We had Morgan's appt with a specialist on the 18th, which was very encouraging. The doctor said she didn't think he was autistic, and gave him a label of PDD (pervasive development disorder) for now, but said that children at his age can change significantly each year and it's quite possible that next year or in a couple years that he would not have a label at all (in other words, he could outgrow whatever it is that's going on and be perfectly average). She said she had no concerns about his intelligence level and he appeared to mainly have a language delay that was probably affecting other areas. She did want to give him some sort of label so that we could continue to receive the services we're receiving, so that was nice. Anyway, it was a very encouraging appointment.
That afternoon, however, we got a visit from our neighbor's oldest step-daughter (who is about 21 I think) saying that her father had killed himself that morning. It was a bit of a shock to say the least. He was 45 and had a son from a previous marriage, a daughter (2 1/2) from his current marriage, and 6 step kids from his current marriage. He was a really nice guy and we have no ideal why it happened. We have no idea what his wife will do. So far there has been a constant stream of family there (he had 3 brothers and a sister in the area, as well as his father), so we're waiting for that to calm down a bit before we start bringing food over.
Timothy woke up sick on the 19th. He stayed on the couch all day and missed kindergarten. He seemed to be feeling better that evening and the next morning, so we headed to Boxboro as planned, but he wasn't better, so we didn't stay long before we headed back. Then he missed Monday and Tuesday as well. Morgan got sick Sunday and missed the whole week of school. And he actually MISSED it - he kept asking to go in the car and Josh asked who he wanted to see and he said Sarah, which is one of the kids at school. We tried sending him back Wednesday as it really seemed to be just a cold, but he threw up at school and got sent home. Timothy had lost his voice for most of the time he was sick, and could only whisper. It was pretty cute. Anyway, both are feeling better now.
Timothy and I have been having interesting conversations lately. He asked me one night what it means to be born and what happened when he was born and did I go to the hospital and what did the doctor say and did he cry when he was born and how old was he when he was born. After having it explained sufficiently, he turned to me and said "Hey mommy, wanna know how you get boobies?" "How?" I said. "A baby sucks on your stomach and then you get boobies," he answered. I wasn't sure what the appropriate reply was, so I paused. "So, did I suck on your stomach when I was a baby?" he asked.
Despite being under the weather, Morgan continues to make progress. He has started repeating more than one word. For example, we've finally taught him how to use the computer, or at least how to click the button on the mouse so that he can play a few computer games (a good 'cause and effect' lesson I'm told). When it's time, he looks at me and says "press-a-ba?" (for press the button). He's slowly gathering a larger vocabulary. He spontaneously names most of the Sesame Street characters, and asks for cookie-mon when he wants to play the cookie monster computer game. He's learned to use the leap pad and enjoys it. He seems to babble constantly, and has long pretend phone conversations on the play phone. At school, he's walking the hallways independently and holding hands better.
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