apple

Hayden will be six years old next month, and he ate part of an apple today.

He has done this before, maybe just a couple of times. In his life.

He likes applesauce, but biting into an apple is a whole different skill. You don't realize that you have to know where to bite (for example not the top or the bottom, but rather the side), how much of a bite is the right size for what you can chew, and that the skin may take a little bit more chewing than the fruit it protects. 

This is a challenge for H to put together. He knows it's OK to bite into one, he has seen how we eat an apple, and he wants to do the same. Just the fact that he will now open his mouth wide enough to position the apple to bite into it-- despite the fact that his teeth aren't even piercing the skin-- is an accomplishment. 


Like the first time he successfully used a straw-- he actually drew liquid up through a straw and into his mouth. I remember the exact moment. He was so surprised he ciggled (cough + giggle). We could tell him a million times over, narrate what we are showing him, yet sometimes there are words that his brain doesn't successfully interpret. Or there's a lack of communication between his mind and his body (sometimes both). But one day, we were having a meal at a restaurant (another accomplishment), and he was watching me drink my water with a straw. He has seen me do this literally countless times. For whatever reason, that day at that moment, he wanted to try. And he got it.


So I have had these apples in a little basket in the center of the table for a number of days now. Tonight while my husband and I were having dinner (H already ate), he joined us at the table and displayed interest towards the apples. 


He is developing expressive language now, and asked me to cut one.  Then he said "self", but I told him I would cut it for him. And sure enough, while playing with the apple and sort of exploring it, he actually consumed some. 


My husband and I know better than to praise him too soon, or he will feel like he is being put on the spot and an expectation being placed on him. So we will exchange glances, knowing the other one notices the same thing, and when we're sure H is done... then we will repeatedly tell him what a great job he did eating that apple. 


This is when our proud, happy, child will clap while flashing us that beaming smile of his.