Diagnosis: Autism

A couple of weeks ago we took Michael to Doernbecher's/OHSU to get evaluated for Autism and were told he does have it.  If you don't know autism is a complicated developmental disability resulting from a neurological disorder that affects normal brain development and subsequent functioning.  That's what my Autism Information Packet says anyway.  I've suspected that he's had this for a couple of years but when they told us he had it it was devastating.  All kinds of questions go through your mind, Will he have friends?  Will he date?  Will he go to college?  Will he get married and have a family?  Of course, those questions remain unanswered for the most part.  The doctors did say that there are people who live normal lives with autism and they were really impressed with him and said he has a lot of potential.  With various therapies we're hoping he'll be in mainstream school when the time comes.  He starts speech therapy soon and I've been making a lot of phone calls trying to get him the help he needs.  I guess they won't evaluate him at Willamette ESD until fall but then hopefully he'll be able to start preschool.  I'm sure it's going to be a long process but I know we can help him.

On a lighter note,  we took Michael to the County Fair and he loved it.  He wanted to see piglets so we went and looked at every animal there and of course, no piglets!  There were adult pigs but no babies.  He was ok with it though since he got to see pigs.  He got in one of the bounce houses and rode the carousel a few times.  I tried to get some good pictures but a photographer I'm not.  There are some pictures of him playing in the sprinkler too.  He seems to think that the idea is to not get wet.  He'll actually crawl under the water to avoid it.

                                           Trying to get the balls without getting wet

                                                          In the bounce house at the fair

                                                          Riding the carousel with Dad

Happy Birthday America!

Happy 4th of July!  I hope everyone has a safe and fun holiday.  We're going to BBQ when Rick gets home and set off some fireworks.  He's roofing a house this weekend which is good for the bank account but not good for poor Rick.  He's tired and sore but all he cares about is providing for his family and I am so blessed to have him.

Fun in the sun

We've actually had decent weather the past few days, dare I say that summer is here?  The past 2 days we've broken out the Elmo sprinkler, right now it's the only water toy we have and it just shoots out a mist, which might not seem that great, but on a hot day it feels GOOD.  This is the third summer we've had the sprinkler but yesterday was the first day that Michael actually had any interest in it.  I took some pics of him enjoying the simple pleasure of running through a sprinkler.   I think they're really cute, go figure : )

                                                                Testing the waters

                                                                  Notice he's fully clothed

                                                               The shirt had to come off

                                                                Then the shorts...

                                      He wanted his underwear off too!  It didn't happen

I tried to get him to take his clothes off in the first place but he wasn't having it.  Did you notice he's in underwear?!  No, he's not potty trained but we're working hard on it.  Yesterday he was dry all day, he even woke up that way!  He's not a fan of underwear and would much rather have a Pull-up on or his personal favorite-being naked.  Every time he wants pretty much anything I make him go pee before I give it to him otherwise it's a huge battle just trying to get him to go.  He also gets a sticker or piece of candy every time he goes.  He loves stickers!  He has never pooped in the toilet and I have a feeling that's going to be another uphill battle.  Sigh...maybe by the end of summer..maybe.

Oh yeah, did you notice Rick's mohawk?  I like it!  It's kind of different and he won't have it forever.

Well the weight loss is moving along slowly but surely.  I've lost 10 lbs!  OK so it took me 9 weeks, what's your point?  I should have taken a picture when I first started this journey then I could compare.  I feel a little smaller in my hips and boobs but that's about it so far.  I can do this!

Weight Loss

I recently joined Facebook and one of my friends started a "Biggest Loser" group.  It costs $5 a week which is cheaper that Weight Watchers so I joined.  Whoever loses the most weight gets the jackpot.  I started on my birthday and so far I've lost 6.4 lbs!   Last week I won the jackpot and I used the money to buy the Wii Game Biggest Loser.  It is way more intense than the Wii Fit Plus and right now it's kickin my butt!  I'm sore but feeling good and can already tell where I'm losing the weight.  I have a long way to go but I know I can do it.  Slowly but surely. 

Never leave a 3 year old unsupervised

Here are a couple of pictures from a couple of weeks ago when I was innocently sitting in the family room folding laundry while Michael was supposed to be in the living room watching a DVD.  I decided to go check on him and as soon as I rounded the corner and saw the bathroom light on I knew there was gonna be trouble.  Upon entering the bathroom the first thing I notice is that the water is on, no one is in there but the water is on.  (so much for water conservation) The next thing I notice is my mascara & foundation all over the counter, sink & my purse.  I go out to the living room to tell Michael to come clean it up and this is what I see.

                                                Maybe he wants to be a football player?

                                        Maybe I can blackmail him when he's a teenager!  LOL


I couldn't resist taking pictures.  He's been really full of piss & vinegar lately.  About 3 weeks ago I took a late shower and when I got out the mop was in the hallway, I go to put it away and hear the water running in the kitchen, so I go out there and Michael has grabbed a chair & pushed it up to the sink & he's filling my mop bucket with water.  I asked him what he was doing and he says "I gotta mop"  Can't leave him alone for a second!  One last story-a couple of weeks ago we go to Wal-Mart and as we're walking in apparently Michael broke wind.  Being a boy he always has to announce it but he said "You farted!"  instead of  "I farted" and a woman at the deli burst into laughter.  I wanted to die!  Gotta love him.  : )

Easter

We had Easter dinner at our house this year. It was crowded and a little chaotic but it was fun.  We had 24 people here although there were only 20 by the time we ate dinner.  I didn't get a chance to get many pictures because I was too busy running around but I'll post the few I took.  Michael looked so handsome in his Easter suit!

                                                         Michael with his Easter basket

                                                                     The whole outfit

           The only picture I got of the kids hunting eggs and it's only the back of Ashlynn & Rojelio's heads!

Lent is over and I made it!  My Dad brought me a chocolate Easter bunny and my cousin brought me a little basket of chocolate.  How sweet huh?  I hope everybody had a wonderful Easter.