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Terrible two

This stage of Albert is really driving me crazy. He is now on his 30^th month and going thru what seems to be known (and rightly so) as the "terrible two" stage. From what I've read, kids at this stage are trying their skills at making their own decisions and forcing the parent to agree with them. My Albert is no different. When he wants something, he makes sure that I give it or not stop him from doing it. If I disagree with him, he will scream and hit my face. Anyway, here's my top 5 list of his terrible two antics:

1) Scream & cry when he does not get to do what he wants to do.

2) Do the opposite of what he's been told to do.

3) Spank my face when when I disagree or stop him from doing things. He can somewhat sense my objection even when he's not looking at me.

4) Throw tantrums anytime, anywhere.

5) Uncontrollable anytime, anywhere.

I didn't really expect how difficult this stage would be. It was really a heartache when he started to show these kind of behavior. I tried talking, scolding and even smacking him when he was on his worst, bu it didn't seem work. I even cried because I even can't do anything. There were times when I really felt helpless because I couldn't control him.

Well, one consolation is that this stage is not forever. I just hope that Albert's terrible two stage would end as soon as possible

2007 October

It's been a year since I last posted in my blog.

Just a quick update about myself and my family. I'm still working with the same company…yes for almost seven years already. Alvin is now working with a research and development firm. And about our Little Albert, he's now on his 28th month. He's been attending playgroup school since July 2007. His 1st week was very tough for him because he didn't want to stay with his classmates & teachers. Finally, after 2 week he managed to accept the environment.

Five months ago, I was so depressed. We sent Albert for a check-up and vaccination against Pheumococcal. I asked the doctor about the Albert's situation because he still couldn't say at least 8 words frequently. All of his words were mumble sounds but he also knew at least 15 letters of the alphabets. I was frightened from what the doctor told me. The doctor said that at age of 24 months, he should have been saying at least 50 words or more. She said Albert might have mild autism and after that word, I did shed some tears. Alvin was also shocked from what the doctor said. We were both speechless and we just let the doctor say whatever things she wanted to say. All I can remember was after the mention of mild autism, my mind couldn't listen to the doctor anymore and I just wanted to end the consultation.

I read and researched from the internet and journals about mild autism. There were actually no signs except the that he still can't talk much. I'm depressed for a month after hearing those words from the doctor.

Now five months after the check-up, Albert can read all the letters of alphabet (upper & lower case). He can recognize numbers and count from 1 to 10. He has more than 40 words (although he can't pronounce exactly but can 75% are understandable):

reality/flashcards/drawings
car, bus, truck, train, A for apple (I don't know why he don't want to say the word apple), nana(banana), orange, grapes, baby, Elmo, flower, lamp, glass, mug, iron, house, tub, brush (toothbrush), leaves, snail, bird, dog, cat, house, green, blue, red, circle, triangle, square

Action/instructions words
Come, there, sit, play, can

Conversational words
(Phone) Hi-Yes-Bye, bye, love you, care (take care)