Some boy you are

Things are going along swimmingly at our house (for now). Aside from the lingering cough, I'm feeling much better these days. I'm emerging from the dark depths of the first trimester with less nausea and a bit more energy, which is great. Mike is still entertained by my gagging at least once a day, but it's minor compared to what it had been.

Evan is doing wonderfully. We've been doing brushing therapy with him for about a month now, and it seems to really be helping. He's moved from not wanting to be near snow to being able to walk in it. He's gone from resisting touching shaving cream to being able to "fingerpaint" with it. His OT at the hospital is awesome with him, and she doesn't push him too hard. In the past, Ev has shut down when he's forced into doing things he doesn't feel ready for, and this OT knows that and has respected his boundaries. I think that lets him feel more in control and more receptive to trying new things. I'm really pleased with his progress so far.

Speech is also going well. Ev's open to trying almost any word now, which is a huge step for him. What he ends up saying might be nothing like the word he's trying for, but the fact that he's making the attempt is just huge. He's becoming more confident and generally chatty too. For the past week, when he's all wound up and screaming, we'd tell him to chill. So last night he was dancing around to Christmas music in the living room (I have a musical Peanuts ornament on the tree). When the song would end, he'd scream, then immediately hold his finger up and say, "chill". Hilarious.