Cough, cough, cough....

This is J's new laugh. He thinks it is the funniest thing to cough so now he adds a cough with a giggle and out comes a hacking laugh. Whatever works huh? Mostly it is the reaction he gets from us. Too sweet. Therapy on Monday was his best session yet! Very few tears, "crawling" position on hands and knees for 2 minutes, assisted walking forward, and LOTS of clapping. He did so well! For the first time ever his therapist got to check "Gait Training" on his sheet filled with exercises, etc.

As usual, he loves clapping but he is getting so silly when he claps! One person clapping is okay, but when Bobby and I both clap-watch out! Arms are flapping, cheeks are spread so wide in a huge smile, and he almost tips over from laughing so hard. This happens every single time! We are in big trouble if we stop clapping for him so he stares us down with the most serious look and claps hard to get our attention (remember that clapping for him means "more")!

I have been trying to figure out how to stop him from doing things that he shouldn't be doing: gagging himself, pulling my hair, biting, throwing food on the floor to Bailey, hitting us and the dog, putting the dog toys in his mouth when she brings them to him, spilling his sippy cup or bottle intentionally etc. etc. and cannot figure out how to do it. I have tried not to say no to him (per his OT) with biting and hitting and it has worked some days and not others. Luckily the biting has almost stopped but I have been more aware of when he is going in for a huge chunk of skin and can stop him mid-bite. The food on the floor and gagging himself-we are at a total loss. Saying no is one of the funniest things to him. He laughs and laughs and laughs and does it again. (Really I think he is saying, "Whatcha gunna do about it mom?") Sounds just like any other toddler huh?!! (I am celebrating these little normal behavior milestones in my head while I am pulling hair out of his hands, pulling hands out of his mouth, picking up food so Bailey won't get it, putting her toys in his mouth-and secretly laughing too when he laughs after I say no or give him the "side eye"-he is so freaking cute!!!) Ahhh, he is such a little toddler and no longer a baby. Life is good!