Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Tuesday...The day after Monday....

Today I'm starting with an apology.

Apparently one of my previous posts where I started with a moaning, was misinterpreted by some people.  For that I apologize.  I do not, however, apologize for writing my feelings.  I wrote that I was hurt by someone for not including my family in a birthday/going away dinner . I also wrote that I knew I was being petty but they took it that I was calling THEM petty.  NOT the case.  So for your misunderstanding I apologize.  But that's in the past and that's where I choose to leave it.  I'm over it.

Now on to more current events.

My boys.  My little one is currently off all medication except sleep medication and actually doing quite a bit better.  The medication(s) he was on were inducing rages like you've never seen or heard in a 3 year old and brought on a tourettes like facial tick as well as a pretty intense stutter.  Well our pediatrician wasn't available for a couple of weeks so we did some research and slowly removed the medications from his system.  He is doing much better now and we just need to find a medication that will help him slow down.  His attention span is good but his activity level prevents him from being able to stop long enough to learn.  So come April 3rd we will see the pediatrician and hopefully find a solution.  We are also going to be asking for referrals to our CDBC, Dr. Russell, and Dr. Kim Barthel.  With these people we should be able to get a fuller picture of how to help our little one.

My oldest.  He's doing pretty well but a medication adjustment seems to be needed.  He's going through a growth spurt which in turn induces his rage and loss of anger management. We're constantly reminding him of his coping strategies and have now instituted a reward board so that when he has 'good' days he gets a check on the board for the day and after a week of 'good' days he receives one of his electronic possessions back.  For example, when he completes the first week of 'good' days he will earn his portable DVD player back, on the second week he'll get his PSP back and on the third week he gets his laptop computer back.  He's very excited about this system and it's helping him focus and remember to try to control his anger.  We're very proud of him.  The fact that he's trying is the greatest reward for us.

As for me and the hubby, we're good.  We've given up trying to take the little one off the bottle and get him to potty train.  That's taken away 99% of our frustration.  Until we get the assessments we need, we've decided that these are battles we don't need to fight for now.  We're making sure to practice self care, alone and together.  We are happy. AND we're getting some sleep again!

There's still no news on our adoption front.  Waiting is the name of the game and right now we're focusing on our family and letting God take care of our future children.

Have a great day and God bless you all!

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

Another Day Has Come and Gone...

And with it its challenges, trials, and tribulations.  With it gone, so are the good parts of my day.

Today we had our neighbour come over with his mini excavator and dig out and level our filled in in ground pool.  It is now all leveled off and is covered in the black landscaping plastic to kill off any weeds and grass that might wish to grow back.  It's going to be so beautiful when we can afford to build the deck, and put the new hot tub up on one end, our lovely patio table and chairs (complete with umbrella) in the middle, and a decent size (18 ft.) pool on the other end.  All fenced in to keep everyone safe.  Over the hot tub it is our plan to put either a gazebo or pergola.  Needless to say it will be beautiful by next summer (2013).

Yesterday was Monday and it was wonderful!  We had the distinct pleasure of attending a workshop on FASD with Dr. Diane Russell.  What an amazing lady.  She is so knowledgeable and so full of life that sitting and listening to her for 4 hours never gets dull.  It's not like sitting in a lecture hall and listening to a monotone professor drone on and on.  This lady is animated.  She makes even the most scientific information fun and easy to learn.  She is also very approachable.  During our short coffee break my hubby and I went up to her and asked her a few questions and Dr. Diane was so helpful and eager (it appeared) to help us with our own issues with our children that I hope she'll come back to us again very soon.

I also have to thank the lady who arranged it all.  C.G.!  This lady has a family the size of Texas, is my supervisor through the AFA BC, lives her own life and still finds time to be a confidante and friend to so many.  She spent many hours arranging for Dr. Russell to come to us here (a town that very few things like this happen) and make sure we were very heavily subsidized, got an amazing lunch from the Coco Cafe, and made sure everyone was happy, comfortable and well provided for.  THANK YOU C.G.!  You are appreciated!

So, as for what's going on with my family there isn't much to tell.  Maybe next Monday night I'll have something to say.  We'll see.

For now, have a great night and God Bless you all!