We took the kids to Lagoon for Brandon's work party this weekend and had a great time! We wasn't sure hiw Dylan would handle it but he did great! We were even able to let him ride some rides! I was a Nervous wreck the whole time, fearing at any moment he may jump out, but not once did he try! Last year Brielle and Boston's favorite ride was this Dinosaur Egg Drop ride that takes you up and drops down. We knew we had to do that one and I decided to take Dylan! I kind of laughed at myself, because up until then he had been doing the normal kid rides and this just may freak him out a bit, but "oh well" ha ha. We got on it and we went up, up, and up. I told Dylan we were going to go down soon. As we went down I looked at Dyl and he looked a little nervous and confused and I could tell he had the weird butterfly in your tummy feeling. After a few times going down and seeing that nervous look as we went up, I heard a little giggle! When it was time to get off, he through his first fit of the day and that was because I wouldn't let him sit back on the ride! I knew he loved it then! I think he enjoyed it as much as the rest of us.
We decided to go to Lagoon A Beach to cool off and enjoy the water. I remember not being impressed when I was younger and left thinking the same. The kids had fun though! It was a lot of work on our part because they all wanted to go in different directions. Brandon's main complaint was the rough floors. I think the idea is to be a rocky ocean floor and so you are walking on a pretend rocky ocean floor in the water and it doesn't feel good on your feet.
We headed home to get ready for my neice and nephews baptism. During the baptism Brandon followed Dylan around the Church because he sat down for a whole minute, if that. After the baptism part I went and found them and said I would hold Dylan. That lasted another minute, so I followed him around the rest of the time. We decided for the dinner part to put him in his stroller, which was the best decision ever! Brandon said Dylan was interacting with Jake by grabbing his hand and putting it on his leg where Jake had squeezed him, apparently he liked that! He ate and we got to eat instead of chasing him around! Win-Win for all of us!
Saturday, August 15, 2015
Tuesday, August 11, 2015
Restore
On the Facebook group I am a part of several parents have been talking about this product they have started using called, Restore, and how awesome it is. I decided to buy some and try it because someone mentioned it brought on speech and we all know that I would LOVE to hear Dylan's little voice again! I also bought some for my Mom because everything it talked about being able to heal reminded me of so many things that have been happening to my Mom. It is supposed to help by reintroducing 20,000 to 30,000 of the good bacteria to your gut, that our foods and toxins today take away and destroy our gut lining. They say most illnesses start in the gut and if you can repair that then good things will come! When I ordered it, I decided to order the smallest bottle to test out, but when I opened it they had sent me the next size up so I accepted their generosity, ha ha. Maybe dishonest or maybe it was intentional, but I appreciated it!
I have been giving it to Dylan for a week or so but I am not really sure how much I should give him. The bottle says 1 Tbsp, split up in 3 - 1 tsp doses throughout the day, but Dylan is only 3.5 so I don't want to give him too much. People on the group have said to start slow because it can bring on detox symptoms or even cause constipation, which is not what we are looking for. I started at 1/4 tsp, 3 times a day but have now been giving him 1/2 to 3/4 tsp - 2 or 3 times a day.
(Sorry for the next part, but I have learned that poop and what it looks like is common talk in Autism Parent World) He has had very loose, but not diarrhea poop, so that is good from what I read. My only concern is that this is going to cause problems that the feeling hits and it is the type that "I need to go to the bathroom and I need to go now." Since he is still in diapers, it is not a big deal, but in the future, I need to read up on this and learn more. I hope that once the gut is in good shape it is not that type. I have started giving it to Boston as well because that kid has major constipation issues and it seems to be helping him. That is where my concern comes because he will be going to Kindergarten and I don't want him having accidents because of this, but I am happy this may help him in that area!
On a different note, I think we are seeing changes! I have noticed the past couple of days, he seems to be attempting to speak more. There is a lot of the drawn out, "EEEE" but that is when you can tell he is trying to get something out and he is trying hard! Brandon was trying to get him to repeat what he said last night and kept saying, "Momma" and he is pretty sure Dylan said it a couple of times. Tonight Brandon thought he heard, "Daddy." Yesterday, there was a couple of times that in his gibberish and after the fact it hit me, he may have just said, "cottage cheese." There was one other thing like that but I can't remember what it was. My experiences was pure gibberish but if you were really trying to listen to him, I swear there was words in that gibberish!
