Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Spring at last!!!
We made it through vacation and the following week adjustment. Brody has a hard time getting back to school, only lasts a few minutes, and I think I cry longer than he does. Gets easier everyday, for him at least.
Had Josh's conference and he's exactly where he needs to be for a Kindergartner. His teacher said he's a good, sweet boy. We know that and it's nice to see his teacher knows him the way we know him.
We have a lot going on right now. We are trying to get things going for the Autism Speaks Walk on June 7th. We are very excited about this year. Last year was tough, kind of our 'coming out' for the autism thing. Finally embracing the whole situation. Anyway, we had donations for more than $3,000 and would love to do more this year.
We are also working on the gluten free/casein free diet for Brody. We do need to get him allergy tested, but we have started the diet transition because it can take months to get switched over. Very long, tedious process, but we feel we need to try this. We are really hoping his belly issues will improve and anything else is a bonus. Should take about three months to get Brody completely on the diet. Then we need to have him on the diet for another three months, or more, to see any response. Cross your fingers!! His poor belly needs more than just the meds he's on.
We made it through vacation and the following week adjustment. Brody has a hard time getting back to school, only lasts a few minutes, and I think I cry longer than he does. Gets easier everyday, for him at least.
Had Josh's conference and he's exactly where he needs to be for a Kindergartner. His teacher said he's a good, sweet boy. We know that and it's nice to see his teacher knows him the way we know him.
We have a lot going on right now. We are trying to get things going for the Autism Speaks Walk on June 7th. We are very excited about this year. Last year was tough, kind of our 'coming out' for the autism thing. Finally embracing the whole situation. Anyway, we had donations for more than $3,000 and would love to do more this year.
We are also working on the gluten free/casein free diet for Brody. We do need to get him allergy tested, but we have started the diet transition because it can take months to get switched over. Very long, tedious process, but we feel we need to try this. We are really hoping his belly issues will improve and anything else is a bonus. Should take about three months to get Brody completely on the diet. Then we need to have him on the diet for another three months, or more, to see any response. Cross your fingers!! His poor belly needs more than just the meds he's on.
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Whachya doin', eatin' chicken??
Yes, Brody has started eating chicken nuggets!! Once again, a HUGE milestone in the eating area. For those of you who don't know Brody's history, he has low tone throughout his body, delayed gastric emptying and reflux....all of these have caused problems for him eating and digesting. I won't get in to graphic details, but it's been a tough road for everybody and very messy. Anyway, we have tried everything we could possible to get him eating somewhat typical foods. We hit a wall. This past summer I attended the Autism Series at Yale to see a Doctor and a OT who work with kids on the spectrum with eating and feeding issues. I talked with Kristen Powers (yes, Dr. Power's wife for those of you familiar with him) and she said I should call the center she has in Glastonbury and she would bump him up on the waiting list. Well, she did it! I'm not sure if the fact that she saw me in tears in the hall after I spoke with her helped, but if that's what it takes, I can cry for that!! I do it so often anyway!! Brody goes to the feeding clinic on Friday mornings at 8:15 am with Mark and a ton of different foods in a cooler. They work on getting him used to eating things in a very systematical way. Where we hit the wall, they know all the tricks to get around it. He is doing so well, thanks to all the work Mark does doing eating trials with him all the time. I am the one who just tries to get food in the kid and make it through the day, Mark is really working hard with Brody to get him eating different foods. Now I just remembered more people on Brody's team to get presents for. Talk about "takes a village", geez!!! For those of you who's kids will only eat chicken nuggets and hot dogs, you are soooo lucky!! I can't wait for those days!! Kinda kidding.....
Monday, December 1, 2008
I am posting this for myself so I don't forget...
I went in to pick up Brody from school as usual and he ran in to do the letters on the magnetic board like he does everyday. The letters for BRODY were there along with a couple others, he grabbed a G and ran up to me and said "G". I said the yeh, G thing and he went back to the letters. He was still holding onto the G, grabbed a D and an O, holding them awkwardly in both hands and looking at them, then looked up at me and said "DOG!" Holy crap, yes, he had the letters spelled out in his hands and said the word!!! His Para Cindy looked at me and we both started to giggle and couldn't believe him!
Another really cool thing that went on today with Brody was he has started playing this game with my where he dives onto me when I'm on the couch. He runs up, stops next to me, looks right at me and waits for me to put my arms out to catch him. Well tonight Mark and Josh went to the UCONN basketball game so it was just Brody and me. He was running into the kitchen and then running back to me to catch him and at one point I started saying "Brody, where are you?" and he came running in. Then this was the way the game went, he would wait for me to say his name and if I didn't do it, he would peek around the corner and look at me and grin and then still wait! Oh my goodness was it sooooo cute! We had a fun night.
