A Hot Date With My Guy

Boy Wonder needed new sneakers. So I took him off to the mall this morning alone. Just him and I for a nice and rare change of pace. No crazy girls in the stroller demanding things and carrying on.  Boy Wonder has very few things he insists upon but when we go to the mall we must park in a certain lot, go in a certain door and then go directly to the bulk candy stand for swedish fish. Don't even think about skipping it or going in a different door. There are no quick stealth trips to the mall with him.  We went and got his sneakers and practiced walking without holding hands but staying close. We rode the escalator for close to half an hour and just wandered. As we passed the food court, Boy Wonder stopped and looked around and walked into the food court. He looked to make sure I was behind him and then continued to walk quickly (ok vocal stimmed and galloped. same difference at this point for me.) to the back of the food court. He stopped and stood with an expectant look on his face. I asked him, "What do you want, Bobo?" He said, "Mommy, I want pizza, please." So he got his pizza AND being the liberated evolved kind of guy he is, Boy Wonder let me pay for him, too.

Cross Country

Because a 14 year age difference doesn't mean a thing. Because genetics are at play in a twisted sense of humor, wonky left hips and evil grins. Because she is an amazing person who gets Boy Wonder, can get the DIVA calm more quickly in a way you only wish you could and who named Sweet Baby Girl because hey I was out of names.  Super Cuzzy moves 3, 000 miles away this week. We will miss her weekend visits that are planned via last minute texts. She's on to her next adventure courtesy of Uncle Sam. She'll be farther away but hey I've got frequent flier miles and I know how to use them.

We love you SuperCuzzy!

Gone

At the Walk Now for Autism event, I looked away for a  minute while Boy Wonder sat in the double stroller. When I looked back he was gone. Vanished. No where in sight. My friend informed security while Big Daddy and I started to run through the crowd. I went out to the parking lots. Running, looking and praying. There's no way he could have made it out to the road. Someone would have had to notice, especially here, that he's alone and lost and profoundly autistic.

They found him 10 minutes later hiding behind the bounce house.  I will never look away again. I have followed him from room to room in the house since Sunday. All the doors and the windows are locked. And it will be along time before I trust myself again. 

Self Service

It appears we have been perhaps holding Boy Wonder back in his independent living skills. He has taken to getting himself his own food.

On Mother's Day, he was tired of waiting for cake. He had the three key ingredients. Inspiration, opportunity and motivation in the form of chocolate cake.

He enjoyed himself immensely till I walked in the kitchen at his aunt's house and snagged him chowing down. I got the big Oh Hi Mommy grin.

Monday morning, I hear an odd sound as I come down the stairs. I go in the kitchen and find that Boy Wonder has poured himself, the counter and the floor some chocolate milk. We cleaned that up together.

Tuesday afternoon, I'm in the kitchen making dinner. Boy Wonder comes strolling in, opens the cabinet and gets himself a plate. I don't stop him as I'm interested in seeing where he's going with this mission. He strolls over to the fridge, gets out some chicken nuggets.  I keep waiting for him to tell me in his whispery voice,"I want chicken please." but he doesn't he just keeps on going. He opens the ziploc bag and puts some chicken nuggets on the plate, opens the microwave, sticks his head in and looks around. He pull his head out, puts the plate in and slams the door shut. He studies the control panel for a few seconds and decides 10 minutes for 4 chicken nuggets looks about right except ummm yeah they'd explode. (No you may not ask how I know this information. You'll just take my word for it and like it.) I stopped the microwave and helped him push the 30 second button. He stood patiently waiting peering through the window. Once the microwave beeped, he said, "All done" opened the door and took out his plate of chicken nuggets, left the microwave door wide open, put his plate on the kitchen table and ate his self made dinner.

My Boy Wonder wants to start doing things on his own. I am thrilled. Next task we are working on you ask? Bathroom cleaning!! Mommy's not stupid.

For My Kids On Mother's Day 2012

Editor's Note: This is my annual Mother's Day post. 

It's relevant every year since I originally wrote it. 

I've only updated the pictures.

For the one who is proving the doctors wrong.

For the one who makes me laugh till I have tears streaming down my face.

For the one who was a total utter surprise but is a joyous smiley baby little girl.

For making me a better person because
you have shown me what really matters.

For teaching me what love is really all about.

For the smiles, giggles and utter silliness.

For sleepy hugs.

For I love yous.

For a reason to get up in the morning.

For showing me what real determination  is to each of you.

For the everyday gift of being your Mommy.

I love each and everyone one of you
for exactly who you are at this very moment.

Happy Mother’s Day!

Always Aware

Today is the last day of April. The blue lights will come out. Media coverage will slow down. But for those of who love someone with autism we are aware everyday. We never forget, not for a moment. We live a life we never imagined. We celebrate the small miracles of developmental milestones hit years late and cry in disappointment that some dreams are gone forever. We fight the school districts, insurance companies and government to get our loved ones what they need to have a fulfilling life. We fight to show the world that should not be pushed aside and hidden.  They teach compassion by their very existence. They show us the wonder of being able to have a different perspective on the ordinary. They have brought amazing people into our lives that we would have never otherwise met.

Our children are extraordinary and while they need compassion and understanding as do we, their parents, we don't need pity. While our children may not be leading the life we imagined for them, their lives have purpose, meaning and value. We can all learn so much from them if only you're willing to open your mind to their potential and possibilities. So as April gives way to May remain aware and compassionate because autism exists all year long, not just in April.

Fun With Only One (I Forgot How Easy Just One Is)

Sweet Baby Girl, my third and last, does not get much undivided attention. She naps in the afternoons after I shove DIVA out of the car without coming to a complete stop drop DIVA off at school. If she's lucky she'll get 15 minutes of me all to herself here and there. But the week of Spring Break, Big Daddy took Boy Wonder and DIVA off to California to visit their cousins, aunt and Achie and Papa. It was just me and the Littlest. We played whatever she wanted when she wanted. Oh Sweet Baby Girl watched Mike the Knight on repeat without someone (DIVA) screaming, "I need to watch some princesses RIGHT NOW!!!" We played in the backyard. We snuggled without sharing Mama's lap. We took walks holding hands. But our favorite day was our adventure at the zoo. Ready for some pictures?

I'm ready to get wild!!

We are waiting for the train.

Let's get on with the chugga chugga choo choo already!

Hi Mr. Sea Lion

I got your cheese Mama!!!

Oh Mr. Lion what big teeth you have!!

but Mr. Elephant's teeth are waaaay bigger!!!

There's paparazzi so I must wear my sunglasses while I lunch!!!