Teach a boy to fish

Do you ever think about how you would be described by the people that love you? I do. Sometimes I have to check in with myself and make sure my behavior matches the girl I want to be. I can say, “ I want to be a good friend….I want to be a great wife…a loving sister...I want to be a caring and present Mother” but anyone can say those things and so I try to figure out what I want each one to look like - to make sure I am actually doing and not just wanting.

As you know, it's hard, because once you start spinning that one plate, another gets dangerously close to falling over. The great thing about Women? We can spin many plates at once....but often we get frustrated and mad when one falls....and we focus on the plate that fell...and often fail to recognize how awesome we are for all the ones that are still spinning...

The great thing about Men? They can accept when one falls without emotion, and get it respinning or start spinning a whole new one without involving self-loathing and judgement...(but they can't spin as many as once).

How's that for gender stereotyping statements that I swear are true?

What I do know...

• I’m more Sears than Baby Wise
• I am more Obsessive than Compulsive, ( but I am a little of each & OK with it ;-)
• I am more casual than fancy
• I am more beach than snow
• I am more outside than in
• I am more Carrier/wrap than stroller
• I am more emotional than analytical
• I am more run than walk
• I'm more Type A than Type B

If you are the opposite kind of person, we will get along just fine by me, as long as you are yourself. If you are Authentic. Your Beautiful Self. Love Button.

I think it’s most important that you do what works for you in parenting and in your one sweet life. You have to listen to your inner voice. You can ask people you respect, whose style & methods feel like home to you…but at the end of the day, if you go against your grain, it won’t feel right to you at all.

I let Greyson sleep in my bed until he was 9 months old and I held him all the time. I'm so glad I did, friend. The way he would look into my eyes and connect with me as a baby stays with me until this very day.

Bitty G, one day old.

Because of that, he couldn’t fall asleep unless I was holding him. As you know- when you have a baby- (or a problem) all sorts of people like to give you advice in what worked for them…Family, friends, the 72 year old woman with lipstick on her front tooth at Target…

I heard from a Mom-- You have completely spoiled him. You need to make him cry more…

I heard- You need to get him out of your bed IMMEDIATELY! You have created a Monster! He will be in your bed until he is 5 years old. I heard many other messages that made me think- oh no! I am clearly doing it all wrong! And my natural instinct is clearly so wrong too! I naturally do everything the opposite of how you are supposed to.

There were many times I thought I had screwed him up for life.It took me some time, and another baby to fully realize the only sure-fire way to do something wrong- is to try and adopt someone else’s way. To deny your inner instinct.

Parker slept in my bed for 4 months and it was heaven. I got to spend twice as much time with him. I would't take back one single night.

As soon as I would put him here, in my little nook --that God custom made for him, he would fall asleep immediately.

At first I fought it, and then embraced it because it just worked for me. It felt right. When it stopped being heaven and I needed more sleep- I made that happen on our own schedule and was at peace with that decision. I still rock and kiss and cuddle him to bed every night because it makes me so happy. Because it's one of our most special and quiet moments of the day.

If it’s possible- I actually held Parker more than Greyson. Some people barely recognized me if I wasn’t wearing him in a wrap.

If that means I spoiled him than I will proudly say, “I sure did!!” When he was 5 1/2 months old he started crawling and since then, he doesn't want me to hold him as much anyway. I try and follow my natural parenting instincts because I am a better Mom when I do. I didn’t try to be a Baby Wise Mom, because I am not. I used the Focker method--"I hugged and kissed that little prince like there was no tomorrow!" And if co-sleeping and baby wearing aren’t your style-If you are a Baby Wise Mom, I don’t think you are a bad Mom at all. I know you can still “spoil” your baby with love and attention in the ways that work best for you and your family.

The more life I live, the more I realize that there is no one way for anything ….

I've realized that what worked for me...may not work for you. If you ask for my opinion or want my help I will give it to you in a second...but I won't judge you if you don't take it. I think the best way for me to make a big decision is to start with a big pot of my own instinct. If I need input, I may add a little pinch of what worked for another, and a little shake of what I read in a book. If it's still not seasoned to perfection, I may add a dash of advice from a friend. It's different every time. And what works for me one day...changes sometimes too. And so I work to just roll with it.

