Wow! Colton is 5. I just can't quite believe it. I haven't blogged in a really long time because....3 kids! Whew! Three is a lot and I am a busy Mama. But it is time for a little update on our special boy. So here ya go...
Colton turned 5 in January. He grew 3 inches this year! He is only in the 4th percentile for height, but he is still on the Typical Growth Chart, which is pretty good. We know he will be short, but my goal is for him to be taller than me. His doctor said that is probably going to happen since I'm only 5'2". Woohoo! She estimated he might be 5'4" or 5'5" so we shall see....maybe he will surprise us and get some of his Daddy's height. Colton has been blessed with health over the past year, which is pretty amazing considering the Pandemic. He took a 6 week break from school at the start of the Pandemic, but in May, we sent him back to school full time. Best. Decision. Ever. He's stayed healthy and happy and hasn't regressed. We are grateful.
Hunter and I met with Colton's teacher and therapists yesterday afternoon to discuss his progress and reccommendations for next year. Normally, Colton would be enrolling in Kindergarten in the Fall, but we have decided to waive Kindergarten next year and repeat PreK4 at his current school. We all agree that he needs more time to work on his "Functional Skills." Academically, Colton is actually doing really well. He knows his letters, numbers, colors, shapes, etc....but he is behind in hand writing and pencil grasp, potty training, dressing skills, personal hygiene (brushing teeth, hair, etc..), independently managing his lunch, putting on his shoes, playing with friends appropriately, and communicating. Colton actually talks really well and his articulation surprises me, but Colton doesn't speak in full sentences. He doesn't initiate talking. If he wants to watch a tv show, he just brings me the remote and I know what he wants...but his Speech Therapist encouraged us to make him communicate what he wants. When he hands us the remote, we are to just look at him and wait for him to speak. If he doesn't, we can model what he should say..."Turn on Tv" or "I want a show." He likes to say just one or two words to get what he wants (Ex: Open, Show, Yogurt, Juice), but we want to push him to speak more without prompting. He will say anything we ask him to say, but we want him to talk more on his own. Colton also has difficulty with comprehending language. If we ask him a question, he doesn't always respond appropriately. For example, when I say, "What's YOUR name?" He might respond with, "Mommy" or just say, "Name." He usually will say the last word I say, which tells me he didn't understand the question and know how to respond. So...Colton does need some more time to learn and grow before we feel ready to send him off to Kindergarten.
This picture above cracks me up. This face shows me that Colton is completely annoyed with me for asking him to smile for the camera. He is basically saying, "Mom, stop!" Colton is so funny because if he is watching a show and I start singing along with it, he just starts yelling, "MOM!!!" He's telling me that I'm annoying him and I need to go away. Of course, I don't usually stop because I think it's hilarious but isn't that what moms do? Annoy our kids and embarrass them?
Colton got new glasses! I researched and researched to find the perfect pair for him. These are called Tomato glasses and they are great for kids with Down syndrome because they have the nosepads to help keep the lenses from smashing his eyelashes like his old pair did. There weren't any local dealers for us to try them on, so I just had to order them online and hope they would fit. They do and I love them so much. He looks so grown up to me in them!
Overall, Colton is doing really well. He did just recover from a double ear infection, but that's the only illness he's had since the Pandemic began. He went to the dentist and was a champ! He let them clean his teeth without any complaints and I was so proud. He's making progress in therapy, even if it is really slow. I've mentioned what he's doing in Speech, but in PT he's working on jumping, balancing on one foot, riding a tricycle, riding a scooter, walking on a balance beam, and alternating feet to climb up and down stairs without a handrail. In OT, he's working on pencil grasp, copying the letters of his name, independently writing a C, learning to undress and dress, managing his clothes to use the potty, washing and drying his hands, brushing his teeth and hair, etc....
When you see all of Colton's goals on paper, it's a lot. Our boy needs a LOT of help and we are SO grateful for his teachers and therapists who help us on our journey. We all just want to help Colton to live as independent of a life as possible. As his Mommy, it can get really overwhelming for me. Sometimes, I just get busy with life doing our daily routines and schedules and don't think about all of things Colton is working on, but when I go to a meeting and actually see all of the things on paper, it hurts my heart. Going to a Parent/Teacher Conference or reading his therapy evaluations reminds me of his diagnosis and it's sometimes heavy. When I see kids his age enrolling for Kindergarten or having conversations with their parents, I sometimes get sad. I would love for Colton to go Kindergarten next year at the same school as Weston, but that just can't happen. We will ALWAYS do what is best for Colton, even if it's hard for me. We love Colton so very much. He has so much potential, but we need to continue to push him because he has always lacked motivation. Walking was a challenge, eating was a challenge, potty training is a challenge, language is a challenge...but we have a team of people helping us and we are so very blessed. As Colton's Mom, I do get more praise for working with and helping Colton, but Colton's Daddy needs a huge shoutout. I couldn't do this without him. He comes to every meeting, he asks the hard questions, he encourages me to back off and let Colton do more, he includes Colton in everything he does with Weston and Asher (tubing, swimming, riding the four wheeler, wrestling, etc...), he helps me make every decision, and he loves Colton with his whole heart. He is amazing.
Life with 3 boys is busy, but we love it and wouldn't change a thing. Our boys love each other, and watching them grow and develop and build relationships is so special!
