Leaps and Bounds

Maddy at her birthday last year.

As Maddy's 4th birthday approaches in less than a week, I've been thinking about where Maddy was at development-wise last year. Even in the last few weeks, Maddy has seemed to advance leaps and bounds from where she was.

She has been interacting more and more with other children. Prior to this, Maddy has preferred to play on her own. It had me thinking that she might be on the Autistic Spectrum (even though dr.'s told me she wasn't). Lately however, she's been trying to hold hands with every kid she comes across. (Super cute!) She's also been actually trying to play with her cousins. Makes me teary-eyed just thinking about it. 

Maddy's play has been going well in other areas as well. She's started to become interested in dress-up (for short periods of time). She's also been playing with more and more toys as they are intended. The other night, she put the Little People horse in its barn and was playing with the doors that make the horse sounds. She did the same with the cow. (Another tear-filled moment for me on that one.) 

Maddy still has a long ways to go with many things. Talking and/or communicating using signs is still an issue. Feeding herself is still a challenge (with utensils). Sleeping at night is always a struggle. But more and more, it feels like the advancements she is making come faster. I am still hopeful Maddy can overcome many of these challenges. She is only just turning 4 after all. I am also just as certain that Maddy does have a specific disorder or syndrome, we just don't know what it is yet.