Psychologist and Psychiatrist and Neurologist – Oh My!

Alex’s teacher and I completed the Connors 3 evaluation for Alex’s behavior at home and school and the results where very similar. According to the magical all-powerful computer generated test, Alex seems to have some difficulty staying focused and could possibly fit under an ADD diagnosis, but the psychologist also sees some strong sensory integration symptoms as well.

I took the results to his pediatrician and discussed what our options would be. He was reluctant to start him on a medication because of the sensory integration factor. Our next step is to see an ADD/ADHD specialist at the Avera Behavioral Health Institute in Sioux Falls, SD. His pediatrician also referred us to a neurologist in SF because of Alex’s headaches and “head banging”. I don’t think I’ve discussed that last part on my blog before because it tends to freak people out. Alex has this bedtime routine where he sort of rocks himself to sleep. He started it when he was about a year old and in the beginning, it freaked me out as well. I was a young mother and rushed him to doctors in the beginning because I was worried about autism…seizures…. you name it, it’d probably thought about it. His doctors said the same thing – it’s just his way of relaxing….like sucking his thumb. So, I left it alone until the sensory integration part came up – which has now led to him having to see a neurologist. I feel a little like everyone around me is saying “this is what’s wrong with your child” and I know that they all have Alex’s best interest in mind – but it’s overwhelming.

Alex is doing really well in school right now according to his grades and the papers he is bringing home. He was so excited last night because he past three timed math exams in a seven day period. I’m a bit concerned that all of this attention to his learning will become discouraging for him. It’s difficult to know if you’re doing the right thing and having to make these decisions alone has made me feel so incredibly isolated. He is such a bright kid and I just want him to do his absolute best and not have a roadblock that discourages him.

Alex's First College Course

Alex was sick yesterday and because my marketing class starts at 4:00 and it's an hour drive, I knew finding someone to sit with him would be very difficult and I had no luck.

I had a scheduled exam in my marketing class and the professor preset the course by saying he does not give make-up exams

Each exam is worth almost 1/4 of our total grade so missing an exam is significant and I didn't pay $1000 to go down like that

So, I brought Alex with me to class last night. Prior to going in, I showed him where the bathrooms were and explained that if he had to use the facilities, he should just get up and go without asking for permission. He sat - ate some gummy bears - watched a movie and was very well behaved (thankfully)

The professor didn't look too happy - but that's what you get when you threaten a woman who's been in school for almost a decade with a zero on a test.

Ethic Treats

Are Alex zingers getting old yet? Yeah, I know they probably are but the kid is cracking me up this week!

I made Quesada’s for lunch the other day with my snazzy Quesada maker…the one I received two Christmas’s ago but have only used once or twice.

I called Alex down for lunch. He looked at the Quesada’s and wrinkled his nose and said “Mom, you know that I don’t like things from Texas”

Things from Texas - the kids cracks me up!

College Savings

Watching mom work her way through school has obviously had a profound impact on Alex.

Alex: Mom, when can I get my own bank account

Mom: You already have a bank account

Alex: Yeah, but I have to waste all of that money on college

Don't Look Under The Bed

I woke up at 2:36 this morning to Alex's cry.

He was sleep walking and crawled under my bed - (is it called "sleep crawling then) and couldn't figure out how to get himself out from under the bed

Don't believe the fools who say there is no such thing as monsters under the bed because Alex might be there waiting for you

The State Of Hockey

For those of you who have lived in a few different states, but refer to one as "home" know what I mean when I say Minnesota will always be "home" I get gitty when I approach the Twin Cities. However, this trip tried it's best to defer those happy feelings.

Not even 20 minutes into the trip, I was getting pulled over...by the cops? No, by the Game Fish and Parks. I was puzzled - did I forget to renew my trout stamp? He approaches the car and says the reason he pulled me over was because I was driving erratically. That was when my son (who like his mother doesn't know when to keep the mouth closed) pipes up and says "she was speeding to". He took my license and ran it in the computer system. I was getting pretty annoyed so I called a fellow law enforcement buddy and asked "what can a GF&P guy do to me - they have as much authority as mall cops, right" My friend informed me that they have quite allot of authority - more than the "regular police" and it would be in my best interest to just sit down and shut-up" So, when he came back to my car and had me do a field sobriety test, I was more than cooperative. He let us go with a warning.

Two hours later I was pulled over by the Minnesota Hwy Patrol for passing on the right - he wasn't as friendly. Instead of a warning, he handed me $140 citation to help me remember.

So as we approached my cousin's home, I pulled out the directions my cousin Heather gave me that would lead me to their new home. The moved to a rural area of the Twin Cities - a beautiful quint essential Minnesota territory.....that really doesn't have street signs. As I pulled out the map, Alex sets his DS downs and says "Mom, is that a map?" I replied "Yes, Dave and Heather moved to a different home so these are directions to that home" Alex turns his head to glance out the window with a desperate look and mutters "Oh, Great"

After having to turn around a few times, we finally arrived!!! Here is a picture of Alex with my cousin Dave and his wife, Heather - who is only the most wonderful friend I've ever had!!



The reason for the trip wasn't only to see Dave & Heather, but a friend of mine is a talent scoot for the Minnesota Wild and hooked us up with some great tickets for Sunday's game against Edmonton.









(we had WAY to much fun with the foam claw - the people around us thought we were crazy I'm sure)

I love hockey and this game was an exciting one to watch!! Minnesota Goal...



The game was decided with an exciting shoot-out and.....WILD WON!



After the game, my friend took Alex to the locker room area to see the players and the behind the scenes look. Sorry, no pictures which I was disappointed with because those hockey guys are sexy machines.

A picture with the Wild Snoopy. NOTICE - how handsome Alex is in pictures where he's not sticking his tongue out...making a silly face....or just twarked off because mom has the camera out again



We also had to stop at Alex's aunt and uncles Terry and Kathy's home on our way out of St. Paul. We didn't leave until 8:30pm with a 4-hour drive ahead - but the extra time with family was worth it. Lots of coffee and red bull for the drive home




So that, our "Wild Trip". If you are a hockey fan, let me encourage you to take a trip to the Xcel Center in St. Paul to see a game. It's an awesome venue for hockey and the organization overall is a stand-up group - an I'm not just giving my friend a shout-out...that is a non-biased opinion.

To Come....

I need to post pictures from the Wild game this past Sunday, but to give you a teaser, here is the Wild anthem. This song (and I'm dead serious) gives me goosebumps and brings a tear to my eye

And yes, as any Minnesota hockey fan will say...Norm Green Still SUCKS!!!!