What's the worst thing that can happen if you are contented with life?

As I was flipping through a Business Franchise magazine this morning, I realised that ..... even if you have money to invest, your Franchisor may not want you. They look for people who have a strong desire to succeed and to make more money for themselves and eventually the Franchisor.

All of a sudden, I realised that I no longer have the desire to make loads of money or to make enemies. I am way too contented with my life and having a roof over my head, food on the table and a healthy close-knit family is all I wanted in life. I have been searching almost all my adult life for that missing puzzle, what do I want in life? I've finally found it. 

The worst that could happen is no Franchisor or company looking for employee with a desire to succeed would want me.

Cheeky little devil.

If there's nothing interesting on television to watch, there is always Alex Green and his cheeky antics.

Two days ago, Jeremy gave Alex a bowl of grapes for snack. He finished his share and continued to watch his "Bob the Builder". I felt peckish and decided to get myself some grapes as well. I walked past Alex with my grapes and he followed me to the dining room. He look at me with the cheekiest smile I have ever seen. He look at the grapes and then took one and looked at me. 

Well, being a good mum as I am (ahem), I nodded indicating that he can have one. He sat on my lap, and as I was doing my work on the laptop, he took another and another until there was two left. I was about to reach for the grapes and realised that the bowl now contained two grapes and before I could say "Alex", he took both grapes, one on each hand. He put one in his mouth and gave a wicked laugh while holding the other one. I said "Can mummy have that please" he quickly put it in his mouth and laugh again. My God .... I have a very cheeky devil here and I just could not help but laugh. I guess I should teach him some manners here and laughing doesn't help but encourage him further.

Logically, I should not encourage him by laughing but he is rather funny. He is a child and all children should have fun. It's not an offensive behaviour and I guess I could leave it till he is a bit older. But then again, if an older child did the same thing, it would have been deemed rude and an unacceptable behaviour. I guess I have to start teaching him what is acceptable and what is not .... before it's too late.

So, why do society have different rules for different people?

I have my lovely son back!

Thanks to everyone who wrote to me after my last blog to encourage me to persevere. 

I had such a pleasant day with my boy yesterday, despite his dad being at work all day. Just mummy and son spending the first half of the day at home and then later at his grandparents' home.

The morning started wonderfully with Alex waking at 5am and said "bye bye" to daddy before he left for work. Alex came to my bed and stayed with me until 7am (I actually had a 2 hours 'laid in') ..... unheard of!

Had breakfast, he played with his train set, I ... on my laptop and then watch a bit of recorded Greys Anatomy. Sat down and played 'Number' flash card and learn to write the number '1'. Alex knows his numbers 1 - 9 but his concentration level is slightly better than the memory of a goldfish. After 2 minutes of counting, he started to go 'silly' by purposely giving me the wrong answer and laugh. Had to wrap up as when he is in such a 'silly' mood, it's no point carrying on.

We had lunch at home, then we left for his grandparents' place in Langley. Spent about three hours there, I decided to reward my son for being so good all day. We went to McDonalds for dinner (actually, mummy's being lazy and rewarding sound far much better).

On our way to McD, we passed the hospital that Jeremy was born in. Alex said "Ma ma .... dada born". I was surprised at what he said. We told him every time we pass the hospital that his daddy was born here. This is the first time he said it to me and use the word 'born'. Although it isn't very clear but I know what he was saying.

We had our "dinner" and got home around 5:45pm ...... way past his shower time (normally at 5pm). Alex was itching to have his shower. I said "wait, mummy need a rest first OK?". He ran upstairs and started to make noises in the bathroom .... oh oh .... I know that noise .... he's up to no good.

If there is one thing to get mummy and daddy to move their butt? Make noise, lots of them and see the running.

He was in the bath tub and smiled at me. He wanted a bath instead of a shower and asked for my private bubble bath stash. As usual, mummy give in and watch her son smiling and kicking water. Alex had such a great time in the bath and asked to go to bed at 6:30pm.

