Autumn's turning 5

Autumn will be 5 in a couple of weeks. I always get teary eyed when I talk about Autumn. I don't know what it is. Even if I am talking to Drew I get emotional. He says it's because I love her so much, and while that's true- I still wonder why water works begin when I converse about her. She made me a mother. She bears the name that I always dreamed my child would have. She is beautiful, talented, smart, and kind. And she's mine.

When Autumn was an infant she was so incredibly difficult, I cried a lot those first 4 months. :) Then she was fine, and was a normal developing child- hitting milestones and I was enjoying being a mom on a different level. Then the terrible 2's hit, which were very very hard, and I cried a lot. Then came the 3's and there was a beautiful intervention- her preschool. Her coping skills became stronger, her communication barrier was diminishing and our relationship was getting better. Then came turning 4 and it was like a whole new child. :) Now she's almost 5 and it keeps getting better. She has truly gotten better with age!

I think I cry and get emotional when I talk about Autumn because those first few years all I did was cry, I was so confused and worried about what she needed and she was always so demanding of my time and emotions- and I cried a lot. So I still cry- I get teary eyed when I have a wonderful meeting with Autumn's teacher, I get misty eyed when I relay the information to my family. And shockingly enough- I cry when I really sit down and think about her going to Kindergarten next year. I have been so anxious for Autumn to go to school all day- but now my baby girl has really grown up, and I know I will miss her.

She's what I wanted so badly for so long. When I wrote papers in school about what I wanted to be when I grew up I talked about her. We were only married 3 months and I was telling Drew I wanted a baby...and she came 3 days after our anniversary. She has helped shape and mold me into who I am today. She took me from being "April" and turned me into "mommy", "mom", & "momma." All these tears, are exactly why Drew says they're there...because I love her so much, and can't imagine our family without her.

A Proud Mom

I have been meeting with Autumn's preschool teacher a lot these last few months as we prepare for her to enter Kindergarten. Today was the best meeting we have had in the last 2 years.


Her speech therapist did a 1 hour screening test with her yesterday to see where she is at and what info to pass onto Autumn's future elementary school. She was amazed and so pleased with how far Autumn has come. 2 years ago Autumn was testing in the 1% range for her speech in most areas, which is way below average. Now she is up to 24% in some areas putting her at average ranges. What she still struggles with is expressive communication and language structure. And those scores are just a little lower than the speech therapist would've liked, just slightly below the average range.  Autumn will still qualify for speech services next year. But! She has made amazing progress and Mrs. Heather will hand deliver Autumns I.E.P. to her elementary school and explain/justify why she thinks Autumn still needs the services when the testing shows she doesn't. I was so proud and happy for Autumn. Mrs. Heather (the speech therapist) is certain that Autumn won't need speech for very much longer. And is sure that she will be dropped from I.E.P.'s before the end of her Kindergarten year.

If it weren't for the speech she'd have been dropped from the special ed services all together. The 2 area's that originally qualified Autumn for the program, which were Adaptive Behavior and Cognition, she is no longer qualifying for. And her scores on the speech tests show she is average, but her therapist knowing how far she has comes still wants her to recieve some therapy next year. It's made me grateful to have a daughter who has obviously worked hard, been patient with herself and her therapists, no longer needs services for 2 delays and is so close to be finished with speech therapy. I know she's smart, talented, and beautiful- and I have seen her grow in so many ways from attending this preschool program. I have watched her confidence grow, and communication skills become stronger.

At the meeting all the teachers kept complimenting Autumn and I couldn't help but thank them because with out them, she wouldn't have come as far as she has. I am so proud of her.