3D Ultrasound Reveals My Baby is Nosferatu

OMG look at those fingers!

3D Ultrasound Reveals My Baby is Nosferatu

OMG look at those fingers!

Bowling Champions of a Sort

I'm sort of torn when maybe I should be happy. But it's a lot to take in, BOTH of your twins being autistic. The odds of it are actually quite low - so you know, we got dealt a rather unfair hand when it all comes down to it.

You do get used to things, the short bus for instance. It's the stuff of jokes and ridicule - the kids and friends who are not YOURS ride the short bus. Because they're stupid right?

No, not really. They are unable to function as you do. But it's not nearly as funny that way, I know. But we're rather accustomed to the short bus. And the things that come with Special Education - the things that no parent ever actually wants to know anything about, given their druthers.

But, when the forms came home - the permission slips for them to participate in the Special Olympics - it nearly broke us. Who WANTS that? Who WANTS their children in the damn Special Olympics? I don't. I suppose if I were a better person I'd suck it up and smile but if you want honesty - then no.

I don't want them in it.

Too late.

And despite my heartbreak over the situation - the stigma which SHOULD NOT exist yet does....when their teacher told me that my Baby Birth of Cool LOVES to bowl - and she just beamed when she said it, I knew I couldn't actually deny them this.

There is part of your pride that says NO! NOT MY CHILDREN! And then there is the reality check when they skip down the driveway to get on that little short bus, and they get strapped in - for their own safety - and you realize yeah - My Children.

My children were in the Special Olympics. And despite being heartbroken .....

.....I am so so proud of them.

Bowling Champions of a Sort

I'm sort of torn when maybe I should be happy. But it's a lot to take in, BOTH of your twins being autistic. The odds of it are actually quite low - so you know, we got dealt a rather unfair hand when it all comes down to it.

You do get used to things, the short bus for instance. It's the stuff of jokes and ridicule - the kids and friends who are not YOURS ride the short bus. Because they're stupid right?

No, not really. They are unable to function as you do. But it's not nearly as funny that way, I know. But we're rather accustomed to the short bus. And the things that come with Special Education - the things that no parent ever actually wants to know anything about, given their druthers.

But, when the forms came home - the permission slips for them to participate in the Special Olympics - it nearly broke us. Who WANTS that? Who WANTS their children in the damn Special Olympics? I don't. I suppose if I were a better person I'd suck it up and smile but if you want honesty - then no.

I don't want them in it.

Too late.

And despite my heartbreak over the situation - the stigma which SHOULD NOT exist yet does....when their teacher told me that my Baby Birth of Cool LOVES to bowl - and she just beamed when she said it, I knew I couldn't actually deny them this.

There is part of your pride that says NO! NOT MY CHILDREN! And then there is the reality check when they skip down the driveway to get on that little short bus, and they get strapped in - for their own safety - and you realize yeah - My Children.

My children were in the Special Olympics. And despite being heartbroken .....

.....I am so so proud of them.

The Karate Connection

My oldest boy and I are zipping along the winding, hilly road on the way to his school the other day when he asks:

"Mom, babies don't know karate do they?"

I pause - then respond,"Umm, no. No they don't."

He smiles,"Then you can make them do whatever you want, can't you?"

Me,"Yes. Yes you can."

Because it's the lack of KARATE that's holding them back.

The Karate Connection

My oldest boy and I are zipping along the winding, hilly road on the way to his school the other day when he asks:

"Mom, babies don't know karate do they?"

I pause - then respond,"Umm, no. No they don't."

He smiles,"Then you can make them do whatever you want, can't you?"

Me,"Yes. Yes you can."

Because it's the lack of KARATE that's holding them back.

What Is Wrong With Your Underwear?

I've never been one of those hippie, let's all be naked and sing kum-bah-yah parents. But I do think it's important not to make being naked a big deal. I don't ever want my kids to think being naked is "dirty" or "bad". So consequently, while we don't PRANCE naked,my kids have always been welcome in the bathroom with me - ok that part is getting old seven years later, and while I'm changing or showering etc etc etc etc etc.

I just don't care.

Obviously the oldest boy is getting "older" and so, I'm trying to temper it a bit. I'm not making a BIG deal out of it - but we're kind of getting to an age where it's not going to be completely appropriate.

My proof of this are the two recent comments we had about my underwear. The first time,I was changing into comfy pants after work - and he comes up to tell me something random about STAR WARS and says "Ummmm, MOM - WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOUR UNDERWEAR?"

