Day #251

Yes, that is Maeve laying on the asphalt having a royal fit . She wanted to get in Shelley's car and NOT go for a walk. It was quite the challenge to get her back on her feet. I had to carry her across the street to the cemetery where we wanted to walk. It was more of a drag or half carry then a walk but I am just stubborn enough to make sure she follows through with what I want her to do. I don't want these types of fits becoming habitual, that would make life very unpleasant.

Day #250

Maeve is a creative sleeper! She is not too big for the bed, just tends to slide down and hang off throughout the night. She woke up laughing this morning at about 3 a.m. and when I went to check on her she was sitting on the floor wrapped up in her blanket and pillow. She had a short giggle fit then dozed back off; but ended up sleeping in until nearly 9 a.m. I need to make that neurology appointment!

Day #249

Our speech therapist brought Maeve her new GoTalk talking device this morning, yay! It is still a very novel plaything but at least she is getting used to it and not balking at it. It has 4 interchangeable pages with up to 20 icons on each page, what you see here are the food choices because they are the most highly reenforcing. Maeve has already tested its durability by dropping it on the floor. One major step forward in communication!

Day #248

This collage was sent home in Josie's book bag today, wasn't that so nice?! It was her last day at Blue Bell Head Start, she will be starting the structured preschool class at Soulsbyville Elementary School tomorrow. Thank you Shelley for taking us to visit her new classroom this afternoon, you are an incredibly BIG help, I appreciate all that you do. There will only be 6 students in her class and 3 teachers. Plus the aide that has been helping her at Blue Bell will be there to help her transition. She is off on another exciting adventure!

Day #247

Yummy Cookie!

Yesterday we had a meeting about Josie's progress at her preschool and to discuss further placement for her. She needs more structure and less sensory input which can be accommodated with a smaller class size. She will be, starting next Wednesday, going to the structured preschool at Soulsbyville Elementary School to be slowly integrated into Tiffany's head start classroom. This is what I wanted in the first place, go figure Mom actually knew what she was talking about.

Day #246

Maeve's adaptive stroller was finally delivered today, it is perfect! It was adjusted to fit her, I was shown how to fold it down and all the functions. This will make traveling with her so much easier.

Ki, our new speech therapist, came by this morning as well and we discussed the new PECs device Maeve will be getting. It is a GoTalk and seems like a great jumping off point for further communication from Maeve.

Days #245

I don't think Beth can top this one for most fun or mess: shaving cream and cornstarch! The girls loved it!! The house was a disaster area but they sure enjoyed themselves. We had it on the walls, floor, table, chairs etc. We probably should have done that outside but it was my brilliant idea to do it at the table, it didn't stay there long though. By the way, if you add corn starch to shaving cream it comes out feeling like stiff meringue.

Day #244

 Photograph 1: Josie having herself a bit of coffee this morning before school. Hoping the caffeine calmed her down a bit!

Photograph 2: Maeve working on shape cards during session. She does such a good job on them, I am so proud at how hard she was working during session today.

Day #243

No casualties, cats and kids are all fine even though there was a terrible toy avalanche in the girls room today! Sheesh! Think they have enough toys?!

Photo Lab for me today, school for Josie, session for Maeve with a team-tea-chat-meeting afterward. A busy but very productive day!

Day #242

I found this when I got back inside from taking Josie out to her bus this morning. I thought Maeve was content and occupied but I guess I was wrong. She got into the kitchen, into the fridge and was having quite a lot of fun with the cheese.

I started thinking this morning about Maeve's IEP yesterday and really processing everything that was said. It dawned on me that she was given another label yesterday: global developmental delays. Now, according to the experts, she is severely autistic with 17p13.3 duplication syndrome, sensory processing disorder, and global developmental delays. All of that aside, she is my little girl, my world and I love her to no end!

Reading Josie's progress sheet, sent home each day from her preschool, I saw something that didn't go over well with me. It seems the speech therapist is making Josie use PECS! WHY?! Why would you make a child that can and does speak regress to non verbalization by using PECS!?!? Josie had no interest in PECS before and went right into manding, it makes no sense to take that step backward with her. Make her speak, insist she use her words, I just don't get it!

