I took Isabelle out the other night. For a drive.
The sun was setting and it was a beautiful night. I also wanted to get a few pictures of her, for fun. I’m still working on figuring out that back lighting thing and Isabelle is always game to be my guinea pig model.
And we did have fun.
But the real reason I wanted to get some pictures of her was to celebrate where she is, right now.
Because there is so much to celebrate.
She did incredibly well in school this year. She began the year as a non-reader. As I’ve shared with y’all before, we had an IEP meeting in September that was oh-so-hard.
The principal looked me in the eye and – as kindly as she could – told me that if Isabelle didn’t begin to close the gap between where she was and where she needed to be, chances were she would never catch up.
She, as well as Isabelle’s teachers, felt that we should at least consider the possibility of medicating Isabelle to help her focus on her schoolwork.
Ouch.
It didn’t hurt me for me, or for our family – it hurt us for Isabelle. We adore and cherish her exactly the way she is. But to think of her always being behind, and always struggling to catch up, well… it was a moment of sorrow I’ll never forget.
We decided to take Isabelle to the doctor and get his opinion on the possibility of ADHD. And to find what he recommended to possibly help her with her ability to focus and recall. Basically, her schoolwork.
He asked me some questions. He asked her some questions. And he recommended a trial period of Vyv@nce.
Ouch. Again.
Well, we researched it, prayed about it, talked about it, and prayed about it some more. We decided to give it a try.
And we started to see results.
By March she was really beginning to read.
And now, 9 months later, our girl is a bona fide reader. She started the year as a non-reader and now is reading at a level H. One level shy of being on-grade-level, y’all.
I could just pop.
Isabelle is pretty jazzed about it, too.
She got her long-anticipated fish for learning to read while I was in China. Unfortunately, “Orange” did not make it long enough to have his picture taken (do not buy fish at WalM@rt is what we learned from this). But Isabelle, thankfully, had her fill of being a fish-owner in the 7 days they had together.
But more than that, she’s really enjoying reading. She brings books to me all the time so I can listen to her read. And it’s music to my ears.
Can’t wait to see what next year brings for our girl.
For more fun with Friday Favorites, visit my friend Lisa’s blog, The Long Road to China.
Amy says
WOW! That is wonderful!! A fish for reading, huh? Do you all already have a tank? Or do you just get them a basic setup? We’ve contemplated fish before… but this would be a *great* motivation for my dd! π
NiHaoYall says
Nope, just a very basic set up. I had no idea how it would motivate Isabelle.. it took her about a year and a half to earn that fish and the darn thing died in a week! Worth every penny, though π
Sherri says
We struggled with choosing medication this year, too. It was a tough decision. But it really did help her! I’m glad you had positive results, too!
NiHaoYall says
Yes, a very tough choice. Great to hear you’re seeing good from your decision as well π
Amanda says
Oh my gosh! She looks so grown up!!!!! I hope everything works out for the best – as a pharmacologist, I feel like ADD/ADHD is overdiagnosed (not that I’m an expert or anything), but if the drugs are helping, then I only hope it continues to do so!
martha says
sweet photos…congrats on her great progress…God is good!
Michelle says
So proud of her new skills. reading is one of my “most favorite” thing to do. It came so easy to me and I am sad when I hear littles struggle…but this makes me happy, that she pushed through!
I also cannot believe how grown up she is looking these days…WOW!
Karen says
Stefanie, I’m a long time lurker, following your fascinating family and life. Just have to tell you that my husband was diagnosed with ADHD as an adult and has been on medication now for years. Let me tell you, it has truly made all the difference. He used to never be able to stick with anything, and could barely make eye contact, always distracted by something else. (Even in our video from our rehearsal dinner at our wedding, while I’m speaking to our guests, he is actually standing there walking around IN FRONT of me on the video… that should have been a sign, right?)
He’s had a long road trying to find the right medication and dosage, but he’s also on Vyvance and not only is he MUCH easier to be with, but his career is really taking off. His bosses give him far more responsibility and lots of praise. If he forgets to take it one day, believe me, we can all tell.
So like you, I was initially unhappy or skeptical about putting my loved one on ADHD medication, but it WORKS and I offer no apologies. So congrats to Isabelle, and I’m happy she’s finally where she needs to be!
