It's time...

So where was I all this time exactly? Well, when I last blogged I announced I was pregnant. I had another baby boy on May 2009. That in itself was full of challenges. I will be blogging about that and more on his very own blog right here----> QUINN'S QUEST. The past year and a half was mainly about my pregnancy, transitioning into life from 1 to 2 kids and all that it entails.

Last January, pregnancy and all, we went to Costa Rica to get the stem cell treatment for the monkey. That was quite an adventure. To make a very long story short, we are happy we did it and would do it again had it not been just so damn expensive. The experience was traumatic for our son because we chose not to put a wrap on his wrist the first day to facilitate the needle for the daily infusions. (the wrap eliminates the daily needles)Instead, we thought he would do better with the daily infusions direct to his wrist. We were dead wrong. Because of us, they now mandate that all the kids do the wrist wrap. I think Kai traumatized everyone at the clinic. We saw subtle cognitive and verbal gains almost right away and for the next 6 months. Was it the stem cells? was it the daily ABA? was it the DAN protocol we have been doing? Who knows? but we know something changed. It was not a miracle or a night and day change but he did bloom a lot more during that time period. I wish we could have gone back again at the 6 month mark but like I said, too expensive. The experience with the country, the flight and the hotel was all great as well. If anyone wants more information, let me know. I will write more about it.

In May I had our new addition to the family, Quinn. School started as usual that fall and Kai started the 2nd grade. He had a new teacher who I really liked but I started to get fed up with the administration and the lack of attention to "our" asd kids. I had spent the last 3 years trying to do things for the kids. I attempted to organize a parent support group, became room mom and helped organize their parties and anything needed, chaperoned field trips, volunteered more often than not and each time was welcomed with a slap in the face, attitudes and red tape. By the time January 2010 came, I was done. We started paperwork to get him out of the public school system and enrolled him in a private school. (Did I mention that the last straw was when I encountered resistance to bringing in an air purifier to my son's room?)Yet another lifestyle change came our way considering we now have payments we did not have before and that the school is 30 minutes from our house! It had to be done. He is 8. We refused to let him rot in the public school system and not give him a chance at a better education. I cannot waste time fighting for his rights so that by the time he is 20 and too late I might have made a dent with all their red tape bullshit.

This last March we switched DAN docs to one 4 hours from our house. So far, so good. He also started hippotherapy and has been doing a social skills group once a week as well. Needless to say, we have all been busy making sure the kids needs are met.

Quinn has been a blessing and a joy to our entire family. He is a very happy, social and laid back baby. He just turned a year old and does have some motor skill delays (no crawling, pulling up or walking) but no autism. He started to babble at 11 months, said "momma" at 12 months and is starting to wave bye bye. Late, but it's there.He has great eye contact too!We have taken every known precaution prior to and during the pregnancy and this past year. Only time will tell if we beat the autism monster or not.  Kai loves to steal Quinn's toys and Quinn just adores to watch all he does intently.

I recently took a leave of absence from my job to care full time for Quinn and truly dedicate this next year to catching him up with his therapies and at home care. This should leave more time to blog. I am glad to be back! I have missed it!

Hope everyone has a fantastic summer!