Day #241

I am really slipping on this daily picture thing, seeing that it has been a couple days since I posted last. Not sure whether it is life getting in the way, my procrastination gene taking over or just plain laziness. I would guess a combination of all three, but that is just me!

Don't you just LOVE these pictures?! I am a bit biased but I think they are great! Josie with her pumpkin and Maeve, the blur that she is, not staying still long enough to have her picture taken; but I think it came out well, blurred action.

I had photography class this morning where we went over everything we have covered this semester in preparation for the midterm exam next Tuesday. Josie had school as well, according to her progress sheet she did well today. Following picture prompts for transitioning better and art, she loves art! Maeve had session with Shelley in-home and Ginger came to check in on how things were going. At 1:30p.m. Beth came to the house for in-home headstart and brought pumpkins and other gourds for the girls and stories to read. Next week she has a pumpkin painting project where they will paint the actual pumpkins she brought and put glitter all over them. Should be messy and fun! At 2:30pm we had Maeve's trienniel review at the Tuolumne County Office of Education. We had a FULL house, I would guess fifteen people, all there for one little girl! Lots of reports and information being exchanged. We decided on increased hours for her in-home program with a meeting in January or February to discuss progress. She will be getting a VOCA for her PECS program, an adaptive PE assessment, and speech. Coffee during the meeting didn't help a bit and I am so ready for bed! Three hours, I think I can make it...

Day #240

Maeve insisted on walking backwards most of our walk this evening. She was really enjoying the sensation of it, giggling and stumbling, waving her arms to see her shadow do the same. We went for a longer walk this evening than normal due to the fact that the girls seemed restless and were having a screaming duet, so I thought it best to get some energy out of them. Not much else to report, it has been a rather lack luster type of day.

Day #239

A wet spot like this to Josie is catastrophic and requires an immediate wardrobe change or she will scream like the world is ending! I am not over exaggerating in the least, I swear. Even smaller spillage requires as much! I wonder how she handles this at school or if she ignores it or maybe by luck it hasn't happened yet?

In the wee hours of the morning Maeve woke up three times from a sound sleep laughing uncontrollably, to the point that I was wondering what was wrong with her. When she tried to stop giggling she couldn't. Adding up the time elapsed in these on and off laughing spells was a whopping seven hours before she got considerable control of herself. I did not look to see if her eyes were dilated, I will next time though. She was not in any distress, and there were no convulsions so it makes me wonder if it was gelastic seizures or not. What else would cause a child to laugh like this? Ever since she was tiny she would either laugh or cry for 30-45 minutes at a time, we could set our watches and she would come out of it like a switch being turned off at about the same amount of time each occurrence. That hasn't happened for quite a while, until this morning that is. She has had an EEG and an MRI, both of which came back normal. She is a puzzle, my dear Maeve, one that confounds me on a regular basis.

Day #238

Josie was being a very attentive pupil as Evan tried to teach her how to kill goblins in a game on Kena's iPad, isn't this such a cute picture?!

Busy day today from sun up to sun down but all very enjoyable. First thing was getting Josie up and out the door to school. After which I got Maeve ready for session but took a walk with her before Shelley arrived. Then I was out the door with Guy for a photo shoot, can't wait to develop the negatives tomorrow. When I got back home Maeve was just finishing session and Josie was home from school. I made a batch of pumpkin bread and got finished just before Mackena and Evan arrived for another FUN visit. Now I am so ready for bed...one more hour to go, I think I can do it; but first I need to make a clean sweep of this place, it's a mess!

Day #237

We made chunky applesauce with Beth today during In-Home Headstart. It was very tasty, even the girls enjoyed it! Maeve really liked the peel, it ended up all over the place. We also did some coloring, made little Halloween sticker crafts and read a story. Fun! Fun! Fun!

Day #236

Josie is most definitely a mellower child when she returns from preschool. Even though she has been having a yelling-to-decompress fit when she first gets home, but she settles down once she relieves some stress from the day.

Maeve had OT this morning, where she was very much like a tornado. Whirling about from one spot to the next, unable to sit still long enough to get any fine motor work accomplished. The walk home afterward calmed her down a bit, but I noticed a lot more hand flapping today then during previous appointments.

