I dream of.... breastfeeding?

Last night I had the strangest dream.  I was walking into a bookstore, don's ask me how I knew it was a bookstore as I didn't see any books; but in my dream that is what it was.  As I walked in, I walked past the check out counter and next to the counter were two squat-square green armchairs.  And sitting in those armchairs where women breastfeeding their little ones.  In my dream I was disappointed, but happy to have to look for another place to nurse as I didn't want to nurse right by the front door.

So I wandered over to the cafe area of the bookstore, it was sectioned off with a black wrought iron railing. Inside the cafe women were sitting on comfy chairs around little white bistro tables.  Everyone in the cafe was a women, and everyone is the cafe was nursing a child.

Since there was no place to sit there I walked back to the front of the store to see if one of the chairs up there was now free, but it wasn't.  So I stopped and thanked the women nursing for doing so in public.  I don't recall exactly what I said, but I know it was a message of gratitude.

After that I felt lost in my dream, I wanted to nurse my baby (who I had been carrying in a cradle hold the entire dream), but I couldn't find a place to sit and relax....

... and then I heard my baby crying over the monitor so I went and gave him his pacifier and climbed back into bed.... on Sundays I don't like to get up and nurse until at least 7am, no matter what type of dream I have.

A Thought

Tonight after the Big Boy rushed through his Our Father (prayer); I paused and looked at him.

Do you think you were really talking to God while saying that, or where you just rushing to get it done?; I asked him.

A quizzical look came over his face.  I dunno was his answer.

Think about it and let me know in the morning, I told him.

Interview at 9 Years

Me: How old are you?
RR: 9

Me: What is your favorite subject in school?
RR: Math

Me: What is least favorite subject in school?
RR: Spelling

Me: What is your favorite color?
RR: Blue

Me: What happened to red?
RR: Changed it when I was 5.  I've liked blue for a long time.  Fact blue has always been one of my favorite colors.

Me: What is your favorite school lunch?
RR: Yogurt Parfait.  That's a tough one, the runner up is hot dog.

Me: What is your favorite dinner at home?
RR: Hot dogs.

Me: What is your favorite vegetable?
RR: That's a hard one.  Carrots.

Me: What's your favorite movie?
RR: I'll have to think about this.  Can we come back to it?

Me: What's your favorite video game?
RR: Terraria.

Me: What's your favorite book?  Let me guess, Spiderwick?
RR: My Myths and Legends book, the one TT got me for Christmas.  Surprise.

Me: What is your favorite thing to do outside?
RR: Play with my friends.

Me: Do you have any best-friends?
RR: Quit a few actually.  Would you like me to name them?  Aidan, Brandon, Ethan and that's about it.

Me: What do you think about girls?
RR: Despise.

Me: Is that why you won't kiss your mother?
RR: One you have cooties and two yes.

Delete that delete that.... it's so embarrassing.

Me: What's your favorite holiday?
RR: Christmas.
Me: Why?
RR: Because you get presents and candy.  It's like Valentines and Easter mixed together.

Me: How much do like Cub Scouts?
RR: Alot.
Me: How far are you going to go?
RR: Past Weblos, maybe past Boy Scouts.

Me: Anything you want to add?
RR: No

Me: Oh we have to come back to your favorite movie.
RR: Spiderwick.  I can't believe that I forgot.

Me: Oh hey, what is your favorite song?
RR: Enderborn.
Me:  What????

That Age

As of tomorrow I will have a pre-teen.  The Big Boy turns 9.  As my mother just reminded me on the phone, the last year before double digits.

I will admit having a 9 year old makes me feel old(er); but I think it's also pretty darn neat.  It is such an age of transition and of change and growing (and regressing.... he's into watching Disney Jr. shows again.).  But I have found with this age comes a new challenge.

The challenge of buying him gifts.

Really; what do you get a pre-teen (or teen for that matter) boy these days?

Sure there is the obvious: video games and Legos.

Sure he wants video games and Legos.

