How do you get to know someone who doesn't talk?

The other day Megan said about Cash that it surprised here that with seemingly so few ways to get to know Cash, how much she actually does know about him.  

I like that. I think some people assume that because he does not talk, he does not communicate. In fact, if you spend much time with Cash, you find out that he is a very definite person, with a definite personality and definite preferences. You just have to listen to him, to pay attention to his signs, his eyes, his actions, his moods. I do sometimes wonder what goes on in his head but that's true for everyone. He is mysterious, and yet he reveals a lot when you are paying attention - in fact, he reveals more every day as he continues to open up since the stem cells treatments.

The eyes have it

Yesterday, I drove 5 hours (2 1/2 hours each way) for 10 minutes with Cash's eye doctor in Grand Junction. These are the things you miss if you are elsewhere, say in Spain.

Dr. Lenahan said his eyes look fine and he should see a doctor in about 6 months. Cash himself whimpered from the moment we got to the office building and flat our hollered during the appointment itself. As soon as it was clear we were leaving, he perked up and zoomed out.

Speaking of eyes and glasses, here's an interesting thing about how Cash's mind works: I showed him the sign for "hat" a few months ago (patting your head) - he liked it and he does it alot. Well, now it has become clear to me that he uses that same sign to mean "glasses". It's frustrating because it is wrong, but I also like that he generalized. Hats and glasses do both go on your head, after all.

Cash woke up at 1:30am Sunday night with a bit of a cold (again, the fun things you miss if you are not here). His nose is running and he's a little grumpy but otherwise, he seems fine. I hope it doesn't get worse because I already sent the oxygen tanks back to Lincare.

Cash is back at the public school summer session as of yesterday, no more daycare.

Music

I went out with Megan (our music student from last summer) last night for drinks and dinner at the Nell - we had a fabulous time. It was interesting to hear her thoughts on Cash's love of music. She says it is fun to play for him because he gets so engaged. She also suggested something I had never thought of - that Cash changes the songs on his toys all the time as his way of being creative since he does not have the fine motor skills to play himself. I find that an interesting idea. Also, we talked about how Cash clearly does not have perfect pitch. He really doesn't care if something is in tune (definitively evidenced by the fact that he likes my singing), so what is it that he does like so much about music? He's liked it since he was very very small, and while he does have preferences, he is pretty much happy with anything. I don't understand it, but I honor it. 

Here is Cash listening to Megan play. When she stopped, he signed "more please".

Progress

I haven't really done an update on Cash's progress lately. Mostly that's because there's nothing big to report. He continues to improve his walking - he still walks wide-legged and stumbles sometimes, but he is more stable and he does more maneuvering. He continues to use his sign language, and he has become much more responsive. That's one of the biggest changes lately. He answers yes and no appropriately and follows directions (when he wants to). He's maybe more playful - he has always had a sense of humor, but I think maybe he laughs more and wants more interaction than he used to. And I am happy to report that he has been healthy the whole summer.

I adore him. He is so snuggly and soft and fuzzy and funny.

Free your feet and the rest will follow

Cash was kind of grumpy last week - didn't want to walk, didn't want to play. We got him new shoes yesterday and it's like the sun came out. This morning he held my arm while I brushed my teeth, he smiled a ton, and he waved at a stranger when introduced. He wants to go down the stairs by himself too - he keeps walking right up the edge and staring down. It makes me nervous.

Also, his lip is healing nicely. He is one up on me - I'm doing dry needling treatments for the pain in my back (still from the car accident 3 years ago) and I look like I've been beat up. It hurts terribly when the needles are stuck in, but I do believe it will help in the long run.

The movers are coming August 17. The house is full of boxes. And yet there is so much more to do...

Climb every mountain

This is us on Ajax over the weekend.

Six is a serious age

Cash had a very nice birthday. We celebrated by riding the gondola to the top of Aspen Mountain. Uncle Gib got us comped for entry to the Aspen Mountain Club's buffet, so we ate crab legs and tuna and omelets and mango and goji berries to our hearts' content. At home, Gramma made Cash a gluten-free cake which we let him eat with his hands. He seemed pleased. This picture is from before he had cake smeared from ears to belly button.

He also Skyped with his father earlier in the day.

And now he is six. Let the wild rumpus start!