Brianna's night-wakings have lasted for the entirety of her life (which will be five years in August). There have been points where she only slept for about 3-4 hours total in a night (the worst stretch was about 2 months before Liam was born). But generally speaking, there aren't many nights where she sleeps a good eight hours. Most nights are like tonight. She wakes up crying because of her congestion, not being able to breathe freely, around 230 am. I sit with her for a while, usually giving her another dose of sleep medication, often a saline rinse, and just offering her some company. She's usually appeased by sitting in her spot - the comfy recliner, watching Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. She'll usually conk out there once the sleep meds kick in.
Some nights are more difficult. On those nights she is virtually inconsolable, requiring 30-45 minutes of soothing while she sobs hysterically. Eventually she calms down, but on nights like that she's often up for hours. Fortunately tonights waking appears to be a better night. On the rougher nights I'm bouncing between consoling her and seeing to Liam, who still usually wakes at least once a night.
When her sinuses are clear, she goes to bed easily and sleeps through the night. Unfortunately, most of the time, she struggles with congestion. It has gotten noticeably worse the last year. But she is scheduled for adnoid removal and ear tube placement surgery on March 5th. We are hopeful that this surgery will clear up most of her sinus difficulties and allow her the sleep she (and we!) so desperately need.
But the thankful part! Oh, THAT is the exciting part! Brianna is walking! She started taking a few short steps in October, before we left for Disneyworld (I can't believe I never did a blog post on our PDCD retreat trip! Soon to come, I promise!)
Upon our return from Disneyworld at the end of November, she began to blossom. She became more adventurous in walking between the furniture in our house. And after Christmas, she positively took off. Literally! She now walks everywhere. She walks into her classroom at school from the car. She walks around the house. She walks to the playground. She walks in the backyard. And yesterday, she was walking at the beach! And not just walking, in the last few days she has figured out how to stand up unassisted! She no longer needs to crawl to something to hold onto to stand! God is working amazing miracles in Brianna's life. Certainly due the work of her therapists, her own determination, but absolutely to the many prayer warriors who remember her routinely. To you we offer our sincere appreciation!
The walking seems to have helped Brianna bloom. She has a newfound confidence and has started coming out of her shell. She babbles more, she seeks out other people. She especially likes to be nearby other children (especially girls a few years older than her) when they are playing. The autism part of her diagnosis is not as obvious these days. We are truly blessed.
So even though we are often Worn, we are so Thankful. We have experienced many challenges and struggles in the last 4 1/2 years of Brianna's life. But we have also experienced great joy. Pride in seeing her blossom. She is unrecognizable from the tiny girl 2 1/2 years ago who couldn't crawl, who would scream if anyone not related to her talked to her, who was overwhelmed by everything in her world. To this amazing little girl who is happy and attacking life with every ounce of energy she can muster. What a blessing she is.
