Saddness

****This post was one I wrote and never posted****
August 2012

I read a post on Facebook today about a friend of a friend that lost their 2 year old daughter today to brain cancer. As I sat on my couch reading the story, I couldn't hold back tears. It was almost as if I was transported to a place where
I could see the parents mourning for their little girl. That's what happens when your a parent, you mourn for ALL children.

Social media has mde it possible for me to hear a story like the one today. It also brought me to the story of a set of triplet sisters and injury of her two sisters in a bus crash. Years ago I would have only been able to pass this article by with no reaction. Today i am rduced to a blubbering idiot! I guess this is what happens when you become a parent. So today I sit here as a mess of tears and snot living others saddness and looking lovingly at my babies. I thank God everyday for their beautiful faces!

Long time no BLOG!

****This was a blog I wrote in August but did not post****

Long time no BLOG!

Well, it's been over two months since I blogged. Ususally I keep a note sheet open and I write my blogs there and then transfer them here. In this case...I did just that. However, I decided to abandon those writings and start from scratch.

If I could sum the last two months up in one word it would be INSANE!!!! You see, I went back to, GULP...WORK!!!! That's right, WORK. A four letter word that I thought I would not say until my children were grown. To say this idea was forced on me would be a lie. The thought of going to a place where I could talk to grown up people about grown up ideas was the just what I needed.

5 kids all with busy days of school, extra curicular events, therapies and sports would make any normal person think that "WORK" wouldn't make sense. Not to me. I embraced the challenge. Little did I know within my first two weeks I would develop "Mothers guilt" and reconsider the whole thing. After that faded, I embraced my new position and realized I had a whole new set of children and temper tantrums to deal with...DOCTORS! My new position is selling EHR(Electronic Health records). I sell software that will literaly revolutionize the way healthcare is done. I belive in the product and myself as a salesperson but dealing with tight walleted physicians and non compliant office staff has proven to be a challenge. I made a commitment and I will show my children that with persevierence and dedication succcess can be achieved. Even if I have ulcers!

Everyone has adapted really well to be out of the house 3/4 times a a week. I think they even enjoy it. The best part of my day is being met at the door with smiling faces, homework questions, art projects and BIG HUGS! I don't know how long it will last or what the next few months will bring but we are all up to the challenge!

2012 in Review

2012 in Review

Well, I am the world's worst blogger! I haven't posted since June. In my defense all 5 kids started school and my life became unrecognizable. I am now "Mom's Taxi Service". I bust my butt running from day to day from one area in WNY to another. By the time we get home, well...I'm sure you can imagine. It is a a blur of homework, extra curricular activities and school events. Our days and night have become one in the same. The boys are growing up so fast.

The triplets are in KINDERGARTEN! I'm not exactly sure when my babies grew into young men. They are such characters. They love school and look forward to going everyday. It's such a long day though. When I arrive at their school to pick them up, I'm usually met with tears and breakdowns. It has gotten better but it can still be a struggle. Emerson is showing much inprovement. He is working with a special education teacher, speech pathologist and a personal aid to get him through the day. He's like a new kid. I think he may end up being a musician of some kid. He loves to sing and dance up a storm. He makes me laugh every single day with the silly things he says. Alexander is "The Charmer". He is Mr. Social. He makes friends really easy and is always hugging his friends and teachers. He is such a sweetheart. Maxim is my genius. He can do fractions in his head and is already beginnig to read by himslf. He's quiet but outgoing. they are all doing amazing and I am one proud momma!

Griffin is an incrdible child. He is learning so much in school. He is talking more and more. The most amazing thing about Grif is his musical ability. He loves to memorize arias and hum along. He is almost 4 yars old. I almost can't belive my baby is growing up.

Austin is the king! Or at least he thinks he is. He is doing really well in school and plans on playing Lacrosse or basketball this winter. He is growing everyday. Any minute he will be taller than me! (Not that that is saying much). He finally got his braces off and boy does he look like a little man.

2012 has come and gone so quick! I am making a resolution to blog more in 2013! We have so many exciting things happening next year! Well, it's christmas and I am exhausted. Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!

Mobile!

