I hope everyone had a nice Holiday, whichever one you celebrate!
We had a great Christmas!
Since starting Bella's recovery, I have learned many things about her. One thing I never knew was how much she would really enjoy rocking out at a concert or going to see a play or show. The music used to be too loud, and to get her to sit still and quiet proved too much for her and overwhelmed her years ago. Nevermind actually paying attention and understanding whats going on. Now , its a whole new ball game. Her first concert was in 2012 and since then we have been going to more concerts and shows every year. The music and volume no longer effect her. She is very attentive to who we are there to see and actually enjoys and follows along just fine now. It has become a great way for us to have fun and spend time together ,especially with her older sister. We all enjoy music, shows and going to see them together so now its become "our thing" we girls do together. Especially as Bella improved its become even more enjoyable for us all. Also allowed for some fun overnight stays, or as Bella calls then "field trips". This year was no different a few shows we got in, and for Christmas we were blessed enough, and got to go see two! Thanks to Grandpa for helping out with the first one, Justin Timberlake at Mohegan Sun! We got to rock out with JT a few weeks ago. Awesome Christmas gift! Its always an adventure going too. We stayed the night , so Sabrina got her "field trip" in. She loves packing up her bag and going on these trips with us. Especially when it involves FUN stuff like ferries and hotel rooms!
So on an overnight adventure, that seemingly we would NEVER of been able to go on and do BEFORE we started the recovery process. Going would never of mattered or even have been an interest. And if we did go then, it would of most likely been a living nightmare. A unstopable sequence of unfortunate events as this would have been very stressful and overwhelming for her in the past.
But now? Now, she LOVES it! She ENJOYS it and she is always asking if we are going to a show. That my friends IS recovery! So obviously , as I see her improve and ask for it more, we are going to do everything in our power to make sure we get to go to some kind of show. Its not always concerts. We have been to NYC and saw The Lion king and Rockettes and others like that. Musicals and Plays she enjoys as well. Local or affar we try to get there.
For Christmas I thought to take the girls to see The Nutcracker ballet. Since Bella started dancing again this year, and her favorite is ballet, so
I thought it would be quite appropriate. Also its a local show which always helps. I'm not always into overnight traveling. So we got to check that out. She seamed to enjoy it. got a kick out of the little kids on stage. She loved the costumes and of course..the Nutcracker himself! What was also nice, she recognized that soon, she too will be the one on stage as well. That seamed to make her happy and excited.
Our Christmas morning...
The beginning opening gifts started out shaky. She was on a hunt for a certain toy so she was opening only the small packages as that would be the correct size box it would be for this item. She began to dig through the lot of gifts like a little mad woman. She was beginning to obsess about that toy she wanted. It also so happen to be a toy she asked for last minute and not exactly cheap. She was opening gifts and started to repeatedly ask about this toy.
again and again
It was visibly starting to stress her out, her mood changed ,her demeanor changed the tone of her voice stressed. Her hand cupping stimm started to become repetitive. I had to get her out of this and quick, so I got her attention and do what works
.. get next to her, get her to look me in the eyes and repeat..
I say it calmly in a happy steady tone and a little slower then I usually talk. That seams to be the best way to get her brain to process and listen to every word , especially over the stress she is under. I did that a few times, until it registers , I know that happens when she starts repeating what I said. Then when I have her attention I remind her of the happy event that is going on and the happy event it will be when her package arrives,
" Its a happy happy day, keep opening presents lets see what ELSE santa brought! Remember you also asked for... "
And named off a few I knew were there and knew were on her top items list. Them she opened one of her favorites on her wish list and everything shifted immediately into Happy Bella. She never mentioned the other toy after that and we were able to continue and finish the rest of the gift opening without incident. Christmas was saved! lol No but seriously, a melt down is hard enough but when it on a day that is like the happiest day ever and/or a special event for the family
its tragic
and I was so happy we didn't have to relive that nightmare. Especially since Bella has been "up and down" lately. Puberty has proven to be challenging this year. So NO melt down craziness is a good day, and "KNOCK WOOD LOUDLY" its seemingly better, but even more so since she has all her gifts she wanted and was stressing about the past month or so, driving us coo coo bananas lol. Hopefully the toys and such will help keep the calmness a bit longer. I guess only time will tell.
This is definitely a Christmas to I will not forget!
" Chins UP ! Spirits UP! "
