CHANGES

 I was thinking about Sydney this week and when I sat down to write this post, 2 Pacs "Changes" came to mind.  I am not really sure why I was even thinking about this song considering I don't even like rap, and, that it's a song about racism, drugs, and violence. But, I have always loved this song for its overall message of HOPE or more, the hope in having hope (if that even makes sense).  In order to change the terrible problems in our society we must work together.  This is a common theme that I have felt in my life recently.  Over the last month since starting Sydney on the GFCF diet, and the methyl B-12, I have already seen such changes. Aside from her change however, I too have seen the love of my neighbors, family, friends, and even strangers come to my aid and work together to make this change.  It really has been a miracle for me to witness everything that has happened.  (Don't worry, I am not about to bear my testimony, but believe me, if my testimony of my Heavenly Father was at all wavering before, be assured that it is as steady and strong as ever.  I cannot pretend that the Lords hand has not been a part of the events that have transpired in the last month.  Its as simple as that.  And the odd thing about it all is that I never once questioned "why me" or lost faith.  Truly, that is strange for me, but maybe its my faith that made the difference.  Who knows, but I do know that I have never felt so supported and loved by my Father in heaven.  And that folks, has made it all worth it.)

So, in speaking about Syd's changes, I thought it time to give an update on her improvements:

-Sydney is consistently speaking in longer sentences (6-9 words at a time)

-She has not been spinning around nearly as much as she used to.  In fact, come to think of it, I can't even remember the last time she was spinning (probably a couple days ago when we turned the music on)

-Sydney has started "reading" books to mommy and daddy. A month ago she would flip through the pages making sounds every now and again.  Now she will pick up a book and tell you what is happening on each page.  She even will ask, "what is he doing mommy?" (meaning that she is aware of something happening and she wants participation from me...that is huge), then she will say, "he's riding a bike huh mommy?"

-Sydney is playing with her toys more appropriately.  It took a while for her to play "house" with her baby dolls.  And still she often needs encouragement from me.  But, recently I have found her by herself talking to her dolls.  Just yesterday she built a castle out of blocks and layed her princess down on a pretend bed that she made.  This has been a VERY (or as Sydney says it, "berry berry") huge improvement.

-Sydney is consistently doing hand motions and participating when needed.  She will do the dance motions to dance songs, and in school she now raises her hand (though she still wont talk much) and does the motions to the songs there.  Again, over a month ago you would need to really work with her to do an kind of hand motion, but now she needs no intervention and will start right up when necessary.

-Sydney has slept 11+ hours for the last 5 days! 5 DAYS!  11+ HOURS!  Dr. Miller is my hero (as stated in my last post)You need to understand what a miracle this is. Cameron and I even talked about being able to go on trips now that we know we have something to help her sleep. I am so relieved! Every vacation, every camping trip will forever be different (channeling 2 Pac)"...and thats just the way it is...things'll never be the same..."

-Sydney can sometimes recall the events of the day (something she never did).  I can ask her about her day and she can converse with me consistently (though it is limited).  A couple days ago she told me she painted a log, and played outside on the slide.  Sure enough she had painted a rock (I always have to ask the next day to see if she really is recalling events or just saying things.) She also can recall people, such as her friend Mackenzie.  Today she told me about her friend and when leaving school waved and said, "bye friends" something I nor she have ever said.

-Sydney has started really using her imagination.  When she eats lunch she will take a bite and then ask, "mommy what does this look like?".  "It's a lion, rawr" and she will make it run on her plate.  In the last two days she has done this with EVERY bite of her lunch sandwich changing up the animals with each bite (without any intervention on my part).  This has probably been the most exciting thing that I have seen yet, and it just started 3 days ago!  She is starting to pretend play and that is HUGE!

-Tonight Sydney went to sleep without her sensory blanket!  She didn't even ask for it! We are working on her sensory integration stuff and this is so big.  She usually can't even think about sleep unless her blanket is touching some skin (usually her naked body).  Hurray! On weekend Syd and Dylan like to have sleepovers, but she always needs her "soft blankie"...not this time!: (Notice the blanket on the floor next to her bed)

So that is it for now, I am sure there are more things to note that I am just forgetting, but these are the biggies.  Pretty much she is improving upon the improvements of three weeks ago, and have added a few more in there (namely sleep and imagination!)  Now that I am sleeping, I feel like a new person, and I have so much more energy, hope and faith to devote to Syd. It is EXCITING!

In the words of 2 Pac:
"Come on come on
That's just the way it is
Things'll never be the same
That's just the way it is
aww yeah"


THINGS WILL NEVER BE THE SAME