Wampum, Weekend
My heroes at Wampum speak out on autism and thimerosal in vaccinations, wondering why most people (liberals too) just won't believe the government fucked up on this one.
My opinion on the subject changes daily. I am not sure if Leelo regressed, but I doubt that all those maercury-laden vaccines helped if he was already genetically predisposed to developmental delays. Looking at videos of Leelo from way back I see him do and hear him say things he no longer does, but I also see a slightly odd boy.
Leelo seems more remote than ever. Doesn't want to read books, play with me, play with toys, sing songs, draw on the magnadoodle, jump on the trampoline--nothing. He wants to go for walks with his daddy and go swimming with his daddy, and fidget with Leg0s and put them in his mouth. That is about it. So of course we need to change something in his program, and have started giving him epsom salts baths. If nothing else, they are supposed to be calming and might help him and his co-bathing older sister get the fuck to sleep within 45 minutes of being tossed into their respective beds.
Seymour ran into a woman at the pool today who has a 8-year-old recovered son. She told us that Leelo seemed pretty high functioning and that she thought his chances of doing well were excellent, though the next two years would be rocky. I still have my doubts due to Leelo's inability to grasp anything complex or non-concrete but it was still nice to hear.
Feel sorry for Iz, she had all sorts of science and chemistry experiments that she wanted to do this weekend but we were always lacking at least one critical tool or ingredient. Also the experiments book was published in England which often had us at odds as the British illustration label she would read to me did not match my mental image of the Yankee tool (their "jug" appears to be our measuring cup, etc.). And WTF is "laundry booster"? Here in the U.S. I believe it is usually borax or baking soda, but I'm not sure either will cause the crystallization effect she's going for.
Iz's school Esperanza starts in four days. They just figured out who the new principal will be last night (good news: the retired founding principal is returning). No families have received any information about anything except families of kindergarteners. Is the first day of school going to be a short day? Quien sabe. Did they hire enough 2nd grade teachers? Will Iz be in Violet's class?
V. amused today at the Esperanza ice cream social as Violet and Fifi tried to persuade their mom to let Iz come spend the night. Except their mom had been in Africa for a month, had just spent two and a half days traveling from the Z***ian bush, and in fact hadn't even been to her own home yet--her family picked her up at the airport and announced that they were going straight to the school.
Mali is cute as a button but stays up too late and is nursing a lot at night. Probably we should give her more solids but she's not always in the mood for them. Prefers to spend all her time trying to crawl, or rolling around. Alert, social baby. Starting to reach or raise one hand out to greet people, enjoys showing them her toys. Pores over everything. Nice to have a baby who is transfixed for a good while by a sock or a hairbrush.
There has been a lot more going on lately, very exciting news some of it, but Seymour and I are both completely burnt and I cannot marshal any more typing energy.
Though I did manage to finish the new HP6 in less than 48 hours. Who wants to discuss?
7.31.2005
7.30.2005
Domestic
First weekend day with no schedule for, I dunno, three months?
I spent most of the day hunkering in the office, tidying obsessively and in a manner which makes my zealous efforts transparent to the untrained eye (e.g., all the extra buttons are in their own wee box and I now have a lifetime supply of the tiny zip-loc bags formerly containing said buttons, which is good because I have a thing for them bags).
Iz is wearing a Leelo outfit, because he now wears bigger clothing than her even though he's a head shorter. She will be wearing many of his castoffs to school on Thursday when it starts anew (gack!).
Jo and Badger are at the BlogHer conference and even though I didn't want to go and would have been miserable had I gone, I am still feeling sulky about it. But it reads as though they are having fun and for that I am glad.
First weekend day with no schedule for, I dunno, three months?
I spent most of the day hunkering in the office, tidying obsessively and in a manner which makes my zealous efforts transparent to the untrained eye (e.g., all the extra buttons are in their own wee box and I now have a lifetime supply of the tiny zip-loc bags formerly containing said buttons, which is good because I have a thing for them bags).
