The Autism Walk and a very big milestone!

First, I want to wish my dad a very happy birthday today!  We enjoyed getting to see him, my mom and sister this weekend when they came down for the Autism walk.  The walk this year was really fun!   Our team "Jump up for Jack" did an amazing job and we raised $1805!!  I want to thank everyone who donated and came out to support Jack, our family and to  help raise awareness for those living with an Autism Spectrum Disorder. 

 

 

I have two really great story's to tell about Jack.  The first one was a very wonderful and exciting moment in my life and one that I have been waiting to happen for quite some time.  Jack has been working very hard at school and with his ABA therapist Jessi to increase his verbal skills.  He has words but doesn't always use them correctly or most importantly hasn't learned to use his words to communicate.  The process is long and we have started to see lots of growth, but this past week we had a pretty exciting break through.  He can now (with just a small prompt of the first sound) answer the questions: "What is your name?" and " How old are you?"!!!!  The first time I heard him use this sweet little voice to say "Jack" and "four" I about lost it.  He has come so far and he works so hard that every little accomplishment he makes I want to throw him a party.  I know that he still has to work at generalizing this these skills with other people and in different environments but it is a very important step towards hopefully getting him to learn how powerful and meaningful language can be.

 



The second story I have to share is exciting and kind of funny.  Jack and Peyton were playing outside over the weekend.  Peyton was chasing the cat and playing on the slide and Jack was enjoying his car especially the new Hummer he got when he and Justin took their weekly trip to Target.  After a short time I looked at him and he was trying to ride a toy tractor that use to be one of Justin's old toys.  I found this quite humorous since this isn't a riding toy and Jack looked like a giant trying to ride such a small tractor.  I then took a closer look and saw that he was pushing the Hummer in front of the tractor as he moved along the porch.  I yelled for Justin to come and see and then it donned on me...he was recreating the wagon ride we took at the pumpkin patch the weekend before.  The wagon at the pumpkin patch (or at lease the one we went on) was pulled by a Hummer, and he was pretending to go on a wagon ride like the one we had been on at the pumpkin patch.  It was so sweet and exciting to see him pretending and remember something he had experience.  

 

 

 

 Have a wonderful week everyone, and I'll post again soon!



Pumkin patch fun

This past weekend we took the kids to a pumpkin patch.  It was a really fun Saturday morning.  Jack and Peyton had so fun walking through the hay bale maze and jumping in the bounce houses.  Peyton got to experience her first pony ride and based on her reaction when it was over she really enjoyed herself.  She kept asking for "more" and was crying when she had to get off.  Jack didn't seem very interested in the horses, but was very excited when he saw that the wagon ride we went on was being pulled by a hummer.  He was so excited and once the ride was over he had to walk around and inspect everything he could about that vehicle.  The weather was perfect and we were able to stay for about and hour and a half.  Jack did great and Peyton had so much fun she fell fast asleep on the way home.  It was a very fun family outing.  Later that afternoon we took the kids out and got them their Halloween costumes.  Jack is going to be a fire fighter and Peyton is going to be a kitten. 

I am so sorry I haven't posted in a few weeks.  I think the last post I mentions I was getting sick and unfortunately that lasted a little longer then I would have liked.  I am finally back to 100% which is good since this weekend my parents and sister will be coming in town for the Autism Speaks walk.  This will be our second year doing the Autism walk and I am very thankful for all our friends and family who have are going to come out and walk with us. 

I hope everyone has a great week!

Go Team:  Jump Up for Jack!