A taste of typical.

I don't often think in terms of 'typical' or 'asd' for Liam. Liam is just Liam.

Sometimes though? He goes off and surprises me and does something that, for a moment, makes me forget that he's not a typical 3 year old. And it's just utterly glorious.

Last night? We had one of those moments.

Went to the mall to let the kids play but ended up browsing stores. He was super tired and really irritated with the stroller. Into Marshalls we went where he howled like a banchee and I gave up because, frankly, when he gets that upset? He needs to work himself out. It will pass. And being pissed off? Is great! He's showing his opinion and that rocks!

Not rockworthy for him is I'm the mama and sometimes his opinion doesn't matter.

Eventually we reach the toy and book aisle and I decide I'll let him out, regretting entirely that I didn't bring his monkey backpack (I ALWAYS bring it! WTH?!)

And you know what he did? He strolled around beside me. Grabbing toys to play with. Looking at books. Staying WITH me. No running wild. No darting to get away. He just hung around and browsed with me. Very very unusual for him and yet? Really a typical possibility for a nearly 3 year old.

Then? I hear him yell "DUUUUUUUUUUUCK!" and go trotting down the aisle to a clearance table that has a duck which is about 18" tall. Made of wood. With metal feet. I'm sure it's some kind of decor item. On clearance. For $11. Dear cod.

He brings it back, all but jumping out of his skin and looks at me and says "DUCK!"

My son? He SHOWED me something. Wanted me to see.

He then sat down with Duck and played pretend with him. Hopping him along. Getting up in his face. Randomly proclaiming "DUCK!" then smiling real big before going back to his activity.

Oh how I wanted to buy him this ridiculous duck. Lead paint and dangerous webbed feet and all (okay who knows about the lead paint but come ON this is not a kids toy and even those aren't safe so who knows!!!) We tried to show him other thing but he'd just smile and say "duck" and go back to duck.

I could have stayed there all day. Just watching him. Living in that very moment. Where my son saw something he loved. SAFELY darted away. and brought it back to me. SHOWING It with me. SHARING it with me. Wanting me to see this treasure of his.

It was just beautiful.





He did end up with the $2 stuffed duck we tried to bribe him with but it's just not the same.

This morning? He came into the bedroom and instead of just yanking covers off and attempting to pull his dad off the bed he remarked "WAKE UP!" then "Let's GO!"

When Josh didn't respond? He more forcefully cried out "Wake UP!!!!"

And it made my heart burst into little happy bubbles.

We're getting there. Step by step. It's not often. It's more rare than common. But more and more of Liam is breaking out for us to see and communicate with and it's just remarkable.

And my daughter? Is 18 months today. My husband? Will be 31 on Thursday. My little baby boy with all the demands to WAKE UP who is currently singing "whaa lalalalaaa teeeeeeea work!" (wonderpets theme in his language) will be 3 years old a week after his dad's birthday.

Life is passing so quick. I am so thankful to get to appreciate every moment.

~M

BTW...in THEORY all pics in the last entry are fixed. We'll see.