I look down (I could still see my underwear then) and said "Nothing."

He rolls his eyes and says "It's got HOLES IN IT!"

I look again, and explain "Sweetie those aren't holes - it's lace. I'm wearing lace underwear."

More eye rolls as he declares ,"Mom, I can see your BUTT! It's SEE THROUGH! Who would want to see your BUTT?"

Then - the thunderbolt about those talks about WHERE BABIES COME FROM and they WHY of Why he can't ALWAYS sleep with Mommy and Daddy hit him from above. You could SEE it on his face and he gives a disgusted grin,"OH! I know! DADDY!"

Ahem. Yes. Daddy.

Two days ago, again, I'm changing clothes and he's upstairs in my bedroom talking to me about something and he says "WOW Mommy you're so big your underwear is stuck in your butt!"

Ummm, no. I was wearing a thong.

He laughs at me when I explain what I am wearing - announcing that "It looks kinda silly your butt hangs out." And he then runs OFF laughing at my butt.

Yeah.........I am going to need some privacy when changing from now on. I don't even want to know what he'll think of my giant maternity underwear.

Yes, that's my ass. SUUUUUUUUUUUUUUURE it is!

What Is Wrong With Your Underwear?

I've never been one of those hippie, let's all be naked and sing kum-bah-yah parents. But I do think it's important not to make being naked a big deal. I don't ever want my kids to think being naked is "dirty" or "bad". So consequently, while we don't PRANCE naked,my kids have always been welcome in the bathroom with me - ok that part is getting old seven years later, and while I'm changing or showering etc etc etc etc etc.

I just don't care.

Obviously the oldest boy is getting "older" and so, I'm trying to temper it a bit. I'm not making a BIG deal out of it - but we're kind of getting to an age where it's not going to be completely appropriate.

My proof of this are the two recent comments we had about my underwear. The first time,I was changing into comfy pants after work - and he comes up to tell me something random about STAR WARS and says "Ummmm, MOM - WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOUR UNDERWEAR?"

I look down (I could still see my underwear then) and said "Nothing."

He rolls his eyes and says "It's got HOLES IN IT!"

I look again, and explain "Sweetie those aren't holes - it's lace. I'm wearing lace underwear."

More eye rolls as he declares ,"Mom, I can see your BUTT! It's SEE THROUGH! Who would want to see your BUTT?"

Then - the thunderbolt about those talks about WHERE BABIES COME FROM and they WHY of Why he can't ALWAYS sleep with Mommy and Daddy hit him from above. You could SEE it on his face and he gives a disgusted grin,"OH! I know! DADDY!"

Ahem. Yes. Daddy.

Two days ago, again, I'm changing clothes and he's upstairs in my bedroom talking to me about something and he says "WOW Mommy you're so big your underwear is stuck in your butt!"

Ummm, no. I was wearing a thong.

He laughs at me when I explain what I am wearing - announcing that "It looks kinda silly your butt hangs out." And he then runs OFF laughing at my butt.

Yeah.........I am going to need some privacy when changing from now on. I don't even want to know what he'll think of my giant maternity underwear.

Yes, that's my ass. SUUUUUUUUUUUUUUURE it is!

Where Ya Been?

Well, there was snow.

And having been gone from Indiana where the snow is deep I'm afraid that I'm not that adept at adjusting to the freezing cold and inconvenience of WEATHER. I've had to scrape my windows of my car every morning the past few mornings,and I'm quite BITTER about it. QUITE EFFING BITTER.

I live in the SOUTH dammit. Where is my genteel southern lifestyle?
Suddenly I'm outside identifying tracks in the snow.....this is neither genteel nor southern.

We've been out and about and busy, despite the weather. We caught the DaVinci exhibit down at the HIGH MUSEUM OF ART downtown and no, I couldn't take any cool pictures lest I damage the integrity of the brilliant art we were seeing. DaVinci can make your head spin.




The boy wanted to stand there, because he wanted to make sure everyone could see the horses junk. See that grin? He thinks he's being hilarious. I sort of thought he was too. This is a reproduction (I hope) of the Sforza horse that DaVinci created. I believe the original is in Milan.

We also went to one of our favorite Atlanta Museums lately, the Booth Museum of Western Art (lovingly known as the COWBOY MUSEUM) where they got in some Warhols recently that were quite festive.

