Henry Begins Daycare!

Henry is now attending the Corning Children's Center, where Thomas goes! In fact, the two of them see each other around the school or outside playing.

Months ago, i entertained the idea but I was torn with conflicting emotions about it.

How's THIS for multi-tasking!?

On the one hand, i could totally see Henry at the Center, interacting with other children his developmental age, and being exposed to all the learning tools the Center has to offer. After all, I'm convinced it is daycare that helped both Sam and Thom with their learning and potty training. Thom was slightly delayed upon entering the Center, and within 2-3 months, was right on track, in fact, exceeding in some areas.

On the other hand, however, I felt I would be judged. I feared it would appear that i was 'pushing off' my Motherly duties in caring for Hank, who needs some extra attention. This is so VERY unlike me, it really made me feel uncomfortable, to be 'worrying' about what others would think. But there it was. I was also uneasy with not being an interactive part of his therapies. One amazing benefit was that ALL four of his therapies would go to him, at the Center. But that is a little bittersweet in that I can not easily be there to watch, observe and chat with the gals.



So everything was weighed out, and the decision was made. We are quite fortunate, once again, in that Henry qualified for the Early Headstart Program (age 0-3) which is wholly funded by NYS.

He's been going for a little over a month now, and the advancements he is making are GREAT and QUITE noticeable and noteworthy! He is starting to sign. He does "more" and "all done" and quite frequently pats on his belly when asked where it is. He can wave and 'say' bye-bye and puts his arms in the air when someone asks, "How big is Henry? SOOO BIG!" These things are not all done EVERY time, but certainly enough for it to count and be noticed.



The gals in his room are AMAZING with him. In the first days of his attendance, i hosted a little "presentation" to everything uniquely Henry. I had five women and I forming a circle around wiggly Hank. I created laminated visual charts with directions on how to work his feeding pump. I walked them through, step by step. I literally SHOWED them Henry - his g-tube button on his belly, his chest incision scar. I told them that when Henry hiccups, people in the next room will be able to hear it - its incredibly hollow-sounding and loud and to not be alarmed. I eased their nerves about handling a 'special' little guy. Within the first week, they smiled and said they'd take 12 Henrys any day. Sounded to me like he was flirting. :-)

Diggin' on the spoon. He practices tastes and getting used to things in his mouth!

"Stick with me, hunny."

Henry does feet painting, sits at Circle Time, and takes Buggy Rides to the Farmer's Market down the road. He's decorated a mini pumpkin and mushes his fingers (with help, of course) into homemade play-doh. He's even got a little girlfriend, Alexa. She is VERY protective of Henry and her eyes light up wildly when i bring him in the morning. She walks over, pats his leg and tells everyone around her: "Henry! Henry!"

Henry is in a room with children who are developmentally close to his level. Most of them are about a year to 18 mos old. Henry is not quite functioning at a 12 mo level, but he's getting there FAST. He is sitting up on his own longer and longer without falling over. I believe by Christmas time, or shortly thereafter (by his 2nd birthday late January?), he'll be sitting up.

Sitting, unassisted!

This was a wonderful decision we've made. Maybe even the BEST. He's getting amazing care and attention in an atmosphere totally conducive to aiding him developmentally. Let's not also forget the obvious here: This frees up Mommy and Daddy time. I've been able to get some things done around the house, with an ever-growing list. I'll be the first to admit that its NICE to run errands without 1-3 kids in tow.