5 years...went by in a flash

Happy 5 year "Date-iversary" Bryan F Hogan! I'm glad I decided to go on another 1st date, expecting the worst but I got the best. If it wasn't for your support when I left my job (when you and I weren't even married yet) to get Joey his services, who knows where he would be? And then your support in Seattle so I could finish my degree which enabled me to have the job I have today, helping other families. I know you're waiting to be a stay at home Dad (keep waiting;)), but I know your payback comes in the form of Joey calling you "Daddy" and having him to share your love of science and space. We love you!

5 years went by in a flash, yet we have done so much. We bought a house, got married, you moved to Seattle for a year, I finished 2 graduate degrees and started a new career....all while Joey got the help he needed, learned how to use functional communication, stopped hitting himself in frustration, learned to tolerate being around others and how to socialize with other kids, learned how to make friends, became interested in others and other things (besides Legos). He has come so far and I have such high hopes for him. I used to be afraid of what the future held for him, but he shows me everyday that he is an amazing kid and is capable of so much.

This is also a milestone for us. 5 years together...no break ups...this is the longest I've ever been in a relationship without one. I know our goal is our 4 year wedding anniversary, which will mean we are together 5 years and 5 months, beating my relationship and marriage to Ben, so I look forward to that time as well. But there is something about this 5 year mark today; it is making me nostalgic. This month marks our 5th Christmas in this house, which means it now beats out the last house as Joey's longest residence.

So many important things have happened over the last 5 years for you, Joey, and I, it's hard to put in words how I feel. I'll just say...I love you, B, and we could not have done all that we have without you!

Love, Me
Forever and Ever Babe!

30 years?

(Written 12/4/2012)

All day, I've been thinking that we got our family dog 20 years ago today. I was thinking all day "Happy 20th Birthday in Heaven, Ollie." what the hell was I thinking? It was 1982, not 1992, that we got Ollie!!

Makes me think how fast time goes and how things that seem so major now won't be so major in just a matter of time. I'm learning this lesson a lot lately.

What's in a name?

Joey told me tonight that we need a family name and that our house needs a name, like on Adventure Time. He said that "Joey Heavy House" sounds weird. I explained that our family name is Hogan and then explained why he does not share that name. He then asked, "Then why can't I be Joey Hogan Downie?" Ahhh...the innocence of children. This isn't the first time he has asked. He does refer to Bryan as his "real Daddy" because "real daddies live with their kids." this in no way negates his love for his "Ben Daddy." These are all really good questions. He wants to understand why he isn't a "Hogan" if he is the only kid in this house and the kid of two people named Hogan. Valid question. I explained that he wasnt Bryan's natural child and he said, "I know, I'm your child." I asked him if he wanted to change his name to Hogan and he said "No." He then asked if we could call it the "Downie household" and I said "No, but we could call it the Downie/Hogan household" and he said "I was going to say that next."

Being asked by a friend to play at their house

When I picked Joey up at school today, he was walking out with Chase, like he does on moat days. They both asked simultaneously if Joey could go to Chase's house on a Saturday to play. This is the 1st time this has ever happened! He's known Chase since Kindergarten, and even though they don't see each other outside of school, Chase has been a good friend to Joey. They have a lot in common, including interests and the fact that their parents divorced when they both turned 2 (I don't think they realize that fact yet). I feel comfortable letting Joey go to Chase's house and that's huge for me. This afternoon, during the Asperger's seminar at SARRC, I thought to myself that I need to do more to give Joey more social opportunities. Maybe I was wrong?

Picking up Bosco's ashes

I picked up Bosco's ashes from PetSmart. They are in a little white box, with the label "Bosco Hogan."

I don't know if Joey realized I picked up Bosco's ashes before he told me he wanted to keep the bathroom door closed because it "reminds me of Bosco." I showed him where I put Bosco's ashes - snuggled up in the brown blanket where Bosco spent his days - and Joe just smiled.

Neurologist 6 month check up

Today was our 6 month check up with Dr. Deocampo. The last time we were in was for a follow up from the EEG (both in May). He would've started weaning Joey off of the Keppra if it weren't for his wife prescribing Focalin for Joey's ADHD-inattention.

Today, Joey weighed in at 53 lbs and is 49 inches tall. BP was normal.

Because there have been no staring spells, he is good for another 6 months and there is no EEG required in May. We are not weaning Joey off Keppra until we try Focalin5 and make sure this new med/dosage doesn't cause breakthrough seizures.

All in all, I felt it was a great visit and a good step in the right direction!

Spelling words appearing in the right order

Joey has been practicing his spelling words on Thursday mornings with his resource teacher for the last 3 weeks. He always has his spelling and vocabulary test on Thursdays. Well, today, the resource teacher informed me that he got 100% when she tested him orally. This is the 1st time ever!!!!! I am so proud of my Joe!