We made chocolate chip cookies a few days ago, so we decided to give some to JoElle's teacher, Mrs. Watson. I figured, get it out of the way early so I don't procrastinate until it's too late...
But just chocolate chip wasn't good enough for JoElle, she also wanted to make gingerbread cookies! She decorated them for her teacher and they came out cute. Forgot to snap pics before sending them off today, but oh well!
JoElle made Mrs. Watson some art work, too. On one pic, she wrote "I love u Mrs. Watson" and "U are the best"
Speaking of writing, she is writing sentences and coming real close to spelling things correctly! She moved up to Level 2 readers at school, her reading is coming along so well, we are proud of her! JoElle has learned her 3rd set of sight words already within less than two weeks or so (kinda lost track with Thanksgiving)
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Friday, September 17, 2010
JoElle lost her first tooth!!
After a few weeks of wiggling, JoElle lost her first tooth and she is extremely excited! We were ate Applebee's about to eat dinner with Nana, the tooth was wiggling away and she was getting ready to eat some ribs, so I helped grab it out before she lost it or swallowed it! It was only holding on by one little side.
The night before, when she was brushing her teeth, her mouth filled with blood and she was crying hard! She was scared of all the blood, plus said it hurt. Alexa started crying with her!
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Kindergarten days
After about a week of school, JoElle finally quite crying. The first day, she was fine. But then the next few days, she cried right before they go to the gym, before lunch. She told me she missed me and was already hungry, even though they eat a snack in the morning, since lunch isn't until 12:30. But then Friday of the first week, she cried hard when I left her, and the next Monday she was crying so much, she wouldn't let go of me and I had to ask for help getting her to let me go.
So, Tim took her the next two mornings, and after that she wasn't crying anymore!
Now, she is asking to go to school on the weekends! She is doing very well in school. After 2 weeks of school, she had her first set of sight words memorized and can spell them, too. She is reading some already, she is bringing home readers and can read them to us. JoElle is excited about reading! Alexa is learning to read some of the words with JoElle.
So, Tim took her the next two mornings, and after that she wasn't crying anymore!
Now, she is asking to go to school on the weekends! She is doing very well in school. After 2 weeks of school, she had her first set of sight words memorized and can spell them, too. She is reading some already, she is bringing home readers and can read them to us. JoElle is excited about reading! Alexa is learning to read some of the words with JoElle.
Monday, August 23, 2010
Kindergarten!
JoElle started Kindergarten at Pearcy, she had a great first day...
But Alexa cried quite a bit at home and asked for Jojo all day!
But Alexa cried quite a bit at home and asked for Jojo all day!
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Where has the time gone?
Wow, I haven't posted anything about the girls in MONTHS!! CrAzY, where do I even begin?
How about- JoElle is getting so big! She weighs 46 lbs, had to get size 6 shorts, skirts and shorts- her 5T won't even fit over her bottom or thighs- her muscles have gotten HUGE from 3 times a week gymnastics practice, 1.5 hours each time...
Speaking of gymnastics, she is rockin' it! Back in April or so, her class was going to be broken up and sent to different teams, her coach, Ms. Tamara, wanted the girls to stay together, she told us that this is the best group of girls, balance of girls and parents, she has had in the past 30 yrs and she wants to stay with them for another couple of years, so she told the gym owners she would coach them for competitions.
So, JoElle and her team will be competing at Level 2 starting in just over a month, their first meet is Aug 21st at their gym. Her coach said they could have started at a higher level, but it would have been more competitive, more stressful, the girls would be less successful on all skills and events, so she wanted them to start at 2, get experience, and she will continue to teach them higher level skills. They were working on level 4 and 5 skills before it was determined they would be competing.
JoElle looks so great with her hands, arms, legs, feet, very graceful, but she is super fast, so powerful, she has to try to SLOW DOWN and control her movements. She has her entire floor routine memorized, I did NOT think she would get it, it seemed to have so many components, but now after about 5 weeks of practice, she has it, just needs little tweaking, like where arms go, and they just started working on cartwheel-roundoff, so she has to practice that a bit more, almost there- she is just going too fast.
Tonight, she earned the Top Cat award for working the hardest, she worked so hard today! She fell on the high balance beam while working on her tuck jump, but she just kept going! She was absolutely beaming and glowing tonight afterwards!
She is really really great at the balance beam, I think it will be her best event, although she looks good on everything- vault is hard for her....she has to learn how to push with her shoulders so she doesn't hit her head on the springboard.
Now, on to Alexa...
Wow, she has really grown and grown up too!! She weighs 35 lbs! She weighs more than many of the 5 and 6 yr olds that work out with JoElle! She wears 4 and 5T and she is only 2!!
She talks so well, she understands so much, she is showing how very intelligent she is, so many examples, can't think right now, but wow, she amazes us constantly.
Alexa is extremely strong willed, she has quite a temper, is very blunt, but then is also so very sweet and polite! She is great saying thank you, you're welcome, please much of the time, is learning yes sir and yes ma'am. She loves to try to be mommy to JoElle- telling her "No ma'am!", "Be careful Jojo", "stop climbing Jojo", "Shhhh! Too loud!" etc etc
Alexa has been super fussy these past two weeks, not sure why, but I do know she needs to nap but she quit officially napping months ago...we are going to try to work on that again though starting tomorrow.
