Friday, August 27, 2010

What would you do?

Important link to share:

http://www.theautismnews.com/2010/08/27/what-would-you-do/

From Andrew Sullivan | ABC News

How will shoppers react when customer tells the clerk with Down Syndrome: ‘You’re absolutely retarded!’ – What would you do?

Source: YouTube

Sunday, August 22, 2010

A rough week for the little Joe

Last Monday, we had an ENT appointment because Joey has been having a hard time hearing and a lot of wax build up. It ends up that the tubes were stuck in the ear canal and no longer in the ear drum. The doctor surprised me when he just yanked one out. Joey was ok; I think because he didn't know it was coming. He squirmed and then cried after the 2nd one was removed but all in all, he was a trooper. His hearing test came back above normal. No follow up is needed.

A few days later, on Thursday, we had Joey's 6 month cleaning at the dentist. He didn't want to sit for X-rays - these were more invasive than the last time - but he did well with the cleaning, flossing, and polishing of his teeth. Then, the dentist gave us the news: I would have to bring Joey back to get sedated, take the X-rays, and either fill a cavity in one of his back teeth or do a baby root canal. WHAT?!?! I am hoping it is just a filling. On a happy note, his bottom two 6-year molars have cut through, and the top left is just cutting through the surface now. No wonder he hasn't had much of an appetite. It must be the teeth...

...or so I thought.

On Friday, Joey wasn't himself when I picked him up from school. At first, I thought it was because he took his epilepsy med in the morning instead of at night. Then, when I read his folder and found out he wasn't following directions at school and got in trouble, I blamed it on that. He quietly fell asleep early, only to wake at about 10pm, crying, with a fever, and complaining that his throat was on fire. I didn't want to take any chances so I took him to Good Night Peds and they did a strep culture, which was traumatizing. I think I will forever remember them holding him down and him yelling "don't do it...please!" My poor boy. Well, all that trauma was for nothing but piece of mind. He just has a bad viral infection and thankfully no strep.

I don't think he is going to want to see the inside of a doctor's office for a long time.

Saturday, August 7, 2010

Smile

After a hellish start to our day yesterday, Joey redeemed himself and we had a better night.

This morning, he crawled into my lap as he always does when he wakes up, and snuggled up with me. I told him he makes me happy and fills my heart with joy, and outlined a heart with my fingers. He said, "you make me..." and outlined a smile on his face.

I love him.

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Blogs blogs blogs...

So...I have 6 blogs...but this is the one I work on the most (and as you can see, it needs love). I need to work on the other blogs more but feel free to check them out. They are still very much under construction:

Joey's Legos ~ www.joeyslegos.blogspot.com ~ this blog is strictly for Joey, to keep pictures of all his Legos in one place. Of course, we add to our Lego photo album too but this is quicker.

Love Notes from Joey ~ www.lovenotesfromjoey.blogspot.com ~ this blog is to keep track of how his language has progressed over the years.

The Hogan Family ~ www.thehoganx4.blogspot.com ~ this is for all of my non-Facebook family that likes to keep track of what we are doing.

ASU needs YOU...and your poop

ASU is looking for children to participate in a gut study. The children must be ages 3-17 and they are looking for both children affected by ASD and children who are neuro-typical. The payment for your time, which will be minimal, is a $99 Target card. Please help if you can.

Here is the link: https://www.ariautism.com/zoowalk/phoenix/index.html