Same Day, Second Post

Yes, I writing two posts tonight. When I was just about done with my first post, I realized, I that I also wanted to share some insight about Gabriel. But rather than write one extra long post, I thought I'd write a second post. So, here it is.

Gabriel has been having a week. First mommy goes to the hospital for four days. Then Coco and Papa come to visit. Then mommy comes home but can't do any of the things she usually does for Gabe. And then, Coco and Papa make him do all sorts of things he is not used to doing! Good for Coco and Papa I say!

Yes, I have to hang my head. Gabriel is spoiled, spoiled, spoiled. He's the baby. He's had developmental issues. He's the baby. He was diagnosed as Autistic. He's the baby. So, naturally, Gabriel, in large part, rules the roost. From birth to about 6 years of age, Gabriel was severely to moderately developmentally disabled. But the strides he's made a school and in therapy have been phenomenal. And now, he could probably be diagnosed as high-functioning Asperger's.

Gabriel, as with all children, is a picky eater. Fort the most part, we have put it down as a symptom of his Autism. Now, though, we can put it down to picky eating. Since Coco has been his primary caretaker, Gabriel has been learning to sit through dinner until he's eaten everything on his plate. The biggest item to note is that the 'everything on his plate' is the same thing everyone else is eating. Up to now it's been what he's felt like eating. So, I've been listening to Gabriel's crocodile tears, and while it has been difficult, it has also been illuminating. I am seriously spoiling Gabriel! And that needs to stop.

The other learning experience for Gabriel is that when he goes to bed he needs to sleep all night in his own bed. Up to now, yet again, Gabriel has been getting his way. He starts in his bed and somewhere in the wee hours of the night he sneaks into mommy's bed for the rest of sleepy time. Along comes Coco and Papa and now Gabriel must spend the entire night in his own bed. The first night I was home, he did well. When I woke up after the second night, there was Gabriel, sound asleep. Coco was none too happy with him. So, that night (the third night), Gabriel is in tears as he comes to kiss mommy good night. Mommy reads the requisite two stories (one of which is overly long Wacky Wednesday). Afterwards, Coco reads him The Giving Tree and sternly reminds Gabriel that he must stay in his bed all night. Gabriel did good!

Tonight Mom and I were talking. She first apologized and then went on to simply state that Gabriel is very spoiled. And I have to admit he is. I told her that for me the difficult part will be to continue these new patterns after she and Dad leave. It won't be difficult the first few nights. But as it continues, that will be difficult. But then, Gabriel should already be learning these new traits, and if I'm consistent, neither one of us will 'fall off the wagon'.

I love having my parents around. I just wish I could live in the same city as them. All this would be so much easier, and I would know that Gabriel has consistency and firm hands to guide him when I am not able to.