I don't buy magazines. I just don't. There isn't enough time, energy, and (these days) money in my life to read them. But I bought this one. I cried so hard and I fell even more in love with this woman and all she has done and is continuing to do to win the war on autism.
When critics blasted her for making her son a poster child for autism, she responded without missing a beat. "No, he's the poster child for hope," she said. Amen sister. You give me hope.
Go Green Vaccines!
So Andrew has been at his new school for just one week. One week of dramatic play, sensory and fine motor skill development and group speech therapy. One week of interaction and planned curriculum.
Andrew finally napped today and was still full of energy after dinner. He was interacting with me without wanting Einsteins and then during his bath he touched a wet hand to mine and then smiled. "Ut oh, Mommy is wet," he said. I could feel the tears forming. My mind started reeling...cause and effect, full sentence with practical social implication. This is huge! Yes baby, mommy is wet and Andrew is very smart.
After his bath we settled in for bed and read a few stories. When I read him Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What Do You Hear? he took over by looking at the pictures and asking what they hear. I was in awe. Next I grabbed the first in that series, Brown Bear is the same way and he did the same thing. He focused, he was interested and he was excited by his own progress.
Now that is an amazing change in just one week. Imagine what will happen when we begin our therapies after vacation!
I'm writing this entry with much hesitation.
Please don't respond to me right now.
I'm not really able to handle it.
This is more for my therapy than for your information.
As we headed out to Andrew's developmental analysis at 7:20 this morning I was absolutely sure it was a waste of time. Even my Early Childhood Education instructor agreed that he is just fine...a little slow in a couple areas but overall a typical, healthy boy.
Two hours later I'm covered in Kleenex as the counselors explained what PDD NOS means.
I'll leave it Wikipedia...
Pervasive Developmental Disorder - Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS) is one of the pervasive developmental disorders and autism spectrum disorders. PDD-NOS is a diagnosis for people who are well-described by the "PDD" label, but can't be categorized by any other disorder. It is usually milder than autism and has similar symptoms to autism, with some symptoms present, and others absent.
**************************
Yeah...I just about lost consciousness at the word Autism too. I reported on it, but I never expected to live it. I was basically begging to go back to speech delay. I don't mind that one anymore...
The crazy thing is the session seemed to go so well. Andrew did everything they asked him to. He knew all of his colors and most of his shapes. He was so smart. He's too smart. He scores at 3 years old in a bunch of categories and 20 months in social interaction. He would be diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome but he has too much physical coordination. So, instead he's Not Otherwise Specified. In other words, there's a problem but he doesn't fit into their categories.
I don't know what the hell I was thinking as I turned the car toward work and attempted to get through the day. I didn't do much except cry. I ended up in the office of a co-worker who has a son with autism. All she had to say was, "I'm so sorry," with tears in her eyes and I lost all control. I'm talking body shaking sobs for about 30 minutes.
And Brian? Well, he walked out of the session. He later called me and told me these people were crazy, they were wrong and the guy counselor was most certainly homosexual. Since we've been home he's read all of the information they gave us, then he disappeared. Now he's holding Andrew in his big-boy bed. They're both sleeping. I'm trying to give him some space. I cry, he doesn't.
I don't know how we're going to get through the therapy plan. It means lost work hours, and sleepless nights, more testing and lots of specialists. We'll probably have to move to another county where the care is better and the whole thing just makes me want to vomit. It's a nightmare and I just want to wake up. I just want my baby to be ok and I want it more than I've ever wanted anything before.
When I picked Andrew up from school today his teacher told me that he'd been singing all day! Ms. Deborah adores him anyway but said this was just beyond words. I had heard Andrew sing all of the time but I would get a better idea of what she was talking about at bathtime. Instead of singing along he just starts singing on his own. His song choice, Wheels on the Bus...of course when I went to post the video VOX reported an error so we taped it again in the livingroom!
