Mommy will you marry me?

Most mommies with son's will tell you that at some point their little boys fall in love with them. Sammy is so sweet he has always shown me nothing but love. Liam is hot and cold. Some days he looks at me with those I love you eyes and other days if looks could kill I wouldn't be here. So to my surprise he came and laid next to me and said "mommy will you marry me"? My heart melted. I felt obligated to remind him I already have a husband. Well, that infuriated him. He was very upset and only calmed down when I said I would think about it. The next morning he as usual was the first one up which, on the positive side gives he and I some time just the two of us. And, first thing he said was "are you going to marry me"? I had to think quick to not deal with a meltdown before I had my coffee, so I said "well I have a few questions for you. I need to know how much money you make, what kind of ring can you buy me, and what am I suppose to do with the husband I already have"? He took no time to find answers to all of the above. He said " I make 5 pounds a year, I will buy a shiny ring from Sammy, and I'll just throw daddy outside".  I don't know who should be more worried me or Josh.

Sammy ism's

Anyone who has been around an autistic person can relate to how blunt they can be. Like Sammy, he is in no way intending to be rude he is just saying what he thinks. So here are a few things he has said recently. Every morning paw paw Dennis comes over to have coffee with us and Liam usually loves to open the door for him. Earlier this week Liam wasn't in the mood so I asked Sammy if he would like to open the door and his reply was " I would like to know why can't paw paw open the door himself".
I made sausage spaghetti and Sammy said "mommy this is delicious but my meatballs are flat".
On the subject of being an older brother he said " Liam ruined things for me. I use to be the only one and now I have to share everything with him".
At the meeting " I love Jehovah but these meetings are no fun".
On praying " I already tell Jehovah all my secrets why do I have to tell you what we talk about".
And lastly, his reply to being asked to turn the light on " I don't want to be the one who turns the light on because then you will ask me to turn it off and I don't want to".
For every bluntly honest thing he says he is also the sweetest nicest person I have ever met.

I'm On the Privy Counsel.

I watched a movie where the king wanted to take a wife but she was promised to another. So the king assigned the other guy to be part of his privy counsel and he wouldn't be around the girl so the king could have her. I remember Josh laughing and then explaining to me that the king had a privy counsel so that when he went to the potty he had people clean him. He was much to noble of a man to have to do that for himself. I quickly realized I am on a privy counsel. Instead of a classy name like that I get "mommy I'm done" being yelled out. I remember 2 1/2 years ago when Sammy first got trained those words sounded heavenly. I would eagerly run to take care of that rather than the horrific diaper duty I had been on for  three years prior. But, now its getting old. I made a huge mistake earlier this year when I was trying to teach Sammy what to do when he was done. I was stressing how important it is to wash your hands after and that way he would get all the germs off. Well, he took that so literal that he now is obsessed with not having germs on him and is terrified that if he wipes himself he will be infested with germs. So it looks like I've got privy duty for a while longer. Liam still refuses to potty train and when he finally does I'm sure he will find an excuse not to wipe either. I'm pretty sure he has it out for me. In the movie the king sent the boy to the front lines and he was never mentioned again. As for me I'll continue to respond to the call of duty and I've lost hope of being promoted unless Josh gets into an accident and needs around the clock care.

You Didn't Pay for The Apple Juice!!

Wednesday evening after a full afternoon with 5 kids I needed to go to the store. Liam with his wonderful separation anxiety was hysterical at the thought of me going without him. Once Sammy found out Liam was going he wanted to come too. Somehow Josh got left out of the mix to his despair I'm sure. So off the boys and I went again. I only needed to get a few things and I always try to give each one of the boys a job to help me so that our shopping experience can be enjoyed by all. Liam's job was to pick out the apple juice and when we got to check out he would put it on the counter. Job well done, so I thought. I decided to go to the self check out since I only had a few things. After scanning the apple juice Liam asked if instead of bagging it he could hold it, no problem. But, it turned out to be a problem. He started screaming that I didn't pay for the apple juice and continued to do so until we reached the car. Of course we got several looks and I had my receipt out just in case. Lesson learned. Next time dear old daddy can deal with the separation anxiety while I sneak out the back door. Chances are I will return to everyone being fine and I'll be carrying a cup from Starbucks.

