A joke!

Kate and I were in the car today on our way to the library.  I had to make a stop at the health food store and was mumbling about needing to pick up some cauliflower.  Kate says clearly from the back seat, "The library doesn't have cauliflower."  And I look in the rear view mirror and she has a funny little smirk on her face!  Usually I miss when she is trying to make a joke, but luckily I looked back so I could give her the response she was looking for.  It was a really funny moment and I couldn't stop laughing.

Some random things:
I have finally figured out a schedule so we can get 3 set of exercises done each day.  We do the exercises after each meal.  We stay home in the morning and if we need to go somewhere we go after the lunchtime exercises are done.  And then we come back in time to have an early dinner so we can do the last set by about 6pm.  Any later than that and she is super tired and I feel bad making her do sit-ups and such right before bed.

She is tolerating wearing the blocking glasses and earplug and listening to music during exercises.  At first she said, "No WAY!".  I have been saying that we will start something new tomorrow and then I make sure to do just that.  I am usually met with resistance, but when I say that I am not going to change my mind, she eventually does it.  This is a really big step.  We used to have half day struggles when I wanted to add something new and it usually ended with me giving up.  I am learning to stand my ground while being patient and calm.  Learning is the key word, hehe, some days I can do it easier than others.

Kate is getting her feelings hurt a lot!  She is super sensitive and if I say something in an irritated voice she runs to her bed crying.  I am happy about this because, although she has done this a little before, it is a new response.  She used to just yell at me if I hurt her feelings.  Now she says things like "I feel like you don't love me right now!".  So we have had lots of talks about that.

Kate and I have been pretty irritable and tired the last few days.  I have really been getting on her nerves and she lets me know it!  My throat still hurts a little and I have not been feeling very happy about it.  But, I have a plan in place to help it fully heal. 

I have to admit I have been feeling a little impatient the last few days.  Where are all the new exciting big changes?  I was hoping xyz would be not be an issue still.  Throughout this process I am learning so much about myself and where my limitations are.  Well, I was talking with my friend whose son is in the program and she is having a rough time too.  It certainly is a process for the parents as well as the kids.  And for the kids it is probably regression time!  Which is a good thing!! The kids are basically moving through the developmental stages again, but in a new, appropriate way.  All I know is that the hand-flapping and talking about the new interest (car washes) is happening frequently throughout the day. So, my thought is, she must be compensating for some pretty uncomfortable changes that are happening with her body and brain.  The stims (isms) are thought by some to be regulatory and even healing so she must need a lot of comfort right now.  So I am trying to deal with my "stuff" so I can be more supportive of Kate while she is going through these changes.

Tonight, Kate earned another gem.  It is a beautiful blue one.  She did the exercises 12 times to earn it and was pretty happy when she got it tonight.  That is my happy ending!! Good night wonderful friends!