My sweet little girl is coming back!

This is Aliyah and a coworker enjoying the local fun fair that our center was a part of....Aliyah loved riding in the horse drawn carriage. The above picture is the expression she had when she saw her dad arrive....

So, for the past 8 or so months, Aliyah has had some really tough behavior issues. I racked my brain to figure out what was going on...was it my parenting, was it a growth stage...it got so bad that I decided I had to do something. I felt very bad, especially since I am a developmental therapist and every day deal with challenging behaviors from kids her age, but I just couldn't do it anymore....i was frustrated...so I called our local Child Development Services (I didn't even cry when I talked to them)! I got hooked up with a psychologist who has been sent my God....he has helped us so much with the way to deal with her behaviors, how to help her sleep (she sometimes doesn't go to bed until 11:00 and we get up at 615!!) So, this weekend was a three day weekend and we spent every minute together and it was GREAT! We had fun hanging out, playing games, watching Barbie movies and just being together. She had a few meltdowns, but nothing compared to what it used to be.....She looked at me on Saturday afternoon and said, "Mom, you make my heart happy, I love you!" I was speechless, but felt the same way. When I saw my mom on Tuesday, I told her that it was nice to be able to enjoy your child and not feel trapped in a world of anger and frustration on both of our parts! She is coming back!!!!! I feel like God sent me a message, "Never be afraid, ashamed, embarrased to advocate for anything your child needs"....I wasn't afraid and she is getting the help that she needs!

only when i'm three

So, last weekend Aliyah was up camping with my parents and our friends Kirk and Jess. Kirk and Jess took Aliyah fishing and here's the conversation that ensued...

Aliyah: "Why does that sign say stop?"
Jess: "How did you know that?"
Aliyah: "Cuz, I read it"
Jess: "It's a hectagon"
Aliyah: "No, it's a hexagon"
Jess: "You're right, you're really smart"
Aliyah: "Yah, I know, I'm smarter than everyone"
Jess: "That must be stressful"
Aliyah: "Not any more, it was only stressful when I was three"



I just don't know where she comes up with this stuff...every day she never ceases to amaze me!

funny things

Every day I look at Aliyah and think, "what will she say today?" she says the funniest, weirdest, most insightful things a four year old could say. here are a few!

• So, we watch Jeopardy every night, partly because I like it and partly because I don't want to pay for cable any more. Now, I consider myself a relatively smart person, nothing compared to the people on jeopardy. I get a few answers right during each round and I always say them out loud, kinda habit. Well, when Aliyah is in the room, she is amazed. I'll say the answer, then the contestant (or Alex) will say the same thing. She looks at me and smiles every time. One time she says, "WOW, mom why are you so smart?" I like that she thinks I am smart, but I didn't know how to answer, so of course I said, "Because mommy is so great!" Gotta toot my horn when I can...So, when they get to the end of jeopardy when they all answer the same question and the music comes on...Aliyah will say in her most excited voice, "Mommy, this is where they get serious!" I die laughing every time she says it. And of course, she sings the theme song...too funny!
• So, in our living room we have a ceiling fan with a light on it...if you are sitting on the couch and look out toward the dining room, you are looking right at it. so, aliyah and I were sitting on the couch the other night and Shawn came out of the bedroom to tell us something....so, he was standing right under the light and you couldn't really see his face at all because of the glare...so, Aliyah says, "Daddy you look like darkness"...then of course she gets into the questioning of why she is brown, daddy is black and i am yellow (she thinks white people are yellow and when i think about it she's right!)

I gotta go, but i'll post some more soon about her crazy ideas/thoughts......

Haircut

So, we have a hair stylist who has a daughter that once attended the center.....as a thank you she comes back every few months and gives haircuts at no charge! I know, what a great thing to do!!!! So, I decided that it was time for Aliyahs very first haircut by a pro! I know what you're thinking, she is 4 and has never had a haircut, but her hair grows funny and I've always just trimmed it....i thought for sure she would give Lorna a hard time, because she never lets me brush her hair without hollering! but, of course she was perfect for her! never moved or flinched once....she did a good job and Lorna gave me some tips on how to make her hair always look great! believe me i need them!

the joys of having a little girl :)

so, as you all know Aliyah is very smart and quite a character! so, a couple of weeks ago I was changing her clothes. She looks down and begins to laugh...this goes on for a few seconds and finally I said, "Aliyah, what is so funny?". She looks at me with absolute joy in her face and says, "Mommy, I think my boobies are growing!" I couldn't believe my ears....I tried not to laugh and responded, "Honey, they probably aren't growing yet", and she looked right at me and stated, "Yes they are and I hope my legs grow too!"

Oh BOY!! I am scared for the future years to come with her and all the changes she will go through, may the Lord guide me!!!!! :)

GOD!

So, I sent away for Aliyah to get children's bible lessons in the mail to see what they would be and how appropriate for her they might be. Well we got the first one last week and they are cute! First you read a story and then you take a "test". So, we read the story and it pertained to Genesis 1:1--where it explains that God made everything. After we read it, we talked about it and took the test. Well....because of that story Aliyah will say, "Mom did you know that God made trees, he loves people the most, even me!! And mom, did you know that I love him!" It melts my heart. I have always wanted Aliyah to know God at a young age, because I never got the chance to do that....so, then you send the test back and they mail you another one. It's fun because she is super excited to do it, looking forward to reading the story or going over the test questions every night. She even looked at my mom the other day and said, "You know what Memere, God loves me and I love him!" My mom asked her where she learned that, and she said, "Mom told me!" That made me feel good...I'll keep you posted on the next lesson! :)

Highs and Lows

I am going to take an idea from Christina and create my highs and lows for the week....

-A definite high for the week was bringing Aliyah to Dianes baby shower. It really makes me look forward to giving Aliyah the opportunity to be a big sister. I know that she is going to make a great one...she is very loving to babies and just wants to play with them. So, I think at the beginning I will certainly have to monitor her (because as I know from experience, when I was young, Krystal used to pick me up by my neck and try to carry me around) but she will be a great big sister.

- A low for me last week was work. We have had so many cases of possible parent neglect and it kills me to see it. It is exhausting to worry about all these little bodies, but who wouldn't worry when you see something fishy....why can't people just love their kids unconditionally and take care of them...I know that God brought these little ones to this Center so we could look after them and I thank him for that, because who knows where they would be without our help.... :(


I like this idea Christina, it really gives me the chance to take a reflectful look back on my week and make sure I find some positives in it! Great idea!