Cheese Mist

Thane wanted to “cheese” the dog. It's all in the giggle.

Writing

“Writing is easier than imagining.” – Braeden

It's time I quoted the 9-year-old a bit!

Harrington

I tried posting this last night, but Blogger seems to quit whenever I upload a video. I keep ending up going through YouTube instead. This is from our first trip this year to the oceanfront property we purchased last winter. We had originally planned to build this summer, but we haven't decided yet what to put down there . . . though we have our first outdoor furniture as we left a picnic table in the woods near where the house lot is. The weather was supposed to clear up, but it didn't, so this is typical Maine on a foggy day!



P.S. I am posting this mostly for Scott, since he asked if I would blog photos.

Water

One of Thane’s goals as school has been to drink water – he usually refuses and insists on something with flavor, including soda (it’s diet soda, so I am not sure if that makes it worse or better than Britney Spears and all the talk about her children and their rotting teeth). Anyway, he drank water with his teachers watching and tears welling in their eyes. He asked how to drink it and was told just like you drink juice or anything else, “then you say `Mmmmm!” Well, he did Madison Avenue proud . . .

“So cold!”
“So delicious!”
“So water!”

It would be the perfect advertisement for bottled water!

Sleepy Lovey

You can't tell me that a child who falls asleep in his swing chair, with a cookie in his hand no less, isn't totally adorable. Isn't this the sweetest picture?

I wish I had brought in Thane's notebook from school. There was a really cool comment from his teacher. I got an email from Thane's case manager today which kind of irritated me, though it probably wasn't meant to. I think she and I are like oil and water. Thane's home developmental therapist was calling around about prices to go swimming and such with him and the case manager was saying it should be the job of a Sweetser case manager, not the DT. We don't have a Sweetser case manager because we don't have MaineCare, and I can't even apply for MaineCare under Katie Beckett until my 2006 taxes are complete. I personally think the DT and CDS need to gather more information about what is available out there for peer interaction if they are going say it is something that he needs!

Jenny McCarthy

OK, I have to admit I was very impressed with Jenny McCarthy on Oprah today. I didn’t expect to be.

When I first heard about her book Louder Than Words, I read some articles online about her thoughts on indigo moms and crystal children. My concern was that she would take something that has so clearly benefitted my child and make it seem like the lunatic fringe that I sometimes feel doctors and researchers consider parents who go down the gluten-free, casein-free road.

McCarthy drew in my total attention when she said a week after starting the diet, her son’s language doubled. That sounds just like Thane! We came at things a bit differently because we removed wheat and gluten based on a standard IgE allergy to wheat and concerns about celiac disease because of Thane’s bowel issues, malabsorption and “failure to thrive.” He’s also mildly allergic to milk and eggs, though his allergy to milk seems less significant than his issues with wheat/gluten and eggs.

She also said something along the lines of “my science is my son” because he is her proof that you can do things to help children recover from autism. She also was honest about it not working for all children with autism, and that she considers it an ongoing process. I’ve had some on the fence moments myself about the idea of fully recovering from autism. I’ve wondered what happens when Thane is older if he chooses not to respect the fact that his body doesn’t like gluten in particular. I’d like to think that the stomach upset it causes would be enough to stop him, but I am diabetic and it doesn’t always stop me from eating things I shouldn’t have. I’ve always felt that the key to his health and mental well-being will be life-long issues. So she won me over again.

I think she also helped give people some insight into different behaviors. I honestly never noticed Thane’s hand-flapping as anything negative. He does it most when he is really excited about a new place, such as going to the bowling alley for the first time. It’s actually rather cute because his excitement is so visible . . . until I realize that he is doing it to center himself – to help organize himself – and then I just wish it was easier for him to process information.

Holly Robinson-Peete mentioned that children with autism are often considered mentally retarded when in fact that may be quite bright. I am so thankful that our therapists see that in Thane because I think he could be easy to dismiss in certain situations. I do wish I had more information on how to teach him, though. His occupational therapist and I were talking about hyperlexia today and how to work with him on his reading skills. McCarthy said doctors need to listen to what the moms are saying . . . I’m glad that ours mostly seem to, as do our therapists. Using Thane’s fascination for letters and numbers really opened the door to getting him to even try to draw anything – you just need the write things to interest him the door swings open. When he’s accessible and interested, he learns incredibly well and very quickly.

