I am the Boss!

Well, he is the Boss alright. And there is nothing we can do about it. In this case anyway.

For almost three days, Alex consumed around a cup of water at the most. The reason?

We changed his bottle. Alex could drink from a cup, using a straw on just about any drinks. There is only one thing he would drink his water from - is out of his favourite Tommee Tippee straw-like teat bottle.

We tried to wean him off from that and replaced an upgraded version of his bottle but he just can't take on to it.

We persevered for two and a half days and he only manage to consume about one cup at the most. Consequently, we have a dehydrated, cranky little Alex over the weekend, yesterday and this morning.

We had to give in or we would be very bad parents. This is one thing we cannot insist upon.

I think I know the reason. Alex like drinking his water laying down or leaning against something soft, relaxing. That is his way of winding down and quality moment. For us to take that away from him doesn't feel right.

We don't take his bottle out with us and he only used them at home. I guess the bottle could stay for now ..... Until he is ready to change.

What a great day!

I am sitting here updating my blog with a nice glass of Rose. It can't get any better than that!

Alex went to bed at about 6:45pm tonight. No tantrums, no fuss .... just so nice to have him back.

I guess the day started nicely for me as Jeremy let me stay in bed until 10am and served me my breakfast in bed. I can't stress enough, I am the luckiest woman.

Alex and I had some quality time before going to Rainbow. We danced to the music from the iPod, we shared cuddles and I just love him so much. He was so cheeky, making me laugh all day.

When he got home from Rainbow, he played with his toys, come to me occasionally asking for some attention and let me finish with my Christmas cards. 

He was a bit of a sod though, when it came to dinner time. I asked him if he wanted pasta for dinner and he said yes. I cooked and when I was about to feed him, he smell his food and then ran upstairs screaming as if he was served with a bowl of poo. It was his favourite, tuna pasta and he decided today it is no longer his favourite.

Jeremy gave him a bowl of cereal instead and he sat there eating them happily. We have decided not to push or force him to eat when he obviously doesn't want to. I know if I push him, he will have a mouthful and then spit them out onto the floor. I would have more to do.

When it came to bed time, we asked if he wanted to sleep and he said no. We stop at that and let him play with his toys. Later, he came to me, sitting on my lap and snuggle up to me. He yawned and was about to fall asleep when I asked him again if he wanted to go to bed. This time he said yes and we went upstairs.

As soon as I tucked him in, he signed in makaton for book. I read him his story and then said good night. He called for me and when I sat next to him, he gave me a great big hug and then said "nite nite".

I am so proud of him and I guess it has a lot to do with my well being too. If I am all stressed up, it would have been a different outcome.

If I force him to eat his pasta, I wouldn't be sitting here sipping my wine. 

Mummy the detective

After giving much thought about this change in Alex, I decided to use the iceberg method to determine what the possible cause that is turning my son into a brat.

Much thinking and remembering, I think I know what causes the problem.

The heating!

Alex has been waking up really early in the morning and then sneak into our bed, wriggling and fidgetting, digging his cold feet into me. Rather than having two uncomfortable people and not enough sleep, one of us usually gets up (we take turns).

We were so tired of this arrangement and thought that the cause of his early rising is due to the heating. True enough it was. He has been sleeping through and waking at an acceptable hour. The downside to this is that we have the heating on all night.

It's too hot for us and Alex is sleeping on top of the duvet. His bed is right next to the radiator and it's hot hot hot. I think he is feeling hot inside and hence the temper tantrums.

I have been having sore throat and Jeremy headache for the whole duration of the heating being on all night.

We have to find a solution for this problem. Finding the right temperature is quite difficult unless we install a very expensive climate control system in the house. It's trial and errors from now on.

I want my lovely Alex back!

I don't want to go to bed

What's new with Alex?

He doesn't want to go to bed. 

It's been almost a week since he decided to make our life a little more exciting by defying us, when asked to go to bed, he will cry inconsolably, throw himself at me or jump on the spot with frustration. It's getting very stressful for me to see him acting unAlex-like. 

