I've realized lately that I haven't been doing very well at posting regular updates about the kids, what's going on in their lives, etc. I'm going to spend a little time over the next week trying to remedy that situation, and we'll start with this little guy right here.
Maddox just turned 4 this past October. He can be sweet and demanding, all at the same time. He definitely knows how to get his way with his siblings, but he is also intensely passionate about almost everything that he does. One of the cutest things I have ever seen is the way he sticks out the tip of his tongue when he's really concentrating hard on something.
He is fearless. He will climb on anything as high as he can. When we went hiking on our last camping trip, I had constant anxiety when we were walking close to a ravine. He just doesn't understand that things can be dangerous. But he is sure-footed and strong and rarely falls when he does climb, which is a Very Good Thing.
This guy definitely has his quirks, which are a little different than my other kids. Although some are just doggone cute, others have resulted in pretty regular temper outbursts on his part that have become a regular part of our lives. This behavior was why I chose to go through PCIT (Parent-Child Interaction Therapy) with him earlier in 2013. Although we saw amazing improvements after therapy, and in the months since, things have started getting a little more hairy around here lately.
After some discussion, Ben and I decided to get an professional evaluation for Maddox to ensure there wasn't anything else going on that we couldn't see. We got the results back today, and were pleased to hear that most of Maddox's behavior patterns fall into normal ranges. There are speech delays, which we were aware of. He has been getting speech therapy shortly after he turned two years old, and he has made great progress. As we already knew, he does have issues with rigidity (things having to be a certain way to make him happy), but nothing that is clinically significant. The doctor recommended that Ben and I go with Maddox to a few "refresher" sessions of PCIT to see if we can't iron out some of the kinks. It'll be Ben's first time going, and I think it'll be a good experience for all of us.
In other good news, he officially tests as a Bright Kid. I think all my kids have some pretty good quality gray matter in their skulls, but this is the first time I've gotten official documentation for any of them. It's kind of fun, even though IQ test scores are rather fluid at this age.
So, in summary, Maddox just marches to his own drummer like many other kids. The same traits that present challenges to us now as his parents (his determination, passion, resistance to change, ability to get into anything/take anything apart, etc.) are the same things that will help him be successful in life. That is, of course, assuming we can keep him pointed in the right direction without squelching his spirit.
As a bonus, here are a few pictures that really show the goofy side of Maddox's personality. He's such a great subject when I take out the camera, and he loves to pull a face. Man, I love this kid!
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