But really he doesn't need anymore video games.  And Legos, well lets just say he has enough Legos.  Enough for 5 or 6 or 20 kids his age.  Yes, he would play the video games.  And yes, he would build (then destroy) the 1,000 piece Lego set.  But when you already have a mild video game addiction (which your mother is fighting hard to overcome) and about fifty-million-billion-trillion Legos you don't need anymore.

So what to get?

I settled on a Razor Scooter.  The "graffiti" one.  Husband says he'll break his neck.  He's probably right; given RR's (total lack of) coordination.  But as I pointed out to Husband, better to break his neck on a scooter than on a bike.  And hey, it was 50% off.  You can't argue with that.  As an added bonus he has asked for a scooter a time or two, just not since winter has gotten here.

Oh, yeah... and I got him a little box of Legos.  From his brother, of course.

Nicknames

TT has many many nicknames.... to the point where it's just a little silly.

His given name:

Theodore Wayne

His nicknames:

Theo
Ted
Ted Ted
Teddy
(the) Ted-ster
Ted Theodore Jones
Jones
Teddy Bear
Bear
Bear Fur
Fur
Triple T (which stands for Too Tall Teddy)
Angle Love
Monkey
Wayne's of the Theodore

and....

P2

Slowing Down

"On a scale of 1 to 10, how bad is the pain?"
"Listen doctor, I've experienced natural child birth; that's a 10.  Don't get me wrong this hurts, a lot.  But in comparison it's probably only a 5."

And with that the doctor recommended alternating Tylenol and Motrin and icing my separated nasal cavity every few hours.

What had started out as an idyllic Saturday morning; laying in bed with the boys and Husband.  Cuddling and snuggling, goofing around a little; had turned into TT crashing the back of his head into my nose and separating the cartilage from the bone.

We spent nearly 4 hours hours in the, normally very quiet, emergency room.  Clearly the ER's advertising on TV was paying off by the number of people they were seeing that morning.

But it could have been worse; and thankfully it wasn't.

We were due at my step-dad's Uncle's house for a family gathering later that afternoon.  Clearly I was in no shape to go.

And then the day got worse.  Details of which I will not go into now... but no one has passed and no one has been injured, no jobs have been lost. There are some things in life you dread, yesterday was one of those days.  But I will fight on.

In the meantime I am taking care of nose, and trying not to over do it (as I have a tendency to do).  I am resting, icing my nose, playing with the boys (although I will admit I am a little nervous when TT is around my face), making banana bread and taking cat naps.

Tomorrow is Monday.  Tomorrow is a new day.  Tomorrow I start aggressively looking for help.  In the meantime... resting up and being thankful for my family.

You Read It Here

Some of the funnier conversations with RR lately....

1st here's a now infamous one I posted on FB lately:

Me: RR that's not the shirt you wore to school.
RR: I know.
Me: What happened?
RR: I accidentally fell into the into the urinal and I accidentally flushed it on myself.
Me: That was an accident?
RR: Ok, maybe not really... and guess this I only lost 5 minutes of lunch... no lost recess time.

Or this gem from the other day:

Me (upon entering RR's bedroom): Why don't you have pants?
RR: Because I am getting naked.
Me: Why are you getting naked?  It's the middle of the afternoon.
RR: Because I always do my homework naked.  

Or how about this one while we were driving the other day:

RR - rambles on and on about Wizard 101 (a video game)
Me: Hey, RR, did you know when having a conversation both people are suppose to talk?
RR: So?
Me: Well we're not having a conversation, you're just talking and I'm just listening.  
RR: I like talking.
Me: So do I.  Can we have a conversation now?
RR: No... what's this called a monologue?   

Letting Go

Last week I posted about getting the Big Boy ready for overnight camp.  I was all about getting him ready and sending him off.  And I was worried about him.  Worried about how he would do, if his first camp experience would be better than my own - and with that worry in mind I signed him up for a "short week".  Normally camp runs Sunday through Saturday night, with a short week ending after lunch on Wednesday.

Now here I sit, about 24 hours before I have to go and pick him up and I wonder what my true motivation behind signing him up for the shorter week.

Was it because I wasn't ready to let him go?

After we dropped him off at camp Husband and I took TT and walked the mall.  With TT secure in the carrier on Husband's back we were able to roam around stores and departments we normally can't; and we got to talking - about letting go.

