The Ups And The Downs

Ladies and gents, it’s been a hell of a week.

And then you realize that every little thing is gonna be alright.

Can you believe that we successfully took Xander (3) and Damien (16 months) to the mall on Friday? We spent over an hour in West Edmonton Mall without any meltdowns! Pat and I were both choking back the emotions as this is something we haven’t been able to do with X in months and months. It was uplifting and hope-inducing and just plain wonderful. On Saturday we were feeling pretty proud of ourselves and decided to go walk around the zoo for a bit. I wore Damien in one of our mei tais and Xander willingly (!!) got into the stroller, and we meandered through the nearly deserted zoo. It was perfect. Xander was engaged and alert for most of the walk and Damien enjoyed the view in his snuggly carrier. The weather was warm for an Edmonton February and all of the animals were out and about which the kids thoroughly enjoyed. Pat and I had a great time too.

Sunday we went to a birthday party and we took all three kids. The venue had an indoor playground so that is where Xander wanted to go immediately, which worked out just fine as the party room was attached to the playground area.
There were many other kids there, and some of them were even X’s age, but Xan was content to play by himself and spin in circles…
Until he talked to another kid.
I swear he did. For the first time since his regression he talked to another kid! Sure he didn’t look at her for long and it was only a few words but sweet baby Jesus I’ll take it!
I sat down on the metal benches that ran along the perimeter of the room and let the tears fall. I watched Xander tell the little girl that she was holding his airplane (which she wasn’t) as he pointed to the plastic toy in her hands. It was over just like that and Xander went back to sitting quietly alone while she ran off to join the other kids. I walked back into the party room and nearly yelled “Pat! Patrick! HE TALKED TO ANOTHER KID!!” and I watched Pat’s face light up as we did a happy giddy dance that can only be danced after watching your child do the impossible. It was a pretty terrific day.

That face! “Say cheese, Xander!”

Of course with all good there is always something that happens to bring us back down to reality. Xander spent yesterday and today under close watch as he decided to eat the pork I had thawing on the counter. Poison control helped me out a great deal and assured me he would most likely be fine. The nurse I spoke to after calling our local health link number said she had never heard of a child doing that before and I told her that it was because she had never met my child. Some days you have to laugh or else you’ll cry, and yesterday was one of those days.

We have had a lot of challenges and happinesses come our way this week and I am so proud to say that we survived to tell the tale. Patrick is out of town on business until Friday and I am missing him almost as much as I know he is missing us. Of course we both have this job to thank for providing us with enough security that I can stay home, so 2 nights a month out of town is really small potatoes in the grand scheme of things. So there you have it! A small taste of our week!

Good oral hygiene is not just for the bathroom!

Tomorrow is my first interview with Xander’s future preschool and I am so excited! If this place is half as good in person as it is on paper I will be all over it like white on rice. Of course you will be kept posted, and thanks for always supporting us.
Hey experienced parents: Do you have any questions I should be asking the teachers and admins? Please let me know in the comments!