She is understanding potty training, tells me she needs to go, holds it sometimes, sometimes goes poo poo on the potty, but then she gets stubborn and doesn't want to b/c I am asking her to... So we still have a ways to go.
She is not that interested in chocolate milk, but JoElle still loves her milk! They both still love their fave blankets. They still play really well together, but really get on each other's nerves at the same time!
Alexa LOVES to play with her Little People and blocks. JoElle has also gone back to playing with both, actually I have never seen her concentrate so much on them, lining them up, making them do gymnastics, etc. She learned from Alexa that it is fun to sit quietly -sort of- and play with toys. They fight over the people of course, but they are figuring it out!
Alexa is starting to lose interest in Fresh Beat Band, although she asks for it all the time. She is liking Wow Wow Wubbzy! while JoElle is losing interest in it! JoElle mostly likes the dramas on Disney, esp Wizards of Waverly Place, sometimes Hannah Montana- on our trip to Corpus Christi a few weeks ago (oh yeah that's another post, mental note...) that was all she could watch, she loved it, Alexa watched too.
JoElle is only on sleeping pills right now, but she would like to get off of them. Her dr wants her to stay on them b/c trazadone is also a mild anti-anxiety medication. She is very nervous about starting school, but we are constantly encouraging her and reassuring her. I am more worried about Alexa than JoElle, what will she do without her big sister???????
How about- JoElle is getting so big! She weighs 46 lbs, had to get size 6 shorts, skirts and shorts- her 5T won't even fit over her bottom or thighs- her muscles have gotten HUGE from 3 times a week gymnastics practice, 1.5 hours each time...
Speaking of gymnastics, she is rockin' it! Back in April or so, her class was going to be broken up and sent to different teams, her coach, Ms. Tamara, wanted the girls to stay together, she told us that this is the best group of girls, balance of girls and parents, she has had in the past 30 yrs and she wants to stay with them for another couple of years, so she told the gym owners she would coach them for competitions.
So, JoElle and her team will be competing at Level 2 starting in just over a month, their first meet is Aug 21st at their gym. Her coach said they could have started at a higher level, but it would have been more competitive, more stressful, the girls would be less successful on all skills and events, so she wanted them to start at 2, get experience, and she will continue to teach them higher level skills. They were working on level 4 and 5 skills before it was determined they would be competing.
JoElle looks so great with her hands, arms, legs, feet, very graceful, but she is super fast, so powerful, she has to try to SLOW DOWN and control her movements. She has her entire floor routine memorized, I did NOT think she would get it, it seemed to have so many components, but now after about 5 weeks of practice, she has it, just needs little tweaking, like where arms go, and they just started working on cartwheel-roundoff, so she has to practice that a bit more, almost there- she is just going too fast.
Tonight, she earned the Top Cat award for working the hardest, she worked so hard today! She fell on the high balance beam while working on her tuck jump, but she just kept going! She was absolutely beaming and glowing tonight afterwards!
She is really really great at the balance beam, I think it will be her best event, although she looks good on everything- vault is hard for her....she has to learn how to push with her shoulders so she doesn't hit her head on the springboard.
Now, on to Alexa...
Wow, she has really grown and grown up too!! She weighs 35 lbs! She weighs more than many of the 5 and 6 yr olds that work out with JoElle! She wears 4 and 5T and she is only 2!!
She talks so well, she understands so much, she is showing how very intelligent she is, so many examples, can't think right now, but wow, she amazes us constantly.
Alexa is extremely strong willed, she has quite a temper, is very blunt, but then is also so very sweet and polite! She is great saying thank you, you're welcome, please much of the time, is learning yes sir and yes ma'am. She loves to try to be mommy to JoElle- telling her "No ma'am!", "Be careful Jojo", "stop climbing Jojo", "Shhhh! Too loud!" etc etc
Alexa has been super fussy these past two weeks, not sure why, but I do know she needs to nap but she quit officially napping months ago...we are going to try to work on that again though starting tomorrow.
She is understanding potty training, tells me she needs to go, holds it sometimes, sometimes goes poo poo on the potty, but then she gets stubborn and doesn't want to b/c I am asking her to... So we still have a ways to go.
She is not that interested in chocolate milk, but JoElle still loves her milk! They both still love their fave blankets. They still play really well together, but really get on each other's nerves at the same time!
Alexa LOVES to play with her Little People and blocks. JoElle has also gone back to playing with both, actually I have never seen her concentrate so much on them, lining them up, making them do gymnastics, etc. She learned from Alexa that it is fun to sit quietly -sort of- and play with toys. They fight over the people of course, but they are figuring it out!
Alexa is starting to lose interest in Fresh Beat Band, although she asks for it all the time. She is liking Wow Wow Wubbzy! while JoElle is losing interest in it! JoElle mostly likes the dramas on Disney, esp Wizards of Waverly Place, sometimes Hannah Montana- on our trip to Corpus Christi a few weeks ago (oh yeah that's another post, mental note...) that was all she could watch, she loved it, Alexa watched too.
