After Six Months Home

Six months have passed since Alex came home. Of course it seems longer. Looking back it has been quite the journey-- if you remember we had a rough start. But now, things are going beautifully, he fits in with our family perfectly, and I love him so much. He is a chatterbox-- all in English, and loves to sing. Remember that song I just posted-- well after listening to it with me three or four times, he loves going around the house singing, "Ohhh ohhh, ohhh ohhh."

He and Dennis have a special bond which to my dismay means they are indeed partners in crime--- but not too often. ((smiling)) Like one evening they decided to get into the cake on the counter, or another time they snuck into Adam and Caleb's room and played with Adam's guitar.
One thing that is incredibly precious to see is how Dennis beats Alex down the stairs so that he can go and get Alex's walker for him. It warms my heart. They also like to trade off wearing each others pajamas and sleeping in each others spots in bed.

Alex has began counting, singing the ABC's, and learning his colors. He can write his name too. I recently began having him use the computer and mouse to play Starfall. His behavior has improved not only in his pre-school class, but in church too. It was encouraging to hear not one, but two teachers tell me that Alex pays special attention when they praise another child in his class, and imitates the behavior to receive praise too. A drastic change from a few months ago. Instead of not listening to instructions, he is looking for ways to please others. He knows how to raise his hand to answer a question, and can sit cross-legged and listen to a story.

I think Alex finally sees me as his Mama-- not just a caretaker. It took a while with him. The turning point came when I had heard that he was caressing some of the teachers' hair when they picked him up. Not a big deal (and I addressed it nicely with the teachers), but certainly not good when we are still working on attachment. At home, I explained to him how I was his Mama forever and I showed him how we sit together and he can rub my hair and I will rub his back. I showed him how I rub his feet, wash him up after meals, kiss and hug him goodnight, give him baths, take him everywhere with me, etc. I told him it makes me sad to hear that he rubs his teacher's hair because they are not his Mama-- only I am. They will never be his Mama. He got sad when he saw that I was sad and told me that he no more do that because I am his Mama. I think he needed this reminder now that he understands English better because there has been a huge difference with him. Not only is he more affectionate with me much like how Dennis is, but now he will often get up, call out my name, and come find me. Once he does, he either joins me in the kitchen or heads back to whatever he was doing.

After much thought, I have decided to enroll Alex into kindergarten for next year. Not that we have made up our mind-- but I am at least ensuring him a spot if we do decide to have him go. And at this point, it is really up in the air because in many ways I know he is ready and will socially enjoy it, but on the other hand I can see benefits of keeping him home with me one more year. Hmmm, decisions, decisions. But we have until August to decide. For now, I am keeping our options open.