(So) Worth the wait!

This weekend for the first time ever, Tommy called me "Mom" and Billy "Dad"... he also said "Bam!"  He's up to 5 words and I couldn't be more excited.
We've always suspected that something was not right with his hearing, but after an audiologist told me not to worry too much after an evaluation... I did that.  And that's my own fault, I did not know how little an audiologist could do for us.  (so frustrating)
Then at his two year appointment, I was just being honest in telling the Doctor, "Yeah, he doesn't talk, I don't think he can hear very well, but there are times he seems to hear alright"...  And the Doctor told me to "Prepare myself for a diagnosis of autism."  ~  I'll be honest, I felt the blood drain so fast from my face that it stung!  I have never had the rug pulled out from underneath me like that in my whole life.  Why didn't he give me a laundry list of thoughts?  Why would he just throw one huge diagnosis out there like that and then the best part was, he told me not to loose sleep over it.  (Really???)
I like his doctor too, maybe he was just having a bad day or something... I don't know.  But I left there pale, my heart hurt and shaken to the core.   I went to my moms house and called Billy to try and tell him what was going on, but hysterics had offically taken over.  My sweet mom and sister came right home for me and Billy came as soon as he could.
I felt like I was in a little canoe in the middle of the Pacific Ocean in the middle of a hurricane... where should I start???  We found out about a wonderful woman in Redlands who set us on the right path.  She told us the first thing we should do is take inventory of both sides of our family for different issues.  She told us to keep a journal  of how we're feeling and questions that come up (I'm on my second journal) and to just love our boy.
So in the process of interviewing family members, Billy has had some cousins have a problem with ear infections and their adenoids.  So I started researching that one because I didn't know what adenoids were or what they did.  And this made sense to me!  He constantly has ear infections and sinus problems.
After the car accident I took the three kids in to be evaluated and I asked that Dr. what he thought, he said there are two basic components to autism 1.speech/lack of hearing  2. zero social interaction and both of those components have to be there... and in Tommy's case #2 is not there. 
We did another hearing screening a few weeks later and found out that his left ear is progressively getting worse and that he does not do well with high pitched sounds.  We have another audiology evaluation (because we have to) and an ENT consultation in February.  I just hope we can get my sweet boy what he needs, my biggest fear is failing him.
I have had him evaluated at the Pre-School and also by someone at Billy's work and they have all said "No way" the doctor who did the last hearing eval., said that there was no way an autistic kid would let him do that.
And while I do have a feeling of relief, it also made me think about the moms who don't get the answers I got.  There is such a mom-petition out there, I got lucky in finding someone I could reach out to and I want every mom to feel that way.  I don't think that this will change anyone's life, but I just feel like we should be able to share our struggles along with our triumphs with our children... and not feel insecure about it or that our kids are being judged.

So I'll take my 5 words from Tommy and celebrate!  He is the most amazing and beautiful little boy... I'm grateful everyday to be his mom!!!

 How dear to God are little children;
With him their spirit life began.
So priceless their security,
Their innocence and purity;
They are a part of his eternal plan.

To earthly parents God sends children
To guide and teach, protect and love.
Oh, let us keep the sacred trust
That he has placed with each of us
And help to guide them back to God above.
How dear to God are little children.

Phone pics, so these are very random.

Billy and I took some of my church kids to the LA Temple, it was such a great night.  It's my favorite activity of the year!

Sophie had her preschool program.

We've been having way too many Italian cream sodas.

Here are the 21 pies I made the cream filling for, and while I was making them a pipe burst under my kitchen sink.  Awesome.

We made a gingerbread house.  Oh boy was it (not) fun.  I almost broke out the glue gun, but I've never used one before so why would I start now???

Oh yeah and while we were at the church setting up, my mom came and picked up the kids and my car to go to the Christmas Tree Farm, and they were t-boned getting off of the freeway.  Noone was terribly hurt, Sophie's arm was sore and they are a little anxious in the car now.  But I'll take it!

This was our rental.  It's huge and uses way too much gas.  I don't know why people would own one if they didn't have a bunch of kids and a trailer???

Sophie fought the tub, and it won.

This put me in the hospital, but was some of the best food ever. 

We took the church kids here for dinner before the temple.  They love us even more now.

Santa's epic fail...

The girls hated their bikes.  The first words out of Sophie's mouth were "Santa got it wrong, they're not pink, they're not princess, they don't have a bell, they're too big, they're too wobbly!"  yeah, he failed.

They all got new carseats, and LOVED them, surprisingly.

As usual Santa went a little bonkers with the stockings. 

A Who-bilation

Billy and I were asked to work with another family and put together our ward Christmas party.  Heidi and I came up with a theme and then asked so many people to help.  It was amazing!

We wanted to do a Grinch themed celebration, and focus on the fact the Christmas is not just about Santa and presents.  That it's about being with friends and family and celebrating Christs birthday.

These were my babies!  I saw the trees and knew I wanted to use them, then I found that candy cane swirly cup and thought that would be fun, we used little candy buckets under one of the trees then it was Heidi's idea to put a present under the third one.  They were so fun and whimsical.  Perfect for the party!  That basket with the tissue paper was for the bread and we had made quizzes about Christmas music and movies to keep the adults entertained for the first half an hour.

 

We set it up so that the kids all showed up at 5, we had a kid area and a kid menu.  They loved sitting together and coloring and talking as loud as they wanted.

This our Pageant narrator, he sat here and read the story while the Primary and Nursery performed, it was the cutest thing ever!

We had the best turn out our ward had ever had!  Heidi and I made Who-hash with Roast Beast casseroles, the Grinch's Glorious Green Salad and with the help of our cousin, a pudding cream pie for each table just like they eat in Who-ville. And instead of having Santa come we did family pictures next to the fireplace.  It was wonderful... and different, just like we wanted.

 

So Much To Be Thankful For!!!

Like wonderful cousins

Feeding the horses!

The best Aunts!  (and I do mean the BEST!)

Little adventurers!

Diet cokes and cuddles!

and leaves bigger than our heads!

I hope everyone's Thanksgiving was a nice as ours was!

Kindy 500

Lia's class was learning about different forms of transportation and at the end of it was the Kindy500.  It was so fun.  Each kid was to work with their family and make a car then there was a HUGE parade around the whole school.  All of the other classes come out to cheer them on and they had the music from Cars and the Beach Boys blasting through the speakers.  It was so fun. 
Billy and Lia designed hers, I painted it and put it together, it was a great family project!

Our girl got ANOTHER award, yes I'm bragging.

I had to keep Sophie busy...

Tommy too.

This one was for perfect attendance!

As a reward I took them to McDonalds and actually let them play in the plaything... I never do.  Then we went and saw Puss In Boots.  It was a fun day!