Acceptance
Tomorrow is Sam’s first ever birthday party… with friends… from his school. I was hesitant to throw him a party, unsure if other kids would come. I was nervous that if I invited his class, they would...
View ArticleIt must be about the poop
I know – Sam’s birthday came and went without my usual post talking about the emotional stress leading up to his birthday and the joy of the actual celebration. I wish I had a better reason for not...
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We Survived Our Extended Hospitalization
The idea was simple enough. Well, as simple as a hospitalization and surgical procedure on a 4 year old could be. But this is Sam. And he has never – ever – done anything simple. After speaking with...
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Advantages of Autism
Everyone always focuses on the negatives of an autism diagnosis. Myself included. So today I figure I will focus on the positives of an autism diagnosis. Autism is not a fatal diagnosis. Yes it does...
View ArticleVaccinations, Autism and the Immunocompromised
Dangerous territory… I know. I may offend some of you. I may not. But I feel I have to put this out there. I am approaching this topic as the parent to a vaccinated child who has autism and a weaker...
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Potty Training with Three Strikes Against You
Potty training is something many parents fear. Hundreds, if not thousands, of books are dedicated to helping ease the transition from diaper to potty. There are even “How To” videos on the subject....
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Can you make something with me?
This morning was magical. No seriously. Magical. I was in the kitchen getting breakfast made when I first hear it. It was faint and in the distance. Then it got louder. Giggling. Lots of giggling. And...
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What’s One More Therapist
When Sam graduated from the NICU, we were lucky. Aside from our pediatrician, Sam only had one specialist, a retinoligist That didn’t last long. Pretty soon we added in the developmental playgroup...
View ArticleStop treating him like he is different
Last night, in a discussion with a friend, I was told I needed to stop treating Sam like he is different. Now, I can’t stop thinking about this. Sam has been different since the day he was born: He...
View ArticleSharing Insights On My 5th World Prematurity Day As a Preemie Parent
I “celebrated” my first World Prematurity Day in the NICU. Sam was just two months old actual and was on his second full day of being off oxygen support. A lot has changed since that day, and I thought...
View ArticleBlindsided by an IEP
I knew it was coming. Every three years, children with an IEP in the Oakland Unified School District have a major review of eligibility. Besides, Sam will be entering kindergarten (holy shit!) in the...
View ArticleIts Been 4 Months since Sam’s IEP
Want to know what overwhelmed looks like… well… it looks like me. Since Sam’s IEP, I have done what I do best – educate myself. I have read the full IDEA statute. I have learned terms like LRE,...
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“As Needed”
There is one topic I have written about on this site a lot: poop or the lack thereof. From the day Sam was born the one thing he wasn’t so good at was pooping. We have tried everything: Miralax,...
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Transitions
The Last Music Class Hang in there folks – because the next couple of weeks are going to be wild in the land of Sam. Up first – the end of preschool. Yep, you read that right. Sam will be ending his...
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Six years and counting
My sweet boy. It has been a while since I wrote just to you. Life with you is never dull – and I am so thankful for that. There are a few things I could do without- lets never have to be hospitalized...
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The School District vs. The Anti-Preemie
I have debated writing about my battle with my local school district publicly. What if someone reads this and all my hard work goes down the drain due to someone’s bruised ego. But then I remembered, I...
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Sam, the Pre-Existing Condition
Since this blog launched, I have always referred to Sam as “Sam, the Anti-Preemie”. I am thinking of changing his name to “Sam, the Pre-Existing Condition”. When Sam decided to make his early entry...
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You Have Come A Long Way Baby – Revisited
Then you were only 1 lbs 12 ozs. At 3, you were 31 lbs. Now, you are almost 50(?!) pounds Then your heart had a leaky valve. At 3, a tiny clip has done its job and your heart is perfect – and you...
View ArticleWelcome to PTSD Season
Hear ye! Hear ye! PTSD season is upon us. I don’t mean to make light of a very serious condition – but making light of it is the only way I manage to get through what I have loving termed PTSD season....
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I Trained For This
Who knew when I brought Sam home from the NICU way back in 2010 that my 5 months of house arrest would end up being so useful ten years later. Now, of course, house arrest has a new name – sheltering...
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