1st grade kick-off

Today was the 3rd day of school and Kennedy is already less than excited about the school year.  This morning, she ate very little for breakfast despite our begging, pleading, and threatening.  On the way to school she looked at me and said "My belly really hurts."  I could tell from her face that it wasn't that she was hungry, but that she really didn't feel good.  I told her I would walk her in and take her to the bathroom and stay with her until I knew she was ok.  Then she said, "Will you stay with me for writing too?"  I told her I didn't think the teacher would let me stay because parents were supposed to drop the kids off and then leave.  She was really upset by this.  She hates writing because she tires so easily and she has tremors in her hands so penmanship is not her strong point and she gets frustrated. 

We got to school and she slowly walked across the parking lot, clingy to my hand and just whimpering.  I quickly took her to the bathroom and she didn't really have to go.  I walked her to the gym then she begged me to stay with her until her class came out and headed to her room.  I think her little tummy was just upset from her nerves and I just hate that for her.  In turn, I was feeling sick all day myself because I was worried about her.

Fortunately, I already had a meeting scheduled with her teacher for this afternoon so I talked with him for about 45 minutes about Kennedy.  He was very interested in learning about Kennedy and told my mom and I some things he had observed thus far--which were actually good things.  She has been raising her hand and answering questions correctly so far.  She has been chatty with her friends sitting next to her.  He also gave me a couple leads on teachers who tutor kids after school, however I'm not sure that one would be a very good personality fit for Kennedy.  The teacher also told me that the kids will have math homework every night, spelling words to learn every week, and some other reading homework throughout the week.  I could have just cried right there at his desk.  Math is one of the most frustrating subjects for her.  Which means homework time will be less than fun in our house.  Also, the thought of her learning spelling words AND having to learn to write them when she already has such a hard time writing just makes me sad.  I hope to goodness they can get Kennedy's iPad soon so that she can type her homework.  Honestly, I don't know how we're going to make it through the school year without some super-powered tutoring....and any other help we can get.  Please keep Kennedy in your prayers that we can assemble the right team of mentors/tutors to help her succeed this year.

In other news, we had a rough weekend with the Depakote Sprinkles again.  Kennedy gags on whatever food I put them in and makes herself throw up.  It's not fun and definitely frustrating because administering it takes FOREVER. Yesterday before church, Kennedy learned that she could just clamp her mouth shut and refuse it all together.  I had to hold her head up against the wall and literally force her to take it.  I felt awful afterwards, but I knew that we had no choice and not taking it was NOT an option.  So last night and this morning I gave her some of the Depakote liquid medicine that I had left over from before all the medication changes and it was much more pleasant.  So this morning, I called Vanderbilt and told them that for the sanity of my entire family, they have to put us back on the liquid medicine again. So.......we're back to the original two medicines that we were on before our checkup in early July.  Basically we had a month of medication changes for nothing and returned to the medicine that worked the best in the first place.  Talk about a waste of time.  But Kennedy was MUCH happier with taking two medications tonight since it was in liquid form.  When Kennedy is happy---everyone is happy! 

So today had some ups and some downs.  Hopefully we can get through this school thing.  I see MANY sleepless nights ahead......