School News

Yesterday was a BUSY day!  I had SO many appointment to keep and spent a lot of time on the road. 

The first appointment was with the ear specialist.  He wasn't happy with what he saw going on in Jakes ear.  The tube is where its supposed to be but is imflamed.  Jakes peditrician gave us drops and the specialist was pleased with those.  We are to continue those for 2 weeks and go back for a check.  If the ear is still imflamed, we'll have to talk about surgery to remove the tube.  Jakes and I had a cute conversation about it last night while I was tucking him in.

"Why are we doing the drops still?" he asked.

"Dr thinks they will help the skin around the tube to get better."

"What if it doesn't get better?  I have to have surgery, right?"

"Right."

"Will it hurt?"

"Probably not."

"Why can't they just blow air in there?"

"Cause then you'd be an airhead!" I answered laughing.  He laughed too.  What a cute moment!

The next meeting I had was with the Child Study Team.  I hate these meetings.  They just are not usually pleasant.  And I usually end up in tears.  And it happened again this time!  But tears of happiness and relief, instead of disappointment and frustration!

Jakes homeroom teacher and the Aid were there this time.  Its the first I have met the aid.  I liked her.  She has persevered with Jakes and his bad attitudes.  They both shared that his behaviors at school have improved so much this week.  They are pleased!  He is more focused, quieter, compliant and doesn't blurt out in class as much.  He goes to the bathroom and returns immediately, instead of having to be fetched.  He is being more polite and considerate of the Aid, when he has be very mean and disrespectful in the past.  He is a different child.  One that is likable.

His teacher must think all I do is cry.  At the parent teacher conference I burst into tears and here I did it again!  I am so proud of him!

This meeting was to review Jakes need of the aid in the classroom.  While we are encouraged by his progress in the past few days, I do not believe that he is ready to be without her yet.  We might still have to adjust his medication and he needs to be taught some orgainzational skills.  This is something that he was supposed to be learning all along but was incapable.  So for the next six weeks, we are going to monitor the medication, his progress with organization and then for one week in February, he will be without the aid even in the classroom.  If he continues to improve and does well without the aid, we will keep her away and change the IEP in the spring for no aid the next school year.  If he has problems without the aid, we'll put her back into the program and see what needs to be done to help Jakes learn to be independent.

We can do this.  HE can do this.  We will do this.  HE will do this.

Snitz My Son Says

Jakes and I were having a good conversation while waiting for our food in Friendly's the other night.  Jakes was setting up the iYatzee game on the iPad.  I was admiring the hot young things in the kitchen.  He asked what I was looking at and I told him.  He told me to stop looking at them.  Then I opened a can of worms!

"What if I got a boyfriend?" I asked

"No, you can't." he answers.

"Why not?" from me

"Cause you and I need to save our money so we can go back to Disney, just you and me!" he says.

"What if I get a rich boyfriend who will take us to Disney and we don't have to save our money?"

"No.  Just you and me in Disney.  We can save our money and go on our own."

And then our food came so I let it drop.  But if I even DO find a boyfriend, I don't think Jakes is going to like sharing me.

I have been keeping a daily journal of Jakes behaviors. I started it before the medication and have been keeping it up since starting his medication.  He is like a different kid!  He is calm and quiet, accepting and compliant.  He hasn't even fought me too much on the ear drops we have to do for now!

Our session with Valerie was wonderful.  I was weepy while I told her about the changes we have made and how they have positively affected him.  And she could see that he was calm and patient.  He didn't interrupt the conversation until there was an appropriate break and what he contributed was appropriate as well!  Once we finished briefing Valerie on Jakes progress, she went over several social skills lessons with him and was surprised and thrilled at how well he did and how many they covered!

Mornings are a little more trying than I would like.  Don't get me wrong, they are a HUGE improvement over BM (before meds) but I still find myself getting annoyed with him and having to nag  more than I think I should for an 11 almost 12 yr old.  We will work on that.   I cannot expect miracles in the first week.  Well, I can but I have to accept if it doesn't happen!

Last night, he made dinner for us.  Pigs in a Blanket.  While not my fave, at least I didn't have to cook!