He has seemed to be extremely Happy lately too! That is always nice! He is always running around laughing and has even ran from us when we try to tickle him! He has a new obsession of taking the stuffing out of the couch cushions and when I came down and saw that today, he looked up at me and laughed and ran off. He knew what he did and knew that he shouldn't have, little stinker! We have got him to play "ring around the rosie" a few times and (now this does not sound big, but is VERY big because he will not do this normally) he even holds Desi's hand! Usually he refuses to hold her hand, almost as if it is gross to touch her, ha ha. Desi isn't giving up and is determined they will be best friends some day, whether he wants to or not, ha ha.
On the downside, today I noticed him throwing a few fits and banging his head on the floor, couch and even window. I am hoping this does not last long and isn't something new, because so far we have been lucky not to have to witness those kinds of tantrums. We will continue this supplement and hope for the best, but so far I am liking what I see!
I have been giving it to Dylan for a week or so but I am not really sure how much I should give him. The bottle says 1 Tbsp, split up in 3 - 1 tsp doses throughout the day, but Dylan is only 3.5 so I don't want to give him too much. People on the group have said to start slow because it can bring on detox symptoms or even cause constipation, which is not what we are looking for. I started at 1/4 tsp, 3 times a day but have now been giving him 1/2 to 3/4 tsp - 2 or 3 times a day.
(Sorry for the next part, but I have learned that poop and what it looks like is common talk in Autism Parent World) He has had very loose, but not diarrhea poop, so that is good from what I read. My only concern is that this is going to cause problems that the feeling hits and it is the type that "I need to go to the bathroom and I need to go now." Since he is still in diapers, it is not a big deal, but in the future, I need to read up on this and learn more. I hope that once the gut is in good shape it is not that type. I have started giving it to Boston as well because that kid has major constipation issues and it seems to be helping him. That is where my concern comes because he will be going to Kindergarten and I don't want him having accidents because of this, but I am happy this may help him in that area!
On a different note, I think we are seeing changes! I have noticed the past couple of days, he seems to be attempting to speak more. There is a lot of the drawn out, "EEEE" but that is when you can tell he is trying to get something out and he is trying hard! Brandon was trying to get him to repeat what he said last night and kept saying, "Momma" and he is pretty sure Dylan said it a couple of times. Tonight Brandon thought he heard, "Daddy." Yesterday, there was a couple of times that in his gibberish and after the fact it hit me, he may have just said, "cottage cheese." There was one other thing like that but I can't remember what it was. My experiences was pure gibberish but if you were really trying to listen to him, I swear there was words in that gibberish!
He has seemed to be extremely Happy lately too! That is always nice! He is always running around laughing and has even ran from us when we try to tickle him! He has a new obsession of taking the stuffing out of the couch cushions and when I came down and saw that today, he looked up at me and laughed and ran off. He knew what he did and knew that he shouldn't have, little stinker! We have got him to play "ring around the rosie" a few times and (now this does not sound big, but is VERY big because he will not do this normally) he even holds Desi's hand! Usually he refuses to hold her hand, almost as if it is gross to touch her, ha ha. Desi isn't giving up and is determined they will be best friends some day, whether he wants to or not, ha ha.
On the downside, today I noticed him throwing a few fits and banging his head on the floor, couch and even window. I am hoping this does not last long and isn't something new, because so far we have been lucky not to have to witness those kinds of tantrums. We will continue this supplement and hope for the best, but so far I am liking what I see!
Friday, August 7, 2015
All hope is lost(not in Dylan but for Dylan)
The other night Dylan figured out how to break off the child proof door knob thingy and was pretty proud of himself! He came running out of his room and when he saw me, he ran right into our room and locked himself in there, knowing we can't get to him and he wouldn't have to go to bed! Luckily, I am a master at unlocking the door with the unlocking tool ha ha. I duct taped it for the night and we were good to go!
Yesterday I went and bought a new door knob that locks and put it on backwards! Come bed time, everything went as normal and Brandon put Dylan in bed. Once the door was shut, it only took him seconds to realize the child proof door thing was gone. I heard him run right over to the door and grab hold of the door knob...only to find out he was now locked in there. Poor kid cried for an hour and it was a cry that he had lost all hope in ever being able to sneak out again. I hate that we have to do this but we have things that need to get done once the kids are in bed(last night that was putting towel racks up in the down stairs bathroom, which is another story in itself ha ha)and we need our time to relax and unwind too. More importantly I need my sleep for my sake and my kids sake so I can't be worrying that he will get out at night and run off somewhere.
Hopefully, one day we will be able to get him out of this "prison" situation and that he will be able to have a normal room, but for now this will have to do!
