You guessed it!

Yep, STILL sick!!!

His cough is sounding a little better, and it's a little less frequent. He doesn't have a fever.

But, he's still hacking.

He's finally eating a little more, and is back to his crazy active little self, so there is good improvement.

Hopefully he can get better before school starts again!

Still. Sick.

JT is currently sleeping... he was up from 2:15 this morning until about 30 minutes ago, so it's actually a good thing he's taking a nap.

Poor little man's fever went nuts on Christmas Day. It took *forever* to get it under 102... it slowly went down after taking both ibuprofen and tylenol - but it took a good hour to get to the 101's, and another hour to get down to the 100's. No lower.

He was running a fever until he was due for his next dose around noon... and nothing. He actually felt cold. Took his temp, perfect.

Coughing a little more, but I'm hoping that he's still following in his sister's footsteps. She's much improved today.. first real day of improvement.

At this rate, we might be healthy by the time he goes back to school... and pray really, really hard that we avoid any and all other cr@p this season!

I'll post some pics of JT's toys in just a bit... despite the fever, he was super cute and had a really good Christmas :)

Sweet, sick baby doll :(

Sick again.

Audrey brought home a nasty bug Monday... since then, she has been a hacking, coughing mess. She was running a low grade fever until today, when it spiked at 101.1. Eep!

JT woke up at 4:30am with the hacking cough. Less than 24 hours after he stopped coughing from the croup. He's running a low-grade fever.

Now I have a fever and body aches.

It looks like a flu strain... cold/cough accompanied by stomach upset.

I hope this passes quickly...

Sick... AGAIN.

Audrey went to school Monday... I heard a little girl hacking like crazy, and was SO relieved she went into another class. However, it appears Audrey caught the nasty, nasty bug.

AND NOW JT HAS IT.

He had less than 24 hours of no coughing.

This one isn't a bark, it's a hack. Non-productive. Accompanied by fever this time.

UGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It appears this is a variant of the flu. We didn't get our flu shot this year because SO many kids I know personally had side effects (there were actually a few who were sick with a high fever for a few days... just like the flu. We didn't want a reaction that was exactly like the flu...).

So, back at freaking square one. Coughing. Only this time, the added bonus of a fever. He's 3 days behind Audrey, and today she's hanging around 101 before it's time to get another dose of fever reducer.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Pattycake, pattycake...

After watching this video, JT is now trying to get our cats to play pattycake with him... Hilarious!

Cats Playing Pattycake

I love this video!

Sick, sick, sick.

Poor Audrey is really sick.

She caught her brother's croup, and right before Christmas, too :(

I will say she's taking full advantage, having mom at her beck and call and getting to sleep with me at night... ice cream and popsicles are fine by her, too.

Fingers crossed we're on the upswing. This is one nasty, nasty cough.

And Audrey is REALLY not a fan of losing her voice.

"Everybody at home."

JT loves going to school (once he's there especially!).

So... during break, he wants to "Go to school" almost every day. This time, it's compounded by the days he's had to be off to get rid of the nasty cough virus that is *finally* fading (I am knocking on wood frantically at that).

I've had to explain to JT that no one is at school. I tell him "JT, school is closed. Everybody's at home. Miss Michele is at home. Miss Lisa is at home. Miss Kay is at home..." and on and on going through everyone in his class.

JT just came up to me and said, "Mommy, everybody at home. Miss Michele at home. Miss Lisa at home. Miss Kay at home. Timmy at home..." and so on, even through his classmates from last year.

Then he smiled and said, "And JT at home. Sissy at home. Mommy at home."

He was very proud. And I'm super thankful he finally understands that his teachers and classmates don't actually live at school. This will make breaks and weekends MUCH easier!

Painting salt dough ornaments.

Steroids. Ugh.

Prednisolone is apparently the type of steroid that makes JT mad (for lack of a better way to phrase that).

He is back to screaming, yelling, hitting when he doesn't get his way. Not near as bad as last time, but JT is a lot mellower than he used to be.

The good news is he's super hungry, so he's eaten a hot dog and some other random things he hadn't touched in a while (he is asking for these things no less!).

Hopefully he'll be back to baseline soon.

Steroids are the only things that work when he gets this nasty cough, so it's not a decision... but we're always prepared for the anger :P

Go away, croup

I am so tired of this croup that is plaguing JT. We are going on 2.5 weeks now.

So far it's been 2 trips to Urgent Care (3 counting the one where the dr refused to treat him because he couldn't behave... because he has autism... nice). 1 dose of dextamethasone. Now on prednisolone. (Both of those are steroids). Lots of coughing to the point of puking, sleeping on JT's floor and mommy not sleeping because of the coughing baby. 6 days of missed school.

