The Past Year

While I sit here waiting to ring in 2011, I can't help but think about all that has happened this last year. It feels like a lifetime ago that I had the talk with Miller's doctor. It feels like ten years ago that Miller started Kindering. All these huge, life altering things happened, and it's only been nine months. The longest nine months ever. I am happy however, that so much has happened and that so much is being done to help Miller with this journey. He has made leaps and bounds since last March. I know he will make even more progress in the coming months and the year.

Happy New Year! May 2011 be filled with happiness, joy and good health from our family to yours!

CHEERS TO 2011!

Happy Holidays!

A gift for you:

May you have the gift of tolerance, understanding and patience. May you have the gift of love and laughter. May you have the gift of joy, friendship, faith and family. May you have the gift of life, and enjoy the journey that it brings.

These are the important things under the tree and around the table.

Merry Christmas from my family to yours!

Individual Results May Vary

It's always hard for me to think about the future. I try to focus on the here and now, but it's the night before Miller's ADOS test, and I'm nervous. Not because of the test itself, but because the results it's going to yield.

When I look at other kids that are older than Miller, I get excited for Miller's development, but then a little piece of me, the little envious piece, feels a pinch of pain. While other parents are planning for school, I'm wondering if Miller will get potty-trained. While other parents are forming futures for their children, I'm wondering if Miller will ever live on his own. Will he have a family? Will he go to college, have friends, a job? While I know all this is uncertain, and I still hold a little glimmer of hope that he will be high-functioning, I am faced with such difficult questions. How do I plan for the future? I don't like to think of Miller being 7, 12, or 18. I just can't do it. I don't even know where we will be next month. But plans still need to be made and put into place. I just wish there was a comforting stepping stone for me to hop to.

Arguments

I hate arguing. I avoid it as much as possible, but this argument was different, and would prove to be the best of my life thus far.

It went something like this:

Miller handed me his sippy cup after a second filling of milk.

Me: (made the sign for "all finished") "All done."

Miller: (makes the sign for "more" and points to his sippy cup)

Me: "No, all done."

Miller: (makes the sign for "more" wildly and points to his sippy cup)

Me: "No, we are all done!"

Miller: (stomps feet, whines loudly, and points)

Me: "All done."

It went like this several more times with Miller growing more frustrated that I was ignoring his signs.

In the end he won, and after a third helping of milk, he promptly passed out on the couch. I think I have a milkaholic on my hands...

This was Miller's first real non-verbal communication with me that was completely comprehensive and held attention. I am so proud.