Happy New Year! We had a Big Transition last month-3.5 years old

       

   I can't believe it is the beginning of January already! December just seemed to go by so fast. Brendan actually did really good during the holiday's. We took him to a couple of the local holiday special needs events and overall he did great. He had a couple of anxiety attacks that have me concerned. He definitely doesn't do well with the unknown. What I mean is he doesn't like to do something that he doesn't have control over. We have been dealing with this for over a year now. He will not get into ANYBODY else's car but mine. This has been happening for over a year. He will not get on any fun train, carousal or any kind of ride. Normally he will just tell you no and get upset a bit and then once we say he doesn't have to go then he will calm down. But that has now turned into a real anxiety attack. His whole body starts to shake, tremble and cries and you can just see the fear in his eyes. As a mom watching this is just crushing. You want to take away that fear but I just don't know what is causing it. On the other hand he is a thrill seeker. The faster the better the higher the better so it just doesn't make sense to me. We have our appointment with Dr Melmed this Monday so this will be something that I will addressing with him.

         Brendan is continuing to make huge progress in all other areas. He is understanding and communicating better everyday. He is making his own decisions on so many things he normally didn't care about. He doesn't want to be left out of anything. My best friend and I took our kids out for lunch and the server brought all the kids a cup with water in it but he didn't bring Brendan one and he looks at me puts his hand on his chest and says, "oh no Brendan" he wanted a cup just like all the other kids. At that moment you feel sad but on the other hand excited because he is wanting to be like the other kids! We have had playdates and all he wants to do is interact with the kids. His social awareness has honestly come so far it is incredible. I am such a proud mom.

       Right before Christmas we transitioned Brendan from a crib to a bunk bed. I was pretty terrified with this transition. As most of you know Brendan is a pretty horrible sleeper. But this was long over due. Trying to find a mattress, pillows and sheets without polyester in it wasn't easy. Actually wasn't has hard as I thought but what was crazy was the cost of the things I found without the polyester. OMG things without polyester in it are so much more expensive. But we didn't have choice since his allergy to polyester. He was so excited when his bed was delivered and being put together. His sister has a bunk bed so that is why he wanted one. I had a whole plan of how we were going to transition him. I don't know if I have blogged about this but Brendan has a pajama issue. He would only wear long sleeve footed pajamas. Finding 100% cotton footed pajamas in sizes bigger than 5T was becoming a challenge. So now that he was getting out of the crib and going into a bed with covers I was hoping I could make a pajama transition as well. So night 1 of the bed I put him long sleeve 2 piece pajamas with socks and he did amazing. He has never slept better since transitioning to his bed! Even better we have over come a huge sensory issue with his pajamas!!! Advice to my moms out there, making these kind of changes for our kids on the spectrum are so scary but remember it can also make things better if we just give it a try!

      I am going to try and take my own advice as we will be starting potty training next week. I am absolutely terrified! Brendan likes to be in control and when we are wanting him to do something he doesn't want to do well lets just say it isn't fun at all. All of his therapist are supporting us and are going to help us with this but when you see the fear in your therapist eyes I can't help but to be scared. Stay tuned for my next blog for the results of potty training.
      Brendan is the master at playing games. At 3 years old he does so good playing by the rules, waiting his turn and just understanding how to play. It is so fun to watch him. He definitely likes to win but he also gets excited when someone else wins!
   This is Brendan playing Go Fish!

    I am excited for what 2016 has in store for us. I know it is going to be a great year!