Halloween

Halloween 2011

 

 

 

Aiden did terrific tonight Trick or Treating!  I kept following him up to the door in an attempt to help him, but he didn't need me!  He walked right up to the door and said, "Trick or Treat" when appropriate, and "thank you".  I held back tears.  It is moments like that when life feels normal, and autism isn't part of it.  The kids had so much fun, and that is always a joy to see.  I'm proud of my little pirates!     



Thoughts

 

My favorite fitness blogger just posted that a family member recently passed away from cancer, and it got me thinking about life--how short it truly is, what really matters from day to day, and how much I've been blessed.

 

I'll be honest.  I'm tired.  It takes everything I have most nights to workout instead of passing out on the couch, but I'm taking the time I need to take care of myself.  After I've been woken up by the baby 3-4 times at night, it takes a lot for me to get out of bed every morning to get Aiden off to school on time.  I haven't had a good night's sleep in 8 months or so.  It is hard to be patient with the "trying 2's and 3's," which Austin is not-so pleasantly inbetween at the moment.  And it is taking a lot of prayer and attempts at patience to potty train 2 children at the same time.  But, I'm happy.  We have everything we need, Aiden is making great gains despite his diagnosis, we are healthy, and I wouldn't give it up for the world.  My heart breaks for all those that have to leave their families prematurely.  I pray our Heavenly Father keeps me alive and well for a long time so I can watch my children grow and be an active part in their lives.  I keep trying to find ways to help provide for our family financially, but the fact is, I don't want to miss these moments, because you just can't get them back.  Lord willing, there will be plenty of time to establish my career when my kids don't need as much guidance.  The kids are growing so quickly, and as I look back, I'm grateful that I was with them every step of the way.  We've had so many fun moments together.  I love watching them have fun and get excited.  My children helped me overcome a dark, long depression.  They give me purpose and joy.  After reading her post, I kissed each one good night again while they slept.  I'm so grateful I'm here for them.  I want to be here--on this earth--to watch Aiden overcome autism, because I know he will :) 



 

 



Food

Aiden's nutrient intake continues to be a constant struggle...

I continue to presume that Aiden has sensory issues related to food.  I made chili the other day--a food Aiden WILL NOT eat--but I put cheese on top so he would at least try it.  He did try it, but got some bean in his month, gagged, and threw up everywhere.  That wasn't the first time that happened, so I knew he wasn't sick.  Aiden still won't eat a single fresh fruit or vegetable.  I made pumpkin "muffins" with chocolate cake mix for breakfast this morning, and he ate 1/2 of it.  That was better than I expected.  It was the only source of vitamin A he consumed that wasn't synthetic, besides the sweet potato mixture in his juice boxes, and sweet potato chips.

So what DOES Aiden eat?  I'm a big fan of "clean" eating/whole foods with limited ingredients and minimal processing, but I have to focus on nutrients for Aiden, not just quality foods.  So here it is; this is what Aiden will eat/drink:

*100% juice (he actually prefers it over the juice flavored sugar thank goodness).  I buy a 100% juice blend with vegetable and fruit juices.  Whole foods are best, but Aiden won't eat them.  He gets plenty of fiber elsewhere.

*Bread.  Although I do not give him a lot, Aiden will eat 100% whole wheat bread.  The only combined food he will eat is an occasional PB&J sandwich. It was a shock when he ate it, but sometimes he will.  I use natural peanut butter and 100% fruit jelly.  

*Cashews.  He doesn't eat the spicy pumpkin seeds like he used to, but thankfully, he will still eat some nuts for healthy fat and protein.

*100% fruit snacks.  These really aren't very healthy, but they are a source of vitamin C and natural sugar from fruit.  

*Sweet potato chips.  Thank goodness for these salty things!  They are basically baked sweet potatoes with salt, and Aiden will eat them!  Whatever works to get him to eat a veggie!

*Beef jerky and bacon.  These are the only meats Aiden will eat.  I try not to give him too much, because processed meats are linked to cancer, but what isn't linked to cancer these days?!  I'm assuming he eats these because they are very salty.

*Milk.  I put a tablespoon of Ovaltine in it twice a day for his "multivitamin".  He will only drink it if it is flavored.  Milk remains the majority of Aiden's protein intake--unfortunately.  At least it gives him some B12 too, since he is mainly a vegetarian.  

*Cheese and yogurt sticks.  Aiden's favorite cheese is Parmesan, and he enjoys frozen yogurt sticks.  I'm grateful I don't need to try to afford probiotics.  He gets plenty from yogurt :)

*Crackers.  Almost any kind.  I rarely give them to him.  He gets plenty at church.  Sometimes I put peanut butter between 2 graham crackers, and he will eat that every so often.  At least they are fortified with B vitamins! 

*Cereal.  Aiden loves cereal.  I try my best to give him those with <10 grams of sugar per serving.  So far, Kix is the lowest in sugar that I've found, and he likes it.  Even better that it doesn't contain food coloring like some others.  It is also a "multivitamin" for him, which he needs.  

*Aiden will eat just about any treat that doesn't have a weird texture.  I limit them to special occasions away from home.  I give him dark chocolate at home a few times a month.

