The first post was super-long, full of information that may seem unuseful to some. So, I thought I'd kind of "catch-up", or get up to date of what she's doing now. I mentioned a few things before, but I'll try to get a little more in-depth. If I sit down to think of her strengths, as well as her struggles, I might just see a few things in a better light.
I'll start with the struggles, as to end on a positive note. Breanna really struggles with anything that has to do with fine motor skills. She has a hard time holding her pencil correctly, therefore struggles writing. She has about the same legibility as our almost 5 year old. She cannot use scissors very well, especially if she has to follow a line. She cannot tie her shoe, I haven't even tried anything with buttons, so I don't know what she would do there. She cannot get a zipper started on her jacket, but she can pull one up that's already been started. She even has a hard time getting herself dressed. Especially if the clothes are a little too tight.
She will sometimes mix up her words when speaking, either words switched in a sentence, or even sounds within a word switched.
She has an extremely hard time sleeping. When she is tired enough, she'll fall asleep fine, but she is a super light sleeper and any noise will wake her up. What's weird, is that this is only when she is sleeping alone, in her own bed. If she is sleeping on our bedroom floor, or in a bed with her siblings, she doesn't wake up as easily. Or if she does, she doesn't actually "get up."
She cannot run very well, she cannot kick a ball well, throw a ball well, catch a ball, or anything of that nature. All of that is really hard.
She gets super upset when something changes, opposed to what she thought was going to happen. Change of plans are really emotional times for her. She cried today when her balloon popped---like she would never see another balloon in her life. She gets upset when others use/touch her things...even when she's not playing with them. (This I know happens in some of my other kids too, so that's fairly normal. ;) )
At 8 years old, she is not reading well, but making progress.
She gets super scared whenever there's a thunderstorm. She absolutely hates lightning and thunder. She used to hate fireworks, but has learned to be o.k. with them, as long as she has her blanket and mom or dad near by. She also used to run away screaming whenever a jet flew by, but she is doing better with that as well.
Brea also still struggles knowing when to use the restroom. We still have accidents...especially when something fun is going on. She just DOES NOT want to stop what she is doing. She thinks that when she leaves, the fun will be gone when she returns. There are times when we also wonder if she is not understanding the 'urge' to use the potty.
She gets distracted very easily. She will lose focus in a matter of mili-seconds. She will be doing one thing, or talking about one thing, and without warning, she is on to something totally different. She can be having an emotional breakdown, crying fit, and something so small with catch her eye and she will stop--instantly--and start talking about the 'new' thought.
She does not understand 'personal space', or being in one's bubble. She doesn't have the common knowledge to know you shouldn't touch people, or stand so close, or walk around someone's home, when you barely know them. She's VERY curious and will go wherever she feels like, whenever.
There are many things that she is strong at. She has a fantastic memory! Now, the crazy thing is, her short term memory, is not all that great. Or when it comes to things of scholastic value, like anything having to do with math facts or spelling. (In fact, she just barely started spelling her name correctly. She was constantly mixing up the letters!) But, anything that has an emotional connection to her, she can tell you. She remembers things that happened on family trips from years ago, trips to Grandma and Grandpa's house, Holiday memories, etc. Anything that meant something special to her--she remembers every detail. She also will not let us forget important events that are upcoming.
She has a great deal of sympathy. She has always been very compassionate, and caring. Not as much with her siblings (ha ha) but with friends at school and church, neighbors, other family members, or even strangers on the news. She worries about them if they are hurt, feels sad when bad situations happen, and thinks of ways we could help someone in need.
She is a rule-keeper...again not as much at home...but at school she keeps everyone in line. She will let everyone else know when they are not following the rules, or procedures. Teachers have greatly appreciated this.
She loves to be outside and could entertain herself outside for hours. It's funny to me, how she can spend so much time outside, by herself, with no toys--just a blanket. And yet, when she has to play indoors with toys, she can't last for more than 30 min. She just loves outside.
She really tries to be a helper. On her own time of course, but she does try to help. Especially when we've had babies in the house. She LOVES to help with the babies. Like I said before, she is #2 in our family, and she has 3 younger siblings. With each one she has loved to help bathe them, change their diapers, wrap them in blankets, hold them, give them kisses, and as she has gotten bigger--get them out of the crib. She has a super soft spot for the little ones. She loves to make them giggle.
Brea gets super super excited for things. In a way, this is a strength and a struggle. Because she gets so excited about things, if by some chance things don't happen how she's expecting, it gets thrown into an emotional outburst. But, she does have a zest, and exuberance for things that is hard to match. She looks forward to every holiday, not matter how 'big', and every event is a HUGE deal to her. Sometimes, I envy her exciteability, and energy.
She has the greatest laugh and a beautiful smile. When she gets going, she can giggle like crazy and it is just contageous. You cannot help but laugh, yourself.
She is a beautiful girl. Her deep brown eyes, and long brown lashes are just gorgeous. I wish I could get her eyes to focus on me long enough to look in them more often, because they are breathtaking. She has a hard time looking into the eyes of others for very long, but when she does, you can see all of her beautiful spirit inside.
Kind of a downfall--but a success nonetheless, she is an excellent eater. She loves all kinds of food and is by FAR, my best eater. My other children are quite picky, but she does very well. I say this is kind of a down-fall, because she likes food so much, she sometimes doesn't know when to stop. She could probably eat every 30 minutes if we let her. She sometimes sneaks snacks out of the pantry--the little stinker!
She is so friendly. She could probably be a friend to anyone. She doesn't get offended, she only gets mad at her brothers and sister. She would play with anyone on the playground...no matter their age, gender or anything. She thinks everyone is a new friend!
This has been such a good post for me, because I have really had a chance to admire her positive attributes, and notice some I've never thought of before. She is a wonderful little girl. There are just those struggles that I wish we could change, but they are turning out to be harder than just, putting her in time-out to change the behavior, or even rewarding for doing things right. We're constantly trying to find ways to help her improve. Some days, are definately better than others. We'll just keep on working, trying, studying, and learning...all with the hopes that she will make small, but significant improvement.
I love my little FIREWORK girl!
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