So I have an affinity for my son's shoes....

So I've been asked lately, "Why did you decide to take up blogging again?", "Why did you pick this title?", and "How is your son today?”

I'm glad that people care enough about my son to read his caringbridge page, and call me to ask if there is anything that they can do. I am usually completely stunned and blank when they ask, but just knowing that if I need to pick up the phone and ask for something super random, makes me very appreciative and emotional – which lately has not been rare!

I decided to start writing again for a few reasons. One of which is to keep my sanity. There is something so fluid about creating a conscious thought in your mind and then putting it on paper - or in this case, the internet. If something I say can resonate with at least one person, then I know that I'm not crazy. Yeah, it sounds a little vain, but I'm pretty confident to know that once I fill this blog up to the brim with my family's stories and trials, someone out there will really believe that I'm not nuts, and it will make all these keystrokes worth breaking a nail for.

Another reason I decided to pick up a blog again is because I want to help express my son's thoughts where words for him is really non sequitur.

What do you mean by that Em? Well, my son can't talk, and he may never be able to. But I refuse to put a medical label on my son that states that he is mentally retarded, when as a parent you know what your kid is saying. The IQ test that is used for children/ adults with certain chromosomal abnormalities or mental disabilities is written with the intention that the child/adult can speak. Well what if your child has a chromosomal abnormality like Emanuel Syndrome where 90% of them are non-verbal? I am going to let a test that would frustrate both the child and parents, define my child's mental capacity? I'm just not that kind of Mom. I think this would be a perfect outlet to tell the world what he’s “saying” with my help by using the one tool that he can’t: Words. Maybe one day he'll be able to read this blog and say "Wow, my mom totally knows me, even at 18 months old."

Why the title? In this blog, you will see just how resilient he is. You will see how he overcomes so many obstacles in his little life, and how wonderful this miracle is.