In case you just joined this little family and don't know, on Mondays we have preschool at our house. We call it 2U for Two University. Except for Greyson, all the kids are Neurologically Typical and all of them are 2 years old. Greyson needs to see appropriate play and communication modeled by Typical kids in order to learn. It's out of his comfort zone and it's hard for him, but it is so good for him too. I trust my inner voice that it is exactly what he needs. We had to try some other things that didn't work first to arrive here at this good place. We are so lucky because the teacher, Miss Paula, is provided to us as part of the State funded Early Intervention program.

On Monday, Teacher Paula said, “In order to help your little ones have good self-help skills, allow them to open up their own snacks and drinks. Don't do it for them.”

Such a small thought, but such a good point. As a Sister...as a Friend...as a Mom I don’t like to watch anyone struggle…I want to jump in…I want to fix…I want to help…I want to advise...I want to make it easier… but sometimes the best thing to do-- is to not. Not jump in with advice. Not do it for them. Not give suggestions. Help, by not helping. Whether they are 2….18 or 42.

Working on Brushing teeth all on our own.

I literally have to clench my hand tight so I don't jump in and help.

Sometimes I am allowed to help.

He is working on throwing stuff away by himself.

And putting his dish in the sink by himself.

Opening his drink by himself. Notice still clenched hand.

Despite some faulty neurons, I still look at him and think- "How did I wind up with a little boy so beautiful and perfect?" Do you know those moments when you think- "Do all Mothers love their babies this much?" I've heard from so many of you- you do. That's why I like you.

Working with him to slowly and calmly walk with me- instead of running away when his feet hit the ground. Many Spectrum kids have no real fear of danger. He will run into traffic and not process when we call his name. This helps us keep him safe and us sane (ish).

And like the Kids at 2U, I am learning...

I am learning there are times to jump in and help...and times to sit back with a quiet mouth. Because I certainly don't want to be that lady with lipstick on her teeth at Target.

So, I didn't make it to 70 Members yesterday...but guess what? I don't care. Number 69 made my day with a magical message. Heck, made my week. That was better than making it to 70.

Thank you to all my friends that have shared a link to this blog. Please, keep sharing and resharing! It's such an amazing awesome testament of love. I truly appreciate you.

Because of your help, we are changing the World to recognize and to include all sorts of different. Different like my son, Greyson. Friend, it's clear to me that you already know when to jump in and help. THANK YOU!

So Much Love,

Chrissy

I'm Mad

I left later than usual for my evening run last night. Sometimes it’s hard to find that teeny little window after the husband gets home and babies are fed and dinner is ready--- but before we eat and before it gets too late because after it hits a certain time, I am a useless blob.

I extra needed that run. It was 46 degrees and just starting to spatter cold rain. I needed to feel that rain on my face as my feet repeatedly hit the ground. I needed to listen to the Pink song playing now as LOUDLY as it could get it…and run as hard as I could. As fast as I could. Pink does angry so good and I didn't realize until I started running but I had some angry in me too… I know-- the years are so short…but sometimes the days really are extra long…. And today felt that long...

I know that these long days are but a precious long term investment...but sometimes I just want to push the Easy button. And although I am grateful for the journey we are on.. the one intended for me- sometimes it’s hard to see Grey around other typical kids and see how much harder the days are for Grey, and if I’m being honest, for me too. I can have real conversations with little girls and boys his age. Awesome, astounding fun conversations…about what happened to the girl's hair in Tangled…About how crazy it is that my dogs can give high fives.

I feel guilty saying....I...want...that.

Mad….such a nice emotion to acknowledge and then banish.

It's no good for you...Anger has physical side effects...headaches, sleeplessness, TMJ...In one study of almost 13,000 subjects, individuals with the highest levels of anger had twice the risk of coronary artery disease and three times the risk of heart attack as compared to the subjects with the lowest levels of anger. Some scientists think chronic anger may be more dangerous than smoking and obesity as a factor contributing to early death.

