So Far, So Long

Yesterday, Hope was dysregulated all day. We tried physical contact, a 2 mile walk, early lunch, one-on-one time and nothing helped. The Dad had to carry her raging out of the home improvement store. She ended up watching us swim because she chose to sun with with only part of her bathing suit where it belonged.

The Dad has a four day weekend and when we talked about what each of us wanted to do, GB knew what she wanted. She wanted to go to the gym with The Dad, because they hadn't been there since Hope joined the family in a long time. It is something they used to do together two or three times a month. It was their "thing". The Dad didn't really want to, for reasons that had nothing to do with GB, but he recognized how important it was to GB. Some of the changes we have had to make to accommodate Hope have not been easy on GB.

The shrink and I (by email) decided to dramatically increase Hope's Risperdal  in an attempt to get the rages back under control. The insurance company, MEDCO, in their infinite wisdom and based on their vast experience with Hope, decided she didn't need it. They refuse to talk to us and only the doctor is allowed to even try to change their mind. Fourth of July weekend... I am not optimistic, and so, for now, I guess we live with the rages.

While The Dad and GB are at the gym, MK is talking Hope and the baby for a walk. I think I will be keeping both girls home today. Between gardening and swimming, they should have enough to keep them busy.

Finding Balance

When you have special needs kids, finding balance is important. You don't want to make their world unnecessarily small, while you also don't want to push them beyond what they can handle. It is an issue in big things like school and in less important  things, like activities. GB's widely scattered abilities make finding this balance even more difficult.

Last night, GB tried out a new gymnastics class. The class she is in will not exist in September and her NT "friends" are moving on to other activities- activities that just aren't doable for GB at this point. I am sad that she will lose weekly contact with these girls, after almost five years of having them as a regular part of her life. Fortunately, GB still enjoys gymnastics. Unfortunately, our safe, small, non-competitive gym will only have one class that is appropriate  for her. It is their "team" class. They don't compete, but the class is 90 minutes long and has a dance component. The girls in this class take their gymnastics  seriously. There is only one girl who is more skilled than GB and  one girl  her age already there. GB didn't have a problem with any of the girls- I think they are so focused on what they are doing themselves, GB's differences didn't make the radar screen. It probably helped that she was noticeably younger than most of them. It is almost a $1000 for a year of this class and I am reluctant to lay that kind of money out when I am not sure it will work. Maybe we will try the class again in a couple of weeks.

One of GB's talents is gymnastics. I want to let her develop her strength. It is not good for her if all we ever do is try to shore up her weaknesses.

Long Day

GB's shrink has decided to add Zyprexa to her medication regime. I am not completely sold, but the only other choice he gave me was Seroquel, and I have had too many kids react very poorly to Seroquel to even consider trying GB on it. He called it into the drugstore at home, so we probably will not start it until Sunday night.

The girls had a difficult day today. Most of us were sorting and packing stuff. There were people in and out all day and anytime I was engaged in the sorted, they slipped away to unpack boxes so they could take "treasures" home. My sister and I understand each other very well and there is little friction over where different items are going, but the extended family members are very sure what they are entitled to, and that tends to be energy draining. The girls have been away from home for almost 2 weeks and they really need to get back to their home and routine. I wish I could click my heels three times and end up at home.

Black Friday

For the first time in years, my sister and I opted out of shopping on Black Friday. We have been simplifying holidays a little bit at a time for years. The past year has contained so many changes for both of our families, that we agreed it was time to do something completely different. Tonight, we put everybody's name in a hat and everyone drew out a name (MK drew a name for Malachi). Everybody will be responsible for choosing a gift for the person whose name they drew. The kids under 13 will also get  stockings. At least, that's what we are aiming for. Neither J nor MK are thrilled, but if they choose to have Christmas with us, they will have to go along with it.

I am thankful that I still have my sister to share the good times with.