Tomorrow we have a visit at the local Children's Hospital to see an ENT specialist.  Jakes had an ear infection over the Christmas holiday and while the infection was clearing up, the Dr couldn't see the tube but saw a lump in the ear canal that he thinks is the tube with tissue growing over it.  I am expecting to be told that he needs to have surgery to have it removed and another set of tubes put in place.  I will be surprised if they don't recommend surgery.  But, after having gone through 3 tubes placements and one tube removal, I am not worried.  The Drs at the hospital are top notch and the one we are seeing is the head of the department.  I have confidence that they will take the best care of my baby!

I Did TWO Amazing Things

I have talked about making changes to our life to make things better. I am reading “Is This Your Child?” by Dr. Doris Rapp. This book suggests things, foods mainly, that can cause your child to exhibit horrid behaviors. She describes many families who have changed the diets of their children and have seen wondrous results in the behaviors of their children. My mom did it to me when I was a pain in the ass. It works!

I bought REAL juice for Jakes, we worked together to avoid most dairy and took juice with us when we went to OCMD for the night. Jakes has been very cooperative with the whole process. So much so, he even continued the diet changes at his dads this weekend. Go Jakes! I didn’t bother to tell his father about the changes we made, thinking he wouldn’t and couldn’t be bothered to follow the diet. Jakes said his dad only had Kool-Aid and dark sodas so he drank water. What a good kid!

Tonight when he came home, he was in a pretty good mood but he didn’t have dark circles under his eyes as he usually does. This can be a sign of an allergic reaction. Tonight at dinner, he was happy and talkative but not overly loud as he usually is. He also contributed productively to the conversation instead of directing it toward things only he wants to talk about. He accepted corrections easily and didn’t argue over the little things. I’m not saying he was an angel but he was HUGELY improved. I actually ENJOYED having him home! And that is something I have not felt in a long time.

The next step for the diet is to add one thing back into his diet at a time and see if he reacts to anything. But since he is at his dads next weekend, we will probably have to wait another week. I want to add the stuff back in when he is with me and not when he’s in school. We’ll get it done!

I have also started him on ADHD medication. Yes, against his fathers wishes and No, we haven’t been to court yet. I don’t care what his father says because I need to do what is best for my child. His behaviors were getting worse and more dangerous. I HAD to do something.

Jakes pediatrician prescribed the medication and I gave it to him for 2 days. I could see SUCH a DIFFERENCE! He was calmer, quieter and more compliant. He seemed more focused on tasks and pleasant. Of course, we didn’t have any deadlines or school work to complete and he was still coming off the diary and artificial colors and flavors. As soon as the medication was wearing off, I could see the old Jakes coming back. He was loud and obnoxious. He was argumentative and mean. I KNOW he needs the medication. I KNOW the medication was working. I can’t WAIT to see how he does in school with it!

When Jakes was medicated, I felt more centered. I didn’t have to nag him, remind him, or yell at him. I didn’t get frustrated with him and our life. I felt PEACE! and HOPE! that I can DO THIS!

I know that we still have a long road in front of us but I know we will be able to succeed. With the help of the medication, cognitive behavior therapy and time, we will be a successfully functioning family. And I won’t have to hate myself for not liking my child.

Oh! By the way, I did NOT send the medication to his fathers because he doesn’t have problems with him so he doesn’t need the medication when he’s with his father!

Resolutions and Hope

Just about everyone makes resolutions for the New Year. And just about everyone fails to follow through on them by the end of the month. I know that I am one of those people who fail at my resolutions. In the past, I have made resolutions to loose weight and learn Chinese. FAIL times two! Many years in a row.

This year, I am not going to make what I consider petty resolutions. To me, in 2011, loosing weight is petty. In 2010, I have seen many friends’ loose loved ones and I have almost lost my son. In 2010, I have seen many relationships fail and jobs lost. In 2010, I have seen too much negativity in the world. In 2010, I have lost the peace and serenity within my home.

So, while I may still work on improving my health and overall look of myself physically, I have bigger things I want to do for 2011. I want World Peace. Think that’s a big task? I do too. So I’ll start smaller.

