This is a picture of Logan at his first birthday party.

Logan on his 6th birthday.

Six years ago today Jacob and I loaded 15 month old Alex into our car and headed to the hospital.  My parents met us there to watch Alex while I went in for a C-Section.  A couple of hours later we met this little guy for the very first time.  Alex was such a quiet baby that it was almost shocking to hear Logan scream.  He hated the car seat and made traveling seem twice as long as he screamed bloody murder from his seat.  Time has flown by.  Now, that loud little baby is a 6-year-old boy with a giant heart.  He is curious about everything and is constantly asking questions--how things work, why things are the way they are, what things mean.  When I was his age I remember listening to music in the car with my parents and liking the music, but never listening to the lyrics.  Logan listens to the lyrics and asks questions about them.  He just such a curious boy.  He wants to help others and cares about the people around him.  It has been a fun adventure watching him grow over the past 6 years.

Logan requested a big breakfast for his birthday dinner so we will be having biscuits and gravy, hash browns, eggs, and sausage for dinner--followed by ice cream to celebrate his special day. He took donuts to school this morning to share with his friends and kept referring to himself as, "The birthday boy!"

Happy birthday to my sweet boy.

Something Different (And Different is Good!)

I had a rough morning with Alex today. He has been sick since Saturday evening and today was the first day this week that he was well enough to go to school. He didn't throw a tantrum--that's not his style.  He did cry though.  He cried and said he would miss me.  He said he didn't want to go. "It's too hard.  I'm not smart and can't do things everyone else can."  When I told him to put on his shoes or brush his teeth he would pretend he didn't hear me. Mornings like this are hard for me.  Part of me wants to tell him I understand and let him stay home, but that wouldn't benefit him at all. I hug him, I let him know that I understand his feelings and concerns, and then I encourage him and tell him how proud of him we are.

Needless to say he was angry with me when I dropped him off at school.

As Alex gets older, days like this happen more often.  He is now 7 and realizes that there is something different about him. When we're in public Logan will talk non-stop.  Alex, however, is always really quiet.  He told me one day that he didn't want people to hear how he talks.  On rare occasions when Alex is in a really good or hyper mood he will talk in public--and Logan will ask why people are staring. I love Logan--I love his outlook on things.  To him Alex is just Alex.  He has always talked that way and he has always done things his own way and that is just who he is . . . he is Alex. I wish we could all see Alex the way his little brother does.

I wish Alex could see himself the way his little brother does.

So, this morning, I stood in the rain and watched my boys walk to the school.  Logan under an umbrella and Alex refusing to use one. Being a parent is a crazy ride.  Being a parent of three children is an even crazier ride, and having a special needs child just adds to the fun.  I would love for things to be easier for Alex, but I wouldn't change him for the world. I look forward to seeing how he turns out--what great things he is going to accomplish! Through all the challenges, therapies, appointments, and little triumphs I have learned a child can do anything--even teach his parents a thing or two about life.