49.99 plus 0

We had the pleasure of having Connor, Landon, and Jasmine over Wednesday afternoon. One of the many games they played together was store. Connor wanted to buy Jasmine and Sammy being the diligent cashier had to scan her first. So after scanning her bottom he informed Connor he owed 49.99 plus 0 for Jasmine. I thought Connor got a real bargain.

8 Isn't Always Enough.

Sunday's are usual hectic. We have the meeting at 2:30 which is Liam's nap time and Sammy's lunch or second lunch time. So I try to make sure they have a hearty breakfast and a good snack before we leave. I made 8 eggs intending for it to feed Sammy, Liam, and myself. Well, it ended up only feeding Sammy. For most people that would be enough to get them through the day but not our Sammy. When it was time to leave for the meeting he claimed to be starving. So we went through Wendy's and got him 2 jr cheeseburgers, a fry, and a root beer. Thankfully he has a great metabolism to burn off what he eats. I can't imagine when he is a teenager. The fact that he is only 5 and is already over 4 ft tall and about 55 lbs doesn't make me hopeful the next teen years will be any easier on the grocery bill. And to top if off he keeps telling me he never wants to leave home. I can picture it now, a 6 ft 225 lb man squeezing himself into the dining room table saying "Sammy hungry".

Why isn't the Dimeatap working?

For 3 weeks now our family has been fighting a cold virus. Typically when kids are sick they are low key and lay around. Of course that is not how it works out for this group. I can only remember 2 times that Sammy has been low key because of sickness and both times he had over 103 temp. Otherwise, fever makes him super hyper. After researching Autism I found out this can be common. That doesn't make it any easier though. As for Liam, he rarely calms down period. So, at a time when they are both sick things can get pretty chaotic.
Since I can still get Liam to nap in the afternoon and Sammy still had a cough I was excited at the prospect of giving him Dimeatap and us all getting a nap today. But, the medicine didn't have that effect on Sammy. Instead he tossed and turned until he just got up and then kept coming back into the room for minor things. Eventually he woke up Liam and my chance of sleep passed right by me again.
I remember sleep vaguely. The memories I do have are fond ones. I don't see great sleep in my future since I have an autistic son who has to have a fatal fever before he goes down and an ADHD son who wakes up at the break of dawn and can be awaken to leaf falling. And I don't want to leave out Josh who sleep through it all or at least is good at acting like he does. Fortunately I get them all three to myself.

Since Samuel was diagnosed with Autism it was recommended that Liam also be tested. Anyone who has been around him is aware that his behavior is anything but typical. So off we went to see our psychologist. I'm pretty sure we've paid for her holiday this year.
 The plan was she would take Liam back and do a one on one interview with him. I had my doubts that he would cooperate but, I stayed optimistic. So Sammy and I walked him to her office and the door was shut behind him. I took Sammy to the restroom and when I re entered the waiting area I could hear the screams coming from her office. At that point I wasn't sure if it was the Dr or Liam. So I sat down while all the other patients looked around as the screams got louder. I tried to have an expression on my face that gave the impression I was also wondering what was going on. Then the Dr appeared to give me away and trying to talk over Liam's screaming and said " I think you should come back". I did my walk of shame as the others looked at me like "how dare you try to deny that is your child". I just wanted to be in public one time and not be with the kid having the super size meltdown.
 So after our two visits with the Dr. and Liam only doing what Liam wants to do, I got the diagnosis yesterday. Liam has ADHD, separation anxiety, defiance and clinical maladaptive behavior. To quote the report " Liam appeared to act out more than most children in his age group". The Dr said she has never seen a 3 year that walks into a room and without saying anything lets you know he wants to be the boss of you. He needs in home therapy which I am sure will go well. That was sarcasm for any who didn't get that.
So to sum it up I will never be the mother who kids are not having super sized meltdowns. But they both have beautiful blue eyes that stand out in pictures. There I go being all positive again.

That commercial is freezing me out!

