Sweater Vests!

If I just titled this Happy Holidays, no one would come see.  I'm a sucker for a sweater vest and love the boys' in these pictures. 

My favorites are the staging shots and the outtakes.  If you had any idea how angry my husband got during these!  And we don't have a good camera so the quality stinks.  But enjoy!

I am officially unplugging for a while! 

Happy Holidays! 

Here is a list of my demands

Jaylen didn't really get that he could ask Santa for gifts.  I had asked him what he thought Santa would bring, but he never answered; didn't really get the concept.  He just stated, and this is so Jaylen:

"I need 10 presents under the tree and 7 in my stocking."

 


Until today that is.  He went to the mall with Gramma, sat on St. Nick's lap, and was asked, "What do you want for Christmas."  Even though he was too scared to talk then, and he often needs extra time to process heavy info like that,  the light bulb eventually went off and now there is a list.  A list that I am sure will continue to grow and grow for the next 5 days.  Thanks Mom.

 So far he has demanded:

1. Firetruck
2. Cars
3. LeapFrog Scout (jealous of his brother's)
4. More Playdoh
5. Drums
6. Keyboard

"Santa" has gotten a firetruck, but it's for his little brother.  He has 126 cars strewn all over this house so that's out. Scout will be under the tree, as well as more playdoh and a really cool conveyor belt thing I already played with tested out!  And luckily, Mimi (my MIL) got the new drum set, and Gramma got the keyboard.  4 out of 6 ain't bad!

The Overflow Lot at JFK

These are some recent shots of my bathroom:

 

My favorite thing about these two is the complete and total disregard for fire safety. 

But before you go and think this is just typical Autism behavior, I must add that overly optimistic mom note; he DID say there was a lot of traffic.  We have pretend play, not JUST lining up. 

Spoiling My Kids

Last year we had a very small Christmas.  We had just relocated and my husband left his full time active duty Army job, which really provided for us financially, and was freelancing as a drummer and DJ in a new area.  We were a one income family living in the most expensive county in the US.  Get the picture?

It broke my heart for our guys to only get 3 presents on Christmas morning.  My husband and I didn't exchange gifts.  I only gave pictures of the boys to our closest family members.  We passed up the traditional Cornish Hen dinner my husband and I started 10 years ago for a much cheaper Turkey dinner.

Now, before you think I am self centered or have lost touch with reality like 86% of the people who live around here, I know we were still lucky.  I was so thankful to have our family together, healthy and happy.  We had a home, even though the rent payment was really late, we had heat, even though we were paying that late as well (don't even get me started on how 1/2 tank of oil lasts only one month and costs $354!), and we had food.  I was very thankful.

But I wanted more.  One of the saddest things for me is the scene in The Pursuit of Happyness where Will Smith and his son sleep in the subway bathroom.  It is based on Chris Gardner's real life and breaks my heart.  I can't imagine having to go through that.  I don't spoil the boys throughout the year so Christmas is my time to do that.    

This year, we are in a much better position.  My business is doing better, and Gerald is freelancing his butt off.  I am so proud of how much work he has brought in.  The boys will get spoiled this year.  And so will our families.  And my husband will be happy with how his hard work has paid off!

Once again, before you think I am self centered, I will say that I have given plenty as well.  I have donated, helped out, and given a lot this season also.  All around, an amazingly fulfilling holiday.

Who knew this quick little post would turn out like this?  The prompt was What I Want For Christmas! So to keep it real, I would also like: some hot new boots, a Kindle, an Infiniti QX56, and a trip to Jamaica.  But I will settle for just one of those, OK, maybe two, and a happy, healthy family!

 

Being a Realist

That cartoon cracks me up AND my husband's name is Gerald!

Since everyone in the blog world will be writing their resolutions right around January 1st I figured I'd be first.

So now when all of you are blogging about resolutions; I will have moved on, already realized I will not do these things, and will be focusing on new content.

Three things:

1). I want to be a better wife.  Wow, kinda personal huh? We have two very active, rough, boys, one with Autism, and it has taken a toll on our relationship. I need to work on giving our relationship much more attention because a kid with special needs isn't a good enough excuse to not put in the time and effort.

 Our Wedding, 7/18/03, and yes, it's a photo of a photo.  No digital cameras back then and I don't have a scanner, so there.

B). I need to be more patient with my boys. As I said, they are very tough, especially since our little guy with Autism has many behavior issues and our younger one imitates and follows suit. But I want to work on not losing my temper as much.

Yep. I did that.

Third).  Lose weight, but not for looks! I am happy with how I look. But don't feel good physically and health wise. I lost 30 pounds last year starting on New Year's and felt so good. So many less aches and pains. Better sleep. more energy. And I knew I was adding years onto my life. My boys are so important to me and I want all the time I can with them.  I have put some of that weight back on and it sucks!

Yes, I know I put 1, B, Third.  It was a shout out to Tommy Boy, an all time favorite film movie (anything starring Chris Farley should probably be labeled movie and not film). 

Only 51 Days Till Christmas!!!

As I sipped my morning coffee yesterday I breathed a sigh of relief when I saw this: 

Thank goodness!  

I still have 51 days to get teacher and therapist gifts, wrap everything, make cookies, buy groceries for Christmas dinner and a week of guests, get a few last minute family presents and...

What, oh, Jaylen just mixed the 1 and the 5?  So you're saying I have only 15 days left?  I gotta go...

Verbal Ability

The other day my son and I were talking, yes talking back and forth.  Something I wasn't sure would ever happen.  He didn't really talk till about age 3, just a year ago.

