Vocabulary and More Vocabulary...

Sorry for the delay in my posts. With all the illnesses that were going around the house, I couldn't find the time to sit and post anything. I miss posting for Sam! Thankfully we are all better now, so here we go...

I honestly don't even know where to begin here. Sam is making tremendous progress. His vocabulary is amazing! My God, my child is amazing! Sam is not a child that you can have a conversation with like you could with a typical 4 1/2 year old, but he is certainly speaking his requests extremely well...almost perfect. He is answering questions and speaking about random things that he sees.

Sam is in LOVE with the Wii!! He is completely awesome at playing and even bowled a 210 last night against his Dad. I challenge anyone to come over and play him!

His behavior is still an issue and we've had to make some changes because this area is extremely difficult for us to get a handle on. We've stopped taking Sam to most stores unless it's absolutely necessary. Adam for the most part ends up having to carry Sam out of the store over his shoulder with him kicking, screaming and crying. We get tired of the stares from people and we don't like putting Sam through something that he doesn't have to go through. It's not fair to him and it's not fair to us. And at any given moment during the whole process of dealing with a screaming, crying child and having to endure the evil stares, I may blast someone and it won't be pretty. He's been also having a hard time wanting to go to school anymore. I believe the reason for this is because they are really cracking down on his behavior issues and he's not getting things his way so easily anymore. I can't wait for them to teach me some of their strategies for dealing with his behavior issues at home.

The Autism Speaks website is up and running. You can register to walk with us at the following web address to access Sam's personal page: http://walknowforautism.org/hartford/supersamsheidy0610

The walk is going to be held on Sunday, June 7th at Walnut Hill Park in New Britain. Following the walk, we will have everyone over for a party to celebrate Sam and Gabby's 5th birthday, which is June 10th. We would love to have EVERYONE with us this year! You won't be sorry you participated this amazing day.

I will end this post on a very special note....

Today, when I picked up Sam from school, he came out with his teacher and he was holding this big pink heart (see picture of it above). He came out with the biggest smile on his face...trying to run to me. When I put my arms around him, he looked at me and said "HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY". That was the best thing my ears have heard coming from my son in a very long time!

A Brand New Year...

We welcome 2009 with wide open arms because there is so much to be accomplished and more progress for Sam to make. Our holidays came and went so quickly, but we enjoyed our time with our family and friends even if it was for just a brief amount of time. Santa was very good to both Sam and Gabby and they received many more gifts from relatives and friends. So many that we don't know where to put them all. What a tough problem for children to have! Sam returns to school tomorrow after a 2 1/2 week break. It's going to be tough for him to go back as I can already see the tears welling up in his eyes as we are pulling up to the school. It totally breaks my heart to see him looking back at me as he is being walked into the school, but it's for his own good. The progress he's making there speaks for itself.

We anticipate the year 2009 to be a good one (at least we hope). Some highlights we look forward to is spending our summer in Rhode Island as first time seasonal campers in our 32ft travel trailer we bought at the end of the summer in 2008, our yearly Autism Speaks Walk for Autism that will be held on Sunday, June 7th at Walnut Hill Park in New Britain and the birthday bash for the twins following the walk at the Sheidy house in Tolland. I was so disappointed to find out that the walk is in New Britain again this year and had high hopes that it would be brought back to Elizabeth Park in West Hartford. This won't stop the team of Super Sam Sheidy! It is with high hopes that the team of Super Sam Sheidy grows in size with our goal of 50 team members and for us to raise $3,000 this year!! We Can Do It!!!!!!! I've started the team registration for the team of Super Sam Sheidy at http://www.autismspeaks.org/ and will let everyone know when it's complete so that you can sign up and join our team. I'll order more shirts as needed. We still have some left over from last year. Also, say a prayer that it's not 100+ degrees this year too!!! And one of the biggest decisions in Sam's life will be made this year. Where will Sam go to school come September? This could be my biggest fight yet with Tolland, but I am prepared to be my son's voice and make sure that he is getting what's best for him whether he stays at River Street or attends the elementary school in Tolland. I'll know a little more in March when I sit down with the Tolland's Director of Pupil Services for an informal PPT. I've always been a good advocate for Sam, now it's time to be great!

Happy New Year to all of you...