Having RR go away to overnight camp wasn't just a big step for him, but it was a big step for me as well.  Sure he's gone away on vacation without me before; but that's been with my mom.  I've been able to watch their vacations unfold on Facebook; and I know my mom will take excellent care of him.  She won't let him each too much junk food, or skip brushing his teeth, or act rude.  I know she would take care of him, just as I would.  But with him being away at camp he's not a phone call away from me (sure the camp can call me, but I can't call him), I can't see how his days are going.

It's like the first time I left him at daycare, he was away from me all day.

Or the first time he rode the school bus, all by himself and I stood on the curb.

It's about letting go.  For me this, overnight camp, is a big step.

When I dropped him off I was jealous (as was Husband).  The camp was amazingly beautiful, nestled into the mountain side besides a deep and wide lake.  The beauty of nature reflecting in the waters, with the tall pine trees gently blowing in the warm summer wind.  The grounds were painstakingly manicured, with the grass "just the right height" in the archery range, and wooden signs pointing out the direction to the dining hall and the nurses station.

Then I felt guilty.  Guilty that I was afraid of letting go and letting him spend an entire week in such a majestic surrounding   Guilty of not wanting to let go and realize he would be OK without me.  Mom guilt.  The worst.  These last eight and a half years have gone by fast and to think when TT is this age the Big Boy will be nearly graduating from high school.

Don't blink.  

Triumph and Defeat

Our public library is turning 125 this summer, and to celebrate they are hosting a number of events.  This evening was the "Children's Library Birthday Party", it was for ages 5 and up; so we signed the Big Boy up to go.  

We went and grabbed a quick bite for dinner and then dropped him off at the library and went grocery shopping.  Yes, we left him alone at the library.  No, we were not afraid of him getting stolen or the like.  Yes, we left a consent form and our contact information.  Hey, it's small town America.... our library doesn't even have AC.  

So off to grocery shopping we went.  And I hate to admit it that while he can be a super big helper when shopping and keeping me on my list; sometimes it's just easier to shop without him.  Less requests.  Less whining.  Less his legs getting tired.  Now that Monkey is more of a toddler than a baby he loves riding in the car-cart at the store.  This keeps him happy and content for 85% of the trip.  The other 15% he likes to walk and help push the cart.

Anyhow I digress.... after shopping we went and picked Turkey up.  He was SO excited.  Giddy with happiness.  He won the marshmallow stacking contest.  

And he made a crown.

And he had his face painted.

And they read a story about a cupcake.

And they got to decorate cupcakes.

And he decorated his with a gummy worm and a gummy bear

and an explosion of sprinkles.

And he decorated a crown.

And he had got a snake made by the balloon man

And, and, and....

It's amazing all the activities they fit in less than 2 hours.  

He was so happy and had more fun than words could describe.

And then we got home and he walked up the stairs.

And his balloon snake popped.

POP!!!

Tears.  Oh he was so sad.  I felt terrible.  I still feel terrible.  How he loved that balloon snake.  

What had been the perfect evening.  Shattered before his eyes.  

Ouch.  If I could make a balloon snake he would have had it instantly.  

Chilling Out

I've spent my entire life living in the north east.  When I was growing up we didn't have a single air conditioner in the whole house.  Now mind you the weather up here can be a little fickle and unpredictable; and extreme.  Winter weather can feature feet and feet of snow at temperatures well below freezing and summers days can easily break 90 with 99% humidity.  So the "no air conditioner" thing could really make sleeping during the summer months unbearable.  I can recall laying in my bed, too hot to sleep with the fan just inches from my head.

Then I went away to college and my dorm room had AC.  It was wonderful.

Back home after that there was no AC.  Nor did I have AC in my room when I lived with my friend K.

But then I got my own apartment and that had AC.  And again summers were wonderful.

After that I moved into a 2-family house with my mom, and was again without AC.  Until Husband moved in.  He insisted on AC in the summer.  Said he couldn't live without it.  I've had AC in my bedroom ever since.

