Graduation Photos

From Jimmy's Pre-K graduation two weeks ago...

A Horrible Couple of Days

Still no offer - stuck in HR (although I have two additional interviews scheduled for the next week and I still think the offer is coming), a little child care drama (always unsettling), my ankle is still recovering, electrical problems in the house, and rain that never ends. I am so looking forward to my nieces coming this weekend.

I'll let you know when I have something nice to say.

A Renewed Committment to Potty Training

Jacob pooped in the toilet for the first time today. Jimmy is very interested, saying goodbye to the contents when he flushes. So I am back to doing sits again. Life will be easier once I get them both potty trained.

I am recoving from yesterday's fall. I really did a number on my ankle. Quite painful. Jimmy's fine.

Going for Mother of the Year

Well, let's start with last night. I am getting gas at Sheetz and somehow I lock the boys in the car. I keep my exterior composure, but inside my heart is racing. I call Jim and he is on 28 at the county line, but traffic isn't moving. I have my cell phone in my pocket, so I pull it out and call the police department non-emergency number. I am completely resolved not to panic because I realize I am about to see a whole bunch of people that I know - I just did the first responder training on autism. So after I hang up, I am just waiting to see who is coming to my rescue.

In the meantime, I am trying to see if I can coach the boys into unlocking the doors. I knock on the window to get Jimmy's attention. He knocks back. Okay, that's not going to work. I try explaining to Jacob. He tries, then it dawns on him that we have a problem. He begins to cry. I feel awful. They look hot - it's still in the 80s at almost 7 p.m. . The fire engine rolls up. Of course, it was three guys I had in my session last week. In my call, I identified myself and Jimmy's disability. They did exactly what I had mentioned - no sirens or lights when they came. Jimmy remained completely calm. They had the doors unlocked in less than a minute. These are just the greatest guys - I love the Manassas Park Fire Department. Absolute sweethearts - they, of course, reminded me that if I wanted to introduce Jimmy to them, all I had to do was bring him by the fire house. Yeah, thanks, I will keep that in mind next time.

This morning, I am fairing no better. I rolled my ankle coming down the last stairs, dropping Jimmy. He's okay. My foot is swollen, my knee is skinned, and my nerves are absolutely shot. But Jimmy's okay.

Jimmy Therapy Update

I got a voice mail from Jimmy's lead therapist. She is training a new therapist for Jimmy for the next two weeks. Apparently they had a great session yesterday. He was very verbal and participating well in the sessions. The therapy is so valuable during school breaks. School just ended a week ago and I have already noticed an increase in stimming behavior. The daycare is wonderful, but because of the ratio of children to teachers, it's a larger crowd and he gets lost. Transitions are more difficult. I don't enjoy summer for those reasons - I just feel like he loses too much. I am already looking forward to July's summer session.

Combat Autism

I recently became aware of the Combating Autism Act of 2005, a bill before the House and Senate in D.C..

This legislation will accomplish the following goals in the fight against Autism:

• Double NIH spending on autism research.
• Empower the Director of the NIH to act as an "autism czar" - developing an annual research budget on autism, based on the best science, and requiring that budget be reported to Congress.
• Create a screening program in all 50 states for the early identification of children with autism - short of a cure, early identification leading to early intervention with behavioral services provides the best available outcomes for autistic kids.
• Fund the efforts of the Autism Treatment Network to identify the best medical practices in the treatment of autistic kids.
• Continue funding of the epidemiological and public education programs on autism at the CDC.
• Authorize, overall, nearly 1 billion of federal spending on autism over the next 5 years - a multi-front war on autism from public awareness and early diagnosis to basic biomedical research.

Currently this bill only has three sponsors in Virginia; Congressmen Davis, Moran, and Wolf. Neither Senator has signed on at this point. For more information, click the link above. Please encourage your elected officials to support this important piece of legislation.

Saturday at Kings Dominion

Well, our little outing went pretty well. Their line policies weren't really conducive to our needs - the policies are set up to protect against abuses, but as a result they don't provide complete accommodation. The line for the roller coast was a horrible experience for him, but once he got on it, he did okay. By the time we got off, he was giggling like he had a great time. Jimmy gets overwhelmed by being around people in line - it's too much for him. But he is starting to like the rides, which is huge progress. In spite of the success, I think we are likely to limit our theme park visits to Sesame Place, WDW, and other parks with better accommodation policies. Kings Dominion's were entirely written for physical limitations and not conducive to our situation.

The water park was the huge hit. Jimmy rode the lazy river with me and just had the best time. We spent some time in the kids pool. I don't think he went down their slide, but he liked playing with the water spouts. The wave pool was a sensory winner - he really liked the feeling of bobbing up and down in the water. He even saw a hair band underneath the water and dove down to pick it up. Maybe he is more ready for swimming than I thought. His brother is the classic boy - Jacob loved it all.

King's Dominion

Yesterday's trip to King's Dominion-

Meeting Dora...

Jimmy and I in the last car. My mom and Jacob are sitting right in front of us.

