Signing Times DVD's

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I MUST promote the Signing Times DVD's. I cannot express exactly how valuable they are to us! Drew can SAY and sign every word that is taught on all four of the Baby Signing Times videos. It is unbelievable. If I could go back to his baby days when he stared at the TV for hours....usually at Diego or Dora, I would have MADE him watch theses DVD's!

We did the Baby Bumblebee, Baby Babble, and Baby Einstein DVD's. And, I'll say that the Baby Bumblebee DVD's definitely come in second place (especially now that he can verbally imitate). But, it is something about the Signing Times DVD's that just makes things click for him.

I'll never forget a few months ago when we barely had five words and we working so hard to get Dada or Momma. He would babble Dada but it never really meant anything. Then, I put on the Baby Signing Times DVD 1, and in no time, not only was he saying it, but he was doing this strange thing with his hand. FINALLY, I put two and two together to realize that not only was he not saying, "Dada", he was actually saying, "Dad"; but he was also signing it. He was finally understanding that Dad meant something. It wasn't just babble, it had meaning. I remember the therapists telling me how they were trying to get him to stop doing that weird thing with his hand. I, too, thought he was stimming. UNTIL, one day, in the car, I listened to the little song and realized that when they referred to Daddy's, they called them "Dad". So, I immediately tried to see what the sign was for it and sure enough, it was that "weird" thing he had been doing. That was the first of at least 50 -75 words and signs. Seriously.

The Baby Signing Times DVD's have children under three who are signing and playing along with little cartoon characters. I feel they are completely appropriate and do not feel guilty in the least bit letting him watch them. The first DVD has words like Dad, Mom, eat, more, milk, cracker, juice, diaper, potty, cat, dog, boo boo, etc. The next one had things like car, train, shoes, socks, please, thank you, etc. And so on....

Ok, and here is the biggy which is why I must promote these DVD's. A few days ago before Thanksgiving (which I will post on later), Drew was extremely fussy and not feeling well. One of his in-home therapists had come over to work with him. He just wouldn't stop crying. When I went upstairs to check on him, he looked at us and signed AND SAID, "I sad". OMG. We were all completely stunned.

Please consider adding these DVD's to your child's reportoirre of movies. They have been absolutely wonderful for us!!!

They also have free shipping on order over $50 (Today Only). I think they'll have some CyberMonday deals tomorrow as well.

Signing Time Volume 1-3 DVD Gift Set
From: Two Little Hands Productions: SigningTime.com

Baby Signing Time DVD Gift Set 1-4
From: Two Little Hands Productions: SigningTime.com

Respite, Date Nights, and Me Time

So, something that Hubby and I did that I do not regret, even in this depressing state of the economy, is setting aside respite time. Hubby had been laid off, Drew was making me crazy, Hubby and I were extremely irritable with each other, and increasingly unhappy. It was definitely our saving grace in this year of heartache.

First, I just felt like I needed help at home. Call it lazy or selfish, it is just not easy caring for a fussy child who acts like a one year old. I was pulling my hair out, Hubby's was turning gray, and Drew's well, it grows like a weed but that's neither here nor there. But, how could I get help? We didn't qualify for any free respite services, a "plain ol' babysitter" would just set him in front of the TV, and a BCBA/ ABA therapist was just too much for us to afford at the time.

Fortunately, when I moved here, I found an awesome way to find new babysitters:





I found a plethera of good babysitters to use and I was very happy with their services. However, in my "new" life, I couldn't just use a regular babysitter. To my surprise, Care started offering a Special Needs section. This option is awesome because not only does it show candidates with special needs experience, you can even narrow it down to candidates who have ABA therapy experience! They also provide free background checks and screenings!!


This service solved our "I need a break but can't let my son stare at the TV for hours" dilemma. We found 2 of our 3 in-home ABA therapists from this site. Actually, I found plenty others that I liked but we were unable to coordinate our schedules. Anyway, I have been soooooo pleased.

SO, not only do I get much needed "me time" or more politically correct, respite time, we also get date nights! I have been able to set up a schedule and we know we can count on these girls to show up and take great care of Drew while they are here. Hubby and I can plan to go out to eat or run to Lowe's or Whole Foods, whatever the need may be.

It is so nice to just get away even if it is to just sit in my closet and type my blog! :)

Visit their website and you can search for providers near you!!
Find Your Ideal Sitter. Fast & Easy.

Happy Respite!
Joanna

New Look

As you may have noticed, I'm changing up the look of my website. Basically, it's my way of feeling like I have a purpose. I'm learning how to code HTML (not very well); and trying to make my contribution. "My contribution?" you ask. Yes. My life (and probably yours too) is consumed with my son and his treatments and therapy. Autism has taken over me and because of that I feel that, I am unable to contribute anything else to the world. Because I am finally past the initial "research phase" of the newly diagnosed, I do not spend EVERY hour researching miracle cures anymore. Do understand that I did that for MONTHS. I am lucky to have had the time to research and catch things in my son so very early on. Because of that, I would love nothing more than to contribute or share my knowledge and research with others who may be looking for hope and help.

