I've Been A Bad, Bad Blogger

I just noticed after a friend pointed it out, that this is my one year blog anniversary.  My last post was May 8th. I didn't forget about my blog, life took over. The Hubs has been deployed, the boys have turned into three year olds, who may I add everyone warns you about the terrible two's....no one ever warns you about the terrorsit threes!!!  Good Lord these boys are testing my patience. 

A little update...OK, so it will be a long update. G&L were in summer school all summer. It was only half day, but it was better than nothing.  It helped them stay in the groove of school.  We also took them to the beach, Sea World and some local places.  They LOVED the beach!  The hubs and I got to go away for the night and headed to the coast.  We fell in love with a little beach town and are trying to make it our mission to move there.  Surprisingly for a little beach town they have some amazing Autism resources and special programs for the boys, which besides the hubs having a job, is our top priority.

The new school year has been off to a great start.  The boys are doing well and love their teachers.  Two of them are the same teachers from last year, which I think has helped with their transition.  L has become a talking MACHINE!  One day he came up to me and said out of the blue, "Hiya Mama!"  I about fell over!  A lot of his speech is repeating what he hears, and then then turns it into his own sentence, but I'll take it! Sensory wise, he still has issues but we've seen so much improvement!  We just switched to a new OT, so fingers crossed it goes well. L is also a ladies man!  He loves the ladies, young and old.

G has made some progress.  It's been a slow progress, but progress is progress in my book!  He now knows most of his animals and the sounds that go with them.  He's definitely become a stubborn little boy!  I think his stubbornness and drive to want to do things on his own more and more, will help in the long run. He's a boy who knows what he wants and goes after it, or throws himself on the floor and screams til we can figure out what he's after so we can help him.  He still has his basic food group of cream cheese, goldfish crackers, banana's, grapes and blueberries. 

Both boys have started horse therapy!  G jumped on the horse like he's been doing it his entire life...you know, all three years of it.  L was a little but more apprehensive but once he was on there he was loving it!  I was so proud of both of them for trying something new.  The hardest part was trying to get them to wear the riding helmets.  After we won that battle it was smooth sailing. Here they are on their horses!

Although I normally keep this blog about the boys, I just have to share that this mama bear just learned how to shoot a gun, so watch out!  I was terrified at first, I had never even touched a gun!  Thanks to my awesome friend M and a nice man at the range, they both made me confident enough to try it.  I seriously loved it!  It was empowering just to know, that I could do it, and it wasn't as terrifying as I thought it would be.  Do I want a gun in the house? No.  I'm not ready for that, I don't know if I ever will be, but at least I know I'm not scared of them anymore, and I know how to handle one.

                                                                        That's Me!
                                                         (Real women shoot in flip flops!)

My goal for the next few months, for all three of my bloggers fans, (Hi Mom, Dad and Sissypants) is too try to keep up with this thing.  I started it for a reason, and I hate that I let it go.  Gotta follow through Yo!

Yes, I Would Take It All Away If I Could!!

It's been so long since I've had time to write.  With the hubs being gone, I barely get a second to come up for air.  The boys have been sick for the past month, I'm fighting a staph infection and we're all pretty much exhausted!

Today we went to a birthday party for some twin friends third birthday.  The boys had a great time!  We got out of there just before them meltdowns so it was perfect timing!  The awesome LC came with us to help with the boys.  I really don't think I could have done it without her.  She is amazing with the boys, and they love her so much.  She's one of the few people we trust with G&L.  It's an added bonus that she teaches kids with Autism.

As World Autism Day is approaching (April 2nd)I've been seeing a ton of things online boycotting it saying it's not about finding a cure it's about acceptance.  World Autism Day brings awareness which helps with acceptance.  I've also read tons of blogs and posts from people saying it's not a disease so don't try to cure it.  I've said this before and I'll say it again.  I know many disagree with me but if I could take G&L's Autism away, I would in a heart beat.  It kills me to see them struggle, to see friends with babies that are only one, passing milestones that we dream of them reaching some day.  I look at it like this, G has epilepsy.  He takes medicine to help reduce his seizures.  If I could take his seizures away, I would in a heart beat.  If I could take his Autism away I would in a heart beat. If I could take away L's SVT and Mastocytosis, would I?  You bet!  The same way I would want to take away his Autism.  Why would any parent, or any human being for that matter, what to see a person, especially their child struggle to talk, communicate, walk, handle emotions, etc.  I know I can't take their Autism away, but I pray that one day they can fully communicate, be independent and maybe even have a job. I have the same dreams for my children that any parent does.  I shouldn't be ostracized for wanting my children to be nuerotypical!  No parent says, "Gosh, I really hope my child has Autism!"  Just because they have it, makes me no different. I want the best for my kids.

