Weekly Autism Tip

I'm going to try my very best to share an Autism tip that I have learned recently (and may even be helpful)..

Be warned ~ an autistic child, who you may have been working on his verbal communication for many years, may one day pick up a potty word and use it appropriately. Imagine the following: 'Noah, what are you looking at?' (as he stares at something while playing) to which Noah responds, "What the hell is that?" Yes folks, it is a place but not when it's used that way. Nice one Noah....=)

In This Economy...

About a year ago, I found an opportunity to work weekends (Baylor = make what you make if you were working 3 12 hour shifts but only work 2 12 hour shifts, every, single weekend) in order to have more time available to our increasing family (we added a 3rd little sweetie a year ago, and after that pregnancy, do not plan on adding another since I'm really not the best preggers kinda lady!) Today I found out that I was one of the RNs who had to choose between flexi and full time. Since I need some regularity to my schedule and paycheck, I'll be going back to full time - 3 12's per week. My boys, Sam and Noah, had really gotten used to the fact that I was home during the week and that they had daddy all to themselves on the weekends. So, going back to this schedule is going to take some getting used to...maybe a social story for me to lessen the anxiety/worry on how I THINK the kids, especially Noah will handle the transition. Wait, I am kidding my self - Noah probably won't even notice!

The thought that keeps cycling around my head - in this economy, I'm lucky to even still have a job!

Well Hello There...

Well hello everybody - glad you could join us! It's almost eleven in the evening and the house is silent, except for whatever old appliance's motor is humming along in our kitchen. I'm up but not tired. I'm still coming off 'night-shift-mode' from working a busy night Sunday in the hospital.

So what's this blog all about, you might ask? Ok, so don't laugh (I admit to "cheesiness") ~

ZZ = Mom (Erika, me) and Dad (Mike)

zzz = Noah (7), Sam (5), and Addi Rose (1)

Party of ZZzzz = it's so rare that all 5 of us go out to eat together because of our life, schedule, and this little thing called Autism. But lately, we've been getting braver and had some great times!

This blog is a way to share the humor and daily little miracles & achievements of our autistic son, Noah, the energy and love of Sam (an amazing 5 YO who is always willing to "step up to the plate" to support his brother) and a new little girl who has stolen the hearts of our entire family... ALL together, it makes for a beautiful life!