Don't mind us :)

Today was an awesome day (it's not over yet but I will still classify it as awesome) because we went to the movies! As a family!

JJ and Elliott have never been to the movies. I have wanted to take them to see different Disney movies and it's never been possible. While we were in Colorado, the Autism Society of American would do sensory friendly showings of movies at a specific theater in Denver (over an hour away) and it just wasn't possible for us to go.

Today, we got to go to a movie. Our EFMP (Exceptional Family Member Program) here on Ft. Knox has begun doing sensory friendly movies once a month. Today was the first one and it was Disney's Planes (which I figured the boys would enjoy). We first told the boys yesterday evening that we would be going to the movies today. They were excited but I could tell that JJ didn't fully understand what that meant. I explained it as best I could but wasn't sure myself what a sensory friendly movie would look like. I knew the basics, theater lights would stay on, the sound on the movie would be lowered and children were free to get up and move around and make noise if they wanted too. Also, we were allowed to bring our own snacks since Elliott has dietary restrictions and so it seemed like a perfect fit for us.

So we packed a backpack full of snacks and juice, and headed out to the theater.

We got there and JJ was perfectly calm while in line buying our tickets. We went in, found seats right behind the staircase since there was lots of floor space and I figured JJ could stand up behind the railing without bothering anyone.

We extended JJ's tether to Hazel so that he had more room to move around but was still safe and connected for his sensory needs. Hazel (as always) was patient and just laid there watching him.

more room to move than usual but still safe!

The best thing about this outing was that no one really noticed us. We didn't get any looks, there were very few comments of "there's a DOG in here!" and what comments we heard were "look there's a puppy!" from little girls haha!

We fit in. We were just a family enjoying a movie with other families. At one point a child (probably a year or two older than JJ), ran up on the stage and was evading his parents and Josh and I looked at each other and smiled, because we both knew that would be JJ if it wasn't for his Hazel by his side.

just chilling, waiting for the movie to start, Hazel is on a lower level than JJ, he is not sitting on her lol

JJ spent most of the movie sitting in my lap on the floor in the aisle. He watched the movie, cheered and clapped during the races and many times he turned around to throw his arms around my neck, plant a kiss on my cheek and say "he did it!".

Today, I felt like a typical mom. There are so many days where we stand out and JJ's autism is so vividly clear to those around him. But today, he was just another little boy watching Planes, in the theater. Thanks Hazel.

6 months? Already?!

I'm a few days late with this post, but that is mostly because I cannot believe Hazel has been with us for 6 months.


It feels like she has just always been with us. As I sit at my computer to write this, the house is quiet, both boys and Hazel are at school and I have time to reflect back on the past 6 months with our girl.

Hazel has brought many changes to our life. Some haven't been easy to adjust to, others have been the most glorious changes ever. We have been so blessed to have her and to see the changes that she has brought, not only to us as a family but more importantly to her boy, JJ.

1) JJ no longer flops down when in the community. When Hazel first began tether training with JJ back in March, JJ would drop to the ground (he did this even before Hazel arrived, just ask his teachers!) and then bolt away to whatever we were trying to move him away from or into a dangerous situation (like the bus drop off zone in front of his school). He continued to do this after Hazel came, but we have noticed in the past month or so, that he is no longer dropping to the ground. He stops, but when he does he waits to talk to us. It's a huge change in behavior for him.

2) JJ has increased his communication. He now tries to give Hazel her commands (which she ignores) but it's more than that, he now spontaneously talks to people, including Hazel. Every morning when JJ wakes up and greets Hazel, he pats her on the head and says "Good Morning Hazel!" The other day, I heard from his aide in school that JJ shook hands with every child in his class and greeted them by name but he also offered to help a little girl in his class open her lunch while in the cafeteria. He still has issues with echolalia, he still talks to himself more than others, but he is developing in leaps and bounds with his verbal skills and it's amazing to watch.

3) JJ is more confident. JJ has never been an insecure child. He doesn't notice if people are giving him the side eye (I certainly do though...) but his increased confidence and independence cannot be missed. A perfect example of these new skills is at our new church. JJ has always loved church. At our church in Colorado he has Miss Jenn who was his buddy at church but she was also our family friend. We found a church here in Kentucky that would allow us to have a 1:1 buddy for JJ, his name is Joel and JJ calls him Mr. Joel. Josh and I spent two weeks up in Children's ministry working with Joel to teach him how to handle Hazel and be confident with her and JJ together before we felt okay moving on to worship and leaving the team to play. The third week, we took JJ and Hazel upstairs, met up with Mr. Joel and while we were talking, JJ took the leash from my hand, gave it to Joel and said "bye momma!" It has been that way ever since. Hazel has really given JJ the confidence to excel in new situations because he knows she is there for him, no matter what.

