O Tannenbaum!

Yesterday we went out in traditional fashion and picked out the tree. The boys especially enjoyed the super loud quacking ducks and watching the pigs eat corn. Jordan told me that the corn was their lunch. I thought that was a great observation, it was lunchtime. We found a great tree in minimal time so while Daddy got it cut and loaded up we played on the super awesome playground and rode the "train". We made a stop on the way home for "chicken and french fries", per Jordans request...then decorated the tree when they woke up from naps. I forgot to get a picture of the finished product; bu we've already made some revisions (after losing 3 glass ornaments to a certain 15 month old who thinks they are "balls" and wants to throw them). We went to the $$ Tree to buy some gaudy plastic ones to hang on the low branches for him. I know that one day we'll look back and treasure these moments when they were small...and decorating the tree/keeping it standing! was not an easy task.

view from the train.


my hair is getting way too long. i need a cut desperately....geez!



they buried a tractor and boat in the sand...making it perfect size for kids to play on. smart idea!


sitting in the chicken poop. seriously. he was under the cages where the chickens were kept...and sitting where their poop drops. gross. i removed him as soon as i realized that. well, after the picture.


frolicking!

i see the perfect tree over here dad!

this one!

its the little things

after spending a week + inside due to jax's pneumonia it was nice to get out...even if it was just to Target for diapers. we took advantage of the trip and got popcorn and icees too. here are the boys...outside for the first time in over a week enjoying their treats. Jaxon's breathing is better but still not 100%. Praying he'll feel much better soon so he can enjoy Thanksgiving!

Dr. Temple Grandin

In my research I've discovered a wonderful advocate for Autism. One of the reasons she's so wonderful (among many) is that she has Classic Autism. She has overcome obstacles and has had a very successful career. She was nonverbal up to about 3-4 years old. Very inspiring she gives me great hope for J. Now in her 60's, she continues to work and lecture on Autism...here's a recent one that gives GREAT understanding into the Autistic world. It's over an hour, so I dont really expect our blog readers to listen to it entirely, but I thought it may be a great resource for family members, so as to better understand Jordan. Gives great insight. Look for a TV movie on her life coming out in February 2010.

the vaccine question/debate

One of the biggest questions I've gotten since Jordans' autism diagnosis is, "Do you think it was the vaccines?"

not going in to all the details of the debate here....but if you're interested just google autism, vaccines and check out the pages and pages of websites, research, opinions out there. found this source today and it stunned me.

we are researching vaccines at the moment to figure out what to do with Jax (going forward). Because it is not PROVEN that vaccines DO NOT cause autism...then we are trying to play it safe with Jax, especially since he's now "genetically prone" (autistic sibling). I found some great tips at generationrescue.org and also a stunning comparision. Here's a chart that shows how many vax's Asah and I received (data from 1983) and then a comparison to a list of current vaccines (2007). It just makes me question why. WHY so many? For these little bodies? We're not anti-vaccine. Just want to be more informed. Especially since there's a big window where vaccines can be given. It does not have to be an "all or nothing" approach or all before 12 months, or 2 years, or whatever. Here's the recommended schedule. The yellow highlighted parts are recommended "ranges" which the vaccines can be given. I cannot have regrets, I can only go with what I know going forward. God is sovereign. He'll give us wisdom if we only ask. (James 1 says that if we lack it; just ask God, who gives it generously!)
Just opening this up. Want to see what you do. What you think. I know this is a touchy subject. Just sharing what we're dealing with.

i thought these tips were helpful.

• Consider delaying vaccines until your child is 18-24 months old.
• Do not vaccinate if your child is taking antibiotics.
• Consider no more than one vaccine per doctor’s visit.
• If you plan to get the MMR vaccine, ask your doctor to give it in three separate vaccines for measles, mumps and rubella.
• Consider giving high doses of Vitamin C (3,000-5,000 mg per day) on the day before, of, and after vaccination.
• With the measles vaccine (MMR), consider high doses of Vitamin A (5,000 IU or more) on the day before, of, and after vaccination.
• If your child experiences any developmental delays, stop vaccinating until you learn more.
• If your child has an adverse reaction to a vaccine, stop vaccinating until you learn more.
• Always ask to see the vaccine insert, and never accept a vaccine that uses the preservative Thimerosal (mercury). For a complete list of vaccines with Thimerosal, see the FDA’s website here. Note: most flu shots today still contain Thimerosal

To be honest, I have not yet taken Jax for his 12 month visit. Isnt that terrible. He's almost 15 months but I've just been afraid of what the pediatrician will say when I discuss delaying vaccines. I feel confident in our decision. Time to schedule an appointment, I suppose!