With all that being said, on April 2nd....LIGHT IT UP BLUE!  Wear a blue shirt, put a blue light bulb on your front porch, heck...eat a blue cupcake!  Autism is real, Inspire people, Educate people, Make people aware!  This girl will be decked out in blue!

The Magical Place Called School.

For the past week the boys and I have been fighting a beast of a cold.  I think we finally might be on the mend!  Take two kiddo's with Autism who don't sleep much to begin with, add in a stuffy, runny nose and a cough and what do you have?  No sleep for Momma!!!  The hubs is on his deployment and the poor guy is sick too! Go home winter, you're drunk!

Yesterday the boys got an early dismissal from school.  You know, since it was raining!  They also had a delayed opening this morning, which was understandable since we did get some ice tonight.  What did that mean for me?  Two crazy three year olds bouncing off the walls and screaming since their schedule was thrown off.  Ah, the glamorous life of an Autism family.  I'm totally that helicopter mom who is never more then three feet away from her children.  I was terrified to send them to school even though it's a school for special needs.  What if something happened?  What if they were upset and I'm the only one who could understand their nonverbal ways? What if they wonder off? What it, what if, what if.  Well, let me tell you!  The place they call school is what I refer to as this magical place that helps me keep my sanity.  I never thought I would feel this way.  After being with my boys 24/7 for the last three years, I couldn't imagine them not being with me all.the.time.  Well, let me tell you, this magical place takes care of them, teaches them, and loves them for 6.5 hours a day!  They love it there!  They've made friends with other adorable non verbal kids, they have amazing teachers who love and care for them, and I get some time to myself.  I never realized how much I needed this time, until I had it!  Holy, mother of Autism! Did I ever need it!

I attempted to potty train L over the weekend.  It went as I suspected.  NOT GOOD!  He could care less about it, but at least our floors got a good cleaning.  I put him back in diapers and called it a day. He's wasn't making the connection and I'm not pushing it.  When he gets it, he gets it.  I think G is going to be in diapers til he's 20.  It is, what it is.  L's teacher is going to send me some info on potty training non verbal kiddo's with Autism. we'll see how it goes.  G just kept watching L pee on himself with a confused look.  I think he was just happy it wasn't him!

Stay tuned for our awesome raffle we're holding!  Lots of things to auction off so we can raise even more money for our Autism walk!!

Dear Autism, You are a B*tch!

This is a whiny entry.  Don't say I didn't warn you.  Today I want to give Autism and big FU!

So G&L had a field trip for school today and I was a chaperone. I thought I was going to lose my mind. L did great for about two hours which is really great for him. He just got super tired and started to slow down.  Even though he was exhausted he still managed to hold it together.

G was a MANIAC...people (not his class) were staring at him and me, like I was a big A-hole. He kept throwing himself on the floor, screaming, flapping, crying, yelling etc. Anytime I would try to pick him up to comfort him he would hit me in the face.  I know he was acting like this because he was way to overstimulated, but it doesn't make it any easier when your in the midst of it.  I was a little over zealous and didn't bring his stroller inside(he has a wheel chair stroller which has a compression clip on it, to help him and it's anti tip for when he throws himself). We had to walk about one city block back to the car and he kept throwing himself on the side walk and having a protest. I was pouring sweat by the time I got back to the car. One of his teachers asked if I needed help getting them back to the car, but stupidly, I said No. As G is throwing himself on the sidewalk people were walking by giving me side eye.  I may have said, "What? You've never seen a three year old with Autism?" to someone. What the hell is wrong with me? I need to accept peoples help! They are trained to deal with this! I just feel super defeated today. Autism is a bitch. The end.

