Before I get down to business, I am happy share Girl's new (and only) joke:
G: Knock knock.
Me: Who's there?
G: Diapers! [pronounced dia-puhs]
Me: Diapers who?
G: [belly laughs] Knock knock!
(and so it goes...)
Last year I dutifully came up with twelve resolutions for 2012. That was ambitious and ultimately completely unsuccessful. This follows the trend of the past couple decades of resolutions, so yea for consistency!
I can't come up with 13 resolutions this year. We have too many question marks. A million, per yesterday's accounting.
The good folks at MED and the good folks at the renowned Kennedy Krieger Institute in Baltimore managed to get Boy in for over a week of evaluations and therapy sessions. It's no small feat to get appointments at KKI in just a month and a half. We found out we were traveling only three days before we were wheels-up and we ended up extending our stay once we arrived.
It was excellent and I wish I could have stayed. The behavioral psych therapy sessions were a huge insight into his behavior and how to manage it, and I wish I had one a week or one a month to look forward to, so I could bring our frustrations and confusion to the therapist and have her guidance in developing solutions. We only scratched the surface.
What was clear is that it's going to take incredible consistency from all caregivers to see actual improvements. As promised, it's gotten worse before it's gotten better. In fact, we're still waiting for better.
What was also clear is that he is smart. We always knew that, but man. That kid smoked his development/IQ test. The developmental pediatrician said it's going to be critical to challenge him and for.the.love.of.God don't hold him back from kindergarten a year.
He turns five in August.
So there's a lot. I've only been in the office for 4.5 days since December 6th. I am so far from figuring out how to do right by Boy, do right by Girl, and do right by the Foreign Service that I'm running in circles trying to get started.
My only resolution for 2013 is to figure out what it is my kids need and to give it to them. Stay tuned.
1 comment:
I've been reading through your posts. Just wanted to let you know I think you are awesome and a fantastic parent. BTW, those are the ones who don't do everything 'right' all the time, but try like heck and show up to make the difficult decisions and love their kids unconditionally. You rock! I am cheering you on, your family on, and cheering for your boy to come through all this with flying colors.
~a bloggy friend in Ankara
Post a Comment