Lan and the white car

This post probably won't be very interesting to most people, but since I am making a book out of this blog, I wanted to have it documented. This amazing thing happened yesterday and this morning. Dylan has started to play with little people, and make up scenarios with them! Usually, he just plays with his cars, and the people could be props, if they are used at all. But yesterday, he found this little guy: He named him Lan. He asks me where Lan is whenever he can't see him. This morning, he got Livie's little baby out of her doll house. He said that little boy is Dylan, and he and Lan are racing. It was so great! Even though there is a car and a little train involved, I will gladly take it. I am amazed at how far he has come. This is such a huge improvement for him. His imagination is growing by the day.

More Sunday Funnies

I don't know what it is about the weekend. But Dylan has so many funny comments that I have to post them all. I think it is because he is in school all week, so we don't get the whole Dylan effect.

Dylan: That tickles my bum and knees.
(While driving down a dirt road.)

Dylan: Peep the Weave

(While pointing to his head.)

Dylan: What's cracking mom?

Livie: I can't play right now Dyl, I'm working.

Dylan: I have a clean shave, well oiled hair, and a snappy suit.

Dylan: I'm six.

Livie: You're four.

Dylan: I'm six.

Livie: You're FOUR!

(Imagine this going on and on, increasing in intensity and volume.)

Dylan: Mom, Zoey has blue berries on her belly.

(Zoey is our dog, you can figure it out.)

Livie: Let's play dollhouse.

Dylan: Be quiet Livie, I'm doing my homework.

(This being said while he was lining up cars.)

This last one shouldn't be funny, but it is. Livie is scared of babies. I know it's weird, but it is so true. While we were at church, there was a little baby that was barely old enough to walk, and she started toddling towards Livie when she screamed:

Fifi's scared of baby! Fifi's scared of the BABY!

Occupational Therapy

I feel like I talk so much about Dylan's Occupational Therapy and his therapist Shannon, that I should post some pictures of what crazy things go on there. Shannon helps Dyl with his fine and gross motor skills, muscle tone, and most of all, his sensory integration issues. She is so wonderful. She is like a therapist to me too. She answers every question, and is there for us when we have late night problems, or when Dylan is stuck in the hospital. This place is so awesome. If I was a kid, I would think I was in heaven. Livie thinks we are there for her enjoyment. Sorry about the quality of the pictures. I was trying to take cute pictures without interrupting the session. I don't think telling Dylan to look at the camera and smile would have gone over very well. Let's hear it for people who love our kids as much as we do!

Tea Anyone?

Livie and I love having tea parties together. We even use water. Pretty daring of me, right? She is just so cute, and is the perfect hostess. She makes sure mine is filled up first, and my cup is always full. She even loves to cheers our cups. So if anyone is up for a tea party of semi-cold tap water, please join us.

Daddy's are the Best

In my opinion, Jon is the best father ever. (I know I may be a little biased, but it's my blog, so I'm right.) He helps give baths, gets them dressed, makes them dinner, and loads of other stuff. But I think my favorite thing about Jon as a dad, is the silly games he plays with them. He makes stuff up that I would not even think about. For instance, his trash compactor game. He has them lay down on the floor, yells trash compactor and smushes them. One of their favorite games is the pillow toss. The kids run down the entryway, and Jon throws couch pillows at them and knocks them over. It made me a little nervous at first, but the kids LOVE it! They giggle hysterically and beg for more. They don't even hand me the pillows. Hopefully one day my kids will appreciate what an incredible father they have, almost as much as their mom does.

The Right Stuff

This past Saturday, our stake had a women's conference. It was so great, and I learned so much. My favorite class was taught by our bishop's wife on taming our children. She had a quote that I am trying to live by. It was, "There is more than one right way to do things." I am the type of person that always second guesses myself. I always end up asking Jon, who tells me to do whatever I want. For example, I have been thinking about potty training Livie. But she doesn't really show very much interest. So I go back and forth, back and forth, should I potty train her, should I wait? My goal for this week is to become more decisive, and not think I am going to mess things up. That being said, does anyone have any advice on Livie's potty problem?

Funny Sunny

Today was such a funny day. I don't know what the kids had in their systems, but they made Jon and I laugh all day. I had so many quotes to put in for Dylan, that I decided to make a post about everything.

*Livie loves to sing. Therefore, during the songs in sacrament meeting, she just sings as loud as she can. She isn't on key and doesn't know any words, but it is the cutest thing I have ever heard.