Holy Cow!! I Have Threenagers!!

What a whirlwind of a week it's been!  My babies have officially turned three!!!  How is this possible?  I know people say time flies when you have kids, but it doesn't have to fly this quickly!  Even though they are only three, and we try to live in the now, it's so hard not to think about what happens in 20 years?  What will they be able to do?  Where will they be?  We'll save that for day dreaming!

Why else was this week a super big week?!?!  G&L started school!  Unlike the school we tried with L last year, this is a school that is made just for them, with kids just like them, and teachers that have the resources and education to help them and work with them.  It's such a breath of fresh air.  There are only 8 kids and 3 teachers!  G&L are having a bit of a rough time with transitioning but they're starting to get it.  They ordered adaptive seating for G which is awesome for him!  They are exhausted from school because they refuse to nap during nap time (can you blame them with all that new stuff around them?), but as soon as they get done with school we start running around for therapies.  Such a busy little life they lead for three year olds! I have a meeting with the school PT and their lead teacher on Monday to go over some things for them and to come up with a plan for them in school.  Mainly G.  G is a big wanderer and needs a bit more attention.

Another big transition is coming up for the boys this week.  The hubs is deploying for a few months.  Now that they're getting older, I start to worry how it will effect their day to day lives.  Especially L since he loves spending time with his daddy.  I do notice that when ever the hubs is deployed, L seems to gravitate towards friends husbands.  He has a male teacher assistant so maybe that will help him with the transition of daddy not being here.

Here's a picture of our crazy family from G&L's birthday party.  This picture makes me laugh because it totally captures us!!

Here's a collage I made for their birthday! G's newborn pics on top, L on the bottom.

Walk For Autism - Team Thompson Twins

Autism Statistics:

 Every 11 minutes someone is diagnosed with some form of Autism. 1 in 54 boys are diagnosed with Autism while 1 in 252 girls are diagnosed in the United States. Autism affects over 2 million individuals in the U.S. and tens of millions worldwide. Autism is the fastest-growing serious developmental disability in the U.S. and costs a family $60,000 a year on average. G&L are just two people out of many that are affected with Autism. 

 How can you help? By raising awareness, educate people and be proactive. No matter how prepared you are as a parent, no one ever thinks their child will have Autism. Please help us raise awareness and help in our fight to educate people about Autism and most importantly to help us fight for G&L. Educate! Donate! Join our Team! Just click on the Link below!


http://www.walknowforautismspeaks.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=1084973&lis=0&kntae1084973=C48167EBF9AC4B999BB0628E24CE57EC&supId=400768536&teamName=Thompson%2BTwins

Snow Apacolypse

It's been a while since I last posted.  We've had a busy couple of weeks here.  G&L both had colds, and then I got it.  Fun times!

The Dr. had to change G's seizure medicine since the one he was on turned him into a beast.  I think this one might be working, but I think he's still having some seizures. He goes back to the Dr in two weeks, so we'll see what he says.  Poor G.  Can't catch a break...ever.  Good things he's so freaking cute!! ;)

We had a huge (well, huge for the south), snow storm two days ago.  The best part about it was our heat stopped working in the middle of the night!  My children turned into icicle people!  It's was soooooo cold!  Thankfully the repair man was able to make his way out here even though the roads were super icy.  That man deserves an award! The same repair man saved us over the summer when our AC stopped working during a heat wave! L gave him a huge hug and forced him to snuggle before he left.  Thank goodness the guy has kids or it would have been like one of those moments when a person who hates dogs  has your dog begging them for attention and they're just kind of like, "Oh hi, dog, go away now"  Yeah, it had the potential to be that kind of moment.

It turns out our dogs love snow and keep wanting to go back out in it.  G&L on the other hand, well they are more then happy not to touch it.  They like looking at it from inside but aren't too fond of touching it.  Maybe one day I'll get them to dive right into it.  They're more like their mommy, they would rather a warm day spent in the pool.

Next week we have their IEP meeting.  Keep your fingers crossed for us that it all goes smooth and we get everything we want for them!  In less then two weeks is their, pirate birthday party!!  I have so much to do to get ready for it!  I'm pretty sure they have no idea what their birthday is, but I'm really excited for it!