Over the years we upgraded Turkey to have an AC as well, and now we're looking at getting one for Monkey (he slept in our room all last summer).

I would like to think I didn't "need" AC.  That I'v survived our summers this long without needing AC, but I know now that is not true.  I am sure I wouldn't actually parish without, but I would be a lot grouchier from the lack if sleep.

Lately we've had a bit of a warm snap.  Temps yesterday were in the 90s with gruelingly humidity.  Husband wanted to get the AC out of the attic and installed in our room.  But I wasn't sure I was ready.  I kept telling him it's going to rain and temps will fall back to the 70s.  You see we like to try and hold off on these things (turning on the heat in the winter and holding off on the AC in the summer) as long as possible.  It's like a game we play.  However after we got home from the store, and I walked into our room  - which is like an oven and always the warmest room in the house - I knew it was time and didn't argue when Husband went to install it.

That being said last night was one of the best nights of sleep I've had in nearly a week.  Aside from the 1am poopy-diaper incident it was perfect.  All thanks to Husband and the AC.

Sure I felt guilty about the boys not having their ACs, but I managed growing up without one... and the rain and thunderstorms did come, and they did cool things off quite a bit. So maybe we should have held out another night... nah...

Silent(ish) Saturday

"Few things brought such swift and terrible retribution on a kid as a pair of busted glasses." 

 - Ralphie, A Christmas Story

Young Love

Turkey's first crush was Natalie Portman, but not Natalie Portman as the actress; but rather Padme from Star Wars.

Until one day he saw her on a Sesame Street re-run and he decided he was "off her", because he couldn't have anything to do with someone associated with Elmo.  I reminded him, that he himself used to be an Elmo fan; a fact he now denies.

These days he's moved onto a real girl to crush on; and not some movie character.  He denies that K is his girlfriend.  He prefers to say K is a girl that is a friend.  And while I am sure this is true, he talks more about K than any other girl he's ever been friends with.  Combine that with his current "girls have cooties phase"; and all I see when he goes on and on about K is young love.

K is a girl in his class.  In his book she's pretty darn cool.  She likes Legos, she hunts for with him for rocks at recess, she tolerates his less than stellar table manners at lunch.

Just this past week they were discussing making their First Communion soon (who knew they talked about religion in the second grade) and Turkey was upset that they were making them on the same day, at different churches so they couldn't go to each others.

Awww.... so sweet.

Keep your fingers crossed they're in the same class next year.  This girl is good for my boy.

Double Doctor

I had a brilliant idea a few months back - I would take the boys TOGETHER for their yearly-well child visit.  I book what our pediatrician's office calls a "sibling appointment" for 3 and 3:15pm on February 16.  

Then in another stroke of brilliance Husband and I both decided to go see our primary (same doctor, but separate appointments) that day as well (at 1 and 1:15).

We escaped from our doctor visit at 2pm and headed straight out with the boys to their doctor.  The pediatrician's office was running late and we didn't get taken back until 3:30 (Husband stayed back in the waiting room since the exam rooms are so tiny).  

The boys are growing excellently.  You can see their progress on the Watch Us Grow page.  I think it's kind of funny that their weights at 12 months where nearly exact, but Monkey is a full inch and a half taller than Turkey was.  Turkey is "solid" in both the 90+% for height and weight (but I could have told you that after seeing him with his classmates at his birthday party).  Monkey is long and lean at 97+% for height and just below 50% for weight.  He does have a tiny head however (6%), he gets that from his Daddy.  No shots or blood work for Turkey, but Monkey got 4 shots and blood work... poor kiddo.  Turkey's eyes and hearing were perfect (I'll need to remember that the next time he can't see or hear what is right in front of him).

It was nearly 5pm by the time we got out of the doctors (and it started snowing - blah!!!).  It was a LONG visit; and I am not sure I'll be doing that again.  OK, maybe I will; but I will skip booking doctor appointments for Husband and I on the same day as well.  Lesson learned.

Children, Happiness & Family Found

I have always found comfort and strength in my children during hard times.  That is not to say I lean on them for  moral support, but rather just their being, their smiles; have a way of lifting my spirits.  Apparently this is not just true for me... I think in general children have the ability to make people happier.  Nana, in her 90+ years of wisdom; has always told me Turkey was her vitamin; he is was keeps her going.

