Arrggg its a Mermaid

 I went to Ayiana's parent-teacher conference for the year this week and she is doing wonderful. Her teacher feels she is right where she should be, and she is getting a Citizenship award for the quarter, she got all "o"s= outstanding for all categories under work skills and social skills. She was so excited, and we are very proud of her! They do not do letter grades in first and half of second grade so no merit or honor roll yet, but she is beginning to read at a faster pace and is enjoying doing it on her own... we sat tonight, after much candy eating, listening from the living room her read to herself in her room. Such a nice sound to hear!


Liam had a doctors appointment this morning, his asthma is staying in check with maintenance medication still and his doctor has basically told me to watch for symptoms and adjust inhalers as needed, trying to stay at the lowest dosage possible without creating the need for more intervention (oral steroids) later on. Liam still dislikes doctors offices, today was a tough one! He started to get upset as I slipped his shoes off; he bit me! He's not done that one before, I just removed him and walked away, saying "That's not nice". The nurse was puzzled when I sternly said that to him, I told her what had happened she looked shocked! I guess I didn't let on to how hard he had done it (he didn't break skin but the muscle on my shoulder still hurts). After my stern tone and lack of sympathy for his plight he stayed compliant. Actually he smiled and laughed for the doctor, guess he figured he couldn't get anyone to rally his side, so he might as well go along with the program.


We debated for almost a full month rather to take the kids to Zoo Boo or not. But we decided that since Liam will be having his dental work (under full sedation) on Halloween morning we wanted to do something. That way even if he is not feeling up to it on Halloween night he still has an experience of dressing up and getting candy for the year. So we went to Zoo Boo, first time ever, it was very packed with people, which is a bit different then the Christmas Lights time. When we go during that time, it is usually a little more tranquil. The kids had fun though and of course had plenty of candy. Here are some pictures from tonight's events!

Thomas and Liam, we went out to dinner first, this was on the patio area there

The Mermaid and her Daddy!

My sea dwellers and there ship at the Zoo

Pumpkin Patch Fun

So it finally got colder here, Ayiana was excited to wear her new outfits to school, that she picked out her very self. She insisted on a picture in this one.

Liam had a great week in school. He showed off his newest skills for me on Thursday, he strung several foam pieces on a rope, everyone was impressed... such a big improvement in his fine motor skills! Mom was proud of him, he was proud too...

Saturday came, and it was a lazy kind of one. We ate lunch outside at my folks house, it was beautiful outside!

Neca, my moms cat, doesn't he suit Halloween well!

playing after lunch, bbq sauce still adorns his face!

Yep, it was a crazy hair type of Saturday, feet kicked up, totally nice!

Then last night, we went out to dinner with some friends for a birthday celebration. The kids did really well considering we where in a nicer place for over an hour and a-half. We played outside for a bit before getting in the car, this mall pipes out some good music in the outdoor area so the kids danced away under the mon light!

Every year our church goes to a pumpkin patch after one service in October, this afternoon was the day for that too. Here are the pictures from that, they each picked out a pumpkin, and walked through a corn-maze and a hunted train car.. then we rushed home so Thomas could go to sleep and get at least 6 hours in before work tonight. 

Our Pastor writing Ayiana's name on the pumpkin she picked out

Ayiana bringing on the kisses during her fun time

Liam hold the pumpkin he chose

Liam and I coming out of the haunted train car

Thomas and Liam coming out... yep we took three trips through, Liam loves trains

My Silly's, there where cut outs around. There is also a pretty neat shooting galory, Thomas did quite well,
me not-so-much :)

Short and Sweet

So this last week was filled with some of the usual calls, appointments, and school happenings... and very few other adventures. I consider that a winning week, we are all resting the weekend away. The few family members and friends who had been the hospital for the week are all out, and the only exciting thing for this week was Liam's school picture day! I kept my hopes on the lower side, because frankly getting a smiling photo with him looking at the camera is somewhat sparing... but we did it! The gal took 3 photos, the third he is smiling in. The photographer was worried because one of his hands is up, but he has it over his little heart and is smiling so sweetly. I told her that was far better than what I had expected and I am so excited to get his picture pack in a few weeks! Ayiana took her school pictures last week, so I should get them around the same time. With that I leave pictures of "Cheesy Ayiana" and my "Deer Liam."  These two wonderful kids of mine always give me something to smile about!