I have always found it amusing how kids pick up on words and then use them in correct forms. Earlier this week I was forced to watch a super hero show with my boys and when 2 commercials in a row came on advertising girls toys Sammy said " all these girl commercials are freezing me out". Now, I am pretty sure he meant freaking him out. Freaking is not a word we use in our home as a substitute by any means, but the other day I used it while watching an animal show. I said "that would freak me out". They don't pick up on the books of the Bible but give them an unusual word and they will use it correctly. But, they're my little freaks.

Don't touch my pillows!!

We recently painted two accent walls in our living room. I found a beautiful aqua color (in the turquoise family) and after looking at several stores I found the perfect pillows for the couch. All I want is to have these three pillows look nice. After 1 week they have served every purpose but as accent pillows. They've been chewed, licked, used as shields, landing gear, wings, torpedo's, hats, and they were pulled away just before a nose was wiped on them. I have very few nice things and until these two have their own homes I don't think I can. Of all the toys they have why my pillows? In the time it has taken me to type this I have yelled "don't touch my pillows" twice. So for any who may be invited over you've been far warned the pillows are use at your own risk.

Halloween bad, Christmath twee's good.

It's a mystery to me how two children can come from the same parents and yet be so different. I am sitting here watching these two play and I notice the only thing that is similar is that I have heard the words pass gas more times than I can count. They manage to work that word in to just about any situation. Sammy is steadfast when it comes to rules. He thought tricker treaters came to our door because I talked to our neighbor who had Halloween decorations. To put it into his words "why do you talk to Halloween people". I would love to have better explained that to him if I hadn't been in the process of actually talking to our neighbor at the time. Then there is Liam who recently informed me that he hates broccoli but likes "christmath twee's". I am pretty sure if I told him broccoli was a small Christmas tree he would eagerly eat it. I keep hoping that they will balance each other out one day but I have a feeling it's more likely I will have to be on some strong meds to get through the teen years.

Yes, this has happened several times

I remember after having Samuel the nurse commented how regular he pooped for a newborn. So from the beginning this has been part of our life. And since he has been able to sit up on his own in the bath, poop has been part of bath time as well. I couldn't even tell you how many time in the first three years of his life he would poop in the tub. After being potty trained it stopped. Then, came Liam. For some reason he does it too. Last night I gave them a bath and when I noticed the water was muddy looking I said "did one of you poop" Liam without hesitation responded " yes I did" Sammy chimed in with "there is poo in the tub"? I would know for sure if it was me but he didn't notice. So after restarting their bath and disinfecting the toys and tub, Josh came home. I related the story to him which by now isn't much of a story. It usually goes like this " honey one of the boys pooped in the tub" with the response of "again! Who was it this time"?  How has it come to the fact that we are not shocked or grossed out by this? So once again I was on my knee's cleaning up poop and hoping I got it all, not only from the tub but from me too.

Yippie its time for my yearly!

As some of you may have gotten the impression my life is pretty hectic. Well I finally got a small break. I went to my Gyno. I got a sitter, wore my heels, and got to sit down for 20 whole minutes without being asked to feed or hydrate anyone. When the nurse came to get me out of the waiting room I almost missed her calling me Kristi. I'm use to be called "mommy I'm hungry" or "mommy I'm done".  After getting in the exam room I got to flip thru a magazine that had nothing to do with parenting or how to control a child who is out of control. I was politely asked to get into a gown I didn't have someone pulling at my clothes. Then, I got to lay down and was told to relax. I didn't know what to do with myself. This is what life has come to, enjoying my yearly pap. I had such a good time I already scheduled next years appointment. But, reality came back quickly when I had to carry Liam to the car wearing 3 1/2 inch heels because he can't walk and Sammy telling about his time away right when my favorite song was coming on. He definitely got the Pierson storytelling gene. He has to start with saying " mom me me me" his way of saying mommy when he is distracted. Then went into a very long story about Iron Man. I don't think Rene had Iron Man over but I wasn't there to say for sure.
Some people have Paris, some have a tropical island. For me I'll always have the Gyno's office

Just take the magazines and let us go!

