Better Late Than Never...

Grandma Sharon came through with some pics of the kids from Thanksgiving and Christmas (since we're horrible parents and didn't take any ourselves!).
Here are some of our favorites! Thanks Grandma and Grandpa!









And a family shot... not the most attractive, but it'll have to do.

"Eli Stone"

Hope I'm not opening a can of worms here...

I'm not one to preach about religion or politics...or anything really. And I honestly don't spend a lot of my time thinking about what might have caused DD and DS's autism. Illness, vaccinations, diet, genetics, any or all of the above... I'm sure they all played some sort of a part in it (though DS hasn't had vaccinations since 9-months, so it's kind of a mystery with him). Anyway...

I do try to watch and/or read any new stories or shows that might talk about the topic. So, I've got to just let you know that on Thursday night (1.31.08) on ABC a new show is premiering called, "Eli Stone". I don't really know much about it except that this episode is going to focus on autism and vaccinations. Doctors and the American Academy of Pediatrics are all in a tizzy about this episode airing... and how it's going to affect people's feelings about vaccinations. Kind of like the Oprah meat-thing a few years ago... like no one will get their kids vaccinated because of this one show. Anyhoo...

If you're interested... watch it. I know I will...

And let me know what you think!

A Good Day...

I've got to say... this morning didn't start out that great. First, I could tell that the geek was sick... he had been up most of the night with some sort of stomach thing, so I knew that could only mean bad things for me later on. Come to find out... everyone in his office that ate chicken from a certain restaurant yesterday was sick... it's not contagious, but yucky just the same.

Then, there was a slight issue with DD's bus. First, it was late... which always throws our morning off a little bit. But even worse, when it finally arrived... it wasn't the bus at all. Seems the bus had broken down on the way to our house, so they were using a Suburban instead. DD did not like this... at all. Those of you who know her know that she doesn't do well with change. Marilyn, the bus driver, apologized over and over... knowing that DD wasn't going to be happy. It's amazing the things you take for granted... the bus comes each morning, I put her on, it brings her home. Throw a wrench in that somehow... things can get ugly. She cried, and kicked, and fought me the whole time I put her in the Suburban... it was painful- both physically and mentally.

But you know what? Our little girl has grown... because when she got home from school (on a different bus, but a "close-enough" bus that she wasn't upset), her teachers informed me that today was one of her best days yet. Yes, she cried for about 20 minutes when she first got there because of the whole bus-thing. But she was able to move past it... and I'm thrilled. In the past that might have wrecked her entire day... I think it's progress!

Although the geek is still sick (which sucks), he is asleep, DD is asleep and DS is asleep. And it's only 10:00p.m. Yes, it has been a good day!

New Artwork...

One of the mother's groups that I belong to (most, if not all, of the kid's have some special needs) forwarded me a link to a local artist who had a piece of art she thought I might be interested in. I was... I bought one and can't wait to receive it!

Take a look... the piece is called "Special Child".

www.realpeopleart.com/helprpa_025.htm

Cars, Cars Everywhere!

Do you think DS likes cars?

They Say It's My Birthday....

"A birthday is just the first day of another 365-day journey around the sun. Enjoy the trip." Anonymous


Happy 31st birthday to me!

Happy 2nd Birthday Little One!

It's hard to believe two years have passed since you came into our lives. You have become such a special little man... full of energy, always smiling (except when you're crying), always wanting to be where mommy and daddy are.

You are ALL BOY! You love cars, blocks, and any obnoxious toy that makes noise. You are full of bumps and bruises, cuts and scrapes- you have no fear and will climb anything!



As adults we're exhausted just watching you... scale the back of the couch, jump back down, run into the dining room, circle the table a couple times, climb back onto the couch again... you're like a little Energizer bunny.

And at the end of the day, your favorite place to be is with Mommy, rocking in the glider, your head on my chest. You can sit there for hours, and so can I.



We love you so much... Happy Birthday!

If The Hat Fits...

Now, we're not really sure what she's doing with this stocking cap on...



Perhaps she's getting ready to shovel snow, or maybe she's looking for her "homies" from the ghetto.