Audrey was super cough-y from Friday until last night... not sure if she's getting better, fingers crossed.

Croup is no longer welcome in our home.

Stay away from my babies, sick!

Croup, Take 2

Yesterday we ended up in urgent care *again*, after JT started coughing so hard that he repeatedly puked.

Another diagnosis of croup. This time, a 5-day high-dose round of steroids to knock it out.

All I want for Christmas is well babies...

bed

JT smuggled markers to his room two nights ago... we noticed he was colored, but nothing else.

Last night, we went to tuck him in, and could not stop laughing.

He labeled his sheets:




As much as I tried to be stern, I couldn't keep it together. He has pretty good handwriting, and in lowercase letters no less! Plus, what kid labels their bed??? :)


Other funnies: He drew on my hand with a pen yesterday... "MOM". I'm taking it the labeling is going to stick around for a while?


On JT's cat:
Me: JT, what color is Beezy? (Or BZ, as he spells it... she's calico).
JT: (looks up, smiling, at the cat) Rainbow!

Getting over croup...

JT got croup this past week... which ended up going on longer than expected, since a real gem of a doctor refused to treat JT because he wouldn't 'just behave' (hello, autism anyone???).

So, we got the one-dose steroid finally on Wednesday (the first attempt at the urgent care was Sunday), but now the cough is taking longer to fade. Each day is better than the one before, and it's almost gone... thankfully.

JT and I had a great time at home, even if he was coughy and barky. I got lots of snuggles, and giggles, and he wanted me around all the time. I even got to sleep with him in his bed, snuggled up one night. First time ever :) Would've been more awesome under other circumstances, but it was sweet anyway. He tucked me in and told me 'night night' before we both fell asleep. Such a sweetheart.

He managed to work himself up one night to the point he vomited all over his comforter. He was so sad, and said "I so sick" in the most pitiful voice ever. It's the first time he's told us that, acknowledged he didn't feel well.

Our second trip to the doctor wasn't much better, but the new clinic was much more understanding, and caring. While he was screaming 'stop', 'time to go', 'lets go in blue car', etc, he did manage to say 'thank you' to the doctor when prompted.

We did have a few days where he brought an extra comforter to his bed, and told me 'time to go to bed, mommy! Come on, night night time!' - which was pretty funny. He told The Hubs that 'mommy sleep in JT bed'.

Anyway, hooray for recovery, boo for doctors who don't understand how 'autism' would make it impossible for a kid to 'just behave'.

Snow Fun!

It snowed this weekend - craziness!

JT loved it this time... he didn't want to come in at all (he liked it last year, but was done VERY quickly).

Audrey was on the ball, teaching him important things such as how to catch a snowflake on your tongue:


Then JT figured it out himself:


Here's the beautiful snow in our backyard:

JT's birthday.

Today, JT turns 5 years old.

5.

It seems so surreal.

I have a billion things racing through my mind. Our journey here, his life in polaroids playing through my mind...

But what it really comes down to, is that I am thankful.

Some people say that their child having autism gave them a voice. But it's more than that. JT didn't just give me my voice, he has given me the confidence to use that voice.

JT has shown me what living passionately is all about. I now know what it means to live with a purpose, and it's only because of him. Those that say autistic children are lost have not met JT. Not only is JT not lost, but he helped me find myself.

JT has taught me to slow down and enjoy the little things. Many would say 'stop and smell the roses', but we stop and analyze the acorn :) I see things in a different way, I live rather than racing to the next big thing.

I'll admit, the whole 'autism' thing takes me out of my comfort zone a lot. But it has taught me that I can handle anything.

JT has, in his 5 years, changed my life, in a way that it would have never changed before. Some people live their whole life and don't make a difference. In 5 years, he has changed the world for me, for our family, and for many who have met him.

JT is a special kid. He proves that you should never, ever give up hope. That love is more than just a word we say, but something we demonstrate (although him saying it is SO awesome and warms my heart every single time).

JT, I am so proud, and so very blessed to be your mommy. 5 years ago I was given a gift that I could have never guessed would be so wonderful.

Thank you, little man, for just being you. You are so very perfect, and I love you.

From The Duzan Family

From The Duzan Family

Audrey, the literal thinker

Audrey and I dropped JT off at school, and I got back in the car, ready to take her to school.
Me: "Let's get this show on the road!"
after a minute...
Audrey: "Mom, that would be bad. Your show would get runned over."
Me: (trying not to laugh hysterically) "I didn't mean it like that..."
Audrey: "OH!!! Is it an *expression*? Like break a leg?"
Me: "Yes!"
Audrey: "Oh, okay! 'Cause that would be bad if you really put your show on a road. Maybe not as bad as really breaking a leg, though."