That is it I think.  I hope he adds to this list some day!!!

 

 

   

Words!

Aiden is starting to communicate!

I nearly cried the other day when Aiden approached me and asked, "momma, blow up ball please (handing me the ball)."  I was so excited!  That was the first time Aiden asked me to do something for him.  He has a ton of words now, and he is finally learning to put them together.  He also responds better to questions.  Me: "did you have fun at school?"  Aiden: "fun, yah!"  Although a lot of his responses use the word I did (echolalia), I'm still excited to get something out of him.  Previously, it was a blank stare, and complete lack of acknowledgment that I said anything at all.  I often wonder what would happen if we could afford speech therapy.  I wish we could at least have that while we wait for services through WEAP.  We are blessed that he is making such great progress with Early Childhood alone.  Ok, love and prayers have a lot to do with it too!  :)

As for potty training, I'm struggling with patience.  Aiden finally went #2 on the potty at school when the teacher caught him "looking like he needed to".  Great work teacher, but Aiden still doesn't understand that he isn't supposed to go in his diaper.  He understands what you want from him on the potty, and he will go if you catch him at the right moment; otherwise, he just doesn't connect the 2--always go in toilet, not in diaper.  I put him in underwear for the first time yesterday, and it didn't seem to bother him when he was wet :(  Bummer, I really thought that would work.  So, now I'm trying stickers and dark chocolate.  I don't believe in using food as a reward, but I don't know what else to do.  I need you WEAP!  Aiden will be 5 in January, and it is feels strange to change his diaper.  I really hope it "just clicks" by Christmas!

Patience

 

Our Heavenly Father is teaching me patience yet again...

 

 

Aiden remains on the Waiver Program wait list for intensive therapy (ABA behavior therapy for autism).  I received a phone call yesterday saying he will be off the wait list in April of 2013.  We discussed my concerns, and the good news is that we may have the option of going down to 10 hours a week, should it be too much for him with school.  If all goes well, he will receive intensive therapy from April-August, then when he starts Kindergarden we can decrease his hours.  That is the plan, but life has a way of changing it!  Who knows?  Aiden could blossom by then!!!  He has already made so much progress with time and school.  I'm sincerely grateful.  He is a terrific listener, and a GREAT kid!  I have no doubt Aiden has a unique gift that will bless many lives.  He is already MY shining star.  

Fall '12

 

Another summer has come and gone.  We did so much this year.  The boys and I went to the Rock County Fair thanks to the help of our neighbors, and we went to Corn Feast with Abe's family.  We had a variety of playdates with friends from Mom's Club and church.  We swam a little, visited the zoo several times, ate way too much icecream, did our annual apple orchard trip, went to the library and the mall play area.  Despite limited income, I felt like we didn't miss out at all.  We are very blessed.  Although exhausted from late night/early morning feedings, I've enjoyed watching Ashton grow rapidly and start to coo, giggle/laugh, and grab at toys.  The boys love him too :) 

 

The above picture is the first day of school for Aiden.  This is his final year in Early Childhood.  The teacher was so excited that he is talking so much more!  I've noticed a difference too in just a few short weeks :)  He is starting to try to form sentences, but only some words make any sense.  I'm so excited though!  He is also making slow progress with potty training.  He is starting to go potty on the toilet quite frequently, but he still doesn't tell me when he has to go.  He will get there.  I'm praying this will be a year of speech and underwear! 

 

This is also Abe's final year in graduate school.  Words can't say what a relief it will be when he is done--for all of us.  Each year we make less money, and each year we have another child!  Let's just  say times are tough for many people right now, and we are no exception.  I wouldn't take it back though.  I've never appreciated food, clothing, and shelter as much I do today.  I've learned many lessons in humility, sacrifice, patience, gratitude and faith.  I'm especially grateful for my husband who works so hard for our family.  The Lord has provided everything we need because we are doing His will.  I'm proud to call ourselves Latter Day Saints!  I wouldn't have my 4 greatest blessings without the gospel of Jesus Christ.     



Ashton

Ashton is now 3 months old!

Every time we go in to see the doctor, autism finds its way into the conversation.  At Ashton's 3 month appointment, our doctor asked if we noticed anything when Aiden was a baby.  Looking back at Aiden's 1 year video, I would say yes--now that we know what to look for.  He was socially less interactive than other children at 1.  However, I remember Aiden sitting up at 5 months, crawling at 7 months, and walking at 1 year.  I remember his first words were "ball" and "dad"  around 9 months.  He waved bye and pointed at 1 year.  Those are all appropriate milestones, and Aiden met them all.  It really wasn't until 18 months that we noticed a speech delay, and the rest is history.  So, we wait.  Ashton does do some things just like Aiden did when he was a baby (startles when you put him in water, and he was cross-eyed at birth).  They may have no connection whatsoever, but it worries me a little. 

Abe continues to talk about having "our girl".  It frustrates me, and makes me a little sad.  If Ashton is indeed autistic, our family is complete.  I really don't believe we would have a girl, and I'm really uncertain about having anymore children regardless of Ashton's fate.  I love my boys, and I want to give them all that I can.