He used to go to bed at 6:00pm. Happily and willingly go to bed as long as we read him a book. Those days are over and the new Alex emerges.

I told Mrs Dunn, his teacher at Rainbow on Tuesday about the changes in Alex. The temper tantrums and the throwing himself at me or the floor when he doesn't get what he wants. I asked her if there were any child in the nursery or Rainbow that does that, perhaps Alex saw that and copied the behavior. She said "No .... definitely not. We do not tolerate tantrums at Rainbow and none of the children does that".

She said it is actually a good thing as Alex has always been a passive child and to be able to think for himself is a positive sign. Easy for her to say .... and I told her that. She laughed. 

So, I guess I should trust her and see how long this behavior will last. 

Mirror Mirror on the Wall

I don't know where he learn this from but Alex loves looking into the mirror and make different expressions and the appropriate voice to go with it.

I am not joking but he has been practicing how to whine, whinge and even cry in front of the mirror.

He even did this right in front of me leaving me speechless ... LOL

I am not sure if he practiced throwing himself on the floor crying but he did this a while ago because I said I will give him his cheese in awhile. 

If this doesn't earn him an Oscar, I don't know what will!

Longest four minutes

How do you discipline a Cheeky Monkey?

The answer is extremely difficult!

It's Sunday and it's not a day of rest for me when Jeremy is at work. I have Alex all to myself and piles of laundry needed washing.

I was in and out, up and down all day. Alex wanted my attention but I have so much to do. I feel guilty leaving him watching tv all day.

So, every so often ..... I give him hugs and tickles.

Came mid day when I sat in the lounge folding the laundry. Alex sat next to me watching and giving me that mischievious smile. I knew what he was about to do, I gave him a warning and he walk away looking back checking if I was looking.

All of a sudden, he lifted one of the folded pile and drop them on the floor and laughed. I was so angry that I screamed at him and asked him why. He looked at me and he knew what was coming. I gave him a slap on the backside and told him that he is naughty. It is not an acceptable behaviour.

I sent him to a corner and asked him to sit there for four minutes. He sat there quietly and look at me. Meanwhile, I continued with my work and watching him at the same time. He looked at me and gave me the sweetest and cutest smile.

I had to put a stern and angry face on but I was dying inside trying to stop myself laughing.

It was the longest four minutes of my life!

He sat there until the four minutes was up. I asked him if he knows he had done something wrong and he said yes. He gave me a hug and then the biggest cuddle.

It's so hard to be angry with Alex.

Too good to be true

Since having Alex, we have never had a sleep in past 6:00am. Well unless one of us get up and let the other sleep.

Jeremy went to work early this morning, so I won't expect to get some peace after 6:00am.

Normally, it would be "ma ma baa" and then "ma ma ba ha" that's bath and breakfast.

So, when I was awakened by the sounds of click clack cluck and followed by the strumming of a guitar, I knew he was up to no good. I turned over and saw 7:45am on the clock and quickly jumped out of bed.

Ran to the room next door and guess what greet my presence?

Alex holding a bunch of colour pencil smiling. On the floor, pieces of play dough in a line all over the room and the guitar on the floor.

Jeremy's guitar has gone through a lot since Alex. Look, check and found nothing suspicious looking on the surface.

As I pick the guitar up, I heard something in the hollow. Shook it and then parts of mr, mrs and miss potato head started to fall out one by one.Balloons and pieces of tissues all been hiding in there as well.

So, this is how my son keep himself entertain while mummy is sleeping. Well, I'm glad it's nothing serious but I ache for Jeremy's guitar.

Well, bye bye sleep and hello clean the mess up now.

I was in time to catch him before he start being Picasso and put his masterpiece on my wall.

Too good to be true. There will alway be something.

The Green Project

Click on photo to view album

God bless the Tallamys

This one is for Andrea and her family.