Last Saturday when we said our final farewells to my step-father, R, I witnessed the miracle of happiness children can bring.

I hadn't seen or spoken to R's family, in particular his mom and step-dad since R and my mom got married.  They simply don't live around here and their wedding was the first time we met.  Well when we walked into the funeral home with Monkey and Turkey they wanted to know about the boys.  Then R's mom took Monkey into her arms and proclaimed "my newest grandson" and her husband pointed out that he was her "newest great-grandson"; and with that Monkey took his place on their laps for a large part of the calling hours.  They introduced him to family and friends that came to pay their respects; and they were constantly asking about and checking on Turkey.  It was certainly a very dark and hard day, but to see the smiles that Monkey brought to them, and to watch them and my mom hold his little hands; I was in awe of the happiness he brought to others.  Like I tell him when he wakes up from his naps he "was all smiles and sunshine".

At the end of the day we promised to send pictures of the boys and keep them up to date with how they are doing; and as I put the finishing touches on a package to send to them I have a feeling of family found.  While I can never bring my step-father back I am happy and thankful to have his family in my life.

Having a 7 Year Old Means

Having a 7 year-old means...

• finding cupcake wrappers on your bathroom floor
• finding Lego pieces just about everywhere - the laundry, your purse, the freezer
• creating box forts for the 7 year-old to sleep in for weeks on end
• constant reminders for hygiene - wash your face, arms, brush your teeth, wipe your butt
• being surprised when they take a shower completely on their own, without you asking
• some nights reading stories to them
• other nights having them read stories to you
• crazy outfits - just because (and taking a picture because they think they look good)
• giving back rubs - several times a day
• constantly helping find something that is right under their nose
• preparing for his Cub Scout meeting - because you just "have" to be the leader
• rock collections - and him washing the rocks in your bathroom sink
• learning how to ride a bike - even if it still has training wheels
• finding things taken apart and little screws, springs, washers all over his bedroom floor
• video games - that he'll play alone or except you to play with him and except you to be good at
• wondering how his t-shirt ended up in the freezer
• tripping over just about every toy you could ever imagine
• hearing more and more about Legos and Starwars and Lego Starwars then you ever thought possible, and feigning interest
• getting bouquets of dandelions (even if they do make you sneeze) because they are beautiful
• teaching them how to make the perfect snowball and snowball fights
• means killing bugs for the 7 year-old because stinkbugs and ladybugs are scary
• watching info-mercials with them, because sometimes that's the best thing on TV they want to watch
• sometimes not getting hugs and kisses before they leave, because girls have cooties
• and it means sometimes getting "the world's biggest hug" just because you're the mom

Please note - actual results may very.  Your seven year old may differ.  

You Can Call Me

When we tell people Monkey's real name, they always ask "What is his nickname going to be?".  And we always tell them we haven't decided yet.  Truth be told, he has a nickname... dozens of them.

And that got me thinking, what is u[ with my family and all of our crazy nicknames.

Turkey cracks me up in naming things.  All of his stuffed animals (and he must have a hundred of them) all have very literal names.  My favorite is Fatty Yellow Bear, as the name indicates this is a very plush yellow bear.  His stuffed wolf is called Wolfey, his stuffed bears are called Bearey, Panda Bear, Bear 2, etc.  But the nicknames he comes up with for himself and his brother are priceless.

Turkey likes to call Monkey "Sushi Baby".  I have no idea why.  Maybe because he really wants to like sushi (to eat), but can't get past the white rice.

Husband and I have a handful of nicknames for Monkey, including Monkey, Scooter, Mr. Adorable and Squeaky Toy (he often sounds like one when crying)... this is on top of all the obvious nicknames that are common to his real given name.

One of the original nicknames I had for Turkey was Turkey-Monkey (hence my confusion sometimes in my blog posts that I have to go and correct after you my wonderful readers point out my errors).  I called him Turkey-Monkey because he was so silly, and a Turkey-Monkey was the silliest creature I could think of.  Husband calls him (and Monkey as well) Boomba, Boomby, Buddy, etc.  This is on top of all nicknames associated with his given name, and your typical Handsome, Sweetie, etc.

