Joshua and I have spent hours and hours and hours at the park this summer. Many times we go alone because with my full attention on Joshua I can keep him moving, climbing, and trying new things. When I am visiting with a girlfriend of playing with the older kids, he tends to hang out by the steering wheel and drive. Driving is good, but his large motor skills were quite delayed when he arrived home - so we have used the park as our person physical therapy room.
(Just in case you are feeling sorry for my poor older kids at home by themselves while lucky Joshua got to play with momma, remember that 2 year olds get up bright and early! Most mornings we were back from park therapy before the older kids even made it out of bed!)
Anyway, look what my Joshua can do now...
When we first came home he was both too scared and too weak to climb up these steps (they are tall) by himself. No problem now!
Does he not look proud that he can slide (or see-lide as he says it!) by himself?
He loves, loves,loves to jump! He is always asking me to hold his hands and help him jump from something!
This is great for both strength and trust, plus it is FUN!
Joshua can now step off a curb or a single step without a railing or hand to hold.
(Yep, it still takes concentration - look at that face. Tongue out means he is trying hard!)
Oh, he loves to run and "jump" like the older kids.
(Jumping is big here. If you do not believe me check out Saturday's post. Jay and Sierra are always jumping from or over something!)
OK so his jump is still not clearing any air - but his strength and balance have improved so much. A therapist told me it can take up to a year between learning to walk and jumping so I am not worried. Joshua has only been walking since about January of this year.
More proof of balance, he can get on the "springy thingys" all by himself... usually!
(Sometimes he likes to be Momma's baby and get lots of help and that is OK too!)
And... he made it UP this slide all by himself! Big time leg strength, balance, and coordination there.
So when you are praying for us remember to thank God for all this improvement. He has a ways to go before I called him caught-up but he has made HUGE strides! We are very proud of you Joshua Gebeyehu!
