Matteo's Resolutions

Last week I wrote about my three resolutions for the year, so this week it's time for Matteo's.  Since Matteo is not quite speaking yet, I've had to guess at what he'd resolve to do this year.  Here are his (my) three:

1.    I will sit unsupported.  In June of last year Matteo's rehabilitation doctor told me that 80% of children who sit unsupported by the age of two will walk.  The likelihood of walking then drops to 20% for children who don't sit by age four.   Right now, at 18 months, Matteo can sit only for short periods of time before falling over.  His difficulty stems from very tight hamstrings, hips and adductors.  Most of his therapy centers on stretching out those muscles and improving his balance.  We have a lot of work to do to get his muscles relaxed and stretched so that he can straighten both legs at once.  This is our number one goal this year.

2.    I will use a spoon.  Matteo would much rather be served than serve himself.  He's very content to just open his maw and wait for the food to arrive.  This is not what I have in mind for the next several years.   His Occupational Therapist has a plan.  It involves a strap that goes around his hand and holds a neoprene tube that I can slide a spoon into.  That way when he lets go of the spoon the spoon stays in his hand.  In theory it works great.  Not so in practice.  Matteo, in this short week, has learned that when I say "give me your hand" he hides both hands under the tray of his highchair.  On the rare times that I can get the contraption on he has learned that if he slides his hand across the edge of his tray it pops off.  Then he opens his mouth and waits for the food.  But, we are resolved to use a spoon.  Or, I am resolved that he will use a spoon.

3.    I will say "mama" or some semblance of the "m" and "ah" sounds together.  Is this too much to ask?  I take care of him all day, change his diapers, feed him, bathe him and all I ask is to hear this sound pointed in my direction.  Instead my husband, after watching him for a few paltry hours on the weekend, says that Matteo is saying "papa" every time he leaves the room.  I go away for a few hours and he's saying papa.  I almost cried. (Note:  I should say at this point that my darling husband gets up in the morning, changes him and gets our daughter ready for and to school while I sit in bed with the cup of tea that he brings me every morning.  If you know my family you will know that I am just carrying on a tradition started by my Great Aunt Una.)  But, really that's no reason for his first word to be papa and not mama. Words will come next, and hopefully soon because the whole screaming thing is getting old.

Matteo and I have a lot to work on this year but I am confident that with daily practice and perseverance we will meet all of his resolutions this year.  I hope you can meet yours.