Seals of approval

Today after school we took the kiddos to the zoo, we hadn't been in some time even though we have an annual membership. Our zoo recently opened a new exhibit, called "Sea Lion Cove", so that was the first stop! The kids loved it, stayed there for quite some time. I had read in our magazine we get with membership,  that one of our sea lions loves coming up to the big under water window to visitors... I didn't realize that she literally comes up to greet you, she did for nearly every child that came up to it! Her name is Ariel, I think the kids really loved her too!

We went around to the elephants, Liam doesn't like to stay down low, he has a hard time looking through the bars, Thomas took this one of him and me

We went to the petting zoo, the goats are nice as usual, I tried to get the sheep to stand still.... haha, they DO NOT like attention!

We have a calf in the petting area, she had just had her bucket of milk... then she still wanted to suck on something, the keeper there put her fingers out and she sucked noisily on them, what a pacifier! Then I heard  another first... a Kangaroo sneezing haha!

We went around to sting ray bay, the kids love that too, but they just look, to afraid to actually touch. Ayiana actually pulls her hand up even if its in the water as they come by, its pretty funny to watch. 

Lastly we went to the Dino Dig area, the kids play on their own here, so Thomas and I sat for a few moments in peace :-)

Then we came home, a fun afternoon, with my beautiful family!

Fall Weather

We finally are in our "normal" temperature range around here, I am so thankful! This last week, was actually pretty mellow for the McCarty household, another thing to be thankful for. Upcoming "big" events aren't until the end of October and through the holidays. Last Monday Liam wasn't feeling to well, he fell asleep before 11 in the morning, he usually NEVER takes a nap, so he didn't get to school that day.

He's never done that before so I took that as a message that he really needed the rest, then I figured out why (or at least I think). I began sneezing on Wednesday, thinking it was just allergies, I must have sneezed 50 times on Thursday and Friday, probably 100 on Saturday. My energy level was just gone, then today I woke up feeling much better and I haven't sneezed but maybe 20 times and Thomas is now the one sneezing with a stuffy nose.... so there's that, had a cold and didn't even realize it! Oh, well, still got what needed done this week done. That included taking Bella to the vet to update her shots, she is much like the kids, and wouldn't even look at the camera if shes stressed lol She shook like a leaf in the waiting area, but overall was such a well behaved girl... she more then deserved her cookie at the end of the visit.

Last night, Ayiana had a sleep over at my parents.... the past two times Liam hasn't cared so much. This time was different, he decided that we needed to have a sleep over at home too, he wanted in my bed! This is actually one of the only times I can remember that he wanted to sleep in bed next to me, most people want their kids to stay out of there beds but when you have one that doesn't cuddle to often you kinda jump at any chance, so I definitely ran with it! I also sang the song Ayiana sings to Liam every night. Yes, she has a "Go to Sleep Liam" song, I'll have to record it one day just so we have record of it because it is WAY cute and it is very much a part of his bedtime routine. In any case, he didn't get to actual sleep until much later than usual  (it took me a while to figure all of what he was wanting out, being that he doesn't talk) so, I knew today he would need a nap. Ayiana also stayed up past her usual time so she could use one as well... my solution, take a drive out in the country! It worked beautifully, Liam fell asleep I moved him from the car when we got home and he stayed asleep for a total of 2 1/2 hours. Ayiana watched a short movie when we got home then fell asleep next to me on the couch. YES, everyone got a nap in, success... HAPPY DANCE!  

ahhh... lazy Sunday drive in the country... relaxing!

One Rad Race

Yesterday, Thomas and Ayiana went on a race together. Well partially together, Ayiana started with her Dad, then I took her and we went back around past the finish line and up one station and waited about 10 minutes and then she ran the ending quarter mile or so with him. The race featured several stations to get "colored Rad" so by the end colored cornstarch was EVERYWHERE. Thomas and Ayiana loved it, my lungs for the little bit I breathed in did not lol. Anyhow, here are some of the pictures from the race. 

