Rediscovering Me

I went to my 4th stress relief class yesterday (It's a study my husband and I are participating in that's looking at ways to reduce stress in parents to special needs kids). One of the things the teacher said was "We are more than our special needs kids." And I thought why in the world have I not heard or thought of this sooner. Everything I do is for my son. I feel like I have to live around him. I have to avoid things that set him off, I have to work really hard with him everyday to try to teach things other kids can do the 1st time they try, I have to explain things to others that don't understand about him, I have to go to lots of school meetings etc. That's all I have known the past couple of years. The world of autism has literally taken over my life. So, now I am on a mission to rediscover who I am. I'm more than a mom to a special needs little boy. I'm just not sure what more means yet. And I'm really not sure how to find out. But, I have to figure it out in order to be a more level headed, sane mother.

Yay Brandon!!!!!

My 3 year old son ,Brandon, used a fork for the 1st time today all by himself!!! Now, you are probably thinking that doesn't sound too special because your child could do that at a year old. But, Brandon has autism. Everything is a challenge for him to learn. It took countless hours of occupational therapy and lots and lots and lots of practice at home. Not to mention the melt downs, tears, and frustration. I'm so proud of my little man!!

Summer's Almost Over

Summer break is almost over already?! Brandon starts back to preschool next week! Just what will I do with me and my baby girl by ourselves 2 days a week? Brandon is starting a brand new school this year and I think I am more nervous than he is. I have not met his teacher yet, but hopefully I will soon. I'm waiting on a phone call to set everything up for him at his new school. I'm hoping I can arrange a time when we can take Brandon to go look around the school, see his classroom, and meet his teacher before the 1st day. We've got his new clothes bought and his back pack from last year ready to go. I tried to get him excited about school by letting him buy a new back pack. He was having a blast until I told him it was for school. Then he suddenly hated them all. So, we are sticking with the old one. I'm expecting a rocky start...but it can only improve from there. =)

Best sentence ever....

I was playing with my 2 year old today with his barn and farm animals. He loves animals and we've been working on animal sounds a lot. His favorite seems to be the cow and the sheep. Usually I'll tell him "sheep says Bahh" or something like that to try to teach him. Then I'll ask him "can you say bahh?" And that's usually followed by him saying "bahh." Same conversation over and over...just with different animals. So today I saw him with his cow and asked him "What's a cow say?" He looked at me with his big, blue eyes and goes "Cow say mooo!" just as plain as ever! =D I've never been more excited to hear about a cow in my entire life. I think he knows he did something good by the next 5 minutes of me going "Good boy!! Cow says moo!" Lol! I'm hoping that this will be his breakthrough and he'll now see that conversations are more than just copying someone when they ask you to. Everyone keeps telling me that once he starts talking I won't be able to get him to shut up. But, what they can't seem to comprehend is how badly I want a little chatterbox. I want my son to be able to tell me all the wonderful things that go on in his mind. I want him to talk my ear off about anything his heart desires. I want to hear about who has cooties in his class and his favorite part of the day. I want to hear anything he wants to tell me. Because now I am all to aware than being verbal is not something to take for granted. It's a huge privilege to be able to have your child talk to you. So, don't ever make your child feel bad about talking because if that were to ever go away you would miss it much more than you can ever imagine.

Introducing Motherhood and Beyond!

My name is Krystal Ingalls. I am happily married to my best friend and partner in crime (Kidding!) R. Alan Ingalls. We have a wonderful 2 year old son named Brandon. He is definitely a unique, fun loving little boy. He has PDD-NOS...which is on the autism spectrum. It makes his life a little more challenging than most, but luckily for him, he was born into a family who is ready and willing to help him succeed in anything he wishes to do. His life is full of people who love him and want him to succeed. His family goes beyond the typical extended family. He also has his team of therapists and teachers that we pretty much consider family as well. I'm so glad we got lucky enough to get a great team together to help him along the way! He has come a long way since he started seeing his therapists and I couldn't be prouder.

Brandon is going to be a big brother in about 8 weeks! Little Alexis Ann is due on April 1st. He loves being mommy's little helper, so I don't think he is going to get too jealous of her as long as we keep him involved.

I am hoping that by making this blog I will be able to update family and friends about things that are happening in my life. Please check back often to see the latest on the Ingalls Family! =) Have a great day!