The family that shoots together stays together? We’ve been at ranges, to 3D shoots, in the backyard, and even to archery golf. Who knew that was a thing?

There is something thrilling about hitting your target!

Mia has even been competing all over the region.

What’s new with you?

After a week of non-stop picture taking, this is literally the only photo of all 5 of us. #photographerfail

Oh, how we didn’t know what we didn’t know. #adoptionnewbies

Today Ty is the tiniest powerhouse of a 9-year-old. Tipping the scales at about 43 pounds, he can climb to the highest point of any room or structure faster than you can blink.

He’s impulsive and blissfully clueless about most of life but incredibly intuitive when it comes to emotions and people and will give you the shirt off his back…and you don’t even have to ask. He’s like a lab puppy who never stops moving or destroying, but no matter how mad you get at him (or how often), he’s always good for a snuggle and kiss.

If you want to reminisce with us about our crazy, Korean adventures, click here. You’ll need to start at the bottom and work your way up, then click “Newer Posts->” at the bottom of the page. Rinse and repeat.

Click here for the picture only version (aka, link to the Flickr album).

Happy Airplane Day, Ty!

If you have a note for Ty (encouragement, funny memory, etc.), leave it in the comments below, and we’ll be sure to pass it on!

These are some photos from 2 summers ago.

Last fall, the Tall Ships were back in the Baltimore Harbor for the 200th Anniversary of the writing of the Star Spangled Banner.

We spent multiple days trying to see the Blue Angels practicing AND see the sailors dancing amongst the sails. #FAIL on both accounts. Of course, Patrick would just happen to look out his window and see a Blue Angel flying by minutes after we had left the city…BOTH DAYS.

On the plus side, we got photos with the fakest smiles ever. CHEESE!

Holy Cow that seems old. Especially when it’s the age of our youngest…not our oldest.

Gone are the days of strollers and sippy cups and car seats. Scratch that. At 38 pounds, he’ll be in that car seat until he’s 10 and a booster until…forever.

Anyway. On to the festivities.

His list to Nana and Pops was short. An electric toothbrush and Trader Joe’s hash browns. Check.

I’m pretty sure this is him trying to read his card.

If you haven’t played with this sand outside of a Brookstone store this season, you haven’t lived. Go out now and find some. You can thank me later.

“He’ll grow out of it.”

“He’s just all boy.”

“Isn’t he only 3?”

After bringing home a whirlwind of a toddler at age 2 1/2 from Korea, these phrases were the backdrop of many conversations I had with friends and family about our youngest, Ty. The problem was that he wasn’t growing out of it, other boys were not like Ty, and he was 5 but just really small for his age.

My mother’s intuition told me there was something more. The letters ADHD floated around in my mind while I watched my child routinely climb to the highest point he could find and jump.

I’m an avid reader and verbal processor so I started reading and talking. Reading lead me to checklists that all but formally diagnosed our son’s behavior as ADHD. Books and adoptive parent training also told me his past traumas had altered his brain chemistry making him more likely to suffer from any number of lettered diagnoses. Then, during a conversation with a dear friend who is a Doctor of Physical Therapy, she said her profession is phasing out ADD/ADHD and recognizing that a person’s inability to attend is usually due to a Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD). If one’s body is misinterpreting what is going on around him, it is almost impossible to attend to a task at hand.

SPD. I had read about that and was fairly certain it was another 3 letter diagnosis that fit my son. We found a phenomenal Occupational Therapist (OT). She confirmed that his seemingly hyper behavior and constant motion was indeed to a sensory seeking brand of SPD. Additionally, Ty was diagnosed with a dyspraxia that impaired his ability to know where his body was in space. This could explain why he often looked like he was not paying attention during group activities such as Tae Kwon Do. His body was almost never doing what it was supposed to which made it look like he just was not following directions. A dyspraxia diagnosis meant he may have been paying attention and trying all along but actually had been unable to conform.

To address the sensory seeking, our OT suggested that a steady “diet” of activities that purposely engaged Ty’s proprioceptive and vestibular systems would calm him enough to function. Our decision to homeschool would allow Ty the sensory breaks he would need to get through a school day. The problem was that no amount of carrying heavy books, joint compressions, swinging, or spinning seemed to satiate his voracious sensory appetite.

Under the constant guidance of a physician who specializes in pediatric integrative medicine and allergies, we have been adjusting Ty’s diet and supplements as well, to see if there is an underlying allergy. Currently, Ty follows a dairy/gluten/phenol-free diet and takes a digestive enzyme, high doses of liquid fish oil, folate, zinc, a yeast inhibitor, probiotic, and l-theanine.

I’m happy to say that my son has recently had a language explosion, started making eye contact and speaking at appropriate volume, and his social skills improved. While he has come a long way, Ty still has a long way to go. I am also stocking up on sensory activities to create a school environment that sets him up for success. There are wiggle seats, balance boards, fidget toys, therapy putty, climbing apparatus, an MP3 player, and plenty of planned break time.

We start our school day with Bible listening time. During that time, I provide fidget toys such as Wikki Stix, therapy putty, and pipe cleaners to keep his hands busy so his mouth can stay quiet. Sitting on a T-stool or standing on a balance board also helps to activate the brain’s language center during speech and listening activities. When Ty moves into table work, he has a wiggle seat that allows some kinetic movement while he works. Using a weighted lap pad or making sure his seat is as close to the table (horizontally and vertically) as possible also helps him sit longer. A whiff of peppermint essential oil can help him concentrate for a couple extra precious minutes.

After each still activity, I make sure Ty has a break to climb, swing, or do heavy work like hauling laundry baskets for me. These activities help organize his sensory systems so he can be successful at the next task. Music can also be very relaxing for kids. Ty loves to sit with an MP3 player loaded with his weekly memory work to song while he’s waiting for his turn for me to help him.

In the afternoons, he spends time in a soothing, hot bath with Epsom salts and calming essential oils. And, hopefully, by the end of the day, his specialized routine helps both of us feel successful and hopeful for what the future will bring.

If you are managing ADD/ADHD behaviors without medication, what does your day look like?

I’m discovering this little guy needs some very intentional bonding time when right when he wakes up.  It makes a huge difference in how the rest of the day goes.

This week’s art project was carving soap like the Mexicans carved wood.

FREE RITAS!