I thought that after my recent posts worrying about the things David is NOT doing, I owed him some long overdue brags! This goes back about 6 months so I'm sure I'll forget some things, but here goes...

David gives kisses (this used to be only on command, but now he'll also kiss me on his own!), he claps, puts his arms up when I say "up", gives "high fives" with each hand, babbles constantly, mimics certain sounds back to me, and opens his mouth when I say "more?" during a meal. We're working on waving bye-bye and doing some signs, but I know he'll get there...

He's eating!! (This is my probably my favorite one!) For those of you who don't know, David has had many feeding problems related to several health issues over the past year. After bowel surgery in March, he suddenly began drinking his bottles. We stopped using his g-tube soon after, and last month, it was removed! He had been eating solid foods for awhile, but very little volume and very uncoordinated. Within the past 3-4 weeks, it's as if he finally "got it"! He's now eating 2-3 meals each day, plus a few bottles and snacks, and is much more coordinated. He's even taught himself how to self-feed some of his snacks and is drinking pretty well from an open cup (he refuses sippy cups and straws). We're still waiting for him to gain some weight...

Recently David's been catching on quickly with some skills, which has surprised me at times. Last week, his EI was at our house and she dumped out a bucket of blocks. After showing him how to put them back in, and maybe 5 times doing it hand-over-hand, he started doing it himself! It was very exciting! He's so motivated by praise lately that it's become my biggest tool... Then yesterday he surprised me again when I pulled out the blocks and without even refreshing his memory, he put them back in on his own! A whole week had passed since he first did it! Today his PT brought out one of those toys with stacking rings. She's taken this out a few times just to try to get him to sit and play with something, but he never showed any interest. Well today he began pulling the rings off by himself AND putting them back on! WHAT?!? I was totally floored! Maybe he practices at night while I'm alseep or something...

As of today, David has 9 teeth! And I can already see more trying to come in, poor little guy!

Okay, I'll stop now... See what happens when I wait too long to brag? This is why I get so mad at myself for worrying and complaining about the stuff he's not doing. He's already made me so proud and never ceases to amaze me. I'm absolutely in love with this boy!! Thanks for reading (I'm sorry it's so long!).

So many wonderful brags. Here's lots of high fives coming your way David!!!!!!

Well done David!! What a star!! know what you mean about being mad with yourself for worrying!!! I do that too!! it's always so wonderful when Ben does something new - it's as if he's saying "See! I AM making progress!!" We have to learn to appreciate every achievement, however small!! Well done to the little star!!!

WTG David!!! Doing so many things... What a big boy.

Great Job David!!!!!!

YAY David!!

WOW - Mom you need to post brags more often!!!! David is doing great the blocks thing is cool - we are working on that although at this point all Brock likes to do is dump things out. Of course he may be like his father and just not realize we also need to pick things up hee hee

Hugs to you all.

Great jo David

Way to go David!! He is doing great!!

Thanks for posting all your brags - I enjoyed reading them being that Cameron is a boy and close to your son's age. They have some of the same skills in common. David is doing great! That is cute about the rings and shapes.

Those are great brags!!! YEAH DAVID