Yesterday I went and bought a new door knob that locks and put it on backwards! Come bed time, everything went as normal and Brandon put Dylan in bed. Once the door was shut, it only took him seconds to realize the child proof door thing was gone. I heard him run right over to the door and grab hold of the door knob...only to find out he was now locked in there. Poor kid cried for an hour and it was a cry that he had lost all hope in ever being able to sneak out again. I hate that we have to do this but we have things that need to get done once the kids are in bed(last night that was putting towel racks up in the down stairs bathroom, which is another story in itself ha ha)and we need our time to relax and unwind too. More importantly I need my sleep for my sake and my kids sake so I can't be worrying that he will get out at night and run off somewhere.
Hopefully, one day we will be able to get him out of this "prison" situation and that he will be able to have a normal room, but for now this will have to do!
Wednesday, August 5, 2015
Lately
We haven't really experienced a lot of changes, for the good or worse, in Dylan lately but he has been saying one word quite frequently! That word being Beebee which means Binky ha ha. We have tried getting him off of it several times but until we take it away from Desi, he will not give it up. He has hawk eyes for those things and can spot it a mile away! Back before the regression he called them "neenee's" so he is getting closer!
I went to my Mom's the other day and when we were leaving, I told Dylan to tell Grandma Bye. He reached out and flapped his arm a bit as if he was waving. I had him do it twice and he did the same thing both times. One time, I swear he attempted to mouth the word even!
Also the other day he was outside playing in our pool, completely naked of course, and he came running in and into Desi's room. A few seconds later, he came running out with his swimming suit in hand. Brandon put it on and out he went! It lasted a minute before he took it off, but that is progress!
Last week I had 2 dreams about Dylan. The first night, I dream that Dylan said a two word sentence. I don't remember much about it but I think Boston was crying and so Dylan said, "Boston crying." The second night I dream that Dylan was pointing, not using his whole hand but the correct way to point, at things he wanted. As small as these dreams sound, I will be beyond ecstatic when he does either one! They are HUGE in his world!
We have had a lot of Dylan wandering around lately, getting in the fridge, emptying toilet paper rolls, throwing huge tamptrums(only to lay on the ground kicking and screaming and hurting his hands or feet or head from slamming them down so hard) so Brandon and I have been worn out. Oh how could I forget, he has ruined the cd player in the van by putting at least 4 coins in it! We were able to go to Cherry Hill with my Aunt Angie and Grandma Red and all the family and enjoyed ourselves all day. Dylan loves swimming so that was the perfect get away! But at home, it has not been the funnest lately. Brandon suggested the other day that if he could send him some where for a year that would guarantee results he would do it! I suggested we send him to this John guy that is taking his son, Anthony, for the same treatments. They are seeing amazing results and John somehow manages to remain very positive throughout everything. I don't know how he does it but I admire him! Deep down, you know we could never ship Dylan off, because we would miss him like crazy, but I can keep dreaming that one day we will see more results or one day we can look back and be thankful that we have at least survived this stage!
I went to my Mom's the other day and when we were leaving, I told Dylan to tell Grandma Bye. He reached out and flapped his arm a bit as if he was waving. I had him do it twice and he did the same thing both times. One time, I swear he attempted to mouth the word even!
Also the other day he was outside playing in our pool, completely naked of course, and he came running in and into Desi's room. A few seconds later, he came running out with his swimming suit in hand. Brandon put it on and out he went! It lasted a minute before he took it off, but that is progress!
Last week I had 2 dreams about Dylan. The first night, I dream that Dylan said a two word sentence. I don't remember much about it but I think Boston was crying and so Dylan said, "Boston crying." The second night I dream that Dylan was pointing, not using his whole hand but the correct way to point, at things he wanted. As small as these dreams sound, I will be beyond ecstatic when he does either one! They are HUGE in his world!
We have had a lot of Dylan wandering around lately, getting in the fridge, emptying toilet paper rolls, throwing huge tamptrums(only to lay on the ground kicking and screaming and hurting his hands or feet or head from slamming them down so hard) so Brandon and I have been worn out. Oh how could I forget, he has ruined the cd player in the van by putting at least 4 coins in it! We were able to go to Cherry Hill with my Aunt Angie and Grandma Red and all the family and enjoyed ourselves all day. Dylan loves swimming so that was the perfect get away! But at home, it has not been the funnest lately. Brandon suggested the other day that if he could send him some where for a year that would guarantee results he would do it! I suggested we send him to this John guy that is taking his son, Anthony, for the same treatments. They are seeing amazing results and John somehow manages to remain very positive throughout everything. I don't know how he does it but I admire him! Deep down, you know we could never ship Dylan off, because we would miss him like crazy, but I can keep dreaming that one day we will see more results or one day we can look back and be thankful that we have at least survived this stage!
