Friday, June 28, 2013

Progress Reports

When Baduka aged out of Early Intervention and he started school, I was so nervous. For the months and weeks ahead of time, I didn't even want to talk about my baby being a big boy. I cried and made pancakes his first day to pass the hours until I could pick him up. He seemed so little that first day in April.

Today was his last regular school day. He has a week off before the summer program starts. Today was also the first of his school progress reports. I sat in the front seat in the driveway, with tears in my eyes, reading all his accomplishments. All of his little checkmarks in the boxes marked EMERGING. For Baduka, I'm sure school is just that place he goes to get away from his crazy mother and brothers. But for me and Daddy, school is the place that's making our baby a little boy.

In the past 3 months, he has come so far. He has confidence. He wants to play and interact with other kids. He tries to communicate. He mirrors so many words and songs. There have even been times when he's actually talked, if that makes sense. Normally, the things he says are repeats of  what he hears. But then there are times, like this morning, when I handed him a cookie and he said, "issa cookie, iss gooood." He continued eating his cookie and I came in the kitchen and cried a little bit.

Most parents take all these things for granted, but when we got an autism diagnosis for him, we weren't sure what we could take for granted anymore. When we worried that he didn't know what words were, and that they have meanings and weren't just sounds, people would try to joke about being happy he didn't talk, because their kids never shut up. We HATE hearing that. I would do anything to know that when I say something to him, he knows what I'm talking about. I would love to take away his frustration, by knowing exactly what he is trying to say. I would love to prevent the crying and confusion. So we celebrate every little victory.

When he says "Ready! Set! Go!" We cheer so loud.
When he points to a tree and says, "Issa tree!" We high-five.
When today he watched the windshield wipers on the school bus going, and started singing, "the wipers on the bus go swish,swish,swish," I sang along with him.

I hope by all the cheers, "Yay! You did it!"s, high-fives and hugs, he knows how proud we are of how far he's come. I can't wait to see what else his big, cute head holds.


Tuesday, June 25, 2013

All in a day's work

The maniacs woke up 22 minutes before the alarm today. Like legit awake, because Dizzy actually brought his blankie and pillow to our bed at 3:32am. Sweet of him to bring his own supplies, then proceed to STEAL.MY.PILLOW. With his WHOLE.SIDEWAYS.BODY. He's so considerate.

Anyway, the lack of sleep has made me lazy (-ier than usual.) But yesterday I was super productive and cleaned and reorganized. Can't tell today, but I swear, I did.

So, I'm considering it a job well done, that I made all the boys' doctor AND dentist appointments. Just to make the appointment for the doctor was like 15 minutes of names, birthdays, what they were being seen for, etc... I should have really considered how long these processes would take when I said, "sure let's have kids!" Three times. Consider this my warning to all you childless readers.

Sometimes it amazes me that I'm even allowed to make doctors' appointments for them. I don't even like to call for a pizza. Daddy does ALL the insurance stuff. And bills. And phone calls for dinner. I hate the phone that much. I talk too much and start telling not necessary information. And for some strange reason, I'm never actually prepared to talk to an actual person, so I already have my message ready, and that completely throws off a normal conversation.

For the dentist appointments, I Facebook messaged the information. Best thing I'll use it for this week, I'm sure.

After all this hard work, I need a nap and a coffee break.

Thursday, June 20, 2013

Losing it

Me, Dizzy, and the New Kid just got back from Target, our favorite place to give Daddy's paycheck to. I "needed" new plastic bins and covers for toy organization. It amazes me how crazy about toy sorting I am, because neat and tidy, I am NOT. I think I've watched Toy Story wayyy too many times though, because it freaks me out when toys are put away at night without all their parts. And honestly, I talked to my Cabbage Patch Kid well into my 20's, a part of me will always believe they do come alive.

Because of this insanity, I know all the toys they have, and where they go, and what's missing. I fear they are silently screaming, "I'm a LOST toy!" when they aren't where the rest of them are. Crazy- party of me!

But the baffling part is, where do they go? We live in a one bedroom. We barely leave the house. How on earth did they lose the 7 and 11 block from their wooden clock? How did they lose 51 magnets from the alphabet set? I know where the H is, but the rest? And all the picture magnets to match the letters?

When I put the bus away at night, the driver has to be in the drivers' seat, and let's not get started on passenger placement. When one is "missing," I wonder what kind of adventures they've been on.

When the boys lose interest in a toy, I seriously feel bad for it. I try to make them like it again, like some strange, forced playdate.