Ayiana finally got her bib number, kids under 7 ran free but they originally
didn't give Thomas a bib to put on her... 

The massive crowd waiting to start, three wave of runners, Thomas and Ayiana where in the second one

It's like Where's Waldo! Can you spot Ayiana's little legs on the left?

Waiting for Dad to come closer to the finish line, Liam found watching the people run by quite amusing! 

A mighty big hill at the end for Ayiana to run up, she made it!

the ending "blue haze"... cough cough... and you betcha   BLUE BOOGERS!

The "Before" and "After" shots!

Awesome people

So I don't often post about other people than the immediate family on here, some might ask why, honestly since I do not know how others react to being plastered online, I usually keep stories/photo's to a minimum for privacy sake. Today, however, I have a few pictures and stories about two positive people for our family. Thursday our pastor came over for an in-home visit and he let Ayiana dress him up, Liam climbed into his lap after awhile and even gave him some pretty awesome eye-contact! We are blessed to have such a wonderful Pastor and church family.

Look at those sillies!

Ayiana put hat and scarf on our Pastor, gave him one of her fruit
roll-ups too lol, such a nice hostess :) of course in my fashion, she
just couldn't keep her eyes open for the picture!

The next person, is Liam's occupational therapist. She did her first assessment/observation of Liam when he was 15 months old, she has been key to helping us do so many things for him, a simple thanks doesn't ever seem like enough. He use to whine and scream loudly during sessions, now he can not sit still in the waiting room he is so excited to see her! Friday we went in for our weekly one-hour visit with her, she has been trying for some time to get Liam to ride what is called a "scooter board" think wide skateboard but not as long and you'll have an idea.  Friday she laid down on it to "show" him what she was wanting, Liam climbed on top of her back, she said to leave him there and went down the hall with him! We where all laughing at how hysterically funny it was to watch him touching her hair while she pushed forward on it. After half way around she got Liam off of her back and then we actually got him to ride the second half around on his belly! I don't know to many teachers/therapists that would do what she does with him, but it works, she is an incredible therapist/person and we are so glad she is part of our team!

I am still chuckling about this one!

My recipe for patience

Truthfully I had written a post above this about all the calls and things I am going through to help Liam. While I wrote that one of the ladies I'd called, called back. She had been on vacation but got sick and her first stop back into Fresno was to an Urgent care center. She told me she was only in the office for a few hours that day and would get back to me as soon as she could. I had already written my recipe below, but I didn't feel even keeping the original note even mattered as it had before. It was clearly a "me" oriented one, I added some more instructions in my recipe... here it is! What's your recipe?


Recipe to develop Lisa McCarty's Patience   Love

1 loving devoted husband sent to a war zone followed by civilian policing, working nights/all weekends
2 years of infertility to have first child
1 sweet little girl arriving code blue at birth
1 wonderful baby boy with special needs (SN)
1 open heart surgery (for special needs baby)
1 mommy mental breakdown
1 doctor of each specialty to help (cardiology, gastro-intestinal, genetics, neruo-surgery, neurologist, ophthalmology  pediatric dentist, developmental pediatrician)
3 years of interventions for baby boy, followed by autism diagnosis

Sprinkle through the years 20-31, as life goes on, reminding that every person goes through different trials, some families lose a child, some have members with cancer, every family going through different struggles. Mix well, keeping mind that "love your neighbor as yourself" is a commandment and reference this verse regarding what love is: "Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast, it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends." 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

Picnic and Play

So I am WAY behind on posting, something about school year starting, then trying to coordinate Liam's new therapies, both of which takes much of my time. I have finally made a little head way on everything, but it takes many phone calls, emails, and report scanning, to get everything moving in the right directions. Believe me I'm not complaining, it is what it is, but I obviously can not update with all of it during the day! As for fun times, last weekend, the kids and I went to a birthday party on Saturday afternoon and then that night my husbands work had a picnic at our AAA baseball stadium. It was fun, the kids enjoyed the bounce house, swam a little, and really enjoyed running across the very even, non-sprinkler head dipped, heavily manicured grass! Heck, even Thomas said it was nice to run on, I sat and watched and snapped a few photos of them having fun.

