Happy Weekend! (and some cute pics)

Yesterday Little Man had his psychiatry appointment so I decided to make the whole day a Mom & Little Man date. We started off seeing his psychiatrist and he had his best psych appointment that I can remember. He's doing so well. The only blemish was he's now officially labeled "moderate- functioning autistic" rather than high-functioning. What is the difference? Well, it varies depending who you talk to but basically he needs a lot more support in daily life, and especially school, than most "high-functioning" kids would. His social skills, language and living skills are significantly delayed from his peers. This was all things I know, but of course you don't like hearing the prognosis isn't quite as rosy. We can handle this though. He is who he is and a label doesn't change that. We were able to stop his Depakote after a 9 month taper and she increased one of his meds to try and help the sleeping issue. Last night it worked! We have been able to determine positively now that his tremors don't have anything to do with his medications, they're purely neurological.

After the appointment we had to go get his lab work done for genetics. He thought peeing in a cup was great, as always. Boys! He got scared for the bloodwork but was a tough little guy. He didn't cry until we were down the hall and then he had a meltdown but who can blame him? We had to wait 30-45 minutes after we arrived for them to try and find the right codes and handling procedures for the specific labs. That's a lot of time for anxiety to build in a kid.

I took him to get some lunch after and then he was begging to go to the arcade at the bowling alley they went to with Special Olympics. A mere $10 was a ton of fun. It only took like 20 minutes to spend that but he danced, he hunted and then we played a racing game together twice. He was all smiles afterward.


This morning I went outside to start some laundry and Beans followed me out. He asked if he could sweep the back patio. After picking my jaw up off the ground I agreed. He was so proud of himself. This boy sure is growing up.

After he swept, he was rewarded by his favorite visitors. First, one of the baby toads we watched from newly hatched tadpoles came visiting. We've seen a bunch of these little guys all over the yard. They're still so tiny but with as many as we've seen, they much be doing well.

After I made him put the toad back, both a larger toad and some kind of frog came visiting. I have to admit it was neat to see the two at the same time and see the differences in them. An anole lizard also paid Beans a visit. See what you get for helping out?

We've made progress in getting the personal care assistant for Little Man. The medical director of CMS, where he had his psychiatry appointment yesterday, was willing to do his physical and sign the order. The manager at the nursing agency may need to get a few more records from his doctors and/or school, but once he has everything he said he can get things approved in 3 days most of the time. I'm still living in the land of it-must-be-too-good-to-be-true so I'm not getting too hopeful until it's actually been approved but I am much relieved that there's at least a chance at help, and soon.

Now I have to start thinking about how weird it will be to have someone in my house everyday to help care for Little Man. Very strange idea when you're used to do everything, all the time, period. I think every one of us will benefit if it does work out though. :)