Thane actually wanted to help me bake cookies today. I was fascinated that he wanted to help and was stirring up the batter for me. But here is where I need to change and learn to go with the flow. He wanted to smear the batter on the cookie sheet. I wanted to roll it in little balls and bake the cookies and get out of the kitchen. Obviously we had conflicting goals. Not only that, but my balls of dough really annoyed Thane – probably as much as his smears were bugging me. I should have switched to a pan cookie or let him smear and then thank him for his help and scrape it all up and make balls of dough after he went into another room. As it is, I forgot the vanilla so my cookies don’t exactly taste the way they should . . . but it is a big step. He wanted to cook. He wanted to help. He chose to come out and be with me in the kitchen instead of playing by himself.

There are lots of small victories are this road, and each one is a celebration!

There looks to be some discussion about Jenny McCarthy on Discussing Autism. The site is also having another Therapy Shoppe giveaway that looks pretty cool, it's for a spinning board.

Thane's Art

Thane has been doing a lot of art at school this week. I rather like the print and think I should put him to work making wrapping paper. I remember doing that with Braeden when he was little. I also can see the whale in the whale drawing. I have to say it is kind of fun getting back all this artwork. Most of what I got back from Montessori with Braeden was tracings from the metal insets.

Overalls Model

I was just playing with some pictures of Thane in his funky overalls. It is so hard to get a good picture of a moving child who actually doesn't really like having his picture taken, but I think he looks cute modeling his Wild Things, dragon, and Kipper overalls.

Tagged Again

Michelle tagged me and I am supposed to tell eight interesting things about myself. Ack!

1) I like to buy new digital cameras and never get rid of the old ones. I leave them in various rooms around the house because a bad picture is usually better than nothing.

2) Related to number one, I have taken several thousand pictures in the last month. Most of them are what I call memory pictures because they aren't too artistic or brilliant in any way.

3) I listen to Rush Limbaugh and Glenn Beck, which seems totally out of character, but they amuse me greatly.

4) I've actually gotten pretty decent at typing with my thumbs on my Blackberry, and wonder how I might do with an iPhone (and I would have been upset if I bought one before the $200 price cut!).

5) I'm too old to have children.

6) I have already begun crafting stuff for Christmas. I would love to have my shopping done, but with two kids that won't happen until my birthday, December 24th.

7) I have a ton of ribbons from agricultural fairs for canning -- including a best in show. They are all really dusty now!

8) Ugh, the last one is always the hardest . . . this will have to be really stupid I guess. I have started wearing Crocs, much to my friend Kim's dismay. Even worse, I have little tree frogs stuck in them. Thane likes my froggies.

I'm not really sure who I should tag since it hasn't been that long since I was tagged. Anyone who wants to self-tag can post a comment and a link here!

Therapy Shoppe

Discussing Autism is having a giveaway from the Therapy Shoppe. I've thought about getting a weighted lap pad for Thane as he uses one at circle at school. He uses a weighted blanket at night and loves it.

The boys both started school this week – Thane on Wednesday and Braeden is camping out at Tanglewood tonight with his classmates. I am hoping he brings home some photos for me. Next week begins the dreaded car pool. I actually drive the same kids every morning, so hopefully it will be easier than last year.

I'm underwhelmed by the newest teacher at Thane's school and need to get the nerve up to complain about what happened yesterday. She kept repeating that “the doors are only for teachers to open.” It seemed grating to me, as well as, well, er, stupid. Either Braeden or I were going to open the door to leave, and Thane doesn't label us as teachers (though obviously we all learn from each other). I didn't want to open the door because there was an adorable little girl standing beside the back door with us and she isn't mine. Instead of taking the child so we could leave, new teacher walked off and would have let us take her. This is not good! I asked Braeden to take her up to the front door with the head teacher. He is suck a cutie. He took her hand and chatted with her as he walked her to the door. I know the first day is always a challenge, but this bothered me. I am glad I am always there before they get out of the classroom.

