Over the past year or so I have noticed more and more how Camilla helps Arthur in the areas in which he struggles. I've felt for awhile now that she will be the one who will be his biggest supporter, cheerleader, and aid as he continues to progress and develop. She is able to push him in a way that no one else can, not even me or Tim. Camilla is able to get away with telling him when he is wrong and how to help him do or say it correctly. It is a marvelous relationship to watch and I full-heartedly hope they always remain close friends.
As Camilla continues to learn and grow, she continues to catch Arthur up and even surpass him in various things. It can be hard at times, even though I am so proud of Camilla and her accomplishments, to see how Arthur struggles to understand why he can't always do the same things she does. It makes my heart feel so warm and happy though when I see Arthur achieve something he has worked so hard at doing, often to just be like his sister.
This summer they have both grown to love the monkey bars (Arthur has always liked having help to do them but doesn't ever last long before he wants to go off to play something else). About a month ago Camilla was able, after Tim or I lifted her up to the bar and let go, to swing her body to help propel herself along and the strength to hold on with just one hand while moving the other one forward. Arthur watched her as she moved from one end to the other and would have us help him up so he could try the same. After we would let him go he would hang there while he tried to swing his body enough to move but he just couldn't do it. He just kept watching Camilla and saying, "One more time. I want to do the same as Camilla." So we'd lift him back up and he would try again and again and again. After many attempts, and Camilla continuing to move right along, Arthur finally was able to swing enough that he propelled himself forward a bit, and then a bit more, until he had moved just a few inches. He was soooo proud of himself and so happy to have achieved even that small of a victory.
I pray that he will always be encouraged by Camilla and continue to see the positive of being able to have her there to give him the determination to succeed. For the longest time I have heard him say more times than I can count how hard something is and how he can't do it. I've continued to encourage him and telling him that he can, just to focus and take it slow. Getting himself dressed or undressed is one example. He can now do most of it by himself but there are certain things that are still a struggle, such as socks and shoes. If I sit by him and talk him through it slowly he can usually do it but there are still times he just doesn't have the motivation and it becomes insurmountable in his mind, making the task seem impossible.
I am so grateful for Arthur each and every day. Most days do not pass without some sort of extreme meltdown and myslef in tears at least once, but I wouldn't trade him for any other. As he continues to show his perseverance and diligence in getting what he wants and achieving his goals I feel so blessed to see the miracles unfold right in front of my very eyes. He truly is a miracle and I am so incredibly grateful to see Heavenly Father's hand in Arthur's life. I always want Arthur, as well as Camilla, Eliza, and Walter, to know how much their Father in Heaven loves them and is there for them at all times. Oh, how blessed I am!
Arthur at about 5 months
