My, How We've Changed

It's been nine months since we received Davy's diagnosis of autism.

Nine very eventful months.

So much change.

Mark and I have changed.

We approach life differently now.  Our choices are always framed with "how will Davy do?".

We spend money differently.

We plan outings differently.

We judge less.

We stay home more.

We are way more intentional.

Our Big Three have changed.

They are more compassionate.

They are more patient.

They can assess the atmosphere of the room and, more often than not, they respond accordingly.

They are learning with us and are so willing to grow and change with us.

I'm so proud of them.

And Davy has changed.

Oh, how he's changed.

Nine months ago he could barely put two and three words together in a sentence.

Now he talks constantly.

Nine months ago he lived in a bubble he had created for himself.

Now he lives in and among us.

It's messy.  And it's hard.  And it's beautiful.

And I'm so proud of him.

Here's a list I've been working on.  It's a list of all the little (BIG) ways our little guy has changed.

- Talks.  REALLY talks.  Intelligently and with reason.

- Lets me comfort him when he's hurt.  Lets me hold him close while he snuggles in to me.  This just started in the last few weeks... and I love it.

- Plays with toys.  Not a lot, but some.  And definitely more and more.

- Pretends.  This is just starting and is HUGE.

- Hugs us.  Not often.  But some.  Those hugs are priceless.

- Kisses me.  The big, wet, slobbery baby kisses.  Better late than never, people!

- Uses WORDS to express needs.  It's not always clear, but we're getting there.

- Shows empathy.  When Charlie was in the hospital and then came home still so sick, Davy expressed a level of compassion and concern for him that surprised us all.  This gives us so much hope!

- He laughs.  A lot.  He's really trying to engage in the joking and kidding around that is pretty constant around here.

- Practically... he's learning to dress himself.  And he's cooperating more with this process.  He's learning to brush his teeth and tolerating this more.  He's tolerating the hairbrush more.  He eats tiny bites of carrots.  He can use a fork.  He's getting better at using a spoon.  He uses the bathroom (mostly) independently.

There are more changes.  Many just sparks of change.  But these sparks fan flames of hope in our hearts.

We are grateful.  Hopeful.

And embracing change.