PENGUINS?!?!?!

Well I just saw on the news that the Penguins have lost again. They aren't doing too well with the Stanley Cup playoffs. The Redwings are kicking some serious butt. Haven't been able to watch the games as we've been busy with Doug being home but I do make sure to check out scores on the news each night.

Congrats goes out to a friend I worked with at Dobson. She is now engaged and enjoying some vacation time in Hawaii!! I am so excited for them and their new life together.

Its off to bed in hopes of Mara sleeping more then two hours at a time.

and she's off---walking

For the last two weeks Mara has been taking a few steps here and there then falls on her bum. Yesterday she was taking more and more steps. Today she's all over the place walking!! She starts moving fast and then falls and gets right back up and off she goes again. Of course she's so cute to watch walk because she is so short, only 27 inches tall. I keep calling her my little pixie!!

Not too much going on for us this holiday weekend except enjoying having Doug back home. Hope everyone enjoys the weekend and stays safe.

Daddy's home!!!

Picked Doug up last evening around 9:30 pm. Airen was so excited!! Mara hasn't let daddy out of her sight and I am just relieved to have another set of hands here with me. Doug of course brought presents home. Airen got one Star War Lego set right now and there is a box of others on the way. Doug got me this beautiful charm bracelet from Brighton. It's got a birthstone charm for each of the kids and a pretty heart charm. I was so shocked he picked it out on his own!! Before Airen went to bed he crawled into Doug's lap and started crying and hugging daddy. Told Doug how much he missed him! It was so sweet. I think Airen was starting to think that daddy wasn't coming back. Two weeks was a very long time to be away.

Today we got laundry finished then drove to Queen Creek. Doug's parents arrive Friday night so we got the house cleaned up for them. It was so dusty but now its cleaned and ready for them to arrive. While we were out in Queen Creek we stopped at Wal Mart for a few things and Miss Mara would not let daddy put her down. She wanted him and no one else. It was very funny!!

I am off to finish making Mara a tutu to wear for some birthday pictures. A nice mommy friend made a beautiful custom appliqued shirt for Mara. It has a cupcake and a candle and Mara's name on it. I cannot wait for it to arrive!!! Doug keeps laughing saying I am so not that girlie mommy and here I am making a tutu and a matching shirt!!! Oh well I am enjoying having a girl!!

Graduation pictures

Wanted to share a few pictures from the preschool graduation last evening. Still in awe over how well Airen did. This morning the teachers and aides all commented how far he's come in a year's time so that made me proud.

Preschool Graduation!!!

This evening was Airen's preschool graduation program!! I was one proud momma!! How great things change in one year. Last year's program Airen was spinning in circles and chewing his fingers and wanted nothing to do with the singing. This evening he was right next to his friends singing and doing the hand motions. I was so proud of him! He did a wonderful job and has come a long way. We cannot thank his teacher and the room aides enough for all they've done this last school year. They truly love their jobs and the children and I am forever greatful for their love and service. His teacher will be moving in a few weeks to be closer to family and we will truly miss her. We've come to consider her a very close family friend. We've both shared good and bad times together over the last 18 months. We wish her and her son lots of love and luck with their new adventure. Of course Airen thinks he will be in the kindergarden class right next to his preschool class. He isn't understanding that she won't be there in the fall.

Tomorrow Doug will be going to Enfield to the Lego corporate offices. He's excited. Airen is excited as they have a company store with discounted/discontinued Lego sets. Hoping Doug doesn't come home with too many sets. I am getting sick of seeing Legos everywhere I turn!!

Doug will be home Friday night and we cannot wait!! Its been a very long two weeks--too long for Airen. I am hoping I can get a nice 3-4 hour nap Saturday or Sunday--yeah right, who am I kidding?!?!?

I HATE meltdowns

So this afternoon mom and I and the kids ran to the grocery store for a few things. Things were going great with Airen in one cart and Mara in another. Gathered what we needed pretty quickly. Then Airen noticed the toy section. Before even heading there it was known that no toys would be bought at all. NOTHING. He was doing okay to start with then found something he just had to have. He was told NO and we continued to head for the checkouts. Let me just tell you that unless you've experienced first hand a child with autism and what can happen from over stimulation you won't understand the next part. Airen all out throw an all out classic screaming fit. I think the whole store heard us and I know employees were concerned as one lingered near us to make sure we weren't hurting the child I am sure. So much for the cart full of stuff. I just needed to get Airen out of the cart and out of the store. Kicking and screaming I make my way out of the store carrying him. We get outside and he is so upset he is about to throw up. More store employees outside watching. More people watching and making their own conclusions to things going on. Let me tell you it is just horrible to have Airen react like this. Most times he doesnt' even remember the screaming, the hitting or the kicking. I just have to keep reminding myself "He is doing the best he knows how" no matter what others think.

