If your child has autism......

then you have at least one room in your house, that looks

like Dr. Seuss' torture chamber.

Get in the Car and Drive!

You are looking at the first time my children have played together! Cotton grabbed Mr. Chief by the hand sort of shoved him in the car (Mr. Chief although surprised was happy to comply) and began to push him around the yard. It was so cute. Mr. Chief had a friend over today, Cotton was busy "bossing" the toddlers around, showing them who (according to him) was next to go down the slide. This is the most interest, or voluntary contact he has ever had with his brother.

HOME STRETCH!!!

This is my last week as a single mom!!!! Woo Hoo! He's coming home, he's coming hoooome! OK enough singing, I am just so darned excited. One thing about it, when your husband leaves every 30 days or so, you really learn to appreciate him. I mean he could sit on the couch and play video games for all I care, as long as I can walk down the street ALONE to get the mail, I am in heaven. Although I am sure it will be an adjustment having him home all the time, and I am not sure how to have an argument, with out the phone beeping at us telling us our 15 min are up.... If you ever want to have a good laugh try having a fight over email!! You can copy and post previous comments, concrete proof of how wrong they are:P But he is off the ground, I know that he is at least on his way, they can not back out now!!!

So, I am dwelling on the topic of receptive language again. I have been debating weather RDI is responsible for the sudden burst, or was it just that Cotton was maturing. Well, today several times actually, I got my answer. He was playing with my ipod and I walked over to him, placed my hand on his shoulder, waited for the "head pop", and said, "put my ipod on the table" (meaning dresser). I pointed to the ipod, and looked at the dresser, he did this no problem. Cotton doesn't know the word ipod, and I said table instead of dresser, he was definitely reading my intent through my non verbal communication. Yup, RDI strikes again!

New Developments

So even though I have self admittedly been a slacker RDI mom for the last few weeks. Cotton has made some pretty amazing jumps forward. First and foremost his receptive language has really begun to blossom! Seriously for 4 years I have been saying the same 3 phrases over and over, all of a sudden he is following direction?! All kinds of direction, stuff I have never said before. So I am thrilled. Also, he has started to be able to express his opinion. Perhaps a pre cursor to a developing self awareness. The picture on the left is an outfit Cotton picked out for bed. Two of the shirts are mine and of course he topped it off with Thomas. He had to have shoes to make the outfit complete. After each article of clothing was added, he would run to the mirror to see his new creation. Well, I am saving for fashion school as we speak:)

This seems to be a theme as of late. He is my little helper at the grocery store and it cracks me up when he jumps up out of the grocery cart "car", to grab the bacon and hot dogs (his favorite foods) least I forget. Don't get me started about the toy store! This is amazing to me, he has never wanted anything, it is exciting to see what he likes.

Good for a few laughs!

If anyone is looking for a completely hilarious way to entertain your children go to http://www.memovies.com/

You send them a picture of your child, and they put their heads in the movie. Mr. Chief flies a plane (Daddy would be proud), drives a truck, and dances with a bee. It is so darned funny, I laughed until I cried. The kids loved it too. I plan on getting one for Cotton. It did take about 3 weeks to get the video, but well worth it.... and now back to our program:)

Week Off

Well, we are recovering from our week off. I needed a break, and plus I SOLD MY HOUSE!!!!:) I am a little worried with all the changes that we will be going through. Not as much about Cotton, as me. I need to really stay focused and keep our objectives in mind. Cotton is a little rigid this week, which for him is really odd, but we were barely home last week, and spent the weekend at my in laws. Next week is spring break, and he will have my undivided attention. I always look forward to having him all to myself. He is so much more in tune, when he is not rushed around, and given the proper time to think and respond. So next week, we will be sleeping in, working on stage 3, and having fun.

P.S. There are NO current pictures of Mr. Chief that are not blurry! He is a hard man to keep up with these days!