"It helps to know early, they say. You know what you're in for, you can talk to other people who have been in the same boat. Makes things easier for everyone."

More ice cream for Ev. A little more relaxed now, he manages to eat the entire spoonful.

"Ev's got..." He taps his forehead. "A bond with the squirrels in our family, same as I do. He's not talking much with words yet, but he doesn't need to--they can understand him, and so can I. But Coreen can't, which is a little frustrating."