I don't want to forget....

Hard to believe it's been 6 years since EK's autism diagnosis. I'm having mixed emotions about April being autism awareness month. Since it's been a part of our daily life for over six years now I have a hard time realizing that some people still have no idea what autism is. I remember when EK was first diagnosed and Keith wrote about it in our church newsletter to let the congregation know. There were several older ladies who thought she was dying. You can't blame them. Even 15 years ago, autism wasn't something you heard much about...even more rare to know someone affected by it. I personally knew one girl. Even during the six years I taught school, there were only 2 boys that came through 2nd grade.  The numbers are growing though. Autism now affects 1 in 68. If you don't know someone personally with autism, chances are, you will soon. I am so thankful that our church is much more educated in autism than they were 6 years ago. There are at least 6 kids...

And so it begins...I thought it was hard to get a good one of three kids. Four is much harder! :) Mimi and Pops' grandgirls (ranging from 9 years old down to 2 weeks old) Mimi and Pops' grandboys...I had to tell AK and C they might lose their Easter baskets if they didn't smile. Silly boys. Attempt at a family picture. My, how I hope it gets a little better in time. Not sure what had AK's attention...

Here are our four kids and while I see some similarities, I also think they are all quite unique. :) Amazing how that happens! EJ at 2 months  EK at 2 months AC at 2 months AK at 2 months (man, that boy was a chunk! I had forgotten!)

EJ turned 2 months old on Monday! She weighs 12 pounds now and we'll find out in a couple weeks how long she is. She is really smiling and "talking" a lot. So sweet to hear her "tell stories". She is eating well now...about every 2-3 hours. She is sleeping well to, as long as she's in the swing. Most nights she gives me a 6 hour stretch, which is a blessing for me! She loves to be swaddled when she's tired. I know we need to move her to her room soon but I'm nervous that she won't sleep as well. We'll see how that goes.  For now her bedroom is the living room. She loves her siblings and really likes AC to hold her. She went to the church nursery for the first time this past Sunday. They said she slept most of the time. :)  We're figuring out this 4 kid thing. I'm so thankful that AC and AK are pretty independent and helpful. Keith and I tag-team in the morning if EJ is up when we have to get EK ready for school. EJ sleeps most of t...