NiHaoYall says
Thanks so much for de-lurking, Karen! And I am amazed at the results your husband had… how wonderful for BOTH of you π
michele rider says
I am so very happy to hear about all of Isabelle’s progress this year! I frequently check in on the goings on in your family. I miss seeing your children. I am so happy for her progress! I knew she could do it. I can’t believe how big the kids have gotten. Tell Isabelle hello for me!
NiHaoYall says
We miss you too, Mrs. Rider! You were such an incredibly positive influence on her… thank you for giving her a real love of learning π
Will give Jude and Isabelle a big hug from you!
Leanne says
Stefanie,
My daughter, who just finished 11th grade, was having trouble in school.
I felt SO bad for her because she was trying …. HARD! We had to make the tough decision to start medication.
Well, she is on the same med as your sweet Isabelle. It has made a HUGE difference!
She ended the school year with “high honors”. Straight A’s.
I was skeptical. I never thought I would medicate one of my kids. Not sure why.
Now I just feel guilty for not doing it sooner!
Way to go Isabelle!
Gina says
So many amazing things happening! Congrats to her for all her accomplishments. What a beauty she is too.
Yvette says
Oh My goodness, I had to go to your side bar and see who Isabelle was LOL! I thought she has another girl that I missed LOL! I am jsut in shock at how beautiful and grown up she looks since the set of pictures I think in the fall (maybe first day of school!) She is stunning AND so thrilled with her progress WOW jsut WOW!
The Gang's Momma says
What amazing reports to share of her progress. You must be so incredibly excited with and for her. So cool. I’m so excited for you all π Reading is such a great key to unlocking so many wonderful adventures. What a fun summer ahead she can have, reading under the trees, reading on the porch, reading to the littles π Yay, Isabelle!!!!!
Elizabeth says
That is awesome! Just wanted to tell you that if Isabelle spends time reading each day this summer, she will hit the grade level benchmark, and even PASS it heading into school in the fall! I’m a first grade teacher, and summer reading is so important as I’m sure you know π I once tutored a child who ended the year on H like Isabelle, and after working all summer he was up to a J/K π GO ISABELLE GO!
NiHaoYall says
We are going to do our best! We’ve been to the library three times and she spends at least an hour reading every day… thanks for the encouragement, it would be awesome if she could be reading at a J/K by the time school starts!
Elizabeth says
Music to a teacher’s heart π Can’t wait to hear a back-to-school update!
For a couple of years I did a summer reading program for my students. They had to read 35 books over the summer (this is around the amount a 1st grader needs to retain their current reading level over the summer, since the books are shorter/easier) – they had to bring their card back to me in the fall, and if they did it, they would get a free book. It was disappointing how few kids (and let’s be honest.. parents) took me up on this offer.
I also recommend an incentive chart too. The student I tutored would set goals – with the end goal being me taking him out for ice cream if he read a certain number of minutes/books! He loved this and met the goal!
Ashley says
WOW! Way to go Isabelle!!!
Stefanie – You must be so proud and I can’t tell you how gorgeous and grown up she looks in that first picture…can’t believe I have been following your story since you brought her home!!!
In some exciting news for us…we are going to wrap up our home study next week!! Can’t be DTC until Sept (when the hubby turns 30), but things are on track for that package to be int he mail that day:)
THANK YOU for being such an inspiration in our own journey to our family!
Hugs, Ashley
Gail says
Loved reading about miss Isabelle and how well she’s doing….she’s growing up isn’t she? I hardly recognized her! I can’t tell you how happy I am that you’re seeing success with a medication for her. What an awesome achievement that she’s now a reader at grade level!!!
We’re seeing great progress also with Will, he’s been on a very low dose of an adhd med for about 8 weeks, we’ve tried tweaking the dose a bit and have already found what works for him. It was a hard decision for Dan and I to try this but we’re more than pleased with the results and Will is much, much happier. Thanks for the post, Stephanie
Paige Wright says
Oh my, she is just beautiful!!!!
Jean says
YAy for Isabelle!! I am so happy for her and for you! It feels so good when our children are able to conquer the hurdles set before them!