The kids love it because there is a super cool western themed play area in the basement.

And now I think all I can say for today is .........GO COLTS!

Where Ya Been?

Well, there was snow.

And having been gone from Indiana where the snow is deep I'm afraid that I'm not that adept at adjusting to the freezing cold and inconvenience of WEATHER. I've had to scrape my windows of my car every morning the past few mornings,and I'm quite BITTER about it. QUITE EFFING BITTER.

I live in the SOUTH dammit. Where is my genteel southern lifestyle?
Suddenly I'm outside identifying tracks in the snow.....this is neither genteel nor southern.

We've been out and about and busy, despite the weather. We caught the DaVinci exhibit down at the HIGH MUSEUM OF ART downtown and no, I couldn't take any cool pictures lest I damage the integrity of the brilliant art we were seeing. DaVinci can make your head spin.




The boy wanted to stand there, because he wanted to make sure everyone could see the horses junk. See that grin? He thinks he's being hilarious. I sort of thought he was too. This is a reproduction (I hope) of the Sforza horse that DaVinci created. I believe the original is in Milan.

We also went to one of our favorite Atlanta Museums lately, the Booth Museum of Western Art (lovingly known as the COWBOY MUSEUM) where they got in some Warhols recently that were quite festive.

The kids love it because there is a super cool western themed play area in the basement.

And now I think all I can say for today is .........GO COLTS!

Saturday Snuggle Bunnies

Every weekend morning I hear the sound of little feet padding down the hall. They go to the restroom and then come skipping into my room - topped off with a grin that could light up the darkest night.
It's the 7 year old. He's come for snuggles.
This has been our tradition for as long as he hasn't been sleeping in my bed. He snuggles back into his old spot and we kiss and cuddle, and whisper I love yous under the blankets until one or both of us falls asleep.
Sometimes, like this morning, I like to watch him drift off....watch his baby face reappear in sleep.
He looks so much like his baby self in those moments somtimes, sometimes I want to cry.
He's so big now, I have to remind him not to knee me in the tummy, adjust him off my arm as it starts to tingle under his weight. Sometimes I get so hot - he's a little fireball- but I still hold him close.
Someday he won't want to do this and I can never get these minutes back. Not ever.

I tell him that sometimes, that some day he'll be too big and won't want to cuddle with his Mommy in the mornings. He always buries his face against me and says the same thing. "I always will Mommy."

I only wish that were true.

Saturday Snuggle Bunnies

Every weekend morning I hear the sound of little feet padding down the hall. They go to the restroom and then come skipping into my room - topped off with a grin that could light up the darkest night.
It's the 7 year old. He's come for snuggles.
This has been our tradition for as long as he hasn't been sleeping in my bed. He snuggles back into his old spot and we kiss and cuddle, and whisper I love yous under the blankets until one or both of us falls asleep.
Sometimes, like this morning, I like to watch him drift off....watch his baby face reappear in sleep.
He looks so much like his baby self in those moments somtimes, sometimes I want to cry.
He's so big now, I have to remind him not to knee me in the tummy, adjust him off my arm as it starts to tingle under his weight. Sometimes I get so hot - he's a little fireball- but I still hold him close.
Someday he won't want to do this and I can never get these minutes back. Not ever.

I tell him that sometimes, that some day he'll be too big and won't want to cuddle with his Mommy in the mornings. He always buries his face against me and says the same thing. "I always will Mommy."

I only wish that were true.

Armageddon Comes to Atlanta

In the form of ice and snow that is.
Yes, we're getting ice. And SNOW.
Later. We all know it's coming.

Let the race for bread and milk commence. We actually NEED bread and milk, so that seems a little unfair as my family IS out and yours is probably just hoarding - seems that we might deserve to go to the front of the line on that one.

The real problem, before all ye northerners (of which I am one,I remind ye) start giggling and scoffing is not the 1 to 2 inches of snow and some ice.

It's the hills. The amazing lack of FLAT landscape we have here - plus add in our lack of snow removal equipment. Gang plowing? They've never heard of it. I've never SEEN a snowplow on a DOT truck here. I have no reason to believe they have them.

So we'll wait........and watch.

Should be interesting if it even comes CLOSE to being accurate!

Armageddon Comes to Atlanta

In the form of ice and snow that is.
Yes, we're getting ice. And SNOW.
Later. We all know it's coming.

