The sensitive one

Shelby has always been the most sensitive child I have ever known. She was a super cranky baby, always fussy, never content just to sit, but always needing to be held, entertained, talked to.  She didn't like to be snuggled, one couldn't caress her face without her pulling away. She was sensitive to lights, noises, and textures. Strangers, even the sweetest kindergarten teacher in line at the bookstore, would made her burst into tears by just looking at her.  It was kind of embarrassing sometimes--and confusing to those poor well-meaning individuals who tried to speak with her--, but I knew there was nothing I could do but apologize. I was concerned enough at one time so that I thought maybe I should get her tested, perhaps for autism or some sensory disorder, but I talked myself out of it.  A speech pathologist friend of mine suggested that the majority of the student body at MIT probably had the same symptoms, that most highly technical people are like that, and since she smiled, made eye contact, and hit most of her other developmental milestones, she probably was fine.  Indeed as she has grown, her symptoms have abated somewhat and while she remains an anxious child, she is sweet and loving, incredibly verbal, which helps us discuss some of the fears and worries that burden her, and she is above all well-adjusted, thanks in part to careful parenting, a very stable home life, the support of her loving extended family, and the blessings of God. I have met a few other children like her but I am always amazed and surprised when we do.

Tonight we attended the "silent" auction at Shelby's school, where we wanted to meet some of her friends and teachers.  I hoped we would meet her BFF Emma. The answer to the question, "So who did you play with today?" is always "Emma."  Since I've never had a child attend school or activities apart from me before, I've never experienced my child having a social life before, knowing people no one in her family knows. It was weird being led around by a three year old who kept pointing people out, "That's Mrs. Hand. There goes Mrs. Rodgers.  Oh, that boy's name is Skyler."  "Which one?" "That one that looks like a bad boy."  Umm, I think I'll not share that with his mom. Ha. (BTW, he was just BLONDE. Does that make him bad?)  I knew very few of these people unless I had met them on the "meet the teacher" day or at registration. Mostly I just drive through the parking lot so my child can climb into and out of the car.  She was really excited that we were actually going to come inside tonight! Which, if you think about it, sets the social interaction bar so low, that we are just about guaranteed to have success.  "Well, at least we got out of the car this time!"

Anyway, Shelby spotted her BFF and pointed with her elbow (since her fingers were in her ears the whole time. The music was REALLY loud.) gesturing to another little girl who looked remarkably similar to Shelby...and also stood with her fingers in her ears.  Her mom and I looked at each other and immediately recognized each other's child as kindred spirits. No wonder they are friends! I asked Emma's mom if E's dad was an engineer, and she stared at me incredulously, replying, "Yes!! How did you KNOW?"

I'm telling you, I'm going to write a book on this one day.

Starting from zero

Let's just keep some modest goals on the table: post a few pictures of the kids now and then, write about our adventures and mommy angst, mommy hobbies, mommy thoughts about things other than being a mommy, maybe get a few comments in the process. Beyond that, I'm not making any promises.

Here are some extra special photos to get us started. No expectations that they will all be this good, k?  These were taken by Lisa Campbell and are our very first family photo session back in July. I think it turned out well! Expect to see a few of these on Christmas cards, yo.