Dearest Karina,
More times than not, my day begins with you. A warm little nose pressed against mine as I try to sleep off the day’s previous activities. You’re my morning gal who likes to wake-up when the sun rises.
You greet me with a “good morning” and a smile and delightfully take in some screen time while I pry my eyes open and stumble downstairs to make my coffee. After eating breakfast, it’s off to your favorites: LEGOs, Shopkins or coloring. Seeing your imagination and vocabulary take off this year has been amazing.
Today you are FOUR.
Alas, it has been a year. 5 staples in your head after a visit to the ER. Getting glasses. Various evaluations. Weekly trips to OT. A diagnoses of Sensory Processing Disorder. Countless days of meltdowns and tear-filled preschool drop-offs…from both of us.
There’s no denying this year has challenged us. Some days, gut wrenchingly so as I learn what upsets you — from toilets flushing and fireworks to staying at a crowded place longer than I had prepared you for. I wish I could place you in a bubble on those tough days, but I can’t. Please know I will do everything in my power to keep you comfortable as your brain and body learn how to cope.
Thankfully, we’re getting there. We learn from each other each day, and I thank God for blessing me with a little one who has taught me so much about patience, tolerance and acceptance. There is no doubt in my mind — you have made me a better mom this year; a certified grizzly bear who will never stop advocating for her child.
Because how could I not with those sparkly blue eyes?
There has also been copious amounts of joy. You bring this beautiful intensity and determination to everything you set your mind to, and I have mad respect for that.
I ask you to clean, you do it. I ask you to help me make something, and you’re two steps ahead of me. At your core, you’re a busybody, so I do my best to fill your time and keep you occupied. I often joke that you just need a job, and it’s SO true. You love working hard! I have no doubt in my mind that this quality alone will take you far in life.
I’m fairly certain you could survive off of hugs and cuddles, too. I often joked when you were a baby that if you could, you would crawl in my skin. That hasn’t changed, and cuddles often help fix you when your big emotions become too much for you. I will never deny holding you or taking time to lay with you and give you bear hugs. We both need those moments. It’s definitely in these moments where you really open up to me. I never tire of hearing your thoughts and the adorable way you piece your words together. {I adore the way you call Gatorade “alligator” – ha!}
You are so unique too, Kari. You adore super heroes {or in your words “super harios.”} This year’s obsession has been Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and I am pretty sure you wore that Michelangelo hoodie just about every day, even though Leonardo is your true hero. Taking a cue from your crime-fighting ninja pals, you want to be a police officer when you grow-up so you can protect people and fight bad guys. Girl, you can be whatever the heck you want to be. My only wish is for you to stay strong in your convictions and always be true to yourself.
Your best friends are your sister and brother {sometimes} and you fiercely protect them. Thankfully, you’ve begun to ease up on your sassy attitude toward others, and sometimes I feel like I can physically see the toddler shell coming off and a big kid stepping in.
Overall, this year has been a year of emotional and physical growth. I’ve been glad to be along for the ride toward giving you wings; I have no doubt you will continue to soar during the year ahead. I just pray I continue to serve you well and help create positive memories for you to remember forever.
I love you to the moon and back, times infinity.
Kisses,
Mama
Hello,
I have a son whom I struggle with on a daily basis. He has many of the symptoms that your daughter experienced. He is seeing a therapist for ADHD. He was diagnosed with it two years ago. Therapy isn’t that great. Where do I take him for an evaluation (ex; psychiatrist)?
Thanks!
I’m not sure where you are located, but have you tried looking into occupational therapy? It has been helpful to us — both for my daughter and for giving me the tools I need to handle her emotions. See if your pediatrician can provide you with a referral. We haven’t done a psychiatric eval yet, but I may request that in the future too because I sense some anxiety issues. I’ve learned to be very forward with our pediatrician…I feel getting an eval can put our parental worries aside, or help us decide where to go from here. Best of luck! It’s frustrating trying to figure out how to help isn’t it? xox
Thank you for your input. We will revisit the pediatrician. My son just turned nine and has many anxieties in which he is always seeking reassurance from me. The worst one is driving by a river or any body of water. I constantly have to remind him that no one will drown and that everyone will be safe. He also asks endless questions such as how deep is the water. Anyways, I think it’s a good idea to get your daughter an eval.
Best wishes to you and to your family,
M.A.