Saturday, September 29, 2007


Little Word. Big Gift.

This is Bella. My beautiful seven year old Bella. On Thursday she got off the bus and looked at me and said, "Muuuummmmm" for the first time with real intent. My daughter greeted me by name.

We have begun a new protocol with additional diet changes and supplement additions. And within a week Bella came out with a usable word.

I don't usually go into the biomed autism world in this blog. I try to keep the topic general so as to amuse you, my dear readers. But I will say this, if you know a child with autism, please buy Jenny McCarthy's book, "Louder Than Words" and give it to the Mom and Dad. It's not hocus pocus. And there aren't more than a handful of pediatricians in the country who will let you in on the secret: "Autism is treatable."

"Muuuummmm." What more do you need to know?

25 comments:

The Muse said...

Wow, what a beautiful child! I'll never forget the first time my son called me "Mom". We had just come home from Savannah and he was sitting on my bed. That is the sweetest word you can hear from your child; isn't it? That's wonderful news, Kim. Progress.

Anonymous said...

BRILLIANT!!!

It could and probably is coincidental she said it after starting the new regime because these things as you know take time to have an effect but who cares? She called you "Mum"!!!!

BIG HUG!!!!

Mom26children said...

Hey Kim,
Big hug from me too!!!

Kiernan will say Mama, but I have to start with "I love my..."
He finishes it with Mama...
I will take what I can get.

Jeanette

Michelle O'Neil said...

Yay Bella!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Kathi said...

This is great. My son just made incredible progress in one day by increasing his B6/mag. I could not believe it; neighbors asked what was going on. I'm a believer.

MaNiC MoMMy™ said...

OH HELLOOOOO!!! What a beautiful photo, and a beautiful story! I can only imagine how you BOTH felt to have such a connection with a new word! I love it!

So happy about this, and also, happy to see you're blogging--thought/afraid you were giving it up!

Robin Lemke said...

YAY!!!!!

Stephen Parrish said...

Big hug from me too. Your post jump-started my day.

SmartlikeStreetcar said...

Bella touched my heart. You too.

Niksmom said...

Sweet! We've seen a huge change just in 2 weeks since we took Nik out of school (total sensory overload and he'd just shut down). All of a sudden he's bringing me toys and snuggling on my lap. Revel in the glory of the new layers of connection with your beautiful Bella! :-)

Anonymous said...

Niksmom, good for you! There are so many factors that affect our kids. THe "NT" world has no idea how many minefields our kids have to navigate with every step they take. Hugs to your little guy. Make that "squeezes" better for sensory.... :)

Lynne Griffin and Amy MacKinnon said...

There is no greater gift to a mother than hearing her child speak that word. You're a wonderful Mom whose hope and devotion has been rewarded. Congratulations.

Amy

Kim Rossi Stagliano said...

Thanks, Writer's Group - but in my heart, and I mean this, I think the greatest gift a mother can have is the ability to feed her child. Sound dumb? I think of all the women in the world who do not have enough money for a cup of rice for their children and my stomach seizes up. I think I would go insane if my children were hungry. I don't know why the whole "food" thing upsets me so. We've never been poor, per se. Yet, feeding people always gets me - like those Thanksgiving ads for the homeless shelters with a grizely old man with the fork to his mouth. I have an innate need to feed! At the end of the day one of my prayers is always, "Thank you for allowing me to feed my children." The rest, I guess you could say, is "gravy." But I'll take the "Muuuummmm" with much gratitude. I can't wait until she can say, "You're the worst Mom in the world!" and flounce off to her room!

Kim (back to my GFCF bread dough! GFCF crinkle cookies cooling on the counter.)

The Anti-Wife said...

What a wonderful gift to you!

Rainmom2x said...

YEA!!!!!!!!
I'm absolutely THRILLED for you and Bella. There's no sweeter word for a Mom to hear...I waited so long to hear "Mama"...I hope that they're still caling me Mama when they're 6 feet tall(which will be sooner than I ever imagined). You(and she) have worked hard for that sweet word...enjoy it!

Thanks for the "shout out" in your post about John's signing. Yes, I've finally composed myself! PMS might have played a part in my emotional state, but I think I really was overwhelmed by the whole thing. I've been so excited waiting for the book, and seeing John up there enjoying his success was amazing. Hearing his words...words that some of us may never hear from our own kids... really moved me. How wonderful to have such a beautiful "voice" to speak for our children.

It was nice to meet you "in person"!

Tena Russ said...

Lovely post, Kim. It made my day.

Polly Kahl said...

That's so beautiful, Kim. She is gorgeous and special, just like her mom.

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful story! Our now non-verbal son will be 7 in February, so it is particularly special for me to hear. I say, "Mama, Mama, Mama" instead of Mama, Mama, Mia to him 1000x a day, and I KNOW I will hear him talk again. We are biomedical warriors here, and totally GFCF too (I have, after 3 years, FINALLY made a loaf of bread that is actually edible). Maybe you could share some recipes?

Keep at it.

John Robison said...

Now, that's a happy looking kid. And that's a good safe way for a kid to be.

I'm sure you remember why . . . when times get tough, the loudest kid is always the first into the stewpot.

A sweet one like that would never get eaten.

And we thank you for the woof shifts. I will consider some kind of treat for you. It may have to wait till the tour is done, when I can venture into the woods with a net . . .

woof!

Irene said...

Yay Staglianos!! Way to Go Bella!!! You should post a GFCF (what the hell is in it?!) recipe each week or month, you know whenever you have some SPARE time! ;D

Steve said...

It was just a few short months ago when we heard our son say mommy and daddy for the first time - it still sounds as pure and fresh as a spring rain.
So happy for both of you!

Drama Mama said...

HUGE gift. You just made my day.

GFCF Mommy said...

I remember the elation when my son first called me Momma. What a beautiful sound! I've been reading you on Huffington Post for while, but just discovered you here and I am glad I did. I also totally agree with you about the ability to "feed" your children.

Way to go Bella!

Katherine
www.gfcfmommy.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

Freaking awesome! Way to go little Bella! By the way, that's one beautiful child!

Anonymous said...

Awesome post -- I am tearing up here -- and you both look so happy in the photo....