There is really good help out there

Most kids roll from belly to back first. Half of kiddos can do this by 4 months. Chase rolled from belly to back at 5 months 10 days old. You could probably go back to blog posts during those early months and tell I was fuhreaking out about him "being behind" with rolling belly to back. In fact, I watched a video of a baby rolling from belly to back over and over again so I could show Chase how to do it.

I truly believed he would never roll from his belly to his back. Aren't new moms funny? I was embarassed. Now that he is a crazy, climbing, running toddler, no one cares when and if he rolled over. Typing it now that he was a month and 5 days behind half of the children it doesn't sound like that big of a deal. I wanted him to be advanced with every milestone. I am a teacher and I felt like it was my job to teach him all these skills.

I think most of my blog readers have read about Chase being behind with speech. I think I was more worried than he was behind. Shocker! I typed out all the words he can say and researched how many words most children could say at 17 months but I'm not going to mention it because I know how hard it can be to see most children say this many words and not be anywhere near it.

When Chase was behind, the teacher in me was again, fuhreaking out! I researched my hiny off. I was doing everything I could to help him with his speech. After a week or so doing everything I could and not seeing much of a change I suddenly stopped freaking out. I realized that I was doing everything I could for him but I still couldn't make him talk.

I was at peace with the fact that our doctor might suggest taking him to a speech therapist. I realized that Chase needing speech therapy didn't mean I had failed as his mother and teacher. I know that getting him help early is better. Plus, he would probably have a blast!

I have talked about Autism with enough moms to know that it is a fear in a lot of our hearts. Did you hear that Jacqueline from Real Housewives of New Jersey's son Nick has been diagnosed? I watched her and Chris talk about it on Anderson Live. To hear her say he stopped saying, "I love you mom" around 18 months broke my heart!

Now that Chase is over 12 months old, I'm not constantly checking on him while he is sleeping. It has still happened. I'm crazy. Poor kid. I kind of felt like I was in the clear with things.

Then to hear at 18 months this child that seemed to be developing fine just started regressing terrified me. I tweet my pal that works with Autistic children and she let me know that most parents notice things before the regression at 18 months and of course every case is different. But what she also told me is, "...whatever happens there's really good help out there :)".

As a mom, I want to protect my son. Today I was reminded that I can't protect him or make him not be Autistic. My sister and brother-in-law's nephew was diagnosed with leukemia at 4 years old. Their experience has been such a big reminder to me that anything can happen and thank God every day for another day healthy on this Earth. (It has been over a year since their nephew, Chase's "cousin" had a bone marrow transplant and he is doing great!)

So today, I am thanking God for the time I have had with my healthy boy. I'm really so very grateful. It is such a miracle to have a healthy baby. I hope this is a reminder to other moms that have healthy babies to be thankful. I always love to remind mommas to hug their babies tight and give them lots of kisses. But this is for everyone. Be thankful for your health, for your family's health. But also remember that there is really good help out there.