing to amaze us.  He is mimicking and repeating so many words now. He's been mimicking sounds for a long while now - but now he is mimicking words.  It's incredible and so beautiful to hear!  He is moving toward connecting the words with the objects... so far he has "mama" and "Kogo" (aka our dog Kobe) down pat and a few other words.  Love witnessing the progression of communication with him!!!!

Yesterday when his food was gone, without me saying it first, Carson said "all gone" by himself.  Was so incredible.  Of course he wouldn't do it again for the camera, but that's a-okay.

Also showing his rock star abilities - when I'm putting on his shirts, he will now extend his right arm to help me put his arm through the sleeve!  He has done it a few times on his own, or will respond when I ask him to extend it and tap his elbow.  Can't wait for assistance with the other 3 limbs someday, but for now, I'll take the help with the right arm  :)

And just because I love to share about my son - his laugh is incredibly contagious.... tonight I caught daddy cracking him up, on video.  Wanted to share the video!

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..................

Hugs, Tummy Time & Rocking Out... A Good Day

Today was a good day.

Morning loves from sissy

While waiting for Carson's ABM session this morning, Adrianna kept giving Carson hugs and kisses.  It just made my morning!  Carson DID receive a bath tonight though as Adrianna told me after giving hugs - "mommy, Carson needs a bath - he doesn't smell very good".  hahaha.

ABM session on his tummy

During our 2nd session today, Naomi worked with Carson while he was on his tummy.  He was well supported with pillows and blankets so he was comfortable.  He was so great the entire time.  On his tummy is his least comfortable or happy position - but he did excellent today.  Naomi is working with him to help him organize his body so that he can continue being successful in his new rolling achievements (among other things as well of course).  It was just uplifting to see him so content in that position.

Loving his new rocking
chair!

Then tonight we received a belated Christmas present from grandma and papa - a rocking chair!  Carson loves to rock.  His only rocking has been in his high chair - where he can literally move his chair from one side of the dining room to the other.  This new rocking chair will let him rock his little heart out - and be safe in doing so!!!!  He fits in it great.  We are using a velcro strap just to 'be safe' but he sits tall and strong in it!!!!  When I first put him in it, he immediately starting talking away and enjoyed rocking.  I even captured a video of him.  He rocked even more after this video - what a stud he is.

It was a good day.

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.

Rolling & Sitting!!

 Good times today!

Sitting in shopping cart
without a strap or back
support

Having pizza tonight to
celebrate his rolling over!

First, I took the kiddos with me to Costco.  Unfortunately I left Carson's usual 'shopping cart gear' at home which consists of a back support and a fabric strap that goes across his upper chest.  But I thought we'd make do - which we DID!  Just using the shopping cart seat belt and a blanket on his left hand side to keep him from falling and squishing Adrianna - he did it!!!!  He sat so well!!!!  So proud of him!  And yeah - don't mind Adrianna's expression in the picture - she wasn't happy about having to sit in the cart.  haha

Then later, he did it - he officially and intentionally rolled all the way from his back to his tummy!  What's more - he was happy on his belly!!!!  He even reached out and found a toy to play with.  I grabbed the camera but missed the roll unfortunately.  Very exciting!!!!!!!!

I see some possible 'army crawling' in our 2013 future  :)  Yeah!!!!

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!!!