Well, I know it's been months since I posted and for that I apologize. Our life has been insane! In February Griffin started an intensive school program. This meant 6 hours a day of schooling and therapy. Early intervention has proven to be an amazing asset when giving autistic children advantages. So it's what's best for our little man! Let me tell you, he is kicking butt! He has started really talking and even singing! He knows how to count to 20 and all his ABC's. He can sing several songs and now says "I want iPod" and "I love you". It is an amazing feat! I'm so proud.

The triplets have graduated from preschool and are starting kindergarten in the fall. They are all so smart. Emerson still struggles academically but he is in some summer programs that are really helping. Alex is the social king. He loves everyone and is always everyone's best friend! Maxim is my little genius. He counts infinitely and even has begun to read. He can figure out electronics like no other 4 year old can. Truly a smart guy!

Austin finished the 3rd grade and with help from tutoring finished with awesome grades in math. He is excited to hang out this summer and swim!

As for this crazy busy mom, well I went back to work. Its only part time but I think I needed it mentally and emotionally. I am selling electronic medical records software through US itek. I love working with my hubby again but I have a little working moms I am working a ton with our PTA and even got elected as the 2nd Vice President of our PTSA council board. The guilt fades a bit when I realize it's all for my 5 amazing kids!

David is doing fantastic. He has been recognized in Business First as the #13 WNY fatest growing companies! He has been recognized as one of the top men in technology and had an article written about the new building we purchase and the business expansion! Life is good!Busy but really good!

The good news is...I posted this whole blog from my iPhone! Now I'm mobile! Yay!

Happy 9th Birthday Austin

9 years old...when the hell did that happen? My first baby is growing like a weed. The little boy that was so whitty and sweet has been replaced by a smart talking, wise beyond his years young adult. We of course celebrated in a week long event which started with gifts and cupcakes. Grandma(my mom) shares Austins birthday with him so she came and got him for their annual dinner together. We rounded up the week with a family dinner party for everyone. I think he really enjoyed himself.

Every year I write a letter to my birthday boy. This is this years letter:

Dear Austin,

WOW, 9 years old! I'm not exactly sure where the time has gone. It seems like yesteday you would crawl up on my lap and ask for me to read your favorite book. Now, you have the little ones to crawl on your lap while you do the reading. You are a huge help to me. You help clean up and often coral your brothers when I am busy. You often talk back but I know it's simply out of frustration.

You are working hard at school. You have some small issues in Math but you read a full 4 grade levels above you. You enjoy going to tutoring and kicking butt at Tae Kwon Do. You are the Lego King and draw comic books every chance you get.

I look at you in complete amazement. You are so smart and so funny. I'm tough on you but I want you to know it's because i know you are destined for greatness. I love you more then you will ever know!

Love,
Your Mother

A New Start

A New Start

Now that Grif is officially 3 years old he is participating in a program through Summit Educational that is intensive therapy. He will have a Special Education teacher 5 days a week for 3 hour sessions followed by 2 hours(a week) of Occupational Therapy and 5 hours(a week) of Speech therapy. 3 days a week he has all three. He is such a tough little boy.

1 month later...It's amazing how quickly he has picked up on the therapies. My minimally verbal child is now saying "One, Two, Three", "....., SET, GOOOOO" (He doesn't say READY yet, but he will). He is kicking butt in every way. He is speaking in sentences through Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) is a form of augmentative and alternative communication. It is typically used as an aid in communication for children with autism and other special needs. The system has been used with a variety of ages including preschoolers, adolescents and adults who have a wide array of communicative, cognitive and physical difficulties. Recent literature reviews have supported PECS as an evidence-based practice. He can difinitavely use the PECS to communicate sentences "I want...". It's just so incredible.

From the moment Grif was diagnosed as Autistic I knew we would FIGHT as hard as we could to not lose him in the quiet world of Autism. He has been receptive to every single therapy we have thrown at him. This kid is AMAZING!!!! I am one proud momma!!!

Grif's Birthday Extravaganza!

Grif's Birthday Extravaganza!

