Christmas

Christmas went pretty well.  As Steve reminded me on Christmas Eve we have a different normal than most people and our expectations are pretty low, we don't ask for much.

We celebrated Christmas with my mom, dad, Jim, Amy and kids on Sunday the 23rd.  My dad had the Flu the week before that turned into the Super-Flu so he could only take us all in small doses before retreating to the bedroom for a mini nap.  The kids were very excited about all the gifts they received and we watched old home movies on the big screen that is sitting in the kitchen at mom's waiting to be hauled away.  She said there was a reason it was still there - the guys could watch something on the real TV and we could watch old movies.  Jim made up lies, as usually, about me picking on him when we were little and that I was the brut, the movies mostly prove him wrong with a few exceptions.  The kids all got a big kick out of seeing us so little.

Our Christmas Eve tradition has become Mass with mom & dad the pizza at our house.  Dad couldn't make it to church so mom skipped our house too and we ate Walmart pizza instead of delivery.  Last year we showed up early to Mass to sing carols and Mitchell made it to the homily before he was ready to go.  This year Steve & Mitchell arrived about the 2nd reading and lasted through the entire Mass.  It is so wonderful to have us all in one place at one time on Christmas Eve, even if it is for just 40 minutes.

Grace was figity and loud until she fell asleep on me.  Steven and Caroline sang their hearts out like usual and we fed Mitchell fruit snacks if started to yap or flap a bit too much.  Steve & I just smiled at laughed at the sight of us all.  The people around us did the same.  I'm sure we are quite a sight to people who don't know us well and maybe even to those who do.

When we got home Steven reminded Caroline that Christmas Eve is school night bedtime schedule so after pizza and baths everyone settled down quickly and Mitchell was in bed about 10:30.  They slept until 7:45am - the presents aren't going anywhere.  Happiness filled the room as each child opened their gifts, there wasn't a disappointing sigh heard at all.  Santa & I stuck with the lists this year and it was well worth it not to get creative and impulsive.

Grace had pretty  much the same reaction to every gift and Caroline was happiest with her most wanted gift - Monster High High School.

 Mitchell slept in until the majority of chaos was over then positioned himself in his chair.  We brought the gifts to him and he managed a smile or 2 before beginning his Minecraft marathon for the day.

This is how all most things play out with us.  Steve putting toys together for the girls, while Steven repeatedly asks for something and Mitchell sits in his chair, away from the crowd, playing the ipad. 

Andrew, Ron, Grace & Baby Leo (on Joey's lap)

Grace and Baby Leo

Mitchell took his place in the living room, M&M's close by.

By noon we were dressed in our best and heading to Aunt Bonnie's for wonderful appetizers and bloody mary's.  Katie's son "baby Leo" was a hit with everyone and it felt the paparazzi was there will all the flashing going on.  I took more pictures this year than before because my kids were all OK to be left alone for minutes at a time.  Mitchell did run out the back door in only his socks so I had to wash and dry them but that is way better than his days of eating candycanes off the tree and wiping his sticky hands all over the walls or crawling through the laundry room closet door into the bathroom an surprising Kim's

A few of us were matchy matchy so of course we had to get a picture and we wrapped it up by 3:00.  On to the next house!

We got to the Ivey party at Scott's house for some more appetizers.  This is the first Christmas not at mom & dad Ivey's house and it worked out great with plenty of room for everyone including our crew.  Grace went straight for Aunt Jeanna's little bear dolls, Steven and Caroline settled in with the other kids and Mitchell proceded to attack presents and spin around on the table in living room.  It appeared it was going to be a short lived stay with Steve mumbling "we're leaving after dinner."

Things settled down a bit and by the time dinner was served (sort of) and Mitchell wanted to go outside when he was finished crawling under the dinner tables. This is one plus to being at Scott's, Mitchell could play on swingset.  It was a beautiful night so Mitchell played on slide then asked me to swing him.  We stayed outside for about half an hour then Steve came outside and I ate peacefully with the adults and enjoyed some good conversation.  Grace was giving everyone a little splash of glitter Aunt Jeanna had given her so we were all sparkly for the celebration.

