A New Journey

 

Last Friday we spent the day having Bambino assessed for autism.  

We had been waiting for this day for just over 6 months.  

How it all began:

Last year, after giving birth to Bugaboo, I went through a period of postpartum depression where almost everything made me sad.  Because of this, a public health nurse (the BEST public health nurse in my opinion!) started making regular visits to the house to provide support and assure that things were moving forward as they should.  Of course, during those visits, she was able to interact with Bambino and watch his progress as well.  It was during this time that she suggested speech therapy because Bambino, who had just turned 2, was speaking less than 10 words.  We visited the speech therapist once a month just for an update but no progress was made.  We also took him for hearing tests semi-monthly, to ensure everything was working properly (and it is).  Last summer, we were referred to a pediatrician who, after interacting with bambino and listening to our story, decided it would be best to refer him for autism testing.

I should clarify that it wasn’t just the speech that was a concern.  Bambino also rarely looked anyone in the eye and had what could almost be called an obsession with lining up his toys in an exact row.  He also showed little interest in playing with others.  There were other signs as well.

So for 6 months we waited.  Knowing what the outcome would be but hoping that maybe, just maybe, Bambino was just taking his time learning to speak and was shy amongst his peers.  But we knew...

The week leading up to the assessment I was so nervous.  What if they confirmed that he was autistic?  Or what if they confirmed he wasn’t?  Then what?

But Friday came.  And, after a long day of talking and playing, it was concluded that Bambino is, in fact, on the autism spectrum.

And so a new journey begins.  A journey to help Bambino move successfully forward.  Where he can learn to thrive in a society that I pray treats him well and understands his quirks.  Because really, we’re all a bit quirky, right?  

This week I called to start moving forward with funding, and left a message but never received a call back.  The other number I was given to call re: autism resources and support just rings busy.

This is not a promising start.  

Sometimes I want to cry but mostly, I hang onto the fact that Bambino is the same beautiful, smiling boy that he was before the assessment and that this is no way changes that.  In fact, this can only help us understand him better.

That is, if anyone ever decides to return my phone calls!

The Invisible Ones-Book Review

NOTE:  My household has been overridden with illnesses during the month of January leaving me with no time for my blog :(  However, my dear friend Kathy graciously stepped in and wrote the following review-thanks Kathy!

 I must admit when I was asked to do this book review for Jenn I thought myself slightly crazy. Work was hectic, I had a lot of other projects going (like knitting the other leg warmer for a late Christmas present...still haven't finished that one), and I currently have 7 books on my coffee table waiting to be read. Why did I take on this little project which had to be finished in 9 days? Oh wait, make that 7, the book sat on my coffee table for 2 of those. I did it to help a friend, to try something new (I've never written a book review for a blog before) and while I'm not much of a mystery fan I thought to myself, "Why not?". 

 The main character, Ray, is a Private Detective who is hired by a Gypsy man to find out what happened to his daughter that he has not seen in nearly 7 years. Ray was chosen because he is part Gypsy himself. Now if you're like me and don't know anything about Romani's you will find some things confusing as the story develops. Thankfully the author includes a few of the common words used in the book, but by the middle of the  story you get into the swing of things and it's not a issue.

While Ray is the tie that binds, the other part of the story is told by JJ, a young boy who offers you a glimpse of his world and his families world, the part that Ray doesn't get to see initially. I always found him to be on the outside looking in. It seems to me that Travellers are on the outskirts of the population, keeping to themselves with their own rules. JJ is the bridge in the story between Ray, the untrusted stranger, and the inner workings of his family. You feel sorry for him in some ways, you recognize the hardships of being a teenager and you can see him becoming a man. 

 I found that the author has a wonderful writing style, descriptive yet not overbearing in detail and always ensured to give you a little piece of the next puzzle to keep you reading. I enjoy a book that leaves hints throughout the story that you may not have use for until the end. In the early part of the book the author has given separate chapters to both Ray and JJ so the story lines are kept apart. Personally I have always found this annoying and it makes it harder for me to read books that do this. But about 1/3 of the way into the book the stories merge and from then on it was smooth reading. This is easily a book you can pick up and read for a chapter (thankfully they are mostly short) and then put down. Since the story is not muddled in a lot of small details you can pick it up again later and it's just like you never stopped reading. I LOVE that. But my favorite part of the book was that I really had no idea that it was going to end that way! 

To compare: When you've been working on a 500 piece puzzle of a puppy and you have the background, you have the body of the puppy but you still can't see the face? Then you get to the last 50 pieces and then all of a sudden you've got a completed picture and you think to yourself "Well look at that!". That is how the story ends. As my Dad would say "Its got a proper ending."

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About Kathy: Kathy enjoys cooking, reading and spending time with her husband and dog. While she enjoys the internet, unless it's on Facebook, email or a few select websites, she can't really be bothered with it :)

Disclaimer: I received this book from Penguin Canada in order to provide the following review.  No monies were exchanged and all opinions are strictly my own Kathy's.

Not so yummy, mummy.

Have you started your holiday baking yet?

I haven't.

In fact, I've barely cooked anything in the past week (which is not a good idea for someone working within a tight budget).

I've been unmotivated.  

I've been uninspired.

I've been at a complete loss as to what to make!

Not that I don't have a collection of fabulous cookbooks to peruse.  I have great cookbooks and I follow great bloggers who cook yummy sounding foods all the time. But its hard to cook for my family.  My husband is, what some would call, very picky.  Bambino is even worse if that's possible!

Thank goodness for Bugaboo who will eat anything I put in front of him.  Except coleslaw.  Coleslaw made him cry. True story :)

Enjoying a cheese bun at the airport :)

I want to coupon, eat healthy and as organic as possible (or at least severely limit the processed goods), menu plan monthly and make meals that the entire family will eat.  And enjoy!  But I'm at a complete loss as to how to make this our usual routine rather than an occasional occurance. Sure, my husband could fend for himself but that doesn't ensure that Bambino gets what he needs.

Sigh.

Do you have fussy eaters in your family?  How do you eat on a budget but still make everything fresh?  And what do you possibly make to feed everyone?