Lines

Thane likes to line things up on the porch rail, mostly vehicles, but sometimes people and horses as well. I'm not sure anyone else will see the humor in this picture, but I like the way that Dave on his tractor blends into the line. We're getting closer to actually putting up the new swing set!

Rockin' Girl Blogger

I was awarded the Rockin' Girl Blogger Award by Kimberly. I have been trying to decide for a week or so now how to be humble yet announce that I got this shiny pink award! And even harder than that, is deciding who to pass it along to . . . I think I have decided to go with Dori and her photogenic daughter, Aviva. Dori has a cool blog, lots of fun photos, and right now there are even balloons flying around counting down to their next Disney trip for Aviva's upcoming birthday. Somehow this pretty pink award makes me think of Aviva, so I am hoping she will think it is really cool that her mom won a Rockin' Blogger Award.

Union Fair

Dave took the boys to the Union Fair today. Dave was clenching his teeth when he got home, but the only way to know how Thane can handle it this year is to go . . .


I only got seven pictures back from Dave, but I think this one Thane tickling Braeden on one of the rides is pretty cute.

Orange Spots?

At 2:30 this morning, Thane and I were having a conversation.

“Thane, are you okay?”

“Oh yes, Mama. I foine.”

“Can you go to sleep?”

“Oh, no, Mama . . . I don’t see . . . I don’t see . . . I don’t see . . .”

“What are you looking for?”

“I don’t see it. I don’t see. Orange spots.”

“You don’t see orange spots?”

“No, I don’t see. I don’t see orange spots on tummy.”

“Thaney, does your tummy hurt?” (Not uncommon with his allergies and intolerances)

“Yes, tummy hurt. I don’t see orange spots. Jammies.”

“Are your pajamas bothering you?” We have had to switch to L.L. Bean cotton footed pajamas as I can’t seem to find any other brand in a 4T, but they are very loose and he doesn’t like the change.

“No. I move. I move. Slide down. Slide down.”

“Lovey, it’s time for bed, will you please go to sleep.”

“Okay.”

He pulled his weighted blanket over his head and drifted off to sleep within a couple of minutes.

I, on the other hand, lay awake for about a half hour trying to figure out what on earth the orange spots were . . . and marveling at the fact that we’re having such conversations, even if I don’t fully get it!

9 + 3 =

We've been switching Thane over to Playmobil toys for his animals . . . made in Germany, no lead paint. I wanted to get some specific animals for Thane, and I also saw new Roman Gladiators, so I bought both boys some new stuff to play with during our two weeks of no camps and such.

Braeden took his soldiers out to the kitchen to set them up on the newly cleared counter and kitchen table (note to self, no wonder we never seem to have any clear flat surfaces, ever) while Thane and I turned the box over and played in the living room.

Braeden never puts anything away without nagging so he left a battle in progress on the breakfast bar . . . I wandered out to my office to fight with the nightmare that overcame my web site this week, and Dave was in the kitchen. Thane migrated out to the kitchen and added a bit of character to the layout.

Dave took this picture for me. Luckily both “pingaroos” have relocated their joeys, but the “cwocadawaddles” remained out in the living room. I love the addition of the duck from the Lucky Ducks game. Thane isn’t restricted by scale issues! Then on top of the siege tower – the photo didn’t come out – there are the soldiers Braeden placed, and then some little chicks, a bunny and a cat.

1, 2, “Elb”

I caught this goofy picture of Thane after he was signing and counting. It was kind of funny because the way numbers are signed ended up confusing him. Signing 1-2-3 should like this, a little different from how most of us count with our fingers:


But he made the finger switch too soon and tried to sign 2 as:


But that is the sign for the letter L. He was looking at his hand as he counted, so he ended up saying, “One, two, elb? One, two . . .”

Another Chuckle

Thane was sitting in his x-chair swing in the living room when I moved to the couch to get a good view out the window (waiting for Braeden to be dropped off -- someone actually gave me half a break today). Thane stood up and farted.

“What was zat? Di ya hear dat? Did you hear dat?” (He likes to correct himself these days.)

I said, “Yes, you farted. Now you're supposed to say `excuse me’.”

“No! Did you hear that? It was the sound of a poopy in trouble!”

Then he started grunting and pushing.

