Reality check on aisle 7

It's been a while since we've had a full-blown meltdown in public. Now we know why. I hadn't even realized it, but we hardly ever go anywhere with all the boys anymore other than the park. Grocery store? Maybe a quick stop here or there, but dh does the grocery shopping while they are all in school. Mall? Ha! I can't even remember the last time we went to the mall. We used to take...

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Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving art by BearhugToday before dinner we all shared some things we are thankful for (well, all of us except Bitty, who was busy doing his own thing). Here are just some of mine:My sweet boysMy husbandMy parents, brother, SIL, grandparents, aunts, uncles, everyone in my familyMy husband's familyMy friends, those I know IRL and those I have "met" onlineHeavenly Father &...

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SEW & WW: Naptime

Here's one of my favorite pictures, taken on Thanksgiving Day 2005. My dad fell asleep holding Little Bitty (who was also asleep). So sweet!Click here for more Special Exposure Wednesday. Click here or here for more Wordless Wednesday.If you enjoyed this post, get free updates by email or R...

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Momdot Blog Party Day 9: Best Christmas Gift Ever!

Click on the graphic above to go back to the main postBrought to you by jaC Jewelry, Cutie Covers and Sassy Baby.Day #9 Topic: Most unusual gift you have received? Best gift? Do you re-gift?The best Christmas gift ever, was Christmas 2000. I was 10 weeks pregnant and went in for my first appt (it was the earliest they could get me in) on December 21, 2000. At the doctor's office...

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Mondays in Motion #10: Artist at work

Recently I caught Little Bitty on film while he was sitting on my lap drawing. He surprised me with the level of detail in his drawings, especially for being only 3 and having fine motor issues. He's actually doing pretty good with his grip (yay!) although he still alternates drawing with each hand (trade off whenever one gets tired I suppose). He drew several cats (complete with...

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Magic Marker Monday: Thanksgiving Fun

Each of the boys made a Thanksgiving placemat in school this year.Cuddlebug's includes a note to dh saying, "I'm thankful for you making hot coco for me and [Bearhug]. Becase we like the taste. I want you to do it agian. Love, signry [Cuddlebug]"Bearhug wrote a note to me that read, "I'm thankful for giveing hugs, because you are my favreot mom. I want to give a hug evry day. Love,...

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Baby Picture Sunday: Thankful for Babies

Debi over at "Who Says 8 is Enough?" hosts Baby Picture Sundays. This week's theme is Thankful for Babies, a perfect topic for today.Here are some of my favorite baby pictures of my three babies:This is Cuddlebug (left) and Bearhug at 3 months old. I am thankful for Cuddlebug's loving personality and the kindness he shows to others. I am thankful for Bearhug's generous hugs and...

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Always Remembered...

Your time with us was briefJust a few short weeksWe never got to see you or hold youThe day we expected to hear your heartbeatWas the day we learned that you had left this worldWho knew that someone so smallNot yet met in personCould have such a lasting impact?I felt your presence with me for that short timeAnd loved you from the beginningI will see you againUntil then, you walk...

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Momdot Blog Party Day 8: The joy of shopping

Click on the graphic above to go back to the main postBrought to you by Koshas, Leapfrog and Soda Club.Day #8 Topic: Do you shop on Black Friday? What time do you start? Do you finish all your shopping on that day? What’s the best deal you have found? What’s your shopping strategy?I could answer this one in one word (or two words if I wanted to be really emphatic about it, LOL),...

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Taking things literally

Based on what I have read, it is common for people with autism to take things very literally. I can't speak for others, but we definitely see that at our house, especially with Cuddlebug. Here are some examples just from the last couple of weeks:Cuddlebug (angry): "Mama, Dada told a LIE." (saying the word "lie" with utter contempt)me: "What do you mean?"CB: "He said I'm tired!...

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Gobble, gobble

Bitty has learned about turkeys saying "gobble, gobble." He got a little confused the other day though, when he was eating his jerky and kept pointing to it saying, "gobble, gobble." LOLIf you enjoyed this post, get free updates by email or R...

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Momdot Blog Party Day 6: Holiday memories

Click on the graphic above to go back to the main postBrought to you by Flying Colors Baby, Uncommonly Cute and Lollipop Book Club.Day #6 Topic: Favorite holiday memory from YOUR childhoodOne of my favorite holiday memories is when I got to help be "Santa" for my little brother for the first time. I don't remember exactly how old I was (maybe 7 or 8) and I had started to suspect...

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SEW & WW: Infinite energy

Bearhug in mid-air as he runs along the sidewalk, Little Bitty walking down the hill, and Cuddlebug sliding down the hill. This is pretty representative of our days - the boys are always in motion and it's not unusual to find each of them doing his own thing :).Click here for more Special Exposure Wednesday. Click here and here for more Wordless Wednesday.If you enjoyed this post,...

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Try this Tuesday: Travel tips

Travelling with children can be a challenging experience. Travelling with children who have special needs can be all the more challenging. We have never flown with our kids, so I don’t have any tips there, but we have taken many road trips over the years.The need for samenessRoutine and predictability are especially important for children with autism. Even the most exciting event,...

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A creative request

Next to "cran" (cranberry apple juice), Bitty's favorite juice is V8 Splash, which he calls "eight."Bitty loves to count, he can count up to 30+ and he can count backward from 10. He counts everything. He also likes to have us repeat back what he says when he talks to us, I think it's his way of confirming that we understood him.He found me in the kitchen and said, "teh" (ten)...

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Mondays in Motion #9: Caroling

I know it's a little early for Christmas videos, but I don't have any Thanksgiving videos readily available and I'm in a holiday mood... so here's one from last year, a little before Christmas when Bearhug and Cuddlebug (dark blue shirt) decided to do a little caroling, complete with pretend hot chocolate (just like on Polar Express). I was impressed that they didn't actually make...

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Magic Marker Monday: Thanksgiving Recipe

With Thanksgiving coming up, I figured it was a good time to share this recipe from Thanksgiving 2005 from Bearhug:"Buy a turkey from Wal-mart. Buy a little turkey. Pay $1.00 for it. Put it in a bag and put it in the basket. Take it to the car and put it in the trunk. Go straight home and take the turkey to the kitchen factory.Get the turkey ready to cook by adding 10 cups of white...

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Feeling thankful

The ASD program at Cuddlebug & Bearhug's school hosted a Thanksgiving "feast" for the students and their families last week. We had a great time, and one of the highlights was the slideshow they had playing on the wall throughout dinner, with a picture of each of the kids and teachers along with a quote telling one thing they are thankful for.Here's what our boys said:Cuddlebug:...

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