twenty things at nearly ten

1. Fluffy got the shot.

2. Dave got the medication.

3. I got the bra. 34D.

4. Preliminary blood test results look very good.

5. Ages ago, Dave bought The Trailgater, a phenomenal contraption that attaches adult bikes to kid bikes and makes a sort of bicycle built for two. Fluffy still has to pedal and hold on, but it allows us to go virtually anywhere with little worries about safety.

6. Today, Dave took it off. Fluffy rode his two wheeler with training wheels to the neighborhood park and back.

7. Dave said he fell a number of times. Each time, he climbed back on.

8. One of the falls took him off the curb, over the handlebars and onto the pavement.

9. He cried a bit. And then got back on.

10. !!!!!

11. During one of their sessions, the Asperger Specialist asked Fluffy if he had a best friend. Does it have to be human? he asked. No, she replied. Then, it's my dog, Beegu, he answered.

12. A couple of months ago, we made "Break Cards" for everyone in the family. Dave drew cartoons of each of us, relaxing. Fluffy and I cut them out, laminated them and stuck a dab of velcro on the back. They hang from a velcro strip above Fluffy's white board in the upstairs hallway.

13. Last night, I was monster mommy. It wasn't about Aspergers per se; it was simple mommy fatigue. I JUST WANTED THE DAY TO BE OVER. At one point, I yanked my break card from the board, announced, "I'm taking a break!" and charged into my office, slamming the door. Fluffy immediately ripped his break card off, said, "I'm taking a break, too!" and charged into his room, slamming the door.

14. A few minutes later, I came out and knocked on his door. "Come in!" he sang from the bed where he was studying his new notebook, the ones we bought at his request.

15. I said I was feeling much calmer after my break and apologized for getting mad, for slamming the door. I said I was having a hard night. He said he was too. Mommy? We were like two pit bulls growling and trying to bite each other.

16. We snuggled in bed and read a chapter of Friendship According to Humphrey.

It's narrated by Humphrey, a classroom pet hamster who worries about the kids in his class, struggles with his feelings of jealousy over the new classroom pet, a frog named Og, and records his thoughts in a notebook he hides behind the mirror in his cage. Fluffy loves this book.

17. When it was time for lights out, he said, The reason I used to not like having so many thoughts was because I couldn't write them down. He asked if could write something in his notebook right then. Writing and drawing are still very hard for him. Every time he asks to do either, I try to say yes.

It took a while but he came up with two sentences. I sounded out the words. The letter-making and spelling were entirely his own. Here's what he wrote:

BEEGU IS THE GRATEST DOG IN THE WRLD.

EVN ON A HARD DAY, IT CEN BE NIS.

18. Last night I felt worried and weepy.

19. Tonight I feel as sappy as they come, wanting to sit by my son's bed and gaze at his sleeping face all night, wanting to soak it in, soak all of it in.

20. We're off to Mexico. Hope y'all have a great week.

Here's to soaking it in; wherever you are.

Comments

[kate]

I'm going to make some break cards. I hope you had a wonderful trip! Happy Mother's Day!

[Lora]

I know that you are in Mexico but I wanted to wish you a Happy Mother's Day anyhow, hope that it is (was) spectacular and quite memorable. ~Hugs~

[Lora]

Happy travels! Hope you all have a blast! Glad that things have worked out well. You guys deserve it! Can't wait to hear all about your trip.

[Christine]

I'm green I'm so envious. About Mexico AND about the bra.

Enjoy!

[susan]

I love Humphrey! That is a GREAT book.

I am glad everything worked out. Also, I am not so secretly glad that you had a meltdown, I was thinking you were a super-mom/woman/wife and dang it, that intimidates me to no end! Sorry.

Have a wonderful time. Susan

[jennifergg]

1. Glad the health issues are resolved (and the bra issues too!)

2. Fluffy is amazing; no wonder you want to soak in your moments with him. I do, too.

3. Safe travels!

[Maddy]

Hmm - we do well on fluffy the Hamster, perhaps we can branch out a bit!
Cheers

[Barbara]

I love reading your blog. Fluffy is so lucky to have such a wonderful family who advocates and cares for him and knows how to help him. As a teacher your words give me so much insight. Thank you for sharing about your life!

Enjoy Mexico.

Peace!

[Mom Without a Manual]

Fluffy is quite the boy! I love the brave bike riding, tension breaks in your rooms and his beautiful insights! And lastly, who says your best friend has to be human? Isn't the dog supposed to be man's best friend?

Have a great vacation!

[Wendy]

Enjoy your vacation!

Worried and weepy? Well, of course! You're going out of the country, your husband has the shingles, your son has unexplained fevers, and you have to PACK PACK PACK! I say, start drinking on the plane! :)

#11 got me. That is soooo sweet.

[Mamaroo]

SO glad that all is working out and you are all heading to Mexico! Enjoy, relax and have fun.

From a now C cup pregnant lady, I am very impressed with the 34D. Although, I must admit I am looking forward to hopefully one day returning to my B cups. I need to go bra shopping too. I need to go find me some nice nursing bras.

Oh, and Fluffy is just the sweetest!!!!

[mel]

He is so sweet. I enjoy reading every word you write about him because he is like my son in many ways. Hooray for the bike riding!
Glad to hear the blood work looks good. Have a great vacation!

[kristina]

Guess we should all be prepared with a Break card for those moments! Happy travels!

[drama mama]

EVN ON A HARD DAY, IT CEN BE NIS.

He slays me. Gets me right here.

It's been a whirlwind day/week/month
and you deserve the best Mexican vacation/drunk down/lay you've ever had. I will miss you and your posts.
Please have Fluffy journal about his trip.
Sending you my heart.

[Steph]

1. I love this post! So much real life here. :-)

2. I am glad Fluffy's blood tests look good so far.

3. I am SO sorry your dh has shingles. My husband went through that years ago.

4. CONGRATULATIONS to Fluffy on the bike accomplishment.

5. I love the way he has taken to journaling. That has been really important to my daughter (who also has Asperger's)

6. Thank you for sharing your angry moments - it makes me feel better. (Though my behavior - last night - was REALLY ugly - much worse that yours or Fluffy's). Like you, I was worried and sad, and way past ready for the day to be over.

7. I love Fluffy's comment about two pit bulls. My daughter and I SO get like that. She is almost 13 (raging hormones) on top of her other issues. I don't know what my excuse is.

8. Have a great time in Mexico!

O.K. - I didn't make it to 20 ... and it is way past 10 :-) Goodnight!)

[Beth TigerMoon]

Goodness what a day! I hope you all have a wonderful time in Mexico! Also wishing you all positive thoughts re: shingles clearing up right quick, and no reactions from the shot.