Autism-ism

Sometimes, we take for granted how easy words come to us. How we know what things really mean and how to get our point across. And then something reminds me that, for all the progress Nicolas has made in our 11 year journey with autism, things are not that easy for him. And these reminders are not always painful, in fact, some are downright hilarious.

Nicolas is a lover of all things Disney. He is a veritable encyclopedia of Disney knowledge. He can tell you what exact date a Disney movie was released, what old ride at Disney World was replaced by another and when the parade will start at Animal Kingdom (3 o'clock - duh!).

Since his little brother was born, he has eagerly anticipated every new thing he accomplished. I was bombarded with questions like, when will he stop drinking from your chest (MOM PUT ON A SHIRT!!!), when will he sit, when can we take him to McDonald's a buy him a happy meal (you know, mom, they have special toys appropriate for children under three.) So he has been just as excited as the rest of us so see Joaquin grow. So this is the remark I got on Sunday that just made my day:

"Mom, I am waiting patiently for Joaquin's first words to be RELEASED. Do you know what date that will be?"

So aside from the fact that he is totally oblivious so how strange that question sounds, I realized anew that Nicolas' world is firmly entrenched in what he can expect and when. No surprises. Just tell me what day something will happen so I can be ready. So even though I laughed at the silliness of his remark, it just drives home how I so wish I could just map out his life like a movie release schedule so he can be ready for everything.

So I told him,
"I don't know. God hasn't set the release date yet."

"Ok Mom, let me know when God tells you."

I wish God would send me ALL the release dates already.

10 Things I Love About You

My favorite blog right now is called Autismville. It's by a mom of a recently diagnosed Autistic child. She writes about all of the things that I felt and went through 11 years ago when my son Nicolas was diagnosed. She recently blogged about the 10 things she loves about her son. So here's my list:

1. The way he loves his family.
2. The way he can tell me what day of the week any date falls on. He's my human calendar.
3. The way he knows everything about Disney.
4. The way he remembers everything I want him to forget but never remembers what he needs to !
5. His huge grin when he's happy.
6. The funny face he makes when he gets angry.
7. The way he intorduces himself to strangers "My name is Nicolas" while pointing at his chest and looking to the side and pointing his foot forward - almost like he's bowing to royalty.
8. The way he guards his baby brother from getting hurt.
9. The way he hugs me.
10. All the things he has taught me about myself.

Introduction

Hello! My name is Sofia. I'm a married, working mom of three kids. I'm starting this blog as a way to vent my frustrations and write about the many nonsensical and unimportant things that are swirling about in my mind. And believe me, there is a lot in there. I am going to post about my kids - N,my son who's 13 and autistic, V, my daughter who's 9, and J, my son who's 8 months old. Having three kids is nothing short of insanity, but throw in special needs and a 12 year age difference from beginning to end and that makes me plain certifiable. I also have a sometimes wonderful hubby we'll just call DH and a MIL who lives with us and who I've had a hard time accepting even though it's already been 15 freaking years. Add to that a bunch of other family members intent on putting me in the loony bin and we have the cast for a Woody Allen film.

I can't promise I'll always be interesting, but I am going to try. I have a lot of interests and I will be posting randomly about them. So, keep checking back!