Also, Mark called me from the game before it started and told me Josh was picked to be the ball boy for the UCONN game. Josh said he was too shy to do it. I think he was tired and it was a little intimidating to say the least in that big stadium. Poor guy. Anyway, I will post pics later...I put husky paws on Josh's hands and one on his cheek. He looked adorable!! He is going to be a mess tomorrow, ugh! Oh well.
Didn't I say these guys are amazing!!
I went in to pick up Brody from school as usual and he ran in to do the letters on the magnetic board like he does everyday. The letters for BRODY were there along with a couple others, he grabbed a G and ran up to me and said "G". I said the yeh, G thing and he went back to the letters. He was still holding onto the G, grabbed a D and an O, holding them awkwardly in both hands and looking at them, then looked up at me and said "DOG!" Holy crap, yes, he had the letters spelled out in his hands and said the word!!! His Para Cindy looked at me and we both started to giggle and couldn't believe him!
Another really cool thing that went on today with Brody was he has started playing this game with my where he dives onto me when I'm on the couch. He runs up, stops next to me, looks right at me and waits for me to put my arms out to catch him. Well tonight Mark and Josh went to the UCONN basketball game so it was just Brody and me. He was running into the kitchen and then running back to me to catch him and at one point I started saying "Brody, where are you?" and he came running in. Then this was the way the game went, he would wait for me to say his name and if I didn't do it, he would peek around the corner and look at me and grin and then still wait! Oh my goodness was it sooooo cute! We had a fun night.
Also, Mark called me from the game before it started and told me Josh was picked to be the ball boy for the UCONN game. Josh said he was too shy to do it. I think he was tired and it was a little intimidating to say the least in that big stadium. Poor guy. Anyway, I will post pics later...I put husky paws on Josh's hands and one on his cheek. He looked adorable!! He is going to be a mess tomorrow, ugh! Oh well.
Didn't I say these guys are amazing!!
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Day before Turkey Day
Yesterday was a fun day.....Josh had his Kindergarten Fall Feast at school. The kids made some crafts and Josh's teacher, Ms. Baver, is a great guitar player so the kids all sang songs for the visitors. Now I have the song 'Turkey in the Hay' in my head permanently. I woke up at 4 am with that song. UUGH!! Josh was singing at school but I noticed he was a little embarrassed with all the people there. Is he growing up?? I could see him turning into a teenager before my eyes, and not just because he was the tallest kid in his class!! I know many of the parents who don't know Josh think he is older than he is. I should have brought my camera. Bummer. Anyway, Josh and I came home and looked up the song on the Internet and he and I danced around (and he boxed) to the song, so it's actually my own fault that I have this crazy song in my head. So of course, out at the bus today I had Delany, Josh and Emily and we were singing the song, and I was saying their names instead of 'turkey' and they laughed. Was hysterical actually. Nothing like silliness waiting for the bus!
Brody was sooo tired when I picked him up from school. He really works so hard and is learning so much. It's amazing how much he wants to learn and loves school. If he is playing with one of his computer things in the morning I'll say 'time for school' he will shut off the computer and walk over to me ready to go!! Anyway, Maga and Papa watched him while I went to Josh's feast and they took him for a ride. He slept for about 45 minutes in the car, he needed it! He isn't really taking naps anymore but he needs the rest on some days desperately. Later when Mark was home he was watching a show and was turning off the TV and said 'ook' a couple of times, asking for Mark to read him a book! Mark got him to say 'book' and then they read a bunch of them. This is HUGE!! Requesting something and saying the word!!! He wants to talk and tries so hard. He has come a long way and we are so excited for him!
I can't wait for turkey and mashed potatoes with tons of gravy. Gotta run to the store.
Brody was sooo tired when I picked him up from school. He really works so hard and is learning so much. It's amazing how much he wants to learn and loves school. If he is playing with one of his computer things in the morning I'll say 'time for school' he will shut off the computer and walk over to me ready to go!! Anyway, Maga and Papa watched him while I went to Josh's feast and they took him for a ride. He slept for about 45 minutes in the car, he needed it! He isn't really taking naps anymore but he needs the rest on some days desperately. Later when Mark was home he was watching a show and was turning off the TV and said 'ook' a couple of times, asking for Mark to read him a book! Mark got him to say 'book' and then they read a bunch of them. This is HUGE!! Requesting something and saying the word!!! He wants to talk and tries so hard. He has come a long way and we are so excited for him!
I can't wait for turkey and mashed potatoes with tons of gravy. Gotta run to the store.
Monday, November 24, 2008
What am I thankful for? I am thankful for my family. I am thankful for my husband. He is an unbelievable man who somehow loves me everyday and can tolerate my craziness. He is the BEST father I have ever witnessed and can take over the boys business without skipping a beat…often doing a better job than I could do. He is patient and loving and just a nice guy! We always feel like we come first and each of us feels like we are the most important thing to him. He is amazing.