JoElle is only on sleeping pills right now, but she would like to get off of them. Her dr wants her to stay on them b/c trazadone is also a mild anti-anxiety medication. She is very nervous about starting school, but we are constantly encouraging her and reassuring her. I am more worried about Alexa than JoElle, what will she do without her big sister???????
Thursday, April 8, 2010
First night of no sleeping meds!
JoElle fell asleep so easily tonight for the first time in 6 months without 1 full Trazadone and for the first time in over 3 years without Benadryl.
I am so excited! But, do not expect this to be every night. Yet. I know she will get to that point, most likely when school starts and she is practicing gymnastics 3 times per week, 1.5 hours each time.
Tonight was gymnastics, her coach was tough on them and JoElle learned to pull herself up on the high bar, flip underneath, hold it at the top, then flip back over, lowering herself s-l-o-w-l-y. Very impressive as tonight was the first night for her to practice this.
Her coach also told me and Tim to keep her in gymnastics and let her practice as much as possible b/c gymnastics is JoElle's "thing", and it is, I know I am her mom, but the girl is is gifted in the arena.
If only I worked out and ate like her, would have a great body, she is very lean, muscular, and she can pick up 2-3 times her body weight, not to mention the back kickovers, handstands and flips she is doing on the bar, pretty amazing! She has been at this gym and with her coach for almost a year now, I can't help but just wonder, what if she had started even earlier? She would have some crazy mad skills, flipping across the floor and on the bar I am sure :)
She is close to a back handspring/flip- you know with no hands down- I don't know the terminology until JoElle, sighing, tells me, "Mommy, that is a cast, not XYZ..don't you know?" Then I gently reminder her that, no I do not know until SHE teaches me, as I have never done gymnastics before myself.......
Has anybody written a book Gymnastics for Dummies b/c I could sure use it. I never did gymnastics, or anything else for that matter as a child, just ask my mom, I was stubborn and or scared or both..... no wonder where Alexa gets it...
I am so excited! But, do not expect this to be every night. Yet. I know she will get to that point, most likely when school starts and she is practicing gymnastics 3 times per week, 1.5 hours each time.
Tonight was gymnastics, her coach was tough on them and JoElle learned to pull herself up on the high bar, flip underneath, hold it at the top, then flip back over, lowering herself s-l-o-w-l-y. Very impressive as tonight was the first night for her to practice this.
JoElle's coach read my mind tonight, was going to ask her if she would be adding a day of practice anytime soon, before I could ask, she told me they would add another day so the girls will practice 3 days per week- JoElle was driving me crazy early in the week, begging to go to gymnastics- she told her coach she wants to go every day, and she means it!
Her coach also told me and Tim to keep her in gymnastics and let her practice as much as possible b/c gymnastics is JoElle's "thing", and it is, I know I am her mom, but the girl is is gifted in the arena.
If only I worked out and ate like her, would have a great body, she is very lean, muscular, and she can pick up 2-3 times her body weight, not to mention the back kickovers, handstands and flips she is doing on the bar, pretty amazing! She has been at this gym and with her coach for almost a year now, I can't help but just wonder, what if she had started even earlier? She would have some crazy mad skills, flipping across the floor and on the bar I am sure :)
She is close to a back handspring/flip- you know with no hands down- I don't know the terminology until JoElle, sighing, tells me, "Mommy, that is a cast, not XYZ..don't you know?" Then I gently reminder her that, no I do not know until SHE teaches me, as I have never done gymnastics before myself.......
Has anybody written a book Gymnastics for Dummies b/c I could sure use it. I never did gymnastics, or anything else for that matter as a child, just ask my mom, I was stubborn and or scared or both..... no wonder where Alexa gets it...
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Fun at the botanical gardens!
We had fun at the botanical gardens in Ft. Worth and also ran into our cousins taking family pics!
We needed to get out of the house, so spur of the moment, I decided to drive to the botanical gardens where we smelled the beautiful roses, literally. Ran around the "mazes" in the Rose gardens, as JoElle calls them.
We loved the smell of the purple wisteria growing on the arbors- so beautifully fragrant!
Both Alexa and JoElle were super excited by the water spurting up just beyond the walkway of wisteria, not to mention the pond filled with turtles piled on a hill- which we later found out was actually the fountain and once it started to work again, they scrambled off in a jiffy!
JoElle posed for a plethora of pictures, most dictated by herself, posed by herself, interesting facial expressions and questionable hand gestures...
Alexa mostly chilled in a stroller, I tried to get her to walk, but ended up back at the car for it. Those magnolia trees are gargantuous- I recall they were gigantic back when I was young, now even more so! This cute squirrel was digging up all of his nuts and munching on them- there were over 50 holes underneath the shelter of the magnolias, and also riddling the fizzled out daffodils. Alexa told the squirrel "HI!!!" but then was a bit scared of him, even with me holding her.
We went on a nature walk, found plenty of large goldfish swimming around, birds flitting from tree to tree, turtles still sunbathing..until that blasted water fountain is turned back on!
We sat under some large oak trees to eat our snacks- fruit snacks for Alexa, cheesy Doritos for JoElle, water for all.
They both loved climbing up the steps in the Rose garden, touching the water streaming down, oh yeah, a little boy tried to take off with our stroller we had abandoned at the bottom of the steps...Alexa was not happy about him touching her stroller!
