For those who worried and wondered (after that old post)...
Marty is a happy, healthy, completely neurotypical, all-boy 20 month old now. His sister did not prepare us for him! He has also been instrumental in bringing Ellie "back to us" more and more often as he grows. There's nothing like the persistence of a little brother to force you to interact with the world.
As for myself, well, I had two more years of therapy and the blessings of Paxil! The CP, the ASD, the four therapy sessions 45mins from home every week, the 10 hour work days - that's just The Way It Is.
And on the weekends, when I'm trying to have Mommy's Coffee and Quiet Time, I usually have two children in my chair with me, a little one sitting between my legs on the footrest and a big one stretched out full-length on my body, nose buried in my neck. And they say Autistic children are not affectionate... HA!
So, we survive, and we thrive. There is love and laughter. We sustain each other.
Addendum: A visual aid from January 7, 2008.
Notice that there are two children and one cat who have invaded my chair, making it impossible for me to read my book and drink my first cup of coffee of the day. Also notice that it is the autistic child who has her nose buried in my neck, snuggling Lastly, notice that I am grinning my fool head off, and really don't care about the cooling coffee or the book - they can wait!
I love my coffee & quiet time
