Here a goat, there a goat, everywhere a .......

Today was the Autism Harvest Festival at Leeds Farm here in North Columbus. It was an event hosted by an autism mom- her family owns the farm. they opened up at the crack of dawn to invite autism kiddos and their families to come and play for free- and they also had vendor set up with autism resources in our community. It was a great event and a great turnout! It was awesome to see that many families come together but disgustingly sad at the same time. Why is this happening to SO many families? Why do people turn a blind eye and assume it won't be their kiddo. Last week I sat around and thought (which I do TOO much of) about WHAT things I wish I had known before Nate was born..and the list is staggering. BUT that is a post for another day. If anyone ever wants my opinion on this, let me know. If you know me at all, my opinion is not something that is EVER hidden. :) I am a take it or leave it kinda gal...lol.

ANYWAY- back to the livestock.
Neve had a blast with the goats,cow, bunnies, donkey, etc..- and we even got Nate to attempt touching.

Then Nate rocked the Pumpkin Jump which was this huge bounce thing that Nate was drawn to like a magnet. I couldn't pull the kid away. (Neve was too small to jump).

....and then my futile attempt at brother/sister pics..lol. I know I 'll get some when we hit the pumpkin patch next month. :)

Miss Neve just wasn't feelin' the Nate T. Love today. :(

Nate had a good day at school. he has been super anxious and distracted lately. We had a big YEASTY moment with inappropriate laughter and the whole nine yards. It seemed to pass, both in behaviors and literally in his diaper. Seriously, I had no idea this stuff even happened- was my head up my ass for most of my life? Wow. Well, my eyes are open now..and it is so easy to see why others have no clue what I am talking about (although that doesn't seem to stop me from talking about it! ha!).

Neve had little gym today and has a blast as always. She loves it there!

Hangin' with Mrs. Portnoy

Today was just a "hang with mom" kind of day. Nate went to school and he has a new girl classmate now!

Neve started a class today at the community center that is preschool games and such....very fun and Neve did really well. She is so vocal, and I obviously love to hear her talk!

..."met her at a beauty salon...."

We took Miss Neve in last week to get her Onion Loaf cut. It is a crazy ol' mop of hair that is curling up more and more. We thought they were just baby curls at first...but now we are starting to think otherwise. This little lady is gonna be curly!!
Well we started out ok..and we snapped this picture..and then the screaming began..and didn't stop until we got close to home. Lordy. We have a drama queen on our hands!!

FREE PARKING

Typical Sunday here for the Portnoys- We hit the PARK! It's a beautiful day! The kids let off a little steam....

....playing....



...and swinging...



...feeding the fish at the pond...



...licking germ infested plastic bubbles....



..and just being all around darling kiddos.

H1N1

Dr mercola spoke at the Autism One conference and also held a seminar on the Lyme-Autism connection--SO interesting...

Here is a new take on the H1N1...
http://http//articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2009/09/08/Another-Shocking-Warning-About-Swine-Flu-Vaccine.aspx

Looking for a Rocket ship....

So I think we have finally come to a decision to move forward with Hyperbarics. Aaron and I have been debating the pros and cons for years and wondering how the heck we can pull this off , both financially as well as logistically. Nate's DAN doctor is about 20+ minutes form our house and there is no way we can get there every day, especially not multiple times in a day.SO, here is what we are thinking. The HBOT (the rocket ship as I like to call it) costs appx 3000$/month to rent and about 20,000$ to buy. 20 grand is less than a car. If someone told me that if I buy Nate a Honda Civic he might improve dramatically health wise, would I not buy it? OF COURSE I WOULD!
So I think what it comes down to is that we rent it for a month...and here's the kicker: WE NEED TO BE WILLING TO THROW AWAY $3000. We know that Nate may not respond at ALL to this and that is a very real possibility. Fine. I will know that we gave it a try. BUT-WHAT IF, my baby, comes out and talks? what if he is more aware? what if it helps him potty train? what if, what if? what if? I can't sit around and worry about debt. We are in debt. Our child has extreme medical needs. I need to get over it. That is reality for us..so what's another 20K?
This week we will research it more and try to make plans. I have no idea how this will all work out, but my mind is fixed on it now...so look out. :)
The Portnoys are buying a Rocket ship!

He's No Blockhead!

Nate has learned SO much through his ABA home program which is overseen through Nationwide Children's. Aaron's parents help us out every month (for which we are forever grateful)to be able to have our WONDERFUL ABA therapists come to the house to work with Nate. They are here 6 days a week, for a total of about 21 hours a week. This equals out to about 3 1/2 hours a day...which is in addition to the 12 hours a week of preschool, and the 3 hrs a week of OT, ST, and Little Gym. Learning is a full time job for our little guy.

Here is a video of Nate rockin' his block imitation program. It is so amazing for us to see him do so well with this considering he rarely looks like he is paying attention. His body is usually flailing about and he is babbling so it is hard to tell sometimes- but he DOES get it!! yay!

7 years and counting.....

Aaron and I celebrated our 7 year anniversary tonight.....wow. That seems like forever ago. We met over 10 years ago. I guess time really does fly by...

First Day of SCHOOL!

Today was T-Bone Malone's first day back to school. He is in his second year of preschool. The teachers are the same (all 3 of them), but the actual building has changed. I am not impressed, but it is what it is.

Here is Nate getting ready to go. He was super pissed at me for trying to take his picture.

Then we all piled in the car and headed to his new Elementary school.