Take a Hike!

The Andes boys decided to, as Itai says, "Go to the top of the world!"  The top of the world being a small hike on a very small mountain.

Even though it was warmer than I expected I knew I couldn't disappoint Itai.  So off we went.

Avi and Itai had very different methods of hiking.  Avi instantly was off and going.  I had to hold his hand to slow him down.  Itai took a much slower approach.  Each step was an adventure for him.  He wanted to see each rock, bug and lichen covered stone we passed.  I had to hold his hand to make sure he kept up.

Avi was frustrated by my impeding his attempt at setting the world record (here he almost bumps heads with Itai to express his frustration).

Meanwhile, Itai was frustrated by my blatant disregard for scientific exploration.  Sigh.  Sometimes you just can't win.  (See that look he gives Avi?)

We didn't make it to the goal.  There is a reservoir at the end of the trail and I knew they would have loved to play in, but they just couldn't stand to take another step.

Oh well, we had fun while we were out and we can always try again later, maybe a littler earlier next time.

The scenery was beautiful and that company was enjoyable, though ever so slightly grumpy!

July is Almost Over!!

I've been looking forward to the end of July since, well, the beginning of it.  It has been a very long summer full of classes and homework.  Even though this summer has been a bit too much of this: (I don't even know where to start describing this picture!)

there has also been some time for fun!  Here are some of our July adventures.

 Avi finished his school year.  Think he's happy?

 Itai is looking forward to his birthday but in the mean time he's pretty good at being happy.

 Our pool keeps us pretty busy and keeps the boys fairly happy!

For Pioneer Day we went to Park City for a bit of free time and family fun.  We climbed a little mountain.

                                    

 Itai yelled, "We are on top of the world!"

 Avi loved running the trail.

We had a great time, even when the storm came in suddenly and our windows were rolled down.

Well, that's it for now so enjoy a little kiss and we'll see you later!

A Super Star to Me!

The Kick-Off event for the Walk Now for Autism Speaks was earlier this week.  The theme was Autism's Super Stars and several people with autism were to be recognized for their achievements.  I was asked to read something about Avi's recent potty training success.  Unfortunately, at the last minute they told me that they didn't get it to the printer in time; I would not be bragging about Avi at the event.

So, I decided that I would still brag about him even if the forum is different and the audience is much, much smaller.  Here's what I would have read:

There's nothing like a discussion on potty training to tie a man's tongue.  The balance between discussing the topic delicately but without using "unmanly" words is difficult.  Normally, words like poopy or doodie simply will not do.  But for the sake of celebrating Avi's successes I will lay aside my use of strictly manly words. 

Teaching Avi to pee in the potty was probably not much more difficult than the average potty training, though perhaps a little later.  He quickly learned that when asked, that's what he should and where he should go.  Unfortunately he learned to wait until reminded to go. Any lapse in our memory resulted in his waiting too long and having an accident. And that's where it sat for nearly three years.  Suddenly a few months ago he had an epiphany: he could open the door whenever he needed and just go.  Yes!! No more keeping an internal log of his potty breaks, no more worries about being out and about.  It meant relief for both of us.

BM's are another matter all together. I will do what I can to sanitize this portion.  Avi was horribly irregular.  His BMs were completely unpredictable and caused him a great deal of anxiety.  Finally, a few months ago, we followed advice to make his BMs very predictable by loading the poor kid up with fiber. Though it increased our anxiety but it seriously lowered his.  This method proved successful.  After a few attempts his toilet anxiety disappeared!! He is now very regular on his own and though we do have to remind him I feel confident that like peeing he will learn to take care of this need on his own.

In the early days of our work on potty training with him we noticed only slow progress, if we noticed any at all.  But progress was made.  So it is with many challenges.  In any struggle, the victory is won in the moments that when the victory seems furthest away.

Avi has finally won this victory and will always be a super star to me!

There Once Was a Blog

The last two semesters have been pretty difficult.  I've been pretty busy and our best working computer got water poured all over it suddenly didn't work anymore.  I haven't blogged in a very long time and the way the summer is shaping up, I might not get many chances in the near future to blog.  So, I thought I'd take the chance to jot down a quick sketch of the last little while.

Avi is doing pretty well lately.  He is speaking more and he's starting to use his augmentative and alternative communication devices more and more.  He has finally completely mastered the toilet.  He's initiating his use and I can't begin to tell you how proud (and HAPPY) that makes me.  His speech therapist has been training an intern, Chris, the last few months and Chris had his last session with Avi this week.  When Chris left he said he can see how Avi has made huge improvements in just the time they have worked together.  I love hearing things like that, but I really love seeing it myself.