Mark and I were lucky enough to find each other and have a family including our miracles, Josh and Brody. (The first miracle is that we even got together, but that is another story!) Josh was a surprise miracle and Brody was a much planned miracle. We are not religious people, but we do believe in miracles. As you can see, all the planning in the world doesn’t equal what you expect. Sometimes the unexpected equals more than you thought you could ever handle. Again, we aren’t religious but sometimes we giggle when people say ‘you only get what God knows you can handle’ and we think we know an awful lot of wimps if that is the case! (Nothing personal to all you people with ‘typical’ little kids….I hear you will get ‘yours’ when they are teenagers!) We also can’t think things always happen for a reason because it just seems mean to have a little boy locked in his own mind and another little boy wanting a little brother that is the same as other little brothers. So, we are thankful for what we have. ‘You get what you get and you don’t get upset’---- our mantra. Well, we all get upset, some more than others, but we love what we’ve ‘got’. Some days that’s enough, other days it means to just go to bed early, whoever you are in this family. A new day will be better.
I am thankful for Josh being the most loving, kind-hearted, fun-loving and fantastic big brother and son. He is a good friend to many and an example of kindness and patience. He is so smart and eager to learn. He says nice things knowing it will make people feel good. He gives kisses and hugs without anybody asking and he tells you he loves you because he does. He is athletically gifted, as far as I can tell. He looks for the best in everybody. He watches out for Brody and protects him and hopes they can talk and play together like big boys some day. He has to put up with a lot. He rarely gets mad because of Brody and usually sticks up for him if Brody does something he shouldn’t. He is amazing.
I am thankful for Brody and the little boy he is blossoming into. I am thankful for Brody’s opportunity at school and his ‘angels’, meaning his teacher, paras, BCBA, administrators and friends. He is a sponge, ready to learn. He is the hardest working preschooler in the town of Coventry. He is a friend to the unexpected. He is ‘the smartest’, says some of his preschool buddies. He is an inspiration. He is an ABC pro. He loves to snuggle and cuddle and give kisses. He loves to ride in the car because it relaxes him. He loves to shoot baskets with his Dad and ride on the lawnmower. He loves to jump and he loves to laugh. He is amazing.
I am thankful for my three guys. They are amazing and amaze me every day…I am thankful for that.
P.S.
I am also thankful for the following…
Dunkin’ Donuts
Tivo
HGTV
The Food Network
Internet
Caller ID
Time with Mark alone
Nights out with the ‘Girls’
My pillow
Mark and I were lucky enough to find each other and have a family including our miracles, Josh and Brody. (The first miracle is that we even got together, but that is another story!) Josh was a surprise miracle and Brody was a much planned miracle. We are not religious people, but we do believe in miracles. As you can see, all the planning in the world doesn’t equal what you expect. Sometimes the unexpected equals more than you thought you could ever handle. Again, we aren’t religious but sometimes we giggle when people say ‘you only get what God knows you can handle’ and we think we know an awful lot of wimps if that is the case! (Nothing personal to all you people with ‘typical’ little kids….I hear you will get ‘yours’ when they are teenagers!) We also can’t think things always happen for a reason because it just seems mean to have a little boy locked in his own mind and another little boy wanting a little brother that is the same as other little brothers. So, we are thankful for what we have. ‘You get what you get and you don’t get upset’---- our mantra. Well, we all get upset, some more than others, but we love what we’ve ‘got’. Some days that’s enough, other days it means to just go to bed early, whoever you are in this family. A new day will be better.
I am thankful for Josh being the most loving, kind-hearted, fun-loving and fantastic big brother and son. He is a good friend to many and an example of kindness and patience. He is so smart and eager to learn. He says nice things knowing it will make people feel good. He gives kisses and hugs without anybody asking and he tells you he loves you because he does. He is athletically gifted, as far as I can tell. He looks for the best in everybody. He watches out for Brody and protects him and hopes they can talk and play together like big boys some day. He has to put up with a lot. He rarely gets mad because of Brody and usually sticks up for him if Brody does something he shouldn’t. He is amazing.
I am thankful for Brody and the little boy he is blossoming into. I am thankful for Brody’s opportunity at school and his ‘angels’, meaning his teacher, paras, BCBA, administrators and friends. He is a sponge, ready to learn. He is the hardest working preschooler in the town of Coventry. He is a friend to the unexpected. He is ‘the smartest’, says some of his preschool buddies. He is an inspiration. He is an ABC pro. He loves to snuggle and cuddle and give kisses. He loves to ride in the car because it relaxes him. He loves to shoot baskets with his Dad and ride on the lawnmower. He loves to jump and he loves to laugh. He is amazing.
I am thankful for my three guys. They are amazing and amaze me every day…I am thankful for that.
P.S.
I am also thankful for the following…
Dunkin’ Donuts
Tivo
HGTV
The Food Network
Internet
Caller ID
Time with Mark alone
Nights out with the ‘Girls’
My pillow
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)