Read more about the article Saying goodbye to a truly amazing woman
My thoughts

Saying goodbye to a truly amazing woman

It's going to be a difficult day today. This time however, it has nothing to do with Autism, or special needs parenting. Today's difficulty is the result of being human.  There are many things about being human that are difficult, but few things are more difficult than the loss of a loved one.  Everyone experiences loss, and my family is no exception. This weekend, we will be laying to rest one of my family's elders. She was/is my great aunt, but she was always just my Aunt Sissy.  I have so many fond memories of the time spent with her. She touched many lives and will be greatly missed. I find comfort in the knowledge that's she's been reunited with the love of her life, my Uncle Cy.  This weekend…

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July 28, 2017
Read more about the article Why lunch was a sensory nightmare
Autism Parenting Struggles / Emmett John / Feeding Problems / Fever Cycle / My thoughts / PFAPA / Sensory

Why lunch was a sensory nightmare

Emmett's still in the opening stretch of his current fever cycle, and he's incredibly difficult to manage as a result. I've mentioned before that when he's in a fever flare, many of his Autism related challenges are exacerbated.  Typically, the biggest challenge during the period of time the flare is active is sensory related.  He becomes so much more sensitive to everything around him.  Making lunch today was a nightmare that resulted in a massive, but relatively short lived meltdown. It had to do with a pepperoni sandwich that wasn't perfect.  Sometimes he likes to make his own sandwich because it must be perfect. I should also add that he rarely ever eats a sandwich because he rarely eats bread. I don't know why it's okay sometimes and not okay…

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July 27, 2017
Read more about the article Surgically removing myself
Emmett John / My thoughts / Sleep Issues

Surgically removing myself

I had a rough time sleeping last night, but my amazing wife let me sneak a nap this morning.  Emmett woke up around 3 am and climbed into bed with us. He was freaked out over a bad dream. He fell back to sleep quickly, because he was glued to my side. I was already having a rough time sleeping because Elliott was using my pillow, and I was really uncomfortable.  I ended up surgically removing myself from Emmett's grasp, and made my way to the couch. Unfortunately, my back is still not doing well and I couldn't get comfortable.  Bottom line, I didn't get very much sleep at all, and I'm definitely feeling it. 

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July 27, 2017
Read more about the article It looks like Gavin might have his wish granted 
Gavin / My thoughts

It looks like Gavin might have his wish granted 

I've mentioned recently that we applied to Make A Wish for Gavin. It's been awhile, we haven't heard anything back, and because he's getting close to the age cutoff, we connected with a local organization.  This is an organization that grants wishes for kids with life threatening conditions.  Lizze stumbled across them in a magazine and sent them an email. We heard back within a couple of hours and a rather lengthy phone interview took place. I'm not going to mention the name of the organization just yet, but when we hear back, I'll share everything.  Over the phone, we designed a wish for Gavin that is pretty amazing. It will involve a 1 week trip to Orlando. We will be staying in a two bedroom condo, and receive tickets…

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July 27, 2017
Read more about the article Counting my blessings this morning 
Blessings / My thoughts

Counting my blessings this morning 

Emmett had an okay day yesterday. His fever hit almost 101°F, which it's anything serious. What you need to remember though, is he's not sick. There's no physiological reason for him to be running a fever.  We had some rough moments, but the boys actually spent a few hours with my Mom.  When they got home, everyone had some downtime. I was able to work on a few projects around the house, and made it through another basket of laundry.  We ended up going to the park again after dinner. The boys were able to Pokémon hunt, and we walked a little over a mile. It may not seem like much but dragging along two kids heavily invested in Pokémon Go is a fricking challenge.  It ended up actually being…

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July 27, 2017
Read more about the article Bathing in the quiet
My thoughts

Bathing in the quiet

I'm a little bummed and frustrated today because I was expecting a package on Monday. It never showed up and still hasn't showed up. I made a trip to the post office and they have no idea where it is or what happened to it.  It's not a huge deal, as it will get addressed but I've been looking forward to moving forward on this project.  Anyway, it's been a decent morning and afternoon thus far. The house has been quiet without the kids here, and it's been nice to just bathe in the quiet.  The boys will be home soon and the noise will be returning as well. ☺ 

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July 26, 2017
Read more about the article The boys are still going
My thoughts

The boys are still going

The boys will be spending the day with my Mom again. I wasn't sure what we were going to be doing today because of the recent loss of a family member. With everything going on this week, I certainly would have understood if it wasn't going to work out today.  Thankfully, the boys will get to spend some time with my Mom today.  I'm hoping this will be good for Emmett as well. He's already struggling this morning, but this should be good for him. Frankly, I can use the break from the screaming as well. 

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July 26, 2017
Read more about the article Part puberty, part #Autism, and part normal teen angst  
Autism Parenting Struggles / Elliott / My thoughts

Part puberty, part #Autism, and part normal teen angst  

Elliott had a hard time falling asleep last night. He was still awake as we hit and passed the midnight hour. I'm not sure what he was struggling with, but it occupied enough of his mind that sleep wouldn't come.  Around midnight, he began complaining about his pillow feeling funny. I ended giving him my sort of nice, memory foam pillow to use for the night.  Thankfully, it seemed to help because he's currently sleeping. I'm using this awful, rainbow zebra striped body pillow that not conducive to sleep, but what Dad wouldn't give up a pillow for his son. ☺  On a side note, this thing with the pillow is just the latest sensory related issue that's popped up for Elliott. He's been having a very difficult time with…

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July 26, 2017