In 2011, I want peace and serenity in MY home. If I can get that back, 2011 will be a success!

A few days ago, Jakes pediatrician put some hope and strength in my well. He also said that Jakes ears are messed up again. That I can handle, call the specialist and do what they say. Back to the strength and hope….. Dr. P put some in my well. He listened to me, read all my reports on Jakes and gave me hope and strength. Since then I have found some patience also and with what Dr. P offered, I can do this.

In 2011, I will have peace and serenity in my house again. I will be able to concentrate on something other than Jakes and surviving each day with my sanity intact. Hell, I might even find time to get laid!

For all of my readers, friends and family, I wish you some of my peace and serenity. If all of you find a little bit of my peace and serenity, we can work together for World Peace!

Happy New Year!

The Science Fair Project

January is the time for Science Fair Projects to be turned in.  Jakes has been working on his.  Unfortunately, it has taken up most of my house.  Just in time for Christmas, too!

Here's a picture story:

I found my dining room table and we got a plywood base
Thanks Aunt Neicy!

We have to build THIS
Plus another one

From this.
I spent 2 days sorting this and another tub just like it.
But it made building MUCH easier!

This thing is HUGE!
We had to move it to the floor.

The car REALLY runs on it!

We finished it on Thursday, called the grandparents to come and see it.  G-Pop helped to trouble shoot a couple of things and it WORKS!  After taking measurements, test runs, LOTS of pictures and video, we had to take it down to make room for Santa to come.

We have to build a second one and hopefully will be able to transport that one to the school for display.  Don't ask me what Son's hypothesis is, all I know about the project is we have to build and take one into the school.  That's more than enough for me to know!

I will post pics and video of the next one, plus the results of the science fair in January.

Digging Out - the first of the season (and the last I hope!)

We had our first (and if I get my way, the ONLY!) snow storm of the winter.  After carefully watching the weather people tease with large amounts of snow fall, we ended up with maybe 3 inches.  Its hard to tell with the 40mph wind that is out there.

With Dad's heart problems, Renie and Kathy being unstead on their feet and me being the youngest and healthiest around here, its up to me and Jakes to dig everyone out.  sigh.  On Christmas Day (when they were calling for 12 +) G-pop showed Jakes how to work the snow blower.  After Christmas Dinner on Sunday, Jakes and G-Pop headed out to clean the driveway.

Jakes did a great job with the snow blower.  I think I'm going to like having a kid that's big/old enough to play with the big toys!

Of course with the wind and blowing snow, Jakes was a popicile when he came in.  He was disappointed that the driveway wasn't totally clear but the wind was blowing the snow right back on after he cleared it.

If you were snowed in, I hope you were safe and warm!

All About Christmas at MY House!

We had a wonderful Christmas!  Filled with presents, family, and love.  Christmas Eve, Jakes spent with his Dad as per the court order.  I gave up Eve in order to have him wake up in his Home on Christmas Morning.  When he's older and doesn't believe in Santa, I might have to share Christmas Morning.  So I really cherished this one!

We started the day early (ugh).  Jaxon goes out for potty around 6 and when I was sneaking out with him, I heard a little voice "presents? presesnts?"  (ugh).  I asked if Santa came but Jakes hadn't been out of bed.  When I came back in from walking Jaxon we checked out the living room.  Sure enough Santa had come!

Remote SVU with a water canon.
What was Santa thinking?

Mythbusters Adam Bobblehead

Mythbusters Jamie Bobblehead



Happy Child!

 Then the Grandparents and Kathy came over for breakfast of homemade cinnabons, cookies and presents!

Jaxon even had presents to share with the grandparents

I waited to give Jakes my present so G-Mom could get pictures for me.  This is a combination Christmas/B-Day present for Jakes.





What's this?

  

Bon Jovi Tickets?



I'M GOING TO SEE BON JOVI!



OMG!!

Jakes and I are going to see Bon Jovi and Friends on January 27th (Jakes B-Day)!!!!  I don't know who's more excited, him or me!

All in all, we had a great holiday!  How was yours?