I want to share my Prep. for College Comp. discussion board post for this week:

Success is the favorable or prosperous termination of attempts or endeavors. Plainly, it is the accomplishment or happy outcome of trials and tribulations. Successes come in all shapes and sizes depending on who attains the victory. It can be as large as pulling through a lifesaving operation; or, as small as scoring the last piece of cake. Being a mother, I have gone beyond searching for the relevance of my achievements, and pride myself more in the successes of my daughters. Seeing the world through their eyes, even the tiniest hurdle cleared in growth is a tremendous party worthy success. They try so hard, tripping so often, but still get back up doing it again unscathed. Success is not only the attainment of things, positions or outcomes; it is also a state of mind. Success can and will be achieved when you have a positive, motivated mindset; but will never be achieved if you fail to try.

Day #235

Okay, maybe I am just too easily amused but doesn't this look like the dinosaur is eating the LPS dog? I thought so! No, I didn't set this up, I was on chat with Mackena when I looked down and saw this and just had to share :D

Day #234

It's Saturday, you would think I would try to relax because I really didn't have anything pressing that I needed to do. No, I just can't seem to do that. After finishing up household chores and getting Gerard over to watch the girls for a little bit, I decided to go get a haircut and do some shopping. Once home I worked a bit more on my photography portfolio, played with the girls, made dinner and then crashed in bed early. This picture is my Maeve in her pajamas all snuggled in next to mama, tired but very happy.

Day #233

This is a picture Ginger took with her cell phone while visiting Josie at preschool today. She looks so sweet and content with the activity that she is engaged in; but I have been told that is not always the case. I just got off the telephone with teacher Cindy, the woman standing behind Josie, and she had a few questions for me. She was concerned because Josie has not been eating or drinking anything at school and wondered what her diet was at home. After discussing that for a bit we decided that I would send a box of the protein bars that Josie will eat into class and after that Head Start will get them for her so she has something there that she will eat. Cindy also said the OT wondered if Josie has ever done the therapeutic listening program because she would like to start that with her. Cindy is also having to structure Josie's day more, they have actually broken her day down into 10 minute increments which they will start next week. Jo just doesn't do well with the free flow, do-as-you-please way the preschool is setup to run, she NEEDS more structure because that is all she has ever known and most autistic kids function better that way as it is. Josie has also been a screamer lately and drew blood today, pinching or scratching I assume. She is my snuggle bug but definitely the most INTENSE child in the classroom.

Day #232

Wow! It has been four days since I last blogged and a lot has been going on, I will catch you up in this post and try my best to continue a picture a day from now on.

Monday10/8/12: I got Josie on the bus to school, then Cyndi worked with Maeve while I made an unsuccessful trip to file a paper at the courthouse, I didn't realize it was closed even though it was Columbus Day :P

Tuesday10/9.12: Stayed home from photography, kept Josie home and didn't have session for Maeve. Instead we spent seven hours trying to stay out of the maintenance man's way as he installed a new sliding glass door in our apartment. What a headache!

Wednesday10/10/12: Josie was out the door to school by a little after 8a.m. Then Shelley arrived to work with Maeve just as the maintenance man was finishing the install and painting our deck. I was able to go file the paper I needed to and get some shopping done. Then it was home to the girlies and finishing my Prep. for College Comp. assignments and a roll of film for photography. Plus the beginning of the sniffles.

Thursday10/11/12: Photography at the college where I turned in an assignment, took a quiz and developed a roll of film. Back home to get Josie off the bus, Shelley finished Maeve's session then helped me with Maeve during Josie's dental checkup. Couldn't get any x-rays from Jo, cleaning went well but they are concerned with a couple stains. We are going to work on them, they are not cavities yet but could develop into them.Still battling the sniffles, feeling a bit better but not much.  The girls have gone through it already and lucky mama is the last to get it, we share everything even colds.

Now, I really want it to be bedtime...just a couple hours to go, I can make it!

