Taking Time

 Waking me this morning was a little boy saying "Puppy Dog."  This doesn't mean he wants a puppy dog.  It means this was the last youtube video he was watching last night which happen to be about a puppy robot.  I guess I should be happy he was speaking and actually articulate enough for me to understand.  I wasn't though considering it was 5am and I really would love to make it till 7 just one Saturday.  Alas, those days are long gone and I am left steaming by with lots of coffee.  After settling him in with tablet, juice, and a pop tart,  I get my first cup in.  I always laugh when I read the jokes about never being able to actually drink a hot cup of coffee.  This is so utterly true in every sense.  I mean, the first sip is so wonderful then before I know it I'm up doing any number of things being requested.  What's worse, is when you have a six year old desperately wanting you to repeat the words he is saying yet you can't get them right because you cannot understand him.  He is in this phase of us having to repeat his words.  At first I couldn't figure out why he needed this and then it hit me.  In therapy we say the word then we have him say the word.  I guess he now thinks this is how all conversation shall go.  This can be tiresome on days that your busy and he will say one word over and over until you say it back.  This is where we as autism parents come to the realization that we are giving therapy 24/7 without reprieve.  We do it though and the days begin to blur.  Somewhere in the muddle of it all we loose ourselves.  Loosing friends along with our own identity.  Taking a shower, brushing your teeth and even putting a bra on can be a luxury!  I had an IEP meeting Friday so I put on some make-up as to not scare the crap outta the team.  I forgot how to put it on!  No kidding, I couldn't get my eyeliner on right to save my life.  I didn't even bother with lipstick!  Expensive jeans sitting in my closet I cannot even pull up my legs.  Let's not even discuss working out and staying fit.  That's a yo-yo I play with several times a year.  Loosing several pounds then packing them back on again.  Point is,  we have to remember ourselves.  We cannot forget to take care of ourselves because those kids need us.  If there is no gas in your tank then your truck is sitting still sweet cheeks so fill the tank.  Go to the gym, do some yoga, get your nails done or treat yourself to a Starbucks because you deserve it.  Don't feel guilty for putting on a few pounds you took off previously.  It will come off again.  Just fit it in when you can, as you can.  Take time for you.  Now I must get back to warming this coffee up in the trusty microwave.  Have a nice day troop...