The Christmas Flu

Every year we get the flu and pass it around like a grab bag gift. Sometimes it's the upper respitory flu but mainly it's the good old stomach flu. I remember January 2002 being the first time as an adult I had the flu. It has come to visit every year, beginning with different family members each time. Steven came down with the flu while I was skiing early 2004, gave it to Steve before I returned then passed along to me and both sets of grandparents. Caroline the next year was sick Christmas eve and missed all the Christmas morning excitement & most of Christmas day. We all had it by the New Year. Then there was the Christmas we left the Iveys in Oak Lawn and didn't even make it out of town before Steven vomited all over the back of our brand new minivan, it was 2005. I came down with it shortly after while being 7 months pregnant. And how can we forget surviving the Christmas chaos last year only to drive 3 hrs to Indianapolis for Steven to spend his first night sick at the hotel. We had already exposed all pur friends that day so why go home? Well our friend has come early this year and hopefully will be gone quickly. Mitchell came down with the stomach flu last night. Poor guy can't tell me now he feels but I really think he understands when I explain to him that he's sick and he's gong to be ok. In the past I don't think he really got what was happening to him. On a funny note, I gave him a bucket in the middle of the night - a clean bucket- and he put it over his head. He's still a character vene when feeling under the weather. As much as I hate having sick ones in the house, I enjoy the calmness when they just lay on the couch and the fact I don't have to run all over creation today. I might be able get the house somewhat picked up to get ready for the mess that is coming on

Holiday gift guide: Books about autism

Holiday gift guide: Books about autism If you are looking to catch up on your Autism knowledge here is a good place to start. You can also subscribe for updates from The Thinking Person's Guide To Autism on FB and email.

Mario Cart

Steven received Mario Cart for Wii for his birthday.  It has become an huge hit with everyone in the family especially Mitchell.  We start the Wii and Mitchell immediately sits down in his blue Pottery Barn overstuffed chair that I am so happy we are getting use out of after months of it just hanging out by itself.  Anyhow, Mitchell plops in his chair and stairs at the TV in anticipation.  Occasionally he gets close to the TV and follows the racers  moving around the course map on the lower right of the screen but mostly he sits and oohs & aahhs and shreiks with delight as the cart kareems into the gorge or blows up after hitting a bomb.  We noticed right away how much he loved watching the game but he never requested it until last week.

Last Sunday Mitchell was getting a little agitated with nothing to do.  He kept walking around whining a bit and would walk over to his Dynavox and select the Toys folder but wouldn't pick anything.  Finally I got it & said "Mitchell you want to play Mario Cart" and he sprinted to he seat and giggled.  Unfortunately this means drop what you're doing and entertain me because I certainly don't want to play it, only watch YOU play it.  Oh, twist my arm, I'll put down the laundry and sit on the couch for a bit.  So when the fun was over I took a picture of the Mario Cart package and added it to his Toys folder on the Dynavox.  You see where this is going?  Many times a day now we are summoned to the family room to put on a show.  It's so hard to tell him no when there is so little he finds interest in.

If you pause the game for any reason, Mitchell will grab your hand to get your attention and walk to the TV and point to the CONTINUE button that is waiting to be clicked.  Last night he requested Mario Cart while Steven was playing Pokeman so I told him he had to wait a few minutes so he sat patiently.  Once Steven started shutting down the game but got distracted, Mitchell helped him out by pointing to the QUIT button on the screen while saying the word.  Who says video games are bad?  I just realized Mitchell can identify the words continue & quit, understand their meaning and say them as well.

I let them know at By Your Side that I added this to his device because if he sees they have it there he may want them to play it form him.  I was told they could work on him playing it, that is just really awesome.

Must Be Steve's Week

Before I headed upstairs with Grace I asked Steve to remove clothes from the dryer and transfer clothes from washer to dryer. He just texted me that the clothes smelled like poop and there was a piece of poop at bottom of the washer, he's rewashing them. Ick. He really hates poop. Maybe this is a reward for going out after work tonight. :)