We also walked to the other pond, a newer section with some beautiful functional sculptures, one a butterfly bench, as they threw acorn shells into the water and ran around the paths, smelling flowers. Before we left, Alexa had to stumble and scrape up her knees, that is the way she rolls after all :) Like her Mommy.
Tired, we ate at Galligaskin's per JoElle's request. Who can resist these most delicious Italian Cold Cut subs with fries?? yum yum.
Rest when we get home? Naw! More playing outside, in the backyard! Until JoElle had an allergic reaction to the pollen she had accidentally sniffed into her nose that I had to wipe off. The back of her neck broke out in one itchy, red, bumpy rash, her throat was itchy and dry, perhaps some anaphlaxis, so I gave her a full adult Benadryl and gave her a bath in Cetaphil, her back was also bumpy from eczema, brought on by the pollen I am sure.
She is fine, slept ok once she got past all the issues...!!
Friday, February 26, 2010
Alexa's fave phrases....
"I don't want to, I want to....
I don't like it, I like it....."
I don't like it, I like it....."
These are her favorite things to say right now, pretty much about everything. She finishes off the sentence with whatever activity or object is applicable.
Last night, her blanket was dirty, so she asked me "Where's my blanket, Mommy?"
I told her it was dirty and I needed to wash it. So, she took Daddy's hand and asked him, "Daddy, you wash my blanket, please??"
It was too too cute!!!
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Alexa is sleeping in her toddler bed!!
The last two nights, she has slept in her OWN toddle bed!!!!!!!!
The previous two nights, she slept in JoElle's room on the trundle bed!!
The two nights before, she either fell asleep at 1:00 a.m. (with Benadryl) or with Tim sleeping on the floor in her room.
So I am so excited that this transition is going much smoother than the first two days!!!
My little girl turns 2 in less than a week!
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
JoElle is in the No Cavity Club!
It's official, JoElle went to her first dentist appt and she is officially in the No Cavity Club, sticker and all!!
I was thinking I would get fussed out for not bringing her in earlier since hse is now 5, so I was excited about the no cavities, but even more so I was SO happy that she went back with the dentist and the assistants ALL BY HERSLF! This would not have happened a few months ago, she would have cried and wouldn't let me go, she would not have answered the dentist's questions.
The dentist talked to me briefly about JoElle's depression and anxiety and I was able to educate her a bit on how it can start as early as 3 or 4, she thanked me for all of this so she can be looking for it in her patients, she hasn't seen anyone younger than 6 in her office suffering from depression.
So again, our situation might have lasting positive influences on others, I love this dentist, she is great, and a woman obviously and she is also black, I think it is important for JoElle to see that it doesn't matter what gender or race a person is, they can do what they want if it is God's will.
I got to see JoElle's X-rays, you can see her 6 year old molars starting to come in, they have been coming in since she was 4.5, the dentist estimates another two months till they actually cut through. These will be her first permanent teeth!
Then she will start losing her baby teeth, bottom first, then top, etc. pretty much the way they came in is the way they come out and get replaced by permanent teeth!
I was thinking I would get fussed out for not bringing her in earlier since hse is now 5, so I was excited about the no cavities, but even more so I was SO happy that she went back with the dentist and the assistants ALL BY HERSLF! This would not have happened a few months ago, she would have cried and wouldn't let me go, she would not have answered the dentist's questions.
The dentist talked to me briefly about JoElle's depression and anxiety and I was able to educate her a bit on how it can start as early as 3 or 4, she thanked me for all of this so she can be looking for it in her patients, she hasn't seen anyone younger than 6 in her office suffering from depression.
So again, our situation might have lasting positive influences on others, I love this dentist, she is great, and a woman obviously and she is also black, I think it is important for JoElle to see that it doesn't matter what gender or race a person is, they can do what they want if it is God's will.
I got to see JoElle's X-rays, you can see her 6 year old molars starting to come in, they have been coming in since she was 4.5, the dentist estimates another two months till they actually cut through. These will be her first permanent teeth!
Then she will start losing her baby teeth, bottom first, then top, etc. pretty much the way they came in is the way they come out and get replaced by permanent teeth!
Friday, February 12, 2010
It's cold
Alexa was walking in the snow yesterday, then looked up at me, with a red nose, and told me,
"I don't like it!"
hehe
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Heights from the Stock Show
Alexa got to attend her first Stock Show!!
JoElle went when she was around Alexa's age, with her cousin Peyton, but was too short to ride much.
This year, JoElle is 42 inches (with her tennis shoes), so she can ride lots of rides.
Alexa is 32 inches, so she could ride everything in the kid's area, too. Key word is "COULD", she cried on two different rides, had to be taken off, so every time we got near a new ride she would tell me...."I don't want to!"
Alexa told me "I want to swing!" and pulled me over there, but once it started moving, all she could say was "Mommy! MOMMY!!!!
Good sentence from Alexa today...
Alexa handed me the oatmeal container so I could make her some oatmeal.
She dutifully went to her little table and sat down to eat, without my even having to tell her!
But, the oatmeal was too hot.
So, she tell mes, "I don't like it hot."
Plain as day, each word enunciated! I am so proud of her sentences lately, she is almost 2.