Day #231

What a gloriously lazy day this day has been so far. Not much accomplished and I am completely okay with that. The girls and I went to the store early then have been hanging out, doing our nails and enjoying some music the rest of the time. Yes, even Maeve let me paint her toenails, a nice lilac sparkle. Josie loves having me paint her nails but this is the first time Maeve has participated. Now I think we will go for a walk before it is time for evening rounds of dinner, bath and bedtime.

Day #230

We had way too much fun with Mackena and Evan today! Here is a photo booth strip that we took using Kena's iPad, we enjoyed ourselves immensely with this app. We all laughed so hard, I think our stomachs were sore and our eyes watery by the time we finished with it.

We made veggie wraps for lunch, delicious! Lots of talk, laughter and just a bit of sadness. I am lucky to have such a wonderful friend! The girls were slow to warm up but once they did it was fantastic. Maeve ended up sitting on Mackena's lap, which made her whole month, and Josie wanted tickles. I think those two little girls have another person wrapped around their little fingers :D

Day #229

What a BIG yawn! Josie thinks getting up to get ready for school and out the door onto the bus at a little after 8 a.m. is quite tiring. From her progress reports it sounds like she is doing great, settling in a bit better, and listening to directions more. Give it a couple weeks and she will have the routine down to a science.

Day #228

That is one tired child! Maeve decided her swing was a good place to try to fall asleep, I don't blame her either. It is nice and cool outside, gentle breeze, swinging motion lulling her into drowsiness. Early bedtime after a long day, sounds good to me!

Josie was off to school today at about the same time as I was off to the college for my photography class. After which I went to the courthouse and filed for divorce, figure he moved out about ten months ago now and hasn't ever made the statement that he wanted to reconcile. I think it is about time to completely move on, don't you?! The lady who helped me in "self help" of the family law office was such a doll. She spent an hour going over paperwork with me, got me all the copies I needed, separated the papers to serve him from the papers I keep and/or file.  After that: I went home, cleaned house, did a batch of laundry, took a walk with the girls, made us dinner, and it is finally time to get them in bed.

Day #227

Maeve in Walmart this morning, we decided to go to the store after her dentist appointment and got stuck in the slowest lane, of course. She did really well though, only a bit impatient right at the very end. Her dentist appointment was the fastest dental exam I have ever seen. Maeve was being rather vocal so I guess they decided to kick it in gear. No cavities, nice spacing between her teeth, overall healthy chompers that Dr. French is very happy with. They were able to get two x-rays and a quick cleaning done as well, even though it took both Shelley and myself to hold her.

Josie's second day of preschool sounds like it went a bit smoother than her first. She was on the bus at about 8:10 this morning as happy as a clam. They added extra support in the classroom to free up the special education teacher so she could follow Josie around and be the constant aide that Jo needs at this point. She finger painted and drew at the easel, played with play dough and blocks, and had speech as well. She enjoyed riding the trike there and playing with the instruments too. All in all it sounds like she had a good day.

Day #226

Life has been hectic lately, and I realize I have missed a couple days; but I will catch you all up today and hopefully get better about keeping up on the daily photographs again. Maeve is doing a lot better, she is eating and drinking again, she also seems to have a lot of her spunk back. I think it was just a virus that got to her but we should have the results soon for the giardia testing.

Today was Josie's first day of preschool at Blue Bell Head Start. There she is sitting on the little bench right outside the classroom reading a Clifford story before class began. I received a daily progress report and it says: she assembled puzzles, practiced letter/number recognition, did rote counting, practiced turn taking, eye contact, transitioning, attending skills and following directions. I was called by the special education teacher and told that Josie mouthed a lot of things, even trying to eat play dough and sand, which I warned her about to begin with. She also told me how someone had to follow Josie around to aide her the whole time. Well, I did try to tell them at the IEP that Josie needed an aide at all times to troubleshoot behaviors but was told that they didn't need an extra person in the classroom and they could handle it. Now they are seriously discussing having extra supports for Josie during this transition time. Wow, you might actually think mom knows what she is talking about, huh?! We are also going to jump in with both feet into a full week schedule now instead of taking the extra, confusing time to ease her into preschool. She is ready for it but she NEEDS an aide and I would like one of the therapists she already knows to be that aide for her until she is more comfortable in a classroom setting. Anyways, in the end I only want what is best for Josie! She rode the mini bus home like a big girl and looked completely exhausted, she will sleep good tonight.

