Knowledge is POWER!

Yesterday July 25, 2011 we received the best and worst news of our lives. Daniel has been diagnosed with Autism

Now I say this is great news, because we now have something to work with. We now can set a treatment plan, and focus our attention where is needs to be focused right now. I also said its bad news because the reality of it is, he has Autism. No one ever wants to hear something like that about there child. I always knew something was off with Daniel Developmentally and Socially. But we have seen a few different Neurologist, that always told us no, no, don't worry, its not Autism. But these fears and concerns kept eating at me, so I decided to get a second opinion. So we got our referral and headed to Phoenix Children's Hospital, the doctor walked in, watched Daniel interact with me, Jason, and his sister and also his cousin who was there with us, then continued to perform a few tests with Daniel, then after quite a few questions with us, we were told..... its Autism. He wasn't hesitant at all, actually very confident to tell us this news. Which I'm okay with, I'm glad he was'nt second guessing his diagnosis, I'm glad he was straight forward with us (in 5 1/2 years we have yet to have had a doctor who has been like that with us), we talked for quite awhile and he let us know that they are many different forms of Autism, and that Daniel obviously doesn't fit into the Most Severe cases, but he doesn't fit in the mild cases either, he said he was right about in the middle. Daniel can interact with people, he does make eye contact, which I believe it why many doctor's steered away from this diagnosis, but those doctors also only saw Daniel in a doctors office, not in social setting, not at home, but one on one with me, Daniel and the doctor. So maybe it was blessing that we all decided to go to this visit, because the doctor was able to see how Daniel is socially, and he saw that it was off. But Knowledge is Power and I'm ready to face this with Daniel, and we will do everything we possibly can to help him and give him the best life possible!! So now its time to research and educate myself!

Daniel....

I have been questioning doing this post for months, but considering this is my journal, and although I don't post nearly as much as I would like, I still want to document this.

 When we have our doctors appointments in Phoenix we typically go up the night before, we stay in a hotel, we relax, we spoil Daniel and that way the next day goes a lot smoother. Otherwise we would be driving 3 hrs up there,  have our appointment and then drive 3 hrs home, not fun with a 5 year old and a 2 year old. On this particular visit i'm so grateful we did this, because The night before Daniel got his casts off, he was in a lot of pain, we couldn't move his right foot without him crying and he just wasnt being himself. So when Daniel wasn't being his happy go lucky self, I knew it was serious. No matter what we did to try to make him happy, he just wasn't having it,  So we decided to take him to the ER at Phoenix Childrens Hospital. Well, I'm glad I followed my motherly instinct and took him in, turns out the pin in his right foot had come out early and was jabbing his foot in the cast, which was causing all the pain, plus because of the pin coming out early, his foot had become infected. So they decided we would not wait until the next day and they took the casts off that night, But once the casts were off and the pin was out all the way, he was back to his happy self. After waiting for what seemed like forever the orhopedic surgeon on call that night they wrapped his foot up,and sent us back to our hotel for the night, we were told to keep our appointment with our Doctor for the next day. The next morning we met with Daniels surgeon, all of the bandages came off, x-rays were taken of each foot, and after a long talk, and instuctions for the next few months we were sent home. Once we got to the car I thought phew...the surgery is over with, the casts are off, the hard part is over! Boy was I wrong! The next two months were some of the most trying and stressful months of my life. Daniel was very hesitant to start walking again, he wouldn't stand, he wouldn't even attempt it, but each day we continued to urge him to put some weight on his feet, then finally after weeks of trying and lots of Physical Therapy, he finally gained the confidence and slowly started to bear weight on his feet then each day he would do a little more, and by the end of the 2nd month he was up and walking and ready to take on the world!  Now here we are 6 months post op, and he is running, starting to jump and even attempting stairs!! Needless to say I'm a very proud mom!!

as Daniel sat there the pin just pushed itself out

The left foot was perfect!

this is how they were wrapped after our ER visit

ready to go home....now is the hard part. Learning to walking again!!

wow....this was the most amazing week! My parents flew down on a Saturday, and me and Jason took off the next day for Vegas! This was our first trip in our marriage (besides the honeymoon) without kids and an actual vacation! So it was well needed and well deserved!! We took off on Sunday and my parents stayed with the kiddos, to end the trip we headed to Phoenix on Thursday and spent 3 days with my parents and the kids at the most beautiful resort EVER! We went swimming, we lounged and of coursed enjoyed some GREAT food,  yes...we like to eat out, and so we took advantage of all the great restraunts (we really don't have much in Sierra Vista, gotta love living in small towns!) So THANK YOU Mom and Dad for watching our kids, it was a well needed break from life and a much needed getaway with the most amazing man in my Life!!

Easter 2011

The day was perfect, kids slept in, they behaved all morning, did better than usual at Church, and we had a wonderful dinner just the four of us....it really was perfect!!

this is probably the best family picture we have had in a long time, all though I do wish I was standing closer to Jason :), the timer on the camera was about to go off and this is where I ended up!

Brielle didn't want her picture taken all morning, then when we try to get one of the just the two of us, she decided she wants her picture taken too.....go figure!!

My 2 handsome boys! LOVE THEM!

spring time!!

Oh how I love living in Arizona!! We have been enjoying this spring like weather for a few months now....but like usual, I have been terrible at taking pictures! But this last weekend i finally dusted off the camera and decided I should prob take a few pics of my cute kiddos!! Its been a busy few months, with therapy, potty training and more dr's appointments, but things have finally started to slow down, so maybe i'll have time now to sit down and blog!! 

 Don't let this cute and innocent face fool you....she is completely full of it and indeed she thinks she is a princess!! But regardless I love her to pieces and YES she does have me wrapped around her little finger!

 LOVE HIM!!



when Daddy babysits.....

This is what happens when Daddy babysits!! HA HA, gotta love her!!

random....

Its been awhile....we are still here, just super busy! Daniel got his casts off on the 10th of February, and ever since then, most of our time has been dedicated to him, and getting him to walk again!! I'm also now babysitting a 4 month old, so I pretty much have every second of my day filled with something to do, whether its changing diapers, potty training Brielle, working with Daniel, taking Daniel to 4 thereapy appointments a week, or fixing meals, and then trying to fit a shower in there somewhere for myself. But I promise once things slow down I'll get back into blogging, but for now...here a  few random pictures of my adorable kids!!

Standing! After 2 long weeks, we finally are standing again! Of course he has to hold something, but we'll take it! So, SO proud of him!! :)

Jason.....my husband, my hero, my soldier!

all geared up and ready to go.......

While Jason was still in Iraq he was Promoted, these are just a few pictures that another soldier took of the promotion ceremony.