Iz is wearing a Leelo outfit, because he now wears bigger clothing than her even though he's a head shorter. She will be wearing many of his castoffs to school on Thursday when it starts anew (gack!).
Jo and Badger are at the BlogHer conference and even though I didn't want to go and would have been miserable had I gone, I am still feeling sulky about it. But it reads as though they are having fun and for that I am glad.
7.29.2005
How to Make My Heart Sink, Shudder, Skip, or Stop
Last night: a person dear to me informed me that her three-year-old son has been diagnosed hyperactive/sensory integration dysfunction, has been in intensive therapy for the entire summer: OT, ST, social groups, etc., and that now they're exploring GFCF diet options. They had to pull him from his preschool due to his social/emotional behavior. My hope is that he is just a spazzy hypersensitive boy like so many of them are and that, when he hits seven or so, he'll even out. Fingers crossed for his worried parents in the meantime.
This morning: Jude, crushed and in tears at Iron Gate pickup because the school district swapped out her son's beloved aide. She was informed rather than consulted about the switch.
Right before lunch: A person who reads this blog called me on the phone, at home, after using information in this blog to figure out who I was and locate my home phone number. I was okay with it because of the kind, lovely person who happened to make the call, and the fact that we already had correspondence going on, but in the future I would request that any contact be made via email first. If you want my phone number, ask me. This blog uses pseudonyms for a reason.
During lunch: Ep told us about her car accident earlier that morning! She is freaking a bit, but luckily no one was hurt (tell that to her adrenal glands, though). Poor dear.
Right after lunch: Ep, JP, and I ran into the Malian waiters from the Malian restaurant where I had dinner last night, at the local Malian grocery. They snickered good naturedly as I purchased many of the same items I'd had for dinner just last night. I gave my leftovers to Seymour, you see, and so had nothing left with which to provide my afternoon fix. Turns out they now to PAL to NTSC duping to DVD as well as video cassette. Love this town.
On the way from lunch to picking up Iz: Supervisor M called to let me know that both she and Supervisor Andil have concerns about the aptitude and performance of one of Leelo's therapists. Fuckity fuck fuck fuck.
While picking up Iz:
1) Badger informed me that Iz was going around lighting things on fire with her magnifying glass. We live on a 3/4 acre tinderbox.
2) Rama, whose son K will be attending Esperanza with Iz next year, informed me that Maestra G, Iz's teacher from last year, is in fact an old-school educational sadist who got off on publicly humiliating the kids who didn't perform as well as her hand-selected darlings. She says that Iz must have been one of the darlings, and couldn't believe I didn't know about this woman's issues. I will have to do more investigating there. I knew Maestra G was strict, but every time I was in the classroom things seemed to go very smoothly and amiably.
Ah well, off to the pool. We are officially members of Satan's Pool (where Iz had her Super Duper Christian Tennis Lessons earlier this summer) for the next month. I won the membership at the Iron Gate auction earlier in the year. I won't give those people my money, but am more than happy to take advantage of their donation if it means Leelo and Iz get to play in their fabulous pools.
Last night: a person dear to me informed me that her three-year-old son has been diagnosed hyperactive/sensory integration dysfunction, has been in intensive therapy for the entire summer: OT, ST, social groups, etc., and that now they're exploring GFCF diet options. They had to pull him from his preschool due to his social/emotional behavior. My hope is that he is just a spazzy hypersensitive boy like so many of them are and that, when he hits seven or so, he'll even out. Fingers crossed for his worried parents in the meantime.
This morning: Jude, crushed and in tears at Iron Gate pickup because the school district swapped out her son's beloved aide. She was informed rather than consulted about the switch.
Right before lunch: A person who reads this blog called me on the phone, at home, after using information in this blog to figure out who I was and locate my home phone number. I was okay with it because of the kind, lovely person who happened to make the call, and the fact that we already had correspondence going on, but in the future I would request that any contact be made via email first. If you want my phone number, ask me. This blog uses pseudonyms for a reason.