There are some days that I just want to run and hide from autism. There are other days that I am just in pure amazement of my son. He's the most loving and caring little boy. Out of the blue he will say ''mommy I love you'' and its those moments that my heart melts. Of when Mara is upset and he starts to sing songs to her ''to make her happy''.

A dear friend of mine reminded me of somethings this evening. She told me the following
"you are a strong woman, and I think God gives special kids to special mothers, cause not everyone can handle as much as you!!" I thank her for reminding me of this and for putting things back into perspective for me. To my friend again I tell you ''thank you for being there this evening when I needed a friend. I love you!!"'

With this said 7 more long days till Doug returns from Boston and I cannot wait. Two weeks is a very long time to be gone and I know the kids miss their daddy.

Half way there

Penguins 2 Flyers 4
Really thought the Pens would win this one. Better luck next game.
Yes I am following the scores for you my dear friend!!! Kept looking at stats on FoxSports most of the night.

So tomorrow is Friday and the kids and I have made it through the first week. Of course I have an ear ache and sore throat. Hoping to get an appointment with a doctor tomorrow. Also need to get the van in for brakes. It is so embarassing driving around with this loud pitched squeaking.

Not much else going on around here. Both kids are asleep. Hopefully Mara sleeps for more then 2 hours. All week she's been up every two hours and then it takes another 20-30 minutes to get her back to sleep. Stupid upper teeth are coming in and making things horrible.

Happy weekend to everyone!!

Penguins 4 Flyers 1

Looks like the Penguins could take the series against the Flyers!! No I am not into hockey as much as I used to be when I lived in PA. Heck I was in love with Jagr!!! I remember one birthday I received a ton of Pittsburgh Penguin stuff from a friend. I think I still have the plush penguins in storage. I followed the Pittsburgh Penguins faithfully. Then life happened. These days I can't even seem to watch all that is on the TIVO before I hit the 100% full message and no more can be saved. So for now I am just having to resort to checking the scores online and remembering the old days when I could sit through an entire game late into the nights.

I just got Airen back to sleep from a night terror. I HATE NIGHT TERRORS!! They are horrible. If one hasn't had the pleasure of experiencing one, be glad. Basically its a bad dream Airen has escalated 1000 times. He's not really awake and is shaking and screaming and sweating. NOT FUN!! Of course now that he's got the loft bed I had to wrestle to get him down and to the floor all the while he's screaming in my ear. Once on the floor I attempted to get him to walk around and snap out of it. Once he was awake he kept saying over and over again ''no don't hurt me''. So my guess is someone or something was after him. Of course he doesn't even remember what happens most times. He was kind of upset at me and just wanted to go back to sleep. Told me when he laid down not to wake him again. Thankfully Mara only stirred a bit and is still asleep. The joys of autism.

Tomorrow is our free day. No school or therapy or doctor appointments. Might see how Airen is acting and see about getting the van to a mechanic. The front driver's side tire makes this awful squeaking noise only when accelerating. Not when I apply the brakes. And the noise is only there at speeds under 55-60. Its really annoying. If anyone has a clue to what this could be please comment. Doug's car also needs to get in for an oil change. I don't think it's had one for awhile so figure get it all ready for his return in 10 more days.

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to all my mommy friends!! I hope everyone had a very special day with their children.

Friday evening Doug took me to dinner since he was leaving for Boston today. We had a nice dinner at Logan's Steakhouse. Had never been there before and it was excellent. We will probably go back there again in the future. It was also the first time in a very long time that I've had a drink--amaretto sour---yummy!!!

Saturday mom and I went to pick up a few more pants for the men. We also hit up Children's Place for some awesome deals. Airen and mom sat outside the store and Airen was falling asleep on the bench. First sign there was something not right. I felt his head and he was burning up. Usually he gets a fever and its an ear infection so off we went to urgent care. I dont' even call the pediatrician anymore. Sure enough he had a fever of 101.8 and has strep throat. I was so impressed he let the doctor swab his throat with no complaints. Doug was doing interviews all day with Lego so he missed on this fun. Also while at urgent care I was informed that Airen's long term care/Medicaid insurance was inactive. WHAT THE HECK?!?!? I was in shock and very upset as there was no warning to this. Of course the weekend customer service can only tell me it was made inactive as of April 30th. So one more thing to add to my Monday ''to do'' list. Now I have to worry about the week of therapies he's already had. Trying to stay positive. We know that with the autism diagnosis we really can't be dropped without notice so we are hoping it was a computer issue. Hopefully we get this figured out so I am not having to cancel his therapies and respite/hab for the week.

