Tristan is finally doing better. He's starting to be able to walk again and the swelling for the most part has gone down. Now there's horrific peeling we're dealing with... so many layers of skin coming off from the rash and swelling, at times it's bloody. But overall waaay better.

We still don't know what happened, why, and if it could happen again. He's still out of school, though I'm hoping a return maybe next week? Keep your fingers crossed, he's soooo lonely at home.

In the hospital they were telling me about the poor immune systems and G.I. problems associated with Autism. The crazy amount of resistance to antibiotics and the allergies. Which came just at the moment when Brad was reading a book on Autism by Dr. Sears. He's all about biomedical to treat Autism.

Dr. Sears came to Washington on May 14 and Brad got us to TACA (Talk About Curing Autism) for the meet and greet. Sears did a two hour lecture too. During the lecture we learned how common a lot of Tristan's symptoms are. I tried special diets before, you all, but I never noticed any difference in his behaviors. Well, Brad and I tried it again this last week. I've been staying at his house with Tris. We didn't go all gluten free and casein free because it's expensive, overwhelming and difficult. But we DID make a lot of changes. We bought organic milk, butter and yogurt. We dumped in a lot of veggies. I introduced Tristan to Sunflower butter from Trader Joe's (which is WAY healthier than peanut butter you all and taste better... putting it up to Peanut butter makes PB look so bad, and its gluten free!) We tried a couple gluten free bread/cake things and cut down diary big time despite it being organic. Also we tried a couple supplements and vitamins.

Well Tristan has not changed his attitude. It's still downright mean/careless at times and he still flaps and stands on his tip toes. BUT... it's not nearly as much. The constipation (that has been an issue his whole life but far worse in the last three months) is WAY better too, and the gross issues that follow that are gone. Tristan's sensory issues have drastically improved. So much so I got him to try some new veggies, sunflower butter, and a bite of shrimp, with little to no problems. Which is HUGE. I'm not sure if this is helping him to get well.

My little guy has been through so much the last couple weeks. He's been spoiled rotten too, for surviving. My life completely changed 7 yrs ago. I was complaining recently about how much work kids are, and how I just wanted some time to myself etc. After almost losing him... I'm so grateful for every second. I'm going to take him to church on Sunday if the peeling improves and his fever doesn't return. It would make his whole day.

Final diagnoses? After 4 tests... the infection was a blood infection. We still have no clue what the virus was that help to do him in. Good news? He doesn't have lupus which is a huge problem for me and a cousin, and what killed my uncle. Tristan's problems mimic's it.

We decided to join T.A.C.A too. I don't think diet is everything but for someone so fragile, like Tristan, eating healthier is extremely important. They are so supportive there. They really get what we're going through.

I figured I'd share. It's very short.

The Really Ugly Duckling.

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(It's from The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales by Jon Scieszka & Lane Smith)

I totally love my kid. He's absolutely wicked. I laughed so hard I had tears coming. The picture was priceless too.

I kid you not.

So.. last night I started playing WoW.

Oh boy. Talk about pretty.

After a while you learn the subtle difference
Between holding a hand and chaining a soul,

And you learn that love doesn't mean leaning
And company doesn't mean security,

And you begin to learn that kisses aren't contracts
And presents aren't promises

And you begin to accept your defeats
With your head up and your eyes open,

With the grace of a woman,
Not the grief of a child

And you learn to build all your roads on today,
Because tomorrow's ground is too uncertain for plans
and futures have a way of falling down in mid-flight.

After awhile you learn that even sunshine
Burns if you get too much

So you plant your own garden and decorate your own soul,
In stead of waiting for someone to bring you flowers

And you learn that you really can endure...
That you really are strong
And you really do have worth,
and you learn and learn...
With every good bye you learn.
Veronica Shoffstall 1971

..didn't make the bus this morning.

I only feel semi bad about it too.

Tris and I have been hanging out all morning too watching television and playing potato head. Making Halloweenie cupcakes for the "concession stand" (explanation below).

We play this game every weekend. It's called Car Show. We take his million hot wheels cars and line them up. We than bring out his cash register and "charge" admission so people (Sunshine bear and other stuffed animals) can see the cars. We also pop popcorn for the concession stands (or us). We than judge the cars and award medals. It's great fun. Went to the dollar store recently and picked up a bunch of car stickers and than got poster boards to decorate signs for the car show. Another week we made flags for car races. Wooden rods and we wrapped green, yellow, red, checkered, and popcorn fabrics on each and stapled em. This week I'm going to go check out the fabric at Jo-Ann's a buy the discounted different colored fabrics and make those triangle flag strings for his car show. We could also do a "car wash". He just loves this game.

So.. what games do you guys play with your kids?

no offense WHATSOEVER to my Republican friends but I found this.. and laughed.




She really is just adorable. I would kill to look that cute.

When I heard Hillary Clinton's heartbreaking war story as she and her brave endearing daughter ran for their lives amongst sniper attacks in Bosnia (1996), my heart sank.. I cried real tears... how could they have MISSED?


You guys.. seriously. Screw Obama. Screw McCain. Screw Hillary (oh.. gross.. don't). I'm running for President. Vote Tiffany 2008! (... don't worry, Obama can be my vice-president)