Why Do I Bother?

Every year, the elementary school hosts "Project Mania". It's almost like a junior version of a science fair, except it's not limited to science. The kids can choose any topic, and they're allowed to work alone or in a group. Whatever subject they pick, they need to talk about why it's important to them, what they knew about it before the project, what they learned, and they need to be as creative as possible with their tri-fold cardboard display.

Nevermind, I'll Find A Song Like You

I'm going out on a limb, here, but it needs to be said. So here goes:

Am I the only one who finds Adele's "Someone Like You" more than a little...creepy? And sort of...misguided?

The Velvet Elvis

I was face down, and all was quiet, except for the pounding. It was incessant. It was LOUD. It was unbearable. I had to move. Experimentally, I flexed a leg, only to find that the motion made the pounding louder, if that were possible. I focused hard and summoned all the energy I could, and raised my head. Or tried to. My face was stuck. I tried again, and this time, it worked, my face feeling like it was peeling away - taking some skin with it - from wherever it was attached. 

Oh, God.

What Was I Thinking???

Yes, I am the woman who raced out of the house in 30 degree weather in her stocking feet (coatless!) and sprinted down the block to stop her daughter's schoolbus and deliver her forgotten book bag.

Apparently, I am also "SO embarassing, Mom, Oh my GOD."

She may never recover

The Secrets That You Hide

One of the neighbors and I were talking the other day about the secrets we keep from our kids. Sometimes, it's the simple stuff like what they got for Christmas or a birthday, or where we're going for vacation this summer. Sometimes it's a little more complicated, like whether or not we had sex in high school or tried drugs or if we ever had secrets from our parents.

Bad Autism Day

I am wrung out and could really use a drink. A big drink. Special needs parenting is not for the faint of heart, some days. David has been tantruming for hours over the stupidest little things.

Make A Wish

Make a wish, a voice once whispered.

I looked around me at my life and realized how very much I had. My husband, my daughter, and now a son. We'd waited oh-so-long for the two of them to join us, and now being a family was filling my life in a way nothing else ever had.

"I wish I had the power to make time slow down," I said.

Long Range Plans

David to me last night: "Mom, when I get bigger, I will go to college. OK?"

Me: "I think that would be wonderful!"

David: "So when I'm all growed up I will go to college."

Me: "All right. You go to college."

David: (after a long pause) "Mom? Can you drive me?"

The Benefits Of Speech Therapy

One of the key, critical areas affected by autism is language. Early intervention in this area is just critical. We knew early on that David would be needing speech therapy, and I was all for it, even though I had no idea how much a speech therapist really did!

Rainy Night

We had a really bad wind and rain storm overnight last night - I honestly thought I might have to move to the basement with the kids. Anna and I both woke up from the noise at 4am when I heard David call out. We went into his room and I took a moment to look out the front window to see how bad it was. I was just about to turn around and tell David to come back to bed with me, but his sister was already standing there with her arms around him, rubbing his back and telling him to come sleep with her in Mommy's bed.

I love my daughter. What a wonderful soul.

But Of Course

Last night Anna called me from her Dad's to say goodnight. I answered the phone and heard: "Hi-I-i Mo-Om it's An-Na."

I said "Why do you sound so weird? Do you have the hiccups or something?"

She replied, "No-Ope. I'm sLi-iDi-Ng dO-wN the sT-aI-rS in fO-oTy pA-jA-mAs."

Interesting

A newly published study has found that children with autism have a different kind of bacteria in their guts than their non-autistic peers.

This study was done via tissue sample, instead of the previous studies which utilized stool samples. I think this is fascinating - "leaky gut" or an overflow of candida yeast is a common issue in autistic children, and this just reinforces that there's something going on that needs a good strong look.

Every little breakthrough is a step forward, and I'm thrilled. We'll never cure autism, and really, I don't know that my kids needs to be "cured" just for seeing the world differently. What we can do is try to find therapies that will enable people with autism to communicate and function without sensory overload, and that's a very good thing.

This.

"Remember to look up at the stars and not down at your feet. Try to make sense of what you see and wonder about what makes the universe exist. Be curious. And however difficult life may seem, there is always something you can do and succeed at. It matters that you don't just give up."

~ Dr. Stephen Hawking, in his 70th birthday speech.

Cue The Evil Laugh

So, Anna...you think it's funny to jump out (Screaming!) from the pantry at your mother as she passes by on her way to the bathroom. THE BATHROOM, Anna. Not a good scenario at ALL.

 Well there's a storm coming, Anna.

Oh yes, indeed. Just you wait.

Listen!

CNN has a terrific article about Autism and Communication that you should check out if you suspect your child may be autistic. It has a rundown of some of the more common symptoms, along with a detailed explanation of what they are and how they impact someone on the autism spectrum.

Brand New Me: Day 1

The alarm went off at 5:20AM, and it was time for me to get up, get my fat butt into my too-tight sweatpants that really shouldn't be that damn tight, and get on my Wii board to work out with  my Wii Fit.

I stared at the clock with bleary eyes.

Ugh.