After dinner was cleaned up Grace convinced Grandma it was time for gifts so we rushed upstairs and everything was ripped open quickly.  Mitchell went the opposite way to the basement where it was quiet and sat by himself until he was ready for his gift.  Steve & I were able to relax for a little while and then we gathered our children and all their stuff while they were still in good spirits.  Everyone had a magical Christmas.

Sent to The Principal's Office

That's where I am headed today. This makes me think of learning to spell principle and principal in school and to remember that the principal is your pal.  I didn't feel that way growing up and I'm not feeling it today.

After Grace's dance class this morning I had a VM from Mitchell's Special Ed teacher saying he bit another student in gen ed today.  I call her back and learn he is on an unofficial in-school suspension - meaning he has been removed from gen ed and placed in the self contained classroom for the remainder of the day.  I also need to come in and speak to the Principal about it, per protocol.  I can't imagine he is going to be my "pal" during this conversation.  Mitchell's aide, Kristen, was crying and is very upset that she didn't see it coming and was unable to prevent it.  I feel bad for everyone else, not so much for Mitchell - is that awful?

This is how it played out:
1st grade gen ed class files into the hallway for a group picture, I interpreted there was more than one class in hallway because "other teachers didn't notice he was upset either."  Mitchell was standing with his peers which he has done in the past but it was taking a while to get everyone situated.  He pulled on the arm of the girl next to him then buried his fave is her side and bit her.

The adults around didn't know what had happened until the girl started crying and said Mitchell but her.  he didn't act out until she started crying louder I guess.  Poor girl.  They had to call her parents because it broke the skin.  She is calmed down now and they will keep Mitchell away from her.  Ugh I can imagine that phone call.  I'd be really pissed and tat girl is going to tel her parents it was Mitchell and I'll probably have to do the spring party with the mom ad oh boy - I want to hide under a rock.

So the OT was in the hall and took Mitchell to her room to calm him down and when I talked to his teacher she said he was acting fine in the self contained room now.  I asked if she sat him down and really let him have it and we both kinda chuckled- terrible I know.  She said it wasn't like he was angry or frustrated and the girl's shirt was pretty & sparkley and he might have thought it looked good.  It didn't appear he did it to hurt her.  I'm sure that will make it OK for her and her parents.  Good Greif.

It appears Thanksgiving through Christmas is quite chaotic at school and seems to be a bit overwhelming for some kids.  I heard rumor one aide got smacked in the nose by her student recently too.  A kid like Mitchell wants to go into his classroom, sit at his desk and do work - forget the pictures and play time, he gets that at home.

So now I get to go see the PrinciPAL and listen to I don't know what because I've never done this before.  I'm sure I'll sit there and imagine he's thinking I'm an awful parent and Mitchell is the worst kid ever.  I will try not to cry through the whole thing.

If anyone reading this blog know this girl or her parent's PLEASE PLEASE tell her how sorry we are about this.

Great America

From July 2012

Saturday was the Autism Society of Illinois 3rd Annual Autism Awareness Day at Great America.  Jim, Amy & kids joined us for a fun filled day, with special passes given to us so we didn't have to wait in line for the big rides.  We anticipated burn out about 5:00PM but we stayed until almost 9:00PM, unbelievable.  With Steve tackling the spinny rides and myself going on the roller coasters (what the kids go on) we managed well.  It was great having the extra help to divide up the kids if needed.

We met some great people from the Autism Society of Illinois at the area they had set up.  There was a quiet space with sensory items and reps from the organization ful of helpful information.  It's nice to go places and not feel so alone.  I figured we would try Great America with Mitchell on this day feeling confident there would always be some other person having a bigger meltdown than him and he did AWESOME!  We have a new time filler for the summer.

Patiently waiting to enter.

Oldest & youngest cousins

Steven waiting for us to be done withe the Little Dipper

Little Dipper was definitely too quick of a ride for Mitchell.  he would drag us over there then bang on bar when it was done because he wanted to go again.  We didn't want to be greedy with our "Mitchell Pass"  so we only rode it 3x.

