Posts Tagged ‘special needs sibling’
A Quiet Birthday
Dylan, you will be three years old very soon. I can’t believe that. It seems like only yesterday that we were worried we would never even have a child. After three long years of trying, we conceived you! We could not have been more excited to welcome you! The overwhelming love I had for you when you were born was palpable. It was like a ton of bricks and I felt instantly connected to you. You cried when you were born but the moment you were laid on my chest…
Read MoreCan a Baby Heal?
One of the unique parts of autism that I try to share on this page is the relationship Cooper has with his brothers. I’m often asked, ‘Do they play together?’ ‘Do they acknowledge each other?’ ‘What is their relationship like?’ The answer was no, no and non existent. For a lot of years it was so puzzling. If I was to describe it I would say that Cooper quite literally thought he was an only child for the first five years of his life. He was two years old when…
Read MoreTo My Precious First Born
To my precious first born, I’ve been thinking for several days about the one person who I could write about and thank for being a blessing to our family. We are incredibly blessed, because I could write for weeks about our family, friends, church, as well as the amazing teachers and therapists who work with Austin, all of whom have gone the extra mile for us. I didn’t know how I could choose just one person. This afternoon, Austin got into the fridge and took two packages of shredded cheese…
Read MoreI’m Not Lonely Anymore Mama
The decision to have a third baby was huge for us…as it is for any family. A third baby is a lot. Plus, our boys were 7 and 5. Did we really want to start over? Midnight feedings, lugging a car seat around, and nursing. Our living room wasn’t filled with baby gear. We had no bottles or diaper bags. And, to address the elephant in the room…one of our boys has autism. He needs so much more all the time. More patience. More therapy. More one-on-one time. More everything.…
Read MoreMy Daughter, I am Thankful for You
My seven year old daughter, Emmy, sat down next to me this evening and asked me what I am most thankful for this year. She told me ‘Don’t just say family, really think about it. Be specific.’ Without any hesitation…I said ‘You. I am most thankful for you.’ She looked puzzled. Offended mostly. ‘How could you say you’re most thankful for me?! What about Dawson?! Are you not thankful for Dawson too?’ I smiled, and I hugged her tight. Emmy is always thinking about her little brother. Putting his wants…
Read MoreWelcoming our New Baby
Cooper has a new brother! Welcome to the world, Harbor Edwin Swenson — born Oct. 9 at 4:17pm, weighing in at 8 lbs 7 oz. Thank you all for the thoughts and prayers. We are settling in at home! Sawyer is over the moon excited and asking to hold him every five minutes. Cooper is cautiously excited and slowly warming up to being near him. He laughs every time he squeaks and gets very nervous when he cries. https://www.facebook.com/findingcoopersvoice/videos/1932980700337447/ Interested in writing for Finding Cooper’s Voice? LEARN MORE Finding Cooper’s…
Read MoreSaying the Words Out Loud
“I pray she’s okay…that she doesn’t face the same challenges as Leo,” I expressed to my Mom, a couple of months ago, as we were driving. Pausing for a moment, silence palpable as I bit my lip, hesitant to continue on…Afraid to allow my thought a voice… “And if she is okay,” I said, my words already cemented in guilt… “If she’s okay…maybe she can take care of her brother when they are older.” “I know,” my Mom responded quietly. “I know.” My sister, Victoria, has special needs. Growing up,…
Read MoreLove Needs No Words
“Don’t worry Sadie, you can hold your ears, I’ll always be here to help you.” These were the words I overheard my five year old Max say to Sadie as I was walking past the bathroom. She was holding her ears and needed help with her pants, without hesitation Max helped her and continued on giving her step by step instructions on how to wash her hands. He’s the brother that never wants to see her upset, he’ll step in to tickle her or make her laugh until she’s forgotten…
Read MoreSibling Guilt
On our summer vacation, I had an epiphany. Well, actually, I had a meltdown, then I had the epiphany. First the meltdown: In July, our family of four took the risk and went on a family vacation. It was so needed. Our past spring had been our toughest season yet since beginning the autism journey ten years ago. We were all worn out. To our relief our vacation was off to a great start. We had seen more peace, less meltdowns, than in the past five months. We were unpacking…
Read MoreBecoming Brothers
We have two boys – just 15 months apart. Usually when I tell someone this, I get comments like how lucky – they will be BEST friends. Do they get along? Do they fight a lot? I bet they keep you busy. Well, the last of these statements is certainly true but the others – I never thought it was possible but I think maybe we’re getting there. They are now 12 and 10. Our younger son has pretty severe/ nonverbal autism and his big brother is as “typical” as…
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