Pops always thinks of me.  I work, take care of DJ, take care of him, clean the house, do the laundry, cook, buy groceries and run various and all errands, not to forget I'm in school full time.  Pops' heart today decided I really don't have enough stress in my life.  Dropped him off (yes I took off work to take him to his appointment) to have a stress test.  Of course there are abnormalities.  They admitted him in the hospital.  Wasn't once this year enough?  *sigh

I'm really hoping he's in and out this time.  He's having a catheterization tomorrow.  From there they will decide whether or not they are going to do a balloon or if they need to do heart surgery.  I'm really hoping they DON'T do the surgery.  They last time he had bypass surgery (a quadruple, circa 1999) he caught an infection on the operating table that wasn't identified for about 6 weeks.  That's where all of his problems started.  This will be the 5th time he has to be hospitalized in 5 years.  We only missed out one year of hospitilzation (oh darn). 

DJ was my comic relief for the day.  We went to the hospital while Pops was waiting for his room.

DJ:  Pops, is that your naked butt I see?

And the roller coaster begins.  I won't disappear this time.

Have you heard about Blogathon 2005 yet?  A bunch of bloggers stay up for 24 hours straight and post every 1/2 hour to their blog to raise money for charity.  Nope, I'm not doing it.  I KNOW I can't stay up 24 hours straight nor will I be able to post every 1/2 hour.  BUT there are people who can!  I am sponsoring two blogs who 1) I read daily and 2) whose charities affect/have affected me personally. 

So, if you want to be a part of this event head over to Mouthy Mom who is blogging for the MISS Foundation.  The MISS Foundation is a non profit organization providing support to families who have lost a child through different initiatives.  As most of you know, I lost my first son, Warren, to SIDS in 1996 when he was a month old. 

I'm also sponsoring Moi over at Bloggg who is raising money for the Autism Society of America.  Now I'm certain you all know why this organization is important to me.  If you don't you must have been under a rock or something.  My son, DJ, was dx'd with Aspergers (an Autism Spectrum Disorder) over a year ago (OMG, has it been a year already????) 

So, please, take the time and support these wonderful ladies! 

A New Chapter
posted 08/07/2005 @ 9:10pm

What A Tangled Web We Weave...
posted 08/07/2005 @ 01:42am

Not So Fast
posted 08/05/2005 @ 11:51pm

Oooopsie
posted 08/04/2005 @ 11:59pm

Looking Good
posted 08/04/2005 @ 09:06pm

Just Hold A Bed For Me
posted 08/03/2005 @ 10:50pm

Blogathon 2005
posted 08/03/2005 @ 01:06pm

It's so good to be home!  I loved our time away, but now I'm broke:) 

DJ had SO much fun on the beach.  We were there every day first thing in the morning until mid afternoon. 

DJ loved the boardwalk and all of the amusements.  He definitely didn't get my genes.  I'm the biggest chicken when it comes to rides!  He wanted to go on everything (minus the "baby" rides).  I put my foot down on the upside down rides.  Luckily he had GF and GD with him to go on all these rides.  I just stood with my feet planted firmly on the ground snapping pictures. 

I did go on a few rides with GB.  Ok, only one.  The train.  But at least I went on something!                                         

                         

                                        

Tomorrow is the day!  We are headed down the shore.  For those of you non-Philly people this translates to vacationing in New Jersey.  DJ is very excited as you can imagine.  Of course, I'm last minute with everything.  I have all my packing to do today and I need to go out and buy a cooler...and more food.  I refuse to pay boardwalk prices every night.  I just don't have it like that!

We are going down with DJ's best friend (GF - goofy friend), his dad (GD - goofy dad), his brother (GB - goofy brother) and a friend of the family (GFF - goofy family friend).  It should be an interesting experience.  We've spent loads of time with them over the course of the year, but never a whole week together.  Here's the scoop.  GF has Asperger's and IS JUST LIKE DJ (yes, there is another one out there exactly like him).  GD probably has Asperger's.  Trust me, you can tell.  Though he is undx'd.  I believe GB has PDD-NOS but I'm not certain of that dx.  I do know he's lower on the spectrum than DJ and GF.  And GFF and I?  Well, let's just say we are not on the spectrum.   

I expect lots of fun times, loads of wacky explanations, and echolalia running rampant.  DJ and GF get together and start doing the whole movie/tv thing.  Once they start...