Let the race for bread and milk commence. We actually NEED bread and milk, so that seems a little unfair as my family IS out and yours is probably just hoarding - seems that we might deserve to go to the front of the line on that one.

The real problem, before all ye northerners (of which I am one,I remind ye) start giggling and scoffing is not the 1 to 2 inches of snow and some ice.

It's the hills. The amazing lack of FLAT landscape we have here - plus add in our lack of snow removal equipment. Gang plowing? They've never heard of it. I've never SEEN a snowplow on a DOT truck here. I have no reason to believe they have them.

So we'll wait........and watch.

Should be interesting if it even comes CLOSE to being accurate!

Poo Harvest

So I've shared with you that we are trying to get our little boy into a special research study that will provide us with an experimental autism treatment.

What I didn't share was that in addition to the trip to North Carolina to be evaluated and interviewed......was that we had to supply a sample.

A sample divided into many tubes and envelopes and what not............

a sample - OF POOP.

A lot of poop.

Poop that had to be scooped with this very tiny thing which should have been like a shovel but was instead FORKED according to my sweet husband who actually collected poop from the pile and dispensed it into the little tubes.

My job was to take it to QUEST today - where I got the "Hi you are not a patient you are technically a courier so come to the back and let us show you how this works" tour. It was weird. You know those people who just WALK IN to places that you and I wait to be called into? I'm one of them at QUEST - at least I am if we get into the study.

You see the secret's in the poop. If he is missing certain enzymes that you and I have in our poops - well - he's in.

So cross your fingers that we have enzyme deficient poop.

Charlie needs it so much.

Look at those demon eyes. That can't be good.......

Poo Harvest

So I've shared with you that we are trying to get our little boy into a special research study that will provide us with an experimental autism treatment.

What I didn't share was that in addition to the trip to North Carolina to be evaluated and interviewed......was that we had to supply a sample.

A sample divided into many tubes and envelopes and what not............

a sample - OF POOP.

A lot of poop.

Poop that had to be scooped with this very tiny thing which should have been like a shovel but was instead FORKED according to my sweet husband who actually collected poop from the pile and dispensed it into the little tubes.

My job was to take it to QUEST today - where I got the "Hi you are not a patient you are technically a courier so come to the back and let us show you how this works" tour. It was weird. You know those people who just WALK IN to places that you and I wait to be called into? I'm one of them at QUEST - at least I am if we get into the study.

You see the secret's in the poop. If he is missing certain enzymes that you and I have in our poops - well - he's in.

So cross your fingers that we have enzyme deficient poop.

Charlie needs it so much.

Look at those demon eyes. That can't be good.......

Oh hey what is going on

on sesame street? am i the only one who sees this?

Oh hey what is going on

on sesame street? am i the only one who sees this?

Marshmallows a Plenty in The New Year

I have decided that the one thing Florida is sorely missing is roasting marshmallows.
I lived there for years and I never once saw anyone roast a marshmallow not even on the nights it got cold (yes sometimes even in Tampa it gets cold).
Even just as far north at Atlanta, people know that winter time means roasting marshmallows time.
We of northern origin, we like a good burned up piece of confection.

As a matter of fact, we like them so much that not only did we have some at our trip to see the Christmas Lights at Lake Lanier that we decided we had to have them for our New Year's Eve.
Cuz you know, we know how to party.

The oldest boy got cookbooks from his grandma and he was in charge of our feast for the evening - making English Muffin Pizzas for the family.

It was a kid friendly food festival and, according to the 7 year old - the best New Years Eve ever.

And so - 2010 begins. So far it's been nothing like the movie.

Marshmallows a Plenty in The New Year

I have decided that the one thing Florida is sorely missing is roasting marshmallows.
I lived there for years and I never once saw anyone roast a marshmallow not even on the nights it got cold (yes sometimes even in Tampa it gets cold).
Even just as far north at Atlanta, people know that winter time means roasting marshmallows time.
We of northern origin, we like a good burned up piece of confection.

As a matter of fact, we like them so much that not only did we have some at our trip to see the Christmas Lights at Lake Lanier that we decided we had to have them for our New Year's Eve.
Cuz you know, we know how to party.

The oldest boy got cookbooks from his grandma and he was in charge of our feast for the evening - making English Muffin Pizzas for the family.

It was a kid friendly food festival and, according to the 7 year old - the best New Years Eve ever.

And so - 2010 begins. So far it's been nothing like the movie.