During lunch: Ep told us about her car accident earlier that morning! She is freaking a bit, but luckily no one was hurt (tell that to her adrenal glands, though). Poor dear.
Right after lunch: Ep, JP, and I ran into the Malian waiters from the Malian restaurant where I had dinner last night, at the local Malian grocery. They snickered good naturedly as I purchased many of the same items I'd had for dinner just last night. I gave my leftovers to Seymour, you see, and so had nothing left with which to provide my afternoon fix. Turns out they now to PAL to NTSC duping to DVD as well as video cassette. Love this town.
On the way from lunch to picking up Iz: Supervisor M called to let me know that both she and Supervisor Andil have concerns about the aptitude and performance of one of Leelo's therapists. Fuckity fuck fuck fuck.
While picking up Iz:
1) Badger informed me that Iz was going around lighting things on fire with her magnifying glass. We live on a 3/4 acre tinderbox.
2) Rama, whose son K will be attending Esperanza with Iz next year, informed me that Maestra G, Iz's teacher from last year, is in fact an old-school educational sadist who got off on publicly humiliating the kids who didn't perform as well as her hand-selected darlings. She says that Iz must have been one of the darlings, and couldn't believe I didn't know about this woman's issues. I will have to do more investigating there. I knew Maestra G was strict, but every time I was in the classroom things seemed to go very smoothly and amiably.
Ah well, off to the pool. We are officially members of Satan's Pool (where Iz had her Super Duper Christian Tennis Lessons earlier this summer) for the next month. I won the membership at the Iron Gate auction earlier in the year. I won't give those people my money, but am more than happy to take advantage of their donation if it means Leelo and Iz get to play in their fabulous pools.
RFK Jr. Info
I've received many comments and emails about RFK Jr. and his championing of the potential vaccines/autism links/cause/coverup. Might as well reproduce the info here just in case it'll help someone with a decision:
The RFK Jr. fracas started with a joint investigation he did with Salon.com and Rolling Stone:
http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/story/_/id/7395411?pageid=rs.Politics&pageregion=single4
Even more information can be found at his own web site, including a 66 page research paper .pdf on the topic.
http://www.robertfkennedyjr.com/articles.html
RFK Jr. and his editors refused to publish any statements that were not backed up with hard evidence, but of course they're still getting bashed by the (other) press. A follow up article can be found in this month's Rolling Stone (the one with Owen Wilson and Vince Vaughn on the cover), though not yet on their online site.
I've received many comments and emails about RFK Jr. and his championing of the potential vaccines/autism links/cause/coverup. Might as well reproduce the info here just in case it'll help someone with a decision:
The RFK Jr. fracas started with a joint investigation he did with Salon.com and Rolling Stone:
http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/story/_/id/7395411?pageid=rs.Politics&pageregion=single4
Even more information can be found at his own web site, including a 66 page research paper .pdf on the topic.
http://www.robertfkennedyjr.com/articles.html
RFK Jr. and his editors refused to publish any statements that were not backed up with hard evidence, but of course they're still getting bashed by the (other) press. A follow up article can be found in this month's Rolling Stone (the one with Owen Wilson and Vince Vaughn on the cover), though not yet on their online site.
Normally I Am Against Hate Mail
But when some fucker of an adult pays one kid to injure another kid--especially when the victim is autistic or in any other way disabled--then I will be first in line with the vitriol volleys.
Fucking felon. He is lucky that I am unwilling to spend more than two minutes looking for his mailing address.
This is the kind of thing that makes me seriously consider keeping Leelo in a special class or school, once Iron Gate is all done at the end of next year. I remember how cruel kids can be--how evil I myself was--to mainstreamed kids at my public schools. Leelo doesn't need that shit. He can get his non-therapeutic socialization with his sisters' friends, in arranged playgroups, and at the park, etc.
