Look at me.

This is the kind of look we're getting all the time now. The focused, look at me, I'm really looking at you look. Here Ellie is doing something she loves--music--but she's also getting into that place where if no one witnesses it, did it happen? Emma is there now too--Bill must acknowledge every facet of Emma's day in order for it to have validation for her. Helen...well, she's just happy to be here.

I love this look. I love that Ellie can finally do it. I love that she does it for me.

What the what?

So I've got the flu and have been coughing up half my lungs for the past two days. Ellie is very concerned about my condition and comes to hug me whenever I have a coughing spell. Today, however, she was sitting at the dining room table eating grilled cheese and considering eating soup when I was on the couch languishing. Suddenly, I coughed_really_hard.

"What's wrong, Mommy?"

This is the first time that Ellie has been able to initiate a question, appropriately, about something she didn't actually witness (she only heard it, didn't see it, and she's really more of a visual learner). She doesn't do abstract. But she asked, so plainly, so definitely, that I cried. After I answered her, of course.

Bouncing and the elusive cup

American Bouncers did a special program for the National Autism Association - Northeast Ohio (NAA-NEO). If you had a special needs child, you could do bouncing (on the BIG bouncers) with similarly situated children and their families during Christmas break. Well. It was terrific! There were all different kinds of kids there (meaning kids whose needs were unique, from language to social skills to physical prowess) and from what I saw everyone had fun on their own terms. Our kids went wild for the bouncing....Ellie even taught herself to climb the "rock wall" bouncer and go down the 10 foot slide on the other side. They offered a nice snack room with the Wiggles on the big screen and no pressure for perfect behavior. However, I sure got it! My girls were right on target with listening and sharing. It was a joy to see them having so much fun.

www.americanbouncers.net

That being said, today Ellie drank from an open cup for really the first time. She has resisted the cup because (we think) she doesn't like the surprise sensation of cold water on her if she spills. However, today she was very confident and let Bill help her. No pics, of course. Emma applauded. This was success.