Today's Rogan-ism

"Mom, I know we don't always agree. But in the end, we always come together. And THAT is the making of a powerful relationship."

I've said it before, and I'll say it again. That boy is WISE beyond his years!!!!

The Guilted, Part 1 of Infinity

When I was pregnant with Rogan, I was working 12-hour weekend nights as a charge nurse on an OB floor. I did this so that I would be able to stay home during the week with my daughter and my then-husband would stay home on the weekends. There were many a night where, looking for something to do or just anxious to take a peek at the miracle within me, I would pull out the ultrasound and scan my own belly. It amazed me to see that little creature and it always brought a little bit of joy to be able to connect with him by seeing him "face-to-face."
Fast forward about 5 years later to the autism diagnosis in 2006. I immersed myself into "information-seeking" mode. As my head swam and as emotions flooded me, I came across information like this, related to frequent ultrasound in pregnancy contributing to autism.

My heart sank even deeper than I thought possible. That information, combined with other environmental factors like getting several vaccines and receiving amalgam fillings when I was pregnant...made me realize that, even as a "medical professional" (or maybe because of...), I basically knew nothing about the causes or potentiating contributors of autism.

Here's the thing: They don't teach us about that in nursing school. Medical doctors don't learn about it in medical school or in their residency programs. The fact of the matter is, we're "taught" to think that people who believe in the harm that environmental factors can cause are quacks. We're "taught" to never doubt the benefits of vaccines and diagnostic medicine. We're "taught" to not ask questions and to just follow the rules. We're "taught" that most of the time, there really isn't shit we can do to prevent a condition or disease (other than vaccines, of course) and that most of the time, we are victims of genetics.

It has been every day experience and powerful connections with powerful parents that have taught me otherwise.

Do I wake up every day and pour over my sins as a pregnant, unknowing mother? Quite frankly, who's got time for that and what good would it do??? I prefer - most days anyway, because I am far from perfect - to embrace my son for the amazing kid that he is and for all that he has to offer.

I prefer to learn from my mistakes and move forward.

And I prefer to help others NOT make the same mistakes.

Bring it on.

Rogan's Solo Newspaper Project

The Park Weekly - Issue 1

Clean Bill of Dental Health

First time EVER! And Rogan was even complimented on his good brushing techniques! He's come a long way baby!


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Location:17th St S,Fargo,United States

100% Smart

Landon, Rogan's little brother asked him: "Rogan, how do you always get 100% on your homework?"

Rogan replied matter-of-factly: "Because I am a very smart kid."



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Expression is Good

Here is a series of texts between me and Rogan today. I couldn't help but smile.
Rogan: "I feel sad."
Me: "Why honey? Why do you feel sad?"

Several minutes passed, then I get this response:
"1. mr. tillmann gave me torture in class.
 2. i can't get ANYTHING on my kindle.
 3. landon is bawling over a ds game.
 4. i don't have my money i want
 5. it feels like a REALLY long week."

As it turned out, Mr. Tillmann gave the class a VERY challenging question. They're reading a book called "Number the Stars." They are to think about why the book has that title. He just got the assignment today but yet, "It's giving me NIGHTMARES, Mom!"

It's the not knowing part...that's what gives him the nightmares.

Dear Santa, Rogan-style

Here it is, word-for-word...Rogan's letter to Santa this year. I can't make this stuff up folks.

P.S. Make sure you read it until the end. You'll be glad you did...

Dear Santa Claus,

How have you been? How was your summer? How about your wife? I’ve been extra good this year, and that why my list is sort of big. Please note the system for the video games. If it’s all too much, make it easy on yourself… just send money. How about 10s and 20s?

Here I go…

·     Transformers: Dark of the Moon Blu-Ray 3D Combo

·     Mindflex Board Game

·     DSi (trade for DS)

·     Brain Age: Train Your Brain in Minutes a Day! (DS)

·     New Super Mario Bros. DS (DS)

·     Nintendogs (DS)

·     Super Scribblenauts (DS)

·     Kirby: Mass Attack (DS)

·     Wii Sports Resort (Wii)

·     Wii Fit Plus (Wii)

·     Super Mario Galaxy (Wii)

·     The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess (Wii)

·     Toy Story 3 (Xbox 360)

·     The Simpsons Game (Xbox 360)

·     Tron: Legacy Blu-Ray 3D Combo

·     SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom (PS2)

·     Pac-Man World 2 (PS2)

·     SD Card

·     Xbox 360 Hard Drive

·     Diary of a Wimpy Kid 1-5 (red, blue, green, yellow, purple) paperback OR hardcover

·     The Classic 102 Piece Tinkertoy Construction Set

·     The Wimpy Kid Do-It-Yourself Book (brown) hardcover

Thanks for all the hard work you have done. I can’t with a capital C imagine a world without you. Until next Christmas… keep up the good work and don’t crack under pressure.

Sincerely,
Rogan