Abby enjoying the fun

Thanksgiving Break

The kids were off the whole week of Thanksgiving and I decided this was WAY too long so we needed to stay active.  Luckily it was tree decorating weekend at Brookfield Zoo and Steve & Caroline both have trees for Brownie & Cub Scouts.  We started off our holiday there and ended at Wilderness Resort in Wisconsin Dells.  Even Steve thanked me for planning such an awesome week.

Caroline decorating her Troop tree

We wheeled Mitchell around like a king

Steven decorating his Pack tree

Mitchell watched the polar bear up close for a bout 15 minutes and giggled most of the time.

 Taking everyone to the zoo is a huge feat for me.  I stress about keeping everyone entertained but really all my kids care about are the play areas and food.  We were very disappointed the penguin house was closed - of course that is all Steven wanted to see - but the weather was beautiful and we made the most of it.  This is the first time in about 10 yrs I have gone to the zoo without a stroller, we brought the wagon instead.  I feel like the Iveys are moving up in the world.

I have a zillion pictures of the years of that dang toad 

Caroline has really stepped up a notch in spelling this year so she was saying aloud things I was spelling to get my point across.  As we walked past the Condor who was eating the head off a rabbit (or rat) I said "keep pulling the wagon and I'll walk on this side so M doesn't see the p-a-r-k"  And Caroline yells "PARK?".  Then Grace wanted to see the elephants and as we got closer I remembered that last year "I think the last one d-i-e-d"...."it died mommy?".  Grace of course didn't really seemed phased by this. So the days of spelling are over and I'll just need to keep comments to myself unless I they are meant for everyone's ears.









Thanksgiving afternoon we packed up the cars (mom & dad too) and headed to the Dells.  Grace immediately fell asleep and we put Steven in my dad's car to avoid the fighting between he & Caroline. Our car was pretty quiet. Once we hit the boarder we had a potty break and Grace proceeded to drop her binky in the toilet.  Steve said he could hear the howling outside and new something bad had happened.  She was so upset she couldn't even pee.  It was her favorite "green" but she eventually took a liking to "pink" that was in the car.

Waiting for our reservation

When we arrived we immediately went to one of the water parks.  Steve, dad & I positioned ourselves so we could wait on structure with Mitchell, get him off the slide at bottom and then watch him in the play area if he decided not to head back up.  3 people was definitely what we needed,  it worked out perfectly.  Yes, the other kids were there but Caroline & Grace stuck together and I think Steven just watched the clock to see when it was going to be time to leave  - ha ha.  We had Thanksgiving buffet at the restaurant that night.  Everyone was having a good time.

Grace on lily pads

The smallest of the waterparks at Wilderness on the Lake, we drove there.

Mitchell & Caroline on lily pads

Steven and Mitchell on lily pads

The Grinch we found at Denny's Diner or breakfast - watched Little Rascals on TV too.

Grandpa as a pirate in 3D glow mini golf

Grace & her chauffeur - it was a long walk from play area back to room

The second day we found the huge play structure for the kiddies.  Think of McDonald's playland on crack.  I went in it and couldn't find my way out.  The odd thing tho is that the parent area was too the left of the structure (and this picture) but clearly this was an exit for the kids and nowhere to sit & watch.  I noticed this right away, so the 1 stod here for 20 min until I figured Mitchell routine and we were good.  The next day he got adventurous and was stealing golf balls from the mini golf (I'm standing at the counter taking the picture) and rolling them down the slide.  So I strategically placed a chair there and sat for the remainder.  A few times he came out another way and tried to work through the arcade to get te bals but we were on to him.  This is a design flaw in my opinion, I can't be the only one whose kid wants to run up those stairs with that big arrow pointing the way and one worker did say alot of kids take the golf balls.  I see an easy fix.

By the end of each day the adults were exhausted and Mitchell was up until 11 wide awake.  He is the energizer bunny.  Steven & Caroline enjoyed the arcades and 2 mini golf courses and Caroline & Steve climbed the rope course 2x.  We did attempt the wave pool but 15 min in and it shut down because of a floater.  It was the only pool that made my skin itch, probably because it was the only waist high standing water.  Mitchell was ticked off but we hiked back through the hotel to another park with the big green slide and all was good.  By the time Sunday afternoon rolled around we were all ready to go home.

