dL Hype

I was persuaded into allowing Taylor to try out for the perfomance company at her dance studio back in July. Then, I had to persuade Conal. Which wasn't an easy task, by the way.

She went. She dance. She conquered. We've now commited almost every weekend of our lives for 10 months in a row.

Olympians Week

The 2012 Summer Olympics were incredible! We enjoyed every moment of them that we could catch! I was kind of thinking that my kids were going to grow up not understanding, loving, knowing what the Olympics are since they're already in school and are back to school night bedtimes. Thank goodness for TiVO, I was able to record so much for them, and the first things out of their mouths everyday after school was asking if they could watch the Olympics. Their favorite events were gymnastics, diving and swimming.
The night of the opening ceremonies, we had an impromptu neighborhood gathering at our house with pizza, drinks and eyes glued to our tv.
The theme of the Olympics this year was "Inspire a Generation". The gym that Hayden attends had an Olympian alternate qualifier. He didn't get the chance to compete, but was at the Olympics with the rest of the team, so her gym went crazy with celebrations! Her gym had an Olympians week during the Olympics. The day Hayden attends was dress up as an olympian day. I treated her to a new red, white and blue leo...she had fun getting into the Olympic spirit! We can sure see that the Olympics inspired a generation, because enrollment in her class has tripled, since.

A blessing and a curse

Hayden's Most Common Expression on her Meds. Spring 2012

This Summer, after Hayden missed a few dosages of her ADHD medicine, I made a conscious decision to refrain from administering her doses through the beginning of the school year. 

Hayden takes Vyvanse. It's a prescribed narcotic to help her focus, sort her thoughts, slow her brain down and gain a clear view on her daily living. Vyvanse is the second med she's been on in two years. The first being Concerta. 

In her day to day life, she struggles with slight OCD, ODD, and anxiety. Unfortunately for children on the Autism spectrum, there is no clear understanding of what/how/why their brain processes, or doesn't, the way it does. And many children with an ASD have other neurological deficits. So an rx for ADHD will help with many of her focus issues. Lucky for us, she does not have a behavior problem, nor is she a disruption in class. Her ADHD rears itself as lack of focus, comprehension and fidgeting. Both of the meds she's been on, has proved to help greatly with her focus. But there is a downside. The side effects are horrendous. At least in our opinion. And I didn't understand the intensity of her side effects until I took her off her meds. 

Hayden is oppositional by nature. You ask her to do something, she gets defensive and angry. She blames anyone (usually her sister) for anything that happens to her. For instance, if she were to bump in the chair, she would blame Taylor. It's not just in a sibling/she's a child kind of way, it's more than that. Hayden has a mild touch of anxiety. She has a fear of high ceilings. It is a fear that she has undercome in some circumstances, but in others (like the museum we visited this Summer) near debilitating.She also gets extremely anxious in large crowds and if her routine is mixed up and if she's not at home for more than a day or two. She can be happy internally, but we'd never know it because she looks, acts and talks miserable. 

Well, off of her meds...we're seeing her smile. Hearing her laugh. Watching her play with TOYS not gravel, sticks and lint. She's engaging with her neighborhood friends. She's asking to do things. She's HUGGING. She's LOVING. She's SINGING. She's DANCING. She's ENGAGING. 

These are all emotions..actions, we've not experienced with her. And it's joyous. 

We knew that this was probably temporary. We informed her teacher after the first couple weeks of school, that we were experimenting with her meds. After about 8 weeks back, she called upon me to talk about Hayden's struggles. They are clearly due to her inability to focus, comprehend or event follow words on a page. We have an appointment with her pediatrician next week. I'm going to talk to him about the side effects and what we experienced with her off of her meds over the Summer, and see if he may have a 'happy medium' we could try. He's always been real honest with me and told me where bright sides come, darkness follows. Interpreted, we cannot have the best of everything, we take what we can get. It is a blessing that modern medicine can help..bring thoughts and attention into focus. She would be lost without it. Not knowing where she is in an assignment in school. Not remembering to pay attention before walking into a parking lot. Forgetting the stove is hot and laying her hands on it. It is also a curse, because it clouds every sense of who she is. 

I'm so sad and anxious, myself, knowing that she's going to hole up again. She's really upset, as well, that she has to go back on her meds. Chill pill, she calls it. She understands why, but I believe she, too, has loved listening to herself laugh. 

Hayden off her meds. Summer of 2012

Strike a Pose

Like a bevy of little girls her age, Taylor loves to strike a pose!

Photo Bomb!

Taylor also loves to hijack my phone and photo-bomb me! I recently deleted over 180 from over the course of the Summer

. 

Lord of the Flies, Summer of '12

2012. 

The Summer when our kids became known to us as the 

Lord of the Flies.

 Cast and Crew:

Hayden and Taylor Marquette

Bryce and Tatum House

Emily and Kaylie Gross

Austin, Logan and Carter Morrow