The Secret Code Part 1

Remember the toddler stage of speech for children?  That is when close family and friends can interpret the words or phrases?  Our house is no exception!  Tristan has been in the toddler phase of speech for 11 years.

One day when our friend was helping us with Tristan. Brian quickly gave Tristan a verbal clue to stop.  Brian said, “Bep!”  Immediately Tristan stopped and did not go into a room that he is not allowed to enter.

Our friend said, “Bep!  That is the word I needed to have for him to stop?  This information would be useful to know!”

Brian explained, “Yes that is Tristan’s version of stop.  Sorry, we didn’t fill you on it.”

We all kind of chuckled.  It made me think, “What else do we say that is code?”

Enjoy another healthy dose of laughter from our home!

Lost & Found

It never fails.  After our friend Tash leaves our home, I realize something is lost.  I never know if Tristan hides items, or if I misplace an item.  Here is one of our lost item conversations.

Anne:  By any chance do you have my set of keys?

Tash:  No I don’t.  I’ll check my bags to make sure.

Anne: Yeah, I don’t think you have them either.  Please say a prayer that I find them before Tristan does.

As Brian and I are searching for my set of keys, we were also making dinner.  We opened up the utensil drawer to retrieve the can opener.  The can opener was nowhere to be found!  We both took turns looking for it, and we still could not find it.  I started laughing.  I said, “I am going to text Tash.  Maybe she has the can opener with the keys.”

Anne: Okay how about our can opener?  That is missing too! LOL

Tash: LOL! No, I don’t have that either.

Anne: I could not resist asking you!

About 30 minutes later, the conversation continued.

Anne: Well we found both items!  The can opener was in the basket with the pens/pencils. Tristan probably put it there.  The set of keys were found deep in my pocket.  I triple checked my pockets earlier!!

Enjoy another healthy dose of laughter from our home!

 

Home Sweet Home

Just a quick update…

Tristan’s Projects

For some reason Tristan wanted to cut the empty milk gallons in half.  This posed a problem. Most of the milk gallons were full.  The behavior specialist suggested emptying the milk into a pitcher.  This helped somewhat, but not enough. It was decided to completely re-direct this behavior.  So, I just saved an empty milk gallon.  I rinsed it out and set it out on the counter.  I was going to tell him this would be the last one to cut.  Would you believe that empty gallon container sat on the counter for approximately 6 days?  He suddenly gave up this activity.  Would you believe I waited 6 days to  discard the gallon jug?

 

Enjoy another healthy dose of laughter from our home!

48 Hours Part 2

I can honestly be thankful for a lot, even when life is difficult.  The next 24 hours became even more challenging.  Tristan was admitted to another hospital. This place can provide him with some really great care.  Tristan will be home in a several days.

As he left in the transfer ambulance, I was able to process everything that has happened.  Of course, there is always something to laugh about.  I hope you enjoy an insight from the lighter side of autism.

The Accidental Purchase

Brian and I were out shopping together. We decided to check the clearance sections at Target. I came across some stretchy blue jeans. I said to Brian, “Look at these. Tristan could wear these.”

No More Ponytail

Tristan has never liked it when I wear my hair in a ponytail. I do not know why. He clearly communicates that he doesn’t like it, by taking my hair out of a pony tail holder. After so many times of this reaction being repeated, I finally gave up wearing my hair in a ponytail.

 

 

 

This behavior was not something I had ever shared with caregivers or teachers.

Resourceful!

 

I am often amazed at how Tristan solves his problems.

Here’s what he does when we are out of ice.

 

Tristan’s Final Night of 2015

This New Year’s Eve I was preparing to spend a quiet evening at home.  It was just going to be me and Tristan.  Brian took the two older boys out for a game night with friends.  One teenage son was concerned that Tristan would be difficult for me at home.  I confidently said, “It will be fine.  Tristan will enjoy a quiet evening at home.”  Little did I know how the night would unfold.

Poor Tristan!

Early Sunday morning Brian was trying to get out the door to head to church.  He woke me up asking where his shoes were.  I jumped out of bed to help him look.  We could not find them ANYWHERE. Brian asked the older boys if they had borrowed them.  They said no.  I suggested Brian go purchase another pair of shoes.  I was thinking back to summer when Tristan hid my shoes.  It took a couple of months before I discovered them in our other son’s closet.  We did not have months to wait this out!

After church during lunch, we mentioned to the older boys about the shoes.  One of them said, “Yes, I have them.  I borrowed them a few days ago.”  This child did not remember being woke up.  Poor Tristan we thought it was him.

A few days later I noticed the treadmill safety cord was missing.  I checked Tristan’s room.  I checked all the usual hiding places.  Then  I also noticed some black stretchy string was cut up.  We know Tristan loves cutting more than just paper!  We try our best to make sure the scissors stay in the kitchen.  I figured it was gone.  I ended my search.

The next day, one of the older boys appeared with the treadmill cord!  It was in their bedroom.  Poor Tristan we thought it was him.

Another healthy dose of laughter from our home to you!