From a Grandma's Heart.

Elijah was a beautiful baby.  Big---from the start and he kept growing. He was just beautiful.  No odd features, He was just perfect, so it seemed.

When he was six months old, I knew something was different. He was such a good baby, but he was just too good.  He was fed, he was in his father's arms, he is just a Daddy's boy, I told myself.  He was content, but like I said, too content.  The nursery workers loved him, he was so well behaved, he was just too well behaved.  No looks across the room trying to get your attention.  No squeals when he saw people he would recognize, for he did not recognize hardly anyone until after age two. 

By 12 months old, we were hoping for words starting to come out of his mouth. Waiting for Elijah to obey simple commands like, "Go get the ball!"  Nothing. 

Age Eighteen months... nothing....but his melt downs were beginning.  Yes, they asked a doctor at his 18 month check up---Tracie would say, "I know the difference between disobedience and simply not understanding."  The doctor told her that he knew everything she was saying, But he didn't.  We knew it deep down, but there is something inside of you, because you loved him, that you hope that all of a sudden he is going to start to understand his world around him.

At age two, it was very evident something was wrong.  No eye contact at all...so hard to get a picture, not understanding any commands...if you went up to him to wave bye bye, he swung at you because he did not understand bye bye. To him you were trying to hit him.  Asking him if he wanted a piece of candy caused a break down, he fell to the floor crying.  He looked at it as you stopped him from playing because you did not want him to have fun. .....but all in all he is such a beautiful little boy.....

At 2 1/2...maybe a few words. but only  if you knew Elijah and could understand him.  Hardly any eye contact---but what he did have is because of his parents making him look at them when they talked to him by squeezing his hands  until he looked at them.   Even though he did not understand them...he had to start at step one.  Taking his Christmas picture was a riot.  I got the privilege of holding him on my lap while taking the picture.  He looked at it as someone holding him hostage and holding him down, almost torture.... and as an Autistic secret agent, his duty was to escape at all cost.   He did not understand that we wanted a picture of him with his Pa pa  and Grandma.  Another melt down. Which you never know in public when they may come.

Now he just turned three.  I love that he is understanding a few simple things.  Like "I'm going to get you!"  I get to chase him around the house.  The rule, No running in the house?????  Not with Grandma.  He loves trains. He loves trucks.  Pa Pa's truck is the best.  Like any other boy, he acts likes he hates kisses....but I give him them anyhow.  And when he smirks when I give them,  I know that he is understanding something.  No he does  not understand 90% of what you say to him, but someday....and in the future when I say to Elijah, do you want a piece of candy, and he turns and says, " yes, please,"  I am running to the nearest store.  That boy will get whatever he wants.

Grandma loves you, Elijah. 

Publish Post