Do you think it would be inappropriate for me to hold an inservice with Waylon's teachers on the correct way to rinse poop out of underwear?

I am well aware that these amazingly patient, talented, kind-hearted and selfless people did not go to college to learn how to rinse out underwear.

That's why I would like to teach them myself.
It sure would make Waylon's backpack and my laundry room smell better.

It's about time...

Odds are, if you've ever read a media headline about autism, it has the word vaccine in it somewhere, or it is reporting the latest numbers of kids being diagnosed.
Well, frankly my friends, I don't give a crap.
It's too late for us now for the vaccine fight. Whether you are pro or con, we're up to date until junior high. And, I'm dearly sorry about the other 87, but I'm mostly concerned about what to do with my #1.
We walk for autism, we donate where we can, and for pete's sake we pay our taxes. I just don't understand, when so many dollars are raised and we have the most high-tech healthcare system in the world, why we can't come up with some answers.
Stop with the blessed vaccine argument. Stop with the incessantly depressing head counts. Throw me a bone here, researchers- I just want to figure out how to get my kid to talk.

Alright, so down from the pedestal with some good news. This article caught my eye this morning. FINALLY! Research that seems promising. Dollars being spent for a good cause. Sure, it's early in the studies, but maybe someday.... I'll shoot some meds up my kid's nose, and words will come out of his mouth. Maybe...

http://www.autismspeaks.org/science/science-news/researchers-launch-study-oxytocin-nasal-spray

And we're off...

Vacation planning:
Called resort to verify height of deadbolts and distance from cabin to river... Check.
Ordered a child tracking device... Check.
Packed plenty of trains, cars, the favorite blanket, and extra Melatonin... Check.
Washed and packed every pair of underwear Waylon owns (and may need to stop at Walmart for more, depending on how many times he craps his pants this week)... Check.

Highs in the 70's this week means Waylon won't look quite so odd in his most favorite outfit to wear- hooded sweatshirts and swimming trunks.

Stopped the car three times before we made it to Pomona, and finally, for the mental health of everyone in the vehicle, Waylon got his first ever mid-afternoon dose of Melatonin.

Hoping for a nice, relaxing vacation... and hoping that Waylon wakes up in a better mood!

Melts My Heart

Forgot to mention in my summer catch-up, probably the most exciting part of our summer so far. Waylon has started spontaneously saying our names.
AMAZING.
Anytime you walk in the room, anytime he wants your attention, anytime he thinks it will cause you to smile and tackle him and smother him with love, his eyes get big and he yells
"THERE'S MOMMY!"
Trav usually responds to the "THERE'S DADDY!" with "That's right! I'm Daddy!" So Waylon echoes, "THAT'S RIGHT! I'M DADDY!"
Sure, it's a little repetitious, but I'll take it.
I'll never forget sneaking my head around the corner of his room to hear the first time Miss Jennifer (a.k.a. Most-Amazing-Speech-Path-Ever) got Waylon to repeat sounds ("Ba Ba Ba"). I'll never forget calling Trav at work months later and putting it on speaker phone while Miss Jennifer coaxed the words "Mommy" and "Daddy" from Waylon's amazing little brain.
And I've written this new oh-so-amazing milestone in the baby book, although I doubt this is something that I will ever forget.
Just melts my heart.

I'd rather be blogging... Part 2

It's been ages since I've posted last. Sorry about that.
I've had such good intentions this summer. I've finished orientation at work, I took the summer off school, and Waylon is only in therapy two days a week now. I should be blogging up a storm, right?
It's just that I've been having way too much fun.

After a semi-stressful spring, where we
     a) Made Waylon's kindergarten plans
     b) Made Waylon's summer therapy plans
     c) Stressed for hours over a and b
     d) Enrolled Rose in pre-school
     e) Signed Caden up for coach-pitch
     f) Started a new job
     g) Started back to school
     h) etc, etc, etc.
I made an epic, life-altering, mind-blowing conclusion.
This is dumb.

I mean, sure, all the experts say kids with autism should have 40 hours of therapy per week. But who cares if they can talk or not if they don't even know which one of these people is their mother? And who cares if I get my Bachelors degree or not if I get committed to the State Hospital and lose my job anyways?
Life is too short.
So, we cut Waylon's hours back to just 2 days a week. We hired a rocking awesome teenager to come to the house and watch the kids while I'm at work. (Every kid should get to sleep in in the summer time, right?) And I took the summer off of school, so I could really enjoy my new job (which I love) and really enjoy my days off, without homework (which has been amazing). We got a plastic pool and a fire pit. We roasted hot dogs and s'mores and blew off fireworks. We are just having fun.
Which brings me to my next point. In approximately 18 hours we are heading on a family road trip/vacay. The house is a mess, nothing is packed, but-
I'd rather be blogging. (This seems to be a trend...)

I'd Rather Be Blogging

I have two papers due tomorrow for my BSN program. The time is now 12:28 AM.
(Yes, I know technically they are due today. But that is depressing and I will be sleeping between now and when they are due, so I say tomorrow.)
I have procrastinated in nearly every way possible. Two cups of coffee down, I am staring at the screen, searching for the motivation to write these silly papers, but... I'd rather be blogging.
So I decided to hash out a quick blog so I can clear up the last possible distraction before getting back to paper writing.

Well I thought there was no way possible that our lives could get more complicated than it was during nursing school. Clearly I was wrong.
When I came home with the brilliant plan to enroll in a BSN program, my dear sweet husband just nodded his head and agreed with every word, even though I could clearly see the encrypted message- "More school? Didn't we just get out of that mess?"
So much change and newness is around our house. We have decided to send Waylon to the Level-One Kindergarten classroom next year. Still struggling with a summer schedule for him, trying to get the insurance company to help us pay for part of it, and lining up drivers to get him back and forth.
Caden is headed to 2nd grade next year, and is pretty bummed that Waylon didn't get to come to kindergarten round-up at his school. I am too.
Rose is being sassy and funny and crazy and making us all laugh when we need it most.
Work is going splendidly. I seriously love being a nurse. Making new work friends, telling them about my beautiful family, trying to decide when to break the uncomfortable ice and explain autism to them.
I think I'll just wait for now.
Now, the time is 12:52 AM, and I have stuff to do. Like pouring one more cup of coffee and start writing papers like a mad woman. Wish me luck.

A Treat

Hey there.
So I know I promised more frequent posts. Turns out, that is not happening.
I really do have some fabulous blog posts floating around in my brain, it's just a matter of the computer understanding my thoughts and typing them out for me. I wish there was an app for that.
So, while there is no deep and meaningful message from me today, I thought I would offer you a little treat. When I am feeling sorry for myself, it never fails that the ladies over at Laughing Through Tears have an autism horror story that makes me laugh out loud, and feel much better about my day.
This particular post happens to be my favorite. So... enjoy! http://laughingthroughtears.com/2011/12/28/the-bottom-line/