*Dylan took two cups of water from the sacrament tray before I could stop him. He then proceeded to burp very loud, but followed it up with an excuse me.

*I decided to have him look at animal pictures to calm him down. When we came to a picture of a horse he said, Ewww, that horse's bum is so stinky. (If any of you know Dylan, you know his voice has two volumes, loud and screaming.)

*Livie was in the hall at this point for being naughty. Jon had her sitting in a chair to calm down. She just kept staring at him and then started tapping her fingers impatiently on the table next to her.

*Dylan knows how to read the numbers on the clock, so I told him sacrament meeting would be over when the big hand is on the two. As it got closer, he started chanting, Go clock Go. Go clock Go.

*I took him to the bathroom before Sunbeams, and he was being such a good boy. I asked him to wait in the stall with me while I went. He then stuck his hand out under the door and said Oh No Mom! My hand just made a very bad choice.

That's all I have so far, but its only three o clock.

A Day at the Farm

We had parent's day at Dyl's school today. We went to a place called Mckee Ranch. It was so much fun. They had so many horses and other farm animals. Here are a few pictures to show off our adventure.This goat was so funny. He was so skittish of all the kids, but Livie went up to him and kept saying, it's okay sweetheart. It was so darling. Then the goat started rubbing it's head on her legs. She thought it was so great! He followed her around the farm the whole time. All of the horses were nipping at her shirt, I think they thought it was real flowers or something. She kept telling me they were tickling her and wanted them to do it again. She reminds me so much of myself that it is scary.

Livie wasn't scared of feeding the horses at all. Every time they took the carrots, she squealed. She kept chasing the rooster, trying to give it a hug. Dylan made it his sole mission to find everything with wheels, from hubcaps to wagons. He loved it all. His favorite was the yellow car.

Dylan fell in love with this car. He made us say goodbye to it twice before we could leave.

Both of the kids loved the playground. This place is free and you can go anytime you want. So if any of you Las Vegas people have kids that love animals, this is a really fun place to go.

Grandma and Grandpa Bailey

Our other set of grandparents came to see us this week. We had a lot of fun. We made them dinner on Tuesday, and on Wednesday, they took us out to dinner and a movie. Jon and I hadn't been on a date for awhile, so it was really nice to get out. On Thursday, Wayne, Jon, and Dylan went to the auto collection. (Yes, the auto collection again, you would think my kid would be tired of it.) Heidi, Livie, and I went shopping. We had so much fun with them and hopefully we will be able to see them again soon.

My three Tags

I was tagged three times last week, and I have been such a slacker! So here I go, doing all three tags at once.

What were you doing 10 years ago?
I was 16, almost seventeen, finishing my junior year of high school. I was a cheerleader, dating the completely wrong boy for me, and those two things pretty much were my life.

-5 things on my to do list today?
Taking Dyl to and from school, laundry, hanging out with my in-laws, taking Dyl to therapy, and pretty much all the other mommy things.

-6 snacks I enjoy
Cheese, crackers, chocolate, coke, Carmel popcorn balls, and tomatoes.

-What would I do if I were suddenly a billionaire?
I would pay off both my parents and my in-laws houses, and whatever debts they have, and give them good retirement money. We would pay off our house. I would take Dylan to UCLA and get him every available therapy there was to help him. I would still stay in Las Vegas, but move into a bigger house. I would donate a TON of money to help Autism Awareness and research.

-5 Places I have lived
Garland, Tremonton, Orem, Provo, and Las Vegas.

-5 Jobs I have had
Retail store worker, Receptionist, Office Manager, and best of all, wife and mother.

-5 things people may not know about me
I am a clean freak, and I prefer to have my house spotless.
I still secretly blame myself for Dylan's autism, although I am trying not too.
I love to read and would do so all day if I could.
Although I miss my family so much, I do not want to leave Las Vegas for awhile.
I would still like to be a dolphin trainer, but that dream gets smaller and smaller every day.
I am tagging any 5 people who haven't gotten this tag yet.

