Thanks.

Ali, thank YOU for so much. Learning more about autism from you has helped me in my relationship with my own sister-in-law...her niece is the same age as my daughter, and she has autism. I was never quite sure how to talk about the girls, but now I'm not afraid, and I think she is relieved that I seem somewhat 'informed'. Thanks for that.

your little dude is AMAZING and sooo cute! Thank you for sharing him with us. Awesome post.

ah why do you do that Ali, make me cry! You capture it so well, this is the same way i feel about our son Anthony. thanks!
corinnexxx

Ali...I know that things this year have been probably difficult and exciting, hard, confusing, and wonderful all at the same time. But, I wanted to leave you with this...and you may have heard it before, or seen it before, but Simon is the person that he was intended to be. He is Simon. You are Ali, his mother. Chris is Chris, his dad. You are all the people that you were intended to be, and there has got to be something peaceful and great about that. Continue to live in your life and be who your are...it is not a bad thing that happened to you. It is a wonderful blessing having Simon in your life. No matter what he has..he is not autisim, he just has it. He is a great little, soon to be four year old dude, that just loves his parents and knows that he is loved as well!
have a great week!!!

I also want to thank you for all of your insight and endless resources that I've received from your blog. My son was diagnosed with autism late last year. We have good days and bad days, it is all very new to us...but I am thankful for every single second I have with my son, who will turn 3 on January 30th. You really are truly inspiring.

Hi Ali
I have followed your story & Simon over the past year & Just want to say how brave you are. I have been an Early Childhood Teacher for the past 21 years & have worked with autistic children & their families as they mainstream the children into a t"typical" prek classroom. The parents who are aware, self educated about autism & open to all that it may bring & willing to try whatever to improve the richness of their child's lives seemed to have the best experience. Good luck in all that comes ahead.
Laura

Four!! I didn't realize Simon was that close in age to my little guy (ben)! Well thank you for sharing your story with us! Prayers
jenn

I visit your blog everyday and I just realized your son and mine were born on the very same day. I just thought that was cool, lol!
Lynne

Ali: I hardly ever post to the blogs I read but I read your blog daily - it is a great touchstone for me. I have two children, Rory who is 3 years old, and Fiona, who is 10 months old. I love the creative inspiration that you give me for my art but mostly I love the way that you care for Simon, for Chris, for yourself. As a young woman (36), wife, mother, attorney - Iwear so many hats but the one I love best is being a mama. I really relate to how you care for Simon and try to make sure that he is the best Simon that he can be. (Because being the best Simon is the absolute greatest thing he can be, right?) That is what I try to do for my kids and reading your blog is like a reality check - "ok it is hard for others as well - But it is worth it" Rory is struggling with some behavioral issues right now (I think a natural occurence for a 3 yr old) but I have had to really educate myself about his development because I am constantly having to advocate for him with his pre-school teachers. They want to place so many labels on him and pigeon-hole him a category so that they can handle it. It is hard being on top of all this stuff but I see you do it with Simon's autism and it is a great spirit lifter. I am a praying woman and I always include you and yours in mine. Sending good vibes your way!

love love love your site...just started my own...a bit about me...I started scrapping 11 years ago, when it was all stickers, paper, pictures (of course) and ONE company. Anyways, been doing it forever and my heart really aches to do what all you girls do...design for a company, do it for a living...I believe the old saying "good things come to those who wait" and better yet, "Do something you love and you will never work a day in your life again" just dont know how to go about it...Please let me know your thoughts! I look forward to hearing from you!

My son has spina bifida and I remember vividly finding out and thinking about how my life (and my daughter's and husband's) was going to change. At the time I thought I was losing my "perfect" life and I dreaded the change.
Now, he's two and he's smart and funny and he just might walk within the next year. I never thought my "imperfect" life could be this perfect.

So glad that things have come full circle for you this past year, and you have this perspective one year later after the original news. You are so strong, Ali. God bless you all!

Ali, I remember going back through your archives because I discovered your blog a little while after all of this was diagnosed. I have never had any friends or family have any life changing news with their children. I remember reading this, and where you mentioned you and Chris crying yourselves to sleep... I "put myself" where you are, and I couldn't help but cry as a mother too. You are such a testimony to me even though I don't know you personally. It's a pleasure just to hear how pleased and proud you are of him. I appreciate that you would even share it with us as you have this year. God bless!

ahhh...ali...he's such a cutie! it has been an experience watching this process that your family has been going through. so glad that you have so much support, understanding and inspiration all around you!!

Ali-thank you for sharing so honestly and caringly. My Ben has beeen diagnosed for 15 yrs. now, embrace the ride. Children with Asperbers are very special and wonderful humans. You are blessed with Simon.

Ah the joys and complexities of loving a little one... Simon is lucky to have you and Chris for parents. That you noticed. That you cared. Just remember the smiles and hugs on the days that all that seem to come are tears. It is worth it!

Regarding eating in restaurants with kids. I have 3 young ones and we ALWAYS go to loud restaurants. People don't notice your kids talking and wiggling when they are trying to talk over the noise around them. I don't know what you have in your area, but I am talking about places such as TGI Fridays, Bennigans or Macarroni Grill - family type restaurants with bars. This is why we haven't had chinese food in about 7 years! Chinese restaurants are pretty quiet.

the first thought that came to my mind after reading your entry was...
"Praise God for Simon!"

Happy (early) Birthday to Simon. My son Alex has lots of special needs & I can totally relate to not wanting to change that & celebrating the parts that make him, him.
When Alex was born he had a cleft lip. Something so visible, my Dh was really sad about it. We dealt with a lot of stares & horrified looks when we would try to take him out, it was really upsetting. But I have to say when he was 8 months old & it was time for his repair surgery the night before I sat up by myself & cried & cried. I was so sad & felt a little guilty that we were going to change the face that God gave him, in essence telling him how he was born was not good enough. In reality though I KNEW we had to repair it, he would not want it unrepaired when he was older plus all the eating & dental issues. But I did have a melancholy feeling about fixing that precious little face when in my heart he was never broken.

Thank you for this wonderful journal and journey into your everyday life. Although I don't know how it feels to live with Austism. My DD turns 18 in April and I knew the minute she started Kindergarten that she would "Not stay on Task" (ADD)..She never has, I wouldn't have it any other way. She is beautiful energetic and brilliant.