Happenings since Eliza's birthday...

Snow on March 3 causing confusion to the outside critters; daffodils blooming on March 6; 70 degrees and shorts on March 7...can you say "whacky"?!!

Eliza loves her OT; of course, the constant reward of mini-Oreo's just makes it even better (note the chocolate "smile" in the picture below.

In this next picture, Eliza is choosing her own schedule for the session with the PEC system (picture exchange communication) and made sure that her favorite sensory experiences were included in the work!

Dawn (OT) and Eliza are getting set up for some listening therapy.  Google it, it's pretty cool stuff.

In the next picture, Dawn is NOT holding Eliza still, she's actually sitting and listening on her own with the aid of  a weighted bean-bag on her lap and a bean bag that she's holding.  I've learned from Dawn that Eliza's stimming helps her organize and motor plan.  The key is to not let the stim "block" her, but rather use it as more of a transition tool.  They're gently swinging on the bolster swing during this form of therapy.  I loved seeing how close she let Dawn get to her and how calming this experience was.  Beautiful!  Dawn's amazing with Eliza.

And the reward for attending so well to the listening therapy...Eliza's #1 choice:

Yes, she is hanging in that lycra sack!  Weird, isn't it?  She loves swinging, spinning, bumping.  I took a video too.  It's hilarious.  This is the first thing she chooses every week.

As for me, well, Mommy added somethink pink to her wardrobe...

yup, still not healing so Dr didn't give me any choice...other than what color I wanted it!  Hey, every mid-40 year old woman should add a neon pink caste to their life...what a way to get pampered!

Ava still hasn't signed my caste yet; she's taking it way too seriously and is having a hard time committing to what to write, which cracks me up because she's always writing notes to her friends and drawing colorfu pictures.  BTW, go to http://www.halfthesky.org/ and read about "Bold Meiying"; our Ava was spotlighted on the Half The Sky website this month!

All from here...hoping spring sticks around this time.  I'm ready to wear a skirt and really show off my leg/foot!  Just hoping the caste will come off so I can start enjoying golf again now that golf course is getting a winter reprieve.

Happy 5th birthday my sweet Eliza!

(above; Eliza at Jump Zone for her class "sensory" field trip last week)

Eliza loves jumping, sliding, climbing, dancing...MOVING.

I'm going to bring my camera to OT this week to capture some of the fun.

Just like with swimming, she comes alive during these moments.

(above; not the best picture, but the first of this series...notice her neck; she's lost that baby-fat appearance)

...I'm always smooching on Eliza's cheeks;

 I love the shape of her face!

I kiss her and kiss her

and tell her I love her until

she finally nods her head 

while saying "mmmommm"

(interpret, "yeah, I know mom")

and then pushes me away. 

Eliza has grown up so much.

I boo-hoo'd last night

 while looking at our pictures

from her first year home.

That was the year before "A" as in autism.

I just wish I could hear her thoughts...

with my ears.

To live with a silent child is sometimes a blessing,

I know, for I have other children whom I sometimes wish would be silent.

LOL

But to never hear with your ears

 what your child is thinking,

feeling, seeing, needing...

well, it's a different kind of relationship.

It changes you.

It does make me sad, I'll admit.

It makes you tap into other senses though.

When I have a day where my other kids make me throw my arms in the air

or lay in bed at night questioning how I parented them that day,

having a silent child named Eliza, ironically brings me a peace.

Happy birthday my sweet, precious daughter

who can't tell me that I'm being a bad parent!

LOL

That's golden, c'mon admit it!

And some Chinese New Year photos...

(above; Ava with her BFF Lizzie)

(above; can't exclude Eliza from the festivities;

Eliza's dress was clearly purchased 3.5 years ago when she was an itty-bitty toddler!!!

Note the shiney paper lanterns on our mantel;

we made these in Ava's class when her teacher asked me to come in

and help celebrate Chinese New Year.)