Mario's Progress

I realized I haven't posted much about little man's progress lately. He is doing so well I don't even think about posting. I feel like we finally are feeling like a normal family with a healthy baby boy. He is eating regular food. I have tried keeping him away from hard things: like taco shells and chips. But we store the potato chips at the bottom of the pantry and one day while I was cooking he got into them and was chowing down! I initially panicked, but he was ok with it, so I let him go. He had no problems. He is also drinking regular liquids. Yes, no more thickened liquids. He is drinking water, milk, juice, everything. I love it. I love not having to mix everything he might drink for the day, pack it to stay cold, and carry it everywhere when we go out. I love just loading a cup and going! On that same note, we are trying to get him to use sippy cups. Before the OT wanted us to use a straw cup for his muscle control in his mouth and throat. Now he is doing so well, we are trying to get back on track to using a real cup. We started with sippy cups and he is not adjusting well. He just holds it against his chest and sucks out the air. Then he cries and holds it to you to tip up for him. This has been going on a week and I just now got him to hold it while I hold up his arms. He has even started having us hold other cups, disposable, etc. while he drinks from the straw. We will keep working on it, but this is definitely the hardest transition he has had so far. I have given him real cups with a little water in them and, when he gets it to his lips, he does better with them.

We have been swimming more with him lately and he loves the water. I found some arm floaties to use in the deep end, but he still puts his face underwater on his own. Then chokes and coughs. He just hasn't quite figured it out yet. He loves being pushed through the water on his tummy, in a superman pose. He is also getting used to bobbing under water. When we get more settled I want to put him in a more formal swimming class, but for now I am following advice I found online about teaching babies to swim.

He is also loving school. Every day I stop at the window sneak a peak at what he's doing. Lately he will look up at me and give me the biggest toothiest grin ever. It makes me want to go get him so I can see that grin all day long, but I know it is a sign that he is happy and feels comfortable there.

 Cuddling with a very patient Malaki

 Wanted to nap with his new cars backpack.

Climbing on the ottoman