where to go from here......

So we have a diagnosis of ADHD for Gavin. That is the "meat" of his sandwich diagnosis.....the rest is added in for flavor.... that is how I am viewing this.....the ADHD is what we need to control. For now, FOR NOW, I am not doing anything really differently.

For a few reasons.

First, I need to get his real school on board for the fall. I sent in a letter to the principal and the child study team .....and the board of education...... requesting a meeting and a re-evaluation. It was these individuals that found Gavin to not have delays significant enough to warrant therapy back in 2007. Now, maybe, just maybe......if we had them afford him therapy we wouldn't be this deep into sandwich making at this point?

Dunno.....

Second. We are doing a feeding evaluation next month that I am so not looking forward to. I would rather poke my eyes out with toothpicks. In this area I blame myself for the bulk of his eating disorder. I suck at meals. I don't attempt new things for him to eat. On occasion I will, but most times it solicits a fit, and spitting, and gagging and sometime puke. I don't try new things. I don't cook. I don't like to cook. We live on cereal....and take out....and breakfast for dinner. I work full time and I know there are moms out there that work and cook nightly and to you I bow my head in envy. But me, especially with Eric's hectic retail schedule, It is usually me. SOLO most nights during the wind down/homework/play/therapy/feed me/bathe me/put me to bed time. Cooking a balanced meal just does not fit in.

So that is where we are. Not much further than a week ago when we had the evaluation.

I want to thank everyone for their kind words, phone calls, emails, etc......if I have not gotten back to you, I apologize. It's been a tough week.....Eric went to Florida too to see his dad.......he is not doing well......so I was alone trying to wrangle the boys!

SONIC comes to NJ!!!!!

Okay, so I am probably the only woman standing that had yet to visit a Sonic up until last week.........right?? Well, they finally came to NJ......I found out about it well over a year ago when our town tried to fight them coming. They felt the restaurant was an eyesore.

Well, I have been stalking the joint for about 2 months now, going out of my way to drive by to see the progress.

Two Sundays ago I had to make a shopping trip with both boys cause Eric was working. I told them that if they were good we would stop at WaWa for Slurpee's on the way home. Well in order to get to WaWa we had to jug handle by Sonic......and the place was OPEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! OPEN!!!!!!!! OPEN!!!!!!!! Until we pulled in to find signs everywhere that said "invitation only"........DRATS! I pulled up to the security guy to find out WHEN they would open for the crazy Sonic stalkers like me. He asked if we wanted to come in!!!!!! WOULD WE!!!!!!!???? Do you even have to ask! So the boys and I thanked the man profusely and drove in.

We parked in a stall and the rest is wonderful! They boys enjoyed their Wacky Pack meals, only Gavin will only eat his fries and slush only......we have been back since that excursion, oh about 5 times. And do I have to mention there is always a HUGE wait. This place is NUTS! The first time we went back we had to wait 2 hours!!!! Now if we go at an off time, it's about a 20 minute wait!

This picture was the end of the line when we waited 2 hours.......line was about 27 cars deep. At this point we were #7.

This novelty of carhops on roller skates better wear off fast cause I WANT MY TATER TOTS AND LIMEADE!!! I think I have perfected the LimeAde at home, but the ice makes it!

Ouch, that was NOT pretty.

Where to begin.......Gavin has been on a waitlist for 21 months to get in to see a neurologist. 21 months. Yes, you read that correctly. IN NJ, and it may be other places too, there is a horrendous wait.

So yesterday was our day.

I was going to get his SPD diagnosis "official" and on paper, SHOULD we need it to get some classroom modifications for kindergarten.....SHOULD we need it.....

Well, what we got after a nearly 2 hour long, stressful and strenuous eval was a whole lot more than I bargained for. Too much really.

Yes, they confirmed his SPD diagnosis. thank you very much.

Second, we got a nice list of other issues. And did I mention I found this doc to be a bit cocky??? He was a bit cold and not nurturing while evaluating Gavin.....

He also told me that SPD is the LEAST of my concerns.....

How about.....

ADHD

Apraxia

Sensory Feeding Disorder

Dysarthia

then comes SPD.....at the way bottom of the list...........

and we talked medication, which I am wholeheartedly against at this point.

Gavin was terrible through most of the testing...he was having one of his 'bad' days, which in a way is probably a good thing. He got to see the worst of the worst.

Another postive is that I have a diagnosis now that is RECOGNIZED. SPD is not. SPD won't really get me the help I may need with the school system.

Now to digest this all...........it's a lot to take in and process.

Save the Date!

