Labor of Love

Work this weekend was more stressful than usual.  It's funny that I love to flex my nursing muscle but hate to deal with the personnel issues that my job entails.  I couldn't wait to get to my days off.  I received a text from my mother-in-law that Gideon had pink eye Saturday night.  Then, Sunday morning, Gavin texted that he didn't feel well.  After a particularly stressful night, I wasn't looking forward to being up for more than 20 hours after having about 4 hours of daytime sleep Saturday.  I prayed that God kept us all safe while I drove and that the kids would cooperate.

I picked up Gavin and Gideon and went to the Access Medical Center by our house.  I was so relieved to get the P.A. that we did.  She was knowledgable about Autism, and P.A.N.D.A.  She understood my request that since Gavin had Strep to treat Gideon.  She knew that he would experience regression and other issues.  Gideon has pink eye and he is not happy about it.  This morning, when his eye was matted shut he asked to go to the hospital and then asked to get back in my tummy.  This was funny to me, because when I am stressed about home stuff, I will jokingly ask to move back home with my parents.

Today has been busy, from disinfecting the house, to doing laundry, to holding fighting Gideon down to put drops in his eye, it's been busy.  Gunnar is demanding attention at every turn.  I am unsure if he isn't feeling well or if having the other two home is infringing on his time with me.  Even with all that, this is where I want to be.  As busy as it is, I would rather work my butt off with these three than be ANYWHERE else. 

I love my profession, my hours at work and the "break" I get from home but being able to be here, with my G's is the most precious time I can have.  I hope someday, when my G's become daddy's, that they will get to spend time with their children like I have.

Gideon's Army

When we were pregnant with Gideon, Nick and I decided to name him after Gideon in the Bible.  The Gideon in the Bible was strong, stong-willed and had the ability to move people to stand for what was right and battle.  We wanted our child to have these traits and more.

When we realized that he was having difficulties in development, we didn't know where to begin.  We called Soonerstart, they helped Gideon with walking.  Then, we moved on to Speech Therapy and that is when my fears were realized.  I have always known he was intelligent, because he could take apart my vaccuum at 15 months.  He has been able to open medicine bottles since I can remember and he built things with detail.  I had the thought of Autism in my mind but most of the kiddos I read about developed normally until 18 months or so.  My Gid hadn't developed normally, he wasn't reaching milestones, and regardless of all the well intentioned people trying to convince me that he was okay, I knew better.

When I took him for a well-child check and his pediatrician blurted out, "He's acting autistic!" I wanted to say, "Duh!"  However, that would not be appropriate.  My response to him was, "Okay, now what?"  I called my friend who has a child on the spectrum and since she has mentored me.  She has prepared me for the IEP meetings and gives me support.  She helps me understand what I am dealing with and up against.  I learn a lot from her and do my own research.  Knowledge is power and having a support system is imperitive for the days when I just don't know if I can do this anymore.  Some days, I am a great Mom/Advocate/Therapist, others, I am not as good.

What I want people to know is I am an ordinary Mom put in an extraordinary circumstance.  I don't always know what to do, how to react, where to go.  I try, I try real hard.  I pray, sometimes I think does God really care that I am upset that Gideon is reciting his WHOLE day verbally and it makes me anxious because I feel he might be turning a new stone in Autism, one that I don't know what to do.  Yes, I am thankful that he is talking, but I don't understand Echolalia.

I want people to realize that just because my son is handsome and smart, that he has issues he is working very hard on.  He is working on social skills, emotional skills, speech and trying to take in as much of his enviroment all at one time.  Please be understanding.  There are days I would love to wear a sign that identifies us so people in public wouldn't be so mean as to stare, make rude comments or worse, call the police because I had to remove a screeching maniac (that weighs half as much as I do) from the store.

I am so excited about the upcoming Piece Walk.  I designed t-shirts for Gideon's Army. Gideon's Army refers to the people that have prayed and do pray for Gideon's development.  I want to take this opportunity to spread awareness and honor the progress Gideon has made in the last year and a half. 

I hope you all can join us May 5th at the AT&T Bricktown Ballpark at 0830.  If not, you can support our team by donation or buying a t-shirt (adult sizes only).  The shirts are $20 ea.  I will post a pic of the proof for the shirt.

Roller Skating Justin

Last weekend we had Gavin's 11th birthday party.  He chose to have a skate party.  This type of party is hard to entertain the little G's and also include them at the same time.  Thank goodness the grandparents came so we could enjoy ourselves and make sure the lil G's were cared for.

When we got there the lil G's wanted to attempt to skate.  We put little skates on the two of them.  Gunnar was not into it AT ALL.  Gideon, however, was a little more daring with skating.  A friend of mine came to the party, Justin had worked at a skate rink when he was younger and I had no idea he was so good at it.  Justin and me held Gideon's hands and skated him around the rink.  Then, Justin took Gideon by himself and Gideon did quite well.  Soon after, Gideon lost interest and the party carried on.

Last night before going to bed, Gideon put his hands on either side of my face (a way to tell me to give full attention) and said, "What Justin doing?"  I said, "Justin?"  "Who's Justin?"  He said, "Roller skating Justin, I want to talk to him."  So, we called Justin and Gideon froze up while talking to him with a huge grin on his face.  It was as if he was talking to a celebrity.  Justin was so sweet and talked to Gideon and once they hung up Gideon said, "Roller skating Justin is cool."

You never know who, what, or where someone will make a difference.  Thank you Roller Skating Justin, I am glad you came to the party and you have a friend for life in me and Gideon.