It's been a long while, I know.
Lots of stuff has happened....like, Matt's ready for Kindergarten. {eek!} Josh has transitioned to being the only one in preschool. With amazing finesse, I might add! The first day going all by himself, he gave me a big kiss, said "I do it myself, Mommy" (going to the bus himself) I asked if I could go out onto the deck at least - and he told me "Fine" as long as I didn't go down the stairs.
I'm super thrilled that he's getting so independent - and yet! - its like a knife to the heart knowing my babies don't need me around quite as much!
So...some pics of what we've been up to this summer....
Josh's first fishing trip....he caught his first fish...but he doesn't like eating them. (But he loves the catching part - and is a natural!)
Matt considered himself a "pro" having done it once before....he caught the biggest fish of the day - a whopping 12"! He ate it all by himself....and loved every bite!
Captain Daddy....steering the boat, coaching the kids...and just generally having a great time with all of us.
Our camping trip all alone....Josh is not happy...because he's currently being eaten alive by mosquitoes. Like the rest of us were. Smoke, bug spray, citronella, were NO DETERRENTS for these blood sucking fiends!!
More fishing. Slight sunburns. Not too bad, because we had a bimini! The boys occassionally got bored and then decided playing superheroes up front was more fun than fishing at times...
It was a gorgeous day though!!!
So gorgeous we had to have a water fight....the boys found out you don't shoot Daddy...unless you want to start a war you can't possibly win. ;)
But what fun!
What memories!
I took the boys on a 5 hour car-ride to Newport, with our good friends. The boys love my friend Mindy's little boy Davis. :) They're all great friends! Like the 3 Musketeers...but with more of a penchant for making trouble than fixing it...
We went to the Aquarium....I'm all red in the picture because I just chased down Joshua....(that was the main activity of the day....chasing kids!)
See how I lock my fingers...its to keep them in one place for more than 30 seconds at a time. (ha, ha...sad but true!)
The character that is Joshua....
Yeah, he's a spaz...but we love him! Matt was pretty much stuck to my side...or helping Davis' little brother, Jack. :) He's a super-sweet, kind, caring helper!
Lots to see...lots to touch!!!
The 3 Musketeers....taking a quick break, before we headed to the beach!
Matt wouldn't hold still for a picture...but Josh is more than willing to have his picture taken....
And then...we went to the park to celebrate some family birthdays....Matt loved his little blowey-thingy....!
Too cute, eh?!
Our 4th of July celebrations - were spent with some good friends. We watched fireworks, had a picnic - the kids got to throw some pop-its, (we're not big firework fiends...we're mostly content to watch...not buy) and the kids got to run around in a big field with their friends, play with some dogs and have a grand ol' time staying up to 11pm. Too bad they don't sleep in!
So updates on Development:
Matt has been tested for Autism & Aspbergers. He has been found to have NEITHER. {Hallelujah!} He does however show distinct facial features of a Fetal Alcohol Syndrome baby. He also has been diagnosed with having:
*Disruptive Behavior Disorder
*Sleep Regulation Disorder
*Fine Motor Skill Disorder
*Speech Disorder
All of which are "fixable" to some degree. We've been in counseling for almost 6 months. He's got some signs of ADD, but he's not a classic case. He's got a whole lot of stuff contributing to his disruptive behavior. We're working a lot on adjusting his behavior...not reacting, but rather thinking things through. Matt's major problem...he has no way to filter out outside stimulus (loud noises, too much activity, etc...) and that puts him in immediate overload...and he acts out. He's super impulsive. While there are medications to help, they would impede his development. So...we need to wait.
Josh is waiting to start the diagnosis process. He's a whole different kid. He's our "Jekyll/Hyde" one minute he's happy-go-lucky, the next, he's in a rage and cannot be persuaded to calm himself. It's exhausting, but we're hopeful for some answers and other help in the next few months as we go (again) from doctor to doctor and get a diagnosis. He too attends counseling with us. Most of his sessions begin with a 40 minute calm-down (he doesn't transition well) and then 15 minutes of therapeutic play, with a 5 minute good-bye. It hasn't varied too much.
Things are promising...exhausting, but good. I'm super glad we have excellent resources and information available that hasn't been available to us before. :) We're making it though...! Slowly but surely.
I'm really sorry it's taken so long...but I've been in school for about a year...and this is my first 6 week vacation! So, I've seized what little available time I have to post!
The boys are healthy, happy and progressing well. We thank God for them everyday. :) Hopefully these posts help....and we'll continue to update as we find out more information!
All our love to you and yours!