I think the biggest change to report is that Avi is really happy.  He is so happy.  He's always been really happy, but he seems more connected to us and that seems to make him even happier.  He is laughing and giggling all the time and really exploring his environment, his family and his ability to express himself.

Itai is growing and changing all the time.  He is our inquisitor.  He never stops asking questions.  "Why is the sky blue?  Why is her name Jessica?  Who is that?  Why does the sidewalk sometimes hurt us?" and on and on.  When he isn't asking questions he's telling us elaborate stories or explaining something.  Debbie's mom reports that he is a mini Debbie, because Debbie never stopped talking at that age.  Recently we were driving in the car and he starting saying something I couldn't understand.  I asked him what he was saying and he said, "Nothing, I was just trying to help Avi say something."  I loved hearing that.  He is as sweet as they come.

He is completely obsessed with superheroes right now.  He loves Batman and Ironman (even though I tried to convince him they aren't really superheroes), Captain America, Superman, Spiderman and pretty much anyone else with a cape.  He is always saying, "I am Optimus Prime!  Autobots...ROLL OUT!"  I told him that I was Abbatron and he was Itaimus Prime, but he didn't seem to like this change.  Buzz Lightyear has recently made a big comeback and in Itai's mind is a superhero.

Debbie is busy as usual only now with her new job.  She is really enjoying it and they have given Debbie very positive feedback about her performance.  She is also very happy to have the chance to be home a little bit more lately.  She loves getting to be mommy.  Debbie is also really looking forward to some vacation time.

Finally, we finally got some family photos done.  These are actually the first family pictures we have ever done!  Enjoy!

Good Question

This weekend I was carrying Itai and he gave me a great big squeeze. Then he put his head on mine and said, "Are you going to be my Abba forever?"

I said, "Yes, I am."

He asked, "And ever?"

I said, "Yes."

"And ever?"

"Yes."

And on and on. I loved that question, but what's more, I loved being able to answer yes! Avi and Itai are such wonderful children and I am grateful to be their abba here and for ever.

I am so grateful to have married Debbie in the temple and to know that my marriage can be eternal.

Trisdesimt?! That Means 30!

This week is supposed to be a kind of big week for me. I'm told that turning 30 can be pretty difficult. So far so good, but I still have 364 days of being 30 to go. Maybe it's because I lost my hair a long time ago and never had any looks to lose, but I think I'm doing ok with it. I'll keep you posted on any sudden changes.

But, because 30 does mean something (I'm not really sure what yet) I thought I should write something for the occasion.

First, I willing to admit that I'm not a finished product. I am not yet the person I hope to be and I have not accomplished everything I hope to accomplish. Maybe that's why I'm ok with turning 30: I don't feel like I've reached my peak yet. Yes, my knees are bad and if my high school me could see what has become of my stomach I'd probably punch myself, but because the last 30 years have been so good to me, I believe the future is bright.

I owe a debt of gratitude to my wonderful parents and siblings who kept me alive and heading in the right direction. Not to mention humble, well slightly more humble than I would have been.

I owe another debt to my wife and children. Debbie has been patient and kind when I haven't deserved it and...shall we say "motivating" when I needed it. Avi and Itai are the children I needed and I seriously don't know how I ever got by without them!

To all my family and friends: thank you for thirty years of memories!

Ramblings

Avi had his birthday this week. He has had a really great week. When I left for work last night he said, "See ya tomorrow." He's been so expressive and playful lately. I love seeing all of the

changes he's made over the last few years. It hasn't been easy and an outsider may not recognize all of them, but I love his little victories.

We went ice skating with my sister Valerie and her children yesterday and I loved watching the smiles on the faces of my beautiful children. They were so happy and both worked so hard to try to skate on their own. As I watched them I was again taken by a feeling I've had a lot lately. Time is really, really precious.

I wish I could get paid in time. More time with Avi just as he is now. More time with Itai asking, "Why?" More time cuddled up in bottom bunks and story time nervously perched on the top bunk. I wish I could have more time with a little boy who tells me, "You're so funny," "you're super strong," and my favorite, "Abba, you're my friend." I wish I had more time with a little boy who surprises me in the middle of the night with cuddles and hugs, who smiles at me when I walk into his classroom and who constantly surprises me.

I wish I had more time to relieve stress for my sweet wife. I wish I had more time to plan, scheme, joke, laugh, and sit on the couch doing nothing with her. I wish I could give her the surprises she deserves.

Money is great, but I wish I could get more time.

Even as I wish I could capture these moments in a bottle forever, I realize that if time didn't pass I would never have known the moments that I love today. Today's moments come from all the moments, good and bad, that preceded it. I can't wait to see what moments come next.