Hope everyone is staying warm and if you live somewhere warm and tropical either send me a plane ticket or send some of the sunshine our way!

Not a day goes by...

Not a day goes by, that the word, "Autism" isn't always in my head.  I think about it while I'm grocery shopping, going to bed, watching movies, talking to people about other things, etc.  I think there was an occasion maybe a few months ago at a girls night out that I forgot for a minute.  Then, it happened...everyone started talking about their "typical" kids.  I love all their kids, I love them like they were my own, but I get jealous!

Why do I get jealous?  I get jealous at the funny things your kids say, the games they play, the crafts they make and when I hear them call you momma or dadda. I get jelous that while we're running from therapy appointments to Dr. appointments your going on play dates and shopping. I get jealous that all your kids can go to any preschool you choose, while we have to fight to get two spots in a special needs school...the only one in the county.  I'm jealous of your family vacations that we may never be able to take. Have I mentioned that I'm jealous that your kids can eat in a restaurant and eat real food and not throw it at people? G&L were delayed, but that was OK.  The specialist kept telling us they would catch up by the time they were two like most preemies.  We just kept telling ourselves that two was the magic number. Oh, I guess I need to throw in, that even though I get jealous of friends, I still love them. <3

As two was approaching we knew for sure our adorable little men did not catch up.  In fact, we were telling the Dr.'s when they were 1, that we knew they had Autism.  We were always told, they just have delays.  18 months came approached, and they grew more concered.  We hit the big two!  Suddenly, MRI's were ordered, blood tests were taken, more specialist were introduced we learned about genetics and chromosomes and epilepsy and Autism and just about everything else under the son.

I now walk around with a medical notebook about the size of two old school encyclopedia's that contains test results, evaluations, medical papers, research, studies done in other countries and perhaps some coffee stains and cookie crumbs (all that research can make a girl sleepy and hungry).

In just a few short weeks my babies are turning three!  I can already see what amazing little boys they are becoming.  They work so hard and they don't let anything hold them back. Of course they get tired and cranky and have day that they just don't want to do anything with therapy, but everyone has days like that.  Especially toddlers.  I still have big dreams for them.  A friend asked what could I see them being when they grow up.  Even with their disabilities I can see G being and Engineer.  He loves to inspect things close up, and figure out how they work.  Show this kid some gears and he'll be happy for hours.  I can see L being a math genius!  This kid loves numbers, math, watches, anything with numbers.  He must have gotten that from his dad.   The hubs is the one who got me through algebra.  Without him, I may have never graduated from college!

So, the gist of this post?  I'm not really sure!  Just throwing some stuff out there.  But to end on a good note, sweet L, would like to sing everyone a bed time story.

Three Year Olds Are Not For the Faint of Heart.

My little babies, the ones that were holding on for hear life almost three years ago, are turning THREE in a month.  Whoever said the two's were "The Terrible Twos," are big, fat, ugly liars!  Now that we're approaching the three's, I can say, the threes are a million times worse! The pushing and hitting and tantrums have magnified, add Autism and a lack of communication skills and this momma feel like she's a full time Referee/Lion Tamer/Warden.

G started his seizure medication.  I'm thinking this isn't the right one for him.  Since he's started taking it, my sweet, laid back little boys has become a moody, cranky and perhaps possessed (but cute) little man.  It all started the day after his first dose of medication.  Needless to say, I have a call into the neurologist to see if this is normal and to see if we can try another medication. What if his seizures are what made him so calm and this is the new him?!?!  We're in for it if that's the case!  I've lost count of how many times I've been hit or kicked in the face since he started the medicine.  This just isn't my sweet boy.  He's also been extra stimmy this week.  My poor baby. On a posative note, he now likes "Bob The Builder."  When they sing, "Can we build it?" G yells out, "YEAH!!" in his sweet cute little G voice.

L recently had a little word explosion!  It's amazing!  Anytime it rains he screams, "It's Snow!!!"  He also says it when he rips up little pieces of paper and throws them in the air over his head!  He also handed some letters to the hubs the other night and told him to, "throw."  He's also started to say, "train."  They aren't really very functional words for the every day thing, but we will take it.  It's more then he's ever said, so I am prouder than proud!