Liam met a friend, we didn't know him, but he took to making sure Liam didn't get jumped on by the others in the bouncer, and even got him to stand and do some jumping... we where in awe of this young lad, as he was so sweet to do this without anyone saying a word. Give kids a chance to help others and many will, it was pretty neat to sit back and watch, and of course we thanked him when it was our time to leave!

Someone had brought this ball out to the field, Liam loved playing with it, and was wonderful to leave it there when it was time to leave

Give kids and a Dad some room to run and watch them play :) Airplane Liam coming in for a landing!

To be so young and carefree again lol

Play ball!

3 weeks of school

Ayiana "decorated" Bella...can you say "patient dog!"

Ayiana, on the last day she got to wear her "heart pin" the back wouldn't stay on after that day. 

Liam's "OH NO" not the dentist! Okay, serious he was
doing some sensory touch while eating a burrito, but I caught
on camera and felt it was appropriate :)

I can hardly believe that three weeks of school are already done! How easily time clips on, when I put in the little letter to Ayiana and Liam stating if I was lucky they would teach me a thing or two this school year, I didn't know how seriously that would be put to test! With a subscription to rethinkautism.com Liam is learning head over heals faster then before, it is pretty amazing to watch what a regimented routine lesson can do for him... so I am really anxious to get therapists with ABA experience on board, but realize that the school district is going to assess so that will be another 60 days down the road but we are moving, the train is chugging forward! We felt like we went stagnant there for a while and that isn't the best feeling so this is better, brighter, and much easier to deal with. Our biggest thing this week was the dentist appointment...which Liam absolutely hates. Ayiana did wonderfully and doesn't have any new cavities, YEY so very happy for her! Liam has one cavity, which in itself doesn't sound all that bad, BUT, he won't sit enough for her to get a good look at all the "possible" spots he has. He will not allow even x-rays on the sides to be performed! So... we are going to have to go to the general anesthesia route, they gave choices but since he doesn't cooperate AT ALL (chokes himself with his mucous even) we are capping all 8 molars. He also grinds his teeth so that in a sense should also help the enamel to stay in tacked. His one front tooth with the cavity had a previous filling and it either fell out or got soft again (meaning the decay continued around the filling) so if that can not be filled again he will have to have it either capped...which I was told will look really odd since usually they do both front teeth but he only needs the one. Dentists words where he will look "snaggle toothed", so extraction is the option that was recommended. On the car ride home, Ayiana being her positive self, said to Liam,  "You might loose a tooth before sister!" lol Not exactly the way we would ever want it but I guess we will go with her positive thinking, better then the alternative negative paths. We are fortunate that our dentist does work out at Children's Hospital, so we know Liam's sedation will be done by the best in the area, which does make me more at ease given all the work that will be done. With this most proactive approach, we are hopeful that Liam won't need more work any time in the immediate future.

Up and Down

Ever have one of those days with extreme highs and lows, well today that kind of day for me. Started off fairly uneventful, I had butterfly's in my belly before noon, Liam had an appointment with a developmental pediatrician at 12:30. This was "it," a big meeting to watch Liam play and talk about his behaviors including lack of speech and hopefully get more services for him. And much like anticipated Liam was diagnosed with Autism, why did it take so long and so many people watching him to see something that I had long thought? Well, there is a lot of politics in it, and no set "standard" test, it isn't a blood test that comes back positive or negative so over the years we have had teachers so "no way" because he learns something new and seems to relate, and others say "yes, I don't diagnose but I wouldn't doubt"... thankfully our Genetics doctor got us the referral to this doctor. Now for the big things, getting therapies and a educationally enriched room for him to grow in communication not just learning abc and 123. That might seem simple, but I assure you it isn't. We now have to hope the insurance accepts this doctors diagnosis for the therapy, yep that's right they can still question it as can the school district. They can both require additional testing too, seems like a pretty successful doctor with ties even to the MIND institute at UC Davis would be well enough to agree with.... we'll see what evolves in the next few months, for now I'm feeling at least vindicated. I was able to go to a introductions class tonight at Fresno State to join and adult band. Clearly I was the youngest in the room, that doesn't bother me, I just really need to be able to play music with a group once a week...I have always called music my therapy :) It really is relaxing and helps me to focus better and continue to manage life as crazy as it is. That meeting was great, talked with some really nice people and look forward to playing my Trombone (they had flutes no Trombones so back to the horn section I shall go). Of course I was relaxed until I reached my car and wa-la.... I got a ticket! I was so mad, I bought a day use ticket, plopped it on my dash and went into the room! Come to find out I parked on the "faculty" side of the lot, of course there is nothing saying "faculty" just some yellow lines instead of white... I AM NOT A STUDENT THERE (and this class is a no credit, no admission class as well!), how in the world would I have known that! So I will be writing a kindly letter tomorrow explaining what occurred, we'll see how "just" there system is, I really had no idea and that stinker ticket is $50, I PAID the $3 fee for parking darn it! Get home to a house with one sleeping baby (Liam) and one crying in her room (I will spare the details)... sigh, and so ends the day at the McCarty house.