Well, my baby is officially 3! I'm not exactlt when are life started to go in fast forward. It seems like yesterday I was heading to the hospital to get Lil Grif from the NICU! I was so thrilled to bring him home. He was perfect! He had the sweetest crooked smile and this black spikey hair that stood straight up. He was a quiet baby that didn't cry until he was 9 months old. He walked at 11 months and hummed from the moment he was born. If I had to guess I would say he will be a composer. He loves classical music! I spend all day with him following close behind me watching his "Baby Einstein" clips on his iPod. Mozart, Bach, Vivaldi, Handel & Beethoven are his favorites. This is truly an amazing child, but I am impartial...and I understand that. People will most likely look at him as just another Autistic child. I wonder, will they know he read by the time he was 3 and hummed arias day and night? Probably not. They will see a little boy who hops and disrupts with screaming. That's OK, I know he is perfection!

We celebrated Grif's birthday for several days. First on his birthday we had GF cupcakes and chinese food(his favorite). Grandma came over and we danced and sing. My little man passed out from exhaustion and so did I. TOday(Sunday) we celebrated with a family birthday party. Everyone he loves was in attendence. All the Grandmas, Papa, Aunt Kathy, TiTi, Aunt Ella, Aunt Lisa, Uncle Mike & Aunt Kelly, Oma and Opa and of course Aunt Terri & Thomas. We had pizza(his other favorite) and sang Happy Birthday. He was very happy to run around playing while being the center of attention. For the first time he enjoyed opening his gifts. Games, $$, Trucks, Puzzles, Clothes and DVD's all perfect! He opened everything gladly before settling on a small book and relaxing on the floor. After everyone was gone he looked at me with Big Blue eyes as if to say, "Thanks Mom". I think he enjoyed his day. It was all about him just the way it should be!

Happy 3rd Birthday Griffin!

Happy 3rd Birthday Griffin! Every year on my children's birthday I blog a letter to them. I want them to know exactly what I was thinking at the time they were born or adopted. Tomorrow my baby Griffin Henry Michael turns 3 years old. It has been an emotional year to say the least. This is my letter to him.

My Dearest Grif(The littlest love of my life), The moment you were born was one of the best of my life. I heard you cry and I couldn't help but start to sob....my final baby was born! They wisked you away because you couldn't breathe. I was devistated. I starred at you in the incubator and was completely amazed by your beauty. You were my perfect little boy. I had no idea what challenges you would face in life. I assumed it would be charmed and perfect. Fast forward to your 2nd birthday. I knew you were different. Still perfect, yet different. You did things along your own pace. You seemed almost oblivious to chaos around you. 4 other brothers...where? You were just content to watch your shows, dance around the living room and line up everything you found. I took you to a specialist who told me you are on the spectrum for Autism. I guess I already knew. I pulled the car over and sobbed. Then I got over it...time to FIGHT! In the last year we have changed your diet and got you enrolled in speech therapy. You have made HUGE strides. Although you REFUSE to sleep...you go to bed at Midnight and you still drink your milk from a bottle(when you can tell me your done...I will toss them), you are starting to talk and use sign language on a regular basis! You now play interactively with your brothers and the specialist believe you can read fluently. You have to have your green fuzzy blanket everywher you go. I don't blame you...it's cozy! You LOVE to swim, I think you're part fish! You can shop with your mommy while your brothers are at school and never complain! You are an amazing little man. You received an iPod touch and are obcessed with YouTube! Baby Einstein still remains your favorite. I love it because it enriches your mind and soothes you. You are a truly incredible child. You are about to embark on a new chapter in your life. You are starting intensive speech therapy 5 days a week along with Ocuppational therapy and special education. You will accomplish anything you set your mind too, I just know it. I am so PROUD of how far you've come. I know you will be an amzing man someday, I have faith in everything you do. I love you more then you will ever know. Love, Your Mother

Most people know that I have a vocational degree in Photography. After the boys were born we took them to several photographers. The pictures were washed out and the children never cooperated. It was a stressful event for everyone involved. So I decided I had had ENOUGH! For years now I have taken to placing myself behind the lens again. i purchased a white background, lights and advanced lenses. The first 2 photo shoots went great. The boys LOVED being in front of the camera. They all cooperated well. Even though I was unable to get a group shot, I could always get great pictures of each individual. That was...until now! This was to be the boys Christmas Card photo shoot...it turned into something completely different! I decided to put these up here UNEDITED! I did this so everyone can see exactly how hard it is to get nice pictures of 5 STRONG WILLED children!

...There is about 1000 more just like this but you get the point...UGH!