Steve & Poop

I'm writing this as I lie down with Grace and listen to the chaos outside the door. I decided to take Grace to bed a little early cuz I wasn't feeling all that great. I told Steve Mitchell could have a bath tomorrow since I was tired. Twenty minutes later I hear Steven yell from the basement " Mitchell popped it reeks!" then there was a lot of swearing and Mitchell yelling. Next I hear Steve bring Mitchell into powder room am tell him not to poop on the floor then some commotion, more swearing, and then Steve is running a bath for Mitchell. You see Steve doesn't handle poop well. I'm not sure if it's just people poop, kid poop or what but he doesn't do well with it. Anyhow, Mitchell calmed down and us now in bed. Steve comes in yo tell me what happened. He was in the basement with Mitchell and he went pee & poop on toilet. Steve came upstairs for something & sent Steven downstairs right away to be with Mitchell and Steven smelled it right away & saw Mitchell had taken his sock and placed it over his mess. Steven can't believe he tried to hide it since it smelled do bad anyhow. At least we don't have to give Mitchell a bath tomorrow night. Chuckle chuckle.

Why I Talk About Autism

I went to a get together at my friend Rachael's house the other night. I only get to see Rae 1 or 2 times a year but she is still an awesome friend. She doesn't have any kids and we are not particularly alike at all but we fit nicely together and through all 4 of my kids and all our craziness she has not run for the hills. Anyways what makes our friendship even more special is thinking how she is placed in my life for reason & I in hers. Rachael has a friend with a 13yr old boy with Autism. I met this boy when I was pregnant with Steven but never thought I would have a son as special as him. While I was talking to people I knew at the party I mentioned Mitchell's Autism and this other guest spoke up at how similar our lives seemed and she has a 5yr old daughter on the spectrum. Blow me down. Hear we are, 3 random women with 1 person in common and we all have children with Autism. I'm thinking we exceeded the normal ratio for typical:spectrum. At MOPS earlier this year we had s speaker who talked about being Authentic and not being afraid to share your story because someone else may need to hear it. I'm a pretty outspoken mom Mitchell & Autism. I used to cry at the thought of saying the word but now it's one of the first things I say when you meet me. I don't throw it out there as a "oh look at poor me" or even "look at rockstar me & all I can handle". I do it because I want to share my story in hopes of letting others know its ok to share theirs. Saturday night was so much more than a cookie exchange. If I hadn't talked about Mitchell maybe I wouldn't have known the new girl & I had something so important in common.

Halloween 2011

I finally got my new camera and was able to transfer the pictures stick on my old broken camera.  Halloween is a fun, if not interesting time at the Ivey house.  Steven doesn't like spooky or gooey, Caroline & even Grace take every opportunity to terrorize him and Mitchell doesn't really care either way.  It is one of the few times during the year I feel pretty normal.  I think it's because even typical households have chaos during this season with all the costumes & candy floating around.  Steven & Caroline trick-or-treat with their friends and Mitchell and Grace take turns going around the block.  Everyone catches on pretty quick to "hand them your bag and they put candy in it." Enjoy the picture storytelling below.  Also make sure you check out the Halloween video on the youtube link.

 She enjoys sticking her hands in the pumpkin.

 Little helper.

 Letting daddy do all the hard work.

 Caca look at all your stuff.

 Far away from the table where all the gross stuff is.

 Steven showing his goo.

 Mitchell trying to get back into house, didn't want his picture taken I guess.

 Another picture without Mitchell

Clockwise from triangle eyes: Mitchell, Grace (with eyebrows), Caroline (Rapunzel), Mommy, Steven (A Halloween)

My Like List

Since I do not like my crazy Thursdays I tried to experience things i fo like & think happy thoughts. Here are some things on my "like" list. Not in any particular order. 1. Getting an interrupted night of sleep 2. Mitchell's current phase of goingbto bed & staying in bed 3. Listening to Steven sing Veggie Tales Christmas in the car 4. Driving at night listening to Christmas music looking at Christmas decorations 5. The silence of snowfall 6. Having big girl conversations with Grace 7. Mitchell's infectious laugh 8. Hugs from Steve and the kids 9. Mondays (sorry working folk) 10. The way Caroline has to feel/touch everything (I'll miss it someday) 11. Adult conversations without kids around 12. Newborn babies 13. Hearing encouraging words 14. Showing my kids I love them 15. A good chic flick 16. Laughing until I cry 17. Listening to Grace repeat something she has just figured out like "you're my mommy, Caca's mommy, Steven's mommy, Mitchell's mommy & Daddy's wife" 18. Walt Disney World 19. Family parties 20. Janet Evanovich books