Well, I am so well rest now .... Alex woke up at 6am and let me lay in till 7:00am.

What Big Picture?

When you have been sleeping well for a certain period of time, being waken at wee hour of the morning for a whole 5 days and maybe counting ... you can't really blame me for contemplating to give up.

Now ... what am I talking about? Oh yes ..... Alex .... I AM NOT giving up on Alex but the supplement that supposedly able to help him develop his speech and improving his EQ (Emotional Intelligence Quotient). 

According to Sue, my sister .... this supplement had helped children/adult with various disorders such as Autism, Down Syndrome, ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder), Apraxia and many other condition related to the brain and nervous system.

Marcus, my nephew who was diagnosed with Apraxia has been taking this supplement for the past three years. Everyone has seen great improvement in him especially on the behavioral aspect. Trixie, my sister, his mum is now promoting this supplement to many of her friends.

According to Sue, a few of her clients who have Down Syndrome and Autism benefited greatly from this supplement. The Autistic child who can't talk and very withdrawn can now talk fluently, the child with Down's can now hold a pen and write properly.

Now ... that's the big picture but the down side of this is ...... there will be a period of adjustment. I do not know for how long but Alex will go through a period of difficult times. 

I started giving Alex 2 IQ/EQ tablets and 2 Haliborange Omega 3 capsules on Sunday, 14th September at 8:30am. He woke up at 6am his usual time. He was very cheeky and loving that day. Now that's a good thing. Went to bed at 6:30pm (about usual time).

Monday, 15th - woke up at 3:15am .... singing his lungs off, went to the toilet and used the watering can to wash my toilet bowl. I had to wake up and clean after him (which means, I was up and about from 3:30am) He ran away laughing and thinks it's funny. Very emotional all day .... a "No" would be the end of the world. Tears, tantrum, hyperactivity and a complete nightmare child compared to my usual loving, wonderful little Alex. I gave him the supplements at 8am. He went to bed at 7:30pm.

Tuesday, 16th - woke up at 4:30am ..... again singing his lungs off and went to his playroom and played for a bit. "Stimming" more than usual and stomping his feet on the floor. Very emotional again. Can't remember what he did but Jeremy gave him a light pat on the backside to tell him off, the world came to an end for Alex. He ran to me and threw himself at me. In the past, he would show no emotion when he was being told off or having a light slap on the backside. My God, what did I do to my child? I had to persevere! Went to bed at 7pm.

Wednesday, 17th - Woke up at 5am .... singing as usual and talking to himself in his usual funny language and making train sounds. Emotional, hyperactive, "stimming" and went to bed at 6:30pm.

Thursday, 18th - Woke up at 3am .... usual singing and talking. Played in the Garden all morning while his dad is weeding. Very cheeky and mischievous like a little imp. Went to school, came back, asked for a bath, kicked water in the tub and wet the whole bathroom, went to my bed and played for 30 minutes and fell asleep on my bed at 6pm. A better child but I am hoping that he will revert back to his normal sleeping pattern ... 6pm to 5am.

Friday, 19th (Today) - He woke me at 3:15am, singing out loud, came to me at 4am, asked to go to the toilet and then hijacked my bed. While he is still sleeping soundly on my bed, I am sitting here updating my blog.

It's as hard for him as it's for me. I don't know what it's doing to his brain but I am hoping this adjustment period will end NOW and I can have my lovely child back plus saying a few more words.

I will keep giving him the supplements and keep updating my blog on his progress and if this works for Alex, it may be an answer for many other Autistic individuals and their families.

No Venture No Gain ..... *sigh* .... I need my zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Firemen ....... something about men in uniform.

Alex and I had a fun day out (more like mummy had a fun day) yesterday. We went to Slough Fire Station to have our car washed. My friend, Gaynor's husband Steve works there and they have organised a Charity Car Wash with the proceeds to National Autistic Society.

