I feel as though I'm losing braincells with my milk.
As proof I've written and erased this next line more times than I can count.
Elias and Olive both sleep and I sit here on the couch exhausted but awake with a rare free moment to write.
But.
I can't seem to get the words from my head to the screen. Can't decide where to start.
Do I tell you that Elias is learning to read, that he can sound out words: nap, cat, van, tag...
As he discovers words I lose mine.
Nick and I look at each other amazed when Elias sits at our kitchen table, with his professor glasses, head bent close to the paper, sounding out letters, asking us if he can read the words again.
Yes. Yes. Yes!!!
We don't know what to say because we didn't dare expect this, not when he was first labeled legally blind. Or developmentally delayed. Or with CP.
Or...you know "special".
"I want to practice my letters," Elias says often. He asks to do homework, his worksheets with letters and numbers; when he finishes he says: "I want to do more homework!" When I read him stories at night he pulls the book closer to his face to study the words. "There's my," he says when he recognizes a word he knows. He points to tags on blankets and asks, "What do these words say?"
His love affair with the alphabet is in full bloom.
And I'd tell you more--because there is so much more-- I'd write a sonnet for my son if I could, but I feel that familiar tingle and the baby girl with the siren lungs is beginning to stir, so I'm off to the milking chambers, to dumb down a little more as I sit glossy-eyed and stare at her butterball cheeks, just another fool in love.
With not one but two children I was somehow smart enough to co-create.
The words will return - perhaps not as they once were, for giving birth has certainly caused me to lose brain cells and, uh,....(seriously, I had the word and I just lost it). Articulate! I am no longer as articulate!
And hooray for Elias - that's so exciting!
Posted by: Ginny | 01/14/2010 at 03:37 AM
So excited for Elias- when worlds open up and they can't stop wanting to "learn". Baby Olivia is adorable- loved both of the pictures and the ones that you paint with your words. You still have your gift and this is the year that you will be "tired" but oh is it worth it. Just relax and enjoy- you just happened to put a ton on your plate all at once.
Posted by: Noel Dennehy | 01/14/2010 at 04:26 AM
Christy, you often capture so much of what I feel. My son also just started reading simple words and the feeling was incredible! Thanks for sharing your words and photos! Olive is soooo cute!
Posted by: jill | 01/14/2010 at 05:09 AM
Great pics and very cool that he is starting to read! I can't wait until my little one starts doing that!
Posted by: Jessica | 01/14/2010 at 05:22 AM
The photos are wonderful and what fun that Elias has a whole other world opening up to him! can you send your new address? thanks! xo Liz
Posted by: Liz | 01/14/2010 at 06:00 AM
Thanks for the photographs and the pictures your words paint in this post about Elias' enthusiasm for reading & learning. The latter will be stored in my heart along with the ones of him pushing his wagon across your living room. Both are amazing milestones! Your body is still recovering from pregnancy and a complicated birth and that, from my experience, will take longer than you expect. You have much on your plate right now: new baby, new home, and helping Elias to continue to grow. It will get easier.
Posted by: Barb in Michigan | 01/14/2010 at 06:30 AM
Check out www.abcteach.com! They have TONS of worksheets for Elias to do. They have many that you can access for free, and if you pay a small fee (something like $30 for a year) you get access to thousands more. I belonged for several years when my kids were Elias' age and a little older and they loved it. Now they have more homework than we can handle...
Posted by: Kris H. | 01/14/2010 at 08:16 AM
Wonderful! What a good time for Elias to "discover" reading. This will give him something JUST for him, something is little sister can't even begin to do. :)
Posted by: Erin | 01/14/2010 at 11:22 AM
How wonderful to hear that he is so interested in learning to read. With everything that he learns,
he pours his interest and desire into a new skill.
And I love reading your observations, feelings, and expressions of love. Your photos are wonderful. Both children are beautiful.
Posted by: Mae Ann Smith | 01/14/2010 at 01:31 PM
So don't believe you are losing your words when you write gorgeous things like this! Wonderful pics, too, by the way!
Posted by: JenniferB | 01/14/2010 at 02:43 PM
Love the pictures Christy, and your words! Not sure if Elias is as into writing letters as he is into reading them, but I heard recently about traceable fonts that can be downloaded. I couldn't find the link, but you can google traceable fonts if you're interested, several come up. Happy weekend!
Posted by: Emily | 01/15/2010 at 08:57 AM
Love love love. I love it! All of it!
Posted by: Angie (formerly AngieinNYC at parents.com) | 01/15/2010 at 01:07 PM
Yey Elias!! I still remember learning how to read as a child.. it was exciting! I was finally able to decode secret messages in the adult world. And now, as an adult, I love teaching reading.. it's always a treat to watch the skills develop. Congrats to your little man!
Posted by: Emily | 01/15/2010 at 06:31 PM
That is exciting for Elias! I know you are tired, so tired....newborns alone are enough to crush you with exhaustion, let along everything else you have going on. I appreciate the little glimpses you are able to give us. Little Olivia is so cute. I am so happy for you and wish I could could somehow send a nap just for you your way!
Posted by: Morgan S. | 01/15/2010 at 10:11 PM
Yea for the reading, that is great.
Posted by: [email protected] | 01/16/2010 at 06:10 PM