An Unfortunate Series of Events

Jeff was at a class on Thursday night. I got the kids in bed, ate some dinner and planned to spend the rest of the evening assembling the dollhouse we got for Jelly's birthday. Around 8:30 or so, I noticed Moe was still awake. This was not surprising, and usually I go in, change him if necessary, tuck him in, and he falls asleep in a few minutes.

This time, I went in to find Moe completely naked, a poop-filled diaper off and the obvious mess that would follow the removal of said diaper. Needless to say, getting Moe cleaned and changed, then changing the sheets, pillows and blankets while trying to keep him from running around the house was a royal pain in the ass.

This was not the first time Moe has taken off his diaper in his crib, but it was the first time in the one piece pajamas, and is becoming a bit of a trend. Thankfully, he isn't always dirty. The boy just likes to be naked, I guess.

By the time I got Moe back down, then rocked Jelly who was still awake with all the commotion, it was almost 9:30 and I didn't want to start putting together a dollhouse. After assembling our play kitchen, I know these things can take hours. But I also felt awful that Jelly wouldn't wake up on her birthday with her present all put together.

Jeff got home, both kids were asleep and the house was quiet (of course). But he saved the day and put the dollhouse together. Jelly woke up to find her birthday present waiting for her, and it's awesome.

B Is Also For Birthday

Yesterday, I wrote my first Alphabe-Thursday post using the letter B. Today, I'm writing about another B-word: birthday. Today, my baby, little Jelly Belly herself, turns two.

Two.

Jelly entered my life at a difficult time, just before Moe's diagnosis. I worried I wouldn't love her like I love Moe. I worried she would get lost behind Moe's needs, his schedule, and my all-consuming worry for him.

I shouldn't have worried. From her first night in the hospital when she refused to sleep unless resting on my chest, she made herself known.

I recently heard a story that astounded me. Moe's speech therapist, JR, was at our local My Gym, where I also take Jelly. We go at a different day and time so I had no idea that JR went there. She was talking with the guy who runs the place about sign language with kids. He mentioned that he knows a little girl who uses more than 60 signs. JR realized that he must be talking about Moe's little sister. My little Jelly is already making a name for herself in the world.

Tonight (I'm writing this Thursday night) I will be putting together her dollhouse. I know most of my readers are parents of autistic kids, and so I know you understand the significance of giving a dollhouse to my little girl, who loves to pretend and feed her dolls and give them kisses and change their diapers.

Happy birthday, my sweet little girl. Don't grow up too fast.