NKOTB!!!!!
OMG!!!!!!
ooohhh-ohh-woa-oh-oh - Hang'in Tough!
Seriously...I know I'm pathetic but part of my 14 year-old hysterical self comes to the surface when I hear the names, Joey, John, Donnie, Jordan and um...what's his name? Oh yeah, Danny.
They're back baby! I heard they were making a come back after 15 or so years of living in Loser-ville but I didn't shake the dust off of my t-shirt, hat and card collection right away.
(To be fair, Donnie has been working, but Jordan's only claim to fame recently was the Surreal World. He was less than pleasant to watch. Joey danced with the Stars and had a good following.)
Then last night on my way home from the gym I heard Summertime and I thought, "This is a catchy little diddy," not thinking for a moment that I would be swept back to the good old days of big hair and the right hand wave action - Hang'in tough! Then the DJ announced who the artists of that tune are. Instantly I took a trip back in time. Holy Crap!
So, will all of us NKOTBers unite behind our former heartthrobs, now a little past their prime? Please don't go Gir--lll Or will their main audience of now 30 somethings have trouble finding a sitter so we can make the concert!
Nonna and Pop-pop bought Andrew a T-ball set for Easter. Tonight we finally had a chance to open it up and let him at it. I think he likes it but this video says it all...
It is funny how many emails and comments you get when you don't follow up! So sorry to leave you all hanging on our kitchen remodel, but I forgot the digital card at home and the card reader is at work. So anyway without any further delay...here's the new counter tops.
What a difference! The only negative is that the knuckleheads bashed a hole in the wall and they had to call someone to patch and repair. I'm still not happy with the patch job so he's going to have to keep coming back until it looks like it never happened.
Otherwise...I love, love,love it! I'll have to take a few shots of my own. Brian's look dark for some reason and they cast a shadow which makes it look like we need to paint! The repair guy will have to paint the spot, but we are done with paint for a while.
As I type this a crew is ripping out our ugly green countertops and replacing them with white/gray/& black speckled granite. I am SO excited to get home and see how beautiful it looks.
It isn't even the green laminate that makes this kitchen look much older than 5 years...it's the oak trim. What was she thinking? If the cabinets were oak it would blend, but they are white. Ick.
We came upon a few granite remnants for $200 before the ink was even dry on our offer to buy our home. Taking a crazy chance we bought it and put it aside until now. How could we not get it for that price? The guy who sold it to us was going out of business and moving back to Colorado. He just wanted to unload it. It wasn't enough for most kitchens but we knew it would work for ours. Then Brian did a banking favor for a granite installer and he told Brian he owed him one. We decided to cash in. The install isn't free but isn't nearly what it would normally cost. I can't wait. Nothing like a good deal and a beautiful kitchen to make me smile!
I'll post follow up pics tomorrow.
5:00 am.
Dave Mathews plays on my MP3 alarm clock.
I get up, pull on a sports bra, gym clothes, and headband.
Grab the waterbottle, already prepared and waiting on the counter.
5:04 am
Grab my keys, cellphone, fitness center pass and make my way to the door.
Baby cries.
Start to swear but remember lenten promise not to cuss, even to myself
5:07 am
Rock Andrew in my arms
5:11 am
After realizing his eyes are wide open, put him in bed with Brian and decide the risk of him rolling out of bed isn't worth it.
5:36
Andrew falls back to sleep and I give up because there isn't enough time to work out and get to work.
5:45
Slip off sneakers and let gym pass, keys, cell phone and headband slide to the floor while I silently vow to get to the gym this weekend.
My fingers ache, my bach is sore...my legs are throbbing, my toes are stiff....but I'm wearing a huge grin!
Because....
We have a new house...
This is what it looked like when we bought it.
And after lots of cleaning, removing nasty old-lady curtains and hardware, installing new fixtures and 4 days of painting...
I am proud to introduce you to our new home.
Better than new!