Clearly, along with lost toys, I've also lost my mind and my hair, but none of my weight. Thanks, boys.

Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Rare moments

Ever have one of those amazing days, where all your crazy children decide, "nah, not today? Today, we'll just take it easy on the old lady. Let's just relax, she's been looking a little tired, and have you seen those grays?" And you seize that opportunity to shower, or eat a real lunch, or in my case today, wash the disgusting kitchen floor?

The New Kid was napping, Baduka and Dizzy were all comfy with their bags of Froot Loops and Monsters Inc was playing. All was quiet and peaceful.

I had dragged the kitchen chairs onto the back porch and swept under, over, and around everything else. I just filled up the sink with steaming hot water and Pine-Sol. I found the mop.

"DING DONG!"
"BARK,BARK,BARK!"
"WAHHH!"
"Other various sounds of all H-E-Double hockey sticks (for you Bruins fans) breaking loose."

Seriously, lady? I don't want a bible. I don't want to talk about Jesus. I didn't even want to open the door, but CatDog would have barked until tomorrow if I didn't.

I actually think those two ladies should have came in and washed the floor, entertained the children, and made me a drink.

God probably would have wanted that.


Tuesday, June 18, 2013

Rain, Rain, GO AWAY!

We got home today as soon as the rain was the worst, who's surprised? I tried staying in the car for as long as possible, but Dizzy hated that idea, and made it known by annoying the New Kid out of a car nap. So I got them all in the house and Dizzy set the dog free. Which meant the dog was running into someone else's yard to pee on their stuff (sorry, Neighbors!) I was still carrying Baduka in, and Dizzy was standing on the kitchen table, so with a kid under each arm, I locked them in their bedroom to go get the dumb dog. Halfway down the hallway was a "Baby on the Loose!" Seriously? I know I dream of escaping some days, but these guys need a better plan.

Because of all the blah this rain has brought, I figure now would be a good time to add to my Things That Make Me Happy List.

* The smell of the New Kid. The drooly, pukey, formulaey deliciousness that apparently only a mother could love, because Daddy thinks it's disgusting. What does he know? He willingly smells poop.

* How whenever Dizzy does anything that we say "Thank you!" for he high-fives us and says, "YESSSA!" It's really quite adorable.

* How awesome Baduka has been doing in school and out. The other day he put together an alphabet floor puzzle and named every picture. And he's memorized some parts of books, so it's like he's reading.

* Going to the mailbox and not finding a single bill. Today the only mail was for my aunt who hasn't lived here for years asking for a church donation, and an offer to switch our cable.

* Already knowing exactly what's for dinner.

What about you guys? What makes you happy on rainy, blah days? Leave a comment!

Monday, June 17, 2013

Happy Father's Day

So Father's Day didn't go exactly how we planned when we finally figured out what we wanted to do with the boys. After Daddy's fast emergency call and breakfast, we decided on a movie at Chunky's, because the maniacs would be free (under 4) and dads got free admission AND a bag of popcorn. It would have cost us $5.75, without any food or drinks. And we were using it as a test for when Monsters University and Despicable Me 2 come out.

So after a fast shower (thanks for pointing out my crazy hair, Daddy) we got the bag packed, the boys dressed and in the car, and flew to Pelham, because obviously we were almost late. Got there, got the boys in the carriage, and halfway across the parking lot Daddy decided to check for his wallet. Of course, that was home on the dresser. I, of course, didn't have anything but my license, because I was with Daddy, my personal debit card.

All we could do was high-five, while saying, "best parents ever," and turn around to go back to the car. Then we had to find a Stop and Shop with a Citizens Bank, so we could withdraw enough money to get gas, and a much needed at this point, coffee.

We ended up at a park and the best boys had a blast. Dizzy actually screamed his way out of it, which isn't really something he does.

To be honest it didn't matter what we did, or where we did it, to celebrate the day. I know whether it's a day in June or the middle of winter, the best boys love their dad and he loves them. Their little faces light up when they see him come in the door after a day at work. They want hugs and smiles and high-fives no matter how smelly. Daddy doesn't care how tired he is, he always gets down to their eye level to give them a smile and a big hug and a "how's your day, bud?" He asks them questions and even though he doesn't get an answer yet, he always waits. To me that's the best part. He shows them how important they are to him, by giving them that time to answer, whether they use it or not.

So, Happy Father's Day to the most amazing, loving, caring daddy these boys ever had. Thanks for being so awesome.

