Update on Ryan's first visit with the new psychologist

I took Ryan to meet Dr. P last night.  He did great.  He played with blocks, trains & puzzles.   He was very good but she saw some of the things that we see in Ryan.  He showed her how his mind goes a mile a minute and how he doesn't adapt to change.  She pulled out a testing book with pictures that Ryan had to point to when she named them.  Each page had 4 pictures on it, each with a very small number below it, labeled 1-4.  Ryan was so fixated on the numbers that he couldn't point to what she was saying.  She would turn the page and he would point to the number 3 and say three, instead of pointing to the ear that she said.  She tried another book where he had to say what was on the picture.  Horse, zebra, house, etc.  All very easy things that Ryan knows.  Again, he found the very small number on the page and couldn't concentrate on the task.  

At the end of the session, she said words that I have been waiting to hear from a psychologist.  "I see your concerns"  Huge sigh of relief and maybe a few tears.  That is all we ever wanted.   I don't care what the diagnosis is (well, I do but it doesn't matter at this point).  I just want someone to see what we see and to listen to our concerns.  Other then our wonderful pediatrician, we have never felt like our concerns were being heard.  Finally, we have found someone who will listen.

Another doctor to the list

But I think we might have found a good match.  We started the process for a second opinion on Ryan.  The psychologist met with Greg and I to go over Ryan's history and our family medical history.  I think I love her, hopefully Ryan will too.  We go back next Thursday so Ryan can meet her and she will start the process.  She said it could take 4 sessions or up to 12 and it will just depend on how cooperative Ryan is during each one.

I am relieved to have found a psychologist that actually sat down and listened to everything we said and really understood where we, as his parents, are coming from.

And my kids see way too many doctors & therapists.  I think between the 2 of them, we now have 12.  No wonder our flexible spending money is gone!

So long to the Still family....

Or more like see ya later. I hate goodbyes! Our good friends, Steve and Faith, are moving to Illinois so Steve can go back to school.Greg and Steve have known each other since high school and little Steven has become another member of our family. The boys and I are going to miss him so much.
We threw a party for them, complete with a Luau theme. They had lots of family and friends come and wish them well in their new endeavor.
The guests of honor:

The cake:

The cupcakes--Thanks Leigh for helping with them!


Before the big party, some of them decided to go play paintball. They came back and said they had fun but don't think they will be doing it again anytime soon. Here is Greg's best battle wound. Ouch!

Memory Lane Blog Game

Memory Lane...the tag that gets everyone involved


1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember!*

2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It's actually pretty funny to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you. If you don't want to play on your blog, or if you don't have a blog, I'll leave my memory of you in my comments.

*I reserve the right to delete any offensive, mean, untrue, embarrassing, incriminating, unflattering, humiliating, this makes me look like a dork/a$$/b*tch/lush comments ;)

Ryan's first day of school

So this was Ryan before we left:

And this was Ryan when we got to his classroom


We walk in and Ryan exclaims "Oh Wow". Everyone laughed and thought it was adorable. He walked in like he had been there a million times before. They have a great set up. A pretend play area with a kitchen and toys, fine motor area with puzzles & crafts and Ryan's favorite, a Little Tikes climber & slider, complete with a small ball pit. As soon as Ryan saw that, he was off and running. They also have a great playground that is completely fenced in and they have a door from their classroom to go out. I stayed for about 15 minutes so I could talk to his teachers. I told him goodbye and off I went to spy on him through the one way mirror. He did start to tear up once he realized I wasn't there anymore but his teachers said he did great for his first day. He did cry off and on throughout the day but as long as he was interested in what they were doing, he was fine.

Here are some other pics from my short visit with him:





And his first masterpiece from school:

Tomorrow is the day.

Ryan starts at Easter Seals tomorrow. He will go three days a week, for 3 hours in the morning, for the next 9 weeks. During the summer, it is mostly a structured day camp with teachers that work with special needs kids. We are hoping we can continue this placement in the fall where he will also receive occupational & speech therapies, as well as the structured teaching setting.

My nerves are shot though. I was packing his new little Diego backpack with his clothes and snacks and I couldn't hold back the tears. He is so young. How do I know he won't cry for me the whole time? How do I know that one little kid won't come up to him and totally set him off? How do I know we are doing the right thing for him? Deep down, I know this is the best thing for him. All of his teachers & therapist tell me that but it is very hard not to be there, to hold him when he needs me. He seems to adjust to adults faster then the kids so I am hoping he bonds with one of his teachers quickly.

I am expecting lots of tears tomorrow, from both of us, but I am hoping Ryan has fun. I told myself I am not allowed to cry until I get back to the car. The good thing is that Ethan also has vacation bible school this week so I will have a couple of hours to compose myself.

Our baby isn't such a baby anymore.

Ryan has decided it is time for a "big" boy bed. He has climbed out of his crib a couple of times when I had put him in there for a time out, so we knew it was getting close to time to move him. When he decided to climb out and come down to our room at 5:30 yesterday morning, we really knew it was time to move him out of the crib. I went out and bought him a new toddler bed, something I said I would never buy but we just didn't think Ry was ready for the BIG big boy bed. I completed the ensemble with the very loud and bright Diego bedding that I knew Ry would just love.
So here is a pic of my "baby" in his new bed.