I’m trying to teach Greyson to say, “I’m MAD!” with words…instead of screaming…It’s starting to click- He will let out his usual crazy-loud, face-turns-purple scream, throw himself on the ground and I will say to him, “Greyson- can you tell me, “I’m mad!”? And it’s like it's just that easy, he will stop screaming and he will say, “I’m mahhh”. He looks at me like, "Is that all I had to do. Thanks. That was much easier."

It’s times like that --that I want to be able to tell him, ‘See Dude- I don’t always get what you need the first or even the tenth time…but I won’t stop trying.”

The great thing about my run…I got it out. I ran and I cried…. I cried for what isn't...I cried for what could be...I cried for what should have been....and I didn't want those things in there...And so I ran harder, until my body felt more than my heart….and then the mad was gone. And afterwards, when it was over I remembered the good of the day...not the struggle.

Like this guy...Thanks to Teacher Paula, 2University (2U) brought some sure-fire fun ...

This Elephant dude spits feather weight butterflys out of his trunk that can then be caught by a butterfly catcher held by your adorable little girl or guy (girl or guy not included)...

The kids went ga-ga. I'll be on Amazon later tonight for that one for sure.

Today I looked for good, friend...and I found it in the form of...

The UPS man that gave our dogs, Jack and Belle a treat when he dropped off our package.

My MIA Us Weekly that was handed over the back fence by my nice neighbor that got it by mistake. And this fantastic Diet Pepsi my husband brought me home so I could have some energy for my run and my second shift of Momming.

Good in the form of Teacher Paula...and all teachers that do so much work during their free time....write lesson plans...grade papers....and so much more.

Good in the form of even more resources for Grey...like Speech Therapy with Teacher Amy at The Talk Team...

She even stayed a few extra minutes with Grey so he could finish the game he was working on with her. It's funny...I had a friend having a rough day the other day, and she said to me, "Maybe Teacher Amy could help me...you always make her sound so magical." There's a reason for that, friend...She is.

Good in the form of a sweet text from a friend that I did a shoot with a couple of months back...she let me know that she was still getting joy from her pictures.

I'm going to look for good today again....I think you should too. I bet we will be amazed with what we find. Do you know what would be really really good? If you became a Member of Life with Greyson! Sign up over there on the right. If I could have 70 members by the end of the day that would be so good. (You can also find me on Facebook.)

What's in My Bag

Us Weekly has a feature "What's in My bag" in each issue....and it's a big fat lie.

Just saying...

Sorry, I know you’re a celebrity and all- but I’m just not buying it. I've never seen such organized and zenful stuff keepers. A woman can not just have “Dior lip gloss, hermes notebook, think thin snack bar, anti-bac hand wipes and Burt's bees lip balm" in her purse.

In fact, here's some actual examples...

Ali Larter's bag contains goodies such as, Creme Del La Mer, a Tiffany Day Planner and Chanel Glossimer in Glaze...

Bethenny Frankel's bag has Colgate Wisps, Bobby Brown pot rouge, some of her new Nutritional line items and more perfect sounding things...

I'm a pretty organized person, but not when it comes to my purse. My husband is frightened of it. He will say- "Where's your phone?" and I will tell him "Grab it- it's in the side pocket of my purse." and then he will get lost in there for at least 2 days and I have to send in search and rescue to find him.

I'll tell you what's in a real Mom's Purse... (If there are small children around, please have them leave the room).

I lined the stuff up by Departments...I knew it was nuts in there, but I never knew I had Departments.

Toy Department: 2 Cars, Silly putty, Some scrabble letters from a photo shoot that I never ended up using, a teether and a clip on Sassy toy

Clothing Department: 5 socks, and a 3-6 month onesie. (Parker is 10 months old).

Food Department: Orange Tic Tacs and Mike and Ikes and an Empty Snack Trap.

Beauty Department: 3 things of Essie Polish (from my Pick Color Friday), 6- count 'em 6 different lip gloss/lipstick and long last lip formulations. I rarely put on any of them. Ever. I often look like a corpse in pictures and think- I should put lipstick on more often and I never do.