I still get a little thrown off when I see my page:)  Over the next few weeks, you might see some new things here or there.  Or might not even notice at all!  But I'm sure you've noticed the new design and hopefully it's reader friendly!

DJ's about ready to lose his other front tooth.  Now he's going to have that cute little gap when he smiles!  I can't wait.  His tooth is hanging by a thread again.  He likes to lose his teeth while we're on vacation.  Since we're leaving for Ocean City, NJ on Monday...I'm sure he'll lose his tooth as we're crossing the bridge or somewhere else where I can't pull over!

Tonight we're headed out to dinner with the family I don't talk to.  My cousin is up from Texas and we're taking her out to dinner.  DJ just can't wait to get a salad.  He's so goofy sometimes!

Yes, these words came out of DJ's mouth.  Who would have thunk it?  Today was THE dentist appointment.  I've been preparing DJ all week for this moment.  I had him so excited to go see the dentist, he was up at 5am.  He didn't cry one time.  Nor did he get upset.  The staff there was SO wonderful, so patient. 

The sedative actually worked a bit this time, but he was awake the whole time during the cleanings.  He let them take xrays - no problems.  They did have to assure him about 100 times that they were NOT pulling any teeth though.  This time he believed them. 

Unfortunately his baby teeth SUCK.  He has tons and tons of cavities.  The dentist explained to me that this sometimes happens and when their adult teeth come in, they are perfectly fine.  She sealed his molars today to be on the safe side since he was extremely cooperative and didn't move around much. 

She had a wonderful technique with him.  DJ's a big cuddler.  So he cuddled against her shoulder while she did everything.  She explained to him the importance of jobs.  How she had a job to do and how she did it.  Then she told him HE had a job to do as well.  He had to hold on to a stuffed animal laying on his stomach while she did her job.  He was so proud he had a job to do as well.  She said after the next couple cleanings, she'll see if he's ok with letting the hygenist do it. 

She does want him to get a few teeth pulled (as you all know we've been waiting another year for this).  She doesn't want to do it in the office though.  She wants to send him to an oral surgeon where he'll be put to sleep while they do the pulling.  She's also going to write a letter to my medical insurance company telling them she refuses to do it in office because of the autism.  Then hopefully they'll cover it. 

As I've said before, I didn't care how much money I paid out of pocket.  I do have dental insurance but their office isn't on the list.  I still had to clear my head a little bit after I forked over $500 for dental work.  The most expensive was the sealant put on his teeth to prevent cavities.  They were $50 a tooth times 4.  Then the sedation was almost $200.  A very expensive, but happy, day!  DJ even got a huge stuffed whale for being so good and doing everything the dentist asked him to do.  I was so proud of my guy!!!!

After Dawn rubbed my nose in the fact told me that her Walmart was open 24 hours a day, I found out mine just started that!  Instead of going back to Barnes & Noble to get my book, I decided to try out Walmart.  Huge difference.  There was only about 40 people there right before 12.  I had the book within 5 minutes.  Unfortunately it took me about 25 minutes to check it out.I mean, who told people that tonight they could actually SHOP at Walmart.  What were they thinking!  But I did get to pick it up for only $15 and some change.

DJ had fun at Barnes & Noble though.  He has a new pair of spectacles and a wand making kit.  We're going to have loads of fun tomorrow.  The fun ended for him a little after 11. 

I need to go to bed now so I can get up early and start HP & HBP.  IwillnotreadthisbooktonightIwillnotreadthisbooktonightIwillnotreadthisbooktonight

DJ and I are headed to Barnes & Noble for a Harry Potter party.  Of course we can't forget the purchase of Harry Potter & the Half Blood Prince at 12:00am as well. 

Ok, someone really needs to smack this bitch around a little bit.  Things like this really piss me off and put me in a bad mood.  The courts really need to make an example out of these people and throw the book at them. 

I have decided to start a list for all the mommies birth mothers who lack common sense.  Please use it as a checklist daily. 

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Do not place children or adults in the trunk of a car while the car is in motion or in park.  You are the parent.  You are supposed to have more common sense than the children.

If you do not have room for children in your car, RENT or BUY a bigger automobile.  There are these things called minivans...

Do not leave children in the car with the windows rolled up on a hot day.

Do not leave children in the car with the windows rolled down on a cold day.

Just to be safe, don't leave children in the car at all.

The trunk of your car is not a form of punishment.  Have you ever heard of a time-out?

Neither is the roof.