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September 10, 2005
A report from the Western Front
Aunt Jamie, who cares for Emma during the day and actually sees her more than her parents do (hazard of being a working parent and all) emailed me this evening to file a report on Emma's progress from her perspective. Without further ado, her comments:
Wow! Emma (The Bean) has certainly come along way since her debut at the airport.
Eating: She has gone from 1. finger to mouth eating and taking a spoon when placed to her mouth 2. helping with the spoon going from bowl to mouth 3. using a spoon by herself to eat with occasional guidance with the scooping part. She has also gone from using whichever hand is available to using the spoon with her left hand. She still picks food up with either, but I think more the right hand. She readily tries to share food with Kyra and notices/protests when Kyra is not in her chair next to Emma.
Drinking: She has gone from: 1. Requiring me to hold and tip the sippy cup. 2. Giving her the sippy cup and occasional assistance. 3. I put the cup on her tray and she drinks whenever she pleases. Sometimes I remind her about her cup.
Play: She is very curious and plays and explores easily by herself. She likes to test the limits on occasion to make sure that you are
paying attention (yes, she looks back as she tries to undo the latch to the kitchen gate). She adores guitar time with G' Pa and now eagerly advances to the guitar to strum the strings (harpist in the making. She and Kyra love music and absent-mindedly bounce to the beat as they play. Emma is fond of things that make noise and figures them out quickly. G' Pa has taught her to tap the wind chime gently (he doesn't have to say anything to her) and not grab it. Watch out for this little mechanic, she is just like her Uncle Fig in that if it comes apart she WILL be the first to figure it out /test it! Her favorite pastimes are scooting backwards on the hardwood floor in the hallway and rocking the swing back and forth.
Reading: She likes to be read to and has become very active with her books. She used to just sit there and you would have to put her hand on the various tactile bits, but now she does it on her own and even has favorites. She recognizes ducks, likes the dogs page, and sometimes becomes fixated on the sheep page. She is not much for reading the book cover to cover...meandering to a fro through the book is her style.
On the Move: Gee whiz! She has gone hog wild when it comes to movin' and groovin'! She has gone from reaching with all her might for things on her belly to zooming around the house on her hands and knees. She has days where she remember she has knees and others where she forgets and does the FrankenBean walk. For her mom and dad she requires two hands to help (suckers! ;)) BUT G' Pa and Aunt Jamie insist on at least half of her daily constitutionals outside to be done one handed. She is unsure about it at first but is learning that we are always there to catch her if she gets off balance.
Standing: My bet is that she can pull up on her own but she still wants a hand there for reassurance. However, in the past two days we have worked on her pulling up on the couch and signing 'more' if she wants more snacks (I learned today that since goldfish trump 'nillas they work better).
Ah, Communication: She continues with the various tonal grunts, whines, and groans...an occasional girlie squeal. But new and improved communication is on its way...signing! While she is in the process of learning words and is probably trying to repeat them, I am not fluent in babygruntish. Sooo...onward we move into sign language (alongside English as well). Which works out since Kyra is old enough to start learning it and you want to work with Emma on it. She is doing very well with 'more' and almost understands it. We are also trying to use some others, but it seems to be taking me a bit to remember to use them when the opportunity presents itself.
Posted by brlittle at September 10, 2005 03:34 AM