Forget the label.....BELIEVE in your child for success....

Autism! Pdd nos! Aspergers syndrome! ADHD! High functioning! Low functioning! Delayed! Hearing these words about your child can be crushing. They can devastate you to your very core. The good news is THEY DON'T HAVE TO! Let me tell you why....

It doesn't matter. That's right. It simply doesn't matter. If you want to really help your child then read on. I'm serious. Don't be like the thousands who wish they had "lived" this concept sooner.

Pretend for a moment you have a newborn. He is simply perfect. By the time he is two years old, his fingers are so long, they look strange. You go to a renowned physician and ask "What's wrong with my child? Why are his fingers so long?". The physician smiles and says "Your child has a condition called spindle fingers. He has a natural gift for playing musical instruments. Many dream of having this talent".

You're absolutely thrilled and can't wait to share the news. You rush home but on the way you stop to buy a toy xylophone, piano, drum set and flute. You set them out on the floor when you get home and you watch proudly as your toddler strums each one of them. You don't care that everyone else thinks it just sounds like noise. You have a budding musician on your hands and he's practicing!

As the months go by you encourage your child to play instruments. He gets a little older and expresses his preference for the piano. You take him to piano lessons, listen to famous piano players and perhaps even go to concerts. You explain to your son that his fingers are long because he is talented at playing the piano. Your son plays the piano beautifully. He is proud of his fingers and his talent. You are proud of your son.

You run into the physician a few years later. You tell him proudly about your child's piano skills. He smiles broadly and says "I made it all up. There is no condition called spindle fingers". "What?" you shriek "that's impossible. My child is an excellent player".

"Of course he is" says the physician "It's called belief. You believed in your child's fingers. You believed in his talent. You encouraged him. It didn't matter how many mistakes he made. You hardly heard them because you knew he was on the path to greatness. Your son felt your belief. He saw it in your eyes. He felt it course through his being. It inspired him. Every time he looked at his long fingers he thought about his talent. He felt proud of himself. He knew he could do it. Your unwavering faith inspired him to be the best he can be".

My advice to you is this. Forget about the boxes and the labels. Ignore the judgments. Your child is fascinating. Your child is a unique and wonderful being who is incredibly special. Give him the tools. Encourage him on his journey. Never lose faith in him. Stand by his side. Teach him as much as you can. Watch in delight as he soars far beyond everyone's expectations. Everyone's except yours and all those who joined your belief along the way!

(snippet from article from Autism Today)

Pool Day........

Shot with DMC-TZ1 at 2007-08-02

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more recalls for products made in China...please read!

NEWS from CPSC
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Office of Information and Public Affairs
Washington, DC 20207

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 2, 2007
Release #07-257

Firm's Recall Hotline: (800) 916-4498
CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908

Fisher-Price Recalls Licensed Character Toys Due To Lead Poisoning
Hazard

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in
cooperation with the firms named below, today announced a voluntary
recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using
recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Sesame Street, Dora the Explorer, and other children's
toys

Units: About 967,000

Importer: Fisher-Price Inc., of East Aurora, N.Y.

Hazard: Surface paints on the toys could contain excessive levels of
lead. Lead is toxic if ingested by young children and can cause adverse
health effects.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

Description: The recalled involves various figures and toys that were
manufactured between April 19, 2007 and July 6, 2007 and were sold alone
or as part of sets. The model names and product numbers for the recalled
toys, which are all marked with "Fisher-Price," are listed below. The
toys may have a date code between 109-7LF and 187-7LF marked on the
product or packaging.

Sold at: Retail stores nationwide from May 2007 through August 2007 for
between $5 and $40.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately take the recalled toys away from
children and contact Fisher-Price. Consumers will need to return the
product and will receive a voucher for a replacement toy of the
consumer's choice (up to the value of the returned product).

