Busy Bee

The last few months have been multiple illnesses, school, gymnastics, library time and a trip to Washington D.C.  The sickies have been out of control since January, so I have to assume that is preschool germs being carried home.  A few weeks ago, 75% of Emma's class was out sick.  We keep getting colds that last forever and by the time we are clear, something else gets us.

In February we went to Build-A-Bear for the first time and came home with a lovely stuffed puppy, named Puppy.  Puppy has a shirt, shoes and ladybug costume.  Emma continues to enjoy dressing her babies and animals...in layers.  In China, they dress their children in layers, so this must be a primal instinct for her.  Most babies and animals are always wearing at least 2 outfits and Emma has a tendency to sneak multiple layers of clothes on herself.  Last week before preschool, I realized E. had put all of her daytime clothes over top of her nightclothes and even had two pairs of socks on...I didn't realize the two sets of socks so she went to school that way!  I am constantly picking up real clothes and baby clothes scattered and stuffed into all corners of the house.  Yesterday I thought all laundry was accounted for and found a pair of socks stuffed into the armchair (shaking my head).

E.  continues to love preschool...comes home every week with a new song, craft and skill, then teaches her babies and stuffed animals what she has learned (when she is supposed to be sleeping, she is holding "school" in her bed).  Her teacher loved to hear in parent/teacher conferences that she was mimicking class work at home...said even though E. doesn't appear to be listening in class, clearly she is absorbing, even if she isn't sitting still.  This coming September, her teacher said pre-school will require the 4 year olds to have more self control of themselves than Emma currently has, so we will be working on that.  FINGERS CROSSED!

Right now E is very consumed with babies...she has a cousin on the way in July and is over the moon about it...if she had the ability, I fear she may kidnap a baby, lol.   I have to keep reminding her that Uncle Jeff and Auntie T. are only having one baby and it's a girl, but E. says there are two babies and it's a boy.  I think she just wants it to be a boy because it's different than being a girl!  Several friends and cousins have had babies and/or expecting babies this year and E. is very curious about all aspects of babies...especially their "stuff".  My cousins baby and his stroller in DC, kept her very entertained during a lunch.  I also keep getting asked about the baby in my belly and I have to remind her I don't have one in there.  :S

We took her to the Barnum & Bailey Circus earlier this month, which she loved...too much.  The horses were her favorite part and she rode her seat, like a horse, for a good 15 minutes straight.  We will go again, but felt like bad parents afterward because the stimulation made her lose all control of herself and was "in the zone"...when she is in the zone it's like she can't even hear us.  The kids below us at the Circus were turning around and looking at her like, "what's wrong with you, stop moving and keep your hands to yourself!". 

The pediatrician recommended occupational therapy for sensory seeking behavior on our last visit and I think we have reached the point where we recognize her constant movement is more than "just being a hyperactive toddler"...there is a list of about 20 different behaviors that sensory seeking children do and Emma does like 18 of them...sensory seeking presents itself as hyperactivity or "high on life" but it has to do with how children process stimuli and they require more pressure, to "feel" what they are doing.

Oddly enough, a lot of the at-home therapy they suggest, we have been doing for two years, because she loves it and seems calmer when doing them...we already chew gum, paint, listen to classical music, use play-doh, ride her bike, stuff bags full of whatever is in reach, fold laundry, go to the playground and carry weighted objects.  Emma has always carried, pushed, and shoved objects around the house that are heavier than she is...didn't realize this was sensory seeking!  I chocked this up to being a "worker" personality...a lot of what she enjoys daily, are activities with a purpose...makes sense now that I understand what sensory seeking is.

It is suggested we start the day with a "heavy load" or "working" activity to get her sensory processing going and then then use suggested activities when we see sensory seeking behavior.  On school days we will have a "sensory breakfast" which means eating something crunchy or drinking a really thick smoothie through a straw...this type of eating creates the feeling of pressure she needs and will hopefully keep her "seeking" under control during the time she is at school.