Friday Five-The Shortbus Edition

When I cannot sleep, I write. I cannot sleep tonight even though I am tired, so here I am, writing

I'm in a very unique position (not literally, my position at this moment is rather normal, butt in the chair, arms on the keyboard stand, feet on the floor) I have a disabled child but I've also been lucky enough to be able to help other mommas (and daddy's too) of special needs child as they've gone through their journey to Holland (Stupid Holland)

Recently a dear friend was in the position where someone made a comment about the "short bus" My friend was hurt and I completely understand it; her son has a disability. Yes, he's a beautiful, bright, lovable, amazing child BUT he also has a disability and making jokes about the short bus to the parent of such a child is downright nasty. Back in the early days of our parenting journey with Gabe, the short bus references nearly killed us. I cannot tell you HOW many times I cried over the prospect of my child riding the short bus. (For those who are lost, the short bus is a bus that usually carries the mentally and physically challenged children to school; people use it as an insult because apparently being retarded is the ultimate insult you can give or something...not to me, I'd definitely rather be accused of being retarded than say, a republican LOL kidding kidding)

So in honor of one of my favorite little boys and his amazing momma, my Friday Five on why the short bus is AWESOME (in no particular order)

1. Gabe's short bus plays music-the other day Justin Bieber (or Justin Beaver as he's known in these parts) was singing loudly; as soon as Gabe got on the bus, he smiled and started singing.

2. The driver of the short bus is AWESOME. His name is John, he's an older guy, and my favorite thing about him? He says Gabriel like my father; every single morning he says "good morning mom, good morning Gabrul" and not only is GABE happy but so am I because I am thinking about how good it is for Gabe to be with someone who likes him AND I'm thinking of my dad (love you Pop)

3. The kids on the short bus are super cool and cute and sweet and fifty two other adjectives to describe adorable children. They are kind and polite. They wait for one another to get off the bus, there's no "hurry up" or "get out of the way" or "why does he limp like that?" or "why is there a cast on his foot"

4. The parents of the other kids on the short bust that I've met GET IT. They are down to Earth people who think nothing of your kid coming off the bus limping or hearing that they needed help with a seatbelt, because, hey sometimes our kids need a little bit of extra help.

and the final reason the short bus rocks?

5. Because Gabe is on it and anywhere Gabe hangs out is cool by me. (Insert your childs' name for Gabe's in this sentence) That's right. Gabe is one cool kid and he rides the short bus. He doesn't care that he's on the "little bus" so why should I, or anyone else for that matter?

Speaking of My Baby Rides the Short Bus, be on the look out for my very *first* give away in the next two weeks or so; I'll be giving away a signed copy of probably the most amazing book on parenting a special needs child in the history of the world*

*yes, I am slightly biased, but why the hell not? It's an AWESOME book

Have a GREAT weekend everyone :)

Friday Five-Pop-a-palooza part 4

Today's Friday Five is also a Pop-a-palooza post!

Grandpa Jeff is a pretty cool guy; in no particular our favorite five things about Grandpa Jeff:

1. Grandpa Jeff likes to play video games with the kids...Gabe especially loves this and watching the two of them play together is always fun.

2. Grandpa Jeff LOVES Bitsy in pig tails; so much so that Bits INSISTS that she MUST wear pig tails anytime we go to Grandpa's house.

3. Grandpa Jeff has lots of fun stories to tell about being a kid; some of the adventures he's been in are almost so silly you don't know whether he's teasing or not.

4. Grandpa Jeff is an excellent bowler and has taught Geo many many things about bowling.

and finally, our fifth favorite thing about Grandpa Jeff is that he's ours :) We're lucky to call him grandpa; the kids adore him and Geo and I think he's pretty alright too :)

Friday Five-Special Edition

Today's Friday Five is all about being a momma...and is actually a ten question entry!

1. What is one thing you wish someone had told you about being a mom?
I wish I would have known, when I had Gabriel, that I was actually in control-not the doctors. I wish I would have known that *I* was the one with the upper hand and I was the one who was supposed to be making the decisions, not them.

2. What is the most embarrassing thing you’ve experienced as a mother?
Hmmm...do I even want to admit this? For you, friends, I will. When Gabe went for his first pediatrician's appt, they told me to take off his diaper so they could get an accurate weight. They did NOT tell me to put it back on; I walked back to the office, set him on my lap and...he had just eaten and he was breastfed-see where I'm going here? The office staff was trying very hard not to laugh as I cleaned up poop from all over my clothes. Six years later, it is still brought up occasionally in that office-the jerks (ok, not really, they're awesome :P)


3. What's been your lowest point?
I battled postpartum depression after having Gabe and that's all I'll say :/

4. What's been the most rewarding?
There's been a lot of rewarding things in the last six years so I'll name a few. Watching Gabriel start to walk at 21 months, nursing Bits for 21 months (hmm...do I see a trend??) listening to Gabriel read, seeing how gentle Bits is, and hearing how polite and kind my children are.


5. Describe a mommy moment that transformed you so much so, you will never forget it nor are you the same since?
There's been a lot; but one that sticks out in my mind is after watching Gabe being mistreated by a well known, well respected doctor, I realized that I was in charge, that *I* was the one responsible for Gabe and how he was treated and I haven't let anyone treat him poorly since-he gets the best or he gets nothing at all (Bits too, but medically speaking, Gabe will see the best doctors and therapists we can find, regardless of distance or cost because HE deserves the best)


6. Are you more relaxed or paranoid since becoming a mother?
Yes :P

7. Did you plan on becoming a mother or were you taken by surprise?
Both; we wanted children from the day we were married (actually, even before then we knew we wanted kids) We were pleasantly surprised when we found out we were expecting both of them

8. Were [or are] you close with your mom?
Yes I am, my mom is amazing. She has the ability to put things into perspective for me when no one else can. She's been through everything with me and always been there cheering me on and cheering me up when I need it. She's also been known to lay down the smack when I need it as well :P


9. What family tradition do you want to pass down?
Hmmm...let's see. This year we started two new ones that I really want to keep going. The first one is Christmas movies every night for about two weeks before Christmas. Watching a different Christmas movie every single night leading up to Christmas got us relaxed at the end of the day along with excited as well.

We also had a grandma and grandpa Wit sleep over on Christmas Eve and it was AWESOME having them there on Christmas morning. Watching Geo jump on the bed to wake his dad and step mom up yelling "Santa was here" was priceless.


10. If you could start over, what would you do differently?
Nothing; it's easy to say, in retrospect what things were mistakes and what things I *should* have done, but I wouldn't be the mom I am today if I hadn't made those mistakes. It's a learning process and I'm still learning-I expect I'll be learning for a long time to come too!