Some cool stuff

There have been some really great things happening lately with Drew.  He seems more responsive, more motivated, and more aware.  We went to Stony Creek for the concert with Aunt Kate on June 22, and saw Drew's first PT, Kelly there with her family.  I swear he remembered her.  He was a few months old when he started with her.  He has had a love of cute  girls ever since...especially with dark hair. :)  She remembers him from the 'screaming days'.  When all he did was scream in pain/discomfort.  Before we found a good mix of meds and therapies to integrate his sensory issues/tone issues/feeding issues/muscle tightness.  Before he started school and had to learn that while he was the center of OUR universe, there were other planets that needed attention.  That he had to wait his turn.  We used to have to do therapy 'hand-over-hand'  which, really meant 'you hold your screaming kid in your lap and I will show you what to do'.  Good times.  I learned so much from the girls. 
Time heals.  Drew has continued to grow, and improve, and surprise us.  He has evolved into a cool little guy that loves activity, all things boy, and has learned patience.  That is huge.  He is still an empath.  I am glad for that.  He feels what you feel.  He is happy when you are; sad when you are; shares in his own way, whatever you are feeling.  He laughs hysterically at his 'angels' and whatever they are communicating with him.  I want to know so badly.  But he knows, so that is enough.
So, back to me bragging about Boogie.  This past weekend, we were at Forest Lake and he was in a floatie ring-thing.  He actually shifted his weight so he could kick his legs and propel himself forward!  He was rocking it!  We were able to not hold on at all...he was doing it by himself!!!  This was the first time in 11 yrs that we did not have our hands on him at the lake! (we were inches away, but still...that is huge for us!)  He was sooooooooooooooo proud of himself.
Then today, we went to Erma's for some ice cream with Jack and Luc.  Morgan was there too...she got Drew a shake and we all enjoyed our sweet treats in the van.  We dropped the Bodis' off at their house, and I was chatting with their dad while Drew stayed in the A/C van.  His shake cup somehow went from his cup holder on his car seat to his lap!  That is effing HUGE.  That means he picked it up, held onto it, and put it in his lap! It was heavy!!!!  The top was still on!  Seems like nothing, but trust me.  He coulda scaled Mt. Everest and I would be just as proud.
4th of July is my fave holiday (tied with T-day) cuz it represents everything that is our country represents: Freedom.  Freedom to grill out, chill out, sit home, go out, be crabby, be social, work, have the day off, to set off explosives into the air, to burn processed meats over a fire, to drink too much, to eat too much, to get half off flip/flops , you name it.  We truly live in the best Country on the planet.  God Bless America. 
I hope this post finds all of my blogger friends in a good place.  Peace.

Random musings

Drew is in a really good place right now.  We are so blessed to have the people who are in our lives, in our lives.  We have friends who are stuggling now with medical issues.  One friend with serious medical issues.  When this happens, I always feel fortunate that Drew is doing well.  Also a little guilty that he is doing well.  I also feel like I want to take Drew on a year-long vacation to some exotic, warm, beachy, breezy, musical, magical place.  There is a sense of urgency in showing him the best life has to offer, since we are here for such a limited time.  Life is too short for regrets, bad feelings, bad behavior, and pity parties.  My point is, if everyone lived their lives to be kind to one another, to accept everyone, with our many flaws, then life would be a heck of a lot more enjoyable.  For everyone.

My work as a job coach at ARC of Macomb has shown me a lot more about disabilities, and the amazing people who are different than we are.  I work with adults with a range of disabilities, either in crews of 3-5, or on a one-on-one basis.  They love to work.  They take pride in everything they do.  They have love in their heart.  They are funny, silly, crabby, sarcastic, kind, gossipy, sweet, moody and dedicated.  Just like the rest of us.  Oh, there is drama.  But HIPAA prevents me from going into details.  :)

We got to hang out with Drew's bestie, Maddie today.  Drew, Maddie, Jack and Luc (awesome frien-neighbors) played in the sprinkler in the 95 degree muggy heat.  Drew is so lucky/blessed to have the friends he does.  Every mom wants their kids to be loved and have friends; when you have a child with special needs that need is magnified about 1000 times. Everyone needs to feel loved and valued.  If we all went a bit out of our way to make someone feel valued, how great would life be?  If we saw everyone for their true essence?  If we had patience for those that need it the most? If we 'pay it forward' and practiced random acts of kindness every day?

I have said before, that one of the best gifts Drew has given to me, is acceptance.  Of others.  Of things I never would have accepted before.  Of less-than-perfect situations.  Of others' gifts. Of other's flaws (always working on this one) Of myself and my flaws. Of things that are just not fair.  It is a ongoing learning experience, and process, but I can't wait to see what is next.