She dutifully went to her little table and sat down to eat, without my even having to tell her!
But, the oatmeal was too hot.
So, she tell mes, "I don't like it hot."
Plain as day, each word enunciated! I am so proud of her sentences lately, she is almost 2.
Some history behind JoElle's medical condition
JoElle was 4 when she was diagnosed with severe anxiety and depression, but we already knew things were not "normal" when she was only 1; she quit napping before she was even 1, she never could go to sleep at night, even when she was a toddler, then she started crying when she was 2 when I would drop her off, but it wasn't the normal separation anxiety either, then it got even worse after 3- she would stand in her room, naked, not sure why she was in her room (to get dressed), she would ask me, "Mommy, why do I just stare all the time?"
From 3-4 I was at home with her and Alexa so she did ok, we found ways around the difficulties, she went to sleep every night with 2 benadryl still late,at 10-11:30 p.m.
Then it just nose dived when she was 4 and she started mother's day out, I was teaching there, I started seeing her zone out, cry, become despondent, become defiant to me, I thought she was just choosing not to listen, finally realized she just couldn't concentrate on what I was saying so then I started thinking ADHD.
But as I talked to her, I found out her mind was racing with lots of thoughts, she described it like someone spinning a wheel in her head, the wheel would stop on different random things. One such thing was on hurting herself, taking a bad pill, her "wheel" was telling her to cut out her eyes, to cut off her nose, and to cut her wheel out of her head, but she knew not to and didn't want to.
Obviously, we were really concerned. The dr's and hospital all confirmed severe depression and anxiety. Once it was under control, we were still seeing some focus issues and too much energy. She is on sleeping pills to sleep. So we tried ADHD med, for a 5 yr old, the FDA has only approved Adderrall, it did not work, she lost 3.5 lbs in 5 weeks.
So we all agreed to take her off the med, I offered up the question of being bi-polar, so now we are treating her with mood stabilizers, which is actually for seizures, again the only one approved for under 6, but some of my friends have taken it and it has worked as a mood stabilizer. She was having seizure, we just didn't know, she would stare and we couldn't get her attention, then she would tell me she it was like she couldn't breathe and she was upside down, then right side up. Everyone says what she is describing is a seizure.
She is doing better though, we have found a great charter school in our city, called the Classics Academy, please pray she is picked FIRST in the lottery at the end of March. I feel strongly that this is where she is supposed to be, so does Tim. But it is in God's hands. It's free since it's a charter school, but they teach Spanish from K on, and they teach the Trivium way, grammar of every subject is important. Plus, they learn some Latin in the morning and an English world derived from it. The principal actually hired Tim at Fidelity Investments back in 2000! Isn't that crazy!?
From 3-4 I was at home with her and Alexa so she did ok, we found ways around the difficulties, she went to sleep every night with 2 benadryl still late,at 10-11:30 p.m.
Then it just nose dived when she was 4 and she started mother's day out, I was teaching there, I started seeing her zone out, cry, become despondent, become defiant to me, I thought she was just choosing not to listen, finally realized she just couldn't concentrate on what I was saying so then I started thinking ADHD.
But as I talked to her, I found out her mind was racing with lots of thoughts, she described it like someone spinning a wheel in her head, the wheel would stop on different random things. One such thing was on hurting herself, taking a bad pill, her "wheel" was telling her to cut out her eyes, to cut off her nose, and to cut her wheel out of her head, but she knew not to and didn't want to.
Obviously, we were really concerned. The dr's and hospital all confirmed severe depression and anxiety. Once it was under control, we were still seeing some focus issues and too much energy. She is on sleeping pills to sleep. So we tried ADHD med, for a 5 yr old, the FDA has only approved Adderrall, it did not work, she lost 3.5 lbs in 5 weeks.
So we all agreed to take her off the med, I offered up the question of being bi-polar, so now we are treating her with mood stabilizers, which is actually for seizures, again the only one approved for under 6, but some of my friends have taken it and it has worked as a mood stabilizer. She was having seizure, we just didn't know, she would stare and we couldn't get her attention, then she would tell me she it was like she couldn't breathe and she was upside down, then right side up. Everyone says what she is describing is a seizure.
She is doing better though, we have found a great charter school in our city, called the Classics Academy, please pray she is picked FIRST in the lottery at the end of March. I feel strongly that this is where she is supposed to be, so does Tim. But it is in God's hands. It's free since it's a charter school, but they teach Spanish from K on, and they teach the Trivium way, grammar of every subject is important. Plus, they learn some Latin in the morning and an English world derived from it. The principal actually hired Tim at Fidelity Investments back in 2000! Isn't that crazy!?
Friday, February 5, 2010
JoElle's weight
JoElle is still losing weight... she is not even on Adderall anymore, and hasn't been for several weeks now. She is eating like crazy, more than she ever used to, is drinking a ton of chocolate milk....
She was 40 lbs just over 6 weeks ago, the after 4 weeks on Adderall she had lost 3.5 lbs. She had no appetite (one of the side effects) plus her stomachache and headache never went away (also side effects).
She is now at 35.5 lbs. We are charting it on the Wii Fit, it just keeps going down it seems.