Probably one of the strangest nicknames is the one Turkey gave himself.  He likes to refer to himself as Meekos.  And when he does he talks in the 3rd person and refers to me as Meekos-Mommy.  I have no idea what a Meekos is, and when I asked him he said he didn't either.  He is a super silly boy.

So if my boys grow up to be confused as to what their given names are, I will take the blame (along with Husband), because we clearly can't make up our minds.

Status Check

Monkey is 2 months old today, which makes Turkey 7 years, 2 months, 2 weeks and 1 day (it's easy to figure out Turkey's exact age, because he is 7 years and 15 days older than Monkey).

So with that being said, I thought I would post a status check on "the boys".

Monkey is one of the happiest babies around, everyday I look at him and think "so this is what it's like when they don't have colic".  (Turkey had colic, it was terrible.)  Monkey is still exclusively breastfed, which I am very proud of.  Not once has he had formula.  He is starting to get into a great routine with 3 good naps a day, and sleeping most of the night (he goes down around 7pm and is up around 2am and then again at 6am for the day).  His favorite toys are his mobiles, he loves them.  Seriously.  He totally geeks out at them.  He's babbling and drooling and eating his hands.  At his check-up earlier this week he was 11 lbs. 4oz and 23.5 inches.

Turkey is Turkey.  He is an amazing big brother, better than I could have ever hoped for. School is well school; we'll leave it at that.  Thankfully he has the most amazing teacher.  This favorite toys are things he can build with and battle with.  Legos, Army Men, and K'Nex.  Especially the K'Nex because you can build guns and grenade launchers and battle with them.  His bike riding is coming along nicely this year, but he desperately needs a new bike (he's gotten so tall).  I think this may be the summer the training wheels come off.  He errand his Tiger Cub rank in Cub Scouts a few months back (and his parents have signed up to be his den leader in the fall for Wolf Scouts).  Lastly, he is itching to get out and go fishing.  At last check he's around 52 inches tall and 70 lbs.  Still no loose teeth, but the dentist assures us they will come out in due time (something about having nice long strong roots).

And in case you're wondering, Husband and I are doing great.  Just taking it all one day at a time.

Asperger's Syndrome

I've been debating writing this blog entry for a few days now, but not debating whether or not to write it, but debating when to write it.  I had really wanted to call my best friend about it first, but I'm having a hard time talking about this out loud to anyone but my husband.  Sounds silly right?  It's not.  It makes me think of the opening passage to The Body by Stephen King.

"The most important things are the hardest things to say.  They are the things that you get ashamed of, because words diminish them"..."But it's more than that, ins't it?  The most important things things lie too close to wherever your secret heart is buried"..."And you may make revelations that cost you dearly only to have people look at you in a funny way, not understanding what you've said at all, or why you thought it was so important that you almost cried while you were saying it.  that's the worst, I think.  When the secret stays locked within not for the want of a teller but for want of an understanding ear."

So with that I will say it; last week Turkey was diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome.

You can find many definitions of Asperger's on-line.  This is the one I like the best.

It really was a crushing thing to read.  To see it right there in black and white on his neurological-physiological examination report.  To be told that the child you see in your eyes as perfect, while knowing clearly no one is, has a "problem", is heart-wrenching.

I don't like saying it's a diagnosis.  To me a diagnosis is something that is handed out at the medical doctor's office - a broken bone, an ear infection, even more serious things like cancer. I also don't like looking at this like it's a problem.  I have come to see it as another way of being.

When I first read the news, and I think calling it "the news" is a good way to put it; I kept looking at Turkey waiting to see him differently.  Waiting to feel different, waiting for him to start acting differently.  But that didn't happen.  Nor do I ever expect it to happen now. He is the same 7 year-old boy he was before getting the report and my love for him has not wavered.