I met Andrea through Rainbow and invited her to join us at Friends of EarlyBird. Alex used to be in the same class with her son Joseph.

We became good friends and have a few play dates for the children.

Andrea gave birth to her youngest son Benjamin on 12th November. Unfortunately, the baby died before birth.

God bless Andrea and her family.

Trying it on

Alex has been a difficult child lately.

Short tantrums, refusing food, rebellion ..... anything that can make my life a little harder.

Jeremy and I made a decision to always agree with each other when parenting Alex. If one says "no" the other will say the same. If we don't agree with one's decision, we will let that go once and then discuss in private. Never ever disagree in front of Alex as he will learn to manipulate us.

For a child with ASD, Alex certainly do not have learning difficulties. He knows how to gauge our moods, look at our expressions and hatch a plan to get what he wants. A cheeky little devil in the making.

So, when daddy said no, Alex will run to mummy. As soon as he hears me say the "N" word, he will throw a tantrum. He will continue for a moment and then look up and see if he is winning the battle.

Most of the time, we can distract him with something else. If that fail, Jeremy will put a stern voice on and say "We don't do tantrums in this house". Miraculously he stopped.

Daddy is always the fun guy and mummy is always the baddie. When daddy raise his voice, he knows he is in big trouble.

Alex has been a bad eater since last week. He will smell everything before he put in his mouth. What used to be his favourite is now history. He survives on cereals, porridge and muesli.

I am not sure if getting dark earlier has any effect on his appetite. I recall he was like this, same time last year. He will only eat porridge last year but has now added Muesli into his favourite list.

I guess it's not so bad as Muesli is good for health but will he get all the nutrition he required for growing? 

Alex has grown 3 cm taller over night. I only found out when his car seat needed adjustment. All his new trouser are now just right when it was a little too long last week. 

I seemed to be complaining all the time .... ha ha ha

In the Summer, I said Alex is a Gannet ... can't stop eating. And when he stops eating, I worry. 

Do you think children go into hibernation as well? Eat less in the winter to avoid indigestion?

Alex's first Sparkler

Jeremy lighting the fuse 

Alex didn't want to hold them. As soon as we give him one, he'll put them on the ground.

 I decided to stick them on the ground while he watch.

Well, at least he held one and not totally a waste of money. 

Having said that, if he enjoyed them, it doesn't really matter how he play with them. Just because traditionally, children held them up high .... doesn't mean that you can't play it any other way.

It was too dark to see Jeremy lighting the rocket. But it gives you an idea of what it was like. I was holding Alex back and try to film this at the same time. 

We enjoyed the fireworks very much. 

Memory of an Elephant

Alex never forgets. When you tell him something or should I say promise him something, he make sure you do it.

Yesterday was Bonfire Night and I told him the night before that I will get him some fireworks. The condition is .... He has to go to bed.

When he woke up, he asked for fireworks. Although he couldn't say the word, he made the sound of rockets and used the makaton sign for flower. I think he made up the sign but coincidentally similar to the makaton sign.

So, I went to Sainsburys to get them.

As soon as he walked in the house after the taxi dropped him, he asked for it again. We told him that we have to wait till it's dark outside. He waited patiently for an hour and when it was dark outside, he went searching for his Dad. Jeremy was in the toilet at the time, Alex went in and grabbed hold of his hand and said "Dada go go".

Alex then grabbed his coat and shoes and pushed his dad out the back door. What a persistent child!

We had fireworks and sparklers. Alex enjoyed them so much. It's great to see the smile on Our son's face.

The excitement was overwhelming for him. He refused to go to sleep after that. I had to bribe him by telling him that if he go to sleep, he can have the special yoghurt I bought him tomorrow. He went to sleep without complaining. Bless!

Guess what he asked for after breakfast this morning?

Alex the Train Engineer

Taken two days ago. 

Alex is getting very good with this. He had very little help from Daddy and he designed the whole thing. He likes using the curve and branched track to make his railway line.