Miscellaneous: Wallet, Receipts, loose change, camera lens cap, notebook for random thoughts and reminders, tissues, anti-bacterial wipes, sunglasses, pen, loose change, necklace, wallet, Library Card, trash, an empty sucker stick, and some Goldfish Cracker crumbs at the bottom...Greyson hasn't had those since he went Gluten free in September. Gross.

Items noticeably missing? Diapers and diaper wipes. Yep, 2 kids in diapers and not one single diaper on board. Somehow I left those out and on the counter. Not the first time.

What's in your bag? I want to know...

We had a good and uneventful weekend over here. The older I get, the more I realize that uneventful can be a very good thing.

Here's My Friday Night. Wild.

We went to Target...

It takes us 2 carts now, and we usually fill them both up.

Parker is my Muse. Partly because he still lets me put silly hats on him.

I bought a second pair of Paige denimn...they are not the Uniform....but they will do when it's in the wash.

Gearing up for Monday... Mondays are pretty non-stop. I'm not going to lie, Friend. I often wake up like Oscar the grouch on Mondays...my glass isn't usually half full...it is mostly empty...and sometimes cracked...and has dishwasher specks on it.... At least until I get my coffee.

Thank you so much for reading…I write that a lot- I hope it doesn’t lessen it because I still mean it as much as I did the first time I wrote it….even more now…thank you even more for caring….many of you- heck- most of you have never met me…never met Parker and Greyson…but you care...and you care about him and our journey...and you share these words with your friends and the World. Man, I never thought sharing this blog would give my son that kind of gift- Your love. It is beautiful, friend. Powerful. It makes me cry.

You Pick Color

I took some much cherished alone time today. It's my second week in a row- getting a sitter on Friday for a couple of hours.

Me time. I Like.

It's a beautiful blue and sunny day in Central California, and that always makes me feel like I can take on the World. I drove with the windows down....seat heaters on.....music blasting.... This song was playing on the radio and I felt. I didn't feel anything in particular...I just felt.

Mani/Pedis are a mix of one part relaxation and one part- please hurry up, I'm bored and I want to get the hell out of here soon. Sweet and salty...Black and white....Little bit country--little bit Rock n Roll.

I think it's funny that Greyson isn't allowed to do this...

But I'm allowed to pick his nose, ears, eye boogers etc. whenever I want.

I think it's funny that I'm allowed to line things up, because it makes me feel good...feel balanced and orderly...

But Greyson is not.

I'm 38, and I'm still figuring out the rules of Life. I hope I don't stop any time soon.

Greyson's first day alone at school was perfect. If I'd written the movie script, it would have gone just like it did. He cried when I picked him up because he didn't want to leave! Miss Lisa, his teacher was just so awesome, and handled him like golden haired magic. I think I even have a crush on her. Clearly the Big Guy wanted me to find this joint. If you are a teacher... I know I love you.

Friend, if you don't already have a blog you should start one for your family....or just for you.

I love my real life...and I love how it looks afterwards when I'm outside looking in.

Even when things weren't perfect at the time.

Have a wonderful weekend.

Your Ness

Yesterday morning I felt like a total fraud.

I had some bigger than tiny but not big worries on my mind --and although I knew it was worry-free Wednesday, I just didn't feel like I could shake my worries. The specifics? Not important in 100 years... I will say they felt bigger than me at the time though. I pulled up my most recent post on the Power of Perception....hoping to tap back into that force that drove me to write it in the first place... and after I read it I realized with relief that I am not a fraud. I am human. Just like I said- I am not always positive. But I usually am- and that is the authentic me...and when I am not- it is temporary. Why is it so hard to realize that in the moment, I wonder?

I said it was a muscle...I said I have off days...and when I do...I feel it, just like I would with any other muscle I said, It doesn't come naturally to me at all times, but I want it to...and so I work at it.

And that's when I realized it was time to crunch and curl that muscle. And so I did. I dug down deep to get in touch with what I needed to do to feel better...for this situation? I needed to talk to people I trusted and I reached out. I called my Mom, my sister and a dear friend that always knows what to say. And after I did my positive-muscle squats, I felt much, much better.

