RIP

Have you ever had an experience that could not have happened unless all things lined up JUST perfectly?  Well, we did the other day.  Colby's family was walking out the door to our favorite Saturday lunch spot (Chick-Fil-A).  When Colby opened the door, in runs a chipmunk and the cat.  Mom and both girls were screaming.  The girls jumped on the chairs.  Dad yelled to stop being such girls (oxymoron much???).  Colby sits outside saying, "Get out of my house chipmunk"!  The chipmunk ran into the office, and Mom shoved a bunch of towels under the door so that the chipmunk can not get out.  We decided that it was best to just go on to Chick-Fil-A.  After we got home, Dad started looking all over the office for said Chipmunk.  He found him a few times, but Chippy managed to get away. 

Fast Forward to Tuesday:
Mom says to Dad, "Babe, I think Chippy must have died.  It stinks in here."
Dad: "I don't smell anything."
Hailey: "I do, it stinks!  It is not just Mom's pregnant nose."

Well Dad found poor dead Chippy! 

What I know now...

...That I wish I knew then???   I wish I had known of this place! 

The Brown Center for Autism  would have been a cool place for Colby when he was little.  They have both morning and afternoon classes as well as an all day class.  Unfortunately, they only serve up to 5 years, so Colby is too old, but boy, would it have been cool! 

Finally...

We are back on and ready to write.  I know that it has been quite a while, but we have been dealing with a lot of stuff with Colby.  We have gotten a behavior therapist coming 3 days a week.  We are trying to get some respite care as well.  Keep your fingers crossed on that one...so far, we have heard nada!


We have also found out that we are adding a new addition to Colby's family.  A new baby brother will be gracing us all with his appearance in August.

I will be adding lots of new stuff here soon.

Not in Books

I want to know what all these people write books about how great certain therapies, diets, etc. are, but yet, I can never REALLY find Colby in any of them.   

While this is a great book, GF/CF is not for Colby.  We tried it for 3 months.  We changed EVERYTHING including soaps, toothpaste...I mean EVERYTHING.  Colby did not change.  His behavior was the same as always.  GF/CF may work very well for some kids, but not for mine.  

I have read many other books on Autism and what, not cured but  "So-and-so's" child better.  We have tried it all, and nothing has made Colby better.  Wel,l on the next book!

Make a puzzle

I just came across this really cool puzzle maker!  Autism Speaks has a Puzzle Builder, and you can make your own puzzle!  I made a few of my family, and they would make nice Christmas gifts for family members!

Monkey See, Monkey Do

Years ago, I started Colby monkey.  He climbed on, over and under EVERYTHING, including me!  This morning, I came across the perfect shirt for my monkey.

 

Image Credit: Autism Link Store

This shirt says it all!   

The Autism Link Store has some other super cute/cool things.  I love stores like these...they help Autism Awareness is so many way!

Our Idea of a Decent Day

Our Idea of a decent day is not that of a normal family. Most families think a 9 year waking them up multiple times a night and getting up for good at 4 am a BAD thing!  Most family consider tantrums VERY BAD!  Most families considering hitting, kicking, screaming, biting, pulling hair, and talking back, all REALLY VERY BAD!  We consider all of this bad as well, but we have to look at it relatively.

Did Colby go back to sleep?  Was there a reason he woke up (he is terrified of thunderstorms)?  Was Colby angry?  Why was he angry?  Did one of his siblings do something to him (they have been known to do something they are not supposed to do)?  How many times did he lash out?  Why did he lash out?  How long did the tantrum last?  Was he playing or was he trying to harm (he does not know his own strength)?

Our idea of a decent day is:
Waking up only once in the middle of the night, and I (mom) do not mind the 4 am wake up call.
A tantrum lasting less than 20 minutes is good too.
Hitting (kicking, biting, etc.) a family member only once.


Our typical day is not at all typical, but life is never boring!

Toy Story and Colby

One of the things I should have noticed about Colby was his love for Toy Story.  If Colby needed to stay out of stuff, I would turn on Toy Story.  If Colby was upset, and I needed him to calm down, I could turn on Toy Story.  I probably should have known that "Normal" kids did not watch the same movie over and over for hours on end, but oh well!

Now that Toy Story 3 has come out to DVD, Colby has a new fascination...Acting out all 3 movies!  He dresses up like Woody



and makes Dad dress up like Buzz.


They stand in the living room acting out the movies.  It is hilarious, but Dad refuses to let any of us take pictures or video.    As soon as we can sneak a picture or 2, they will be up on here!

Mom Found Some Cool Stuff for Herself!

Picture by: Sara Ronayne

I am no fashion queen, but I found a website with some super cool jewelry.  Puzzle Piece Jewelry  is helping spread Autism Awareness with some nice jewelry.  I have not ordered any yet, but I am hoping to put some of this stuff on my Christmas list!