Alexa is almost 2, and she weighs 30 lbs. She also is wearing the same size clothes as JoElle.
I am a bit worried about her, but I know she has to start gaining, right?
Update: as of April 1, 2010- JoElle is now up to 42.5 lbs! All of it muscle :) She started to eat normally 6 weeks ago when she stopped taking the antidepressant and the mood stabilizer, it is so great to see her growing again and eating without us having to remind her all the time. Oh yes, she also grew taller, by about an inch or so, not sure exactly as we haven't measured, but judging by her pants getting extremely short and needing 5T, I would say 2 inches at least!
She was 40 lbs just over 6 weeks ago, the after 4 weeks on Adderall she had lost 3.5 lbs. She had no appetite (one of the side effects) plus her stomachache and headache never went away (also side effects).
She is now at 35.5 lbs. We are charting it on the Wii Fit, it just keeps going down it seems.
Alexa is almost 2, and she weighs 30 lbs. She also is wearing the same size clothes as JoElle.
I am a bit worried about her, but I know she has to start gaining, right?
Update: as of April 1, 2010- JoElle is now up to 42.5 lbs! All of it muscle :) She started to eat normally 6 weeks ago when she stopped taking the antidepressant and the mood stabilizer, it is so great to see her growing again and eating without us having to remind her all the time. Oh yes, she also grew taller, by about an inch or so, not sure exactly as we haven't measured, but judging by her pants getting extremely short and needing 5T, I would say 2 inches at least!
Monday, February 1, 2010
Tough Day with JoElle and our outcome
thanks for the prayers, and @Elizabeth, thank you for being so willing to help, you have a very giving spirit. We are treating JoElle with mood stabilizers, so it is very up and down. Even throughout each day, very much of the up, then the down. Not depression, just not able to control herself. She cycles fast like me.
Tim and I just sat down and drew out a rewards chart and ideas of rewards, like spending 15 minutes alone with one of us doing an activity of her choice, piece of candy, staying up an extra 15 minutes, watching a fave show before bedtime, etc. We are going to get a large presentation board to put it on, then use velcro, so JoElle can move it herself when she does the things we want her to do. This is her positive motivation, so she will NEVER go backwards.
What we are targeting is: 1) Listening and obeying the first time 2) Eating twice per each time slot (oh yeah, we are breaking it into three times periods each day- time she wakes up to nap/ rest time; from time rest time is over till Daddy gets home; and from the time Daddy gets home till bedtime)
3) Keeping room clean- which we will define for her
4) Brushing teeth twice a day and taking a bath
5) Being Calm and having self control (again explanations will be illustrated as we do CONSTANTLY!)
Then, I am going to pull out of my garage my color chart from when I taught first grade, and when she doesn't do the things she should, I will have her change her color. There will also be a few rules- be nice to Alexa, be nice to Mommy, and be nice to Daddy. I don't think at this point there will be a negative consequence, I think she will just not be happy to have to change colors.
Then, if she DOESN'T have to change colors, she will get to add a paper gumball to a paper gumball machine, when it is full she will earn a BIG prize, not sure what yet :) but it will different each time.
Tim and I just sat down and drew out a rewards chart and ideas of rewards, like spending 15 minutes alone with one of us doing an activity of her choice, piece of candy, staying up an extra 15 minutes, watching a fave show before bedtime, etc. We are going to get a large presentation board to put it on, then use velcro, so JoElle can move it herself when she does the things we want her to do. This is her positive motivation, so she will NEVER go backwards.
What we are targeting is: 1) Listening and obeying the first time 2) Eating twice per each time slot (oh yeah, we are breaking it into three times periods each day- time she wakes up to nap/ rest time; from time rest time is over till Daddy gets home; and from the time Daddy gets home till bedtime)
3) Keeping room clean- which we will define for her
4) Brushing teeth twice a day and taking a bath
5) Being Calm and having self control (again explanations will be illustrated as we do CONSTANTLY!)
Then, I am going to pull out of my garage my color chart from when I taught first grade, and when she doesn't do the things she should, I will have her change her color. There will also be a few rules- be nice to Alexa, be nice to Mommy, and be nice to Daddy. I don't think at this point there will be a negative consequence, I think she will just not be happy to have to change colors.
Then, if she DOESN'T have to change colors, she will get to add a paper gumball to a paper gumball machine, when it is full she will earn a BIG prize, not sure what yet :) but it will different each time.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
FB Status of JoElle's 1 yr old Teacher
JoElle was baptized today by Keith Christie!
FB Status of JoElle's teacher when she was 1:Stacy Lee
"I proclaim Jesus as my Lord and Savior and I AM NOT ASHAMED!"-- JoElle Coats (5 yrs old and got baptized today) I am reminded of the beauty of a child-like faith. Thanks, Jo Jo! ♥On My page:
Megan,
Thank you for having me today! It was so rewarding to see JoElle get baptized. I know God will continue to use her to touch many many MANY lives. This shows how great you and Tim are as parents. :) Awesome job! I hope to be at least half the parent you are when my time comes. haha
Love,
Stacy
Ms. Stacy had such a big impact on JoElle's little life, from 10 months to 2 yrs old. It's amazing the love she poured out on JoElle and the encouragement she was to JoElle and to our family. She came to birthday parties, even to watch JoElle once at ASI gymnastics when she was just a toddler. JoElle looked forward to every day of class with Stacy. She taught JoElle Christian songs, Scripture, and truths about God from the Bible.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
FINALLY! ALexa's 2 yr old molar poked through..