Unfortunately, as you all well know, there is no one cure or treatment. It is up to us to just take the bull by its horns and start something....SOMETHING. It may or may not work but why not try?? I have read on another friend's blog, some comments by a parent who was basically offended by my friend's initiative to heal her son. WHAT? Yes, it's true. This parent criticized my friend for all of her hardwork and research. She told her that she should basically accept her child as is and move on. WHAT? Please understand, I love my child more than (cliche) life itself. I will not "accept" or "settle" for his health conditions. I believe that his behaviors and delays are health issues. I believe that he can live a better more comfortable life if he feels better, if he can communicate better, and if he can feel comfortable in his surroundings. So, although there is a "woe is me" feeling that I sometimes have...my ultimate goal is to do everything in my power to improve my child's health which will ultimately improve his quality of life. So, to that parent who felt the need to criticize my friend, please do not waste your time criticizing me. I will not sit back and do nothing and I encourage everyone to at least TRY something!

I would like to help others explore avenues and options. I would like for them to know that they are NOT alone in this battle. I hope to offer comfort, comedy, and courage to all of those other parents out there just like me. It is a very strong group that we are involuntarily a part of...warriors for sure! The friendships that I have made and the knowledge that I have gained from other parents shows just how compassionate and down right brilliant these warrior parents are! If I can help just one other parent, it is worth it. And to be honest, I know that I have already helped more than one parent...and that allows me to give back and have a purpose. Yes, autism is still the subject. But, the turn I've taken on this path has empowered me and I want to empower others. I thought that giving birth to Drew was the ultimate empowerment...that I could do ANYTHING after giving birth. HA. That was such a piece of cake compared to recovering my son. However, we are recovering Drew. I can officially say that he is in recovery. Not recovered; but on his way. We have turned that corner and will probably have to turn a few more before it's over; but at least we made it past the first one.

So, blah, blah, blah... :) I just hope that you all find good information on this site, good products to help you in your journey, good friendships (yes, I've made good friends from this site), and the faith and strength to keep going!

Please check out the books, videos, foods, supplements, etc in my Amazon store which I call my "Survival Products Store". I have also made a few designs for shirts, bags, mugs, etc in my Autism Advocacy Store. We are still in the beginning phases of the Advocacy store; so if we don't have a design that you like, please check back or email me personal requests.

Please continue to email me with your stories. I feel so honored to hear from each of you and love making new friends!!

Love & Hope,

Watch it again!

If you watched the video that I posted last night, please scroll down and watch it again. I added new clips to it to showcase Drew's newly found vocabulary!!! I'm so proud of him!!!!

Scroll Down or CLICK HERE!

Love & Hope,

A Few Words From Drew

You'll notice he is signing most of these too.

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Halloween pics

I've been a little busy this week since Hubby was out of town. Sorry I haven't posted sooner. I do want to share some photos from Halloween this year...and Halloween in the past. Oddly enough, every year, Drew has handled Halloween very well. This year was no exception. :)

Halloween 2009

Halloween 2008

Halloween 2007

End of October updates

I want to post some new updates and pictures. First of all, Drew has been sick for the past week. It's either 1.) flu from the shedding of the flu vaccine that Hubby received. 2.) Swine flu from some of the kids at school 3.) some sort of homeopathy induced viral removal..??? Probably #1 because it happened four days after Hubby had the flu spray vaccine (unvoluntarily).

This was the first time that I've successfully treated a cold/flu with homeopathy. Acute situations are difficult for me to figure out. Homeopathy is a completely different ballgame. But, we're on the mend!

Drew has learned so much this month!!! His expressive language is doing great. Still only one word at a time but I'M NOT COMPLAINING!!!!! He's up to 40 words! UNBELIEVABLE.

He finally taught himself how to ride his little school bus. He's had this toy for over a year and has not once sat and rode on it. Usually, he flips it and spins the wheels. Not anymore:

He learned how to feed himself with a fork, finally. Working on the spoon...it's so messy!

And, of course, from one of my prior posts, he finally learned to call me "momma". Man, I've been waiting on that one!! When he's feeling better, I'll record him and post it. :)

He's not so sure about our pumpkins....

Or that costume...

Hopefully, I'll have better luck on Halloween!!!

We couldn't be more pleased with his progress! We cleared the MMR, varicella, Hepatitis, Hib, and PCV vaccines this past month. It was NOT easy. It was a roller coaster. And, we're clearing them all over again this month. The outcome was great and we are so hoping for the same thing on the other side of this clear.

Until November..... (the official start of the holiday season...Nov 1st is when the holiday music starts playing at my house!)

Love & Hope,