You probably wouldn't guess just by looking at this picture..... You are looking at the strongest willed person on the planet. This is Natasha at 3.5 years of age. She was black - hole - sucking - everything - in - and - not - letting - light - out strong willed.

She came home developmentally delayed in all ways; emotionally, gross motor skills, language. She was a walking talking puzzle of different developmental ages.

But one thing that she was absolutely clear on. She was the boss. She ran things.

At first when she got angry at me, she would show a... more

So I have a new animal in the house. Or rather Natasha has a new responsibility named Teddi. He is the Teddy Bear Hamster pictured left.

As I said here, Natasha started campaigning for a rat about 6 months ago. At first I refused. I have never had a pet rat and just couldn't go there mentally.

I could have shut Natasha down on the subject. I could have told Natasha to stop talking about the pet rat on... more

I found an old journal entry about my darling Natasha. She had been home for 1.5 years when I wrote the following. I was looking back at the first 4 months home.

The picture is Natasha standing front of some Azaleas. She had been home 4 months when this was taken.

Notice the position of her hands. When she is nervous she holds her hands. When she is stressed she chews on her fingertips/nails.

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The first 4 months were the worst emotionally for my darling daughter and me. She was 3.5 years old but developmentally... more