Consumer Contact: For additional information contact Fisher-Price at
<>(800) 916-4498 anytime or visit the firm's Web site at
www.service.mattel.com

Product List:

33662 Elmo Light Up Musical Pal
33664 Big Bird Light Up Musical Pal
39038 Elmo Tub Sub
87946 Elmo Keyboard
90609 Elmo Collectible
90612 Zoe Collectible
90614 Big Bird Collectible
93068 Elmo Boom Box
93307 Press N Go Elmo
93492 Cookie Saxophone
93615 Splash Tub Puzzle

B7554 Count To Beat Elmo
B7987 Elmo In The Giggle Box
B9620 Dora's Talking House
C6908 Dora, Backpack, Perrito Figure Pack
C6909 Diego Figure Pack
C6911 Boots, Tico Figure Pack
G5112 Sing With Elmo's Greatest Hits
H2943 Grow With Me Elmo Sprinkler
H3344 Birthday Dora
H5570 Elmo & Pals (Elmo, Zoe, Bigbird)
H4628 Water Fun Tote
H8237 Blue 3 Pack Figures In Tube
H9124 Chef Dora
H9186 Giggle Grabber Ernie

J0338 Diego Talking Field Journal
J0344 Go Diego Go Deep Sea Rescue
J0346 Go Diego Go Talking Rescue 4 X 4
J5936 Giggle Grabber Chef Cookie Monster
J6537 Sesame Street Giggle Toolbelt
J6763 Royal Boots And Tico
J7983 Sesame Street Tub Pots & Pans
J9692 Dora's Talking Pony Place
K3414 Diego - Talking Gadget Belt
K3580 Fairytale Adventure Dora
K4140 Toucan Motorcycle Rescue

L3194 Surprise Inside Diego Eggs
L3488 Sesame Street Birthday Figure Pack
L3507 Sesame Street - Super Boom Box
L5202 Birthday Dora
L8905 Pablo & Pals
M0352 Dora Figures Diego & Bear
M0527 Sesame Street Giggle Doodler
M2051 Lets Go Rescue Center
33663 Ernie Light Up Musical Pal
34658 Elmo Stacking Rings
39054 Sesame Street Shape Sorter
90267 Ernie Splashin' Fun Trike
90611 Cookie Collectible
90613 Ernie Collectible
90745 Construction Playset
93107 Action Fire Engine
<>93308 Rev & Go Cookie Monster
93493 Elmo's Guitar
93780 Music And Lights Phone

B7888 Shake, Giggle & Roll
B7989 Silly Parts Talking Elmo

C6910 Swiper Figure Pack
G3825 Dora Talking Vamonos Van
G9717 Giggle Doodler
H3343 Cousin Daisy
H5569 Elmo & Pals (Elmo, Cookie, Ernie)
H4187 Dora Figures In Tube
H8236 Dora 3 Pack Figures In Tube
H8238 Sponge Bob 3 Pack Figures In Tube
H9125 Bedtime Dora
H9188 Giggle Grabber Oscar The Grouch

J0343 Go Diego Go Antarctic Rescue
J0345 Go Diego Go Mountain Rescue
J5935 Giggle Grabber Soccer Elmo

J6762 Queen Mami
J6765 Prince Diego
J9518 Sesame Street Giggle Drill
K0617 Twins Nursery
K3571 Go Diego Go Mobile Rescue Unit
K4139 Go Diego Go Dinosaur Rescue
L0305 Dora Figure

L3215 Sesame Street Elmo Jack-In-The-Box

L5813 Diego Tub Trike
M0351 Dora Figures Dora & Kitty
M0524 Go Diego Go Talking Gadget
M0732 Dora's Talking House
M2052 Fairytale Castle

To see this recall on CPSC's web site, including pictures of the
recalled products, please go to:
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml07/07257.html

Dear Noah......a BIG DAY for you!

Today we had to get up early and head to the new Orthotics place to have you fitted for orthotics...and you did great! You handled it much better this time round and you won't need the same type of orthotic anymore which is great news!

THEN we had a few other stops to make......you got to eat at McDonalds and play in their cool play area........we picked up some bargains at the local Goodwill and we passed the most gorgeous little park in another city.......that had a pool for little kids in the center! JUST a big round pool 1-3 feet deep....for little kids under 12 years of age. ALL fenced in.......AND FREE! We came home and dropped all our stuff off and then drove back so you could go swimming. The atmosphere at this park is so great. The parks in our area are absolutely gorgeous! BIG HUGE trees.....lots of shade......nice shelters.......bathrooms.......playgrounds.......clean......and then this one with a cool pool!