When I write, I am confident. I write after I have figured a problem out...after I found a way to fold it neatly with squared hospital corners, and place a beautiful bow on top. I do not often write about the "in between"...the times when I don't have the answers in my soul...sometimes I don't even know yet what the question is. Although my rational mind says contrary, I subconciencely equate not having the answers with being weak...and I equate weak with vulnerable...and I do not like to be vulnerable. This is ironic because I am drawn to strong people who must also must have the ability to be authentic, to be real and to be vulnerable...because I happen to find vulnerability to be beautiful in others. And now as I write I am realizing that being vulnerable doens't mean that you loose who you are...in fact, quite the opposite... Why do we hate vulnerable in ourselves, and crave it from others?.

It reminds me of my favorite scene in the movie You, Me & Dupree. The character, Dupree is giving a Motivational Seminar at the end of the movie and he says:

Life may knock you down. Scratch that. It will knock you down.

It'll kick you in the gut and knock you to the curb.

But you can't let it rob you of your "ness." Now what's Ness? It's your name plus Ness.

Being vulnerable doens't mean I loose my Chrissy-ness. In fact, vulnerable and honest is a big part of my Chrissy-ness! And bad days don't rob us of our ness. Dealing with hard real life situations doesn't damage our ness! Mean people can not steal us of our ness! Traffic can't get near our ness! Bad moods have nothing on our ness!

We have a bad day and we think- I'm such a drag/fraud/cow/failure/tired blob...like all the good we've done in Life is suddenly not good... but day to day let downs don't have any power over your ness... 
Your (amyness/jenniferness/lisaness/katieness/wendyness/kaseyness/saraness/anneness/ kristinness/ meganness/ laniness/ shaneness permeates every ounce of you. It isn't fickle...it doesn't go away with a sneeze... Why do we change our self worth on a daily basis based on the way we are received by others or tasks we complete? Our foundation is so much more concrete than that... Unwaivering Friend...that you are...But only if you believe it too...

Clearly, like me, you are motivated by words...I am so grateful to all of you because you are the ones that give those uplifting words to me. I love hearing from you. I love when you tell me how reading this blog has helped you be a better or happier Mother, Father, Person, Husband, Wife, Dog or Friend.

Jack & Belle and all their friends read the blog.

I cherish those messages. You don't have to specifically have a Spectrum kid to get what I say. I get that.

I like that.

Yesterday I heard from a few of you...you sent me happy shiny emails and messages and reached out and I needed that...I saw the blog shared and reshared....pin'ed and re'pinned. I heard kind words and I am so grateful. 5 new people became Members! I LOVE IT!

As I type, Greyson is currently alone for the first time at preschool. I thought for sure I would cry, but I didn't.

However, it does make this Momma anxious nervous sad happy and scared... (and feeling quite vulnerable).

Leaving for his first solo day at school. Michael is such an involved and incredible Dad. We are BLESSED!

22% of my worry is because he can't communicate his needs and I don't want him to go hide in the corner or line up cars alone, or feel scared or deserted or confused, so that makes me worry...and 88% of it is just like you might feel if you are a non-Spectrum Mom...just the normal- I hope they do OK, I hope they have a good time...I hope it goes well -worry.

It's hard to let our babies explore the World. Good thing our Mommas and Dads let us.

Thank you for coming by...thank you for reading...and thank you so much for sharing. I need the World to understand more about The Spectrum so my son can have the best life possible! Thank you for helping me do that.

If you want to be friends, I'd like that! You can find me on Facebook.

The Power of Perception

Is the glass half empty or half full?...

Neither...It's grab a different, better, smaller glass and fill it all the way up, baby.

I work daily to live my life like that. To change old or negative patterns of thinking when I need to. I don't always wake up feeling all Mary Poppins-y. My positive muscle is located in my brain and I work it daily to strengthen it, just like you would to strengthen any other muscle. I have off days, and when I do, I feel it, just like I would with any other muscle. It doesn't come naturally to me at all times, but I want it to...and so I work at it...

