1+1 does not always equal 2

Took Will for a speech therapy evaluation yesterday through the Cleveland Clinic.  I want him to continue getting services throughout the summer.  In preparation for this evaluation I filled out medical questionnaire number 52,349,201, at least it feels that way.  A section on the questionnaire involved mapping out attainment of developmental milestones.  I skipped it as this therapist had worked with him before and, to be totally honest, I couldn't fill them out.

When Gabbie was born I received four baby books for her.  You know the ones, they document milestones, pictures, first locks of hair, lost teeth.  And, religiously, I filled out each of the four until about 9 months old and they drop off.  I never received one for Will nor did I purchase one.  His medical records are becoming our baby book, sadly.  This revelation that I never really documented milestones made me realize I should.  So I will be taking his chronological age milestone list from the web, noting what we can/cannot do and pulling about where I think he is developmentally.

I looked at him last night sitting in his stroller at softball practice for Anna's kids, eating an apple like a man, and he looked like a little boy.  He is truly losing the baby look.  Not sure when that happened, I think yesterday was the first I noticed it.

One week from today, my "baby" will be 42 months old.  3.5 years. That is crazy to me.  In so many ways he is still so young, but he is 3.5 years old.  Where did it go?

According to a website I found when searching "42 month old developmental milestones", the following are 36-42 month milestones:

• Counts to rote by 5
• Stacks rings on peg in order of size
• Understands “ more “ ( e.g. more dogs )
• Listens to simple stories
• Names primary colors
• Makes horizontal trains of cubes in limitation
• Builds bridge using three blocks

• Understands approximately 1,200 words
• Responds to two unrelated commands ( e.g , “ Put your cup on the table and turn off the TV “)
• Uses final consonants most of the time
• Says 800 words
• Mean sentence length = 4.3 words
• Uses regular past tense forms
• Beginning of question asking stage using “ what” , “who “

“why “ and “ how many “

• Calls attention to own performance
• Shares toys
• Uses complex speech in interactions with other children in play and social situations
• Shows affection to younger children by hugging and kissing

• Hangs clothing on hook
• Takes responsibility for toileting
• Washes hands unassisted
• Cleans up spills

• Uses vertical , horizontal, and circular motions when drawing
• Hammers nails and pegs
• Pedals and steers small tricycle
• Kicks a large ball
• Cuts on the line

I bolded the milestones we have hit.  I have sincerely forgotten what having a "typical" 3.5 year old is like, even though I see them all the time.  I'd say Will is, developmentally, on the 18-24 month track so most of this is far beyond his skills, and may be for quite some time.  What *is* he doing?  Let's see . . .

• Toddles regularly and more steadily
• Climbs like nobody's business
• Starting to use utensils to eat
• Effectively communicates via head nods and shakes
• Can sign more and thank you
• Will follow simple commands (get me the ball, put the block in the box, etc)
• Helps me dress him (arms in, switch hands, socks on feet)
• Starting to be able to wash own hands, with assistance of course
• Says "ahhhBA" for his sister Gab, Awa for our cat Ava, MA when aggravated or upset, and everything else is BUH
• Navigates an iPad and iPod like nobody's business
• Starting to wake up with a dry diaper, but that is hit or miss and not anything I'd bank on at this point.

Found the developmental list on the same website for 18-24 months:

• Looks at storybook pictures with adult , naming or pointing to familiar object on request
• Uses stick to get out -of-reach toy
• Activates toy without adult demonstration
• Looks for familiar person who has left the room
• Spontaneously names objects
• Turns pages in book
• Inserts shapes into matching slots

• Says 50 words
• Names familiar objects
• Uses ritual words “hi” , “bye”
• Understands approximately 300 words
• Listens as pictures are named
• Points to five body parts
• Responds to yes/no questions by shaking or nodding head
• Produces words with consonant -vowel-consonant structure
• Combines words to make two-word phrases
• Mean sentence length is 1.8 words
• Uses commands (e.g, move ) possessives ( e.g, mine ) reactions ( e.g, owee )
• Follows a series of two related commands (e.g, “Pick up the ball and give it to me )

• Has temper tantrums when frustrated
• Frequently does the opposite of what he or she is asked to do
• Curious gets into everything
• Often defiant ; says “no “ to many requests
• Enjoys simple make-believe
• Has difficulty sharing
• Usually plays alone even when other children are present
• Helps put things away
• Insists on trying to do many things without help (e.g, eating with spoon, drinking from cup )
• Engages in make believe and pretend play
• Plays well for a brief time in groups of two to three children

• Begins using fork
• Squats , holds self, or verbalizes bowel and bladder needs ( 50% of the time )
• Brushes teeth with assistance
• Tries to wash own hands and face
• Removes loose clothing such as jacket or shorts without assistance

• Scribbles vigorously with crayons or markers
• Imitates vertical strokes
• Walks on straight line
• Stacks 4-6 objects
• Following demonstration , throws small ball overhand at least 3 feet
• Following demonstration , throws small ball underhand at least 3 feet

I feel we have been kinda "stalled" at 15-18 month development for a long time, but we are definitely seeing progress.  I love watching him learn and become this amazing little boy.