Car-gy!

This TBT post is more of a dad’s ramble. Nevertheless, I hope you enjoy! 🙂


So, “car-gy” is the way Nathan used to say the word “car” or “cars.” As I’ve mentioned before, Nate’s speech was of concern in the past. He’s coming great now… as you can see 🙂

Along with Cars, Nate also loves Toy story. And, gets sad & mad along with the characters. It’s actually quite interesting and rather sweet to see such a young kiddo empathize — he’s always been a very in touch child.

We also noticed that Nathan prefers the computer animated pieces more so than the hand drawn productions. I’m not sure exactly why this is, I only know that Wreck-It Ralph holds his attention better than Lion King does.

Which randomly reminds me about how we spent all this time finding a DVR opportunity to get Cars on without commercials. However, once we got it, Nathan started to lose interest. Before, the version we had was filled with commercials. These commercials served as interruption points where he would have to grab us to fast forward the show.

Once the video went without interruptions, he preferred it a lot less. We guessed that those interruptions served as regular and predictable chances for him to check on us.

Let’s see… what else? Well… he’s been playing a lot more with his ABC toys and chatter boxing to us. He’s even pointing at the label on his car seat saying “W” and “R!” It’s pretty cool stuff.

All this ramble to say that many fatherly worries come and go. Most of them will pass as the baby turns kiddo and kiddo turns *shudders* teen. The body has a fairly good sense of how to work itself out. I guess it’s just something to think about, remember, and be thankful for.

Still Not Talking?!

Written Fall 2015

So, as Nathan turned 2 years of age, we had our well child checkup and the pediatrician was big on him talking. Much of this was preparation for preschool… which isn’t especially relevant since we’re planning on homeschooling. In any case, it was a big talk about how Nate needed to be talking and talking now!

She referred us to a developmental pediatric rehab/PT/OT/SLP program for a specialized screening as well as for warning signs of developmental delay.

I gotta be honest. I was little insulted. I’m a Physical Therapist. I know these things well enough. Who do physicians send kiddos to when their development is in question? Among good company, Physical Therapists! And yes, I’m biased because he’s my kid. But, it just struck me wrong. He’s my boy! I’m his dad. Objective or not, reasonable or not, responsible or not… it just wasn’t something I wanted to hear. It may not be rational. But, hey… emotions rarely are.

After talking on the phone for a lengthy conversation with the specialist, we decided not to go for the screening. Nate doesn’t do well with strangers nor in any medical office. He’s basically in panic mode the whole time he’s at the doctor’s office and is impossible to pin down. Imagine taking a kid like that to get “screened” — you can imagine how many false positives would come up.

So, we kept going, simply because the range of “normal” for children is so very wide. Later, I asked a retired Speech Language Pathologist about Nathan. She basically said that since I was catching him talking with himself and that when we asked him to reciprocate, he would refuse; speaking at the time for him, was basically a game. It wasn’t about communication. Nate just wanted to see how much he could say and not say, until it got boring. Or, until it became a point where social pressure of performing speech wasn’t involved that he would open up. He’s testing the boundaries of speech, social situations, and how it relates to communication.

A few months later, we noticed he would interact with TV shows, educational toys, etc and start spouting off all these words and interacting properly. Sure enough, recently, he started to open up a lot more. Yes… this might be slow according to all the books, blogs, and online resources. At the same time, who came up with such “norms?” Where they the same norms 100 years ago? 200? 1000? Probably not.

When you compare one kiddo to another, you realize that normal is such a wide range. Our son is ridiculously talented when it comes to physical development. His core control and athleticism is really quite astonishing, even when compared to kids a year older. Yet, he doesn’t do so well with “the talking.” Then, there are other kids we know who talk like they are a year older than they are. However, they are not walking so well and have trouble with the same motor control which Nate could do with his eyes closed.

What does this mean?

In my humble opinion (IMHO)… it’s ALL NORMAL.

Certainly, there were times and still are times when I’m a little worried about Nathan’s speech development. At the same time, I think part of this is because I am a healthcare professional… knowing too much — well, it’s a bad thing in this case. Nevertheless, it does appear that just in the last week or two, Nathan has turned a corner. He’s saying all sorts of words I’ve never heard him say before. He’s willing to open up and being far more verbal. Sure, he might be a few months behind the track as prescribed by whatever textbook out there. But, as far as I see it, “normal” is normal so long as the kid is healthy and functional.

So far, so normal.

Who Is Your Favorite?

MAMA!

 

LOL! Was there any doubt? We used to do this thing with Nathan:

  • Who is your favorite? — MAMA!
  • Who do you love? — MAMA!
  • What does the pig say? — OINK!
  • What does the sheep say? — BAAH!
  • What does R2D2 Say? — BEEP BOOP BOOP!
  • Who do you love? — MAMA!
  • Who ELSE do you love? — …….. MAMA!

Great………..

Yep. Mom’s the fave. And, hey?! She’s my favorite too! Haha, it’s just so funny what little kids need and when it comes to comfort. It’s all about the mom’s. However, when it is play time, daddy is the fun one.

Yes, that’s right! There is no one else that can get my boy to giggle, squeal, and laugh the way daddy does. It’s actually really cool… comforting really. No matter the case, mom will always be there to comfort, snug, and give our boy the love. And, when kiddo needs fun play time, to tussle, jump, run, laugh, and get into all sorts of trouble. That’s what daddy is for!

This all started back when Nathan was just beginning to talk. We were doing all sorts of crazy things to try and get him to speak up more so we started this little game. As the game developed, we realized that it wasn’t just that he was saying things for the correct response, rhyme, and reason, he was saying it because he knew what emotional content these words meant. We tell Nathan we love him ALL the time. He knows what emotions comes with the word “love.” He may not completely understand what love is, how deep it goes, or that it can hurt. But, he knows that when we say “love” to him, it is a very positive, warm, and welcome emotional idea.

He also knows that when he feels awful, needs comfort, and needs that love, that mom is the best place to go. Sure, he’ll go to daddy in times of need, but if mommy is readily available — mom’s the favorite.

But, the flip side of the coin is this: If I’m not around, he doesn’t really laugh as silly, crazy, out of control.

So as far as it may periodically sting that mom is the favorite, it must sting all the same that I can get the smiles, the giggles, and the laughter of pure joy with that much more ease than mommy can. It’s not a bad thing. It’s not a good thing. It’s not, fair — and — it isn’t, not fair. It just is.

Parenthood is all about roles… specifically, making sure that roles are constructive, complimentary, and compassionate. It is easy in a tired moment to be all, “No… it’s YOUR turn to…*dot dot dot.*” Yet, the reality is this, everything is and should be all for the benefit of that wonderful bundle of love that is our kiddo. Therefore, it isn’t about who the favorite is or who gets the best kisses, hugs, laughs, or smiles.

It is all about us giving it all up in the dearest love and benefit for our son’s well being.

Who is the favorite? Nathan is!