A Bit On Missy

I peeked through the twins' door this morning just in time to see Little Missy sit up in bed, stretch a bit and crow like a rooster. It was a good sign that all was right in her world and she was happy. Mostly she is happy but occasionally, especially when she has to go to bed early on account of naughtiness turned plain old crabbiness, she wakes up as grouchy as an old bear  and that can set the tone for the day. Since our big screaming fit on Wednesday I have seen her make some real connections between actions and consequences. She's understanding that she is in control of whether or not she needs a consequence. It's up to her to decide to do right or wrong.

What a novel thought! So profound. :-)

She's had her moments since Wednesday. Short-lived, reactionary, old habit kind of moments that she made an effort to correct. Sparks aren't flying from her eyes and the revolts lack intensity.. She's a stubborn child. I believe she doesn't really know how not to be. Her whole being grasps at control  - perhaps an inborn survival instinct.

In a phone conference with a doctor this morning he stressed that we could not know the half of what this child has been through in her early years. She was a very sick, sick baby in a rough, rough situation and that impacted every part of her learning and growing. Of course, is all he could tell us beyond the medical needs affecting her today. Until we get custody everything is confidential and we can't know anything. 

We worked on a puzzle together this morning. She knows her alphabet song and she can recognize most letters, but she's inconsistent in her ability to produce connections. We did an alphabet puzzle and I taught her to sing the song to help her put those pieces in order. It took an hour. It was a great struggle. Part of it is understanding what I am asking. Part of it is the internal fight to stay cooperative. Part of it is just remembering what comes next. It's not easy, but she did it.

She's been trying to draw stick figures and even attempted a flower. Mostly she lays her crayons on the floor and makes designs by laying them end to end rather than drawing..

In conversation Little Miss can give answers without actually listening to what is being said. Our faces can be  4 inches apart and  I can speak clearly, but she's so used to not hearing everything that she guesses at what she thinks you are wanteing from her and has never learned to concentrate on the exchange.

I'm at a loss to know what I could be doing to make a difference in her developmental delays. Obviously, she is gaining. Four months ago I thought she acted much like a 2 year old in many respects. Now she acts like a 3.5 to 4 year old.... but then when I put her beside a 4 year old I'm not so sure. She had her twin dolls in a basket one day and a little 4 year old that was sitting nearby was very attracted by them and she came over and they started playing together. The 4 year old chattered on and told Missy what to do and Missy copied her every action. They each had one of the dolls and whatever the little girl did, Missy did and she hardly said a thing while the other girl led out in the make believe.

One thing I have noticed is that she more aware of her body space than she used to be. It used to be downright annoying when she pushed into people and knocked things over all the time. She can walk in straighter lines with her head up now.
There is so much to learn for the both of us.