I always wanted to be a ballerina!
Baby keeps kicking/punching/headbutting my bladder and the very lower part of my uterus. It's the strangest sensation and I think I make weird faces when it happens. lol I still feel lots of movement up high too...and some on the sides. I really wish I could see what she's doing in there, because it FEELS like it's probably quite entertaining.
Just how bad is it if I drink 1 cup of swiss miss hot cocoa at work every day??
You didn't write a book. I asked. :)
I see your babe is 2. Good for you on early intervention!
Things do change and get easier. Always new challenges.
Easier would be nice. We actually started the assessment process at 22 mos. He's almost 29 now. I was thinking something was "off", but I was expecting SPD. I was blindsided by the ASD Dx. And yet at the same time it was a huge relief.
Little guy started reading early too - he was reading by 22 mos. I can't wait until he has the attention span to actually sit down and read a book - even a board book. Right now the really hard part for me is that the only thing that holds his attention for more than 5 minutes is TV or the iPad. And not only do I feel badly about my use of that to keep him busy, but then I also get plenty of judgment from other people on it. Other people who obviously don't have an ASD kid that they have to deal with all day every day, and have no idea. Even DH doesn't really have any idea - which was part of our big fight this weekend. The longest he's ever taken DS on his own was 3 hours. I literally cannot get anything done unless he has media to distract him - he'll interrupt me every 5 minutes. But that means a lot of times things just go undone - like housework. Big bone of contention there.
ANyway... blah, blah, blah. It's a tough row to hoe, and it's really helpful to hear that it does get better as they get older. His communication skills right now are so basic that it is difficult. He has this HUGE vocabulary, I mean stunningly huge, on par with a 4 year old according to the experts, and yet he can't use it except to echo. He's making progress with ABA, but I'm just hopeful that his therapists can start controlling him better soon. We're supposed to start PLing next week, so that'll be a big load off of me (diaper laundry).
My daughter loves ballet, and I have always wanted to take the adult class offered at her studio. Seems like great, fun exercise!
My heart always goes out to ASD kids... most of the ASD kids I know are really cool kids! But they can be challenging... and I think a lot of people don't understand how hard it can be (I know I don't totally understand)...
Right now my 2 year old is eat chips watching some gardeners trim a hedge next door out the front window, without any pants or diapy on... I am so thankful for the gardeners entertaining him! He is telling me everything they are doing-- play by play. But he has been so occupied, I've gotten a ton of stuff done today and the time is passing so quickly!
I always loved ballet as a kid, to watch. But the teacher we had was definitely old school, into training ballerinas, not teaching kids to enjoy dancing. It really sucked a lot of the enjoyment out of it for me. I quit somewhere around 10, IIRC, which a part of me has always regretted. At this point I'm too big to go back to it. But once this baby arrives, DH is actually planning on riding my butt to lose some weight - chasing 2 LOs is going to require it. We're talking about setting up a "walkstation" for me if I can get a treadmill off CL. I may not have a whole lot of time to spend on the computer, but the time I would be spending, I'd be spending on the treadmill.
I agree that ASD kids can be really cool, but the hard part right now for me is the comparisons with other moms whose kids aren't ASD. The judgment, whether it's real or imagined. I don't have any friends with ASD kids a similar age, all my friend's kids are NT. Even non-mamas - my grandmother this weekend was getting judgmental about the fact that DS isn't PL'd yet, and yet even for a NT child, this isn't late. And yet at the same time I really struggle with not letting him "get away with" things just because he's ASD. It's a tough line to walk. And it doesn't help that I'm among the crunchier of my friends, so things like BWing, and even the fact that at 2 he's still getting formula (instead of being weaned to cow's milk at 12 mos on the nose) gets backs up. Heaven forbid I tell them that he still wants a boobie to hang onto as he goes to sleep, or that his night-time bottle is now (half) RAW milk (he only recently got willing to drink cow's milk, and our milk is farm fresh), or that breakfast each morning is sausage and egg. I feel like I'd be burned at the stake for heresy. Which is silly considering how crunchy this area is.
Anyway. Sorry. Obviously a sore subject right now, and since I have no one to talk to about it...
