So Gavin's depakote was doubled a couple of weeks ago and so we needed new bloodwork to check his liver and the depakote levels. Wednesday Emmett John had his follow up from the ABR so while we were there we scheduled Gavin for the following day. Thursday morning rolls around and his appointment is a nurse only appointment at 10 am. It was set up like this so he didn't have to wait there by reducing his over all anxiety. So Lizze gets there and they are waiting and one of the nurses come out and tell her they aren't going to do the blood work because it's to soon. Keep in mind that Gavin has a standing order for blood work. So we just go in when we need…

I had big issues trying to migrate our business website to a new host. As a result I had to start from scratch. I have been fixing computers for many years. I have worked for Microsoft for about 12 years now. My last project I worked on was Windows 7. I have been using Windows 7 for a few years now. After I destroyed my back while I was a firefighter/paramedic I needed a way to continue to provide for our family. As our family life became more "complicated" and my back continued to get worse we decided to pursue the computer repairs (that I was doing for everyone anyway) and grow it into a home business. Things have slowed down since Emmett John came along really because our attention…

My wife and I have never put any stock in the whole vaccine debate. I have to admit that I just trusted our doctors and never really researched the whole debate.  That changed when we were advised by our sons psychiatrist to re-evaluate our stance for Emmett John. Read my post here: http://wp.me/pQI30-3a Anyway, we have been researching a ton lately and have begun seeing the vaccine and autism debate for what it is. Does anyone even know how the debate got started? If not you should Google the name ""Dr. Andrew Wakefield". The whole debate was started over a now completely discredited research (and I use the term loosely) study. It was based on false information that was apparently "unethically" obtained.  This guy is currently under review to have…

I found this article today while doing some research. I thought it was a good read. I'm not sure who wrote it. The article can be found here: (or read below) http://articles.sfgate.com/2010-02-07/opinion/17848204_1_andrew-wakefield-vaccines-autism A reality check on autism and vaccines February 07, 2010 Many worried and angry parents of an autistic child believe that vaccines may cause the disease. But it's pure myth - disproved by numerous studies and now a final slap from a British journal disowning a report that started the dangerous nonsense. Will these parents accept reality - and allow their children to receive shots against a dozen or more illnesses? And will fringe groups that play to fears of autism give up their indefensible claims? The answers can't come soon enough for public health experts. Vaccination rates,…

Gavin loves to watch movies like Transformers, Harry Potter ect. However, shows like Blues Clues will send him running upstairs. My guess is that it's a sensory thing. We don't really understand why but suspect it has something to do with shows like Blues Clues, Dora ect always have a lesson in them. If Gavin perceives someone is going to get into trouble or be embarrassed he freaks out. Even if the show is designed with much younger children in mind. Keep in mind Gavin is emotionally about 3 years old. I was wondering if anyone could shed so light on this for me? Do any of your kids do anything similar? LT

The two youngest have been picked up and are off to celebrate Easter with my family. Lizze and I are still under the weather so we stayed home. We kept Gavin home cause he is already on sensory overload. We decided that it would be nice for Gavin to have the house to himself. We ordered chinese and just hung out. He is having a better day now and he never really gets a break from the kids. So today turned out better then I had thought. LT

As a parent dealing with possibly 2 autistic children life tends to get me down. I hate that some things are out of my control. I'm a control freak but so much control has already been taken from us. I just like to feel in control of my life. The holidays tend to be the hardest time of the year for me. Here's why: So it's Easter Sunday and I'm feeling pretty crappy. I want so much more for our kids. I'm still not feeling 100% yet and Lizze has been dealing with a migraine for about a week now. The kids are all excited because the Easter Bunny visited them last night. The family is all going to my brother and sister in laws house for Easter dinner. Once…

So I thought I would share an embarrassing moment and main reason we don't go out much. Before I go into to this I swear my wife and don't raise the kids this way. Gavin had to have blood work done for him depakote levels a few years back. This is quite an ordeal. We have to call ahead to make sure they have enough people on that day to get this done as it usually takes about 8 people. We told Gavin that after the blood work we would take him to lunch cause he was so brave. Gavin loves Chinese food so we went to a buffet near our home. We walk up to the hostess desk and tell them there will be 3 of today. As we…