Sleeping

Dear Malia

You woke up at 6:30 a.m. Which was sleeping in for you! You must have woke up during the night though, because there were lights on, but you were sleeping sound in when I peeked in on you at 6 am. When we first moved into this home Dad and I woke up early to the sound of Timbrlee dragging you into the house, you kicking and screaming. We raced downstairs to find that you had gotten up early in the morning and walked out the front door!!! You are a runner, you don't like to stay by us all the time, and if Timbrlee wouldn't have found you when she did you could have ran off and gotten lost. That day Dad and I installed locks up high on each outside door except the sliding back door. We wanted you to be able to go outside anytime you wanted, so we put a lock on the side gate so you can't run off again. Whenever you are home the doors are locked. It can be trying sometimes, like the time Dad came home late from work and Timbrlee had locked the top lock and we were all in bed!! Dad had to jump the 6 foot side wall! Poor Dad! :)

Each morning is always chaos with you! Big or small, there is always something! This morning  Timbrlee was packing her lunch and she had a cupcake on the counter that she was going to add to it, you are fast, you grabbed that thing and took a bite out of it faster than lightning. We all know to guard things on the counter or rooms carefully because we know what you are capable of, if you are in a mood you will tear, spill, eat, brake or throw anything close to you. I can put you in time out or talk to you about making good choices but it doesn't even phase you. You would look straight at me and do it again just after your punishment. We have found a few things that motivate you to make good choices though! One is your Ipad, you love it, it's your lifeline. You carry it everywhere with you, you have become a master at using it and can play many games on it. Your favorite part is pictures, music, and a movie called  “Little Play Dates” it's video footage of children playing with kids music, a very simple video, but you have it playing continually throughout the day! The other punishment is sending you to your room, you don't like this either, so if you aren't in a complete fit I can threaten to send you to your room or put your Ipad in time out these are your punishment.  

After your bath and dressing we lay down together on your bed, which is the floor. You have your own room with a beautiful queen bed and you prefer to sleep on a thin blanket on the floor. You say “I yike it” I guess it gives deep pressure to your body.

Along with autism you have sensory integration disorder. This is a disorder that makes your five senses hypo or hyper. Your touch is the most dominate, you need lots of feeling, you like your hands and face dirty. At dinner time you pick up your food and squish it in your hands, or put it on your face. When we are at the park you will take sand and rub it on your skin. You enjoy mud baths, jumping, swinging, rolling, bouncing on your bouncy ball, kicking the wall... the list goes on and on. My favorite is when I touch your arm or stomach, it seems to put you in a trance when you are in the mood. I gently stroke your skin and you get a far off look, your body relaxes and you freeze! It's always magical for me, it's a connecting moment for me. Knowing that I am serving you in a way that you enjoy. This will only last 30 seconds or so, but it's wonderful! Every night we massage your body with a weighted rub. You enjoy this also and it helps to relax your body. You sigh a big sigh when I'm done and I know your body feels centered! We read books and sometimes this is when you will talk to me, it's always short, and I have to piece things together with the information you give me, but it's another way I can connect with you.

Oh Malia, your a gift from God, I know that It's an honor to be your mother. Heavenly Father has entrusted you to me, although it feels so overwhelming at times, I feel that you may be our families ticket into heaven. The lessons you teach us daily are priceless, you are an angel to us all!

I Love you Malia

-Love Mom