Anyone who watches “Go, Diego, Go!” may recognize the script adaptation . . . it just was a poopy in trouble instead of an “aminal.”

An OMOM friend asked what Diego might have in the Rescue Pack to help a poopy in trouble – maybe a laxative? Dave’s suggestion was that since Rescue Pack can convert into whatever is needed it could turn into a potty.

I’ve been meaning to mention the x-chair that took over the living room. We have learned that if others sit in it, they must expect to be sat upon because Thaney has taken total ownership.

Thank You, Thane

Braeden and I got a bit of a chuckle today. Thane was in rare form early this afternoon. Braeden had to physically save him from smacking his head on the corner of the kitchen cabinets. Why did he have a fit? We told him he could not have a “wemilly [lemon] ice” before he finished his waffle that he was having for lunch (Braeden was enjoying a gluten-free waffle too – score!).

Within 5 minutes, Thane finished his waffle and I said he could have the lemon ice. Braeden got one of the freezer, opened it, and gave it to Thane. Thane is usually very polite, but he didn’t say anything. I said, “Say `thank you,’ Thane.”

He walked off and said, “Thank you, Thane.”

He paused and shook his head. He seemed slightly irritated and confused. Clearly he echoed what I said, but then realized it didn’t really fit the situation.

“No! No thank you, Thane! No!”

“Oh man!” in his best Swiper the Fox voice (scripted from “Dora the Explorer.”)

Speaking of his backward flop, I have to say that something about the behavior resurfacing figures. I think this boy is much cleverer than the therapists and case manager give him credit for being. After we discussed this type of worrisome tantrum with the behavioral analyst for suggestions on how to cope, he said we should chart the seat drops and full backward falls as well as whatever seems to lead up to them, Thane stopped doing them and there was nothing to document. Then after I told the case manager there was nothing to document so we need to put off more consults until we normalize into a fall schedule, Thane’s started doing again. It’s hard not to feel like he manipulates the world to conform to his liking.

Voices

It is very intriguing how Thane can manipulate his voice. Here we have a child whose original speech can be quite difficult to understand, yet when he copies something it can be with amazing precision.

Thane likes to ask something as soon as I take a drink.

“Mama? Mama?” he asks with no pause in between to let me swallow.

I replied, “Thane?”

“What?” comes spewing out of his mouth in a way that really sounds like some kind of old hag on bad day.

We had the same conversation many times today.

I think anyone who could manage to spend a day at our house would leave feeling as if we’re all crazy. I decided today that I definitely am losing it – and the worst part of that is that I am totally aware of the fact that I am sinking into insanity. Why am I saying this? Well, we break out in song at weird times around here. For example, Braeden and a friend were getting into a conflict in the pool. I said in a sing-song voice, “let it go, let it go” . . . to which he replied “This is smaller than you know. No bigger than a pebble lying on a gravel road” from Great Big Sea. We both burst out laughing and it totally diffused the situation.

Not Supposed to Laugh

There are these things that happen that one really shouldn't laugh at, but I seem to have lousy self-control.

One of the things that I have laughed at a few times, is that Thane likes to say, “Wait a ja fa minute.” We all interpret in a way that maybe it isn’t meant, but it seems so close to, “Wait just a f---ing minute.”

Along with this perhaps inappropriate language was something I definitely took to be swearing, though without understanding. We use an orange cap and a pink cap that each hold about a half cup of Epsom salts to give to Thane in the bathtub. He loves his “snow!” Anyway, the cups were chatting with each other, back and forth, saying:

"Fa you.”
“No, fa you.”
“No, fa you.”

He probably heard it from his parents, which makes it doubly bad doesn’t it? Dave uses those words with inanimate objects all the time. I am more prone to saying, “oh fffffff-uck” when I drop something. I grew up in a house where swearing was common, but it didn’t tend to leave home. I appear to be too old to retrain.

It reminded me so much of an incident with a friend’s child at daycare. The father arrived to pick up his daughter and she was talking to a little boy. They were going back and forth saying

"You’re an asshole.”
“No, you’re an asshole!”
“No you!”

I wonder if Thane’s preschool teachers take the “Wait a ja fa minute” the same way we do? It appears to be part of one of his more common scripts.