Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Hankering for a Hot Dog

Yesterday, Austin asked me for a hot dog for lunch.  I could not believe it!  He has not eaten hot dogs since he was about a year old.  I was so happy when he asked for one, his reasoning was interesting, he told me he "dreamed" of eating a hot dog.  All I can say is I am looking forward to the "Pizza Party" dream! :)

Coming soon, a new post, "Sweet Dreams" ...

*HUGS* to all! :)

Monday, August 29, 2011

School Days

September 1 will be Austin's first day of school.  We have everything in place for him to have the most positive and supported introduction to "big school" (that's what Austin calls it).  We got the letter from the Psychiatrist stating that Austin does in fact fall on the autism spectrum with a PDD-NOS diagnosis;  this secures his funding which gives him and aide!  YAY!  We got into the school we wanted!  YAY!  I met his teachers the other day ... GREAT!  His main teacher is A-W-E-S-O-M-E!  I am so happy that everything has come together.  It was well worth all the appointments, effort and time to get Austin what he needs to succeed at school.  I am so pleased for him.  :)

I cannot believe my baby boy is all grown up and going to school.  I have to admit, I am a bit nervous, what Mother isn't the first day of school?  I guess having a spectrum child just intensifies that anxiety.  I am trying to stay calm and look forward to Austin having a wonderful first day.  So what if I made special pockets in all my clothes for my cell phone?!  Just kidding ;)

Thursday, August 11, 2011

Lucky Mama

Today we saw the Psychiatrist for Austin's assessment.  I thought he did wonderfully!  How far we have come in just over a year.

I spoke to the doctor as Austin played today, he got bored but he was quiet.  He did not want to answer questions; he was being shy.  I cannot believe how much better this assessment went than the one at CHEO.  There are so many differences in Austin from then to now.  He was not running around, he did not climb anything, he did not meltdown and he did not roll on the floor laughing as I cried.  (I get emotional sometimes when I tell stories about Austin and well, my Mother, she was discussed today too ... let's not go there ... right, good!)  Austin looked up and gave me a half smile as tears fell down my cheeks, so I smile back, trying to communicate that it is okay.  He does not respond to emotions properly but I was relieved that he did not roll on the floor laughing at me ... that's an improvement and I am grateful.

He went downstairs to play as I talked with the doctor.  (I was very impressed with her by the way, she was very pleasant to talk to and felt at ease with her right away.)  When Austin came back up, he was really bored and ready to go.  He was patient and got a couple of hugs and a little cuddle.  I was concerned that he may be upset knowing we were talking about him but he said "no".  I asked him again later in the car on the way home and he said he was not upset about us discussing him but there were a lot of people downstairs talking.  Too many unfamiliar faces and too much noise.  For Austin to be able to express this is also a huge accomplishment for him.  He is really getting much better at telling me what upsets him.  Very important to help head off a meltdown.

Austin, my sweet, sweet boy.  I am so happy with his progress and while there are new things that pop up, I am so pleased that he is doing much better.  People tell me that Austin is lucky to have a Mom like me but I am the lucky one because I have him, my wonderful little boy!  I LOVE YOU Austin!  Mama is so PROUD of you!  :) OX

All the best! *HUGS*

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

A Circus

Today I had to take Austin to see his OT.  I am never late for appointments but for some reason, I marked down the wrong time and showed up a 1/2 hour later than I was suppose to, sigh ... I am trying to keep it all straight.  Austin has quite a few assessments and appointments in the next week or so.  Anyway, I had a little trouble this morning, mostly with my 3 year old, yes, the "typical" one!

After Austin's appointment, we get ready to leave, this can be a challenge when I have the two kids with me.  Sometimes, not always, they seem to "bounce off" of each other.  They are fighting over toys, jumping, screaming, crying (okay, mostly Kaleigh is) and just do not listen.  Oh my!  So I am trying to talk to the OT and she knows that getting out the door can be a challenge for me.  People are trying to come in as we are leaving.  The poor OT, she said she understood and went to meet her next client.  I was going to head out the door, when the Psychologist and new Psychiatrist (she sees Austin next week for an assessment) came down the stairs to ask me a question.  Austin and I just get introduced and they start to talk as Kaleigh escapes out the door, heading to our car in the parking lot.  I stop and run after her.  Meanwhile, Austin has run down to the sidewalk and was heading to the parking lot to the car too (he was stopped by me calling him and the Psychologist, not to mention the Psychiatrist was concerned he was going to run ... sigh ...).  How is that for a first impression?  What the Psychiatrist must be thinking ... sigh :( 

I put Austin and Kaleigh in the car and a wave of relief came over me.  I was thankful to Austin's Psychologist who went back inside to get my bag.  Why, oh why, does this happen?  I was/am embarrassed.  Kaleigh knows she is not run out to the car but lately, "racing" each other has been their favourite game.  Kaleigh has to get their first, competitive much?  Goodness me!  Sometimes my life feels a little like a circus ... I hope tomorrow, since we have another appointment at the same place, it is more like a quiet picnic!  I can dream, can't I?

*HUGS*

The Lion King II

Austin LOVED The Lion King!  At the end of the opening scene, his face was lit up with a HUGE smile and he was clapping away!  One word could be heard from him as the clapping started to fade, "WOW"! :)

We really enjoyed the show and Austin did really well.  I did learn something though, and I will blog about it at a future date, time must be considered for success.