Amazing Again.

We went to an apple orchard in NJ this past weekend. Gracie did pretty well except she decided to take her shoes off in the middle of the field.
But the big news is that we are 95% potty trained and yesterday was her last day with the bottle. We had been still giving her one in the AM and at night but we were finally ready to pull the plug.
Last nite I gave her her melatonin and a snack and she just sat with me and snuggled till she was tired enough to go to bed. Easy peesy.
But tonite she realized something was missing when Chris told her it was time for nite nite. I could see it cross over her mind and she tried to take us both to the sink. So Chris put her to bed and she fussed for a few long minutes but we both held out. So it can only get better from here.
Such a big girl. No diapers. No bottle.  Growing up so fast.

Joy with BFF Kyra.

New Addition.

This is the new girl. She joined our family last Friday. She was at a rescue in Tennessee. A transport brought her up to Allentown where I picked her up ( and my battery died!) So anyway her arrival was an eventful one. So far,she seems to fit really well with the rest of the nuts in the nuthouse except for one thing...
She sometimes poops in Gracie's room.

Well, it's happened two times now. Gracie has discovered Pixie's poops before I could. Twice We found her covered in dog poop. Her arms and the floor in her bedroom were the worst.  Twice I had to throw her in the shower. Twice she laughed and had good time. Right now, I can't deicide which one I want to send back!

Our family slogan is : Autism- YAY!

Longwood Gardens.

A couple weekends ago we went to Longwood with just Gracie, as Joy was at Girl Scout camp. Gracie did really well. She walked almost all the time we were there. I think she was looking for the amusement rides!

Long weekend.

This week was Pappy Angelo's 80th birthday. So we took him out to Rios Brazilian Steak house. The little girl was all decked out and happy to be so.

But things were not to go so well. 

As with all loud places, Grace got tense right away. She sat for a little while but they bring you 16! different meats to try so this was just not the right place for her. 

We didn't make it to cake, so we tried cake at pappy's place but to no avail. She was so upset i had to take her out and sit in the car with her.

We try to bring her to different places but sometimes it's not so successful.

I guess Friday took it's toll on both of us. Yesterday we just kind of hung out at home.

But today was one of the days where my patience level is running on E and Chris had to go to Pittsburgh this afternoon, leaving me with no buffer. 

I couldn't wait to get her to bed. 

I hate these days. I just feel like being at home and doing NOTHING.

It seems like a waste of a day but there is no energy because every ounce of energy left is going to Gracie in order to get her ready for bed.

I know it's as hard for her as it is for me. And she seems to be trying so hard to try and communicate.

SO when my patience does run out I feel horrible for both of us.

She has been doing so good lately too.