New medicine doing great

 October 1st L started a new medication.  In the old days this would have been the basic medication and it has been great for him.  Our experience was starting on low dose vyvanse and then upping the dose.  That made him to sensitive so we switched to Astarsys, or maybe that was the 3rd medication.  Then we switched to Atomoxetine (non-stimulant) and he was on that for 4 months.  When he was having problems in school, lots of aggression and negative behavior we asked to switch back to a stimulant medication.  He now takes 2 5mg tablets a day and he's doing great.  He behaves so well, he doesn't yell at us that we're being too loud, he's so sweet.  He's also 18 months older than when we started medication.  He's a strong reader and catching up on math.

Fieldtrip

 This week I was able to go on a field trip with Al’s class and today I am doing lunch duty for each of the boys.

The power of words

 L is often cold at church.  L's white church shirts often get stained.  I got him this gingham shirt thinking it would solve these 2 problems.  On Sunday I asked him if he wanted the white short sleeve or the long sleeve one.  He told me he preferred the short sleeves until he read the label of this shirt.  Words are powerful.  

It reminds me of the scene in "Emperor's New Groove".  "Do you want the path of righteousness or the path that rocks?!"

L is doing so well.  His new medication has resolved his behavior issues.  He still has academic struggles but those can be addressed now that he isn't chewing on scissors, and hitting people.  His reports home are all smiles.  He has such a tender heart, part of the emotional regulation that sometimes ends in trouble.  He misses people painfully.  I'm so grateful that he has a stable home with parents and siblings filling his heart with love.  I'm so grateful that we know his diagnosis early so we can stop thinking he is lazy or doing things he could control.  

I look traumatized

 I asked L to take a picture wearing G’s hat.  When I showed it to him he said “I look traumatized.”

L started taking 5mg adderall instead of the fancier slow release and then non stimulant drugs he used for 15 months. He is doing great!

His reward for getting a good report is that we take the long way home that includes a winding path in the woods and precarious plank bridge over a dry creek. We usually walk bikes across.  Yesterday he rode across and did not die. Today he rode off the edge and did not die or break any bones or even get hurt or cry.  I watched it in slow motion with my detached heart.  He is ok and that is the most important thing.

Baseball face

M took this picture of L.  She is delighted by the serious face, hand position and lifted toe.  We recently got a foam bat for him to practice with.

 

Up with the sun

 Visiting Grandma and Grandpa L woke up early so he and I went to this great park.  It is rare to have a zip line to yourself.

Master builder

 L is creative.  He is always creating little Lego things that surprise me.  He also makes strange sandwiches.  He delights in creating.

7pm bed time

 L was having a rough patch in school.  He was also falling asleep in scriptures and prayer.  So we shifted things 2 hours earlier to get him going to sleep during the 7 o'clock hour.  Scriptures and prayer at 6:45 seems really early.  But we are brushing teeth and reading stories then snuggling up and going to sleep around 7:30.  I wake up again at 8:30 and then hang out a little more with the girls and P, then we have another bedtime.

The good thing is that the boys wake up between 6 and 7am because they have had plenty of sleep.  That can be hard on the weekends.  But I'm grateful that they can have this structure in their lives.

Baptism

Today L got baptized!  He has been looking and waiting for a long time.  In our family we don't have children take the sacrament until they have been baptized.  L has taken to waving his hand sweetly to decline the bread and water.

He wasn't interested in getting a picture before the baptism.  My brother S and his family were able to come up and be here for the baptism.  It's so nice to see the cousins!

I gave a talk about the Holy Ghost.  I told the kids that they have experienced the Holy Ghost in their lives and now they are accountable to Receive the Holy Ghost.  
 

summer break

 L has been off his medicines for a few weeks now.  He is eating a lot every day and no longer looks scrawny.  He is doing well and never yells at us for making noise right now.  I think I'll ask for a different medicine when he next sees a Dr.  He is getting so strong from swimming and biking.  He graduated to the yellow bike when we moved.  I love that he is doing so well.

Good place for L

 L's current medicine has a good effect on him.  He acts drunk when he hasn't had his medicine.  Mostly he is a happy drunk, but he lacks impulse control and is loopy.  I give him his medicine and about 30 minutes later he is calm and quiet.  He gets his work done quickly and often independently.  It is a remarkable change.

routines and improvement

 L is taking astarzys and doing well on it.  He doesn't like how it tastes.  He is much more stable in his mood and very clear in articulating what he needs and wants. 

L had a weekly schedule of things to do.  Then we started getting serious about getting ready to list the house.  So right now we're lucky if I am home enough to get him to do math, writing and brain exercise.  Sometimes I am barely home with all the Dr.'s visits and dental appointments lately.  That on top of the usual activities and trying to pack up the house, it is rough.  But L is doing great and I'm glad he's been able to get this medicine.