Andy Warhol said it good..."Why do people spend their time being sad, when they could be happy?" Is it that simple, I wonder?...Sometimes...I think it is.

Now that I have a child on the Spectrum, I have alot more to worry about...but guess what? I don't. I actually worry a little less now. That doesn't mean I never worry now- I just worry less. I used to have to make up stuff to worry about. Add that to "Passive Aggressive comments" on the list of Things I'm Great at.

Of course if I could wave my magic wand, Greyson would be a typically developing little boy....But I have no such wand, so my only other choice is to deal with what I do have.

(thank you for the design, Designed by Aiden's Mom! You are awesome!!!)

We are not just going to deal with life though..We will embrace it. We will find the good in it.

If I was looking for bad, I could find it. I'm not looking for it. Whatever you are looking for....you will find it.

Look for good stuff.

This World of Autism has enlightened me. It took something bad to happen for me to realize that I have it all. Present tense, I still do. I don't know quite why, but I am truly happier now. Greyson has opened my eyes to a whole new World.

If you need it, I want to help you find that same enlightenment without something bad happening first. I don't think I could have been capable of that...I was too caught up in what I had...what I wished I had..what I had that I didn't want. Caught up in wanting wood floors instead of my ugly tile ones...caught up in silly things that would have no merit on my mental list of priorities in life.

If I thought that Greyson having Autism was a death sentence and the end of the World...guess what? It would have been. And that belief would trickle down to Greyson, and his life and his happiness would be less than. It's my job to make it more than...not less.

That is why I work my positive muscle.

It's funny- the life I mourned when I realized Greyson was on the Spectrum...The one where he was social and popular....he was the Captain of the football team? A straight A student- Guess what, I was none of those things for my parent's. And guess what? They still loved me, they still gave me a good life and they still got the chance to brag about me to their friends.

I think what we want in life is so simple.....but sometimes we forget and think it is complicated.

I was running Monday night and there was the most spectacular sunset. It was neon pink and fiery orange and sweet smelling baby blue with cotton candy white clouds and I thought to myself- oh man, I wish I had my camera to take a picture…and it made me think-why? And then I thought- because it’s so beautiful, and then I thought- yes, but why? And then I realized --it’s because it makes me feel happy when I look at it…and then I thought about it all and I realized that’s all that any of us wants --is to be happy…that’s all we are really going for… I mean- Would I like a hundred million dollars? SURE! Why? Because I like stuff and money gets you stuff and I'm not gonna lie...Stuff makes me happy. See?! There it is again- that happiness thing… And that's all I want for Grey...for him to be happy. Like you want for your babies. Like you deserve for yourself.

So I say- Do whatever it is that makes you HAPPY! I don’t care what it is, I won’t judge you…whether it’s getting fake boobs, or rearranging your room, or going to church…(are you allowed to put "fake boobs" near "Church" in a sentence? Only if it makes you happy.)

Happiness….it’s all we are really looking for.

As parents we worry so much...so much about our babies, their health, money, our jobs..we worry about why we said that stupid thing in front of so and so...we worry that our pants are getting too tight, that we don't work out enough, that we don't measure up to others, that we should go to church more, or eat less chocolate or eat more fruit, or switch from milk to soy, or spend less...and so on.... and so much of it is such a waste of that beautiful Real Estate up there in your head. Today I am putting my foot down on worry, cuz I for one am sick of it.

I am declaring today and tomorrow, a happy, worry free day. Put it on your calendar. February 21st/22nd. Tell your friends. Forward them a link to this blog. Put it on your Facebook. Tell your brain you don't need it to be in overdrive today.

Tell your worries you will get back with them Thursday. It's time to get Happy.

Please help me to continue to share this message and this blog with the World. I can't do it without your help.

And, let's be friends....find me on Facebook or send me an email kellyc43@gmail.com. While you're at it- will you pretty please become a Member- over there on the right? I get a million dollars for each member....just kidding...I get HAPPY. When I need it, I look at it to remind myself that I am not in this alone on this journey of Life!