Do I like you? We are having a big bash for Gavin's 5th birthday and to celebrate our 10 year wedding anniversary! Save the date 8/22! Invites to follow....if you don't get one assume I don't like you....carry on.

Happy July 4th!

Dear Noah.....

wrote it a few days ago now.....

6/20/2009

Dear Noah,

How are you over first grade already? Really. It seems like I just put you on the school bus, which was a huge concern for me. You did it like a champ and love to ride the bus! You fight with your two seatmates over who gets the middle!

You learned a lot this year and did AMAZING with spelling! You received 10/10 on ALL of your spelling tests, except for the sentences….you just can’t seem to get that darn period at the end of your sentences!

Reading has come a long way! You can breeze through most all words now, though the silent letters still pose an issue. You still would LOVE to read the kindergarten books because they are easy, and you don’t like to be challenged.

Math. You hate it. Just like me. All year we muddled through and you did OKAY. Though I did get a long note sent home yesterday recommending you get some extra “math services” in second grade……having trouble with certain concepts and problem solving. Looks like we will get some extra math help this summer to boost your confidence.

Your love of your life is your Nintendo DS, which we unfortunately had to take away from you MANY times this year. Behavior in the classroom was a big problem. Unfortunately, you met the principal all too many times this year. I can count 2 phone calls while I was at work and various letters and notes sent home. I want to say about 12 seat changes and if I hear, “Noah was a distraction in class today” one more time I think I might freak! You like to talk.

You can be downright wonderful…….using your manners, being generous, holding doors, letting your brother share your toys. Or you can be downright terrible. You have the Leone temper and when you are bad, you are awful. Still quick to have your feelings hurt and you cry too often. I am hoping your sensitivity will wane a bit…..

Making friends still has not been easy for you, we are not home after school and the neighborhood kids seem to have their little cliques already created, though most times if we are around they do welcome you with open arms. You especially like “Ghost in the Graveyard” and would stay up way past your bedtime to run around outside if I let you. It’s tough though, Gavin wants to follow and he’s just too little still.

Your size is worrisome, you are the smallest in your class and your eating habits are down right atrocious. At 7 years and 5 months old you are just about an inch shy of 4 feet tall and weigh XX pounds. Gavin is going to tank you very soon. You both share everything…..all size small and 13.5 for shoes! You love bologna, Mandarin oranges, strawberries, dry Cheerios and chocolate chip Pillsbury cookies! I can easily say you live on those 5 things…..

You started the year with a big gap in your mouth! Your two front teeth have come in with a BANG! OUCH! Look out! We see braces in your future. You didn’t lose any others this year, though one on the bottom is a bit loose and I anticipate it will leave your mouth this summer!

You enjoyed your aftercare program at school and I hope you created some lasting friendships there. For the end of year talent show you danced in 3 Hip Hop routines and the crowd loved you! You were so proud of yourself dancing on stage! I truthfully was very surprised that you did it.

This summer you are attending camp that I KNOW is not going to meet your expectations. Somehow, due to the movie Camp Rock maybe, you have this idea of sleep away camp in your head. ……in the middle of the woods, with a lake and cabins………and well, you keep asking me about the hours and days and agenda for your stay……. Let’s hope you pleasantly surprise me and love it.

Camp starts Monday and we pulled you out of school early to start. School continues until Wednesday, but I felt it was in our best interest to start you on time. Starting a few days into the program could be detrimental to your bonding!

Love.

Mom …….or Dawn as you seem to like to call me lately……..

Class of 2022

First day of CAMP!

OUCH! Camp! Yesterday was Noah's first day. I was a mess.

We knew it was coming and he was thrilled to start. Me, not so much!

About a week prior to camp starting I was packing his bag and giving him explicit instructions as to what was what (which flew right out of his head I guess cause his bag came home yesterday with all his wet clothing wadded together with the day's clothing AND his hat???) and Noah wated to know where his pillow and blankets were. ????

Pillow and blankets??? No nap time Noah.

But he wanted to SLEEPOVER.......as in CAMP ROCK kinda camp in the forest, with bunks....! So not a CAMP ROCK type of camp. This one is a wee bit ghetto-fabulous.

Dropped him off and he met 2 friends instantly that I belive he knew from his kindergarten class. He was off and playing and paid no mind to me. SCORE!

Picked him up and he had nothing but good things to say.

They seem to jam pack their day. Lots of trips too that are included in the cost. This week alone they are going bowling and to a local park........let's hope things keep up this pace when I drop Gavin off to his new school on Monday! OUCH!