Posts Tagged ‘special needs siblings’
Embracing their Differences
I have two absolutely amazing little boys. One is 7 and one is 5. They are both blonde. They are both happy. They are both silly. I gave birth to them both. They are two years apart. And that is where their similarities end. My boys are like night and day. Personalities, likes, dislikes, fears, hopes, dreams, etc. All different. And that’s okay to say out loud. I’m not afraid of differences. Not anymore. In the beginning yes. I’m human. And differences can be scary. But time helped all that.…
Read MoreWhen You’re Afraid to Say the Words Aloud
I like to think that after 14 years of living with autism, I’ve learned a few things. I read, and still read, everything I come across about the subject. When my oldest daughter was diagnosed in 2005, I spent a good year doing every possible intervention or “cure” there was. Mind you this was the time before social media and Jenny McCarthy’s book was one of the few books offering recovery. Defeat Autism Now (DAN) doctors provided the needed medical intervention including hyperbaric chambers, yeast detox, allergy testing, diet changes…
Read MoreBrother, Wanna Help Me Build A Fort?
A new thing is happening at our house. Sawyer wants Cooper to ‘help’ him with his antics. Fort building, trying to convince mom and dad to go to a pool, late night ice cream runs. It’s pretty cute. ‘Cooper!! Wanna help me build a fort? Yes or no? Yes? Come on Cooper. Come on. Mom said it’s ok!’ And off they run. Cooper has no idea what he’s agreeing too either. But he doesn’t care. My heart melts. Just the sound of Sawyer saying Cooper’s name in a sentence. It’s…
Read MoreI Can Feed Myself Mama
It happened today. You told me you can feed yourself. And in full disclosure…this was not the first time you’ve told me, ‘I can do it.’ You’ve been telling me that since you were a baby. ‘I do it.’ You’ve always been so strong willed. So independent. You wanted to buckle yourself. Wipe yourself. Get your own snacks. I could go on and on. You have an independence about you Sawyer that I didn’t know could exist in a child. And then this morning, I was rushing you along. I…
Read MoreA Letter to My Daughter, My Son’s Biggest Fan
Today was, as you call it, a “Mommy Day.” I don’t work on Mondays, so we played and snuggled and went to music class and ate lunch at Panera. Then, we picked up “Col Col” from preschool. You burst into the classroom, thrilled to see your big brother, and he proudly announced “This is my friend, Grace!” You two giggled and ran around, and didn’t listen to Mommy, and giggled some more. I love seeing you two together (even when you’re being a little naughty) because I didn’t know if…
Read MoreMy Son, You Showed Me That I Was Stronger Than Autism
A Letter to my son Daniel: It’s hard to believe you are already fourteen months old, as it feels like just yesterday I was holding you in my arms for the first time. I know you are still a baby but I hope to read you this letter one day when you can better understand it all. Watching you grow and reach exciting milestones this past year has healed my heart in so many ways and brought so much joy to my life. You are always smiling and laughing and…
Read MoreMy Daughter, I See You
Kylie, My Daughter, In a few weeks, you’re turning 10. Oh, baby girl, if I could only somehow let you see yourself through my eyes, you would understand how the years pass so quickly. Just yesterday, I was snuggling you up to my chest, breathing in your new baby smell. Then I blinked and before me stood YOU: an opinionated, passionate, kind, witty girl. When you were a toddler, I remember you walking confidently into Sunday School. You never cried. You simply trusted us to always be there for you,…
Read MoreAnd Just Like That, My Baby is Five
Yesterday was Sawyer’s fifth birthday. I know I don’t show all that much about Sawyer on this blog. I try to focus my posts around autism and everything that goes into having a child on the spectrum. I do that because I know that some day Sawyer will read this website. He already talks about Finding Cooper’s Voice with me. I want him to be able to tell his story if and when he is ready. Some day, I hope he spreads autism awareness like me. Anyhow, I wanted to…
Read MoreFinding Comfort with Two on the Spectrum
To my amazing little boys, Oh my beautiful boys. Where do I even begin? You both are loving, sweet, crazy, energetic, sensitive, hardworking, and special. I know you live a life that is harder than it should be. Every day when you wake up, you face challenges that I can’t even begin to understand. I’m sure if I understood everything you face between your sensory issues, lack of communication options, and constant need for routine, I would be impressed that you even make it out of bed some days to…
Read MoreA Letter to My First Born: Thank You
To my first born Omar, I want to thank you. Thank you for the ways that you have held me together. For the ways that you have been able to carry a weight so heavy on some days that it should have dragged you down. But it didn’t. You smiled through. There were times I was so distraught and so impatient, that you didn’t need to forgive me for my loss of control and failure as your mom. But you did. From the first time you heard your brother needed…
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