Thursday, June 13, 2013

Make a wish!

Most parents have a wish list for their kids- happy, healthy, blahblahblah, but I think we have a realistically silly one too. Here's mine:

* I wish our floors were toy and dirt repellent, because I'm tired of wishing the floors were clean.

* I wish naptime had a sleep remaining monitor, so I would know if I had time to shower or nap too. Actually, I wouldn't waste that time showering, who am I trying to impress?

* I wish the maniacs knew how important Mommy Bathroom time is, and not do anything dangerous while I'm in there. Last time I let my guard down, Baduka threw the TV on the floor.

* I wish they didn't decide to love that stupid toy the day I decide to finally throw it away. I blame them for our future appearance on Hoarders.

* I wish parents were given a remote control to slow down and speed up certain moments without ruining the timing of the universe or anything like that. A particularly grody diaper? Hurry up, literally! A wicked adorable cuddle? Slooooower!

* I wish someone would invent Eye Cameras for those close up moments of awesome, or those times when you aren't holding a camera. Just as long as you yell, "Click!" The moment is instantly saved and uploaded to the site of your choosing.

* I wish Dizzy hadn't learned that I make him "say sorry" with a kiss, because now he has perfected the Smack and Smooch. He will do something evil to the New Kid and immediately put his kissing lips on. He's lucky he's cute, but the New Kid will be bigger than him someday.

What about you guys? Any wishes on your list, that I'm missing out on wishing for? Leave a comment. And I added a follower button and a subscribe, let me know who's reading my crazy life stories, by following and subscribing. Thank you :)

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

Just getting some diapers...

Last night Daddy changed all the diapers from the time he got home from work til the maniacs went to bed, because yes, he is the best. When he asked if the diaper pack was the last one we had, I told him I thought Dizzy hid a pack in the closet. He didn't. So when I heard Daddy say something about lasting til tomorrow to them, I hoped it meant he was bringing us diapers. It didn't. Which meant today, when I finally dragged myself out of bed at 8:30something-ish, and saw only 3 diapers for the 3 butts, I knew a Target trip was mandatory. I almost considered potty training all of them today, they pee where they want anyway.

I hate shopping with 3 children for exactly 1 reason. The shopping carts. When will every store decide that the design of the BJ's ones are far superior and get them too? The double seats with working buckles, and the basket with room for the New Kid's baby bucket AND stuff is genius. The other stores who just slapped a plastic chair to a regular cart really didn't help the situation of more than one child. The cart is as long as a freaking aisle. Going to pay, and prevent them from throwing all the candy and gum onto the conveyor belt, is an aerobic exercise. This is why Daddy gets lists texted to him almost daily.

But anyway, it took over an hour to get them all dressed, milked/formulaed, pancakes microwaved, shoes found (didn't even wear them,) and into their carseats. I let the dog come in the hopes he would eat all the old pretzels, pancakes, and cereal off the car floor, but apparently he was full off the bowl of cat food he ate right before leaving. All in all, it took 2 hours to do something that should have taken 20 minutes.

And they haven't even pooped yet.

And I found a stash of diapers in a backpack.

I left the house for nothing and used half a day doing it. Good news is, I didn't get sucked into the Target Trap. I got out of there for less than $35.

It's the little things.

Monday, June 10, 2013

Field Trip!

Yesterday was a big day for us, we went to Fenway for a Red Sox game, and made it home with as many as we left with! And then some, actually since my sister and her friend were going to miss their train, and got a ride back with us.

I'm always so nervous about taking Baduka anywhere without a fence, gate, door with combination locks, etc. He's just so fast and I've never been the running type. But we had the tickets and we were going back and forth about babysitters, just Daddy going with friends, just me going with friends, or taking the maniacs. Then we realized we don't actually have enough friends, and had no choice but to have a Family Field Trip. My stepfather and sister joined us, we had five tickets and we only needed three, Dizzy got in free. My mom kept the New Kid, because we aren't that crazy.

And it was good! Granted, I didn't watch a single minute of it. I didn't even know it was the last inning, because I thought I heard "Sweet Caroline" and that happens in the seventh, right? But then everyone was packing up and I was still trying to get a family picture in front of the field.

Dizzy slept through a majority of the game, thank goodness for cheap umbrella strollers! And Baduka had us take him on many walks for Swedish Fish. The $7.50 was worth the few minutes he sat. I even got some cute pictures of him leaning against the fence watching the players in the bullpen (until yesterday I didn't even know what a bullpen was.)

