It happened again.
That moment where you look at your child and your breath stutters as you wonder: Where did you come from? How did you get here? Look at you! What the...
Elias walks around the corner carrying a Ranier beer can between his two capable hands, he weaves past you, like a drunk, but walking, no red and silver walker, no blue canes, just Elias on the way to the laundry room to smoosh the empty beer in the new wall-mounted can-crusher Nick found for him at a garage sale.
Elias walking.
Walking while using his hands.
Helping. Recycling. Doing a chore.
Elias:
He can walk to his room, pick out school clothes and carry them out to the kitchen.
He often returns with three pairs of pants, or one sock instead of two, but he walks to his own freakin' room.
He follows direction. Completes a task. Stands on a stool in the kitchen to "help" at the counter:
Elias.
And it happens again:
Your breath stalls as you listen. "Todd fox likes to jog... Todd is hot."
"Nice reading! Next page." With your arms around Elias, who squirms on your lap, you help him turn the paper copy.
He leans forward, his eyes inches from the page. "Todd Fox sits on a rock. The rock is hot!"
And it continues like this, with you occasionally asking him to check a word, but Elias reads on...
"Todd hops off."
He reads.
"Todd Fox sits on a log."
On.
"The log is hot!"
"Yes!" You say, putting your hand on his head, just inches from the valve that still connects to the shunt in his brain.
Yes, yes, yes!!!!!!!!
AWESOME, Christy!! That sounds almost exactly like a first-grade reading level. I love how he's exactly where he should be in so many ways, micro-preemie or not!
Marveling and celebrating along with you,
Candi
(And I'm not sure if I actually posted this comment or accidentally deleted it first, so my apologies if this is a duplicate!)
Posted by: Candice | 10/12/2010 at 12:58 AM
that's so amazing!!!!
Posted by: susanna eve | 10/12/2010 at 03:19 AM
Holy cow. That is just GREAT. That is really just so great. Todd Fox and Elias ROCK.
Posted by: Danielle | 10/12/2010 at 07:40 AM
So wonderful!
Kelly
Posted by: Kelly | 10/12/2010 at 10:55 AM
Christy,
Yes! Way to Go Elias! valerie
Posted by: valerie | 10/12/2010 at 10:57 AM
Can't stop smiling after reading this. He has come so far! loads of love!
Ginna
Posted by: Ginna | 10/12/2010 at 02:31 PM
Oh Elias, you are amazing!!
Posted by: Emilu | 10/12/2010 at 02:55 PM
Oh, so very wonderful to hear, yay!!!
Posted by: Mary | 10/12/2010 at 04:12 PM
My son is also learning to read and it just blows my mind that he is LEARNING TO READ! Wow! Celebrating with you and your own little reader!
Posted by: Shelley | 10/12/2010 at 04:36 PM
Joy bubbled up in my heart for Elias and for you. That rush of conquered adversity is truly a blessing!
Posted by: Kimberly | 10/12/2010 at 04:50 PM
I love you all!!!
Posted by: Christy | 10/12/2010 at 05:37 PM
Such a lovely and caring picture ...Its really very nice...Your a good writter ..its interesting and helpfull too...My hearty wishes to him...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=diKj68Rb_xk me waiting to c more posts from u....Cool!!!!Thanks a lot!!!!!
Posted by: Green leafy vegetables | 10/12/2010 at 08:42 PM
I honestly can't tell which milestone made me prouder... reading or peeing standing up? ;) Go, Elias, go!
Posted by: AngieinNYC | 10/12/2010 at 10:31 PM
Great boy!!Thanks for sharing milestone like this!!
Posted by: Sara | 10/13/2010 at 07:54 AM
I don't think I teared up like this when either of my girls read to me for the first time -- what an amazing journey you are all on! Great job to all!
Posted by: JenniferB | 10/16/2010 at 04:48 PM
Oh you all make me so happy, I feel like Elias has a whole community behind him!!!!!!!
And me too:)
Posted by: Christy | 10/20/2010 at 10:12 PM