Dear Julia,

You and daddy were so proud last week to show me your newest accomplishment. You drank from a cup. No top, no straw, just a cup. You were such a big girl. You smiled so proud. My eyes filled up with tears. Please accept my apologizes. I really was so proud of you. It was the first time you were able to do something that your big brother, Aaron, could not. It was a defining moment for me. In no way does it make me any less proud of you. I want you to do everything you can. I want you to be smart and independent and strong. Your brother is amazing. His accomplishments fill me with pride every day. It is just that they are different than yours. Sometimes that is hard for me. No matter what though, I promise I am always going to be there cheering you on. No one will be prouder than your Dad and I as you go through life and shine in all that you do.

Love,
Mom

The Bus

Sometimes I am still home in the morning when Aaron's bus comes. Getting him on is always filled with such mixed emotions. You would think by now it would be routine. It is so not. My heart is in my stomach as I watch such a little person climb up the yellow school bus. The steps are so steep. I know these steps were not meant for such a young child. I watch him get all strapped in. I know he is off for such a long day. It will be 8 hours before the bus brings him home. I am filled with pride. He works so very hard for every little accomplishment. I am filled with guilt. Am I stealing his childhood? I am filled with with resentment. Why does he have to be such a big boy? I am filled with gratitude. His team of teachers is amazing. I owe them so much. It really only takes a minute to get him on the bus. Still, every time I do I am blown away by the act of sending him off into the big world. I do not know if it will ever be routine.

Hi

I am a full time working mom.

Mom to Alex, Aaron and Julia. Ages 4,3,and 17 months. Alex has a sensory disorder and attention problems. His testing at 2 left us with a diagnosis of borderline PDD-NOS. He goes to a developmental preschool for speech, special ed and OT. Aaron has autism. He goes to a different developmental preschool. He is learning to chew "crunchy" He is learning to tell us how he feels. Julia is developing beautifully. I am so close to announcing that I am parenting a typical toddler. If only she would talk....

Did I mention that I am a full time working mom?