One of the unforeseen blessings in the world of autism is the gift of sight. I get to see who the good guys are. The people who see him, really see him, and choose to learn and understand… The people who wave and smile… The people who fall in love with him for the amazing kid that he is… The people who help him when he’s struggling… The people who treasure him… Today was haircut day. Haircut day is challenging and scary and a whole lotta other emotions. Thankfully, our…
Read MoreMy sweet baby will be 5 weeks old tomorrow. I am right in the thick of it…the hard season of no sleep and around the clock nursing. She’s leaping as they say and the two of us watch the sunrise together before my other three toddle down the stairs one by one. A few days ago I shared how the exhaustion was getting to me. How momming 4 kids felt like too much on no sleep. And a dear friend of mine messaged me and said…‘during those hard exhausting moments…
Read MoreOur goal this summer is to do stuff. Yup. You read that right. We want to try new activities with our kids as a family. For so long, Coops was unable to try most things but lately he is so interested in trying! So we made a bucket list of sorts. Today…we fished. The worms went over the dock twice, it was insanely chaotic, but it was super fun! Cooper was able to reel a fish in too and tried to kiss it which gave us all the giggles. Sawyer…
Read MoreCongratulations to my nephew Dylan on his graduation from high school! We are so proud of you! We definitely spread all of the autism awareness at the party. Cooper did his best and that’s all that any parent can ask for. And we will try again next time. Because that’s how we learn. Now it’s time to rest because this mom and dad are exhausted. Back to Minnesota we go. Finding Cooper’s Voice is a safe, humorous, caring and honest place where you can celebrate the unique challenges of parenting…
Read MoreWish us luck! We are headed on our first big outing as a family to six! We are headed to Wisconsin to celebrate my nephew’s graduation. Cooper has never been to a graduation party before and is very excited. He’s been ready to go since 8 am and keeps playing a Barney episode on his iPad about visiting Grandma. It’s pretty sweet. Just a short time ago we would have never been able to go to a party like this but Cooper is doing so great and wants to go…
Read MoreUnpopular opinion. I hate grilling. I mean, I love all the food that comes off of said grill, but I hate that at our families most stressful time my husband gets to stand in the garage cooking glorious food while I manage a fight club in our living room. He’s waving to the neighbors and dead heading flowers and nursing a beer while I’m nursing our youngest and chasing our toddler who has somehow gotten into the pantry and opened up a mac and cheese cup. ‘Mama! Yellow snow!’ My…
Read MoreThere I am. Still in denial if you ask me. Still hopeful that Sophie will blend in to this loud and crowded party with a bunch of busy, loud excited 5-year-olds. Hopeful she’ll strike up a conversation with one of these kids. Hopeful she will smile and laugh and run around interacting with these kids. Hopeful she’ll appreciate the hand sewn dress that was made for her special day. Hopeful she won’t yell at anyone. Hopeful she won’t hide in her room. Hopeful she won’t run out of the house,…
Read MoreLike so many special needs parents, I’ve spent countless hours filling out paperwork and rating scales about my child. I know all too well what it feels like to anxiously wait in doctor offices, therapy lobbies, and conference rooms…to go over the results of various assessments, listening to the numbers that describe my son. I’ve left meetings, only to replay the conversations in my head, trying to stay positive and put the scores behind me. The numbers and scores for my son, Charlie, are always associated with significant delays and…
Read MoreOne of the hardest things about being a mom is holding it together when all you want to do is breakdown and cry. I see you out in public fighting back the tears. Tears that have been building up all day because you’re just exhausted. You have been up for hours with no sleep because your child is going through a sleep regression. I see the frustration in your face that you’re tired of being judged. Judged that you’re doing everything wrong. I can see it in your eyes, that…
Read MoreMaybe you’re just hearing the news that your child is on the autism spectrum. Or that they might be. Maybe you’re in the process of having your child evaluated. Or maybe you’re holding back from seeking a diagnosis because you’re scared. Scared of the label. Scared of hearing it out loud. Scared of the idea of forever. I understand. Every single emotion you’re feeling. But I want to show you something…. You see the photo below? This was never “supposed” to happen. My child has a friend. A friend in…
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