DEAL of the day

if you have children, grandchildren, or any child to buy Christmas gifts for this year....this is an AWESOME deal! The Disney store has PJ's for $5! I thought shipping would be outrageous but it's only $2.95 for one set...and goes up the more you buy. The sizes run from "2" to "6".
Great selection...and great quality.

Anyway, just wanted to pass this along.

The Deal is today only.

CLICK HERE

"wash" day

and so thankful for it! after going over a week without a washer (ours died!) it feels great to do all this laundry. God totally provided yesterday and while it did not work out to get the washer I'd been eyeing on Craigslist (and waiting for all week)....I got a MUCH better one, BRAND new and not even listed on Craigslist just by making a phone call to another seller. He offered it to us for exactly the amount of cash we had. We got it for $250 under retail. It's the little things.....very thankful for HIS provision.

jump!

LINK to Video of the action! (cant get my video to upload directly) :(

trampoline time with Papi. I cant last as long as he did. Kudos to you, Papi!

pumpkin carving and halloween night

my veggie dip graveyard. hummus with spinach and veggies!

this was such a messy project. jax enjoyed the messy part.


the ole chair finally gave out. it's been a good one.


look, jordan!

slobbery dirty baby.

miracle picture! (miracle picture: when both are looking at the camera at the same time)


off to get some candy!

wonderful spread!

gah! looks just like big brother here.

down-set, hut. at least the dawgs have a bit of hope coming there way in, say, 16 years or so.

wore this last year. had to do a wardrobe change from our Flintstone theme due to the unpredictable LA weather.

trunk or treat 09'

mouths full of hotdogs.


and way too much candy.......

hey there, Fred!

"DJ's" for the Cupcake Walk

Bam Bam

100 cupcakes

The "Cupcake" Walk

happy Bam Bam

Bam Bam spilling goldfish all over the floor before leaving

cupcakes

may not seem like a big deal to many, but this is the first time (ever) that J's been remotely interested in helping mommy cook. he carefully put 3 candy corn on each cupcake, counting them as he went. we did 100+ cupcakes for the Trunk or Treat @ church. I was super impressed that it kept his attention so long, and super happy that we were actually doing something, together. One thing I've learned is to appreciate the littlest things like never before. I was just savoring our time together.....and praying for many more times like it. Every small victory, every new word/sentence, is big time for us. And lately, there have been many. He's doing so well....and I'm so proud of him.

another "hat" picture

just cant get enough of the hat; and the little boy wearing it.
photo note: please disregard cheese puff residue around mouth.

"outside time"

outside time: the time after naptime but before daddy comes home and before dinner when everyone is stir crazy and just needs to be outside.

in our house this occurs around 4pm daily. lately we've been getting dirty in the sandbox during that time. then they go in for a dip in the tub while one of us gets dinner ready. works well.

the helmet.

one day J decided to wear this helmet most of the day. Just thought it was blog worthy. Maybe he could help our poor DAWGS out this year.

anybody seen my BABY????

cause right before my very eyes, overnight even, he has morphed into a toddler. reminds me so much of J at this age. personality oozing...such a happy boy and a MESS! we've started calling him "pigpen" because he loves to get into the trash and eats everything off the floor. we love this guy!

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

where are we?

still waiting on a lot of things. still hoping and praying and seeking and just letting the Lord guide us. and he is. and he will. i know that He will continue to lead us to every last thing that this precious kid needs.

Jordan has started speech therapy and has really taken to his sweet therapist and loves going. He has speech two times each week for an hour and 15 minutes. He works individually as well as with another little boy who's only one week older, but has no words. The therapists say that when Jordan is in the room the other little guy responds so well....but when he's not he's kicking and screaming and not participating. It helped knowing that Jordan, who needs tons of help himself, can still be a help to others through this. That's my prayer....that while we're in this mess....we can still help others....experiencing the same mess.

We were "partially evaluated" last week (Oct 8). Not everything was completed so we go back at the end of the month.....then.....Services? Could it be? Services! After almost 4 months of trying for them. J is now 3 1/2. Valuable time is wasting. I'm glad we'll likely get him the help he needs...but I'm starting to loathe the "system". My child needs help. Let's do everything we can to get him there. Time is so precious right now!

God's providing all around. We were approved for FOA Medicaid for Jordan, meaning it will pay over and above our private insurance for therapies, etc. Great news! Especially that it is retro-active and will cover several things we paid out of pocket for since May. We also met the Autism Teacher at the school we're already districted for. She's the wife of a doctor in town, and upon first meeting, we were amazed at her passion for her students. And J could be her student NEXT year. That is crazy to think about. We may not be 100% fond of the school, but the teacher would be a great fit in our opinion. And the way we met....just incredible....we were table hosts at the Pregnancy Centers annual banquet and they just "happened to be" sitting at our table....but we know better! We know who seated them there!

