I have worked to get this footage for Drew's speech evaluation. Then, once I captured him stuttering, and sat down to send the video, I couldn't get it to send. Keith has tried to compress and send it to no avail. So, I am uploading it to my blog to send it that way.

This was taken in the morning. Drew thought I was filming the Hot Wheels track in action. Drew was rested, and not rushed. Since everyone who reads my blog will see this, and since it's only the speech pathologist who wants to see it, I will use this as a teachable moment. If you are around Drew or will be seeing us over the holidays, here are some things you can do to help him.

-Speak slowly when addressing him

-Physical closeness when talking to him is helpful

-Use short, simple sentences

-Ask him only one question as a time

-Know that fatigue exacerbates Drew's stuttering, we will stick with his early bedtime as much as possible

-Give him plenty of time to transition to a new activity

-Don't rush him

-Don't call attention to in any way or mimic his stuttering

Staying humble

All weekend, Drew only wanted Keith to wipe his bottom. Sunday, Drew said, "I only want Daddy to do it, because he is so much better at wiping bottoms." I am hoping Keith doesn't get too cocky about this. It's a skill he can be the master of. I'll leave him to it.
Despite not caring to wipe his own fanny, Drew has gotten quite adept at coloring. He may be addicted to it. Yesterday, at church, he bragged to his friend Sydnee, "I'm wheely gweat at coloring."
"That's the truth," I agreed.
"God's truth," Drew bellowed as he watched Syd color Strawberry Shortcake.
I am glad Drew has noticed that he is good at art. Last week he told us he was fat. He compares himself to David and right now; there is only a four pound difference between the two. Drew isn't fat. Just solid. It's like someone shrunk Keith's body when you look at Drew. This is probably partly my fault, I think I have said things like, "He's a huge three year old," within earshot of Drew. Keith remembers comparing himself to his skinny older brother. We want him to like himself and not see his hero David as what he is supposed to look like.
Yesterday in the car we were talking about our family motto. It's "No whining!" We like to say it quickly with a thick German accent. We tell the boys that "no whining" is the Hudkins' way. Keith then said, "And Hudkins are the best." When I argued that this was going a bit too far, Keith countered with, "Humility is easier to teach than high self esteem. They are the best." It made me laugh, because while I haven't read that in any parenting book, it does seem logical.
So there you have it. Keith's your man if your rear end needs wiping and Drew is the best color-er. And it's fine to brag about these things because, well, I guess I would rather deal with a bit of arrogance than an eating disorder? Hmm...

Deck the Halls

I caught Drew taking Christmas ornaments, backing up, and then throwing them dart-like at the tree. Last night, I mentioned this to Keith in a isn't-he-a-bull-in-a-China-cabinet sort of way. Keith's reply was, "Oh, I used to love doing that when I was his age." I thought surely Keith was kidding. When I started laughing Keith said, "No, really, I remember doing that and watching the ornaments fall down the tree, kinda like that game Plinko on the 'Price is Right.'"
"Um, it may be fun, but if you see him doing that Keith, please ask him to stop."