"I drove 20 miles to have my car washed" I told Gaynor "and this better be good." She laughed and show me where to go. There were quite a few cars there going through a manual car wash system (he he he). When you drive thru ... the first thing is a FIREMAN with a small hose washing the car down and then drive to the next part ... more FIREMEN ... at least 6 of them shampooing the car and rub down the tyres. Next, another FIREMAN with a BIG HOSE washing off the soap and suds. Finally, get the car dried up by another FIREMAN. 

I am feeling hot just writing this (he he he) and it was quite an experience. Well, of course writing this is all a joke as no one is as good looking as my dearly beloved (gagging ... I know ... just in case he is reading this).

After the car wash, I asked Gaynor if Alex could have a ride on the fire engine and she shouted for Steve to take us for a tour. Alex went onto the truck and Steve let him wear his helmet. It was all fun but Alex was a bit scared of the height and kept calling for me. We left the fire station and went to see Grandpa and Grandma, 5 miles away in Langley.

Alex hummed Fireman Sam tune all morning since I told him that we were going to a fire station. When we drove past our local fire station, he asked "Ma ma?". I had to tell him that we are going to another one and he then sat quietly and enjoyed the journey. 

Alex has a very good understanding of everything and is very observant. Nothing passes him without him acknowledging them. Jeremy and his father, Peter are worried that Alex may not talk as they can't see how. His grandmother and me on the other hand, are not worried and know that he will eventually talk. Men have no patience.

I still haven't heard from Rainbow if Alex is moving to the morning class. If he does, he will be with Holly, Joseph and Callum (all his friends).

Things are once again back to normal.

Alex is settling in well at Rainbow. He comes back with a report from school everyday informing us of his activities for the day. He has been very vocal and learning to write numbers and letters. This week's number and letter are '1' and 'S'. 

My friends' children Lia and Tomas joined Rainbow on Monday. I haven't had a chance to speak to them yet but I think Rainbow will help them as much as it helped us.

Now that Alex is settling in well, I am itching to do something with my free time. Last week, I went to a Franchise Show in Reading and found one really interesting business. The set up cost is low but there is a monthly fee to pay irregardless if you make money or not.

I know I can make it if I am prepared to put time and effort into the business, but something has to give and I am not prepared to sacrifice the time with my family. My priorities have changed and I know my sisters will say that I am mad. Why on earth would I not want to make more money when I have the opportunity?

I have done the putting all my time in making money and I have also made some money during those days. Having money and no time for your love ones? Is it really worth it? 

Things happen for a reason and there will always be something else that may eventually be right for us. I know what my priorities are and just have find something that will work around them.

School's finally back .... YIPPEE!!!

Haven't been able to update my blog because of the school holidays. It's a total shock for me, Jeremy and Alex .... six weeks is way too long. All routines down the drain and my housework piled up to my neck.

Yesterday was the first day of school and the three hours that we have without Alex was mainly spent on ironing and clearing the garage. We could not get anything done with Alex around as he demand for our attention - constantly. I do not like the idea of putting him in front of the TV all day but sometimes, things need doing and it's not that easy.

Anyway, back to normal and I hope to be able to update my blog regularly.

The teachers told me that they may want to change Alex to the morning session and that is a very good idea. I could structure his day better with this new arrangement if they decide to go ahead. I miss taking Alex to Legoland and if he is back to the morning session, I could take him to Legoland after school.

Alex has been saying a lot of  "Air Con Duct" lately. A new word for him which he use quite often.

The stairs and escalators has been a problem for Alex lately. It all started two weeks ago, when he first refused to go on the escalator at IKEA. Then when he got home, he refused to go up the stairs. He cried - massive tantrum and insist that we carry him. It's putting a lot of strain on our back and we cannot keep carrying him when he want us to. 

It's not always a problem for him ... yesterday, he went up and down the stairs no problem but then this morning, his phobia came back. I don't know if he is trying it on us or he is really scared of the stairs but we have to ride this through.

Kids .... it's one thing after another.