Birthdays, one of the joys of parenthood.
I'll never forget my oldest's first birthday. I was so thrilled for him. He, in my mind, was such an amazing little squirt. He was a walking, talking, giggling little bundle of happiness. He tackled so much in that first year of his little life I was truly awestruck.
But there was more. We survived our first year of Parenthood by the following:
We didn't kill off the kid! (RIP Houseplants)
We survived our first 911 baby call! (I was at work, but my hubster thought the kid swallowed his nipple from his bottle, I claim being sleep deprived as I went along with it. I rushed home beating my best drive time and the paramedics to have a poor EMT guy crawl on my floor and find the missing nipple...I'm still hanging my head in shame!)
And the kiddo managed to survive a fall between the bed and bedframe....hubby + laundry + kiddo = fail.
It was time to celebrate! And of course I over did it. But I was dang proud of all of the above!
That was almost 7yrs ago now. And this weekend our youngest turns 6yrs old.
We've come a long ways. And part of that journey was practicing Birthdays, learning how to eat ice cream and open gifts.
It became clear to us about 2 years ago when our boys were both 4 & 6 that neither one of them knew what a birthday was about. Now, they've had birthday parties each year and their birthdays are close together. But we realized it was time to start some practice birthdays .
Each week for about 3 months, we buy a small gift for them. Buy some cup cakes, and ice cream, the candles and the whole bit and with our behavioral aids we would show the boys how to enjoy each of these things. Finally, we succeeded. Which gives us another reason to celebrate.
I learned a long time ago when we received the diagnoses of Autism that I would have to teach my boys the things that came natural to me. And it's true, they have taught themselves how to read, are little whiz kids at math, etc. But I'll never take another birthday for granted. Not mine and definitely not my boys!
Friday, May 17, 2013
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
It's time to blog...
If you asked me 10 years ago what I wanted to do?
I would have stood before you explaining where my career path was taking me, how I was going to accomplish my dreams and marry the love of my life.
About 9yrs ago I did marry that handsome man who I call my hubster. I no longer work and I'm, gulp, a stay at home mom of two amazing kiddos on the autism spectrum. (both high functioning)
Looking back at it all, it's amazing to me how much life truly changes. Especially when you are handed a diagnoses for your children such as autism. We've got a few other diagnoses under our belt too and I'll share those stories with you another day.
I'm still amazed as I watch our boys grow. Heck, I'm amazed that our family and animals survived two toddlers and autism. Sadly, several fish didn't. R.I.P. my little bubbly friends!
We also survived the initial diagnoses (which at the time seemed utterly impossible)
We survived other things like ECSE, putting our then non verbal children on a bus, meltdowns, holidays, family events, road trips, grocery store trips, ER visits, doctor appointments, therapists, behavioral aids, behavioral therapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy, developmental pediatricians, special dentists, hospitals, insurance forms, mosquito allergies, and the rest of the what seems endless list!
Today, we stand tall as a family. I feel that I finally have a firm grip on this little thing called Autism. And I look forward to sharing it all with you, all of the great, the good, the tears and the battle wounds.
I also want to dedicate this blog to all of the other moms, dads, and professionals who have helped me and my family reach the point of where we are today. Because of all of you, I have two amazing kiddos whom I look up to with so much respect and admiration. They have moved mountains to get where they are today and at this pace, I know without a doubt, that they will continue to change the world!
I would have stood before you explaining where my career path was taking me, how I was going to accomplish my dreams and marry the love of my life.
About 9yrs ago I did marry that handsome man who I call my hubster. I no longer work and I'm, gulp, a stay at home mom of two amazing kiddos on the autism spectrum. (both high functioning)
Looking back at it all, it's amazing to me how much life truly changes. Especially when you are handed a diagnoses for your children such as autism. We've got a few other diagnoses under our belt too and I'll share those stories with you another day.
I'm still amazed as I watch our boys grow. Heck, I'm amazed that our family and animals survived two toddlers and autism. Sadly, several fish didn't. R.I.P. my little bubbly friends!
We also survived the initial diagnoses (which at the time seemed utterly impossible)
We survived other things like ECSE, putting our then non verbal children on a bus, meltdowns, holidays, family events, road trips, grocery store trips, ER visits, doctor appointments, therapists, behavioral aids, behavioral therapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy, developmental pediatricians, special dentists, hospitals, insurance forms, mosquito allergies, and the rest of the what seems endless list!
Today, we stand tall as a family. I feel that I finally have a firm grip on this little thing called Autism. And I look forward to sharing it all with you, all of the great, the good, the tears and the battle wounds.
I also want to dedicate this blog to all of the other moms, dads, and professionals who have helped me and my family reach the point of where we are today. Because of all of you, I have two amazing kiddos whom I look up to with so much respect and admiration. They have moved mountains to get where they are today and at this pace, I know without a doubt, that they will continue to change the world!
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