I did not get any canning done today, I'm too exhausted. But dinner last night was excellent. I went back for seconds of the veggies. Pork roast, roasted potatoes, roasted asparagus, hollandaise sauce (from scratch). And actually a really simple meal, since the roast and potatoes went into the oven together, the asparagus joined them the last 20 minutes, and then I made the hollandaise after I put the asparagus in. I think we'll be having more asparagus (and hollandaise) tonight, although I'm out of potatoes. I'll have to stop at the store after I pick up the milk share.
Baby is getting stronger by the day. DH was laying with his head on my belly last night while we were watching TV and she started kicking him in the back of the head. I wasn't sure if he felt it at first, but he did. Last week he could barely feel her with me moving his hand across my belly, and this week she's a LOT stronger. Strong enough to wake me up at night, in fact, which is interesting. I don't recall DS ever waking me up at night with movement.
MW appt tomorrow - DH is hopefully going to be WFH so he can get to know her too. Almost time for the afternoon therapist to show up, so I've gotta run.
Just how bad is it if I drink 1 cup of swiss miss hot cocoa at work every day??
As compared to what?
Not something I would choose to drink, just because I don't like Swiss Miss, but in the grand scheme of things it's not a horrible choice, so long as you're not having a problem with your blood sugar or energy levels.
Cristeen, the judgement is totally what I was thinking about, but didn't want to go too much into it. But that is very much what my friends feel.... like when their kids is melting down in the store and no one wants to look at the parent and smile and think it is all the parent, and what have they done to mess up their kid... So when I see that happening in the store, I don't try to bug the parent, but let them know that we've all had days like that and offer a human connection.... however is appropriate.
I was on a swiss miss habit for a bit, but cut it since it has hydrogenated oils... but I still dump some cocoa powder and sugar in coffee and milk at least once a day. I don't eat a lot of white bread or processed foods, other then that so I figure its okay.
forest and cristeen - the best thing to do when it comes to judgmental people when it comes to our kids (special needs or otherwise!) is to ignore everyone and just focus on your kiddo.
I used to carry a few cards around that explain that my daughter has autism and sometimes she gets over-stimualted and needs to scream or run to vent her frustration and that giving us some space is the best way they can help to support me. It usually worked when her meltdowns got out of control in public. Though you do get the odd comment, I always found it easier to just ignore them. :)
Cristeen - Alena nursed until 4 and a half not only because she seemed to genuinely need it, but because I was Terrified to wean her while all she'd eat is cheese and apple slices.
Yep it was the hydrogenated oil thing that made me feel nervous/guilty ... It's probably fine though I'm sure...
I was on a swiss miss habit for a bit, but cut it since it has hydrogenated oils... but I still dump some cocoa powder and sugar in coffee and milk at least once a day. I don't eat a lot of white bread or processed foods, other then that so I figure its okay.
Yep it was the hydrogenated oil thing that made me feel nervous/guilty ... It's probably fine though I'm sure...
Do you have a Trader Joe's near you? They have a heavenly "sipping chocolate".
I do, and I will investigate this right away! 
Do you have a Trader Joe's near you? They have a heavenly "sipping chocolate".
Bad night last night. Has anyone ever thrown food at their spouse? 
Bad night last night. Has anyone ever thrown food at their spouse?
I haven't done that before...I sure have felt like it though!
Do you have a Trader Joe's near you? They have a heavenly "sipping chocolate".
I wish we had a TJ's in Austin. Texas is supposed to get some stores, but Dallas and Houston are getting them first. I'm a bit sore about it...I feel like Austin would appreciate it more - LOL. Yesterday, I wanted a chocolate shake and thought about Ovaltine...I'm concerned that might not be safe because of all of the vitamins - it's probably not a problem unless I drink a gallon of it. Hmm, I wonder what Whole Foods has. I bought some Promiseland Dairy chocolate milk last week and it was heavenly...nice and thick! It also has a TON of sugar in it...oops.
Cristeen - Alena nursed until 4 and a half not only because she seemed to genuinely need it, but because I was Terrified to wean her while all she'd eat is cheese and apple slices.