Drew rocks my world every single day.  His personality kills me.  Like today, when Maddie was pulling his hair, pulling him toward her, snuggling with him, bonking her head on his...he looked at me like 'mom-it's okay.  I love this!'  They are so sweet together. She is more mobile than he is-but he lays his arm across her and looks at her with genuine love.  Sooooo sweet.  They have been friends practically their whole lives-her family is cool like ours. 

Sometimes life just isn't fair.  Why is Drew doing so well, and is so happy, when so many of our circle struggle every day with health issues?  Why is our buddy Ben at Children's Hospital right now, having a major crisis?  Sometimes life just isn't fair.  So again, be kinder than necessary to everone you meet.  Have patience when you don't have an ounce of it left.  Life is short--make the most of every single day and strive to positively impact the lives of everyone you encounter.

Thanks, Blogger Friends.  Happy Summer to you all.

Closing out my B-day watching 'Silence of the Lambs'. Not only is it an incredible movie...it was the first movie Drew ever laughed at. He was 5 months old, it was about 3am, and I was pacing our 1200 sq. ft. bungalow in Detroit with him to try to keep him from melting down. I stopped for a minute and he was facing the TV; it was the part when Hannibal Lecter stepped from the shadows and said 'Hello Clarice'. I knew then, that we were in trouble...LOL
It feels good to be 29 again.  I wouldn't change a thing.  I try to live life with no regrets.  The regrets I do have center around my Boogie; shoulda, coulda, woulda found therapies/doctors/approaches sooner.  He seems in a good place now.  He rocks my world.  He is so fun.  I love that he gets excited for the winners of 'Wheel of Fortune' and vocalizes it.  He puts his arms up in the air and squeals with delight. I love 7:26pm.  :)

My bro's band, Bad Aim, is playing at our house tomorrow.  They are really, really good.  Drew will be here for the sound check.  We saw them at practice a few weeks ago, and Drew loved it.  He wanted to dance!  He had a great vantage point to watch Uncle Jim on the drums, and Jim held him on his lap so they could rock out for a bit. 

I hope this post finds everyone well.  There have been a lot of really great and some not so great things happening in the lives of our friends/family.  I pray for guidance, peace, and love for all of you.

Boys will be boys

The thing that amazes me most, besides Drew's unending enthusiam for the simple things in life, is that that he is ALL boy.  He has been, since birth.  The more gross, loud, crash-y, smash-y, smelly, sweaty, boyish , the better.  He inherently LOVES all things boy.  Including the indigities like burps, farts, slapstick comedy, and Extreme sports. 
He shows me every day, how important it is to appreciate the simple things in life. How a smile and a laugh can change our world.  He has the 'Dr. Evil giggle'...no one is privy to what makes him crack up so, but we all want to be.  His infectious laugh and smile could solve all the world's problems, I am sure.
We took advantage of the mild weather today to take a walk at River Bends.  We have walked several times in the past few months...but today we didn't need so many layers or so much fleece!
Chris, Drew, Harley and I went for a nice long walk today, ending our walk at Woodall Skate Park.  We watched the kids skating, biking and blading on the half-pipes and rails.  I watched with attention as Drew watched the kids with rapt admiration.  Seeing the kids doing jumps, spins, and what-not ( I am not expressing this with the appropriate awesomeness) and seeing the social hierarchy that kids inherently have when they get together in groups, made me smile from the inside out.  Seeing the few kids engage Drew and us made me even happier.  Watching Drew watch them, with that look in his eyes, was priceless.  He is all boy. 
If things were different, I know I would be one the parents waiting in their car for their kid to 'get it out of their system' and expend some boyish energy before dinner and homework called for their attention.  Drew would be the one jumping his bike, or skateboard with reckless abandon.  He would try, try, and try again till he got the trick right.  He would need a Gatorade and a snack on the way home to get dinner.
He is truly my hero.  He sees through all the bullshit and only cares about the essence of a person.  He, and all the heroes like him, know what is really important in life.  It's love.  Excitement.  Acceptance. Contentment, like we will never know.  God bless them.  We could all learn from those that have 'less' than what we want for ourselves.  They are the enlightenend ones, for sure.
Peace to everyone, and be kinder than necessary to everyone you meet.