Day #225

Maeve and I spent about 7 hours in the ER today. She just hasn't been acting like herself lately, she isn't eating as well as she should and my energizer bunny seems to have lost all her get-up-and-go. So I took her in to see if we could get some testing done to find out what we are dealing with. When they weighed her in triage I was so surprised to see that she has lost 6 pounds since she was weighed last! The doctor ordered blood work which came back fine, stool sample which came back inconclusive for the most part. The last sample that they took will take three days to get the results back and they are testing for giardia. Giardia is a parasite that you can get when you drink contaminated water, and if you remember a couple weeks back Maeve drank creek water when we had her out on a walk. So far there weren't any white cells in other fecal tests so they are thinking she just may have a virus but wanted to run the giardia test because she has had significant weight loss. She was given zofran for her nausea and by the time we left she had kept down some apple juice. She was tired and slept fairly well throughout the night. I hope my little girl gets better very very soon!

Day #224

This picture is of Josie's "All About Me" banner for her head start classroom. We were asked to make one so they can introduce her on her first day and hang it up. We weren't scheduled to start session until 11 this morning so we had the whole morning to take it easy. When Shelley arrived I ran out the door to the bank and pharmacy really quickly. Then we started session when I got back. At one o'clock our family advocate from ATCAA Head Start arrived to go over state enrollment paperwork, then Cyndi arrived to begin Josie's session, finally Cindy the special education teacher at Blue Bell Head Start arrived for her observation of Josie. We were finished at about 3 o'clock and spent the next few hours relaxing. Gerard came by later in the evening to watch the girls while I went to attend the parent support group meeting that was planned. Total bust! I had several texts from a couple in Martell, who got the information for the meeting through Valley Mountain Regional Center, asking me why I didn't hold the meeting in Jackson instead of Sonora, they were really looking forward to it but it was just too far to go. So I gave it half an hour wait and when no one arrived I went home. Oh well, you can offer these things but can't force anyone to go. Maybe an online group would be better?

Day #223

 

She is feeling better! YAY! Maeve started having a bit of the sniffles yesterday and woke up warm this morning. She was feverish on and off all day finally cooling down at about 8 o'clock this evening. I knew she was feeling better when she started giggling and ripping paper. Now she is trying to smother me with snotty kisses, ewwww joy!

I had photography this morning, then went to the store to pick up some things on my way home. When I arrived back at the apartment Shelley finished up session with Josie while I cuddled and medicated Maeve. I took Josie to visit her new classroom in Bluebell Headstart at 3 o'clock this afternoon, while Shelley stayed with Maeve, who ended up falling asleep. Josie enjoyed the classroom visit while no kids were there and both teacher Cindy and Susan were giving her their full attention. She wandered around and showed off how well she knew her alphabet, tried to take one of the fish out of its tank and generally enjoyed looking at everything in this new environment. She will fit right in and enjoy preschool, this I can say with confidence.

It has been a long day and now it is time to settle down for bed, nightie night :D

Day #222

 I think I have missed a day in here somewhere, but let's just say we didn't and go on from today okay?

This morning at 9a.m. we had the school psychologist and speech evaluator in for Maeve. They were doing assessments to get ready for her next IEP which is her triennial review. They spent an hour talking to me and trying to engage Maeve, then Shelley arrived at 10a.m. to start session and they stayed for a while to observe her. Meanwhile, I had to take Josie to see her pediatrician for her four year check up at 11:15a.m. She was such a big girl! She allowed them to weigh her and get her height, 39lbs. and 42 inches by the way. She allowed them to use the blood pressure cuff on her, that was 94/62. Examination went well, they took hemoglobin to check for anemia (12.8) and gave her two shots. The first shot was HepA booster, the second was the first half of her flu vaccine. Then it was grab a sticker and out the door to wait for our ride home. Once home we finished session and now I feel like I am ready for a nap!