When we got the tickets, I was mad at Daddy for wanting to go with friends, because I thought we should take the boys. Then I was mad at myself for wanting to take the boys. Girls right?! Can never make up their freakin' minds! But crowds scare me. I'm terrified of that two seconds. That two seconds, where someone's entire world can change. Daddy says we need to break out of our Autism Bubble a little more, because it's not fair to the other two, and I know he's right. So days like yesterday are even more amazing. We had fun, we rode the T, we ate Swedish Fish. No crying, no panicking, not even a poop!

It was a pretty fantastic field trip!

Friday, June 7, 2013

TGIF!

This week feels like it should have ended 3 days ago. My goodness its been a rough one. I'm trying to just get through today without my head exploding, and then hopefully we can have fun this weekend.

Every morning, I drop off Baduka at school, and park as close as possible, so I can leave the other two in the car. Bad parenting? Maybe, but half the time Dizzy and the New Kid aren't even wearing pants. And parents aren't even allowed in the building, unless it's raining, so I see the car the whole 5 minutes. Days like today, I am most definitely leaving them in the car. We were running late, it's raining, Dizzy still needed to be changed from waking up, the New Kid didn't have a bottle yet, blahblahblah. Apparently today, I wasn't the only one having a less than perfect Friday. And yes, I may have parked in not the best spot, but the mother that was determined to let me know it, maybe could have taken it down a few notches. In the time it took for her to repeatedly tell me to never park there "EVER again, UNDERSTAND?" I coulda been halfway down the street. I hope her day got better, because that was at 8:30. It takes a long time to get from there, til it's 5 o'clock somewhere, and she can finally relax.

What really bothered me about the whole thing was, how she seemed determined to start a yelling match. Umm, we were in the school yard. I don't think its necessary to go on a rampage in front of little kids aged 3 and up. I mean, I guess most of them were already in the building, but still? Isn't that more damaging than me parking for 5 minutes, and blocking the driveway to the teachers' spaces? I see her point, that it could be a hazard in a fire, but it's not like the building was sending up smoke signals. The teachers who get the kids off the school vans saw me park, and didn't even say anything. Just makes me wonder if this is how she treats everyone when she thinks/knows she's right?

I have enough things to worry about, so I just kept saying okay, I'm moving, okay, I'm leaving, because honestly this wasn't something I was willing to get into. I hope that was the only time I had to "pick my battle" with her.

Monday, June 3, 2013

My type of girl?

Yesterday we spent the day at my mom's for my sister's baby shower, which means the maniacs ate mostly cake, and the occasional bite of chicken. By the time we got home, they were filthy and exhausted, so it was baths, a snack, and bed. Why was I surprised that Dizzy was up moan-cry-whining at 2:30? I was practically begging him to stop. An extra cup of milk, a nutri-grain bar, a peanut butter sandwich, and Curious George 2 finally got that kid to sleep at 5ish.

He slept the entire ride to Baduka's school. Bastard.

Which brings me to the point of my story. I don't make a long story short even in blog form haha. There's a mom of twin boys that I talk to at the drop off and pick up. One of her twins is in Baduka's class, and so she keeps hinting at playdates. While she seems nice and all, she doesn't seem "my type," so I decided to try talking to her like I would to one of my already friends, with a somewhat tame conversation starter. It went like this:

Me: "Ugh, I wanna throw myself under a bus today."
Her: "What?! You almost got in an accident with a bus??"
Me: "No, I'm so tired, I was woken up at 2:30, I want to THROW myself under a bus..."
Her: "Oh, don't do that!"

I'm pretty sure I don't want to spend my days explaining all the ridiculous, inappropriate, sarcastic, obnoxiousness that comes out of my mouth though, so really? Do I need a new friend?

Probably not.

Saturday, June 1, 2013

perfect moments

Just a quick one...

This morning we were all being lazy, hanging out on the bed. The New Kid was drinking a bottle, Dizzy was running cars over my legs and feet, with the occasional bashing to the stomach. Baduka was up cuddling with me and singing No More Monkeys and making us laugh, when Daddy looked at my arms.

Daddy: "What happened to you?!"
Me: "Huh?"
Daddy: "Where did you get those little bruises?"
Me: "Oh, well, I get kicked, hit, poked, punched, jumped on, jumped off, all day--"
Baduka: "Alllllll dayyyy longggggg..."

He may not say much, but when he does, his timing is impeccable.