As another Saturday approaches we once again have to prepare our boys for service. For some this is a way for families to bond or to reach some spiritual goal that has been set. For the Pierson's its more like lets get this street done ASAP! Our adventures in the field ministry have been interesting, embarrassing, and sometimes insulting. At a glance we look like a typical family all dressed appropriately carrying our bags but the closer one would get this is what they see. A 3 yr old who is scouting the area for what he can jump on, run to, or ask "I take this home"? A 5 yr old who's presentation is" I'm Sammy this is my brother Liam and we like Lego's". A father who for some unknown reason would love to be invited in and have an hour long discussion oblivious to the fact that the mother is sweating profusely and that after one door the kids are ready for break. It wasn't enough of a hint when driving thru the territory the boys rolled down their windows to yell at an elderly woman innocently raking her leaves "hey grandma I like the way you rake". Sammy really thought he was complimenting her and I'm sure Liam knew he wasn't.

This is a true story that all happened in one day. But, we'll keep trying and I'll keep praying that we haven't done too much damage or that I get put in another car group.

Put your shirt back on we're at the meeting.

A goal we made as a family is to move up a few rows at the meeting. Since we usually try for the back row or even the second school some days, this was a big deal for us. I started wondering why we made this goal. Half way through Sammy usually says out loud " how much longer do we have to stay here" and Liam has often said out loud " I don't like the meetings". Sammy likes to chew on his Bible's tassel, his shirt, or lick various parts of the chair and wall. Even as I am typing this I am wondering who made this goal? It was probably my suggestion since I often aim high. Silly me. So last night we moved up 4 rows and overall it wasn't bad. I did look over to find Sammy taking off his shirt and reminded him to keep it on. A few minutes later he got his head stuck in the arm opening of his sweater vest. I'm still not sure how that happened or why he wanted to take off his clothes during the meeting but he did. I have to remind myself we're here and that's what's important not that Sammy isn't wearing socks because he can't tolerate them (part of autism) or that Liam is using his invisible laser to shoot people. Surprisingly the way they act now is an improvement. So we'll keep practicing how to act in public and hope that one of my kids doesn't lick or blast you.

100 Chameleon's

Sammy thinks 100 is the highest number he has ever heard of. He always tells us he loves us 100. Its very cute and in reply he ask how much I love him I've always replied 100 million, trillion, gazillion. So the other day he said "Mommy I love you 100 Chameleons". Now, when he finds out what Chameleon's are he is going to be very confused.

And yes Keisha I know how to spell chameleon's :)

Another Correction

My son's a villain is what the title should have been. I am typing from the desk top computer and Liam put his foot on it as I was spell checking and it posted again!!

I'm going to have to start writing at midnight when he is asleep.

My son's a villian

So we hit the clearance rack at Wal-Mart yesterday to get some costumes for Liam. Loving all villains he picked Darth Vader of course. He started getting dressed at the store and insisted on sleeping in his suit. He cried himself to sleep last night because I wouldn't let him wear the mask to bed. You know with the smothering issue and all. Since he acts like a villain most days it only seemed appropriate to dress like one. No matter what show or movie he watches he identifies with the bad guy. And it doesn't just stop with fictional characters. When going over the Bible stories he wants to be Goliath, Satan, and Cain. That's what he gets from the stories. We have high hopes for him.

Get the windex Liam peed on the carpet again!

So I have been trying to potty train a stubborn three year old. I have gotten several suggestions and tried and failed most of them. This is our second or third attempt this year. A few months ago we got a potty and when I myself was in the bathroom Liam got a lemonade juice box and poured it in his chair. He accepted all the praise and the dum dum. As I was going to remove it I realized it smelled pleasantly sweet. This past week I was determined to break him. Monday was good but, I think he thought it only had to last that day and then he could go back to diapers. So after a week of fights, tears, and spending a lot of time in the bathroom Josh took over for the weekend since I was sick. So we have a stubborn boy and a man who's attention fades fast. By Saturday evening Liam was back in diapers. I look forward to trying again. And I have to get another bottle of Windex antibacterial it works great on the mess. One positive is I got to know Liam better. Not only is he stubborn but a bold face liar! While sitting on his potty seat he told me he went pee pee and poo poo. I said I wanted to see and he said "oh they went home".