Thursday, July 30, 2015
Summer School
Today was Dylan's last day of Summer School. The bus driver informed me that he was the only kid that attended every day! I laughed and thought, "I don't know if that is a good thing or a bad thing. Am I the only parent that needed those 4 hours 3 days a week to mentally prepare for the rest of the day". I didn't get the opportunity to talk to the teacher like I did in the regular school since it was a half day thing so I don't know how he did. I got one note that him and another kid collided and he kind of bonked his head on the ground and then a note today that he got a scratch on his elbow, other than that I have no idea how he was.
I am super impressed with the bus driver and wish she was the driver during the school year. She loves my son and really put forth the effort to get to know him. Here are some things that she told me about Dylan throughout the summer school session:
-there is something about him that just draws him to you
- she is a sucker for brown eyes and she loves his eyes
- he is ticklish and he would even try to get her back
- he has a great personality! She said some of the kids have no personality but she loves his
- he is girl crazy( I should have asked her more on that one)
- there was one week he was not feeling it I guess but she told me he had been grumpy on the bus, which through me off guard because he loves to ride, but she mentioned the teachers had also said he was struggling with the school thing too.
-he is the only kid that buckles himself in so they would let him and make sure it was done right.
I will miss my morning and afternoon talks with her because she was so positive and I knew Dylan was in good hands with her! Now we have a few weeks until regular school starts up! I am not sure if we will start him going all day or do the half day still but I guess we will figure that out soon!
I am super impressed with the bus driver and wish she was the driver during the school year. She loves my son and really put forth the effort to get to know him. Here are some things that she told me about Dylan throughout the summer school session:
-there is something about him that just draws him to you
- she is a sucker for brown eyes and she loves his eyes
- he is ticklish and he would even try to get her back
- he has a great personality! She said some of the kids have no personality but she loves his
- he is girl crazy( I should have asked her more on that one)
- there was one week he was not feeling it I guess but she told me he had been grumpy on the bus, which through me off guard because he loves to ride, but she mentioned the teachers had also said he was struggling with the school thing too.
-he is the only kid that buckles himself in so they would let him and make sure it was done right.
I will miss my morning and afternoon talks with her because she was so positive and I knew Dylan was in good hands with her! Now we have a few weeks until regular school starts up! I am not sure if we will start him going all day or do the half day still but I guess we will figure that out soon!
Monday, July 13, 2015
Swimming
I am hoping we are starting to go on the upward slope of the "roller coaster ride" we are on. Other parents that have gone through this have referred to it as that and said you see gains and then you have your set backs and then all of a sudden they take off again. We have not seen the huge gains some people are reporting back, yet, but over the past couple days I feel he is trying a little harder. He has been a little more involved and it seems that he is making more sounds at an attempt of communicating and the eye contact has been pretty good these past couple days.
Ask me if I felt things were looking up a few days ago, I would have answered with a big "HELL NO" ha ha! We were in Nephi for the stampede and at Brandon's Grandma Ann's house for a little family get together with relatives from California. The whole time there was spent chasing Dylan around as he went in the side door and out the front door. Brandon even counted him down at 1 point and he walked out the door right on cue. Brandon thinks I waste my energy by following his every move, but I know the one time he is not followed will be the one time he takes off or gets in to something, so I prefer to play it safe. We headed down to the carnival to go on a few rides, but that didn't last long for him. Rick and Lori tried taking him on the Merry Go Round and he wanted nothing to do with it, so him and Grandpa headed back to Grandma Ann's. When we got done at the carnival we found out that Rick had walked all the way to their house with him, like I said before, he is amazing! The next day they had another get together, which Brandon really wanted to go to, but I was not about to take Dylan down again. I was not in the mood to follow him around and not about to pawn that responsibility off on to someone else.
Today Brandon came home from work and while I was making dinner we were talking about the older two going to swimming lessons later that evening. I really don't remember either one of us actually saying the word "swimming" because we knew what we were talking about. Brandon mentioned that after work one of these days he would take Dylan because he hasn't got to go very much this Summer. About 10 minutes later, I look up and Dylan is walking around with his swim suit. I laughed and tried to convince Brandon to hurry and take him to the Payson pool because it was 5 and it closed at 7. He said he would take him tomorrow. When it came time for Brielle and Bos to go, they got their swimming suits on and that is when I saw Dylan walking down the hall, losing clothes as he went. I knew he was on his way to get his swim suit on. Sure enough he walked out with nothing but his shoes on(tie shoes he can't get off) and swimming suit in hand. I couldn't deny the little guy the chance to swim, so I got our little pool and let him go for a swim. This is something he used to do and has not done that in a long time! He is expressing his wants, not through words but actions, so to me that is on the uphill climb and I am hoping it continues on!