4) JJ seeks Hazel for comfort. This has been one of the biggest joys for us to watch as JJ and Hazel bond. I'll admit that bonding hasn't looked the way I thought it would. I thought Hazel and JJ would just be best of friends, love on each other and all of that. I really had this shiny, beautiful vision of what they would look like as a team. The bonding they have had is nothing short of amazing. When JJ is stressed, he seeks Hazel out. He will sit next to her, lean on her or lay on her. He doesn't usually say anything to her and she just stays with him and quietly lets him do what he needs to. She doesn't lick him or nudge him with her head, there are no overt signs that she is trying to comfort him, but she is just patient and allows him to take from her what he needs. Whether it is rubbing her fur, laying his head on her side, or playing with her paw. She doesn't move or refuse him anything. She is his calm when his internal storm is raging.


I can't imagine our life without our girl because our life without her was half of what we have now. I'll admit that we still have struggles. Hazel didn't cure her boy of Autism. JJ still has behaviors that he needs to learn to control for his safety, but he has come so far in just the last 6 months and I know that together he and Hazel will go farther together than he ever could have alone.

The zoo!

We journeyed to Nashville, TN last weekend to visit with some friends and hit up the Nashville zoo! This was our first big family outing since moving to Kentucky that was all about fun!

Of course the day was grey and rainy, but the drive to Nashville was easy and uneventful. We get to the zoo, just as the rain lightly rolled in. Ugh. We had the science center as a back up plan, because in the South it rains like it doesn't like you, but when we mentioned not going to the zoo, JJ had a complete meltdown. We had made the mistake of talking about the zoo during the days leading up to the trip so in his world, it was the zoo or nothing at all.

Thankfully the rain passed over while we were eating lunch in the car and we decided to brave the zoo. We paid our entrance fees, checked in with the guest services office (because Hazel was with us) and learned of the two exhibits that Hazel was not supposed to enter (the free flying bird exhibit - probably a bad idea for a retriever... and the petting zoo) which were no big deal for us to give up and off we went.

It was muddy and humid. I think within a couple minutes our clothes were glued to us and I was grateful that I'm the only one in our family with long hair (besides Hazel of course).

There were a few moments that really stick out for me as I think back on our trip with the boys and Hazel.

1. Meerkats love Hazel.
We now call her the pied piper of meerkats. They swarmed the glass to stare at her, and as we traveled past the glass exhibit wall, they followed her. It was incredibly funny and the people around us found it funny as well, everyone got a good look at the meerkats while we were around.

Meerkats watching Hazel through the glass.

2. If you want to really see the zoo animals, bring a service dog.
Meerkats weren't the only ones curious about Hazel. The tigers were particularly fascinated as well. As we walked by their enclosure the Siberian Tiger got up and followed Hazel. It kept trying to find a way across the little river in their enclosure to come closer to the fence to check out the animal that was on the outside.

3. JJ loves the merry-go-round.
JJ has never been on a carousel before. This was his first time and Hazel was a rockstar. The staff at the zoo were the most tolerant we experienced all day (don't get me started on our McDonald's trip after the zoo) and they didn't bat an eye as I took JJ and Hazel and got JJ settled on a cheetah.

And the final memory that is really no surprise to me is how much JJ loves the zoo. He has always enjoyed the zoo but this was his first time he has not been strapped into a stroller for his safety. He got to walk through the zoo with Josh and me while Elliott rode in the stroller (his legs are littler). This picture makes my heart smile, because this is why Hazel is in our family, to make moments like this possible for our boy.

One final picture for you;

Our Family August 2013

Hazel and JJ at the Dr. and Back to School!!! :)

This week marked a series of new things for Hazel and JJ. They had a long road trip to a new hospital, began at a new school, where Hazel is learning to work with a new handler during the day and JJ is learning a new routine and system in kindergarten.

And through it all, they are amazing. As a team, they are beginning to gel and respond to each other.

On Tuesday evening, we drove 2.5 hours to see the boys new Doctors at Cincinnati Children's Hospital. We drove up the night before as their appointment was set for first thing Wednesday morning. It was a long drive for the kids because they refused to sleep in the car. Once in the hotel, after her walk with daddy, Hazel curled up on the boys bed and they all slept peacefully until 6:45am. We got up, Hazel went for another walk and then we all trooped downstairs to breakfast. Hazel curled up under the table at JJs feet and caught a quick cat nap while he ate, she even ignored the egg he dropped on her.

