Such Beautiful Words

Ok. God thank you for the wake up call and the most beautiful words I have heard my son utter (in truth even better than I love you mom.)

I was standing in the bathroom brushing my hair/teeth and just generally getting ready for the day, and I hear my son in the other room say, "I believe, I believe,  I believe in God. I believe,  I believe, I believe in God." It was all I could do to keep from crying.

I finished what I was doing and walked in the front room. I asked my parents if they had heard what I did. When mom asked what, I told her. Nope, I didn't hear that. So I asked Zach, "Who do you believe in? (And prompted). I believe in_____". He very quietly (like he usually does when he is unsure of himself) answered "God." When I asked him "Do you believe in God?" There was a resounding "YES!!"

My momma heart leapt for joy. Oh what a beautiful blessing to have today.

Happy 4th of July everyone!!!

Surprise Treasures

My mom asked me how to fix her camera setting on her iphone. She put in her password, opened the camera app, and showed me that it was set to black and white. I showed her the 3 overlapping circles that pulls up options on what coloring the camera can be set for before taking pictures. She needed it fixed because... You guessed it Zach had changed the settings. I also explained to mom that he can access the camera without it being open. That is when mom showed me these Surprise Treasures. Pictures he took completely and totally on his own. What a glimpse into what he is thinking and what is important to him. He does have quite an eye for things.

Just gotta love that boy. These kind of surprises are definitely to be treasured.

Story vs Memory

Earlier Zach brought me a photo album from when he was an infant and flipped to a particular page/picture. It is of him in a Fisher Price Jumperoo from October of 2005 (he would have been 8 months old). This was one of his FAVORITE things to do when he was little. I think we finally stopped using it when he was about 18 mos old. maybe even longer. Best $10 at a yard sale I ever spent. Some days it was the only way to get him to take a nap. He would jump and jump and jump some more until he fell asleep and we would just leave the sleeping boy right where he was.

In addition to bringing me the book and flipping to this picture; he went into the dining room and retrieved not one but two different pens (the first one wouldn't write) because he wanted me to write in the book. He indicated that he wanted me to write in the book by putting the pen in my hand and pulling my hand to the book, making me tap the page. I asked him if he wanted me to write in the book. "Yes, write book" was his answer. He then dictated "Watching Millionare. Watching Wheel of Fortune. Watching Jeopardy. Watching Deal or No Deal. Watching The Price is Right." I asked him where were you watching these? His answer "In jumper. Watched TV. Watched Shows."  So either this boy is telling me a story about the picture, which is awesome, or he is remembering about times when he would jump or sit in the jumper and watch those shows, which would blow my mind. For now I don't know and it doesn't really matter; because either way my little man was sharing something he felt was important enough to not just say, but record in the book. I was happy to do it, though I did start to run out of room. I of course I made sure to date it so we can remember about it in the future. 

We finished looking through the photo album and then moved on to the one from the baby shower and he was born and a little baby. He didn't do that with any of the other photos. So truly who knows, all I know is he wanted to share with me in a way that he has never done before and I am soooo very excited about it. Shows more communication and progress. Go Zach Go!!!

Did He Really Just Do That??

Sorry no pictures with this one, but worthy of a separate entry all by itself. (*** means names were omitted for privacy)

Last night while we were waiting for dinner, Zach was playing on the iPad. He has really been into writing words and drawing pictures. He was using an app called "Write My Name." It really is a nice app that you can either write (well more copy) preloaded words or letters. There is also an option to add your own words, such as family and friends names. Zach had been writing all the names of the people that were already added to the name tag feature. 

He looks over at me and says "Mom, I want K****."  

I asked him, "Where is K****?"

And to my utter amazement, he opened his AAC program, selected the option for people, scrolled all the way to the end, and pointed to the appropriate picture. Tears welled in my eyes. You see this is the first time EVER that he initiated using the program to try to communicate his need/want to me. In case you don't know, AAC stands for Augmentative and Alternative Communication. We call it his talker, but it is an app called Sono Flex lite that has preloaded/added words with pictures to select from with corresponding sound to him to use to help communicate. But he has words and doesn't really need that kind of thing you might say. You are right. He has TONS of words he can say and most of the time you can understand; BUT you are also wrong. At times, it is very difficult for him to put those words together in a complete or understandable sentence/phrase to effectively communicate what it is that he needs or wants. I have been trying for a while to convince him to at least try to sometimes use the program with no luck. That was why Zach doing it independently was soooo BIG. So what was he ultimately trying to tell me?? He wanted me to add her information to Write My Name so he could write it. I assume that he realized she wasn't physically there and that was the only way to show me who he meant. Brilliant!!!!

Once he had practiced that name, he went straight to the AAC program and found the next person he wanted and said "Mom, I want D****." Again when he finished with that one, he found the next one and said "Mom, I want D******." Of course, I gladly added each one. It is good for him to learn how to spell our friends names. He started pointing at 4 more names to add, but dinner came and interrupted the fun.

He never ceases to amaze me with his progress, growth, and development. Too many times I look ahead at how far he has to go, that I forget to look back and see just how far he as come. Keep surprising me Zach!!! I love it and I LOVE YOU!!!

Dandelions

On Wednesday, Feb. 19, went to the park with my sister, her kiddos, and my little man. The all the kiddos, from the 13 yr old on down to the almost 18 mo old, had a blast. Fresh air, lunch, and exercise what a great combination!!

While the kids were playing, Zach climbed out of the small enclosed area. I kept a close eye, but was trying to figure out what he had on his mind (something I do often). To my amazement, he walked over to a bunch of dandelions, picked a couple, and began blowing. WHAT!!! I know it is a typical kid thing to do, but I have NEVER taught him to do that. My only guess is that he had seen other kiddos doing it at school. I was highly impressed. Way to go Zach!! On more accomplishment and Mommy is sooo proud of you.

Yes that is boy happily climbing the rock wall on the Kiddie playground

He thought he was hot stuff. Silly!!! 

Walk on Oroville Dam

I know it has been a while. The ebb and flow of his interest is something to behold. "MOOOOMMM!! I want to ride a horse like Jessie!!"  has taken a forefront, pictures has kind of taken a back burner. That's ok. Our interests change from time to time and then they come back.

Some of you have seen the pictures Zach has taken over the last couple of days. If you haven't check out the Pictures Through Zach's Eyes Facebook page. A couple pictures here and a couple pictures there is easier to just post directly to the Facebook page. Today Zach really decided he wanted that camera and to take LOTS of pictures. Some are beautiful. Some well let's face it are not.Why am I sharing them ALL instead of just the great ones? Because this is what he saw on our walk and I wanted to share that with you. I also did it because I hope in the future when he looks back on it that he realizes that his journey is important. What he sees is important. Just because he sees things differently doesn't make it less, just simply different. AND Different is OK!!