After months and months of agony, pain, crying, fussiness, and so on....
Alexa's first 2 year old molar poked through the gums! YAY! Only one side of what is obviously a four-side molar, but hey it's a start!
The molar is her top left.
All the other three have also been erupting, so we are waiting.....please come through the gums quickly....oh please....
Alexa's first 2 year old molar poked through the gums! YAY! Only one side of what is obviously a four-side molar, but hey it's a start!
The molar is her top left.
All the other three have also been erupting, so we are waiting.....please come through the gums quickly....oh please....
JoElle's dr appt
JoElle's dr appt with her psych. went well.
He automatically noticed JoElle had lost weight since the last appt, about 5 weeks.
So, in 5 weeks, she had lost 3 lbs from Aderrall. She only weighed 30 lbs, so this is 10% of her body weight. She couldn't eat much at all, didn't have an appetite, her stomach hurt constantly, her head hurt constantly. Her anxiety was increasingly getting worse, she couldn't stop biting her nails at all, then she needed one of us to sleep with her. She was starting to cry all the time again.
We all agreed to take her off immediately.
I suggested she might be bi-polar instead, as it is often mistaken for ADD/ADHD. Her dr won't diagnose her as such at this age. But, neither will my dr or my mom's dr.
Instead, he put her on a med that works like a mood stabilizer, but is actually an anti-seizure medication. So, Dr. A. is treating her as if she were bi-polar, without calling her such. Crazy, huh?
One of the worst things going on that concerned us so much was that JoElle was going into these catatonic states, we could not get her attention, she would just stare. Then, after a few minutes, she would snap out of it, complaining that she felt like she couldn't breathe and she was going upside down, right side up, upside down, and she was scared.
I thought this sounds much like a panic attack. The Dr. said it could also be a type of seizure, hence the med he put her own. Also, until she is 6, she cannot take any mood stabilizers labeled as such, per FDA regs.
The pharmacist confirmed it sounds like a seizure and the med is a good one. The only thing to look for is increased anxiety within the first 4 days. So far, none of that. Of course, it has only been 1 day.
On a positive note, even on the Aderrall, she decided she was ready to be baptized. AND she decided she was ready to go back to her Sunday School class with Mrs. Kay and Mr. Eddie. She did it, and stayed second hour. We are so proud of her!!! She made a friend, Lauren, who is also lonely a lot in there with the other kids, and who also is a good gymnast.
Yesterday was a good day for JoElle. She is still on Prozac and then Trazadone to sleep, plus this new med. She is sleeping well b/c of the med, tried to take her off, didn't work.
He automatically noticed JoElle had lost weight since the last appt, about 5 weeks.
So, in 5 weeks, she had lost 3 lbs from Aderrall. She only weighed 30 lbs, so this is 10% of her body weight. She couldn't eat much at all, didn't have an appetite, her stomach hurt constantly, her head hurt constantly. Her anxiety was increasingly getting worse, she couldn't stop biting her nails at all, then she needed one of us to sleep with her. She was starting to cry all the time again.
We all agreed to take her off immediately.
I suggested she might be bi-polar instead, as it is often mistaken for ADD/ADHD. Her dr won't diagnose her as such at this age. But, neither will my dr or my mom's dr.
Instead, he put her on a med that works like a mood stabilizer, but is actually an anti-seizure medication. So, Dr. A. is treating her as if she were bi-polar, without calling her such. Crazy, huh?
One of the worst things going on that concerned us so much was that JoElle was going into these catatonic states, we could not get her attention, she would just stare. Then, after a few minutes, she would snap out of it, complaining that she felt like she couldn't breathe and she was going upside down, right side up, upside down, and she was scared.
I thought this sounds much like a panic attack. The Dr. said it could also be a type of seizure, hence the med he put her own. Also, until she is 6, she cannot take any mood stabilizers labeled as such, per FDA regs.
The pharmacist confirmed it sounds like a seizure and the med is a good one. The only thing to look for is increased anxiety within the first 4 days. So far, none of that. Of course, it has only been 1 day.
On a positive note, even on the Aderrall, she decided she was ready to be baptized. AND she decided she was ready to go back to her Sunday School class with Mrs. Kay and Mr. Eddie. She did it, and stayed second hour. We are so proud of her!!! She made a friend, Lauren, who is also lonely a lot in there with the other kids, and who also is a good gymnast.
Yesterday was a good day for JoElle. She is still on Prozac and then Trazadone to sleep, plus this new med. She is sleeping well b/c of the med, tried to take her off, didn't work.
Monday, January 18, 2010
Psch appt for J.
We had to take JoElle to her monthly appt with her psychiatrist, we have many concerns about possible panic attacks, she becomes almost catatonic, and when she snaps out of it, she says she couldn't breathe and she was upside down, right side up, and scared.