Doug was so great and got me an iPod shuffle. Yes we are behind the times with electronics. Doug figured he'll be gone for two weeks and this will give me something to do while he's gone. Like taking care of two children isn't enough?!?!

And for my bestest friend in the East.

Penguins 4 Flyers 2.

Penguins lead the series 2-0!!!

LOVE YA!!!!

Good bye Barnes & Noble...Hello LEGO

Today was Doug's last day at Barnes & Noble. I think he was a little sad to say good bye to many co-workers. He really did enjoy working at Barnes & Noble and would have stayed if Lego didn't come along. This evening he started with Lego and is doing interviews for an assistant manager. He will have interviews again tomorrow and possibly on Saturday. Friday he will be home and getting packed to leave on Sunday. Two weeks without Doug will be FUN!!! (if you believe that one you need help!)

Today I took the kids to Portrait Innovations for pictures. The purpose was for Mara's first birthday and because I haven't done any professional pictures of her since she was born. I know BAD mommy. With Airen I did them for every holiday and for cute outfits I had for him. With Mara I just took my own pictures. Surprisingly Airen did so well with pictures. Little Miss Mara (as Airen refers to his sister) had other plans. She pretty much had an attitude for the first part of the session. She got a little better by the end. I think the photographer was a bit of a jerk and I will be addressing that with the corporate office. The photographer actually had the nerve to tell me that "we need to start and wrap this up." Not good customer service. Pictures turned out beautifully. If you want to view them send me a message and I will share the Kodak album with you.

Last evening Airen went to Miss Wendy's. Was supposed to just drop him off and come back in a two hours but I stayed and Miss Wendy and I talked. Wendy and I are both hoping to put our heads together and see about starting a support group for parents here in Maricopa. We both have had our fair share of problems with the school district and have managed to figure things out. We both know that there are many families out there who really aren't educated and don't know the resources available to them. So Wendy and I are going to see about starting something for our district. I was so excited because since Airen started the preschool in January 2007 I knew there were problems and have wanted to do something. Now is my chance. I am so excited!!! Wendy and I are going to see about sitting down over lunch or dinner in the near future and brainstorm things to get started for the new school year.

We have a car...well almost

Doug and I went this afternoon to look at car for him. 1997 Toyota Avalon!! It is beautiful and the price is perfect. Since he and I both had cars this afternoon we left a small deposit and will go back tomorrow after Airen has music therapy to get the new wheels. He is so excited!!! Tomorrow the 1989 Toyota Camry is also going to disappear from our lives. It is parked in front of the house right now waiting for the folks to come tow it. We are donating it to The Autism Society of America. We are all about the autism awareness so it works out great.

Doug has received his travel arrangements for Boston. He leaves early on Mother's Day--yuck!! He's already said he's going to have to make it up BIG with me. Told him some jewelry would be nice!! He will return Friday May 23. The store manager he's training with got them tickets to see the Red Sox play on May 19 and he's excited about that. I know Doug's parents are also excited as he's hoping to drive there for the weekend and see his brother and sister and the nephews. Of course he says he just wants to see the kids and get his clothes washed. So far everyone with Lego has been so welcoming and nice to us both. I am excited for this new chapter.

Mara has been attempting to take steps today. This evening she took 2-3 steps then would laugh and fall on her butt. She is definately my out of control crazy child!!! Such a difference in how she's developing from Airen. Its been kind of a bittersweet experience for us. We are now able to look back at things with Airen and see where he was slightly behind developmentally. Of course his brain is so smart.

This week Airen got a new bed. I cruise on craigslist everyday looking for bargains. Well this bed is the best yet. Its a loft style bed with a shelf and desk below. Its from Ikea and retails somewhere around $350-400. I got it for...drum roll please...$5.00!! Yes you read correctly. Way to go mommy!! Airen loves it and says its his hiding place. Of course I get nervous him being so high up and all. He's taken all his stuffed animals up there and has a pile of books there, in case he wakes up or anything.

Well now that I've written a book I am off to get to bed. Happy weekend to everyone!!