One of the cutest things that EL does is called scripting. Meaning, he can memorize anything he hears from people, television or movies and repeat it back – especially if it includes a song. It’s just another trait that makes EL, and we are learning that it’s part of his comfort zone. When we engage him while he’s in his comfort zone, it helps him connect with us – and vice versa.

Even though it’s another symptom, it’s hard not to think its adorable. Some of his first words came from scripting The Monster at the End of this Book, so it’s been kind of all we knew before we knew the word for it, or that it was part of something more.

Lately? It’s been the theme from Spiderman and his Amazing Friends cartoons he watches via the Netflix app on his iPad. Of course this makes his Daddy happy, as it was one of the first cartoons he introduced to him as a baby…

The most common question I encounter when someone asks me about how to start a blog is:

“There are so many other blogs out there, why would anyone want to read what I have to say?”

I just want to shake people when they say ask this. So called “small bloggers” (IMHO there are no small bloggers) think of the blogosphere as this dense, over populated, overwhelming sea of people just yammering to themselves, never to be found or commented on or given the time day. That what they have to write about isn’t as important as the next blogger. That a community doesn’t exist. To this I say to them (in the best British accent I can muster because it sounds more important) “Rubbish!”

I recently read that a so called “Big blogger” was pulling all of their blogging advice articles because they didn’t want people to copy their actions (and no doubt succeed where they didn’t or did for that matter) anymore. I rolled my eyes so far back into my head that I thought they would never look forward again. This is what is wrong with the blogosphere today: People seem to think that we are all in competition, keeping secrets from each other in hopes that the next blogger won’t achieve a thing. There is this umbrella of belief that only one ultimate big blogger can reap all of the benefits of blogging.

*gag* Nope.

You hear that bloggers? This isn’t a competition.

We all have value

Whether you post once a week, or five times a day, or have 100 or 200,000 followers – anyone with a blog has value. Why? Because, it is on the internet, and you are no doubt promoting it in some way. And because brands believe that you have influence. Telling 10 friends about a product or service is just as valuable as telling 100. Why? Word of mouth marketing is where it’s at, and real people telling real people that they like something? That’s Marketing GOLD right there.

Your blog isn’t the same as mine.

The best part about blogs is that they are all written by humans. We all have a unique way of looking at the world, different backgrounds and histories. As long as you are being authentic, and showing your own personality – your blog is different than the last. All of our blogs are different as long as you aren’t trying to be a copycat. If you are, stop it. You are awesome enough, just be yourself. Just like you attract friends in life, you will attract the same kind of friends online – follow what Mr. Rogers used to tell us as kids: You are special because you there is no one out there like you.

I think if you make it in this or any business, you should return the favor and help others succeed. A company doesn’t want links or product recommendations on only one blog, or the biggest blog. I promise you, it’s not a competition – and if you think that it is, take a step back and remember when you were just starting out. Who did you ask for help? What reputation within the blogging community do you want to have?

If you are a new blogger or a blogger with questions, please contact me with questions. I might have a few of my own for you too! Let’s help each other.

I had the talk with EL’s pediatrician about autism today. I am surprised at all information he had to give, excited to get started and relieved at the same time. We have a referral to a developmental pediatrician out of UofM Hospital Ann Arbor, a prescription for speech and occupational therapy at a local place right down the road, and some info on local educational programs in our area.

There is a lot of information to process. I brought a notebook to the meeting, and the doctor was really helpful letting me know when I needed to get ready to write something down. “You are going to be doing that a lot, so its good you brought a notebook with you to get started” he told me. I am amazed at how much information he had to give, and thankful that he knew so much about it. He told me what to be careful about when seeking services for EL, taught me how to talk to the insurance companies who seem to deny claims he is entitled to, and overall gave me hope. This is the first step towards getting EL what he needs to grow and progress. I am so glad we took it.

I am so thankful for all the support I am getting from family and friends and readers. I’m one of those people who doesn’t like to ask for help, and likes to do things on her own – but with this I am gladly seeking and finding support where we need it. We are venturing into uncharted territory backed by so much Love! So many people stepping up and saying “I will help you” — it’s amazing and really really really helps.

Like I hope I conveyed before, we aren’t sad about this. We aren’t even shocked. EL is such an amazing little kid, he makes us laugh and our hearts swell with pride every single day. He just has some hurdles he needs help to cross, and we want to learn how to bridge the communication gap between us.

My mom put it a good way to me today, she said that it’s hard because I see him as perfect just the way he is, but the world sees him differently. I want so badly for everyone to see past his quirks and see him like I do… but it doesn’t matter what other people think, really … What I really want is him to know how awesome he is and how special and perfect we think he is.

Next stop: Crawling.

I love dressing boys.

Since I had a boy first, I’ve really gotten into picking out boys clothes. I love little overalls, sneakers and ball caps. I love little suits with ties and vests that make them look like little old men.