The outcome was to take her off of Adderall, which we were using to treat what appeared to be ADHD. Without it, she was not able to focus, stay still, couldn't stop doing flips, back kick overs, handstands, etc, ALL DAY AND NIGHT until she would have to take her sleeping pill, which is the only way she can sleep and stay asleep with no nightmares.BUT, it was causing her anxiety to worsen, it had gone away, she can't stop biting her nails, her stomach is hurting bad constantly, along with a persistent headache. After 6 weeks, these side affects should have gone away.
I suggested that she might be bi-polar, runs in the family, although no dr has "labeled" it such in my mom, my dad, or me. But we have the symptoms. For whatever reason, her dr is also trying to avoid diagnosing bipolar. Not sure why?
Her dr thinks instead of panic attacks, that she could have been having a form of a seizure. He prescribed what he called a mood stabilizer, but what I found out by asking the pharmacist is that it is actually an anti-seizure med, as there are no mood stabilizers approved for children who are 5.
The pharmacist warned me NOT to look up mood stabilizers, as it might frighten me a bit!
He did tell me to watch for an increase in anxiety over the next 4 days, if so, stop meds, call dr.
Other possible side affects to watch for- tummy ache, which she has already been dealing with.
After 4 days, Dr. A also said if no affect on her, then to give her half pill in the AM and half pill at 4 p.m. She is supposed to stay on Prozac in the morning, 4 p.m. this new med, and trazadone at night. We will see what happens....
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Art at the Kimbell
This morning, JoElle and I attended a free program at the Kimbell Art Museum in Ft. Worth called Pictures and Pages.
The ladies who run the program first read a book to us called "What would you do with a tail like this?" It was a great book with wonderful drawings of various parts of animals bodies, along with what they do with the body parts.
Then, we had a tour of specific paintings in the gallery, paintings which included different animals. The kids were asked to describe the strokes the painter used on various parts of the painting, then reach into the Feeling Bag to find a certain texture, such as the tiger's tail, or the pheasants feather. It was a great way to incorporate kinesthetic learning along with the sensory aspect.
Lastly, they kids chose which animal collage they would like to create. JoElle chose a monkey, I will post pics of it soon. She loved it and created a great collage.
Afterwards, we ate at the Kimbell's Cafe, oh the food is delicious! Mostly vegan, too, very healthy, and offers an array of hot teas, cold teas, lemonade to which you can add fresh mint, and of course coffee!
The ladies who run the program first read a book to us called "What would you do with a tail like this?" It was a great book with wonderful drawings of various parts of animals bodies, along with what they do with the body parts.
Then, we had a tour of specific paintings in the gallery, paintings which included different animals. The kids were asked to describe the strokes the painter used on various parts of the painting, then reach into the Feeling Bag to find a certain texture, such as the tiger's tail, or the pheasants feather. It was a great way to incorporate kinesthetic learning along with the sensory aspect.
Lastly, they kids chose which animal collage they would like to create. JoElle chose a monkey, I will post pics of it soon. She loved it and created a great collage.
Afterwards, we ate at the Kimbell's Cafe, oh the food is delicious! Mostly vegan, too, very healthy, and offers an array of hot teas, cold teas, lemonade to which you can add fresh mint, and of course coffee!
Saturday, January 2, 2010
Updates on JoElle
So, JoElle has been on ADHD meds for almost 2 weeks now. I can tell a pretty big difference, but it has been crazy b/c of Christmas and New Year's, all the new toys, and no gymnastics.
Tim is not so confident in the efficacy of her medication regimen.
I feel like we have to hang in, see what happens over the next weeks.
I see so many positives, there have been a few minor setbacks, but nothing we haven't overcome.
I trust that God has great plans for JoElle!
Lately, she has been baptizing herself in the bathtub and today she told me she is ready to be baptized "for real." She is very excited! She is now able to pray again, when she was seriously depressed, she could no longer pray at bedtime, now the gift of prayer has been flowing from her mouth.
I wish I could record some of them, they touch our hearts tremendously and I know God is smiling down at her!
Tonight, in her prayer, she proclaimed loudly " I KNOW you are REAL, GOD, and you created EVERYTHING, and you can do ALL THINGS..." and her prayer continued, from her heart. She even prayed for those who do not do the right thing and say the right thing, asking for forgiveness for them and told God "I know you take care of everyone, but I will also help you take care of people, and feed them if they need food, I will be a superhero for YOU!"
Tim is not so confident in the efficacy of her medication regimen.
I feel like we have to hang in, see what happens over the next weeks.
I see so many positives, there have been a few minor setbacks, but nothing we haven't overcome.
I trust that God has great plans for JoElle!
Lately, she has been baptizing herself in the bathtub and today she told me she is ready to be baptized "for real." She is very excited! She is now able to pray again, when she was seriously depressed, she could no longer pray at bedtime, now the gift of prayer has been flowing from her mouth.
I wish I could record some of them, they touch our hearts tremendously and I know God is smiling down at her!
Tonight, in her prayer, she proclaimed loudly " I KNOW you are REAL, GOD, and you created EVERYTHING, and you can do ALL THINGS..." and her prayer continued, from her heart. She even prayed for those who do not do the right thing and say the right thing, asking for forgiveness for them and told God "I know you take care of everyone, but I will also help you take care of people, and feed them if they need food, I will be a superhero for YOU!"
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