Happy New Year!!

I haven't written for a while.  (It seems like I start ALL of my blogs that way now.) But, things have been CRAZY.  Spence and I had an emotional few days after my last blog post saying goodbye to some truly incredible people in Georgia.  Then we packed up the apartment and with the help of my husband moved back home one week before Christmas.  So, I am trying to unpack, shop (which didn't happen), spend time with the family I haven't seen in months, reorganize items that were misplaced when the entire house was painted...oh and not lose my mind! 

It is now January 3 and I am finally getting a moment to breathe.  Here is a brief overview of what is going on these days:

On one of my first days back, I called the school system to inquire about registration for Spencer.  I was transferred three times and finally was told that I needed to go to the school to get a packet.  I then called the school and was told to pick up a registration packet and then I could return it on the first day of school (January 9).  No problem.  Right?  Wrong.  While I am there, the secretary tells me that I need to contact special education services on January 6 to ensure that Spence will be able to attend the district school, as they are at their capacity in the special ed room and a new teacher would need to be assigned if there are no students leaving.  Oh, and the office may not even be open on the 6th.  I may need to wait until the 9th to find out.  For those of you who are unaware of this, public schools in Jefferson Parish wear uniforms.  So, I can't even buy his uniforms since I don't know where he will be going to school.  I really should be freaking out around now, but I'm not.

I still haven't completely unpacked, there are boxes everywhere.  I need to take down my Christmas decorations and put up my Mardi Gras ones.  Despite my best efforts, I still have not caught up on the laundry.  And you know what, I don't care.  I am so happy to be home and my boys are so happy that Spence and I are home that no one even mentions the clutter.  Of course, once the kids are back in school (Pey starts tomorrow), I plan on having everything completed.  

You would think that resolutions would be the furthest thing from my mind.  But, instead they are at the forefront of my mind.  Instead of the usual: lose weight, become more organized and  take more control of Spencer's recovery, I have decided to make one blanket resolution for the family- We are adopting a healthier lifestyle.  While Spencer and I were on track in Georgia, I would often cheat when I was stressed out.  Fast food is bad.  Fast food several days in a row is worse.  Fast food scarfed down in the car between appointments is horrendous.  My new mantra is moderation.  Easy to say when I live in the mecca of excess.  I am also relinquishing some control of Spencer's recovery and getting the entire family involved.  Everyone will have a stake and enjoy the rewards and the milestones we reach.  And we will continue to reach milestones.  

Going back to nola, back to nola, back to nola.

Yep, LL Cool J would be proud of me.  I keep singing that line over and over in my head.  Well, here is the last blog post for a while.  I will moving home in the next couple of days, and then I will need to unpack all of this stuff.  And finish Christmas shopping.  And cooking for Christmas. And...

Okay, I need to breathe.  Here is the latest update on the Spencer man.  I think he has some idea that we are leaving, with all of the boxes around and everyone talking about it.  He was in the strangest mood on Wednesday.  On the way to school, he would break down crying for no apparent reason.  Then he would be fine, then he would cry again.  So bizarre! When I went to school for his Christmas party, he had the worst meltdown since the last time I showed up.   He broke down during his Brain Balance session and when he came out, his little eyes were bloodshot.  Poor baby!  

Today was the last day of school. When I entered to pick Spencer up, he was as calm as can be.  He gave all of his teachers kisses and hugs.  I'm still not sure if he understands that he is not going back there in January.  It has so hard for me these last few days saying goodbye to such wonderful people (both at school and Brain Balance) who have watched my son grow and change before their eyes.  It has been a remarkable experience and I will treasure forever the memories and the friends that I have made here.

Merry Christmas everyone!  Hope you get to spend some quality time with your family, I'm looking forward to spending time with mine!!

