Autism is very near and dear to my heart. Some of you already know my five year old son Tristan was given the diagnosis of PDD-NOS right after his third birthday. Even before the autism diagnosis we went through many hurdles medically and physically. My son’s diagnosis does not define him or who he is as…
A is for April and Autism – Just Say It Already! Oh, and Awareness
When I heard Amee planned to dedicate a series of posts to autism awareness throughout the month of April, I thought it was a great idea. In America, April is National Autism Awareness Month, and April 2nd is designated as World Autism Awareness Day. With the apparent increase of this condition in America to a…
Shaving Cream Bathtub Painting Leads to No Mess Fun
A few weeks ago I was on this awesome sight called Pinterest, of which you likely have already heard about unless you live under a shamrock. I happened to see a “pin” from Having Fun At Home. The mother on the blog used a mixture of shaving cream and food coloring as paint for her…
THAT Screaming Child Is NOT Beaten!
I am not a confrontational person by nature, but today a guy is lucky to be left standing. My son Tristan who has autism is noise sensitive, and he cannot tolerate the cries of his new baby sister Ayla. Anytime she makes a sound, he has a complete meltdown. He has a sensory overload with many sounds,…
My Son with Autism Can Read A Book!
A couple of nights ago before dinner, my five year old son Tristan asked me to read a Bob Book from his ABA therapy box. I was tired and in a hurry, but sat down on our tan cushioned folding chair in the therapy room, and I told him to read the book to me instead. …
A Glutton for Punishment
Do you ever bite off more than you can chew? I tend to do this a lot in my life. I guess I am a glutton for punishment. I pride myself on being an individual who can do it all and without help. This is a downfall of mine at times, but I love the…
Cosleeping with a Regular Crib
Cosleeping is a perfect option for a mother who wants to keep their new baby close to them. I coslept with my two older children until they were nearly a year old. Even now they often end up in our bed at some point during the night. I currently cosleep with my new born baby girl, but before her…
The Game of Consistency
Do you ever have days as a parent where around every corner is another mess to greet you? Does even a simple meal at the dinner table turn into a battle of wills? Parenting is one of the most rewarding jobs I have ever done, but it is also the most difficult. One aspect of parenting…
Who Needs A Dog When Kids Do The Trick?
While I was in veterinary school at Michigan State University, I owned a dog. She was no ordinary dog, but the most intelligent dog I ever owned. I named her Brenna, and she was a Black Labrador Retriever I purchased as a puppy from a local breeder who raised bird dogs. When I picked her…
The Inspiration of Tristan
This past summer, I wrote an inspiration I had about Tristan. I received much positive feedback from it, and so I re-post it here in my blog in edited form to share with those who have not read it. June 5, 2011 – Friday night as I walked with my family on the boardwalk, I…