YOU had a ball.....and we will likely be making this trip every couple of days so you can swim! EVERY shot I took of you today you were so happy and smiling so big. Today you had a great day! You had a couple of times when you lost it for like 3 seconds and screamed to a girl to stop splashing you......I made you get out of the pool for a time out and told you if you did not want to get wet you had no business being in a SWIMMING POOL! AND besides.....you like to splash other people....so I reminded you to not do so unless they too wanted to be splashed because maybe they would also not enjoy it. You listened....took the time out and were fine afterwards. BUT as I look at the pictures tonight...I am impressed with the HUGE happiness on your face......that makes me feel good.


Shot with DMC-TZ1 at 2007-07-30


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Shot with DMC-TZ1 at 2007-07-30

There were other kids in the pool and you had a ball playing with them. I purposedly tried to take shots withOUT the other children as I know some parents would not like that. SO it looks like you had the pool to yourself but you really didn't.....though it was NOT busy. A very secluded park.....almost seems slightly forgotten on the wayside......perfect for a day in the sun!

I love you Noah.....and am very proud of you!


Shot with DMC-TZ1 at 2007-07-30

(AND I have been awarded and award from a fellow blogger.....I will address all that tomorrow :)

Dear Noah....

It has been pouring down rain......mommy has a migraine.....

not much else to say today......more later

but I do love you Noah.....

mommy

xox

Dea Noah....

Your sunburn is improved.....and you are just now starting to act like you would like to try eating something other than Popsicles. You act like you are having a very hard time swallowing.......but tell me your throat is not as sore as it has been in the past.

sigh.....Last night you went to bed at 8:15 p.m. and woke up exactly 4 hours later raring to go. I smeared more anti-sunburn stuff on your back and let you stay up to watch one television show....then lights back out and back to bed. You got up at 5:45 a.m.

Oh.....you earned 5.00 for the pulled teeth and the rest still look beautiful!

I love you.....I hope you get back to yourself soon.

Mommy

Dear Noah.....DENTIST DAY!

Well Noah.....all I can say is I am so proud of you! You did so very well today at the dentist. This was your first time EVER in going to a dentist and it was the first time I had ever seen a pediatric dentist clinic. Definitely geared toward children....scaled down dental chairs...the works. ALL kid size! We got there and had to wait a little bit...but you played well with a couple of children in the playing area.

Then back inside the clinic. The dentist came in and he was a very nice man. He asked you to open up wide and you did. He said "WOW he really has brushed his teeth well in the back and sides....they look perfect!" I told him you have always been pretty good about keeping your teeth brushed and clean till the bottom and top ones started becoming loose and falling out.....then we had a very difficult time cleaning the front teeth. He said you have great teeth......and the crowded teeth and front teeth that stick out too far would only be fixed later after you got all your permanent teeth in. At that time if there are still issues with over-crowding of teeth they would send you to an orthodontist for braces or some other type of correction.

SO next it was off to get x-rays....you were already in the chair with the protective vest on before I got there. It was a striped vest with a big yellow smiley face on the middle. You were being given instructions on how to hold and bite down on the radiographic plates in your mouth.....and even though you said a couple of times you did not want to do it.....you did.....all four! You did not even need any help! (they said usually the kids do need someone in there helping to hold the plates in their mouths!)

Back to the dentist chair where the hygienist began cleaning your teeth. She carefully explained all the equipment to you....and even the sharp scraping tool did not scare you. In fact...you chose cherry-flavored polishing gel.......and she got to work. You had NO cavities.......little tartar build up.....only on the front ones we had a harder time brushing recently.......so she scraped and buffed and you did very very well. We had all agreed ahead of time if she was able to do so while cleaning, she would pull those 2 loose teeth in your mouth. I heard an OUCH out of you and apparently she had pulled the top loose tooth.....and she finished cleaning....and pulled the bottom one out! YOU sat up.......and they even did a fluoride treatment in grape flavor....which you kept saying you did not want her to do....but you still let her....and you endured it very quietly.

NO meltdowns.......no breakdowns! You did very well...lying quietly on the table and allowing her to work in your mouth. By the time she was done you were ready to go home.....but otherwise you did well. I did ask if I could take a couple of pictures of you on the table in the dentist office. You of course wanted me to FILM it....which I did not. Here are a couple of you:


Shot with DMC-TZ1 at 2007-07-23


Shot with DMC-TZ1 at 2007-07-23

You do not look happy......but you also have a bad sunburn from being in the pool a few hours yesterday with your cousin. This is the FIRST sunburn you have ever gotten...and I am still not quite sure how you got this one. BUT you are a bit lethargic from that.....and the "zombie mode" is your way of coping and getting through all these things you have gone through the last couple of days but especially today (you had 2 busy days in a row visiting relatives and swimming yesterday and then today at the dentist....which is probably overwhelming to you).

