Wednesday, October 22, 2008

31 for 21 (#22) Achievement

Get It Down; 31 for 21
As most everyone knows, toddlers are usually very active physically. And, the typical child, by the age of two years, has begun to develop a variety of gross motor skills. As most everyone also knows, we have a non-chromosomally enhanced almost 14-month old and a chromosomally enhanced almost 27-month old. They are separated by 13 months and one day, but almost like twins from a gross motor perspective.

I get the question ALL of the time, “Oh, do you have twins?” I always feel the need to justify because most people pop their heads right into the double stroller. “Well, no, they are just over a year apart, but…” then I go into my spiel about Elliot’s special needs, how he was born two months prematurely and is small for his age and so on. One of these days, I won’t feel the need to say anything, but when a complete stranger is staring at my kiddo with Down syndrome then back at my typical child, I always feel the need to open my mouth. Who knows why?

Needless to say, I wanted to chat about gross motor development and I have gone off on a digression. Elliot crawls. Isaac crawls. Elliot crawls slowly. Isaac is a speed demon and is nearly walking, cruising on the furniture and taking steps here and there. Sometimes it is bitter sweet, but most of the time I am very pleased to observe Isaac’s feats.

Elliot, however, is mad. Elliot is mad when he witnesses Isaac’s gross motor abilities. And, that is starting to make me happy, because his anger is turning into motivation. He blew me away today when he beat Isaac in a “race” down the hall. His brain is telling him that he should be able to go, but his little body generally holds him back. But today, he’d have nothing of it. Slow and steady generally wins the race, but today, Elliot literally sped down that hall and nothing, not even his frail and floppy body, got in the way. Yippy Elliot! Triumph at last.

7 comments:

Melissa @ Banana Migraine said...

Go Elliot Go!!!Motivation is a good thing. I think having Bean at daycare really helps her moving along.

All 4 My Gals said...

Precious Elliott! It is a good motivation, but it always makes my heart ache a little when T notices this stuff with her sisters.
HUGS

Mommy to those Special Ks said...

This made me smile! WTG Elliot! Siblings are such a GREAT motivation!

Chris said...

Watch out, now that Elliot had decided he wants to be on the move too; you'll have two little speed demons tearing apart your house, and I suspect you will be loving every minute of it! Enjoy!

JaybirdNWA said...

I agree, siblings along with competition is a great motivator.

Tammy and Parker said...

That's our boy! Give Elliot a huge hug and high five from us, k?

Debbie @ Three Weddings said...

Yay Elliot!!! Go, Go, Go! I used to run a daycare and had peer models for Peanut in that way (not why I had the daycare, but it was beneficial). How awesome to have a brother to help you along. I hope Elliot continues to race (and beat) Isaac.