Monday, August 13, 2007

The Reflex

Yeah... as if!  LOL

All kids were asleep by 1 pm ish.  I go to sleep.  Then, Fuzzy decides to get up at 2am and basically tortures me every 15 minutes until 3:30pm, until Hubby gets up and lets him get in bed with me.

Hubby went to the couch.  Yeah, neither of us were particularly happy. <sigh>

I got up at 11am, and made all the kids breakfast stuff.  Nothing fancy, just toaster oven or microwaveable things.  The kids woke up at various intervals between 9 and 10am. 

They let my sleep the extra hour, which was nice.

I think everyone will be going to bed early tonight! 

My dad is making his homemade sauce with ground sausage and ground beef, fresh garlic, tomatoes, and seasoning, over orrichetta (little ears or hats).  Yummy!   The house smells so good. 

Hammer is working hard on his Nuclear Science badge for Scouts today.  I am very proud of him.  I just got a new program for him to use over the next 2 years of high school.  10 discs, all the subjects, with 100's of lessons and exercises for him to do, and a tracking system for me!  Yay!

We don't 'officially' start homeschooling until Fuzzy and Pumpkin head back to school.  Hammer really needs the quiet, so it works best. 

That reminds me... Heather left this comment yesterday:

A comment has been posted to the Journal:
Carpe Diem - Seize the Day
Sharp Dressed Man
Comment from: hsauls
"Dressing an aspie boy is a trial that only mothers of aspie boys can truly understand. We had a kohl's meltdown a few weeks ago because Austin was SURE he still wears a size 8. He refused to try the size 14 or 16 that he actually needed... until I got him into them and he found out they felt so much better and had MORE POCKETS. At least we're past the "no sock" stage. That went on until he was 11. He could not STAND socks on his feet EVER. Just wanted to let you know... I know what you're dealing with my Kcup drinking, aspie raising friend!
*Hugs*
heather"

Oh yes, we totally have that in common!  As I mentioned, Hammer is very relieved about not having to deal with dressy clothes for the wedding.

Hammer had about 3 years where socks were just an awful experience.  Unfortunately, it was prior to us knowing, but he did learn to cope with them.  However, each summer, he gets used to not wearing socks.  Then, in the fall, it does take him about 2 weeks to get used to it all over again.  Such are the trials of Asperger's.

The same thing with his Boy Scout uniform.  At first, he complained and hated it.  He suffered through it, but it was very obvious that Hammer was uncomfortable.  Now, it doesn't seem to bother him at all. 

In the beginning, when he was so resistant at first to trying Scouts, and would only agree to a 'trial' go of it, I think that it was the uniform issue that actually was the thing he was avoiding! 

Hammer NEVER complains about having Asperger's Syndrome.  He will always tell me and anyone he can, that it is a gift.  He just accepts the bad with the good.  A lesson that I am trying to embrace, as well.

be well,
Dawn

19 comments:

Anonymous said...

Best of luck to Hammer!  I've learned alot about Asperger's from your J, and even more about coffee lol!  No really, I enjoy these posts, they're never "whiney" and always have a comforting, home-like feel.  It's not hard to see where your son got his empathy from.  Thanks Dawn.  xoxo CATHY
http://journals.aol.com/luddie343/DARETOTHINK/        

Anonymous said...

Sounds like you have your hands full! :)
Hugs to Hammer, he can do it!!!
Have a great week.
Sugar

Anonymous said...

I know someone who also has Asperger's, Dawn, and appreciate the challenges you face. The rewards are there as well, I know.

Anonymous said...

Hi Dawn Ü

It sounds like you have had a full day Ü. I have just recently started reading your journal and enjoy it very much. I didn't know much about asperger's syndrome, so I looked it up and read about it. I can't believe it was not acknowleged until 1994! How long have you home schooled Hammer?
I home schooled our daughter Brittany for almost 11 yrs. She graduated from HS'ing 2 yrs ago. I miss it alot.

Your Dad's sauce sounds heavenly Ü...but what is orrichetta?

I hope y'all have a wonderful evening together Ü.

HUGS,
Donna

Anonymous said...

you are such a special mom!  It takes a lot of patience to deal with all of that!
Traci

Anonymous said...

We see aspergers as a bit of a gift too... it's just such a clear view of the world. Austin is just so honest and real and unfiltered. But unmoveable at times. Things like uniforms, though, he really likes because they are structured and never change. He likes things that are all the same. Boy scouts worked well with us for a time but the hard time with our troup was that there were too many variables... too many kids who were out of control and LOUD. Austin doesn't do loud. He was only ok as long as my dad did it with him and once dad couldn't... well, that was it for Boy Scouts. He was good with all the rules and stuff... anything that's laid out and regimented... very very good for Austin. I hope that whoever falls in love with him someday will see all these interesting quirks as good things... and not be driven crazy by them!
*hugs*
heather

Anonymous said...