I am already far too willing to swing a battle axe and cleave the skulls of anyone who gives my darling, sweet, clueless son grief for being who he is. Best to reduce the opportunities for vindictive slaughter.
But when some fucker of an adult pays one kid to injure another kid--especially when the victim is autistic or in any other way disabled--then I will be first in line with the vitriol volleys.
Fucking felon. He is lucky that I am unwilling to spend more than two minutes looking for his mailing address.
This is the kind of thing that makes me seriously consider keeping Leelo in a special class or school, once Iron Gate is all done at the end of next year. I remember how cruel kids can be--how evil I myself was--to mainstreamed kids at my public schools. Leelo doesn't need that shit. He can get his non-therapeutic socialization with his sisters' friends, in arranged playgroups, and at the park, etc.
I am already far too willing to swing a battle axe and cleave the skulls of anyone who gives my darling, sweet, clueless son grief for being who he is. Best to reduce the opportunities for vindictive slaughter.
7.28.2005
Vomit Score
Outfits Leelo has worn today: 3
Outfits I have worn: 2
Cheerios he has managed to keep down since 11:30: 3
Sips of water he has kept down: 2
Number of times he has asked me for toast: 100
We are so low on laundry that he is wearing a pair of Iz's bright yellowdaisy dukes tennis shorts. Thankfully, for the sake of his dignity, we are staying inside today.
Outfits Leelo has worn today: 3
Outfits I have worn: 2
Cheerios he has managed to keep down since 11:30: 3
Sips of water he has kept down: 2
Number of times he has asked me for toast: 100
We are so low on laundry that he is wearing a pair of Iz's bright yellow
Barforama
Leelo had been projectile vomiting since yesterday afternoon. No bad moms coffee for me this morning.
He seemed fine if somewhat mellow when I left him in Babysitter A's care last night so that Iz and Mali and I could go have a girls' dinner together. Mali used the opportunity to demonstrate that the sushi restaurant has a fantastic echo--she yelled with cheerful gusto almost the entire time.
When I returned, Leelo and the exterior of Seymour's car and the driveway (but thankfully not Seymour or the house) were covered in vomit. Babysitter A had run away as fast as she could, moments before I left. Apparently the barfing was preceded by a horrific meltdown over coveting a neighbor kid's bike--to the point where the neighbor said "just take the f***ing bike and bring it back tomorrow!" Babysitter A will get lots of coddling when next we meet.
We thought he was better and that it was just a one-time deal, but then he spewed his breakfast all over the counter.
On the upside a sick Leelo means five fewer trips/appointments for me today.
I think he has one of his standard 24 hour barf bugs. Hopefully it's not communicable.
Leelo had been projectile vomiting since yesterday afternoon. No bad moms coffee for me this morning.
He seemed fine if somewhat mellow when I left him in Babysitter A's care last night so that Iz and Mali and I could go have a girls' dinner together. Mali used the opportunity to demonstrate that the sushi restaurant has a fantastic echo--she yelled with cheerful gusto almost the entire time.
When I returned, Leelo and the exterior of Seymour's car and the driveway (but thankfully not Seymour or the house) were covered in vomit. Babysitter A had run away as fast as she could, moments before I left. Apparently the barfing was preceded by a horrific meltdown over coveting a neighbor kid's bike--to the point where the neighbor said "just take the f***ing bike and bring it back tomorrow!" Babysitter A will get lots of coddling when next we meet.
We thought he was better and that it was just a one-time deal, but then he spewed his breakfast all over the counter.
On the upside a sick Leelo means five fewer trips/appointments for me today.
I think he has one of his standard 24 hour barf bugs. Hopefully it's not communicable.
7.27.2005
Idées pour les Bébés
Godmother Stacy's baby shower is coming soon. I am hosting (well, a local Thai restaurant is hosting, I am sending out invitations). All the bad moms are invited.
