Get Over Yourself, Mom

Mom is STILL apprehensive this week. STILL. James has made it through another week of school and therapy. Things have been met with some protest but he has been working.  I just feel that James is not himself and THAT is enough to bother me.  He isn't as playful and is more interested in "stimming."  James' version of stimming is tossing things around in front of him, sort of like the inside of a popcorn maker.  He wants to stim with his books rather than read them. I don't let him.  He wants to stim with puzzle pieces instead of finishing the puzzles.  Not happening.   He wants to stim with balls instead of playing catch. I keep engaging him.  After we play catch for a bit, he motions to me that he wants to put the blankets over his head like a tent. Okay. And he wants me to go with him.   Still fine.  But then he wants to bring in little balls and STIM.   At least he wanted to stim with me, right?  And not go completely into la-la land?  Oh who the heck knows!  I'm worried.  He's not sick.  He's not misbehaving (completely). Still, something in my gut says all is not right.
Enough with my unfounded worries (hopefully), on with the real and the positive!  My kid is babbling.  Trying to sound words out on his own.  First I heard "DAH DAH DAH DAH DA DEE DAH" and thought he was talking about Daddy.  He continued with his DAHs until a "DUH" popped out.  Immediately and clearly he says "Dumbo," smiling and holding the movie out for me.  We watched the entire thing, or, I should say the entire "MOO-BEE" (James' word for "movie").  The next day it was "DAH-WAH" for Star Wars.  And the following morning, the word of the day was Daddy.  James was awake but still in bed and his Dad was tickling him.  He started with his "DAH DAH DAH" rant.  Usually "DAH-DAH" is good enough for Daddy.  But not today.  James did not stop until he said "DA-DEE"!  He was so proud of himself.  I was also happy that Dad could actually hear it.  Although I told him about how James is practicing and sounding out words, absolutely NOTHING beats hearing your non-verbal sweetheart say your name.