The Pursuit of Typicalness

One of our New Adventures began last week. Greyson started Thursday Preschool at a place called Where The Garden Grows. We stopped by to check it out a month ago and liked what we saw.

Our self-portrait while walking in.

There is a fantastic teacher/student ratio and everyone there was lovely, including the kids. The teacher's seemed genuinely happy to work with Grey and that makes me really happy. Greyson is my heart...and to me, he is as perfect as you can get here on Earth. I am aware though, that he clearly is not your typical check the box kid. He will take more work, he will take more patience. I know this is a new world for them too. I am very grateful that they are willing to grow and stretch to accommodate some new kinds of seeds in their garden.

Teachers everywhere, Please be willing to have kids like Greyson in your classroom. Please teach my child. He will help you remember why you wanted to teach in the first place. He will be one of your most rewarding students. He will make you remember every day that you are shaping little lives and changing the world daily. I know it won't be easy, but I promise, it will be so rewarding.

Of course I accompanied him on our first day. Lucky for me he is on The Spectrum because I have an excuse to be the protective Mother that I am.

I am a Momma bird and I will have to learn how to deal when one of my babies is out of my nest.

As soon as we got there, Greyson went to go do what makes him most comfortable.

His version of playing.

He will learn how to play appropriately from his peers. I don't know why, but lining up cars is not socially appropriate, but making them drive around and go "Vroom" is! So he will pick up on those kinds of things being modeled by Typical kids.

As I've mentioned before, Greyson is starting to get the power of language and is understanding that language gets him stuff. He is starting to spontaneously ask for things he wants...like a drink...bubbles....pretzels. But quite often still when he wants something he will whine, cry, or wahhhhh & point first. I then say to him "What do you want? Use words" This happened while we were in the classroom. He pointed to the play area and I knew he wanted to play...so I told him "Greyson, do you want to play? Tell me I....want....play..." And so he did and we went over to the toys.

Now, to me our exchange was perfectly easy to understand because I am fluent in Greyson. In fact, I forget that it is a different language than Typicals like myself use. The language of Greyson has a few nusiances. Dude is a syllable deleter, he switches C/K sounds for for T's (Tar goes vroom) and D's for G's (When he says his name it is "Day". Why didn't I name him Bob?- He can do B's.) When Greyson told me "I want play", this is what the rest of the World would have heard.

I... waaan... pay... We will start to fine tune those words AFTER he uses them consistently. For now I just model the appropriate way to pronounce it after he does. "Great job talking Greyson. You said, I want play! Let's go play."

There was a sweet little girl Greyson's age watching our interaction and she gave out a magical giggle. The girl next to her asked, "What's so funny" and she responded with, "Did you hear him? He talks funny. He just said Blah blah blah." and they both exploded into little giggles. I must point out these are sweet and young little girls with not a speck of maliciousness on their soul. They were simply reacting to different...and different - is sometimes funny! I said to the girls, "Can you help me? I really need your help." They looked up to me with wide open, smiling eyes and said, "YES! " I said, "You guys are so good at talking! Greyson needs your help learning how to talk like you guys do. He's not as good at it. Can you do that for me?" At that moment every child in the room came over to me and to Greyson and they were calling out, "I'll help! I want to help!" And then they were rushing to Greyson. One little guy held up a car and was loudly and passionately saying to Greyson "Say Car! Say Car! Say Car!" My sweet little G looked up at him and squeaked out "Tar" and all the kids were pleased with their accomplishment.

It was that sweet and real and beautiful interaction that later made me realize....they need Greyson as much as he needs them.... They are getting "Early Intervention" too. They are learning first hand how to appropriately handle different in the world. And it's in a way that we as Momma's never could teach them at home. They are learning how important it is to help others. They are learning that we all have gifts, that we all excel in certain aspects of our life and we must share those gifts with others- and that when you do share, it always comes back to you in spades.

Oh friend, it was such a beautiful moment...and I just knew then that this is the right place for G. Well, that plus the fact that they do fancy stuff- like take care of their own Organic Garden. That day they were harvesting some swiss chard and making smoothies with it!

