Making memories and milestones

         Pooh made by Grandma Carol

It is hard to believe we have been home for just over a month already! As I look back on pictures from our trip it seems like a lifetime ago. Our family is adjusting to this new 'normal'. At first I have to admit it was quite a shock coming home, not what I expected. My expectation was that we would get home and settled in and it would feel great! But the reality is that we now have a 4 1/2-year-old who is quite active and there is still lots to do in our normal every day...groceries to buy, clothes to wash, toys to play with and pickup.

               New light up shoes!

I will say I feel like Elemér has adjusted the best of all of us! He took to his room quite well and enjoys going from room to room exploring its contents. :) Due to his adventuresome personality we have had to put child door knob covers on Austin's bedroom and our bedroom doors along with the outside doors. Elemér was used to coming and going as he pleases. 

                    Balance bike 

Elemér continues to love being outdoors. We purchased him a balance bike and he enjoys spending time exploring our yard as well as other people's  yards. He also likes dumping out all the toys in the garage. I have cleaned up our front porch glide rocker and have started enjoying sitting on it again. The mornings are a great time to go out when it is not so hot and humid.

            Morning outside play time

Also during this time we have been taking Elemér to physical therapy and occupational therapy evaluations as well as hearing, vision, and speech evals. For the most part these have gone well and we have been given some exercises that we work on with Elemér to help him get to where he should be physically and to help him begin to normalize some sensory issues that have been detected. We are currently waiting for him to be evaluated by the school district's special needs department to see if he needs any extra learning help beyond just learning English.

Recently we had been informed of a preschool class that would potentially be a good fit for Elemér as it has special needs services and regular peer modeling as well. We are excited that Elemér was able to join the class and has  three great teachers! The last week and a half Tony and I have been taking him to explore the class and he even had some 'test run' full days. Starting this week Elemér will be attending school all day Tuesdays and Thursdays. He has been doing great in class, and seems to enjoy going back each time.

                   New book bag 

This is not the order in which we intended (school before meeting extended family) but God had other plans. He's already grown so much in his knowledge and understanding! Over the next two months we will continue to work on family as well as slowly add any more days of preschool. 

Some milestones with noting: 

1- Elemér is no longer wearing pull-ups at bed time. 

2- He has began saying 2 word sentences for Goodbye (ex: bye girl, bye Apa, etc..). 

3- Elemér's vocabulary has expanded. 

4- He has started swimming pretty much on his own! 

Just to name a few :) 

Austin is adjusting to life with a little brother and as a fifth grader! We could not be more proud of him over this last month. 

We are thankful for everyone's prayers and support and we welcome continued prayers as Elemér begins school "for real" and we still continue bonding as a family.