1. YOUR ROCK STAR NAME (first pet, current car): Sandy Montana
2. YOUR GANGSTA STAR (favorite ice cream flavor, favorite type of shoe): Chocolate Flip Flop
3. YOUR NATIVE AMERICAN NAME (favorite color, favorite animal): Cerulean Dog
4. YOUR SOAP OPERA NAME (middle name, city where you were born): Pae Ogden
5. YOUR STAR WARS NAME (first three letters of your last name, first two letters of your first name): BaiAs
6. SUPERHERO NAME (2nd favorite color, favorite drink): Pink Coke
7. NASCAR NAME (the names of your grandfathers): Stanley Lamont
8. TV WEATHER ANCHOR NAME (your 5th grade teacher's last name, a major city that starts with the same letter): Pearson Panguitch
9. SPY NAME (your favorite season/holiday, favorite flower): Fall Lily
10. CARTOON NAME (favorite fruit, article of clothing you are wearing right now): Strawberry pajamas
11. HIPPIE NAME (what you ate for breakfast, your favorite tree): Toast Magnolia

Here are the rules:
1. Pick up the nearest book (at least 123 pages).
2. Turn to page 123.
3. Find the 5th sentence
4. Post the 5th sentence on your blog
5. Tag 5 people

The book closest to me is the book I am reading right now called the The Kite Runner, by Khaled Hosseini. The sentence is:
"I only knew the memory lived in me, a perfectly encapsulated morsel of a good past, a brushstroke of color on the gray, barren canvas that our lives had become."

I am tagging anyone who hasn't received any of these. Good Luck!

Dylan's Artwork

Yesterday, Dylan had me come take a picture of a "SO COOL" circle of cars. After I took the picture, we discussed the merits of each car in the circle. Being so engrossed in our conversation, I completely forgot that I left my camera in his room. He didn't have school yesterday because of Staff Development Day, so I was able to keep him with me, all day. When I put him down for quiet time, he found my camera and got busy. When I came to get him, he was so proud and wanted me to show him all of the pictures that he took. (First of all, I had to read a manual to know how to work the camera, but he just figured it out.) Here are some of his best:

I love that you can see his cute toes sticking out.

These are the blinds in his room.

Can you tell what this is? It is the light in his room.

I think he was trying to take a picture of his yellow car, he was just a little off. I think that maybe his future isn't being a Nascar driver, or mechanic. He may turn out to be a photographer.

Grandma & Grandpa

My kids love both sets of grandparents. We don't get to see either very often, so every time we do, it is so special. This weekend we were able to see my parents in St. George. The kids were so excited. Livie absolutely loves my mom, and Dylan has such a special bond with my dad. They miss them so much when they have to leave, and Livie is still asking, Where did my grandma go? Jon's parents are coming this week, so my kids are getting doubly spoiled with loving grandparents.

St. George Water Park

This past Thursday-Sunday, our little family went to St. George. We stayed at my Grandma Myrna's house, and spent some time with her and my parents. The kids had so much fun. St. George just opened this new little water play area in Town Square. They had so much fun. The first day we went there, Jon didn't know it was a water area, so the kids are still in their clothes. The next day we took them in their swimming suits. Dylan has been having some sensory issues with his pants, so that is why he is pulling up his shorts in every single picture. They had a pop up water area like they do here in Vegas, but theirs is all cement. Jon and I knew it was an accident waiting to happen, and sure enough, on Saturday, a teenage girl went running across it and fell, hit her head, and had to be taken to the hospital. Our kids had a ball though.

Night of Too Many Stars

Last night on Comedy Central, they hosted a benefit to raise money for autism education. They had so many incredible performers. There really were so many different celebrities there. They raised a ton of money, and they showed some of the programs that they have implemented with the money they raised last year. At the end of the show, Jon Stewart had people in the audience stand up and donate money. One lady donated $50,000. It just blew me away. I couldn't help but cry as I watched countless people stand up and donate thousands of dollars. I'm sure that most of them don't even have children with autism. I am so blessed to live in a state that has such an incredible program, and to have fantastic insurance that pays for an Occupational Therapist. But I know that there are many families out there who do not have the same types of resources. I also know that there are so many worthy causes out there, that need more money for research, and other necessities, but as a mother of a little boy with High Functioning autism and sensory integration disorder, I am so very grateful that people gave money for our cause.

Random Cuteness

I think my Dylan is the funniest kid alive. He does the cutest and quirkiest things. One of his "jobs" is to line up his cars. He is so precise in the way he does it. He usually does it in his walk-in closet and shuts himself in. Lately he has been asking me to take pictures of his masterpieces. There is a method to his madness. Sometimes he asks me to help him, but I never do it quite right. He only likes certain cars in the lines at certain times.