Interesting...

JT made this on my phone while in the carpool line waiting for
Audrey.

I think most kids would count up, not down.

It also has a pattern and shape, which is really cool.

Computer time.

Potty training... for real.

graphics for moms


Woohoo!

So, Monday is P-Day for JT. As in potty day. JT's teacher asked if we could start the 'end of diapers' that day.

Well, in the past few weeks JT has definitely made some giant steps toward realizing our goal :) Week before last he finally pooped in the potty for the first time! He's been peeing in the potty at home a ton, and it's pretty standard now that he doesn't need a diaper in the afternoons (all the way from early afternoon to bedtime!). Then, last Saturday, we walked in the bathroom to find JT on the potty, by himself, peeing. Yesterday we walked in and he was in there alone again, sitting on the potty, and had peed AND pooped!

Exciting things... could it be the end of the diaper/pullup tunnel I see??? I've been buying diapers since June of 2004 (the month before Audrey was born), so it would be nice to not feel like I need to buy stock in diaper companies anymore...

GO JT!!!!

And this is oh-so-true:

New Show: Elouise

I love this show! I watch it on the Wii (mom's note: Netflix :) ).

We're going to get the Elouise books today!

New Show: Elouise

I love this show! I watch it on the Wii (mom's note: Netflix :) ).

We're going to get the Elouise books today!

JT figures out iPhone video camera

Pretty Nails

JT and BZ

Mommy and JT

Saturdays

Are for learning with sissy :)

In One Word...

JT is...

Trick or Treat!

Sick baby :(

He's got a fever, and he's alternating 'okay' and absolutely pitiful.
This is his fever huddle :(

Happy Halloween!

JT had fun this year Trick or Treating (huge difference from last year!).

He woke up Sunday morning saying "go byebye" and "go twi o twee". We told him we had to wait on the moon, and all day he would look outside for the moon. It was really cute!

He said "Twi o Twee" (cute!) at every door, and included a "Thank you" after they dropped goodies in his bag.

He wanted to go to the mall, so we went... and he did great this year (last year was an absolute disaster). Then last night, we went in our neighborhood, where he lasted 45 minutes before telling me he wanted to "go home".

The cutest moment of the night was at an elderly woman's house in our neighborhood. She took a while to get to the door, and JT was standing on her front steps saying, "I SO EXCITED!" over and over (The Hubs and I were waiting at the curb). Audrey was giggling saying, "Me, too!!!" every time. So stinkin cute!

Here's my super cute triceratops:

Me & Beezy

DOODLE

JT brought me this last night. He wanted to do homework just like
his sissy!

Daddy & G's

Reading With Daddy

Painting

"Happy V"

Robot

... JT made from silly band rings (on his own!).

Family Love

Family Games!

JT playing Hungry Hungry Hippo with Audrey.

Hungry Hungry Hippos

Bowling

From 2010-09-12

From 2010-09-12

Cool patterns.

JT's creation. Note he added 1-4 to complete his square and match
the rest.
>

What were you doing?

Today is the 9th anniversary of 9/11. The day when the towers fell. The day when innocent women and men, of all nationalities, had their lives cut short by a few extremists. The day we witnessed the best and worst of human nature itself - the blatant disregard for human life by those attackers, and the self-sacrifice by those in public service (and by those who just happened to be there).

I will never forget.

I was at home - a rental house I lived in off Duncan Street in Fayetteville, Arkansas. My roommate had already left for work, I was getting ready for class. My boyfriend (now my awesome husband) was also at work.

I had the television on, my cat and my roommate's cat were chasing each other around the house.

I was about to walk out the door when the news reported the first plane had hit the first tower. I honestly thought it was some sort of movie at first - it's what caught my eye, since I was watching the news and I was trying to figure out how the channel had changed.

I sat and watched in horror - I saw the second plane hit. I saw the towers fall. I listened as the reporters gave what information they had. I missed my classes.

I cried. I prayed.

I refuse to think about the terrorists. They don't deserve my thoughts or my anger. What I do think about are the heroes who stepped up that day. The innocent people that died, and the families they left behind.

I like to think that they are in a better place, looking down on us.

Today, I remember.

Spelling

Literally!
JT brought me these blocks... Then ran upstairs and came back with
ING - and added it to the end.
He was way proud - so am I!

Sweet JT

Today we went fishing and to the park in our neighborhood with our friends. Mom, dad, Audrey's best friend and his little sister (3).

At one point, Audrey, her friend and his little sister were playing soccer, and JT decided to play with them. He sort of followed Audrey's friend around... even running with him to get the ball when it went in the trees :)

Perhaps the sweetest thing I've ever seen was when Audrey's buddy's little sister was sitting down on a step by herself. She was away from everyone else, and she had just proclaimed to her mommy, "I have no one to play with!" JT was following Audrey and her friend, but he saw her sitting by herself. And he went down the hill, sat right beside her and looked at her little face. And smiled. It was absolutely precious.