He asked what my "2nd name" was and I told him ___________ (just in case we actually have any privacy left since I started this blog).  He then got all excited and said, "Your last name is _______ too?"

He got it.  He asked a question, understood the answer, and made the connection. 

Which made me a little sad, longing for the days when all he used to communicate were songs from Diego; "Come on baby birds, hatch, hatch, apurense, salgan, salgan."   Or when he would mix his pronouns; yelling "I scared you!" when his dad would scare him.

However, all was righted in the world when I was building a fire in the fireplace the other night and he looked and said, "I think we have a Compsagnathus problem."  (WHAT?)

 

Thank you Dino Dan, thank you. 

Random Thoughts Special Needs Blog Hop

 

1. My son actually said "sure thing" when I asked him to do something last night.  I was kinda freaked out, but then later saw Dino Dan tell his mom that on TV.  Phew, just echolalia, not a sudden influx of new language and politeness...that would be scary. 

2. Reading Dani's random thoughts about all the teacher and therapist gifts she finished made me realize I hadn't even thought of that yet.  Now I am going to get diarrhea. 

3.  It just took me about 36 minutes to figure out how to add the list of other participants to this post.  That is called technologically challenged, especially since it clearly say, "Get the code here." 

4. I miss blogging.  This really is what I'd love to spend more time on.  

5. I have entered a ton of blog and online giveaways in the past two weeks and I better win some stuff.  Good stuff. 

Is that your Ear Tube?

You know your life is "A" Typical when this happens at Walmart (of all places):

Me: "Alright guys, you can each pick a box of fruit snacks."

Xavi: "Dora!"

Jaylen: "Mom, what's this?  It just came from my ear."

As I look up from the floor, since the fruit snacks are on the lowest shelf and I am hunched down there, Jaylen hands me something brown.

Me:  "Eww, I don't know.  Oh wait, that is your ear tube stuck in the middle of a ton of wax.  Hmmm, the doctor said one of them was white." 


*********************************************************************************

Anyone else's kid have tubes?  Jaylen had massive fevers and ear infections for 2 months straight and had tubes put in at 14 months (2007).  

 Pissed Toddler Pre-Op

Then a blood clot surrounded one so we had to redo it at 16 months (2008). 

 Happy Toddler Pre-Op (has no idea what's coming)

For years he has had one bright green tube and one white tube.  Now he has none.

Kid Companions Chewelry Review and Giveaway

Congratulations to the two winners,  JLunares and Amanda Broadfoot!  I will email you to be sure of the specifics of your order!  I would like to thank everyone who entered.  I wish I could give everyone Chewelry, especially after reading your heartfelt reasons for needing it.  

The winners were numbers 3 and 5, and it was out of 14 entries.  The first and last comment did not count as entries and I added a comment into the line up from Facebook.  Technically I did not say the comment HAD to be here on my blog and someone did comment on my fan page.  YES, I took the time to figure out the times and fit that comment in, why, because it was the right thing to do!  I am all about fate! 

 

True Random Number Generator Min: Max: Result: 3 Powered by RANDOM.ORG

 

True Random Number Generator Min: Max: Result: 5 Powered by RANDOM.ORG

Unique Sensory Tool for Special Needs Youth

Jaylen goes through what we call "goat" phases where he puts a lot of things in his mouth; chewing on any clothing that can reach his mouth.  Winter is especially hard because he chews on his coats. 

His teacher recommended Chewelry and showed me a picture.  Before I could even order one I was contacted to do a review of that very product.  Talk about fate!

Kid Companions sent me a Blue Circle Chewelry on a 20 inch blue lanyard, 

since Jaylen's favorite color is blue.  

Kid Companions are absolutely perfect!  For once, a problem I had was easily remedied.  Chewelry is strong, safe (bpa, phthalate, lead and latex free), and exactly what we needed.  Jaylen can chew on this whenever he wants and it is always with him!  Chewelry is also discreet; it looks just like a necklace. My son's teacher says he shows it off to other kids.

If only there were answers this simple and perfect for all of our other "issues." 

Another added bonus of Kid Companions is they are great for fidgeting.  My son has problems keeping his hands still and not touching others.  Now he has something easily accessible he can fidget with. I visited his school a few days ago and watched a little bit of circle time.  I saw him use his Chewelry to calm his restless hands.  He fiddled with it, rubbed it, squeezed it, then put his hands back in his lap.

 You can see it in this picture

Be sure to check out the Kid Companions website at http://www.Chewelry.ca

Follow them on Twitter http://twitter.com/padentremont

And like them on Facebook

The Chewelry Giveaway

Kid Companions is giving away Chewelry necklaces to TWO of my lucky readers!  And you get to make decisions with this giveaway, always an added bonus!  So head over to Kid Companions and pick one out for your child.  Be sure to decide which shape and color, whether you want a lanyard or clip version, and if you choose lanyard if you want 18 or 20 inches, colorful lanyard or organic undyed lanyard. Very Cool!

To Enter:  Follow Mommy To Two Boys with Google Friend Connect or on Facebook and leave a comment letting me know you are, PLUS which companion you'd choose so Kid Companions knows what to order for you (see options above, up to 5 different things to choose).

That's it!  One comment, one way to enter! 

Giveaway Rules: This giveaway is open to anyone in the US and Canada.  It begins on December 2, 2010 and will end on December 10, 2010 at 9 pm. Two winners with valid entries will be selected at random using random.org. The winners will be announced and must respond with a current email address within 48 hours to claim.  Otherwise, another eligible entry will be chosen. Good Luck!!! I was not compensated for this review. These are my own honest opinions.