Another random thought, I love thank you cards. I love giving them, and I LOVE receiving them. But it seems like whenever I get a thank you card, I feel like I should send the person a thank you card for giving me one. So here it is, my thank you,

to all of you that have sent me a sweet card.

Livie is a Sunbeam

Jon started this tradition with Livie, where every night they sing before they go to bed. It is so cute, that I had to share it. Jon refused to sing while being recorded, so I had to sing with her. She is so darling. I just love to hear her sing.

(You will have to mute the play list to get the whole effect, and to watch it uninterrupted, you need to watch it twice. )

Popcorn Popping Jesus wants me for a Sunbeam

General Confrence

I absolutely loved General Conference this year. There were so many wonderful talks, and I learned a lot of lessons. I noticed every speaker mentioned something about President Monson and how strong they felt about him being the new prophet. I was so touched by that. I loved President Hinckley so much, and felt a sadness every time they mentioned him. But listening to President Monson, that sadness has gone away. He is such an incredible man, and you can see how humbled he is to be in this position and also how there isn't a better person to be the prophet. I also loved Elder Uchtdorf. He gave a wonderful talk, and you can feel his love for the people in the church. I think my favorite talk was given by Elder Ballard. He talked about mothers, and gave us some extremely helpful pointers. I know that I can learn so much from him. I am so grateful to be a member of this church and to have such wonderful men leading it. I am so blessed to have my family, and such a strong faith in Jesus Christ and my Heavenly Father.

Good Intentions

Every time I plan an outing, it is with the best of intentions. But unfortunately, it never turns out the way that I think it is going to. Today Jon and I took Dylan and Livie to an event called Touch a Truck. Pulte was one of the sponsors, so we were able to get free tickets. It sounded like the perfect thing for Dylan. They had tons of trucks, fire engines, police cars, and all sorts of vehicles for the kids to sit in and play with. Sounds like a great time, right? Well, not exactly. It all started out all right, when we got there, Dylan had so much fun. He was running around looking at all the trucks. After a little bit, you could see him start to shut down. There were a lot of kids honking all of the big truck horns, and lots of little ones running around. Poor little Dyl kept putting his hands over his ears. We got some great pictures of the kids though, and Dylan actually made it longer then he would have a few months earlier. I need to look at those little victories, and not that we had to carry him out screaming. I know we need to take him out to have new experiences, and they aren't always going to go smoothly. But every improvement is a huge accomplishment for our family.

Enrichment

We had the best enrichment last night. We had a service auction, and the sisters were very creative with what they auctioned off. I bought a blogging lesson from Janet, (Hooray Janet!), and some cookies and the Legacy movie. I think one of the most popular services was a massage. After Enrichment, a few of the sisters went to Golden Spoon to get some frozen yogurt. I had a migraine, and wasn't the most exciting person to be around, but it was still a great night. Thank you to all the sisters that came.

Patience

Patience is something that I always wish I have more of. Every night when I say my prayers, I ask Heavenly Father to help me have more patience. I have heard that when you ask Heavenly Father to help you with something, he gives you trials and situations, where you can learn to gain more of what you are in need of. Sometimes, I think Heavenly Father gets creative when he thinks of new situations to help my patience level. For instance, our insurance company. We have excellent insurance, so I was quite surprised when we got a bill for Livie's immunizations in January. I knew it must have been a mistake so I called our insurance company Pacificare. I talked to them at night and they told me that their claims department was closed, but got all of my information and promised a call first thing in the morning. When that call never came, I decided to call them back. As I talked to the lady, she told me that they had no record of my phone call, but not to worry, they would get my information and solve the problem right away. As I was on hold, I got a lot accomplished. I made a casserole for dinner that night, and did the dishes. All the while, I was getting more and more impatient. Could there really be that many people in Las Vegas who had an insurance question? Or were there workers just sitting around drinking coke and laughingly saying, I wonder how long this schmuck will stay on hold. After about 45 minutes on hold, I thought about hanging up. But I stopped myself, Don't do it I said, that is what they want from you. After 56 minutes, I finally talked to them and the problem was solved. I think I failed my patience test miserably. When I pray tonight, I am going to ask Him to give me a rest from patience trials. I think I have enough patience to make it through the weekend.

Girls Night Out

Yes, my cable finally came. I had so many darling pictures, that I collaged them, so that everyone could see all of them. I hope you call enjoy!