Birthday Party at the Giant Rat's Hole

Nice pic I found of the Rat!

Why is that things that are supposed to be simple are not? At least they are not when it comes to ASD and CP. My brother invited us to a birthday party for his girlfriend's daughter- it was at the hell known as Chuck E. Cheese. We talked about it all week & she actually wanted to go. She did remarkably well for how busy that place is. I had to stay with her the entire time while the other adults let their children run and play. They sat around and socialized; I ran interference for my child. She did well until that giant rat came out. It got louder and louder. I ended up sitting there with my hands over her ears. She still kept it together until the very end. It was getting super crowded by then and I was over stimulated myself (I can't believe you can't turn those damn tickets in for valium- LOL). Just once I would like to know what it is like to just be able to go somewhere & know she would be okay. Other kids are running & playing while I had to carry her many places, lift her up to things & help her learn how to wait our turn & put tokens in machines. It just comes so easily to many- I saw 2 year olds able to do these things with ease. ***SIGH*** BUT I guarantee they don't appreciate all the small things like her eating almost a whole cupcake by herself and just actually GOING to Chuck E Cheese! Woohoooo!

APRIL IS AUTISM AWARENESS MONTH

What is Autism?
It is a complex neurological disorder that usually lasts throughout the person’s lifetime. It is the fastest growing serious developmental disability in the U.S. ASD impairs a person’s ability to communicate and relate to others. It can also be associated with rigid routines and repetitive behaviors. It is a spectrum disorder so symptoms of ASD can range from very mild to severe. It affects 1 in 150 children, with boys four times more likely to have ASD, making it more common than pediatric AIDS, cancer & diabetes combined. Right now, there is no cure. Early intervention instruction focusing on communication, social & cognitive skills has been shown to result in significant improvements for many children.

Has it been since February???

Guess I am a bad blogger. Time just gets aways so quickly. Things continue to be hectic here, mainly with my health. MM is doing fine, except for the bout of strep throat with horrible rash she has encountered this week. My health- ugh! Some tests have come back, had more this today. It is looking like part of this is my kidneys & the other is tumor/mass thing is still being investigated. I am very scared, but hope that things will be figured out soon & what course of action to take to get me well.

I have spent the month tagging clothes & toys to particpate in a HUGE consignment sale. I dropped the stuff off today. It really is a good sale cause I will get 70% of my prices, unless they make it to half price day. I had around $700 worth of stuff!!! Yes, you read that right! Way too many clothes & toys, but I also got rid of all my baby stuff like maternity clothes, diaper bags, baby bedding, etc. With the news of my kidney problems, there is no more hope in us having another. We didn't really plan on having another since can't get pregnant without meds, my pre-e was so bad & with all MM has going on, but I still held on to stuff "just in case". It makes me sad to think I really can't have another. Another crappy part of my life- thanks for having bad luck in my health!

Haven't done much for Autism Awareness Month since so much going on. I did pass out ribbons for all my coworkers, wrote an article for the monthly newsletter at work & composed a mass email. I feel I need to do more, but just am exhausted. I guess the daily grind of MM's ASD is enough for the moment. She really is such a sweetie. Her progress is amazing! I still can't believe the progress she has made recently. Her language is developing so nicely- not always script, more spontaneous speech. Her fine motor skills are still poor, but that is CP too. She does have a lovely keyboard at school now. She brought home TWO pages of typed things today! She was so proud & I am too! I LOVE YOU, BG! (which now means Big Girl, not BABY girl as I am reminded by you a few hundred times a day)!