That's amazing! You deserve the super mom award!
I am sorry ladies, I don't know where else to ask online.
You know all the pretty yarn people use to make super cute longies and soakers with? Where do you buy yarn like that at? I looked on Etsy but the $50 price tags are way over my budget.
ETA: I found some links. Think most hand done yarn must be $25+ a skein. I found knitpicks. It has some pretty yarn and good pricing!
i have some yarn from knitpicks, it is nice. people on ravelry love it. they also have really great knitting needles.
otherwise, yeah--specialty yarn shops, other websites where you can buy textile stuff, michael's, etsy, etc. one thing that helps is looking at what 'yarn ideas' people use for projects on ravelry--then you can see where they are buying the yarn and try to figure out what is less $$.
ps. agree w/ sipping chocolate from TJ's. or, i just buy baking chocolate and add sugar to my liking :)
I am sorry ladies, I don't know where else to ask online.
You know all the pretty yarn people use to make super cute longies and soakers with? Where do you buy yarn like that at? I looked on Etsy but the $50 price tags are way over my budget.
IMO, Knitpicks (Wool of the Andes) is not the best choice for making longies past the NB size. It felts really easily. It's so super soft and lovely to work with, but my one pair of Knitpicks longies felted in the crotch really badly, to where I don't think they're going to be useable for this baby.
For NB they're neither moving around so much or in it so long, so it should work fine.
There are half a dozen different companies that people buy yarn from, it is pricey. Particularly when you consider that longies will usually take 2-3 skeins depending on size.
For a cheaper option, I've had decent luck with both Pattons and Fisherman's wool, both of which I can find in the local craft stores. They do pill pretty badly, but they hold up decently. They do not have the resiliency of some others though, so definitely need a drawstring. Get a white/cream color and you can dye it either before or after knitting. Dyeing is easily done with a couple mason jars, some hot water and either Kool Aid packets or some plain old food coloring and vinegar.
Thanks Cristeen and Roxi!
I did end up ordering 2 skeins of wool of the andes tonal (color foilage, I think its perfect for fall!) and 1 skein of saffron as the contrast. It was $20 but I figured it will be something handmade and with love for the 6-9month size - should be good?.
I have just been knitting like a fiend the last two nights. I made the most adorable little newborn soaker/skirty yesterday. It looks like a ballerina tutu. I used my only skein of pink patons I could find in my stash. I really winged the pattern. Used the first part of "Born to loves" pattern and then picked up and crocheted the skirt section. I am actually quite proud of it!
I love to dye my own wool! I am actually knitting a soaker out of wool I dyed with wiltons a few months back with the kids. It isnt very soft though. I will give the Fisherman's a shot!
Bad night last night. Has anyone ever thrown food at their spouse?
Not food. I did throw a baby bottle at him once. We had a long road to get where we are because the idea of doing something like that seems unfathomable to me now! LOL Hang in there and apologize....love makin' also helps alleviate tension! LOL
I throw stuff sometimes... I feel terrible saying it... but I don't think I have thrown food, yet.
Austin totally deserves a TJs first!
Bad night last night. Has anyone ever thrown food at their spouse?
No, but I have wanted to throw things at the tv when the signal gets messed up. I haven't yet though.
I am sorry ladies, I don't know where else to ask online.
You know all the pretty yarn people use to make super cute longies and soakers with? Where do you buy yarn like that at? I looked on Etsy but the $50 price tags are way over my budget.
ETA: I found some links. Think most hand done yarn must be $25+ a skein. I found knitpicks. It has some pretty yarn and good pricing!
You could buy undyed wool yarn and dye it yourself. I used to do that when DD was little. It was fun. :)
Not food. I did throw a baby bottle at him once. We had a long road to get where we are because the idea of doing something like that seems unfathomable to me now! LOL Hang in there and apologize....love makin' also helps alleviate tension! LOL
Yes it does!
Bad night last night. Has anyone ever thrown food at their spouse?
Lol, I threw a cup o noodles at my ex boyfriend once... and a sword at him once, too. That sounds pretty bad but it wasn't like I threw it like a spear....
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