JT's talking surprises me a lot - I could have NEVER dreamed of the progress he's making there! But I think that this was a bigger surprise. He wanted to make her feel better... such a sweet boy.

Back to School!

It's that time of year again... time for back to school fun!

Audrey started first grade August 25, and JT's first day in PreK (his last year) was September 2.

Both of them are happy - wonderful teachers (JT has the same awesome ladies from last year :) ), good friends and just good times.

College football starts today, the weather is slowly (and I do mean SLOWLY) getting cooler (hey, I think we're out of the 90's 3 of the next 10 days!) - fall is almost here! Best season ever...

Now, if I could just avoid the dreaded 30th birthday I have coming up in a month...

All kinds of surprises...

JT is busy talking away. He talks SO much that sometimes I forget that not long ago, he didn't talk at all.

Some new and interesting developments...
JT is scared of monsters. Really scared of them. In fact, if Audrey (or anyone else) mentions a monster somewhere, it's enough to send him screaming. Sometimes he'll come get me, upset, and tell me 'it's a monster' and point (usually upstairs or in my walk-in closet).
He's drawing moons. Like, really trying to draw, and really drawing them. And 'happy' - happy faces.
He tells me what he wants when he wants it. I never thought I'd see the day when I wouldn't have to guess what he wanted in some sort of mad dash - but it's true. He is very certain about what he wants, and tells me exactly what it is. Using words. Amazing.
He holds my hands when we go places. When he lets go, he doesn't run away. Have no clue when this happened, but it's fantastic. He may go a few steps ahead, but he also stops when I tell him to. Crazy!
He knows all his letters and the sounds.
He can spell and make words. So far, using The Hubs's iPhone and a letter game (where you just drag and drop whatever letter you want) he has spelled STOP (he always proudly says, "A SIGN!" haha), POP, POPOP (papa is his grandpa's name :) ), MAD, JET and CAT. In fact, he got his alphabet blocks C A and T, and a toy cat, and carried them around last week. Pretty cool! We have no idea what else he can spell, but he can sound ANYTHING out. I love it!
He loves 'mine' and 'yours'. Everything is 'mine' or 'yours'. If it's 'yours', he will hand it to you. Cute.
He misses his grandparents. Sort of sad, but when we go to the grocery store and we see someone that remotely resembles my mom (nanny), my dad (papa) or stepmom (ginny) he will yell out "It's nanny/papa/ninny (ginny)". It's precious and heartbreaking to have to tell him it's not them.
He's talking on the phone (with my dad). Super funny.

I'll have to update more later. I'm just making a list of my favorite 'new' things in JT-land.

School starts in less than 2 weeks - I am SO excited for his teachers to see all the cool new things he's learning!

Summertime

Wow... it has been WAY too long since I've posted!

Summer is a very busy (aka hectic) time around here. Between no school and visitors, we've been really busy!

My mom and her roommate came and stayed several days with us in mid-July (right around Miss Audrey's birthday).

Then, my dad and stepmom flew in last Friday and didn't leave until today.

We are going to be very lonely around here now... with no planned visits anytime soon :(

School starts for Audrey next Wednesday (1st grade!) and JT the following Thursday (it's his last year of preschool). They are growing up WAY too fast!

Why Demand Media Works For Me

Last December, Demand Studios asked for writers to submit a short summary on 'Why Demand Media Works For Me'. The responses were to be used on the Demand Media blog (under the same title) if chosen.

Guess what? Yesterday, mine was chosen :)

Here it is:
Why Demand Media Works For Me

I love Demand Media/Demand Studios. A wonderful company, a great experience and I've learned so much.

Happy 6th Birthday, Audrey!

Love my little princess... you're growing up to be such a wonderful person. I'm so proud of you :)

Virginia Beach

The Duzan family had a wonderful time at the beach... even if JT preferred looking out from the 11th floor balcony to sitting on the beach while Miss Audrey practically turned into a dolphin!

Here are a couple of pics from our awesome adventure:

Virginia Beach!

At Virginia Beach

Coins

JT LOVES coins! We count, we talk about their names, we talk about the pictures on them...

Here he is playing in our penny collection.

It MAD!

JT was playing with his Playdoh, and he made this for me:



He brought it to me and said, "It MAD!"

My Drawings

I just decided to draw a few things this weekend. I've never really done anything freehand, I usually have my paper broken into grids to get it right. Not to mention I haven't drawn anything in over a year!
Anyway, here are some of the drawings...