Seth-One Year Later

We've had our Seth for over a year. It's been a hard year, somedays I wondered if we'd make it. I have felt physically and emotionally stretched and exhausted. But looking back we've had many successes.

We have created an attachment. I believe he has attached to me. He is affectionate, loving, accepting of my love, seeks out snuggles and hugs.

He also is accepting of limits. His behavior isn't always perfect (what kid's is?) but he accepts limits and correction without additional testing or tantrums. This is also a sign of his attachment that he looks to his parents and accepts their boundaries.

He still struggles at times with being over stimulated. He struggles with too much noise or activities, but even that is coming along.

He's moved from spending most of his time on the blanket to having boundaries like-the family room, the sandbox, or the backyard sidewalk.


We're starting to see some authentic emotions. Horseback therapy has really helped with that.

He's empathetic and learning to give and take with his relationships. He calls his brothers and sisters his friends. He's always asking, "When are my friends coming home?" He still delights in button pushing, especially his brothers'. But he's interacting with his 'friends' and they are the most important people in his life.

He is extremely intelligent and has grasped not only language, but many complex thinking processes.

And through it all, he is still happy, enthusiastic about life, elated with every new experience and person to meet. He throws himself at life with enthusiasm and passion. He has lost so much, and suffered much but still his joy has carried him forward.

The journey this year has been hard, stretching us beyond our capacities, but as we snuggle and giggle and he meets my eyes without resistance, and with love I can't imagine a greater reward.