Day #221

We had OT at 9 this morning for the girls with a new therapist, in a new room, and there were lots of new things to explore. It was a bit overwhelming for Maeve and I understand this is a step backward but she really needed to stim on the tanbark when we were waiting for Josie. Sometimes I just feel she needs to do these certain things to regulate herself; it's a two step forward one step back kind of thing. Overall it was a good experience for them.

Day #220

When we went to the genetic counseling appointment for Maeve it was recommended that I have the chromosomal microarray done to find out whether the abnormality that Maeve has was inherited or de novo (new in her). I went to my doctor and she ordered the test and the result came back normal. I do not think her father will ever get it done but maybe he doesn't have to. If one parent does not have an abnormality is that enough to conclude de novo? I will find out when we go back to see the geneticist in November.

Day #219

Another epic line up for Josie, she moves quickly and quietly, I did not even realize she was doing this until after it was finished. She likes doing this kind of thing but it is not an obsession. If I were to knock a few of them over or take one from the middle it would not be meltdown material. You know it has been a lazy day when this is the highlight, and I am perfectly okay with that :D

Day #218

Happy 30th Birthday to ME! 

Today has been eventful to say the least: started out by going grocery shopping at 9am, then session started at 11am, squeezed in a couple batches of towels (see previous post) by 1pm Ginger picked me up for our 1:30pm IEP meeting for Josie.

Josie's IEP went well, she will be starting preschool on October 2nd at Bluebell Headstart. Slowly introducing her to a 5 day schedule by starting with 2 days first week, 3 days second week and so on. She is advanced and that is why we decided on an inclusive preschool rather then the special preschool. We were told and I quote "Josie would be the high flier in the special class" and we don't want to bring her down to the lowest functioning child's level. So hopefully in Bluebell she will start imitating the neurotypical kids behaviors and just blossom.

After all that at I was picked up at about 6:30pm to meet some friends (Ginger, Tim, Cyndi and Glenn) at The Mill inside the casino then music at the Willow Creek Lounge afterward. I got home well before I turned back into a pumpkin. Oh, and somewhere in all of this I was bitten by a meat bee, never heard of such a critter! I was bitten not stung and it burned like Hades.

Day #217

This is what happens when mama turns her back for 30 seconds while the girls are having water play on the deck. Not sure if they worked together or if super strong Maeve dragged the bin in herself, but it was dumped all over the linoleum. I know I needed to mop girls, but not like this!

I am getting concerned about Maeve's behavior, she seems to have a hair trigger lately. One second happy as can be, the next second trying to attack the nearest person to her. I am hoping to have a joint meeting/appointment in November. We are supposed to see the geneticist, but since our neurologist is in the same building I am hoping she can attend that appointment as well. Keeping my fingers crossed that it works out, we need to get some help for my baby girl.

Day #216

Shelley, Cyndi, the girls and I took a walk down to the creek today. The girls really seemed to enjoy themselves. Both were wet and muddy by the time we were ready to get going. We probably would have stayed to the end of session, but Maeve decided to try drinking the water, gross yucky! Maeve needed creek time today, she has been very agitated and this seemed to have a calming affect on her. We noticed a difference between the girls as we watched them: Josie was sitting all tucked up and not getting too wet or dirty while Maeve was muddy clear up to her knees, stimming leaves and mud. These two are truly polar opposites in their approach to life :D

Day #215

My girls are so talented, look how Maeve can do fish lips like a pro and Josie is demonstrating a taco tongue, I give them each a score of 9.9! These were just too cute not to share!

I had photography class early this morning. The girls, thanks to Shelley and Cyndi, had session. I finished up some homework after that. A man came by at about 3 o'clock from Habitat for Humanity, he just needed another credit report form filled out. He told me not to get too excited about his visit, but he patted my shoulder and said "you need a bigger place." Since then it feels like I have been on the telephone. The school psychologist called to set up an appointment for herself along with a speech evaluation for Maeve next week. The school nurses secretary called to update medical information and after 20 minutes she thought she had all she needed. Now, I need a nap! :D

Day #214

Josie is quite the independent girl, look at her brushing her own hair after bath tonight! She picked up her brush and decided to do this completely on her own, no prompting necessary. So proud! I could tell she was very proud of herself as well :D

Day #213

Controlled chaos, I like that term, describes our life perfectly wouldn't you say?! Anyways, I allowed the girls some T.V. time earlier and Josie was really excited about this program, it is called the Notekins on the Baby First channel and teaches about the musical scale. Quality programming for little ones, all about baby development and all programs are educational. They even have special evening programs that are just soothing music and comforting images, almost could be equated to stim television. I figure if I am going to put the T.V. on for them it might as well be beneficial.