Off to the hospital we went, and it was a long morning. We began at 8:30am and saw two neurologists, a geneticist, genetics counselor and two different nurses. JJ took most of it well but within an hour in the exam room he was losing his cool, and decided he needed his girl.

He leaned on Hazel's back while doctors came and went. This picture brings up so many mixed emotions for me. There is a joy, and peace in seeing the two of them together like this, knowing that he was drawing on her presence to maintain his calm. But then there is a sadness because JJ was so lost at this point. He ignored everything going on around him except for Hazel and his iPad. I'm not saying this is a bad thing, but his face just tells me how overwhelmed he was at this point.

I don't know how many times I've said that Hazel has been a gift from God for our family and this picture once again proves it. She kept JJ together. She did something for him on this day that his daddy couldn't do and I couldn't do for him. She kept him together, she kept him calm and while he turned inward, she kept him safe. When JJ turns inward like this, he runs a high risk of hurting himself because he becomes completely unaware of his surroundings and things that could hurt him. This appointment was over 3 hours long and he stayed with Hazel for most of it.

We left Cincinnati and drove home. We were all glad to be back in our own surroundings, but the week was not over because the next day was JJ's first day of kindergarten.

This has been a major area of anxiety for me. This is a huge transition for JJ and even with ESY this summer, it's still a big change because he is in a new school again, with new classmates and new teacher/aide combination.

Thankfully, we have been very blessed since moving to Ft. Knox and during ESY I was able to build a great relationship with the autism specialist who works at JJs new school. JJ has been given a 1:1 aide for the classroom. Her name is Ms. Leah. At this time, we have been told that JJ will have her with him for 2 weeks, but we are hoping to extend that until JJ can function in his new environment safely. I spent the day yesterday in JJs classroom teaching Ms. Leah how to work with Hazel, the basic commands and with Ms. Brandy there (the autism specialist who also worked with Hazel over the summer), by 12:30pm, I felt completely unnecessary and went home! I didn't go in this morning (as was the original plan) and was kept informed of JJ's day through text messages from Ms. Leah and Ms. Brandy.

JJ and Hazel coming in from recess on the first day of school with Ms. Leah leading Hazel.

Aside from a few little bumps (JJ hit his head today while trying to bolt while tethered to Hazel), so far the back to school transition has been very smooth and I am so relieved and pleased with how things have gone.

Tomorrow we have our first trip to the zoo as a family since Hazel joined our family. We drive to Nashville to visit with some old friends and we will be joining them at the Nashville zoo for the afternoon. I know JJ is very excited about the zoo and I cannot wait to see the difference in this trip from the last time we went to the zoo (in Colorado Springs) and JJ had to be strapped into a double stroller with Elliott. Tomorrow, JJ will walk the zoo like a typical child with his best friend by his side.

A few of my favorite things

Now that we've had Hazel as part of our family for 3 months, I figured it's safe for me to highlight a few of our furkid's quirky little traits. Now before people roll their eyes at me calling her a furkid, I often refer to her as my blonde, furry daughter but I am well aware that she is not a child. Nor do we treat her like one (okay she may have three collars but she doesn't have a college fund! besides, she's already been to grad school!).

So for your reading pleasure, here are my top 5 favorite things about Hazel Lyn Proffitt (yes, we gave her a middle name, some of you will recognize it). 

5. Hazel Snuggles.

4. Hazel Burps. No picture to accompany this one, but many people don't know that Hazel's alternate name in our family is Burpee. Not because she loves to exercise (although she does) but because 4-6 times a day, while just wandering around or laying down, she'll burp. And not a little burp. It's more of a belch. Not very ladylike but that's not a word we'd always use to describe Hazel anyways.

3. Hazel's funky sleeping positions.

I give you Exhibit A

And exhibit B

2. Hazel's smile

I mean who could resist this face!?

And the #1 reason, I love my Hazel girl is...

...how she loves her boy.

First week of school!

It's Friday night! The boys are in bed and mommy and daddy are relaxing after a very long and busy week.

This was the boys first week of Extended School Year (ESY) and my first time training teachers about Hazel. I was pretty nervous. I haven't really taught anyone how to handle Hazel before. I will admit I hate that term "handle Hazel" because it sounds like she's impossible to work with!! Quite the opposite but people do need to learn how to lead her and when to use her to help JJ.

