so much to say, sorry if this one is long.

first, we should have a new blog page soon, and some new stuff is hopefully going up this weekend, so come back!

second, let me say, barring last November when Ben had has seizure and all this really began to come out, September was the worst month we've ever had with him. He was crazy hyper, didn't sleep, wouldn't eat, was aggressive and began to "stim" in a way we had never seen before. In a word, it was terrifying. Ben looked like an Autistic kid for the very first time. We were afraid we were losing him. I know I didn't post much, but frankly if I turned my back for one minute..he broke my coffee pot you know, and I think that is a sin. Besides, my heart was breaking and I didn't know how to say those things without it all coming out and I couldn't afford to lose it. It was also an insanely busy month, so we got to do all this out in public where people stare and make rude comments and ask awkward questions. I am so glad September is over!

It turns out Ben was experiencing something called a 9month regression. Being Ben, it was longer and more horrifying than what I had been led to believe by others. Here comes the good news-Ya ready? AFTER this regression, the kids make HUGE develpmental leaps. And so did Ben. Let me tell you what my beautiful baby can do

1. He can do the motions to if you're happy and you know it-without my help! He can do many other songs with help-Ben has to be taught even the most simple things others pick up by osmosis.
2. He really, truly, potty trained, at least the pee
3. He and I had our first, real, give and take conversation today "Ben, what do you want?" after potty "want candy" "you think you deserve a candy for peeing in the potty?" big grin "yeah"
It's not much, but it's a beginning, and this mother's heart leaped for joy to be communicating with my son at last
4. This is the best one-Ben learned to PLAY! Did you know he didnt' know how before this? We can play hide and seek, catch, and other simple baby games. Ben has to be taught all these things we learned as babies, because somehow, he didn't. But now he is! Praise God from whom all blessings flow!
5. He has better eye contact, better "social awareness", can obey simple directions (this is something he NEVER could do before) and some discipline is taking hold at last. His speech has even cleared up some. He is asking questions and imitating others. All these things put him at a solid 2 1/2 + developmental level, which is great considering he was 11+ January of last year.

Now I am going to dry my eyes, and go PLAY with my son!

Hi all-

We've come to the conclusion that Ben's hyperactivity is directly related to preschool. That being said, we are pulling him out for the time being....not sure what that is going to look like, but as his teachers have been rather vague about the timing of this new class they are putting together, we feel it's best for the time being. Perhaps we will try again when the new class actually comes into being. Or we may put him back in if it turns out it's not preschool making him crazy after all. But for now, Ben will be homeschooled like the others. Please pray for us to have God's wisdom about what is best for Ben. All of these decisions feel like life or death to us-what if we don't get this child the help he needs and he never recovers?

The Good-Ben peed in the potty three times yesterday!  this is a record, we are all very happy.