Jacob is now laboring under the assumption that cars drive themselves. He wouldn't touch the steering wheel...

A completely chick thing to do...

The random posting of song lyrics. Copyright belongs to the Dixie Chicks. In my world, and seemingly in theirs as well, Mother's Day is everyday.

"Lullaby" from the album Taking the Long Way Around.

They didn't have you where I come from
Never knew the best was yet to come
Life began when I saw your face
And I hear your laugh like a serenade

How long do you want to be loved
Is forever enough, is forever enough
How long do you want to be loved
Is forever enough
Cause I'm never, never giving you up

I slip in bed when you're asleep
To hold you close and feel your breath on me
Tomorrow there'll be so much to do
So tonight I'll drift in a dream with you

How long do you want to be loved
Is forever enough, is forever enough
How long do you want to be loved
Is forever enough
Cause I'm never, never giving you up

As you wander through this troubled world
In search of all things beautiful
You can close your eyes when you're miles away
And hear my voice like a serenade

How long do you want to be loved
Is forever enough, is forever enough
How long do you want to be loved
Is forever enough
Cause I'm never, never giving you up

How long do you want to be loved
Is forever enough, is forever enough
How long do you want to be loved
Is forever enough
Cause I'm never, never giving you up
Is forever enough
Cause I'm never, never giving you up

Next Matthew's Center Benefit

Matthew’s Center’s 4th Annual Golf Tournament is Quickly Approaching!
Early Bird Registration Ends Monday June 19!!

Tournament Info

Date: July 10, 2006
Place: Evergreen Country Club in Haymarket
Time: 9:00am shot gun start
Cost: $125/person if registered by June 19th
$150/person after June 19th

Fee includes: golf, continental breakfast, BBQ lunch, all you can
drink on the course, polo shirt, goody bags and awards.

Not a golfer?! We still need Sponsors and Volunteers!

All proceeds will go toward the purchase of an activity bus. We have
raised $22K and still need $20K to be able to purchase the bus. I hope
we can count on your support!!

For more information or to register visit our website
www.matthewscenter.org or call the school.

Jimmy's Birthday

Since we are about six weeks out from the big 5, I have been suitably agonizing about it. I have been working on a gift list, all books, to send to the grandparents and far away family. Books make him happiest. I only have about ten so far (click the post title for the current list on Amazon), so if my friends in library land have any ideas or recommendations, post them or e-mail me. We are pretty full on Seuss and he loves vivid illustrations and any manner of animal. I could also use some good social story books to help with transition, if anyone can recommend some.

As far as the party, I have finally decided to have one. I was unsure of who his friends are there, aside from one little boy. Mia, his former and Jacob's current teacher, assured me that he has friends and she would help with the guest list. I think we are going to keep it simple and do Burger King in Centreville again. We are opted to do Sesame Place (the original idea for the 5th) with him the first weekend after school begins. It should be less crowded. Last Saturday in July - keep it free people!!!

He Graduated Pre-K

I cried. A lot. Wearing shades on a rainy day. I am a fool. For more than just crying - I forgot a camera. Other moms took photos, so hopefully, I will have some here. I also met his new teachers today for next year and got a quick tour of the school for next year. Pretty exciting. His new teacher is very young, but I consider that a plus. I am looking forward to the change.

First Responder Training

A few months ago, I approached the local police and fire department about doing a first responder training, telling them about autism and sharing the resources and information I found. I have done the first two sessions yesterday and today and will be doing the third tomorrow. It's going pretty well. I am less nervous today than I was yesterday. Each day, I have had at least one person I have known from the departments there, which is sort of comforting. Today's group was a pretty full house. Apparently the police officers had court today, so a bunch were around for the training. They had questions, engaged on the subjects, and were really interested. I couldn't really ask for anything more. It is really gratifying when I can make this more than my cause, when I can get other people to invest in it too. I am lucky to live in a place like this, like Manassas Park, where I really get a chance to share this experience with so many different people.

Jimmy's pre-K graduation is tomorrow. I am really excited. A big day! I will post photos on Thursday.

Well...

I screwed up yesterday. Completely. It was water day and I forgot to send Jimmy's swimsuit with him. I realized my mistake on the way to pick him up from daycare. I nearly burst into tears. We had both seen the note, but neither of us remembered the event. I feel like I let him down on some level, even though he couldn't express disappointment to me. Even if he was, I wouldn't know... he asked me for a hug last night. "I want hug." Dad's heard that before, but it is new for me.

Goats

A little bit blurry, but this is the best of him actually feeding an animal. Keep in mind it took three annual trips to the Reston Zoo to get him to do this. I was very excited. He was so interested in the animals this time.

Wow, I suck

I am sorry it has taken me so long to post. The stress and distraction of looking for a new job is affecting my blogging. I had an interview yesterday, as a matter of fact. The job seems great, as do the people. The drive to Loudoun was better than I thought. We'll see... It would be nice to afford my student loan payments.

I chaperoned Jimmy's field trip today. I will post photos and a longer note tomorrow.