I am thrilled you did so well. You are learning to cope and make it through difficult situations. You are acting so much more mature and grown up and I am so happy for you and so very very proud of you.

You my little man are becoming an incredible young man......and one day you will be a most amazing man. I love you very much and today I am especially proud of you!

Mommy
XOXOXOX

OH.....they put your two teeth in a tiny green trinket box....and you got to pick a prize from their treasure chest for doing so well. You also got to pick a new toothbrush which was SpongeBob of course....

I have not seen you step off into a ZOMBIE mode for awhile......but this has been a very active few days for you and lots of stress....you are coping well. You slept all the way home from the dentist......at my parents' house and then at home. It is only 8:15 p.m. and you came in and asked if you could just go on to bed now...as you were very tired. We put cooling gel on your sunburn.....gave you some Motrin.....and off you went. By the way.......your teeth are so pearly white now! JUST beautiful!

NEXT will be your first HAIR CUT!

Noah practicing batting......he has only done this a few times in his life.....but his coordination is improving tremendously!

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a great day.......and baby ducks...

Noah and I had a great day Monday. After a doctor's appointment for myself I took Noah to a park in the area to play. Then we ran to a cemetery that has a tombstone that has a telephone bolted on the top of it....I have always wanted to show Noah that!




THEN we ran to Target...and he did some late birthday/Christmas gift certificate shopping for himself......





Then we went and had a picnic at our local park for a couple of hours.....where a mama duck and her babies kept us company. CLICK here for a snippet BABY DUCKS CLICK HERE

the duck movie takes a few minutes to load!

Then we left there and went to the library and to Hallmark to finally see the new Christmas ornaments for this year. Finally back home again where Noah played with his new toys and computer game.

At the end of the day Noah said "Mom, we had a great day today!"

and I would have to agree...

I love you Noah.......

mommy
XOX

my slide-show tribute to the "Fairy Forest"

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The song is "Carolan's Welcome" from The Twilight Realm

I also posted this on You Tube FAIRY FOREST

outside Fairy Forest......in my uncle's backyard.....where the magic begins....

Shot with DMC-TZ1 at 2007-07-14


Shot with DMC-TZ1 at 2007-07-14

OVERLOOKING the Tipi


Shot with DMC-TZ1 at 2007-07-14

Fishing dock.....swings........so beautiful....


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The Fountain...


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The sandbox....


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NEXT..........we will journey to the FAIRY FOREST!

Need one say more?

Noah and I went to my uncle's house the other night.......to see his Fairy Forest...a magical world he has created for children....and we really enjoyed our visit and his environment, home, everything was so beautiful and takes one off to far-a-way places in their imagination. He has decorated his home in such a way it reminds you of a vacation home and model home......Stepping through the gate that leads to his backyard is like turning a page in a book to another world. I will post more photos and story later.....but I wanted to share this one of Noah.....as you can tell by the photo below.....Noah stepped into the world of relaxing immediately!


Shot with DMC-TZ1 at 2007-07-12

PART of the view from my uncle's deck


Shot with DMC-TZ1 at 2007-07-12

Noah discussing house plans with grandma C.

Shot with DMC-TZ1 at 2007-07-11

Notice his hand rubbing grandma C.'s arm....he loves to touch.....and in the other room he rubbed her neck.....saying he liked to do that because her neck was so smooth!

He was in his element. Told me to go into the other room so he and grandma could "talk." He was really enjoying showing her his books of house plans and describing the floor plans to her.....on and on he went. He was so happy and so excited. He owns about every house plan book Lowes sells......and can study them for hours. He has a software program too where he can design his own houses which he loves to do. I never told him how to run the program a couple years ago.....he somehow figured it all out himself. One of our favorite past-times is to go check out model homes and real estate! haha....we love it......Noah can study floor plans and blueprints for hours on end......and has MANY!

Here is a snippet:

NOAH TALKING HOUSE PLANS WITH GRANDMA C. CLICK HERE

some pictures Noah took and a movie he recorded...