So.....maybe we'll stay put. Let the economy settle a bit more before trying to sell the house. Definitely an option now. We'll see.

Just wanted to give an update. And share this sweet pic. All dressed up for dinner out tonight. We were treated to dinner by the church Asah preached at. Jordan looks so grown up here! And happy.

Thanks for your prayers.

surprise! asah's 30th birthday

now this was FUN! got to surprise asah for his 30th (the day after). ended up going according to plan...and it was a blast. THANKS to all the wonderful friends who came out. Asah is a wonderful husband, father, friend, and pastor. SO thankful for him...and looking forward to 30+30 more years together!!!!

iphone cake!

good friend scott

jordans twin (wait, that's asah...at one year old! EVERYONE thought it was a picture of jordan; and was wondering why there was a pic of J at asah's party)


Alack Drive was there! thanks neighbors!
friends....asah's doing the couple on the right's wedding this weekend.
3-0!
love!

jax is walking!

now the real fun begins!
jordan walked at 13.5 months. and jax is following suit, almost to the day. was not to be outdone by big brother!

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

we need answers

"new study in Pediatrics puts Autism prevalence at 1 in 91 American children; and 1 in 58 boys."

from Autism Speaks website. a great place for information, people that are interested in raising money for research. i'm looking at organizing a "grassroots walk" in our area since there is nothing in Louisiana. Would love to help raise money to support research for such a mysterious, heartbreaking disorder.

April is Autism Awareness month, and happens to be Jordans "birth month"...so I think that's when it will happen.

Looking for great ideas and anyone that's done this sort of thing before, so if you have let me know!!!

my heart

no, i cant have conversations with this sweet boy quite yet, but when i ask him to sing mommy a song he always obliges. i'll TAKE it!

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

early risers

the boys have been waking up early these days...not sure why but hope they start sleeping later soon as the time will change and it'll be even EARLIER.
just got a couple shots of them the other day...as we were waiting for the sun to come up.


some mornings you need a double shot........

oreo

GA/LSU Game

Awesome fried fish (thanks mark!), wonderful friends...great rivalry. it's tough to be a DAWG in Tiger Country!

future dawg.

so over this!

is there a snack in this bag? at least the munchies are good!

gonna take a nap and hope for a better 2nd 1/2!

"it's okay jax, they'll get the ball back!"

football tushie

"wow! did you see that play Jax?"

happy dawg

"Why are we STILL awake????"

"whats the score, mom?"

censored

i debated on this one...but it's "censored" so i figured why not?

fun october craft project

i made these for the boys after seeing the idea in Family Fun.

I'm hoping they'll get a kick out of seeing what they dressed up like each year for Fall Festivals/Halloween. These will be their new "treat bags" for years to come!

It's pretty easy...just take any light colored bag (I got a 3 pack of canvas ones at Walmart for $5.97). Buy photo transfer paper and print out the photos, then iron them on and decorate with puff paint!

a picture is worth way more than a thousand words.

i think this has to be my favorite picture from vacation. it says. so much. about where we are at the moment. still so "new" to this diagnosis. there are days i forget that it exists. there are days when it is all i can think about. autism. some days i despise the word. because what i see, when i look at my son, is just jordan. jordan...so bright, full of love for life and lots of life to live! right now we are very much in the "gray area" of this whole mess. there are still so many unknowns. sometimes i'm up at night....here (are a few of) the questions....

what therapies does he need? how much? will insurance pay? what school? when? do we move to get to the "better" school district? will our house sell? will we find a new house? should i go back to work? who will care for jax while j is at school if i go back to work? why did this happen? why did we get denied services from Florida Parishes? will we win our appeal? should we have appealed? what caused this? will jaxon have it too? what does the future look like for J? is there a cure?

no answers at the moment, for any of them....but there is a surety. My Loving Savior and My God, who knows jordan completely....who knows us all, and who Holds us in His hands. He WILL help us. He KNOWS what J needs...before we ask. he knows the days when i am weak, when i seek answers and try to do things in my own strength. i admit that i do that far too often.

I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of The Lord in the land of the living. Psalm 27:13

we are...SO BLESSED. there is a boy in speech at the same time as jordan. he is a week older; but has no words. i cant imagine to heartache...but at the same time i find myself wishing many times i could just have a conversation with my son. then i go back to feeling guilty when there are others so much worse off than him.

we should know much more about things after his "big" school system evaluation in october. meanwhile, we are seeking wisdom from the Lord about how to proceed as far as schooling options and therapies. please pray with us. thanks!