Going to War and Some More Pictures

Well, I would like to say I am doing a whole lot better since Saturday but that would be a lie. Yesterday again was a disaster. At 2 in the morning on Monday night, the Kid had another freak out and at 7 in the morning as well. It was terrible and the Husband ended up filming it for the therapist. After his episode, he was of course "fine" and we went to his new therapy session. The Husband picked him up 30 minutes later and heard that he had been difficult. He dropped him off at daycare and they called to say that he had had some fits. When I got home at night, the Nanny said he had freaked out as well. Ugh. Heavy heart. The rest of the evening he was perfect and adorable so that was one good thing. Yesterday I ended up writing the therapist about his fits and we sent the video of one of his episodes. She wrote us back with suggestions and possibilities and I am feeling a lot better. We have booked an appointment with an ear, nose and throat doctor. His name is Dr. Kürsten and I love him. And I love that his practice overlooks the opera house and that there are signed photographs of opera singers on the walls and one from Pavarotti. PAVAROTTI!! (Sidenote: typed in "Opera gif" and got a whole lot of Phantom of the Opera gifs. Not the same Inernet, not the same. But yes, as a kid, the Phantom of the Opera was my whole world and yes I would have chosen the Phantom over Raoul, bite me.)

We also have to go back to his doctor for another check up which will be awesome. I wrote on Facebook how I give myself 24 hours of self-pity and then I get angry. Like really angry. And that anger fuels me. I get my best ideas when I have been scorned. So now I am using my anger for good. I have written a few e-mails and I am formulating a plan to start my own damn autism center. Hi, nice to meet you, I am Tova, your autism center princess president. At this center we arrange evenings dedicated to speakers who have been asked to talk about the following topics: ABA therapy, occupational therapy, alternative education, nutrition and much much more. We also host a parent night so that in a safe environment, parents with children with autism can hang, drink wine and realize they are NOT ALONE WHICH THIS COUNTRY MAKES IT SEEM LIKE THEY ARE. Cough. Also, we encourage drop ins! Because we know that when you get that diagnosis, it is like someone has stabbed you repeatedly in the heart and you can't breathe. No, at this center, you get a hug and a coffee. Our waiting rooms will be large and bright with pillows and toys. We will have psychology students fascinated in child development on hand to interact with your child... not once will you get a look because your child made noise. You are safe here and you are welcome.

So before I somehow get the center off the ground (5 year plan) I have to start small. I am desperately looking for a qualified and kick ass ABA specialist to fly over for a symposium. I have a plan to create a 2 day course that students and parents can attend. I am waiting to hear back from one recommended specialist. I also am waiting to hear back from a possible psychology student who has expressed interest in working with us. This anger is great, I am getting all sorts of crap done. I even started sewing a dress yesterday night!

So besides being completely heartbroken over the Kid's fits, I am super excited about the new pictures! I decided to post some of the pictures from that photoshoot I did in the summer, thanks to a friend who nominated me and a special thanks to Dina from Leedina Portraits. She is based in Vienna and is awesome! You can find her on Facebook and see her work. So here are some of the ones I liked. She is a fabulous photographer and I am a terrible model. I cringe.

When I finish my book, totally going on the back of the book. Black says "serious author", rolled up sleeves  says "fun". I should get highlights again.

"Hi! I'm Becky! Leading real estate agent in the Tri-State area!" I also like the shirt I wore because apparently "retirement in Florida" was the next item on my list after the photo shoot.

I showed this picture to friends. One said I looked like Martha Stewart. Another said I looked like Gillian Anderson (she can stay being my friend) and Office Twin said it looked like the necklace I was wearing was actually keeping my head attached to my body.

This is the look I have when I am about to cut a bitch for cutting in line.

This is my album cover from 1995. I was big in Belgium.

"DO YOU NOT UNDERSTAND THE CONCEPT OF A LINE?! Oh, and isn't my hat awesome?"

This one is actually my favourite. I think it captures me well in a soft lens, lots of make up, Photoshop way. And I am not threatening anybody in my mind which is rare.

Go ahead and caption this. "Tova ...."

So there you have it! My life is crazy, my heart is breaking, I got amazing pictures, and today is my trophy wife day. At 9:30 I am going Spinning. At 12:30 I am getting my hair did. Meeting a friend in the afternoon and then getting my make up done so that I can write a post about the Dry Bar (selfless investigative journalism). Have a fabulous day!