She wants it to be more of a party than a shower, but I think we should torture her with at least one lame shower game. Ideas?
Godmother Stacy's baby shower is coming soon. I am hosting (well, a local Thai restaurant is hosting, I am sending out invitations). All the bad moms are invited.
She wants it to be more of a party than a shower, but I think we should torture her with at least one lame shower game. Ideas?
7.26.2005
Autism Rates Leveling Off?
Possibly. Possibly. Linked to phasing thimerosal out of vaccines? Possibly. Possibly.
Thanks as ever to the good folks at Wampum.
Possibly. Possibly. Linked to phasing thimerosal out of vaccines? Possibly. Possibly.
Thanks as ever to the good folks at Wampum.
7.25.2005
Feeling Better
A person cannot remain grouchy after Jo plies one and one's infant daughter with cheescake. Thanks also to Ep who helped Jo watch Iz after camp so I could go home and scowl privately.
Cheering: Seymour and Leelo just spent a good hour playing together purposefully. They made up a game where Leelo goes backwards up the stairs on his butt, declaring "UP!" at every step, "UP AT THE TOP!" on the top step, and then--giggling wildly--"DOWN DOWN DOWN" as he thump/slides on his butt the entire way down.
Seymour was so very good about spending one-on-one time with Leelo tonight. I think it really makes a difference for our boy, who has had it with all the attention paid to Mali.
For her part, Mali has reached that delightful stage of homing in on random tiny floor items and then putting them in her mouth. Things like cat hair tumbledrifts, pens, random dried gook from one's shoe. Who needs nutritional supplements, I ask you? She remains utterly charming.
Apologies to the person who got Iz her subscription to Nat'l Ge0graphic Kids magazine, but I am banning it from our home. The latest issue was 90% advertising tie-ins, and and 10% legitimate content. The ads included a sampler DVD of non-pre-approved kids' shows (yes, I am a media dictator) that Iz had playing before I discovered what was afoot. I love the parent publication; the juvenile branch has sold its soul. I will not support such shenanigans.
Off to Sacramento tomorrow for more Leelo research testing. On the way home, I will stop in Bezerkely and drop off the contract that will officially begin the architectural design phase of our new or reimagined home. Fingers crossed.
A person cannot remain grouchy after Jo plies one and one's infant daughter with cheescake. Thanks also to Ep who helped Jo watch Iz after camp so I could go home and scowl privately.
Cheering: Seymour and Leelo just spent a good hour playing together purposefully. They made up a game where Leelo goes backwards up the stairs on his butt, declaring "UP!" at every step, "UP AT THE TOP!" on the top step, and then--giggling wildly--"DOWN DOWN DOWN" as he thump/slides on his butt the entire way down.
Seymour was so very good about spending one-on-one time with Leelo tonight. I think it really makes a difference for our boy, who has had it with all the attention paid to Mali.
For her part, Mali has reached that delightful stage of homing in on random tiny floor items and then putting them in her mouth. Things like cat hair tumbledrifts, pens, random dried gook from one's shoe. Who needs nutritional supplements, I ask you? She remains utterly charming.
Apologies to the person who got Iz her subscription to Nat'l Ge0graphic Kids magazine, but I am banning it from our home. The latest issue was 90% advertising tie-ins, and and 10% legitimate content. The ads included a sampler DVD of non-pre-approved kids' shows (yes, I am a media dictator) that Iz had playing before I discovered what was afoot. I love the parent publication; the juvenile branch has sold its soul. I will not support such shenanigans.
Off to Sacramento tomorrow for more Leelo research testing. On the way home, I will stop in Bezerkely and drop off the contract that will officially begin the architectural design phase of our new or reimagined home. Fingers crossed.
Moon
But, on the other hand, how fucking cool is this!
(Sent by my grad school advisor the cartography king.)
But, on the other hand, how fucking cool is this!
(Sent by my grad school advisor the cartography king.)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)