The new year already feels like the old year. We had a long Christmas break with the boys and then four of us, leaving Viggo with his grandparents, took a trip to New York to visit friends and relatives. It is always very difficult to say goodbye to Viggo. Especially as he has become so aware of who he is in this family. But his fear of flying has kept us from going anywhere for a long time and it was time that John and Mikko got to visit their old home town.
But coming back and seeing Viggo's face was of course priceless. He had waited all week counting down to the day of our return. And the wonderful thing about going away for a few days is that you come back with rested eyes. We immediately noticed that Viggo was articulating himself with a new clarity. And now all he can talk about is wanting to fly to America (or "Mareika" as he calls it). Talking about flying seems possible. I think Viggo wants to be included next time we take a trip.
Other than that we are making little progress here and there. What's good is that Viggo's development seems steady. It used to be slow and erratic. And sometimes it would stop and he would even seem to work backwards, unlearning what he had once learned.
-At night we read "I Spy" books. We count pictures and Viggo has gotten very good at finding the images that I ask for.
-Viggo is elaborating with his use of tenses. Past, present, and future. He is also differentiating between "I", "me", "mine" etc.
-Viggo has become more and more of a presence in the kitchen. He will not let me make the breakfast shake without his help. When we make bird bread he reminds me of ingredients that I have forgotten to add. "Melt butter", he says.
-The most exciting thing of all is his new love for letters. He has "written" his name now for a while now, but it is his own interpretation of what "Viggo" looks like. Now he is actually beginning to recognize letters in a real way. Before our trip to New York Viggo copied the letters M, A, and O beautifully.
There are times when I get so exhausted from all the cooking and fixing. And after being away for a week there is a lot of "catch up cooking" going on.
But I guess this is no time to quit.
: )
But coming back and seeing Viggo's face was of course priceless. He had waited all week counting down to the day of our return. And the wonderful thing about going away for a few days is that you come back with rested eyes. We immediately noticed that Viggo was articulating himself with a new clarity. And now all he can talk about is wanting to fly to America (or "Mareika" as he calls it). Talking about flying seems possible. I think Viggo wants to be included next time we take a trip.
Other than that we are making little progress here and there. What's good is that Viggo's development seems steady. It used to be slow and erratic. And sometimes it would stop and he would even seem to work backwards, unlearning what he had once learned.
-At night we read "I Spy" books. We count pictures and Viggo has gotten very good at finding the images that I ask for.
-Viggo is elaborating with his use of tenses. Past, present, and future. He is also differentiating between "I", "me", "mine" etc.
-Viggo has become more and more of a presence in the kitchen. He will not let me make the breakfast shake without his help. When we make bird bread he reminds me of ingredients that I have forgotten to add. "Melt butter", he says.
-The most exciting thing of all is his new love for letters. He has "written" his name now for a while now, but it is his own interpretation of what "Viggo" looks like. Now he is actually beginning to recognize letters in a real way. Before our trip to New York Viggo copied the letters M, A, and O beautifully.
There are times when I get so exhausted from all the cooking and fixing. And after being away for a week there is a lot of "catch up cooking" going on.
But I guess this is no time to quit.
: )