Life is Changing

Life is Changing

It’s been quite a while since I have last written an update both regarding my health and also Nasir’s diagnosis of autism. As far as my health goes, I feel I’m in the best place I have been in years. I have occasional setbacks, but over-all I have been feeling very good. I’ve been following up with doctors, continuing my biologic medication, and trying to practice a healthier lifestyle. I have been going to the fitness center several days a week. The gym is two-fold. One, for my physical and mental health, and secondly for Nasir. He is socializing with his peers more and more, and the gym’s childcare services provide an opportunity for him to do just that.

Where we started

Since I last blogged about this, we were in the middle of a whirlwind of overwhelming hits coming at us from every direction. Nas wasn’t meeting his appropriate age mile markers. I was battling my own health issues with my Crohn’s disease and mental health, the most difficult being post-partum depression and anxiety. You can read more here.

Soon after the doctors told us Nasir was on the Autism Spectrum, we were thrust into a new normal of therapies of all kinds. Speech, behavioral, occupational, and more. Nasir was nearly two years old and other than making some babble sounds, he didn’t say actual words, mimic our sounds, answer or respond to his name, he wouldn’t make eye contact often, he played independently from other children (other kids didn’t interest him much), he obsessively watched or paid attention to only certain things like specific TV shows that he watched over and over. We would discount or rationalize them, or chalk it up to other things – “maybe it’s his hearing” or “he was born a little early, he’s just a little delayed.”

What came next

Getting the diagnosis of ASD was bittersweet for our family. It’s one of the most overwhelming things to process, but we also have a solid reason for the why’s we were experiencing. We could finally move forward with all the wonderful resources our community has to offer.

Where we are now

Nasir is in therapy nearly every day. He is now talking non-stop. He has lots to talk about and share. He has big opinions and now that he has discovered his voice, he is eager to discover new words, things and experiences. He loves adventure, to play, and to build. He swims and loves the park. He has friends and learns a lot from parallel play. He recently started dancing and his love of music has always been strong. Magna-tiles have opened up his imagination, and he is a master at building castles. He sings, counts, says the alphabet, and identifies so many objects we see throughout the day. He loves his family. Mama and Daddy are his favorite people followed by his grandparents, all his aunties, uncles, cousins and his amazing therapists. He loves reading books, and presently, The Mickey Mouse Clubhouse is his favorite TV show. (We shout “OH TOODLES” a dozen times a day!)

We have come SO FAR in a just under a year. The therapies have provided Nate and I small windows in our day to have a break. Despite Nasir’s achievements, he is still demonstrating behavior that do not allow us many moments for breaks. He’s still a wild toddler, of course, but he also never sits still, his attention span is very short. We are having less meltdowns, but they still occur daily. My entire life is devoted to this sweet boy and facing all the challenges that come our way.

Moving ahead

When I do get a chance, I’m trying to get back into my crochet. I feel that spark coming back. I feel several sparks returning. I’m beginning to feel more like myself. Therapy has helped – my own therapy. It’s been life-changing. Little by little, I have been able to piece myself back together. I’m stronger than I have been in a long time. I can do hard things, and I’m doing them every day. If Nas is doing hard things, then I need to continue to set an example and do the same. We continue to take baby steps toward doing more crochet projects and hopefully soon, things will be back into full-swing.

I am currently working on one crochet project per month, and I have a goal of doing 3 to 4 projects per month like I used to do. At the time of creating this blog post, I am anticipating planning out our Halloween costumes for the family this year. You know we have to go all out like every year! Can’t wait to share what we have up our sleeve in 2022!

 

Here are some fun pictures we took this summer!

 

 

 

 

FREE Written Crochet Pattern: Boho Throw Blanket

FREE Written Crochet Pattern: Boho Throw Blanket

Hot off my hook is my Boho Throw! I started filming this week and kept messing up. My camera wasn’t focused or centered, my microphone was off. So many issues. So I scrapped the video and wrote this VERY EASY pattern.  I used Lion Brand Yarn Ferris Wheel for the throw and Lion Brand Skein Tones for the border.

 

 

 

 

My dad will continue to be the videographer, editor, and photographer for our videos when I move away.
Support YARNutopia today so we can continue to bring you clear, quality crochet tutorials even after I move into my new home!
There will be an added expense of more travel and hopefully this won’t deter our ability to provide consistent videos on a weekly basis.

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**You can always contact me via Facebook if you have any problems with the pattern. I am happy to help if you have any questions along the way.
***These patterns are copyright YARNutopia © so PLEASE DO NOT COPY, SHARE, ADJUST OR RESELL MY PATTERN. I wrote and tested this pattern myself, from beginning to end. It took a lot of time and work, and I would really like to have it remain “my pattern.”
***You can sell anything you make from my patterns, please just link back to my website YARNutopia.com. Thank you!

Teacher: Nadia Fuad
Video and Editing: Fuad Azmat (My Daddy)
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Pattern:

Designed by Nadia Fuad
You *may* sell items made from my pattern, but please reference my website YARNutopia.com.
Please do not copy, sell, and/or post this pattern and claim it as your own.

Materials you will need:
Get the supplies individually by clicking the links below
Lion Brand Yarn Ferris Wheel in Summer Day
Lion Brand Yarn Skein Tones in Nutmeg
SizeH-5.00mm Crochet Hook
Yarn Needle
Scissors

NOTES:
-Use a smaller hook to make these smaller
-Use a bigger hook to make these bigger
-The measurements of this blanket are 40 inches x 50 inches
-You can check out yarnsub.com to see yarn substitutions that are equal to the yarn I used in this project.

Special stitches:
Ch(s): chain(s)
YO: Yarn Over
St(s): Stitch(es)
Sl st: slip stitch
SK: Skip
SC: Single Crochet
DC: Double Crochet
SHELL: 5 DC in same space

 

Pattern:

Ch 130 or any multiple of 3

Row 1:  2 DC in 3rd ch from hook, *Sk 2 Chs, 3 DC in next Ch, repeat from * across, ending with 3 DC in last Ch, Turn

Row 2: Ch 3 (counts as stitch), *3 DC in next GAP between the 3 DC groupings, repeat from * across, ending with 1 DC in last st, Turn.

Row 3: Ch 3, 2 DC in first gap where the Ch 3 is, *3 DC in next gap between 3 DC groupings, repeat from * across, ending with DC in last st, turn.

Repeat Rows 2 and 3 until your blanket is long enough.
I did 109 rows.

End on an ODD numbered row so it matches Row 1.

Fasten off, weave in ends.

Border:

Attach yarn to first gap after corner on the top right corner of your blanket

Round 1: Ch 3, 2 DC in same gap, 3 DC in next gap and in each gap around, in each corner stitch put [1 DC, Ch 2, 1 DC], continue putting 3DC between groupings. Sl st to beginning ch 3 st. DO NOT TURN.

Round 2: Ch 1, SC in the gap right AFTER the corner (where you sl st’d your work from round 1), Shell in next gap, SC in next gap, repeat from * around, in each corner put 7 DCs. SC before AND after the corners. Sl st to first SC st. Fasten off, Weave in all ends.

Enjoy!

 

This post contains affiliate links, which I may be compensated for when you make a purchase. That means if you click on any link and buy from the linked websites, I will receive a small percentage of the value of your order. The amount you pay is not changed. Thank you for all your support in clicking the links in my blog!! You all are so amazing!! ~Nadia

The yarn provided for this pattern is courtesy of Lion Brand Yarns