Last week, I had a quick meeting with all the bus drivers and the aides. Due to liability the bus company would not allow me to ride the bus to and from school with the kids and Hazel (I know I could've fought it and won but I chose to pick my battles on this), so they offered to allow me to do a training for all the bus company staff. I meet the bus driver and aide for ESY and they were able to be hands on with JJ and Hazel on the bus that the boys would be riding for the summer. It went very well and I was pleased with the acceptance of the staff.

On Monday night I had a wonderful chat with Kati from ASDA. She gave me lots of great advice about how to help the staff adjust to Hazel's presence.

Tuesday morning was the first day of ESY. The bus was late (which I expected given it was the first day!) but when it arrived, the driver and aide were great. They were ready to get Elliott, JJ and Hazel on the bus and settled. I helped them adjust JJ's harness and get everyone settled. Then I drove to the school to meet with the teacher and classroom aide before the bus arrived.

I met the special education co-ordinator at the school and he introduced me to Miss R and Miss D (I don't think I can spell their last names to be honest lol!) and I walked them through some basics of handling Hazel; Hazel is always on the handlers left, relaxed arm holding the leash and when moving with JJ, hold the tether with the leash for more security, that type of thing. The teacher and aide were very excited about Hazel being a part of their classroom. The teacher chose to work with JJ and Hazel the first day. We all went to meet the bus and I showed the teacher how to get JJ and Hazel off the bus. She took over from there and did a great job. She asked lots of questions about where to put Hazel during different exercises.

The first day was very disorganized. The room where the boys are for ESY is not the teachers regular classroom, in fact she doesn't teach in that school during the year, so she was trying to figure out the classroom and all the needs of her students. I felt for her because she was really trying hard but some things were working against her. I think both she and the aide were feeling a little overwhelmed. JJ did great during the first part of the morning. He sat next to Hazel and the class played on the smartboard (yes, apparently all the classrooms on Fort Knox have smartboards).

Everything went very smoothly until after recess. Some tough transitions happened in the afternoon and JJ didn't cope well. I had some trouble staying out of things because there weren't enough hands. Hazel was great staying with him and nudging him. The problem escalated when it was time to get him on the bus to go home. He wanted to come home with me in the car. This should have been expected by me but for some reason it wasn't. He cried the entire way home and had just stopped crying when I got him off the bus at home. We snuggled on the couch and he pulled it together for the afternoon.

Mulling things over that night, I decided to leave early the next day and allow the teacher and bus aide to handle the bus transition without me. The decision was easier made the night before than the day of. JJ had another major meltdown the second day during the morning. I did leave early but it took some convincing from my friend Jen, because I wasn't sure if I could stay hands off.  We also agreed that the third day I would arrive late and leave early and minimize my contact with JJ and Hazel to help him get into routine at the new school.

Third day came and we had a major issue with the bus. It had broken down and the replacement bus was insanely tight for spacing between the seats. Poor Hazel managed to squeeze herself under JJs seat but the look she gave us while doing so was pretty funny. I stayed completely hands off during the day and JJ did fabulous without me there. When the bus came and dropped JJ and Elliott off, the driver told me that between runs today they spaced the seat out (had to move JJ's seat to a different place) and so Hazel had more room.

Overall I am really pleased with how it all went. I'm thrilled with how the bus company has responded to Hazel and JJ's needs. I get to do it all again come August 1 because JJ will be at a different school with a different teacher and aides. He'll have the same bus driver though, so I am very excited to know that!

I am excited for everything that will come this week with the first full week of ESY. JJ really has responded well to having his school routine back and I know that Hazel will be with him to help him through the rough patches, she did a beautiful job of it last week, and she'll keep helping him.

Bonding

It's beginning.

I'm starting to see the signs of JJ and Hazel bonding. This will be quick because it just happened and I want to get it down before I forget.

JJ was melting down in the playroom (he's been so off-kilter since we moved to Kentucky two weeks ago), screaming, crying, throwing things etc. I physically removed him to his bed room and sat him on the floor. I sat a few feet away on his bed. He continued to scream and cry. Hazel came into his room, following the noise, and she walked right up beside him and laid down so that she was circling his left side.

I moved in front of them and told Hazel "Head down" and she laid her head across JJs lap. He leaned into her and I took his hand and started stroking Hazel's neck with it. He immediately began to calm down and then kept petting her on his own. He stopped crying and looked at me and said "I hurt my head".

I didn't know before this why he had been melting down.

It's starting and I'm so excited to see it! She sought him out on her own. He calmed down in her presence and then was able to tell me what had happened to him.

This alone has made everything we went through to bring Hazel home, completely worth it!!!