Where's My List???

I'm sitting here watching my little boys play cars together.  I feel very blessed, especially at this time of year, to have them both in my life.  They were so wanted and we waited a very long time for them.  I was also thinking of the "hidden" benefits to raising a special needs child.  Like the need to be organized.  I've had the self-given title of "Hyper-Organized" for many years now (trust me, not always a good thing).  This is not a joke; I've actually had friends give me sticky notes and note pads for gifts because they know how much I love my "lists."  Yes, I've always been organized, but I've learned to take it to a new extreme.  We have a lot of "therapy" toys, and we bring them out one at a time as not to overwhelm our son.  And even though some of these toys have a lot of pieces (blocks, play food, Hot Wheels collection), it is generally an easy clean-up at the end of the day.  My youngest son keeps his other toys in his room, which gives him special play time with his older siblings during the day.  Our schedule is also very routine.  While, I must admit, a lot of  days I feel a little bored, it keeps me on track and things get done.  I know that this is the season for raising my son, here at home, where he can feel comfortable and thrive.  Where he can feel love and acceptance.  And where we, as a family, can learn patience and understanding...not only for him, but for all others who might struggle with something of their own.  After all, what is "normal?"  Got to go, need to make a list to organize my lists.  :)      

Married Mom of Special Needs Child Looking for Long Walks in the Park (with children), Drinks (hot cocoa with the kids), and Dinner (Chuck E. Cheese anyone?)

This is my selfish post.  You see, I was venting to my husband the other day about friends who don't come over, or who just stand at the door and talk when they do.  About not being invited anywhere any more with the kids.  About never being invited to anyone's house.  (Please don't read this and have pity on me and feel like you need to invite me over, just venting.)  Anyway, my honey asked if I have posted about this on my blog.  And I started thinking that it might be a good idea.  After all, I can't be the only mom of an autistic child who feels this way.  In fact, I bet it's pretty common.  We start feeling very alone, very isolated, and even very judged.  I guess I may be in an unusual situation also in that I live far from immediate family and haven't been here long enough to figure out which people will be lifelong friends.  Don't get me wrong, there are a couple of wonderful friends who have been into my house more than once and are not scared away.  It's just that the friends who truly understand (those in similar situations) live a very, very long way away.  I liked when my house was the party house and the place to hold homeschool meetings.  Another thing affecting my feelings about this may be the fact that there are just not homeschool support groups in this area like in other places that we've lived.  It's hard to meet people.  And there are absolutely no support groups or play groups for special needs children and their families.  Okay, time to stop having a pity party and do something about it.  I think it's time to start a group for women like me and their families.  If I could just find the time.....

Flapping is Fun!

It was Thanksgiving today and my son was very excited, although I don't think he fully grasped everything that was going on.  He just knew that we were a little bit out of our routine, there was a parade with big balloons on TV, and a lot of food that he couldn't touch because of his allergies.  (I made him up a separate plate with "safe" food just for him.)  At one point, he started flapping his hands really fast.  After a couple of minutes, his 16-year-old sister joined in and flapped as fast as she could.  He thought this was great!  He looked at her and said, "Like it?"  She said, "Yes!"  He smiled real big.  And then I joined in.  Again, turning to me this time, he said, "Like it?"  And I said, "Yes!  I like it!"  Then the 10-year-old sister and baby brother started flapping, and here we were, all 5 of us looking like we were trying to fly away.  But the look on my son's face was priceless.  He was sharing something with us.  "Like it?  Like it?"  And you know what?  I like it!  It is fun to flap!

Key Key!

My son was in his high chair this morning, just finishing breakfast, when he started saying, "I play key key!"  I was trying my hardest to figure out what toy sounded like "key key," and even thought that he might try to be saying his sister's name.  He was getting more and more frustrated as I struggled to understand him.  I finally noticed that he was pointing to his belly while saying this to me, and then I got it!  "You want to play nakey?"  "Yes!  I play key key!"  So he's been running around the rest of the morning with just his pants, no shirt, while he plays.  

I Need a Nap! Please!

So, it seems as if my son has given up his nap time.  I am really not thrilled about this idea.  Don't get me wrong, I love him, but he needs full, constant supervision and stimulation.  I longed for that break in the middle of the day to catch up on housework, help my older kids with school projects, or run errands.  I'm not sure how this new schedule will fit into my plans.  Selfish, I know.  This is the first day that I haven't laid him down.  We've noticed that he's been "talking" through his nap time the last few days, and then the "destructive mode" kicked in.  Yes, he continues to tear apart his crib tent.  As mentioned in an earlier post, his current crib tent has already been Frankensteined back together several times.  It is our second one, yes, he destroyed the first one also, and our new one has been on back order.  Although we heard from the company today and it should be here next week.  (Happy Dance Time!)  Anyway, he finally figured out that if he ripped the entire side out, or pulled apart the zipper, that he could escape and then proceed to "draw" on the walls by scratching them with a metal door stop he removed from his wall.  Well, here we go into our new daytime life...wish me luck!

Coffee, Tea, or COCOA?

My son wanted to hold his "baby" brother the other day, which is funny in itself since they are about the same size now, but I humored him and told him to go sit down on the couch.  He said, "No, cocoa table."  I soon realized that he wanted to sit on the COFFEE table!  Haha...so cute, I think we will call it the COCOA table from here on out.

Snack Time!

After snack time today, which consisted of cashews, a fruit cookie, and corn tortilla chips, my son said (very dramatically), "Mmm Mmm, that was so good!"