Day #212

This Saturday has just been one of those lazy, hardly want to move, would rather kick back in the toy box kind of days. Maeve's digestive issue is much better and her appetite is increasing, so I think we are on the better side of this. Took the girls for an amble around the cemetery so I could finish the photography project I have been working on. Other than that there has not been much of interest to report.

Day #211

I think Maeve has grown tired of summer and is ready for winter, wouldn't you say so too?! It is 95F outside, granted we have the air conditioner on but it's not that cold. She went into their closet and brought out a pair of Josie's blanket sleeper pajamas insisting I put them on her. Next she brought me her coat and wanted to wear that. Then she brought me her slippers and held her feet up to have me put them on for her. Now she is perfectly content to wander around the house dressed like there is a blizzard going on.

Day #210

Maeve amazes me, look what she did with her little toy car. She took her graham cracker and broke it into a hundred little pieces and put them all into the car. Then she was pushing the car around like her cracker was taking a ride. This kept her entertained for quite a while today, I would guess at least fifteen to twenty minutes. Both of the girls truly amaze me when I see the items they choose to play with.They sure keep life interesting :D

Day #209

Today was just an odd day all around, maybe it is just me but it felt thrown off for some reason. To begin with the girls and I slept in until 9:40a.m.! Can you believe it? I can't! I haven't slept that late in years. We had therapy at a later time also, 1-4:30p.m. After that I took the girls grocery shopping and we weren't back home until about 6p.m. Next it was dinner then bath, clean up and bedtime in the blink of an eye. The day just flew by! I was able to snag this picture of Josie playing with all her little friends. She was being a bit picky about who could play today, only her dinosaurs were invited. As you see she is standing her tiny reptilian friends up in a line. Things need to slow down just a bit, our days seem to be moving too fast lately!

Day #208

Josie did NOT want to wake up this morning. She was restless during the night and got up when I did at about 6:15a.m. having a BM. I think we are passing around a teensy weensy stomach bug, nothing much, I will spare you the details. After I changed her I put her on the couch with her pillow and blanket, she promptly fell back asleep. I had to go to class, so Shelley came to watch the girls at 7:30a.m. I was told Josie did not wake up until 10a.m.! She was acting fine, had a drink, worked well for Cyndi and when I got home she was perky. She just needed to sleep in, and some mornings you have to let her or you will have a cranky little one on your hands.

Day #207

Blanket fort! Shelley called me into the room today during session and said "bring your camera!" She and Maeve had constructed a chair and blanket fort which Maeve immediately pulled me into. I love this picture and how both of our legs are sticking out :D

It is hard to tell sometimes whether I am being judged, sympathized with or admired. I took the girls into the community pharmacy this afternoon and all eyes were on us as soon as we entered the room. I am not even kidding. I was holding a very unhappy Maeve who was upset being in a new place that looked an awful lot like her pediatrician's office, and I had Josie on her tether who was getting upset because Maeve was. I was tending to the girls, trying to calm them down when I realized literally 5 people were staring at us. I felt like a circus sideshow! I ignored them the best I could but couldn't wait to get out of there. Maybe I am being judgmental, maybe they all had helpful thoughts on their minds, I don't know. Sometimes I wish people would just speak up or look the other way.

Day #206

Chewy tubes are indispensable items to have in your autism meltdown prevention kit. We have all become very nimble and accurate with them. Whipping them out and shoving them into the girls mouths to bite down on and alleviate some tension. It is either that or they tend to bite themselves or the nearest person to them. As you see chewy tubes come in all sizes, shapes, and textures. The brown one is even chocolate scented! Not too expensive and worth every penny if you have a little one that is a chewer or a biter. A must have item in your arsenal!