Stationery card

Surrounded With Love Holiday Card

Browse Christmas invitations and holiday cards by Shutterfly.

View the entire collection of cards.

Trip To The Dentist

This was started Tuesday but I had trouble uploading the video.

Well Mitchell had his bi-annual trip to the dentist this morning.  We missed our original appointment last week at the New Lenox office - can't imagine how that happened - so today we went to the Flossmoor office.  Thought I'd trick him into thinking it would be fun, no such luck but we survived.

I need to take a moment and RAVE about Dr. Algenio at Pediatric Dental Specialty Associates .  I cannot get over how patient and caring he is.  At our very first appt he took the time to explain the process and address any concerns I had about Mitchell.  He welcomed my input and offered suggestions for other aspects of our life as well.  He sings ABC's to Mitchell during the exam which really seems to calm him down.  He cracks jokes about Mitchell's yelling meaning he's just so happy to be there and see Dr. Algenio.  He is an amazing dentist and would recommend him and his office to anyone, special needs or not!

Today went as expected.  We arrived and Mitchell waited patiently for all of the 2 min we had to (AWESOME).  As we entered the exam room he realized why were there (remember, it was a different office) and tried to leave but when Dr. Algenio picked him up he just hugged him and clung for dear life.  He didn't want to lay on the chair but he did and allowed the papoose to wrap around him and then continued to squirm and scream through the exam, cleaning, filling and flouride treatment.  The sounds are what really agitate him.  Once everything is done we unwrap him and he jumps off the chair.  No tears, no more screaming, just happy to be done.

Luckily, the small cavity he had was able to be filled today so we don't have to come back for 6 months, Dr. Algenio makes special exceptions for Mitchell :).  We are back in our car 29 min after our scheduled appt time and on our way.

We also found Mitchell has 4 loose teeth & 4 molars coming in. That explains all the deep pressure he has been wanting on his mouth and the booboo buddy ice packs.  It might also explain the spit he constantly plays with these days - hopefully that will go away once the teething is done.

Here is what it's like to bring Mitchell to the dentist.  I would have gotten shots of the filling as well but I had to lay across his legs as he was busting out of the papoose.  My arms feel like I was weightlifting this morning.  He apparently is too strong for the small papoose but too little for the larger one.  If I wasn't in the room with him, I would be concerned with what was going with all the carrying on.

Sleep VS Flip Outs

After a little more than a week of giving Melatonin to Mitchell at night we decided to call it quits.  The first night (a Friday) was great, he drank his juice with the Melatonin in it and put himself to bed roughly 30 minutes later.  The next night it took a little longer so the 3rd night we upped the dose a bit and he became weepy just sitting in his chair crying but didn't want to go to bed.

That week Mitchell started melting down about the tiniest thing and was getting out of control.  Hind sight is 20/20 as the saying goes and  it always takes us a while to see patterns in things.  By the following Sat we had new holes in our walls (and furniture) and Steve's sister who was watching Mitchell called to say he was walking around throwing things, everything, and she couldn't keep up with him and didn't know what he was upset about.  Ding Ding. The bell goes off and we realize it could be the Melatonin, nothing else in his routine or diet had changed.  Looking back we saw the behavior started after we started giving it to him.

A started looking into side effects of Melatonin and found this on www.livestrong.com

"Significant changes in mood and behavior can also develop in people taking melatonin.  Your child may seem extremely happy or sad or experience paranoia, delusions or hallucinations, according to MedlinePlus.  These symptons are more common in people using high doses of melatonin.  However, because of these risks, Melatonin should never be goven to children with mental illnesses such as depression or psychotic conditions unless under the watch of a medical professional."

It really would have been nice to see something like this on ANY of the sights I visited regarding the use of melatonin for kids with Autism.  To me it now seems obvious this was not going to work out well, Autism is a form of mental illness (not very PC, I know)  and Autistic kids are known to have hallucinations and trouble dealing with emotions.  All the Autism blogs and "advice" sights just raved about it's use and how safe it is.  Unfortunately that's all there is on Melatonin, no medical sights talk about it in kids because it is homeopathic and not FDA approved.  As for the high doses being a factor, the adult dose on the bottle is 4ML.  Mitchell weighs 41 lbs, he is 13% for weight and 3% for height in his age group.  The .5 ML we started with seems like it would be OK when compared to 4ML for a 150 lb adult, but when we had to start increasing that dose because it wasn't working, I was not comfortable with that. 