Finally Friday!

So obviously I didn't post this on Friday, truthfully I meant to take and add pictures, it's more fun with them...then the weekend celebration occurred and well....it's Monday, no pictures if the heart pin that even this morning is back on her shirt or anything else....maybe later, off to feed Liam lunch!


The end of the first week of school is today, in some ways the week went by fast..in others slower. Ayiana had a very hard adjustment going from half days to full days, she expressed this through tears on 2 different nights, and 3 mornings. This morning though, knowing it was "fun Friday" at school followed by knowing she has Saturday and Sunday off seemed to help. On Tuesday morning I took out a little heart pin I had from my jewelry box and put it on her, told her is she missed me to look at the heart I gave her, she has worn it everyday this week...I guess that helped keep away some of her blues. I learned on Tuesday just how much more I can clean the house in one hour with no one else home...I think the only one confused was Bella, she followed me around everywhere but stayed out of the way! Wednesday afternoons are now lunch date days for Thomas and I and that was nice, ome quiet meal for us to have adult conversation at will be nice! Thursday I will stay with Liam (volunteer in his class) until I go pick up Ayiana at her school and starting in September on Fridays I will be in Ayiana's class from after her lunch to the end of the day, I am looking forward to it, it is there "fun" time and usually when the holiday parties take place too....last year we couldn't swing Fridays so I missed out on that stuff! Liam has been awesome with going to school, I feared repeating his separation issues he originally had when he started preschool, but he definitely remembers everyone and is more then happy to go, I am so thankful! Here is to a great weekend!

First Grader!

So today was, like many across America, the start of a new school year! This year we have new schedules, which actually allow slightly more freedom for mom :) Ayiana is in school from 7:55-2:05 and Liam from 12:15- 2:30...well he could be there as early as 11:30 but that is lunchtime and he doesn't do well in the cafeteria still, since I figure being fed is important I keep him at home to do this and then take him. So today I went grocery shopping between Liam's drop off time and Ayiana's pick-up, Thomas and I also watched an America's Got Talent on Hulu with...NO interruptions, well at least not from the kids, I don't sit for as long as the shows, I have to get up on the breaks but it is limited to commercial breaks only lol. I, of course, took photo's this morning. I told Ayiana to stand in "the spot" same as last year and the what we plan on using until the kids are out of school or we move, whichever comes first. :). She instantly said she wanted Liam to be there with her, yes, she is a considerate sister, so I took a few of both then some of her.  I never did get a single good one of Liam by himself, so I am glad that she took initiative, and I actual got a photo with them BOTH looking at the camera at the same time (last one on the row!)...if you've been around my two kiddos you'll know that is really quite a feat!

Ayiana - first grader; Liam - Pre-Schooler

This was her "pose" 

It always amazing me that she can be this happy, then go to

 This in 0.2 seconds....I am sure teenage years are going to be thrilling... (yes that's sarcasm!)

Yep, mom was up in time without the alarm clock, had to "do" my
hair a little more after I noted my picture! 

I love these two babies of mine!

To Ayiana and Liam,
 May this school year bring you both joy and
happiness, and learning that will help you explore your world,
and perhaps, if I am lucky, you'll teach mommy a few things along
the way! Love you both!