Loading up the guilt

As you may have noticed, there has not yet been a guest blog.  I have hinted, asked, cajoled and still no guest blog.  I could nag, but that is not my style.  I guess, in my husband's defense, it can be a little intimidating to write the first blog.  What do I write about?  How do I make it interesting?  What if no one 'gets' me?  I know, I've been there.  But the key is this- write it for yourself.  I don't care how many folks click on my link, just that WE have the record of our adventures.  I would love to be able to look back on this past year and get HIS perspective on how it has been to be the single parent of the almost teenager while I have been away with the younger one.  (Do you think I guilted him enough?)  And, honey, if you are still in need of a topic- this title should get you started: "My wife is totally awesome".  ;)

Back on topic.  This past Friday, Spencer received a TROPHY (paper cut out that sticks to the wall at BB) for his work.  AWESOME!  And just today, I got Spence's last report from this session.  And, yes, the usual adjectives apply: awesome, wonderful, great, fantastic.  The biggest jump was in gait.  He went from Pre Brain Balance level 5 (out of 6) to Brain Balance level 6 in FOUR WEEKS!!!!  We are really getting some cross communication happening and it is so exciting!  Spence is getting a bike for Christmas,  and I can't wait for us to be outside teaching him to ride!  Just like other people.  He is still saying 'okay' and 'cookie' and he will say 'toy' if you keep him from having it until he speaks.  Patience is the key.  He will wait you out and try to wear you down.  But, we are so anxious to hear the words that he won't be able to pull that stunt for long.

One story I forgot to relay about our week home for Thanksgiving was the roll incident.  My husband had bought these sandwich rolls for us. (regular- not gluten free)  Spencer was OBSESSED with these rolls.  He would drag them out of the pantry and we would substitute his rolls on his plate.  Well, he got a hold of them while no one was around.  Later, I was throwing some trash out and noticed the bag of rolls in the trash.  I pulled them out.  Then I saw one lonely roll with one bite taken out of it.  Since my husband had been working and Peyton had been outside with friends, the only suspects were Spencer and I.  I knew that I didn't do it, so I surmised that Spence had taken one bite of the roll and thrown it away.  Then the whole bag followed.  I'm glad that he wasn't happy with the regular gluten roll.  We dodged a bullet on that one!!  Guess I should go back to packing- moving day is fast approaching!!

All I want for Christmas...

Yep, Spence lost his other front tooth just yesterday.  Truth be told, it was not ready to come out yet.  Once his teeth get a little wiggly, he releases them from the confines of his gums.  (which is a nice way to say he digs them out- ewwww)  He woke up at 2:30 yesterday morning and I am thinking that the tooth must have really been bothering him.  He got it out at school and was in a MUCH better mood when I picked him up.  At Brain Balance, he was giggling and happy.  After performing oral surgery on himself without the benefit of anesthesia!  What a tough little cookie!  Ive been trying to get a picture of him, but he is still getting giggle fits and won't sit still, so they are all blurry.

I've been trying to pack and get rid of things, to no avail.  I got rid of some junk today, and packed a couple of boxes.  Spencer went digging through both boxes when he got home.  Now, I need to repack them tomorrow.  Guess I need to put them in a corner when I am done with them.  

On a really good note, I have Spencer sleeping in his own room, by himself.  I hope this transfers to home!  I could really get used to not getting kicked and pushed while I am sleeping.  Still so much to do to prepare for going home and Spence is really no help at all! So, I need to go finish with dinner and get some more packing done, or should I say 'repacking'.  Oh well!

Empty handed

I got nothing. In a way, that's a good thing.  Spence has been plugging along so well and with the upcoming holidays, our move back to New Orleans, trying to sell excess furniture, etc., I am at a loss.  As usual, I have only myself to blame for the long to do list that I have.  I cannot wait to be back in my house for Christmas.  Pey and I already decorated, so it will be mighty festive for our return.  

I know that in times like this, when I am crazy busy, the blog is the first thing to slip. I've been trying to get hubby or Pey to guest blog (hint, hint, guys!!) so a different perspective can be represented.  (Not to mention, I would get a little break!) 

Whenever I do a blog that encompasses a week or more, there are undoubtedly things I will miss.  So, here are some of the tidbits that I'd forgotten to include in my previous blog:

When I was packing up Sunday morning for our return to Georgia, I motioned to Spencer's play area, where he had strewn toys all over the place and said, "This is all gonna need to be packed up."  Next thing I know the kid is taking one toy at a time, dancing with it, making it fly, and then landing in the box.  He packed two boxes full.  Great, but we only came home with one box of toys.  So, Mommy had to do a little repacking to ensure that we didn't take too much back.

Just Wednesday at school, Spencer was swinging (they have a swing in the classroom that hangs from the ceiling).  He accidentally knocked over the teacher's bag.  He got off the swing, picked up her bag and then moved it closer to her desk so he wouldn't knock it again.  THIS IS HUGE!!  He was aware of his surroundings and realized that he had to move the bag or else he would hit it again.  