He did have his swim suit on for about 1 minute. Every time he would stand up or get out of the pool I would say, "You have to get your suit on if you are getting out" He would immediately jump right back in.
Ask me if I felt things were looking up a few days ago, I would have answered with a big "HELL NO" ha ha! We were in Nephi for the stampede and at Brandon's Grandma Ann's house for a little family get together with relatives from California. The whole time there was spent chasing Dylan around as he went in the side door and out the front door. Brandon even counted him down at 1 point and he walked out the door right on cue. Brandon thinks I waste my energy by following his every move, but I know the one time he is not followed will be the one time he takes off or gets in to something, so I prefer to play it safe. We headed down to the carnival to go on a few rides, but that didn't last long for him. Rick and Lori tried taking him on the Merry Go Round and he wanted nothing to do with it, so him and Grandpa headed back to Grandma Ann's. When we got done at the carnival we found out that Rick had walked all the way to their house with him, like I said before, he is amazing! The next day they had another get together, which Brandon really wanted to go to, but I was not about to take Dylan down again. I was not in the mood to follow him around and not about to pawn that responsibility off on to someone else.
Today Brandon came home from work and while I was making dinner we were talking about the older two going to swimming lessons later that evening. I really don't remember either one of us actually saying the word "swimming" because we knew what we were talking about. Brandon mentioned that after work one of these days he would take Dylan because he hasn't got to go very much this Summer. About 10 minutes later, I look up and Dylan is walking around with his swim suit. I laughed and tried to convince Brandon to hurry and take him to the Payson pool because it was 5 and it closed at 7. He said he would take him tomorrow. When it came time for Brielle and Bos to go, they got their swimming suits on and that is when I saw Dylan walking down the hall, losing clothes as he went. I knew he was on his way to get his swim suit on. Sure enough he walked out with nothing but his shoes on(tie shoes he can't get off) and swimming suit in hand. I couldn't deny the little guy the chance to swim, so I got our little pool and let him go for a swim. This is something he used to do and has not done that in a long time! He is expressing his wants, not through words but actions, so to me that is on the uphill climb and I am hoping it continues on!
He did have his swim suit on for about 1 minute. Every time he would stand up or get out of the pool I would say, "You have to get your suit on if you are getting out" He would immediately jump right back in.
Sunday, July 12, 2015
Watermelon!
This may be small to some but to Dylan it is a big step(in my eyes)! We went out and tried finding decorations for our house and then went to eat at Sizzler. Dylan loves fries and I always know that is something he'll eat. We got the older two Grilled Cheeses and Dylan and Desi Chicken Strips and Fries. I decided to get Brielle a side of Watermelon instead of fries because she doesn't eat the fries.
We had a pretty good time while eating, but then Dylan decided it was time to get out of his seat. Luckily they had us in a corner, so we let Dylan get out and run around in the corner except for there was a fire hydrant that we had to keep a watchful eye on. After about 10 minutes of that, he started trying to make his way to the plates. I gave him a fry thinking that was what he was after. He tossed it and made his way to Brielle's plate, where the Watermelon had sat untouched. He grabbed a piece of it and I watched to see what would happen. I figured the feel alone would send it right to the floor. As long as he held the outer edge of it he was fine, but when he touched the pink part he would wipe his hands off. Next I knew he bit into it. I was prepared to watch it being spit out. Nope, he ate it! The first bite you could tell it was new to him and he wasn't quite sure what it was, but when he took several more bites, I was excited and quite shocked to say the least!
We had a pretty good time while eating, but then Dylan decided it was time to get out of his seat. Luckily they had us in a corner, so we let Dylan get out and run around in the corner except for there was a fire hydrant that we had to keep a watchful eye on. After about 10 minutes of that, he started trying to make his way to the plates. I gave him a fry thinking that was what he was after. He tossed it and made his way to Brielle's plate, where the Watermelon had sat untouched. He grabbed a piece of it and I watched to see what would happen. I figured the feel alone would send it right to the floor. As long as he held the outer edge of it he was fine, but when he touched the pink part he would wipe his hands off. Next I knew he bit into it. I was prepared to watch it being spit out. Nope, he ate it! The first bite you could tell it was new to him and he wasn't quite sure what it was, but when he took several more bites, I was excited and quite shocked to say the least!
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