December 1, 2008
I can't believe it is December already. This is Philip's favorite month. He loves everything about Christmas. He still isn't feeling great although that doesn't stop him from being loud lol. He is very spacey today. I tried doing a work time with him but it's like his mind is drawing a blank to things I know he knows. Still stimming a lot. I hope he settles down by Christmas. It is always hard visiting when he is off.
December 4, 2008
Philip is finally starting to feel better although he always stims a lot after being sick. He has a dentist appointment today to get his teeth clean. That is always fun. He stresses so bad he paces back and forth and won't even sit down in the waiting area. He goes to a special needs dentist so they have 3 people hold while one cleans real fast. They are very good at it and last time Philip actually kept his mouth open without the clamp. He always takes his shoes off when he gets in the chair, I think because when he was younger he would struggle and his shoes would come off, so he just takes care of it right off the bat lol. 
Philip did well at the dentist other than pacing in the lobby. 
No Cavities!!!!!
December 5, 2008
Back to school today, came home and has arm up over head ever since. It could just be because this is his first day back all week.
December 6, 2008
Good day today, very happy to go horseback riding. Went to Christmas party and did a great job. He put his arm up over his head a few times because there were a lot of people. Even sat on Santa's lap.
December 8, 2008
So far today is starting out well. Philip was quiet this morning although it may be because he was awake from 2-4 this morning. 
Picked Philip up early from school today for an appointment. He was happy to leave school early. Pretty quiet in afternoon, by night he started lots of verbal stimming and telling me he is sick no school tomorrow. Some chinning when I told him he had to go. He insisted we put the Christmas light on the tree tonight. I have to remember next year to buy a set that doesn't play music. God knows we have enough noise in this house without the tree playing Christmas tunes.
December 10, 2008
Philip up at 3:00am shouting no school stay home. Aughhh. It's not that they mistreat him but the class is very hectic and not enough help. I think it is too much sensory overload for him. 
Very stimmy tonight and loud. Still has diarrhea from antibiotic. He sees the doctor for a recheck tomorrow. He is definitely feeling better but now he has a red chap ring all the way around his mouth. I thought it was food but it doesn't wash off. 
December 11, 2008
Went to doctor today, looks like rash on mouth might be from medicine. We are changing meds tomorrow, hoping to help with Philip's anxiety. It has really gotten severe lately. Philip is feeling better as far as not coughing and his eyes aren't draining. Now I (mom) am sick with a cold. Hope it doesn't come back around. I have been very stressed lately and believe that is why I got sick. I can really see how when your stressed your immune system doesn't work as well. Perhaps if we can get a handle on Philip's anxiety, he won't get sick so often. 
December 13, 2008
Attempted to see Christmas parade today but Philip's anxiety was too high. The parade started with a bunch of cannons being fired off and that was it for him, he wanted to go home. 
December 14, 2008
Very anxious this morning and already telling me "no school, I feel sick" for tomorrow. I am cutting his hours back a little bit at school till I can get his anxiety under control. Trying to make things fun and less stressful. As best I can with the holidays coming. He only has a few more days till he is off for Christmas break.
December 16, 2008
Philip is refusing to put school clothes on this morning, saying he feels sick. He put his clothes back in the closet. Finally got him dressed and off to school. He wasn't happy but by the time we got there he went in ok. Very stimmy after school for about 2 hours, then seemed to settle down. Fell asleep at 10 tonight.
December 17, 2008
Chinning this morning when it was time for school. I told him Philip had to go work at school and Tiffany had to work at school and Mom had to work and clean up the house. He said Philip and Mommy clean house lol. Picked him up from school and he is no longer interested in cleaning the house. He is calmer today so far which is a nice change. Unfortunately, he seems to be getting sick again augh!!!
Was just looking all over for Philip when I see him run by the window outside. He opened up his bedroom window and went out in the backyard. Luckily it is fenced and locked. He did this the other day and I put a thumb screw window lock on it. He was able to get it off. I now put it back on and used the pliers to tighten it. I guess if there is a fire, I will have to break the window.
December 19, 2008
Took Philip to the doctor's today to readjust his medicine. I'm praying he calms down by Christmas. It is always so much fun visiting when he is loud and wild. He is really having a hard time since starting puberty. For all those whose kids haven't entered it yet, brace yourself and for those of you who have been through it, please tell me there is a light at the end of the tunnel. At least he hasn't climbed out any windows today. I can't take my eyes off him for one minute lately, he is very unpredictable.
December 20, 2008
Philip slept well last night although his cold seems much worse this morning.
December 23, 2008
Philip feeling better with lots of energy today. Seems much less stressed. Played Spider solitaire on the computer today (easy level) and beat it for the first time. Went to Target today and as crowded as it was he did great. He did cover his head with his shirt once or twice but other than that listened very well. Seems to be wanting to get into everything. Was out in the backyard and tried to get out the front gate. He couldn't because it was locked but it didn't stop him from trying. Acting a bit devilish but very typical of a 14 year old boy.
December 24, 2008
This time of year I always like to reflect back to how far Philip has come and not how far he has to go. I was giving Philip a hair cut tonight and he sat there so cooperative. I remember when he was younger, he would scream when I tried to cut his hair. When he was little, we would have to force his medicine to the back of his mouth for him to take it and even then he would spit it out. Now he pops it right in his mouth and swallows. He used to not understand the simplest commands and now has very good receptive skills. His expressive speech is improving all the time too. He used to use just pictures but now uses words for wants and needs. He even saw a necklace his sister was wearing yesterday and commented "pretty." Granted he has a long way to go but it is important to look back at how far your child has come. I am so proud of him.
December 27, 2008
Started out earlier anxious but has turned out to have a good day. His anxiety is so much less than it was a week ago. Not sure if it is the meds, Holiday being passed or school being out but I am glad. His appetite is down a little. The pediatrician said it is rare to lose weight during Christmas lol. 
December 30, 2008
Philip was quieter today. Two of his therapist came over and worked with him while Mom and Dad went out to eat. Wow, was it great to be out alone. We love our kids but everyone should take a time together once in a while. Thank God he has awesome therapist!
December 31, 2008
Wow, another year gone! Philip is having a good day today. He has a pocket chart calendar on the front door that helps him keep track of what is going on day to day. He set it up for January and even made his own card for "Happy New Year" to put in Jan. 1st slot. He had thrown away the school pics before Christmas so I printed up new ones and put them up. He took them all off and threw them away and told me no school. I'm not looking forward to Monday trying to get him to go to school. Last year he enjoyed school, this year he doesn't want to go. I was hoping with the holidays off he would be ready to go back to school. 
I gave Philip a higher dose of melatonin last night to see if it would help his sleep. He still was up half the night but now today I keep catching him trying to take a nap.