Spence has been super loving to his teachers at school.  I am pretty sure that he knows that his time with them is limited.  I know we all will have some adjustments to make, but I think we are all ready for us to be together!!!

The post-Thanksgiving wrap up.

Overall, we had a fabulous time this past week.  I just love watching my boys hugging each other and playing together.  I also noticed Spence following Pey around a lot more than ever before.  It was such a a sweet sight to behold.  The weather was amazing, so Spencer got to go in the hot tub or pool almost every day.  That is his favorite activity with his Daddy!  I spent Black Friday sleeping late, putting up the Christmas tree and decorating the house for Christmas.  Pey helped while Daddy worked and Spence entertained himself with bubble wrap.  I've missed those guys so much!  Yesterday, we drove back to PTC.  The weather was horrible, the traffic unbelievable, the child amazingly well behaved.  Only a few weeks to go before we are home for good.  

I have deliberately left off talking about Thanksgiving Day.  In order to appreciate the present, you must revisit the past.  So, this is what Thanksgiving USED to look like:

• It was a chore to get Spencer dressed and leave the house.  He would freak out once we got to my mother's house and it would be another battle before we could get him in the house.  Before we even entered, my husband and I would be spent.  Not knowing why he is getting upset makes it impossible to make him happy.
• Spence would be all over the place, like a one man fragile-item seeking missile. 
• Spencer didn't notice or care who else came to dinner.
• When Spencer was ready to leave, the little dictator would demand that we go.  First he would bring me my purse.  Then, if we didn't get the hint, he would start leading us to the door.  If we still demanded that we stay a little longer, he would go into full blown melt down mode, becoming self-injurious. He would have to be physically restrained and then we would have to go.
• We normally stayed at my mom's for an hour- maybe an hour and a half.

Now, for what it was like this year:

• We told Spence that it was time to go "bye-bye" and he willingly got dressed and went outside. 
• He was calm.  He did venture from room to room and redecorated my mother's living room. But, grandma didn't mind one bit!! He even played the piano in the living room.  SOFTLY, not banging the keys.
• He made eye contact when my aunt, uncle or cousins would say his name.  He even played a little game of keep away with my cousin.
• Spencer didn't want to leave until the other family members left.
• We stayed at my mom's house for four hours!!
• Other family members remarked on the change in Spencer in the past year.  It is nice when others notice the change in your child.

When we got back to the Georgia apartment last night, Spencer got out of the car and cried.  I guess he is ready to be home, too.

"I am thankful for all those who said NO to me.  It's because of them I did it myself."  Einstein

And since it is Monday- GO SAINTS!!!!!  You didn't think I forgot? ;)

In the spirit of Thanksgiving

Thank you to all that read my blog.  My original intention was for the blog to be kind of a personal accounting of our adventures and a way for me to track the process.  I opened it up to some close friends and then- WOW!  Some of them linked their blogs to mine and in a year I got over 5,000 page visits.  Which in the scheme of things is pretty remarkable.  Up until last week, my blog was 'private', meaning that you could not locate it via search engine and it was never listed on blogger as a recommended blog. But, after Brain Balance corporate put a link to my blog on their website, I realized others interested in the program might be interested in what I have to say.  So, now I'm in the 'public' arena.

I must say that the response to my blog has been incredible.  While few people leave comments here, I am touched when people mention to me that they enjoy reading my blog.  Still others post to my Facebook page and/or send me emails.  To be honest, I never thought so many people would be interested.  I must confess that during the early part of the year, I lost a Facebook friend who felt the need to tell me that she was 'unfriending' me because she was tired of hearing about my son with autism.  And it made me wonder if I was boring the heck out of everyone.  That feeling didn't last long, though.  I came to the realization that it was her problem, not mine.

One lesson I have learned from my son is not to give much credence to the opinion of others.  I am me and I will not change to fit into your mold of what you think I should be.  Spencer has also taught me patience.  Lots and lots of patience.  I've really had no choice.  His progress has been directly related to my ability to give him time.  While we will be moving back home in time for Christmas, I will continue to blog.  My last blog contains a video that Spencer's teachers were kind enough to capture for me as an early Thanksgiving present.  By the way, Kelly & Biz, I am expecting a video as my Christmas present. ;)  Hint Hint:  I'd love to hear him say, "Mommy"  (Don't worry, I'm not holding my breath.  Chances are he will call me 'Gigi' like his brother.)