Once I got over the initial shock, I started doing my research.  The internet can be a big scary place sometimes, especially when looking up anything medically related.  But I looked and found that the world of Asperger's really wasn't all that scary.  I also received a "parents suggested reading" list on Turkey's report.  So husband and I headed off to Barnes and Noble.  Of all the books recommended, I opted to start with Look Me In The Eye, by John Elder Robison.  This book is a memoir of his life with Asperger's (and is set in my own area).  I figured I was better off reading about someone's experience before diving into the technical reading material also recommended.

Look Me In The Eye proved to be a good first read. When Turkey saw the book lying around he said to me about the title "Why would you want to do that?"  Turkey does not like looking people in the eye while talking, unless it's one of his current topics of fascination.  This was the first sign I was on the right path reading this book first (as not looking people in the eye while speaking is an Aspergian characteristic).   I saw many traits of Turkey in this book, and to see how well John Elder turned out, it gave me hope.   I am not sure I would be posting this blog entry without first reading it.

Turkey's report also contained wonderful news - he has an IQ in the top 0.5%.  And his report contained some lesser wonderful news - he also has ADHD.  The ADHD doesn't seem to phase me at all, it just seems to common and manageable to me (not to knock anyone with ADHD).  Maybe it doesn't bother me because it's not related to the word autism.

So now, the news is out there.  Turkey has Asperger's.  My world is not ending because of this.  I am ready to go forward and do what needs to be done to ensure the best possible life for him - just as I always was.

And the award goes to.....

I will admit in the 9 months leading up to Monkey's birth I was worried about how Turkey would react, after all he had been an only child for 6 going on 7 years.  And Turkey gave me plenty of reasons to be nervous during those 9 months, despite us trying to make sure he was heavily involved with the baby-coming-planning.  But as we got closer and closer to Monkey's arrival I began to fear the change less and less.  Finally on the night Monkey was born I knew it would be all right, when Turkey waited for us in the car as to "not miss his brother or sister coming".  

Last night, as I was cooking dinner Monkey was upstairs sleeping and I began to hear him fussing.  As husband was indisposed of, and the ham steaks needed my attention on the stove I asked Turkey to go see his brother and give him his pacifier,. I would be up in the minute I told him.  Within seconds of Turkey getting upstairs I heard Monkey settle.  Then all of a sudden Turkey is yelling for me "Mom, where are the diapers?".  I pulled my grill pan off the stove and dashed upstairs.  There was Turkey in the process of changing Monkey's diaper.  So I asked Turkey why he was changing the diaper, not that I minded.  He told me Monkey "didn't want his nook, and didn't like it when I turned on the mobile.  I figured he wanted a boob, but I couldn't give him that, so I decided to check his diaper."

So there you have it folks, the Brother of the Year Award goes to Turkey!!!!  Granted I might be a little biased, but I am so proud of my oldest boy.  He has made a better than expected transition from being an only to having a sibling.  He loves to read to his brother, take bathes with his brother, show him off at school (yup, we brought the baby to school so he could); he is just so proud.

Now if only he can remember how he loves tending to his brother and helping out when he's 14 and Monkey is 7.

To disturb or not to disturb, that is the question.

I like schedules and set plans.  I like to know when the party is going to start and when it is going to end.  I like to know that after X, comes Y and it's followed by Z.  I especially like to know what is going on when it comes to planning what needs to happen with my children.  In particular with their bedtimes and their routines.

Tonight is Sunday, which means Turkey is going to bed at 7 instead of 8.  (He needs the extra rest before school and I need the extra downtime.)  He has 15 minutes of his Scooby movie to watch before bed and him and Monkey need a bath (together) as well.  This means, Turkey needs to start watching Scooby at 6:30, no later in order to get the bath down and them both in PJs for 7 (Thankfully husband helps with joint bath time to make this time frame possible).

BUT tonight, Monkey is sleeping in his swing, and Turkey is playing math games on his computer.  Husband is napping on the coach and the dog asleep on the floor at his side.  It's quiet in here... real quiet.  I've got plenty of down time right now.

Do I want to disturb everyone in order to keep with "my" schedule?  Would it be the end of the world if Turkey went to bed at 7:15 instead of 7?

Decisions, decisions, decisions.