It’s been two years since Izzy started pulling. Trich has robbed her of her beautiful hair and I still mourn that on occasion. Izzy tells me she hated her hair and the curls she had and I often wonder if that’s true or if it’s a defense mechanism to protect herself. She talks about growing it back. Yet she still pulls, fiercely at times. Her therapists at the center want her to grow it. They are watching the pulling trying to determine if it truly is a BFRB or if it is a behavior. We have become accepting of it, and rarely draw her attention to it or question as to why she’s pulling. I don’t know if that’s the right thing to do, but it’s where we’ve landed at this point.

We drive about 42 miles a day together to and from the center. She’s opened up to me and has begun to share her taste in music with me. I was pleasantly surprised that I actually know and like some of it. It’s not dark and broody and filled with curse words like I expected. We talk about the songs and why she likes them. It’s nice to hear what interests her and why. Some mornings she practices her German she’s decided to learn through Rosetta Stone. Some mornings she sleeps. But those 36 minutes twice a day have become a time to either learn about her or pray for her.

She suddenly stopped sleeping in our room 5 nights ago. She has slept on our floor since she was 4. She decided Saturday that she wanted to sleep in Bubbys room, and so she does. It’s so weird. Just boom, I want to sleep in a bed and I want a bed that Blair can sleep with me in so I’m sleeping in Bubs bed. Dr Scott always told me she wouldn’t be sleeping in my room at 16. I never believed him. Lol 😂

I see so many changes and such growth in her. I’m so proud of her. She’s ready to go back to school, but she has to get to the point where the things she’s working so hard for at ABA are her immediate strategies when difficulties arise. It was tough for her to accept that she didn’t have a fall break, she won’t have an extended Christmas break or a spring break. Her next big challenge will be her 13 yr check up with Dr Scott. Will she do all the things without a melt down? I am anxious to find out! stay tuned! 🤪