Either way, DD seems to love her daddy's cap, and we think she looks pretty cute in it!

His Big Boy Bed...

On the eve of DS's second birthday, I thought I would post a couple pics of him (and DD) in his new big boy bed. He's been in it for a couple weeks now, and so far, he's doing great! It was sad for us... knowing that both of our babies are out of cribs now. But it was time, and they love their big beds!

Now admittedly, I'm not a huge fan of these plastic, primary-colored monstrosities, but he loves it... and that's what matters!

Marilyn Monro-bot

This is my new best friend. Seriously, it ranks right up there with Mountain Dew and "Dora the Explorer" (thanks Nickelodeon!).



I can safely say that besides marrying me and giving me the most beautiful children ever created, this is the best gift hubby has ever given me.
Yesterday DS and I went to Walmart to get groceries. Before we left I thought, "Wow, the floor really looks like crap" (well, I didn't really think crap, but this is edited for our young readers). Quickly moved the ottomans, pushed the power button and left. When we got back, it was parked in its charging station... and my floors were clean!
Now if only he could find something that would dust and cook for me (and maybe change diapers)!
And yes we named it... Marilyn Monro-bot. Clever, huh? I wish we could take credit, but there is an actual website dedicated to names people have given their Roombas. Clearly we all have too much time on our hands... now that we don't have to vacuum!

Longing for "The Tardis"

If you're a "Dr. Who" fan, you'll know what I'm talking about. I'm not a fan... but the geek is, and I get the general premise. "The Tardis" is a time machine, and each episode they go back (or forward?) and save the world. I don't need to save the world, but I would love...

Another chance to do things differently...





Looking at these pictures of DD makes me wish I could go back in time and change things. If only I knew then what I know now...

(I thought the geek might appreciate this reference to one of his favorite shows... however, corny it might be. :)

I Think They Call It Irony?...

Before we get to the subject of this post, a little back-story...

So, this afternoon we had a consultation with a DAN (Defeat Autism Now) physician regarding putting the kids on the GFCF (gluten-free, casein-free) diet. Now, I know the geek and I are "readers". We have a TON of autism books and at least once a week I spend at least a day (or night) researching anything new that I've heard or read about. But I have to say, I'm getting a little annoyed that we go to these appointments (and they aren't cheap by any means), and we don't really learn anything new. And a lot of the time, most of the time it seems, we know more than they do! Anyway, it wasn't a total waste- she recommended some new supplements, and we can also get blood drawn there for the allergy/metal toxicity tests that we want. It's always good to reaffirm that we're doing what we should be doing... of course, there's always more we can try. From the looks of most of the GFCF cookbooks, I'm going to have to start cooking and baking a lot more!! I'm sure most of you are laughing at the thought of that!

Enough of my ranting... back to the real subject of this post...

I got home from the appointment, and DS was napping. He's been teething and has been a bear most of the week. DD was looking tired too, so I was very excited at the thought that BOTH of them might actually sleep at the same time (this doesn't often happen during the day!). What would I do with a few minutes alone? Read a book, watch television, eat a meal in peace? So, I lay DD down in her bed, and not long after, I start hearing her running around, giggling, having a grand ole' time. I leave her, thinking maybe she'll quiet down and fall asleep. 45 minutes pass and she's still awake... I finally just go get her and bring her out to the living room. She doesn't seem tired AT ALL, so I go out to the kitchen to get her a snack. Literally, no more than two minutes later, I walk back out to the living room and this is what I see...



And what do I hear coming from the hallway? DS is now running around in HIS room! Clearly I am being punished for something! It's a good thing they're cute!

Finally!

How long has it been since I last posted? Too long, that's for sure!
Part of the delay is the fact that we didn't take ANY photos at Christmas with our own camera, so I really don't have any to share. Maybe some of the grandparents have grandbaby pics they can forward to me?
Well, here are a few old pics... they will have to do for now!

Back to Normal Around Here...

The geek is back to work, and DD went back to school today! Yippee! It's getting back to normal around here.

For those of you who might be interested, invitations for DS's birthday party have been ordered and will be sent out this week.

Holiday pics will be posted soon!