Monday, May 6, 2013

Another one of those unexpected milestones


The physical milestones are most noticeable, like Max playing catch with Dave this weekend. He caught the ball by himself, with both hands, the two of them standing several feet apart. And he did it again and again. Dave and I are aware of physical things Max isn't yet doing, like jumping and swimming, so when he does them we're awed. "YEAH, MAX!" jump-up-and-down awed (that's me, Dave gives him a high five).

The cognitive developments tend to take us by surprise, mainly because they're things we hadn't realized Max wasn't doing. Like, say, choosing items off a menu. Or caring about how his hair looks. Or understanding the meaning of "today" and "tomorrow." It's easy to notice the physical stuff that's not happening for Max, mainly because we see Sabrina or other kids doing them. But all those everyday thought processes and realizations, not so much.

So when Max thinks to do something new, it's both exciting and fascinating. I wonder what's happening in his brain, what connection was made, what light just blinked "on." Like this weekend, when he asked to spritz air freshener after using the bathroom. Definitely not an achievement in the What To Expect books. Definitely not something I would have brought up during a visit to the neurologist ("So, doc, do you think Max will be into air freshener anytime soon? What's the timeline on that, do you suppose?")

I've used the stuff for Max post-potty, and he's never suggested it himself. But when Dave was helping him out in the bathroom yesterday, he opened the cabinet beneath the sink and pointed to the canister. This is progress—in terms of cognition, consideration and self-awareness. Come to think of it, he's more advanced than Dave is in that department.

22 comments:

  1. Yeah Max for a milestone double whammy!

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  2. LOL :) I am so glad Max is progressing in every aspect of life.

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    1. Dave can definitely learn a thing or two from him!

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  3. yay for little steps (and big ones too)

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  4. that's awesome! we've had some unexpected steps as well. it always warms my heart and gives me hope. Yay, Max!

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  5. I think the cognitive developments are harder for the parents to see too, because we are with them every day. My parents (who live out of town) recently babysat my daughter for 4 days and at the end they commented about the big changes they have seen in her. Yay, Max!

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    1. I love hanging out with my mom, for many reasons, and this is definitely one of them—she also notices changes I don't.

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  6. Love a man who cares about the smell in a bathroom!!!! Go Max go!

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    Replies
    1. I know! Soooo considerate! If Max someday offers to take out the garbage, my life will be complete.

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  7. I know exactly what you mean, Ellen. There are so many milestones to think about but we tend to focus our attention on the physical for the most part until we get pleasantly surprised by something like Max's attention for a fresh smelling bathroom. Max looks like such a happy boy. I love the picture on this post!

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  8. What a great step for Max! Our perspective is so different on milestones now. For us, any amount of time that S sleeps in a place other than OUR bed is wonderful. Doesn't happen often (ok only once or twice) but those few times have been great!

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  9. as usual, your comments ring so true, but in addition, this one had me cracking up;)thank you for another day of laughter and hope;)

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  10. That is awesome, Ellen! He's growing up into a thoughtful young man! Bethany has had a new cognitive development too! She been watching Stewart Little over and over for many, many years. At first we thought she was having seizures when she began covering her eyes while watching the movie. However we realized she consistently only did it during certain scenes in the movie where Falcon is being mean or trying to hurt Stewart and Margalo! She has never before seemed to have been aware of or cared when others' were hurt, sick, distressed, etc.! Now we know that she cares!!!

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