That Sunday night we discontinued it's use.  Mitchell was up until almost midnight and remains up til almost then every night since but the meltdowns immediately went away and he is much happier.  It wasn't to difficult a decision to make for us - happy child or sleepless mommy - I'll take the happy child any day, I can catch up on my sleep in 20 yrs....maybe.

Getting A Jump Start On The Week

Mitchell woke up at 5 am today, not crabbing or anything just up.  Luckily the only other occupant of the house disturbed by him was our guinea pig, Cutie, so after squaking for hay, he settled down too.  I was hoping today would be one of the days Steve wakes up and say "why don't you go back to bed for while, I'll go into work late" (it does happen) but instead I got "good afternoon" with a slight snicker.

Despite the early rising, the morning was going well.  Mitchell sat in his new favorite chair giggling and playing with his newest obsession,  the Lego house Caroline built it for her squinkies that Mitchell felt needed some modifications.  He even knocked it off the chair and didn't freak out, just filled up some time putting back exactly the way it was.  We worked on pointing at our body parts, didn't argue when I said he had to go potty before going in the basement and played the letters and number game on the big computer he hasn't shown interest in for months.

He made it almost 3 1/2 hrs without a meltdown.  We were doing really good then he went in basement and came up screaming.  After squishes and some gumballs he has settled down.  Still yelling a bit but didn't throw anything around or hit anyone.  He's looking at his Lego house now, relaxing.  In the middle of the yelling Grace got off the couch and calmly said "I'm going to go upstairs so Mitchell doesn't bite me."  Nice, these are the things she'll remember from her childhood.

 So after running our usually 7 laps around the upstairs it is time for breakfast and heading out for the day.  Mondays are long without camp and therapy not until 4:30 so my new found old friend Peggy has opened her house to us.  Thank you Peg.

Wish us ALL luck!

Homemade Waterslide

Mitchell misses out on most of the water fun we have other places so I made waterslide for him.

After about 30 min outside like this he comes in to relax, snack and play the iPad.  It's good way to get the sensory input he needs and get wiggles out.

Children's Museum

Last week I decided to take the kids to the Chicago Children's Museum at Navy Pier.  We had my nephew Andrew overnight and Mitchell was at camp so I figured it would be a good chance to venture out.  Caroline's friend Jaime knocked on the door in the morning so we brought her along too.  There were 2 vacant seats in the car so had anyone else stopped by they could have joined us as well.  So off we went.

My original plan was to take the train but by the time we got Mitchell to camp we wouldn't be downtown until noon so we took the van.  The kids all behaved very well in the car.  Guess they knew not to mess with the crazy lady driving downtown.

The museum wasn't as crowded as I anticipated considering how the rest of Navy Pier looked.  The kids immediately started climbing and playing and investigating.  From fire safety to circus,  giant dominoes to treehouse and CTA bus.  All the kids really enjoyed themselves.

Steve met us for a bit and was tagged as an Unaccompanied Adult to be sure he did not leave with any children.  Creepy old guy coming to museum by himself.

We left the museum to eat lunch in the Navy Pier eatery.  Our lunch bill was not as high as the $200 Steve projected but its nice how certain McD's don't follow the special prices you fund everywhere else.

Watching stupid people who can't read

After a little more time having fun, dad had to go back to work and we stayed as late as we could before heading home to take Mitchell to therapy.  We picked up cotton candy of course on the way out.  Driving home I was reminded of the video I saw of guys singing the Gotye song "Somebody That I Used To Know".  All the kids were jamming and none were singing the right words.  I tried to video it (yes as I was maneuvering on the Ryan) but everyone stopped when they saw the camera.

After taking Mitchell to the zoo or even a park and chasing him around, it is a cakewalk taking 5 neuro-typical children into the city.