She is absolutely beautiful!
And you are a great photographer!! LOVE the pics! WOW!!
Lori McMurphy says
We struggled with whether or not to medicate our child as well and wow! what a difference! Sometimes you just have to listen to your gut and not what everyone else might be telling you. It’s hard being a parent! No one knows exactly what it’s like with your individual child and you just have to hold on to Jesus! So glad to hear the good news!!
BTW, I’m also reading the book Spark which talks about how exercise affects our mind/body. It has lots of great research about how an exercise program for any child can help tremendously. Now, I’m not ready to take our child off the meds, but every little bit helps! It’s a brainy read – or a sleepy read – which means you got to have your thinking cap on, and I know that’s hard for us moms who are outnumbered!
Bless you!
Jenn says
AWESOME!!! What a great story for other parents with similar situations. You are an inspiration. And what a cute, and hard working child. WOW. Good stuff.
Lexan Orantes says
I am so happy for Isabelle… It shows how great parents your are…
I also love your pictures…
more blessing for you, isabelle and the rest of your family…
and my deepest condolences for her lost (the fish)…
Lisa says
Oh Stef, this is WONDERFUL news and I am so glad you shared it here where others who may be struggling with the same thing can see that there is hope and sometimes, even though we hate to put our children on medication, it is the right answer.
YAY Isabelle!!! SO proud of you and all of your hard work this year.
Beautiful photos of your beautiful girl~
Happy Weekend to you and your family
xo,
Lisa
Eva says
Way to go, Isabelle!
You make so many people proud!!!!!
Tiff says
Stephanie!!!! Please please ask prayers for this family! Urgent prayer need for an adoptive family in africa the parents have been detained by foreign officials and their 6 children (2 US- 4 and 7yo) have been moved to an orphanage. Please, please intercede for this family. Pray God moves to resolve this and pray peace over those children!! http://themoghadamsjourneytoafrica.blogspot.com/
NiHaoYall says
Will do, Tiffany!
Elizabeth says
Our daughter is about to be a Freshman this year and has struggled just about her whole time in school. At her kindergarten conference, her teacher said lots of great things about her, but mentioned that she did have a few, just a few signs of ADD. I was totally suprised, and basically thought is was another example of how this is just over-diagnosed and kids get over-medicated. We went through the next several years seeing more and more how maybe the kindergarten teacher was maybe right, but I was dead set against medication. Well, after 2 summers spent in summer school for math (thank goodness she did get to go to the next grade) we finally decided to get her evaluated/tested. At that point, we were recommended to start her on Vyvanse also. We gradually titrated up her dose until we saw results. We saw so much more effort, focus and improvement in self-esteem ( just that was worth it) ! Best of luck to Isabelle!!!
Amy Pop says
Remarkable results from your beautiful, SMART Isabelle! Proud of you from Oklahoma!
Lacy says
I am a long time lurker as well. My husband and I struggled with the same decision for our adopted son. I did not want to medicate him for fear of “changing who he is”. He started vyvance and that very day said during our school time “Momma, it is so nice just to be able to sit here and learn.” It was then that I realized how hard it was for him to do the things I was asking him to do daily.
I am so glad Isabelle is doing so well.
Laura A says
Wow!! Go Isabelle! As a teacher, I know how big a jump in progress that is. She has an awful lot to be proud of!
tish says
make me cry…
praise GOd for putting Isabelle in your family and moving you to that school and leading you to that doctor and all of the other amazing things He has done to show that He is crazy in love with this girl
Stacy says
Wonderful News Isabelle! Glad this has been such a wonderful answer for her.
M started the year (2nd grade) at 1.6 level. Everything was a struggle. By mid-year she was at 2.6 and only one month behind. Then we finished Vision Therapy and two months later she tested at 4.1 and was suddenly able to balance to ride a bike w/o training wheels. Wow what a change. It has helped tremendously with her belief in her ability to succeed. She is happy to not be restricted to baby books any longer and has been going to chapter books and non-fiction in the library and bookstore. She has gone from failing 1st grade to being on-target or above target at the end of second grade, except for one small area related to a vision issue that did not improve with therapy. Stacy