Wow, I went to a AS website and was amazed.  My husband's niece has Austism, but a rather extreme case.  Not like Hammer at all.  Does Hammer take any medications that help with his disorder?  I know it must be difficult on you with your Lupus and RA to also have the task of homeschooling a gifted child.  Hats off to you, Dawn!  De ;)

Anonymous said...

My cousin's son was just diagnosed on the specturm and I noticed he hates wearing shoes!  Is that normal as well?  I don't know what part of the specturm he's on but he's a year and a half and he can't walk quite yet, he loves to snuggle but he also can bite, but he's such a little love.  My cousin is totally crushed though and this is the first time any child in our family has had autism and I was wondering if the sock and shoe thing were connected?  The day I was at my cousin's her little one spent the whole day with no shoes and got very angry when his mummy tried to put sandels on him!  Maybe it's just the whole thing of having the feet covered up and not being able to breathe.  I know I prefer no socks myself and I usually troll around barefoot except for my Crocs on rare occasion when I have to wear shoes!  Anyway, sorry about the kids. It must have been the night for it because Austin and Collin woke up at midnight and were up til 2 am!  Austin was crying because he's getting growing pains in his legs and Collin just wanted to play!  Love the kid but 2 am is not the time for that stuff! -Dawn-

Anonymous said...

Yum you don't have to cook. Lucky dog. Enjoy your last days of summer.
Take care, Chrissie

Anonymous said...

I so hope you get some sleep.....I have a friend who has a child with Asperger's...the trials and tribulations and celebrations just blow me away...God truly has blessed you all with Hammer and he is blessed to have some very special family supporting him....NOT everyone could handle it...
Peace
Ellie

Anonymous said...

That top graphic fits me to a tee-except for the bunny slippers and rollers!  Yep!
It sounds like your sleepovers aren't very sleepy.  You all get a good night's rest tonite.  :)  
That sauce your dad was making sounds wonderful, I've had alot of McD's lately.  Of course the only things I can find are the Coffee and Coffeepot!   The computer's moving tomorrow.  will be hooked up on Wed.  Till then, my friend, have a great week!
                                      Leigh

Anonymous said...

First time I've heard of Asperger's, I went in to research your technorati tag.... will check it out more.  Your dad's sauce sounds wonderful... will he share the recipe?

Joann

Anonymous said...

I just enjoyed this entry because it sounds so typical of some of our days.  I have swollen feet, you have swollen hands.... we do toaster waffles and microwave bacon and microwave oatmeal and cinnamon sugar home made toaster oven toast and stuff like that too.  The sauce sounds so yummy.  I am wondering what the little ears or hats are made out of.  You and I both love coffee.  And my Aaron, above all else, HATES to wear SOCKS!! LOL.  Hugs,
Lisa

Anonymous said...

I'm happy the internet can bring moms' together that have to deal with similar situations.
Your dad's cooking sounds great !
big  hugs and feel good,
E.

Anonymous said...

Cheer up school will be starting soon and everyone will be back to scheduled bed times. Your journal is wonderful allowing us to be more aware of the different degrees of Asperger's children. I've learned so much from reading you and the various links you provide from time to time. Thanks you for making those of us who haven't previously known about this aware. (Hugs) Indigo

Anonymous said...

You are both such an enormous blessing to each other...  It takes a special mom, to handle all the various challenges that Asperger's brings.  And it takes a special child as well, to allow themselves to be open to love and acceptance and to believe they are so very worthy of it, no matter how frustrated they become.

Hope the new disc sets for school will work out for him!  

::hugs::

Michelle

Anonymous said...

Some say the internet is a bad thing. I beleive it's good. I have learnt about other countries, cultures, but most importantly how amazingly the same we all are. It doesn't matter what country we live in or what culture, parents, familes friends all deal with problems the same way. For Heather to write toy you Dawn and for you to respond could only happen because of the internet.
We live on a huge planet, but this makes it seem such a small world. Black white, Christian, Muslim, Gay or straight, we are all family on here.
Gaz

Anonymous said...

Sounds like Hammer gets his great attitude from his Mom --Cin

Anonymous said...

I admire you and your abilities so much.  I have a friend whose oldest son has Asperger's and whose youngest is a very highly functioning autistic.  So, though I don't have personal experience, I have been able to observe good parenting of a child with Asperger's.  What new program did you get for Hammer?  (I'm always on the lookout for new things to try now!)
Lori