Did YOU hear about the MORGANS?: Mason: 2 years, 9 months {An Update}

Another three months have passed by so it's time for an update on Mason-Man!

Since the last update, he became a big brother! Mason has thrived as a big brother. He loves Maddox so much and will do nearly anything to help us when we need it while caring for Maddox. Obviously, we are consistently learning boundaries but that's just part of life. I have found myself saying things like this often: "We don't poke brother in his eyes." "Don't touch brother's face." "Don't get so close to brother." haha! It's funny and annoying ;-) BUT I must say that he has come a long way and he's doing an awesome job at his big brother role.

Mason is talking up a storm! There are new words every day and multiple attempts at conversations daily, too. Unfortunately, Mason's articulation isn't where it needs to be. I'm working with him at home as much as I can and we also have a speech referral placed and are just on a waiting list at this point. I'm a speech therapist which is nice but I'm also his mom which means sometimes, he doesn't want to listen to my cues. Being a professional, I totally understand this and that's why we are just working as much as he will allow/can tolerate and awaiting an evaluation in the meantime.

The flip side of the articulation thing is his language. His receptive language is incredible! He understands so much which is awesome!

Mason LOVES LOVES LOVES going to church each Sunday. He enjoys his class, his teachers, the snacks and the friends. He is always asking if it's church day. That makes Matt and me happy!

This past month, we moved a lot of Mason's toys into his room from the living room. That made space in the living room for some of the bulkier items that Maddox needs right now. It also is really encouraging more independent play in his room. At least once a day, sometimes twice, I'll encourage Mason to go to his room and play. I set a timer and let him know he can come out when the timer is up. Sometimes, he pulls out nearly every toy he owns and sometimes, he chooses to sit and read books. It's so fun to see him explore and learn independently.

Mason has entered the "what's that?" "Where are we going?" "why?" stage and it's, well, it's really something. ;-) It's so cool to see him curious but it seems like those questions come at the most inopportune times. haha!! :) All kidding aside, it's awesome. He's learning so much and I'm reminded daily how important it is for him to learn through play.

Mason's favorite show right now is Super Why. We sing the songs, do the dances and help them find their letters.

Speaking of letters, Mason can say, identify and locate in a puzzle, all of the letters of the alphabet. He's also recognizing more and more letters out in public which is fun. The other day in the car, he was saying "H" and I couldn't figure out why. I looked around and he was seeing a "H" for hospital. So cool.

We are dealing with a little pushing/hitting phase and that's very un-fun. While I know it can be a typical stage for 2-3 year old boys to go through, I really think the root of Mason's is that he isn't able to communicate as well as he'd like and he's pushing/hitting to communicate. We are figuring out some strategies that work for us and for him and he's doing much better. It's a process. And like a friend said...life is a series of phases and if you aren't going through a phase then you're dead!...So we will enjoy the phase while it lasts, I guess. ;)

(looking a little like cousin Luke here)

This summer has been a fun but hard one for Mason. He LOVES to be outside and playing but with all of the heat and that coupled with welcoming a new baby, we haven't been outside nearly as much as he'd like. Thankfully, in July, we figured out some times that work for going outside or just going somewhere inside to let him run and play and that's helped tremendously. I love my energetic boy.

Mason LOVES his cars and his car track. He plays with them daily and usually multiple times each day. That's been so fun to see and Matt loves playing cars with him, too!