I'm not as dumb as I write

I do realize a few of my post need corrections. Hope anyone reading understands why they turn out that way. Like today for example, I was trying to edit before I posted and Liam jumped on me and of course it post. So I for the most part know how to read and write. Although in my defense I have lost a lot of brain cells with this bunch I live with.

Yes mommy doesn't feel good, please jump some more.

on me some more.Why is it that the worse a mom feels the more energy kids seem to have? Also, what kind of people don't leave the sick alone? My people that's who? I've had a cold and all I wanted to do was rest in the bed. Somehow this draws the rest of my family in the room. Sammy likes to think he can kiss the sick away. Which would work if he could actually show "normal" physical contact but, that's one of things about autistic children. So my arms and stomach get the kisses. Liam stole all my cough drops and only came in to scream about something. My dear husband thought watching TV with me and laughing loudly in my ear wouldn't affect the pounding headache I had.And then, all the jumping on the bed, hiding under the covers, and spilling any drink I had made me not want to rest any longer.

Yes mommy doesn't feel good, please jump on me some more.

Parent Test

My emailed this to me. After reading I thought, "if these were my results I would have had more children" Enjoy.

How To Know You're Ready For Parenthood MESS TEST: Smear peanut butter on the sofa and curtains. Now rub your hands in the wet flower bed and rub on the walls. Cover the stains with crayons. Place a fish stick behind the couch and leave it there all summer. TOY TEST: Obtain a 55-gallon box of Legos. (If Legos are not available, you may substitute roofing tacks or broken bottles.) Have a friend spread them all over the house. Put on a blindfold. Try to walk to the bathroom or kitchen. Do not scream (this could wake a child at night). GROCERY STORE TEST: Borrow one or two small animals (goats are best) and take them with you as you shop at the grocery store. Always keep them in sight and pay for anything they eat or damage. DRESSING TEST: Obtain one large, unhappy, live octopus. Stuff it into a small net bag making sure that all arms stay inside. FEEDING TEST: Obtain a large plastic milk jug. Fill it halfway with water. Suspend from the ceiling with a stout cord. Get the jug swinging. Try to insert spoonfuls of soggy cereal (such as Fruit Loops or Cheerios) into the mouth of the jug while pretending to be an airplane. Now dump the contents of the jug on the floor.

Excuse me Dr, can you prescrible something for this?

Thursday was a full day. First, I had to go to the school to drop off some paper work. Then, off to Target to get Assets and Lego's (both necessities) and finally, to my dr's appt. Of course bringing the boys with me everywhere I went. By the time we got to the dr's office the boys were very restless. I told them to sit down and be quiet while I saw the dr. Liam kept putting his foot on the floor saying "I'm still sitting" his way of testing me as usual. Sammy sat . head down butt up The dr looked like she really appreciated having his rearend in her face. Hoping they would be quiet enough that I could get in my 10 min appt and head home fast. I realized I was asking for too much. Sammy wiggled his butt the entire time while re-enacting star wars with the exception of dropping a toy and going under the dr's legs to get it almost tripping her and Liam tried to help her type, almost knocked over everything on the counter and was caught right before he pulled down one of the posters. I have a feeling the dr wrote herself a rx after our visit.

One leg at a time son and honey!

Having a child with autism I rarely don't know what to expect from him. For example I know when he gets himself dressed he will put on pants or shorts with both legs in one leg hole, and then comes out saying its too tight. EVERY TIME. I wondered how this happens there are two legs and two holes it seems pretty easy. Then, my husband fell trying to put on his pants the other day and I got my explanation.

A little about me

I wanted anyone who reads this to understand who I am. I posted the pic of myself and my husband because I wanted you to know who I use to be. Look closely at that naive girl. She is looking at that man with such love thinking " I want to have lots and lots of babies with you". And she did. Even tho we only have 2 kids it seems like a whole lot more.