Thank you for stopping by. I truly know that we are all part of something bigger...strung together by a love for pictures and words and people. Speaking of pictures, while you're here, I'll give you a tip on an easy and inexpensive way to display photos in your home. In case you didn't notice, I'm pretty keen on photographs. I think family photos are the best way to add personality and character to your home. Gallery wraps can get expensive, and if you're like me, you want to change out some of your photos from time to time. We do our own version of a gallery wrap. I bought canvas from an art store, then had some pictures printed in coorelating sizes (I never skimp on print quality though. I only order my personal family pictures from here. Make sure to spend a dollar or two extra and get the lustre coating.)

I painted the sides of the canvas with black acrylic paint, then used spray adhesive to attach the pictures to the canvas....

The finsished product- the 6 in the bottom row in the middle. You should totally pin this.

And thank you so much to my new and shiny members. I love you for signing up! By the way, thanks to a tip from a friend- it is now easy to leave comments on the blog. You no longer have to enter verification information and give a blood sample.

Have a great day!

Happy Friday

It's funny....

some things Greyson does is because he is on the Spectrum...

some things he does is because he is 2....

Thanks for the shirt, Aunt Lisa! We love you.

some of the things he does is because he is Greyson...

Sometimes it's fun figuring out which is which.

One thing typical of Spectrum kids? They don't always do well in large groups...or when it's too loud... Certain situations can cause sensory overload...Like birthday parties. Water parks. The Zoo. Greyson can handle about an hour- sometimes a little more of stuff like that before he starts to get wiggy. We usually get a little warning time- a little window of opportunity to leave. We usually miss said window and are left with a screaming, tantrumming 2 year old as we run to the car.

Last weekend we were invited to go to a local joint called Skywalk. It's a huge Trampoline Sports Arena. It is super crazy fun and daring!! --(if you have had two children not via c-section and are jumping if you know what I mean.) They were closed to only a few of us guests because they were filming a commercial.

Parker dug it. Made this adorable little- suck his breath in shocked sound with every jump.

I wasn't sure how Grey would feel about it. He was a little apprehensive at first, but then he warmed up to the jumping. After about 10 minutes though, he was over it. Like really over it. They had really loud music playing and there were other kids around, and no bubbles or sidewalk chalk to be found.

Stealth-y. He would slowly walk backwards and then BAM- turn and RUN!

Like his Momma- he is a runner, and dude took off for the door every chance he got. Greyson's natural inclination is to be by himself.

He preferred pressing buttons on the snack and soda machine.

I challenge his self-secluding tendancies when we are around others. He would run to the front door, begging to go outside ("Open door!") I scooped up my little kicking and screaming bean and brought him back into the music, back into the crowd and held him and we jumped. It would be easier to just leave, but I need to challenge him in little ways daily. Not to mention- getting 2 kids ready (and 2 adults!) and out the door is such a huge feat in and of itself- Sorry G, we are staying longer than 10 minutes!

Unfortunately we didn't last much longer, but at least we tried.

My sweet baby love, Parker turned 10 months old this week.

That truly makes my heart stop...10 months is so darned close to one year and I am so not ready for my newborn itty bitty baby to be one year old child. Oh Parker....If I loved you any more I might burst.

On my list of favorite things?

Coffee that is being made while you are sleeping. I could write you love songs and sonnets.

On Parker's list of favorites?

The vacuum.

I can practically hear the jaws music when I turn it on and see you swimming over to me. I rush around trying to vaccuum likety split fast before you catch me.

Disneyland has nothing on the Dish Washer. You cry when I pull you off and close the door.

The dog bowl.

You go for it eleventy -hundred times a day. We hear the clink of the bowl on the tile and stop dead in our tracks and yell out "Dog Bowl!"

You are obsessed.

Have a great weekend friend! Choose some good Adventures.

Do some things that make you this happy.

Thank you for stopping by. Next week I'll tell you about the adventure we had yesterday. Greyson started at a typical preschool! And thank you 5!!!!! new friends that signed up yesterday! I was doing LOTS of Happy Dances.