Noah and I went out one night and snapped some shots of the sun starting to set....he caught these shots outside our home before getting into the truck....this was the night they shot fireworks off in the city.....and we drove around before heading there.....(I noticed he has the date off on his camera....probably accidentally pushed one day)


Shot at 2007-07-08


Shot at 2007-07-08


Shot at 2007-07-08


Here is a movie he recorded of himself playing with "his girls" pretending to be a tornado..

NOAH PLAYING

Dear Noah...

We went to my parent's house yesterday for a belated birthday celebration. We all had a great visit and you, as usual, really enjoyed your visit. You really come to life during get togethers now and I can sit back and see the progress you have made each and every time we go somewhere or do something involving other people. Here are a few shots of you and your cousins and grandpa...














Shot with DMC-TZ1 at 2007-07-08

Hot Fun In The Summertime!

the "GIRLS" CAME OVER!!!!!

BEFORE I finish posting about the rest of the zoo trip.....I have to give this update!

Noah's GIRLS (the 2 little neighbor girls) CAME OVER TO OUR BACKYARD yesterday to play WITH Noah and to go swimming in our pools!

When I lifted the oldest over the fence.....and her and Noah were finally together.......where they could TOUCH each other and PLAY together in the same space.........well.......WOW. I have never seen any 2 children so happy and excited!

They started giggling and laughing and she started running and Noah started chasing her......kicked up their heels and ran with body language screaming FREEDOM the entire way!

I almost cried like an idiot......but was happy and they were happy.

THEN they all decided to go swimming.....and I made sure to get mom's permission!

They had a ball! This was the FIRST TIME Noah has EVER had ANYONE other than family come over to play with him or swim with him. I swear I could feel his heart pounding with joy!







and this little one......(she is only 3 years old.....) told me "I AM SO HAPPY!"




I told their mom whenever Noah was swimming since I had to be there to watch him anyway.....if the girls wanted to come over to swim too they could. So we will see.....they sure had a great time yesterday! And the oldest.......kissed Noah a couple of times........AGAIN..........(I think they have a crush on him!)

a trip to the zoo...

Noah and I decided on the spur of the moment to take a trip to a zoo in a different state......so we did. We had a heck of a time getting there.......construction issues and wrong directions. We finally did arrive. Had a very nice time and enjoyed it. I will post more pics for the story tomorrow...

Dear Noah...

We went to see an early fireworks display at our fairgrounds last night. We had an excellent parking spot and seats in the back of the truck......it was the most beautiful night imaginable for fireworks of just hanging outside!

We got back OUT of the fairgrounds after the show within 3 minutes......however....we had to turn down a side road and then got stuck in some traffic so it was awhile before we got back home.

The moon was gorgeous and full last night too. We also got to stop by (AFTER you played with the girls for most of the day and had "SO MUCH FUN" you said....and visit with Grandma C. and when arriving your Aunt Angela and her family was there. You were so excited to see them you walked right past grandma not saying anything to go and hug and greet ANGELA! haha. We had a very nice visit......

Here is a snippet we will share from part of the fireworks show from last night:




I love you Noah......I had a lot of fun with you last night.

Mommy
XOXOXOX

Dear Noah...

Shot with DMC-TZ1 at 2007-06-30

You and I love to play dominoes! I think everyone else was bored!


Shot with DMC-TZ1 at 2007-06-30

We decided to go visit your grandma and grandpa L. late afternoon, early evening Saturday. We had a very nice enjoyable visit. We all played a game of dominoes while there. Your Aunt Becky was also there to visit.

On the way home we were once again able to capture an amazing sunset! We also came through town and snapped a few of the courthouse all lit at nighttime. The town we live in is very beautiful and has such wonderful architecture....in many of the homes as well as buildings downtown and around the area. Of course I took the pics of the sunset while also DRIVING the car...something you NEVER should do. I finally did pull over to snap a couple.....most were taken while moving on the road.......but I did manage to get a few good shots!


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Shot with DMC-TZ1 at 2007-06-30

This reminds me of a Charlie Brown sky.....it looks like someone took pastel chalk and colored the sky canvas! The Peanuts videos always had skies that resembled this....it was gorgeous!


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The bell tower and clock are always lit at night....and very pretty


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Sunday we will probably go visit Grandma C. as part of our day.

It is getting late and I am tired.

I love you

mommy xoxoxox