Patience is the companion of wisdom. - St. Augustine

As I begin to write, Henry is sitting beside for what seems like the hundredth tim-out of the morning! He has been trying a new "screaming" technique with Eliot to see if out talking him will get him the toy. Ugh, not impressed to say the least.

Life has been looking up for the Ferrara-Brown clan at long, long last. Matt just accepted a position at a language academy ( read Hagwon for all my ROK peeps ) in Harvard Square in the trendy and bohemian rich Cambridge area. Although Matt has only been hired on as summer staff, there is the possibility of full-year employment. I know that they will be blown away by Matt's supersonic teaching styles and have to have him there:) Matt really is a great teacher, patient, unassuming and friendly while being totally knowledgeable in all things ESL. Just saying:)

The boys, aside from Henry's anarchistic behaviour, are doing well. Eliot speech continues to blossom and he is finally putting together two words and expressing himself in new ways. While his expressive language flowers, his sensory issues seem to be taking a bit of a nosedive. Getting Eliot anywhere near the bath, nevermind in the bath, is a test. A couple of weeks ago he peed in the bath and completely freaked out, both Matt and I were pretty laid back about the urination thing and even Henry who was sharing the bath did not seem to mind much. However, Eliot was just beside himself, I wonder if it was just the involuntary and unpredictable peeing that set him off. Since then he has been afraid of the bath.The other night it was like trying to bathe a cat: Eliot howling like he was being set on fire and Matt and I trying diligently to wash our squirming son; his fat little foot constantly climbing the lip of the tub trying to escape. What fun!

Our visit with the Children's people was rather vague, they were adamantly clear about his non-Autistic diagnosis but did not seem to have any other ideas as to what was actually going on with Eliot. What they were sure about was how ELiot needed MORE occupational therapy ( 3x a week) and they would follow up with us.

Tomorrow morning we are seeking a second opinion with the May Institute and I am really hoping that I don't get the runaround. It is very hard to illustrate what we are dealing with when Eliot has a wonderful time with little sensory play and lots of quiet, calm ladies. I want Eliot to "reveal himself" a little so that we can give him all the help that he needs.

In the meantime, I am bravely thinking of going to the wading pool today. Eliot playing with cars and Henry in the water? We shall see, wish me luck:)

R

"All who joy would win must share it, happiness was born a twin" Lord Byron

Summer is here and suddenly our week of spring is gone:) The boys are changing and growing in leaps and bounds, the second birthday a month gone now. The way that they talk, and move, and question things is evolving so much. I see the boys they are becoming, and I am filled with such pride and love for these two miraculous potatoes.

We continue to try to hunt down and solve Eliot's issues as his sensory sensitives ( sibilance?) are becoming more and more emphasized. The poolside weather approaches and with it my own apprehension that it will like last summer: Eliot horrified to touch the water and literally clinging to the sides of the fence that surround the little wading pool. The pool at the "Y" also stirred fear and worry in Eliot who took a few steps in the therapy pool and stood, rather like a block of wood. Matt and I are searching for the name of this thing that prevents Eliot from picking up certain foods, and that dismantle him if there is a change in routine, a name for the thing that enrages him should his "man" in his toy car not sit in the absolute perfect manner...It is a difficult and daunting thing to express. All that Matt and I know is that it IS there and we want to help him in the best way we can. Pheewwww, who knew parenting would be like this? :)

That said, Eliot's language evolution is putting his last diagnosis to shame, his "communication disorder" is farcical as we watch him point, name and sing. He is a veritable wealth of words and information. Henry also is chatting up a storm and insists that Eliot do his bidding, "Eyyot, eat dis, Eyyot have dis, Eyyyot come inna water, it'da be fun". They are so close, so present for each other, I feel lucky. That is in between the fighting and screaming for toy supremacy:)

Matt has an interview on wednesday and we are feeling good. My EMT course starts in August and I am hoping to attend. As our job hunting net has been cast further and further, we aren't sure where we will end up. Both Matt and I are going where the jobs are. Rochester, Vermont, Maine...

We are hopeful, or at least trying to be. Our boys and our love, in between the fighting and screaming for TV show supremacy:) keep us strong.

until the next time,

R