Family Archives - Page 227 of 554

Behind the Scenes – Downtime with my youngest

There are times where the only thing I can do to help Emmett is to simply stop everything and snuggle. Emmett hasn't been feeling well and on the edge of a meltdown for the last couple of days. Many kids with Autism don't like to be touched but Emmett is someone who responds positively to affection. No matter how upset he is, I've always been able to call him over and hug or snuggle him. It usually helps him, at least to some extent. This is from the other day when Emmett was really struggling.

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January 21, 2018

My thoughts

Trying to get exercise while doing chores around the house

I'm pretty proud of myself. Our dryer has been broken for a couple of weeks now. I tore it apart a week ago and discovered that it was simply the belt that was broken. I was able to order one on Amazon and it finally showed up today. Emmett, Gavin and I went into the basement and replaced the belt. It literally took less than five minutes. Gavin and Emmett each held a part in place for me while I put the new belt on. Emmett even used his little tool kit to secure all the screws again. They were both a big help and we are finally able to use our dryer again. ☺ I hate doing laundry but I'm excited to get the floors in as I take…

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January 20, 2018

My thoughts

Being an #Autism parent – Sometimes I feel like a defeated failure – Can anyone relate?

The truth is, I sometimes feel like a total failure as a Special Needs parent. Can anyone else elated?

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January 19, 2018

My thoughts / Reviews

Review: Does your child with #Autism benefit from art? (@artezacolors)

I want to thank Arteza for sponsoring this brief review to help raise awareness for Autism. The views and opinions expressed here are solely my own and were not influenced in any way or by anyone. Shortly before the holiday, I received a package from a company called Arteza. They make just about every art supply you can imagine. While I'm not personally into drawing or other forms of art, I recognize the enormous benefit that art can have on a child with Autism or Special Needs. Check out all the cool art supplies that we shipped to me. [foogallery id="68903"] The boys love the sketchbooks and use the colored pencils to create their own unique masterpieces. All the supplies are top notch and I know that because my wife…

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January 19, 2018

My thoughts

I’m back on track

It's been a quiet morning so far. The boys are resting, Lizze is doing research, Gavin's getting ready for his Friday IVIG infusion and I'm working on a bunch of things. One of my main priorities today is making sure I meet my activity goals. I'm currently using the Fitbit Ionic and it's actually quite motivating. I've used the Nokia Steel HR and the Samsung Gear S3 but so far, the Fitbit is topping them both. I'm back on track and losing weight once again. Yay!!! There's nothing on the agenda for today and I'm okay with that. It's been a busy week and I'm on day five of my further reduced Paxil dose. It's actually going better than expected and there's a reason for that but I'll share more…

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January 19, 2018

My thoughts

As much as I want to, I can’t send the kids to school today

You know tomorrow is going to be a good day when you're already emailing the school to call the kids off and it isn't even dinner time yet. The boys are still not feeling well and as much as I'd like to send them to school because they're driving me crazy, they need to stay home. They need their rest and I hope they feel better soon. Both the boys aren't feeling well but they're also hyper as fuck, hence the driving me crazy statement above. Kids on the Autism Spectrum seems to react strangely when they're sick. When Gavin was younger, he would lose his Autism symptoms while running a high fever. That's a documented phenomenon and there's not a known explanation. The boys on the other hand, tend…

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January 19, 2018

Gavin / Happy Birthday / My thoughts

It all started 18 years ago, at 10:52 AM

There are days that arrive and bring with them a profound sense of consternation. For me personally, today was one of those rare days in my life. There are many reasons why today has so much meaning but I want to focus on the single, most important one. On January 18, 2000 at 10:52 AM, Gavin was born into this world. While I wasn't present at that point in time, Gavin wouldn't enter my life for another year or so. Gavin has faced so many obstacles in his young life. Some of these obstacles were familial in nature while others were physical and emotional in nature. This young man has been through more in his short life, than most people would in two lifetimes. As a family, we've been through…

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January 18, 2018

My thoughts

They finally went back to school

Thank God there's school today. I love my kids, I truly do but there schedule has been so messed up since before Christmas break, they need to go back. I need them to go back. There were closing around us but we weren't one of them. We got the kids off to school, and both Gavin's and Lizze's blood work done. All I need to do today is call the pharmacy and remind them to call for his lab results so they can deliver his Clozapine in the morning. Gavin's good until Wednesday night. So far so good. The day could definitely be worse but I'm grateful it's not.. ☺

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January 16, 2018