Autism In Our House

pardon my lack of capitalization and my overall bad grammar. i’m just too proud to worry about such things. over the past several months, the eldest has been assessed for aspergers syndrome. as it turns out, he does indeed have aspergers. don’t feel sorry. it’s a beautiful thing to have a mind such as his. he is twice exceptional. i love that phrase. he’s more than twice exceptional, if you ask me. why i’m so proud is this: he came across a book (all cats have aspergers) in my book bag and began reading it. then, he began to ask questions about aspergers. as it’s dawning on him that a lot of these descriptions fit him, he begins to get a little upset. after a few minutes of talking about aspergers and how he’s the same little boy as before he knew, he began to come to terms with it. shortly thereafter, we arrive at his grany’s for a playdate. he is able to think through things and sort them out through gardening. before he leaves his grany’s, he wants to share the book with her. it (him finding the book and me telling him about aspergers) didn’t happen in the ideal way, but he took it and decided to teach someone about it. when we got home, he read the book to his daddy and they talked about it. for a little boy, he has such an AWESOME mind! i love this kid more than i ever knew possible. his little brother decided he has aspergers too…he wants to be just like his brudder. how did i get such amazing little boys? i am blessed. i am fortunate. i am so very proud!

We had our Christmas visit with Teda, Stocky and Auntie Mary Jo on Sunday; a wonderful lunch with pop pop and nana added to the crew. It is so awesome getting to watch my grandparents watch my kids grow up! How blessed I am! Today, we went to see the craniofacial surgeon Dr. Genecov. We got a bit of news I didn’t want to hear…Joe has a two inch long wound in his palate. The good news is that up until this point, there has been no water, or juice traveling into his nose while drinking. We have a month of liquid diet (OMG, what am I going to do for the kid who is already SO underweight and skinny!?!) We go back to Dallas in one month. If the wound has not healed, we will have to discuss surgery. I’m trying to stay positive. This one month liquid diet will be a trial run for bone graft…that’s three month liquid diet! Right now, my brain is spinning…so much to think about…I know what I’ll be focused on tomorrow at 3 a.m. When we go back in a month, I also have to discuss palate expansion; I’m hoping this doesn’t slow us down on that front. He’s almost ready dentally. Mentally, not so much. He hates the idea of the expander and braces. Although, in time, I think he’ll come around. I DO know how much we have to be greatful for! Not many people can say that they have their grandparents around and watching their little ones grow and blossom. We have an amazing and supportive family for whom we are grateful. We have friends that we love like family. What more does one need, right?

So, I feel liberated. We decided NOT to send Christmas Cards this year…what a relief! I stress of the right card, the write words for the annual news letter and alas the right picture where all four of us look good at the same time. This year, I’m not gonna do it. I am sending good thoughts, glad tidings and Christmas Wishes out into the world but am NOT doing it on paper this year. I wonder if it will cut down on the cards we receive. I hope not. I LOVE Christmas cards, Holiday cards, and good thoughts ANY time of year. Perhaps, when life has settled down, I will send a St. Patrick’s Day card; we’re not Irish, BUT we all do look good in kelley green. For now, all is calm/all is bright…

Much love and many blessings to you all!

So, I’ve got my first women’s well check in almost five years. I know, I know, not good. I always was sure to take care of that before…now, I have kids. I’m the last one to go to the doctor, dentist or potty for that matter. But, I’ve got it written on every calendar, in my iPhone and have filled out all the forms. Now, if they would just replace that paper gown with a nice bathrobe, lend me some soft, fuzzy socks, set up a warming tray for their tools of torture and kindly serve me a glass of wine, I’d be a little less anxious. I will be glad for the hour or so to myself…until, I’m greeted by the grumpy receptionist and the scale.

Have a good day.

Xoxo
Kristi

So, I can’t get an ent to see Joe today or tomorrow. The ent who did Chet’s tonsillectomy won’t work Joe in. No one seems to understand why I don’t want to take the wait and see approach. They don’t get that wait and see ended up with mystery fever and major issues. I want ONE thing to go smoothly for the boy. Tubes are supposed to work; these were supposed to stay in for two years. I made an appointment with joe’s other pediatrician…hopefully, he can get us in to an ent that can understand why I feel this is urgent. I’m a big ball of emotions right now. I’m frustrated and mad and sad and a whole lot of other stuff buddies into exhausted which doesn’t help. I feel like I can’t fix it, and we all know how I am with not being in control. That doesn’t work for me. Gotta get this out so that when we pick the boy up from school, I can be positive and patient. Positive and patient. Positive and patient. Didn’t I just tell the oldest that same thing this morning. Ironic, no?!?