My favorite thing to dress EL in has to be t-shirts with cute sayings on them, or cute characters though. I remember looking forward to this when I found out I was having a little boy. He started out in onesies with cute characters or sayings on them. Our favorite which was a gift from his aunt was one that said “Captain Adorable”. He wore that one a lot! We are complete geeks when it comes to comic books, movies and tv shows, and when he was but a month old and I found a 12 month star wars tee – I had to snatch it up! I remember the day he was finally big enough to wear it fondly. Since then we have never looked back!

When upgrading EL’s wardrobe, I always go for the character t-shirts or hooded sweatshirts (depending on the season) that match his personality. When he was going through his biting phase, he had an orange t-shirt that said “Careful I bite” and it had an alligator on it. This past winter, he got his first Transformers hoodie, and for this spring/summer I bought him a ton of t-shirts with adorable things on them, my favorite being one with a tiger wearing a tie. It’s cute, a little quirky, and funny just like my EL.

Some say dressing a girl is more enjoyable – but I enjoy picking out my childrens clothes equally!

What are your favorite things to dress your baby in?

I am so excited to see this movie!

I hesitate to write this, because of it’s sensitive nature, and my tendency to gloss over important things when they scare me or when I feel like I will be judged or accused of something. But, it is something we are going through and the need to feel not alone is overwhelming right now in the face of this. So, since it is my blog, this is my support system, and because if you judge me for writing about this then you aren’t apart of my support system and should just not read this anyway – here goes:

Monday we are finally approaching EL’s pediatrician about an autism diagnosis.

If you are a long time reader, you have obviously read my posts about some of EL’s difficulties, including his communication skills, eating habits, and other behavioral aspects of what make him, well, EL. In light of his third birthday, we feel it is time to address the symptoms he displays and learn what we can do to help him navigate through them, learn about how he sees the world, and understand him a little better. Our pediatrician has been hesitant about declaring anything or moving forward until this point, citing that many 1-2 year old behaviors can be misdiagnosed. But now that he is older, and as I see other children progressing in ways that he is not – I am in “help my baby” mode, and I’ve done enough research at this point where I am ready to admit to the fact that there is something different about EL. Of course, there is no denying that he is darn special.

How am I feeling at this moment? Scared. Stupid. Sad. Excited. I’m scared because I don’t know what comes next. Scared that I have been doing it all wrong, and scared (as irrational as it is) that I am to blame somehow. I feel stupid because I don’t know anything about this. Sad because I don’t want him to feel different. I felt different my entire life, and when you know the dark road that can lead you down you don’t wish it upon your children. Excited because I can’t wait to understand him a little better, and excited to see him grow from this point on.

I would get mad when others would point things out about him that didn’t quite fit the definition of normal out of the fact that I was always singled out, always taking note, but getting more defensive than concerned.

Why? We didn’t really know any other way. EL is our first baby, when you haven’t had a child that who wasn’t a little quirky it doesn’t seem weird that your 1 year old likes to spin things, that your two year old can read but not tell you what he wants, or that your 3 year old doesn’t come running when you call his name. You can’t fault us for waiting, and following his doctors advice and not pushing the issue.

I have been feeling a change coming for months now – and in a way I think it was me finally coming to terms and realizing that I need to push for this. I need to get him what he needs. It’s time to move forward. Time to bring him into focus. Wish us luck.

I know that I’m not alone, and if anyone who has gone through this would like to take me by the hand – please do. I need to learn everything I can!

That nest I wrote about for Mother’s Day? Has four perfect little blue eggs in it today. Amazing!

I love this blog. I love what it has become, and what it’s going to be, and how much I am going to enjoy it in the future.

I love living in “The Future”.

Remember when we were kids, and they told us about how digital our lives would become and how far off it seemed? Right now, I have the power to take photos, videos, chat with anyone in the world, conduct business and never leave my children’s side. How wonderful is that?

I am often accused of being a nerd, a geek about blogging and sharing my life with others. But, it isn’t for attention. I seriously don’t know what state of mind I would be in right now if I didn’t have these ways of communicating with other adults throughout the day. When I wake up, I make my toddler breakfast, sit at the table with my phone and read my twitter stream – much like our parents would read the paper – and chat with other parents across the country doing the same thing. At night, after I tuck my children in after a long wonderful day of being a mom, I finally get to open my laptop and chronicle my day, my children’s lives and plan for the future. The immediate satisfaction of being able to keep in touch with all of you is immense.

Lately, I have been busy with non-digital things (I almost typed real-life things, but my blog is my real life too!) like a teething child, understanding my son better, freelance projects – but the comfort of knowing that if I do post but once or twice when I have a busy week is okay, really helps me.

I have now been officially blogging on this domain for 3 years, and I thank you all for being my Mom’s group, my good friends, my support. For embracing me and my family and not just being a hobby. You are my lifeline. You are my extended family. I care very deeply for each and every reader, commenter, mom, non-mom, and daddy who takes time out of their day to read my words.

Thank You! Thank You! Here we go onto year number 4…