Just One of Those Days

Hello everyone!
Today is just one of those days. You know, where you feel a little down and sorry for yourself and your lot in life. As I write this, I'm watching my beautiful son play with Maggie and Bo (my mom's dogs). He doesn't have a care in the world. He is so sweet and happy the majority of the time. He keeps opening doors he isn't supposed to open and messing with things he isn't supposed to be touching. I tell him "No no!" and he stops for a moment, then it's right back to it! I keep wondering if he really understands what I'm saying to him. At times he seems so smart. Like last night, he showed my aunt all the signs he knows. When I'd say the word, he'd do the sign without even thinking about it. That makes me think, "Wow! My boy is so smart!" Then I have to tell him other things a million times, and he still doesn't do it. I don't know if it's him being an almost 4-year-old boy or if it's him having AS. It's really hard to tell. Then I look at my beautiful daughter toddling around the room acting silly and imitating her brother. I think about all the things she'll get to do that her brother never will, and it makes me very sad. It's almost like a state of mourning for all the things that are lost to my son. It's bitter sweet for Cate to be "normal." On the one hand, I'm so happy that she's meeting all of her milestones and doing all that she's supposed to do. On the other hand, I'm sad that she's growing up so fast, and I worry if she'll always love her brother the way she does now. I wonder if she'll understand when she gets older and if she will feel like it's unfair that her brother is special when all her friends have "normal" siblings. I try to take the "one day at a time" approach to all of this, but every once in a while, things build up and you need to have a good vent or cry. Today is one of those days. Hopefully tomorrow will be better. Please continue to pray for Will, Cate, and our family. We treasure every prayer lifted up on our behalf. We couldn't make it without God and without your lifting us up to him. I hope everyone reading this is having a better day than me. Hopefully I'll have some more good news to post soon. Until then...

Beach Trip





We drove from Tulsa to Montgomery on Saturday, and then we came with my parents down to Fort Walton Beach on Sunday. The kids have had such a good time. We've been to the pool each morning, and they swim for almost 2 hours. Will absolutely loves the pool. It's very common for kids with AS to love the water. This has been like heaven for him. It was Cate's first experience at the beach. Neither of them are particularly in love with the sand or the beach, but they both love the pool. I wish we had one at home. We'd probably live in it. Cate even made a friend while we were here. We met a sweet family with a little girl named Abigail who is only 2 days younger than Cate. I've attached a few pictures so you could see what a good time we've had. We're going back to Montgomery tomorrow to spend 5 days before we have to return to Tulsa. Enjoy!

Doing Great!

Will and Cate are doing so great right now!
Cate had her 15 month well child check yesterday. She weighed in at 22 pounds! Her weight came up on the chart from 10% to 35%. Her height is 30 inches, also 35%. She is walking everywhere. She is starting to say a few words, mainly the words Will says. She's becoming his little mirror image. The pediatrician said she looks great and is a "normal healthy baby." That was music to our ears! She also has gone 5 weeks without being sick! We may have broken the 4 week "sick cycle." Pray this well period continues.
Will is just doing great. He finished school for the year yesterday. He has a month off and then starts the new school year in August. He has taught his little sister how to give kisses! It's really cute. Today they were giving kisses to each other! His communication continues to grow. He still only has 4 words, but he is learning more signs and gestures that help him let us know what he wants. He has also learned to open (and pour out!) his sister's cups. That's fun to clean up....not!
Sorry it's been so long since I last blogged. Hopefully I can be better about that. More updates to come!

Making Great Strides

My little Catie Bug is making some great strides in her motor and speech development! She has started taking several steps in a row and today she said "juice." I'm so excited! I think she'll be walking well soon. I hope so anyway. I'm attaching a video of her walking tonight. Enjoy!