Gluten free we shall be!!

Never in my son's little life has he spoke and added words to his vocab at the alarming rate of 10 a day like he has the last two days. I read several books the last few weeks bowing down to the Gluten free world of food for Autistic children. They swore up and down how with in a few days or weeks their child was speaking and behaving so much more appropriately. Well after an epic tummy ache and a melt down, due to ingesting gluten some screaming and crying we rushed to the grocery store to stock up on some Joey safe foods. He took a probiotics for children and ate some food, he turned from a demon child to a little angel. No screaming no crying no tummy ache. We had eye contact, words, focus, he was playing with his toys in the "correct" way and he was so loving to his Mommy and Daddy. 

I became a believer. I have made a vow to God to do whatever it takes to prevent him from ever eating gluten again. For the first time in about 6 months Joey said Mom. He didn't just say it once he said it 3 or 4 times in a row, a good ole' MOM MOM MOM!! I instantly started crying tears of sheer joy! He's has become a whole new person. It's like he was trapped inside his own little world lost and looking for help. He is starting to enter our world. 

To date he has said, yum, mom, dad, no, stop, yes, food, fuck(not great by he did use his words lol), up, down, hot and on. Were sure we missed a word or two because we can't keep up! It is a grace from God at this moment in time. We are continuing to work with him on his signing, but in realty he is getting the talking faster anyway. 

I know things will be different for Joey, no cookies from Grandma, no happy meals, and he may have a hard time with not eating school lunches like the other kids, but I know its all for the better. I am so proud and excited, but now I must start getting together more GF recipes! 

Happy 2nd Birthday Joseph!

It brings big soppy wet tears to my mascara smeared eyes on this beautiful September morning to celebrate my son's second birthday! I am as happy and joyful as any mother should be! We modified our celebration plans this year to accommodate Joey's autism, sensory overload is easy with tons of cake and ice cream and people and presents, my goal as his Mom, his only voice for now, is to make sure he has the best birthday possible. We went up to Camp-run-a-muk yesterday. It was fantastic to see the whole family! It was Joey's Great Grandma's 70th Birthday party! Joey played at the park with Ray Ray for over 2 and half hours. It was so amazing to see him playing with another child. He did however starting climbing the stairs and going down the slide by himself after about 20 minutes. He continued to do that the rest of the time. We had to do the usual drive him around to get him to nap, but were used to that by now. He didn't eat a whole lot which is pretty normal when hes in a new place and playing so much. We decided to have Ray Ray come back with us to have a slumber party! We drove back around 6:30 got home around 7:30. The kids were so cute sitting at the little table eating their dinner. After, we had a crazy wet bath time. Followed by snuggle time on the love seat watching Lion King. They ate little cups of chocolate pudding. That required a t-shirt change for Joey. I got both of them to sleep by 10 pm, a large feet in its own.

This morning Joey was up first at about 8. I made maple sausage, red home fries, and scrambled eggs. Joey ate sausage. Ray and Joey are all dressed and ready to go. We're headed to the Supermall to go to the jump jump. It's a place that has the big air filled jumpy's and slides. I have wanted to take Joey for some time but they have a age limit of 2 and older. So today is that day! Then I'm going to come home and make him a coconut cream pudding cake. We have to meet up with Ray Ray's Mom later in the afternoon. Overall, I'm hoping this is a great birthday for Joey.

As we embark on another year in the world of Autism I continue to pray that God sticks with us. We are going to face challenges together as a family, I know with Nick by my side, the help of the therapy team, and our amazing nanny were going to make it with flying colors on to 3 years old! 

   

Support Team

Best Friend-Thoughtful-Kind-Experienced-Emotional-Strong-Unique-Dedicated-Hard working-Motivational-Honest-Loving

These are just some of the words I am using to describe my Mother. Everyone always says they have the worlds best Mom, and to them they probably do. But I know in my heart my Mom tops them all. 

It has taken many years for me to get to this point of bonding with my Mom. Some things just take time. There was a point when I was a teen where I hated and disrespected my parents so much. I look back now and think about how much time I wasted being angry. My childhood definietly left some bumps and bruises, as an adult I know everyone will say that to be true about their own, but back then I was mad. At about 18 years old, I had a deep conversation with my Dad. It was open and free flowing, neither of us was holding back in the honesty department. I was able to ask those questions about my childhood that I have never asked. The answers I got changed my perception of the events that had occurred. It left room for me to let go of the anger and to accept things as they really were. I felt so accomplished and relieved I decided to have a similar conversation with my Mom. My parents were honest with me. Honesty is always the best policy. 

Now I'm 24 years old, I lived a lot of life in my short years, especially as an adult. I look to my Mother for the most significant friendship. We talk to each other on a daily basis, sometimes 3 or 4 times. I can always ask her for advise and guidance, knowing she will be kind and warm, with just enough of a sour pickle sarcasm to spice it up. She and I are very alike when it comes to how we view the world, in a very optimistic light. We always have a good laugh and a tear when needed. If I call she always answers. 

I never dreamed that my relationship with my Mother would be as strong as it is today. In this time of hardship and unknown she is standing by my side to motivate me to be the best Wife, Mother, and friend that I possibly can. I thank her for everything she has done for me, whether it was her parental commitments, or those by choice as a friend. She will always be the first person I call, good, bad or indifferent. 

I love you me-ha!