Lucky

I just feel lucky.  Blessed, is a better word.  Drew was having difficulty falling asleep again, so I went in his room to snuggle.  I  put in a CD I made for him years ago.  Remember the mixed tapes, from 'back in the day'?  We would spend hours waiting to hear a song on the radio, with our fingers poised on the 'record' button of our tape recorder.  We would try to time it just right, so that the DJ or commercials wouldn't ruin the song.  We would rewind, fast-forward, and otherwise manipulate the cassette tape so we could pack as many meaningful songs into a compilation as humanly possible.  Then we would proudly present this tape to a loved one and exclaim 'I made you a mixed tape!'.  Good times :)

Well, this CD was considerably easier to make...I just made a playlist on the computer and burned the CD. Ah, technology!  The songs all remind me of Drew; his spirit, his experience, his past, his future.  Either way, it is meaningful and when I hear the songs, I am energized by Drew's journey and his essence. 

Tonight, while he was finally relaxing enough to let sleep come, I realized that I would not trade these times for anything.  I thought of all the moms I knew, at that moment, who were doing the exact same thing as I  was.  Coaxing their babies to sleep.  Comforting them. Doing what it takes to make sure their babies knew they are loved and important.   I felt lucky.  Blessed. 

I tell Drew daily during our 'snuggle time' that there is nowhere else in the world I would rather be, than right here, right now with him.  I felt that power of all the moms tonight, at bedtime, that feel that same way.  All the moms that are too busy, too tired, too stressed, too sad, too overextended, but who do it anyway.   I feel lucky to be part of a such a group of strong women.  You know who you are.  But if you don't, I do.  God does.  Your kids do too.

"It's better to be a Lion for a day than a sheep all your life'~Sr. Elizabeth Kenney
Peace.

Life is good!

We are so blessed to have a nice home, plenty of food, wonderful family and friends, our health.  I always reflect on what I am most thankful for before my favorite holiday, Thanksgiving.   Drew has been super tired the past few days...I think it's a growing spurt.  He fell asleep in front of the cozy fire, and turned toward the fireplace to bask in more heat.  He is sleeping so peacefully, so I will curl up on the couch and keep the fire going tonight. He continues to amaze me every day with his spirit, sense of humor, and determination.  He is a typical 10 year old in many ways; he, uhm, passed gas at therapy today and cracked up so loud I heard him and everyone in the gym laughing, and I was in the waiting room!  I found out after the fact what the ruckus was about.  I learned long ago, to not be embarassed by anything this kid does.  He is just, well, Drew. Boys are gross sometimes.  :)
I hope this Thanksgiving season finds everyone with bountiful blessings to reflect on.  It is the start of the Christmas season, but without the commercialism and stress...Thanksgiving is about family and friends, spending valuable time together.  To quote Kid Rock:
Cuz' I hear screamin on the left
Yellin on the right
I'm sitting in the middle tryin' to live my life
Cuz' I can't stop the war
Shelter homeless, feed the poor
Can't walk on water
I can't save your sons and daughters
I can't change the world and make things fair
The least that I can do,
The least that I can do
The least that I can do is Care.

Boy's best friend

We went this weekend to check out a potential puppy for Boogie.  He has loved dogs for a looooong time, and has dog-cousins Buddy, Shady, Jake that he loves and that love him.  We miss our dog, Ruger.  Roo was our first baby, we got him before we got married.  He would make sure that I knew if Drew needed something...if he was crabbing or uncomfortable, Roo would get my attention and look at me like "HE NEEDS SOMETHING!'  He was the most gentle, loving, and protective dog!  He would 'make his rounds', check on Drew and I about every hour or so.  He would check on us, then do a perimeter check of the house to make sure all was well.  Then, he would hop back on his futon and sleep.  He just wanted to be part of the family, and we have missed him so much the since he has been gone.
Saturday, we went to look at some pups and see how Drew and they interacted.  The pups were born on Oct. 17, so it will still be a while before we welcome him to our home.  There was one puppy out of all of them that took an interest in Drew, and Drew seemed to like him the best too.  He is know as 'electric blue collar' , so the breeder can tell them apart, and make sure all the pups are eating  and getting socialized.  This one was a pudgy, hungry little guy, and his eyes weren't open yet.  He was also the most interested in Drew.  Drew liked him too!  He was soooooo cute!  He snuggled right up to Drew.  Drew was all smiles, as the pics show.  We have our eye on 'electric blue collar'.  Can't wait to see him in a few weeks, when he is getting into mischief with his littermates and exploring the world.
We also carved pumpkins, which Drew has absolutely no interest in.  The one on the left says 'Drew rox'.  Ah, well.  The deer, squirrels, racoons and birds at the cottage will be feasting on pumpkins
till they get their fill!  I hope all is well in the blog-o-sphere with everyone!
Peace,