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Tales of The Anti-Preemie

Following Sam as he grows and his impact on our family

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Potty Training with Three Strikes Against You

February 11, 2015 by melragent Leave a Comment

Sam the Anti-Preemie: Potty Training

Potty training is something many parents fear. Hundreds, if not thousands, of books are dedicated to helping ease the transition from diaper to potty. There are even "How To" videos on the subject. There are also the antidotal horror stories people are more than willing to share with you when … [Read more...] about Potty Training with Three Strikes Against You

Filed Under: Autism, Four to Five years, Life at home Tagged With: Constipation, Poop, potty training

Vaccinations, Autism and the Immunocompromised

January 31, 2015 by melragent Leave a Comment

Dangerous territory... I know. I may offend some of you. I may not. But I feel I have to put this out there. I am approaching this topic as the parent to a vaccinated child who has autism and a weaker immune system than some. Before you go "Aha! Vaccinated and Autistic.. Aha!", let me be … [Read more...] about Vaccinations, Autism and the Immunocompromised

Filed Under: Autism, Three years to Four Years

Advantages of Autism

January 23, 2015 by melragent 2 Comments

Sam the Anti-Preemie: Happy as a clam

Everyone always focuses on the negatives of an autism diagnosis. Myself included. So today I figure I will focus on the positives of an autism diagnosis. Autism is not a fatal diagnosis. Yes it does mean a very difficult road ahead but at the end of that difficult road is life. My child will … [Read more...] about Advantages of Autism

Filed Under: Autism, Life at home, Parenting, Three years to Four Years

We Survived Our Extended Hospitalization

November 19, 2014 by melragent Leave a Comment

Sam the Anti-Preemie in the recovery room

The idea was simple enough. Well, as simple as a hospitalization and surgical procedure on a 4 year old could be. But this is Sam. And he has never - ever - done anything simple. After speaking with the hospital admissions team, we decided to admit Sam at 11:30 am. This would allow him a few … [Read more...] about We Survived Our Extended Hospitalization

Filed Under: Four to Five years, Life at home Tagged With: Constipation, Poop

It must be about the poop

October 29, 2014 by melragent Leave a Comment

Sam the Anti-Preemie: Poop Update

I know - Sam's birthday came and went without my usual post talking about the emotional stress leading up to his birthday and the joy of the actual celebration. I wish I had a better reason for not writing, but I don't. i just didn't. What can I say. I was sad and emotional up until his … [Read more...] about It must be about the poop

Filed Under: Life at home, Three years to Four Years Tagged With: Poop

Acceptance

September 12, 2014 by melragent 4 Comments

Sam the Anti-Preemie Acceptance

Tomorrow is Sam's first ever birthday party... with friends... from his school. I was hesitant to throw him a party, unsure if other kids would come. I was nervous that if I invited his class, they would all find excuses not to attend the party. Sam's therapist pushed me. She told me Sam was … [Read more...] about Acceptance

Filed Under: Autism, Parenting, Three years to Four Years Tagged With: Autism, Birthday, Tears

The Chicken’s Way Out

August 5, 2014 by melragent 4 Comments

Sam the Anti-Preemie: Big Chicken

Did anyone notice? That is what I kept asking myself after hitting publish on my last post. The opening line was so obvious: After 7 months of single parenting, But, since I hadn't told a lot of people, I wasn't sure if anyone would really notice... or realize what I had just said. This was … [Read more...] about The Chicken’s Way Out

Filed Under: Parenting, Single Motherhood

Of Lice and Poop

August 4, 2014 by melragent Leave a Comment

Sam the Anti=Preemie hanging with his sister

After 7 months of single parenting, I really thought I had a handle on things. We were a well-oiled machine. We were eating better. There was less fighting in the house. We were on-time to everything. Kids were happy. I was happy. Then, in one evening, my façade came crashing down in a pile … [Read more...] about Of Lice and Poop

Filed Under: Parenting, Single Motherhood, Three years to Four Years Tagged With: Constipation, Lice, Poop, Single Parenting

Potty Training the Autistic Child

June 21, 2014 by melragent Leave a Comment

Sam the Anti-Preemie in a bouncy house

So, you think it is time to potty train your son.  Great!  But, before we start, I have to ask, why are you sure he is ready? Here are a few typical answers you might get: "Well- he keeps hiding in a corner when he poops, and every time he pees, he grabs at his diaper." "He asked is he could … [Read more...] about Potty Training the Autistic Child

Filed Under: Autism, Life at home, Parenting, Three years to Four Years Tagged With: Poop, potty training

Why is asking for help so hard?

April 3, 2014 by melragent Leave a Comment

Sam The Anti-Preemie's amazing grandparents

You would think, with all I have been through, that by now I would be an expert at asking people for help.  Or at least accepting help when it is offered to me. The reality is, I am terrible at both.  I hate leaning on people.  I hate needing help.  I feel guilty every time I accept help. This … [Read more...] about Why is asking for help so hard?

Filed Under: Parenting

Stop trying to “cure” my son

March 19, 2014 by melragent Leave a Comment

Sam the Anti-Preemie and his mom

The past few weeks have been filled with a number of amazing stories on autism. Stories that were insulting, inspiring, and infuriating. I know that I may be in the minority because I do not sit and wonder why my son has autism. I am confident I know why. Sam was born at 24 weeks. That means the … [Read more...] about Stop trying to “cure” my son

Filed Under: Autism, Parenting, Two years to Three years

Sometimes in the background

March 11, 2014 by melragent Leave a Comment

Some days, I forget about how Sam's Autism (and former preemie status) has impacted Irene. She has had to give up a lot for her little brother. More than most of us. And more often than not, she has done this quietly and without complaint. Because of the maturity that Irene has shown, I sometimes … [Read more...] about Sometimes in the background

Filed Under: Autism, Therapy Fund, Two years to Three years

Waking from a long slumber

March 3, 2014 by melragent Leave a Comment

Sam the Anti Preemie and his sister

Sadly, no. I am not talking about the mythical creature all parents have heard tales of that sleeps for hours at a time - uninterrupted. Sadly, the slumber I am talking about is more metaphorical than actual. I have come to the realization that I have been sleepwalking through the past five years … [Read more...] about Waking from a long slumber

Filed Under: Autism, Life at home, Two years to Three years

Have I really been gone for 4 months?

February 28, 2014 by melragent Leave a Comment

Yikes. I knew I had not written in a while, but it never occurred to me it had been four months. I guess it is fair to say life around here has been hectic at best and manic at worst. Much has been going on since I last wrote - it is actually hard to know where to start. I guess the best place is … [Read more...] about Have I really been gone for 4 months?

Filed Under: Autism, Life at home, Three years to Four Years

Facing my new reality

October 9, 2013 by melragent 4 Comments

Sam the Anti-Preemie: STOP

Back in December, I wrote about my joy at Sam's PDD-NOS diagnosis. I was relieved that he was not diagnosed with Autism, but his own odditites, some of which were autistic in nature and some that were not. Since that diagnosis, I have done everything I could to help Sam achieve "normalcy". The … [Read more...] about Facing my new reality

Filed Under: Autism, Life at home, Three years to Four Years Tagged With: Autism

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About Me

I’m Melissa. My life was turned upside down when my second child, Sam, was born just 24 weeks into my pregnancy. This is our continuing story. Memoir about our experiences due out Nov 2, 2021

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