What a difference a year makes.

This is my first entry. I have never blogged before, nor do I really know how. I do know why I am doing this... I figure it is an easy way to journal. I see it as therapeutic.
One year ago we were a blessed family of three. We were traveling in Arizona and California, without too many cares besides the usual. My sweet and adorable 15 month old, Avery Grace, was just starting to talk, was playing peek-a-boo, waving bye bye, blowing kisses, etc etc. She is still sweet and adorable by the way. It's just that now, she has Autism. Then, I am certain, she did not. Wow, how life changes. In the meantime, she lost her ways of communicating, (signing, vocalizing imitating and gesturing). She remains, thank god, happy and delightful to be around. One year later, we are a blessed family of four, as Kaylin Joy has joined this world. Our days are filled with therapy, as we fight to get our daughter back. Our nights have become more sleepless, as we worry and are awakened by not one, but two lovely daughters. In the past year we have endured countless doctor's visits, a grim diagnosis of systemic mastocytosis, followed by a dreadful diagnosis of PDD-NOS (Autism.) We have feared for Avery's life as we awaited test results, and cried tears of joy at the smallest of feats, such as Avery saying mama or dada, only to lose those words again later. Parenthood, I think it's safe to say, is kicking our butts, but we still wouldn't trade it for anything in the world. So for my first blog... I just want to scream out loud... but I'll save it for the pillow. I am so grateful for my sweet family, and I want to use this outlet to post successes, challenges, heartaches and triumphs.