After having Sammy this girl was very tired but still carried that look in her eyes. After Liam she was exhausted, had oily hair, gained weight, and thought that guy is an A**. Now she knows he is an aspie (endearing term for aspergers). So, now that I am no longer a naive girl but a full grown woman who has a Hubby with aspergers, a son with autism, and a stubborn 3 year old. I have a different look in my eyes. Its the look of "who's poop is under my fingernails"? Liam is still in diapers after refusing all methods of potty training, Sammy has been potty trained for 2 years but can't adjust to the change of wiping himself, and Josh has IBS. So my life is full of poop. I'm still exhausted but now I'm on Weight Watchers so I'm hoping to be a thinner tired person soon. And sarcasm is what makes me gets through each day. To those who don't like it find another blog to read. This is my life and this is how I deal with it.

Gifts

Dear Aunt Garlyn sent the boys a gift this weekend. Sammy received a blue Mario shirt. Since blue is his favorite color and pretty much the only color he will wear it was the perfect gift. Liam got a Buzz Lightyear shirt. Also the perfect gift since he loves Buzz. Sammy having a heart of gold sincerely appreciated it and was more than willing to tell Aunt Garlyn thanks through a e card and over the phone. Liam having a stone cold heart said "I can't say thanks but, I like the shirt". And again over the phone refused to say thanks. He later told me he doesn't know how to say those words. Which of course isn't true but very typical of Liam.

Spelling

I want to clarify that I do know how to spell well, mostly. I had little fingers helping me type and I didn't do the spell check before posting. So riccochet, two, and fingernails were misspelled.

Results

Ok so after our conversation I looked up some things and thought the
results were funny.
First, this is what a typical 3 yr old should be like:3 YEARS: A three-year-old can follow simple
directions such as, “time to take a bath,” "tell him your name.” She can
also put an object in, under, or on top of a table when asked. She can also
answer simple questions about objects such as “which one is bigger?” By age
three a child understands approximately 900 words and speaks 200 words clearly.
So I asked Liam a couple of questions about who was he bigger or smaller
than and he answered all of them correctly, but his response was "bubba is
booger than me" and "baby Jasmine is faller than me"

Now on to Sammy. Here is what a typical 5 yr should be like:5 YEARS: A
child this age can follow 3 related directions such as "get your crayons, make a
picture and give it to the baby". Most letters are pronounced accurately except
perhaps for L, R, S, K, TH,
CH, SH, TH. A five-year-old can
describe objects and events and can tell you the meaning of words. A
five-year-old typically understands 2500-2800 words, speaks in 5-8 word
sentences, uses 1500-2000 words and tells long stories accurately
I asked him to get his crayons and draw a picture. After removing his shirt
from his mouth he jumped up asked "what did you say" I repeated it and he sat
down and said "I can't walk and I don't know where that stuff is". Then he went
on to tell me a very long story about his dream.
So now all we can hope for is that the little bus can pick them up at the
same time.

How I got the name for the blog

I wish I could say I have never looked down to see one of my son's poop under my fingernails but, actually thats not even the worse place I have found their poop on me or one of my belongings.

I have to boys Sammy 5 and Liam 3. And since having them I have had poop ricoquet off the wall to hit my face, picked of a diaper to be thrown in my hair, smeared on my ivory furniture, come into the living room to find someone practice writing with it, I've had all my tupperware filled with it. seen it eaten, had it come so close to my mouth I almost ate it, had it on my clothes only to be noticed by the person I was talking to, and last but not least stepped in it numerous times.

I realize some people may not believe this and to those I say "nice to meet you my name is Kristi and I've had poop under my fingermails".

I deal with this "ideal" life by laughing and I hope you will too. On top of all the litteral poop I have some figurative poop to deal with. Sammy has autism and Liam is one of the most stubborn people in the world. Of course I love them deeply but, this life we have is bumpy and poopy.

So now that I've told you a little about my life here is an example of our day. One of my sisters recently suggested I look into getting Liam speech therapy so I googled some info. I first want to say that I have to laugh instead of crying so none of this is meant to be offensive to anyone who has autism or loves someone with it. Here's the results of my research: