Lady Clariol you are no match for Eric

More grey has been added to my head.  I came from the kitchen into the dining room  yesterday to find Eric standing on the dining room table, reaching for the chain that controls the ceiling fan and light.  Not that he was really in any danger - honestly, the table is sturdy and he was right in the middle.  And believe me some of his other daredevil maneuvers have been much more hair raising than that one.  It was just a shock I guess, as he has never attempted to stand on the dining room table before. 

The chairs, yep...all the time, to see how high he can jump off them (very high)...almost higher than he can jump off the 4th step going upstairs.  He can also run really fast...and much to my relief he can stop on a dime before he hits the walls.  sigh.......He's mastered piling things up to climb up to where he wants to get something.  I don't know what he was aiming for yesterday by piling his kid size Adirondak chair, onto his table in his room and trying to add the laundry basket upside down.  There isn't anything up that high -- and he must have figured that out because he stopped trying after the laundry basket kept falling off the arm of the chair that was on the table.  Good grief...

Anyway, I found myself wondering how he connected that the fan and light are controlled by those chains - they are rarely used (and I yes, I noticed the dust that gives that little fact away).  We have a switch on the wall that can dim the lights and control the speed of the fan.  He has mastered that, and we don't even have to lift him up to do it anymore.  I don't believe he  has seen anyone use the chains -- we really never do.  He is so darn smart.  He made sure I wasn't looking.

Yesterday was his mommy's birthday and we had cake waiting when she came to pick him up.  Eric loves the "Happy Birthday" song and we clap when we sing it cause he loves that too. 

Happy Birthday Mom

Clap Pop-Pop

This is so fun!

Love you little guy!

Another weekend hanging out in the boonies.....

I won't have the opportunity to see my little guy this weekend.  He's with his dad while his mom, Nikki and I go to a baby shower.  This is in the boonies too.  A different set of boonies....different direction.  We are headed to Bleeker, where my dads house is on the mountain there.  Yes, a real mountain - and I can only hope my car (with the brand spanking new $870 clutch) will make it up the mountain.  Last weekend's visit to the boonies destroyed it completely.  How they can enjoy living so far from civilization is completely beyond me.

So, have fun with Daddy Eric!  Me-Ma will see  you Tuesday!

Weekends are too short...

We had a great time in Newcomb. Too bad we had to come home. Eric is probably thinking the same thing.

He was well prepared for the ride,

He had his beloved hose time,

LOVED THE BOAT

Of course there just had to be a spider on the boat, 

Big babies...

Not too crazy about the first four wheel ride, but insisted on a second ride while he decided if he liked it or not

who can forget one of his favorites, the playground....

....aren't we all just kids at heart?

Wonderful weekend, much too short, and according to Eric, tooooo many pictures Me-Ma, 

No more.....

Have a nice weekend everyone.  Eric is spending it with his daddy, and Me-Ma is heading North to a different set of boonies, for a baby shower and to spend time with sister and dad.....

Later!

Traveling to the Boonie's...LOL!

We are going to see my sister and brother-in-law in Newcomb. Waaaay in the boonies. It is a 2 hour ride.

Eric loves to see and do new things. However, he is not so crazy about the ride. Sitting still for such a long while is completely out of character for him. Can you imagine what it was like during the 7 hour ride from NY to Delaware last month? We have learned to make frequent stops when necessary and to keep the gameboy handy (hidden until needed). Here, Eric decided M'Kayla was talking to much. He is such a character. I probably didn't mention that Eric is non-verbal. Although he does say a few words now and then, he has yet to completely learn to communicate by speaking. M'Kayla, however, has no such problem.

It is a bit difficult traveling with Eric, but oh so worth it. He has been known to have melt downs during long drives, and hates when the car stops at all, even just for a red light. Believe me things can get pretty tense. Once in full meltdown there is no alternative but to stop the car till things calm. Not always easy on the highway.

Eric is an extremely picky eater. I guess I'm in charge of bringing Eric's Mac and Cheese, which he will only eat for me in one of my bowls from home. Nik will take care of his waffles and Almond milk... he will eat fruit bars, pizza, grilled cheese, Dorito's, cinnamon toast and chicken nuggets as well. On occasion we can get him to try something different, but it is very rare and he never eats it a second time. We never give up trying to get him to taste new things.

On Sunday's, my nephew Louie and Nichole experiment with receipes and spend the afternoon cooking. Louie has been known to chase Eric around the house with spoonfuls of whatever they are cooking at the time.

As you can see by the picture, Eric just laughs and manages to get away.

Yes, it would be so much easier to avoid traveling and therefore avoid the headaches, heartaches and frustrations that it brings at times. But think of all the great experiences we would have missed and the memories that wouldn't have been made and the things we wouldn't have learned about Eric (make sure he's eaten and has a full belly before the trip) or even the things that Eric wouldn't have seen or learned (like how much he LOVES the ocean). Traveling with a child with Autism is difficult and yes there are times it is impossible. But we try, and the times we are able to complete the trip, or the adventure are learning experinces to us.

So .......wish us luck this weekend --- we are on our way to Newcomb!

Imagine my Surprise

For the past two days I have searched online for a blog written by a grandparent of a child with Autism. Even though I know of one or two that exist, I couldn't find one. Not even my friend G's blog (who I know shares my challenges and joys of grandparenting a child with Autism). Imagine that? But we are out here.....loving, supporting, caring -- and in my case wanting to share more of what has become a major part of my life. Actually, it's overtaken it...but I don't mind (at least most of the time).

But what I can tell you about are the wonderful, fantastic, informative blogs I've found written by moms and dads, which I forward directly to my daughter. I enjoy following them, keeping up with the progress made, quiet thoughts, frustrations and tremendous joy. However, my view is different, being a grandparent and not directly on the front line. .. Although I am mere inches behind the two who are...Mom and Dad.

Our Eric was diagnosed at age 18 months...I believe it was March or April of 2006. My daughter Nichole, Eric and Eric's daddy Daniel, were living in Bradenton, Florida, when my daughter began to suspect something wasn't right. The "unofficial" diagnosis came from there. More tests needed to be done. My daughter, scared and feeling alone, wanted to be home near her family. Daniel agreed and they relocated, back to New York, and moved in with us until they settled in their own place.

There are no adequate words to tell you the emotions I experienced upon hearing Eric's official Diagnosis. Holding my crying daughter in my arms, looking over her shoulder at our little guy, the only thing I could think of was that I needed to be strong. For my daughter Nichole, for Daniel and for Eric. There was work to be done and a little boy to save.

Anyway, meet my little guy Eric...


His school "Cloverpatch" took a trip to the Saratoga County Fair and his mom and I tagged along. He's resting with his MeMa...and the look on his face says he's staying right there.

Now off to find Gail and see how she's doing with her little one.
Oh, and since I'm at work I really should do a bit of invoicing as well.