Hello!  This is Terri Hershey writing.  I'm the mother to David Patrick Morgan, who is seven years old--and has autism.

David is, for the most part, a good little boy with a keen mind; however, he seems to relate better to objects than people.  He is resistent to change or unfamiliar situations; when he is exposed to them, he has one of his famous meltdowns, where it takes superhuman strength to try to calm him down.

He's having a difficult time right now because I happen to be pregnant.  Yes, you read right:  David is going to have a little brother or sister in December, probably around Christmastime (and his eighth birthday).  He will no longer be the only child, and I personally think he's jealous.

I am still meeting with my parent group.  So far, there are five of us who meet every week, to discuss the latest happenings with our children's accomplishments (or setbacks) and support one another when difficulties surface.  It's been a Godsend, and David has been able to make some new friends.

David still wants to be a singer:  in fact, in about a month or so, he's going to go for the tryouts for this season's installment of "America's Got Talent".  He's really improved in his singing skills, and it makes him feel better, more calm and relaxed.

He's been practicing really hard for the tryouts, and I couldn't be prouder of him than I am right now. 

Right now, though, I'm busy trying to deal with his meltdowns and hoping that he'll succeed in life.  I'm also perusing baby-name books to see what kinds of names I can come up for the baby currently residing inside my belly. 

So far, all I can come up with are girl names:  so far, I have four possible choices. 

The names I have so far for a baby girl (that is, if it is a girl!) are Jasmine Arianna, Kandace Lynn, Gabriella Elizabeth, and Octavia Michelle (not necessarily in that order).

The only boy name I have run across (and actually liked!) has been Trevor Michael.

I have seven and a half months to think of names; in the meantime, I have to take care of my son and get the baby's nursery together, make sure baby has plenty of clothes, toys, diapers, and whatnot.

I don't know what we are going to do for Easter:  probably have an Easter egg hunt at David's MeMaw's house, then have baked ham, scalloped potatoes, and green bean casserole for lunch.  We'll also go to church before we  go to MeMaw's house.  That's what we usually do every year (that is, before David has his yearly meltdown).

Well, I am going to go now.  David is awake:  I can hear him chirping merrily in his room; he reminds me of a little mockingbird greeting the morning.  I will write in here again soon; until then, this is Terri Hershey saying so long and God bless!

~Love, your friend, Terri.  :)