It's hard to believe that Labor Day weekend is here and it is the last official weekend of summer. I'm not ready for fall, although with the crazy weather we've had this summer we have had a taste of fall quite a few times since July.
Two friends in two days told me that they were pregnant. I did my best to put on my happy face and say "congratulations, I'm so happy for you!" when inside I was truly aching. It's not a fertility issue for us, it's the reality that we have a toddler who has more needs than your average toddler; making it much more difficult to think about expanding our family now or ever. I was instantly angry and bitter, thinking to myself, "it must be nice to have kids with no extra needs so you can just keep reproducing." Needless to say some days are better than others...but I certainly don't ask for sympathy from anyone. I am honored to be James' momma and all the responsibilities that come along with that title.
This week brought a first for James--his first trip to Lake Michigan. He enjoyed the beach and standing with his toys in the sand. Whenever the water would come in he would giggle hysterically, it was so sweet to watch.
This morning while James was getting dressed he took the washcloth from me and began to wash himself. It was a bittersweet moment, knowing that he is gaining independence. He washed his back (well, he did the best he could) and even made sure to wash his feet! After washing up, James attempted to put his socks on. This is a skill most kids don't master until they're four so the fact that he hasn't mastered it yet is not concerning. We'll keep practicing and with his level of determination and resiliency he'll get it in no time!
Have a safe and fun Labor Day weekend!
Friday, August 29, 2014
Saturday, August 23, 2014
August is coming to an end!
Wow, it's hard to believe that August has nearly come and gone! This week Dave went back to work full time and I have had the opportunity to stay home with James more this week, making me one happy momma! I didn't realize how much I missed our days together and I was so thankful to have them back!
James began speech therapy in our home this week. The speech and language pathologist gave us a lot of things to work on with James and we began as soon as she left. Today I saw James use one of the three signs we have been working VERY hard on and I couldn't help but smile. He is such a determined little boy and is willing to learn new things.
James and I had the opportunity to go to a going away play date for friends of ours that are moving out of state. We went to a park that we hadn't been to at all this summer and were reminded how much we love the park. The park was handicapped accessible and James LOVED running down the ramp with his walker. My heart was so happy to see him enjoying himself and playing like the other kids at the park. His giggle as he ran down the ramp with his walker was contagious, it brought tears to my eyes. I desperately tried to capture it on video but he was just too speedy for me! Needless to say we fell in love with the park and will be going there again very soon for him!
I found myself having a "poor me" moment this week. James was invited to a birthday party for some friends at which there is going to be a bounce house for the kids to play in. I explained to the hostess that we would attend if it rained and the kids weren't in the bounce house because that is not something James can participate in. She stated that she understood but the other part of me wanted to yell, 'you have no idea what it's like so don't pretend!' The hostess informed me there would be other outdoor toys to play with but as a mom I couldn't do it...all the other kids will be enjoying themselves in the bounce house and he'll be stuck in the sandbox?! That doesn't seem fair. I want James to experience as much as possible and to not limit him or keep him from activities, at the same time I don't want to take him somewhere where I know he won't be able to participate in the main activity that is being offered. Never do I want my son to feel excluded and I do my best to make sure he will never feel that way. It's hard...don't get me wrong. I am just a mom of a special little boy who is doing her best to make sure he has a "normal" toddlerhood and gets to enjoy everything that a 2 year old should. It's inevitable, there will be things he won't be able to physically do but thankfully I am able to filter out those activities for him. When something comes up that he is unable to participate in I try my best to make sure we have another fun activity lined up to take its place. I am hopeful this is temporary and soon James will be able to do everything that his peers can do with no hesitation...until then all we can do is our best to ensure he doesn't feel excluded or different from anyone else!
James began speech therapy in our home this week. The speech and language pathologist gave us a lot of things to work on with James and we began as soon as she left. Today I saw James use one of the three signs we have been working VERY hard on and I couldn't help but smile. He is such a determined little boy and is willing to learn new things.
James and I had the opportunity to go to a going away play date for friends of ours that are moving out of state. We went to a park that we hadn't been to at all this summer and were reminded how much we love the park. The park was handicapped accessible and James LOVED running down the ramp with his walker. My heart was so happy to see him enjoying himself and playing like the other kids at the park. His giggle as he ran down the ramp with his walker was contagious, it brought tears to my eyes. I desperately tried to capture it on video but he was just too speedy for me! Needless to say we fell in love with the park and will be going there again very soon for him!
I found myself having a "poor me" moment this week. James was invited to a birthday party for some friends at which there is going to be a bounce house for the kids to play in. I explained to the hostess that we would attend if it rained and the kids weren't in the bounce house because that is not something James can participate in. She stated that she understood but the other part of me wanted to yell, 'you have no idea what it's like so don't pretend!' The hostess informed me there would be other outdoor toys to play with but as a mom I couldn't do it...all the other kids will be enjoying themselves in the bounce house and he'll be stuck in the sandbox?! That doesn't seem fair. I want James to experience as much as possible and to not limit him or keep him from activities, at the same time I don't want to take him somewhere where I know he won't be able to participate in the main activity that is being offered. Never do I want my son to feel excluded and I do my best to make sure he will never feel that way. It's hard...don't get me wrong. I am just a mom of a special little boy who is doing her best to make sure he has a "normal" toddlerhood and gets to enjoy everything that a 2 year old should. It's inevitable, there will be things he won't be able to physically do but thankfully I am able to filter out those activities for him. When something comes up that he is unable to participate in I try my best to make sure we have another fun activity lined up to take its place. I am hopeful this is temporary and soon James will be able to do everything that his peers can do with no hesitation...until then all we can do is our best to ensure he doesn't feel excluded or different from anyone else!
Saturday, August 9, 2014
It's been far too long
It's hard to believe it's been so long since my last post. So many things have happened with James and as always he continues to amaze Dave and I everyday.
In May, James got accepted to participate in a Brain Research Development Program being conducted by Dr. Elliott Sherr. We were so happy to hear he was accepted into the study so we can hopefully help other parents with children who have the same brain malformations that James has.
James began walking independently with the assistance of a walker. It has been an amazing sight to see and we love his new found independence as much as he does! He is into everything now and we certainly are not complaining about it, this is something we had been waiting for. James takes his walker with him to "school" (daycare) and has impressed his teacher with how steady he is with it and his independence. Needless to say we are two very proud parents. He has taken his walker to play dates and I absolutely love seeing him playing with his friends and being able to keep up with them by walking around instead of doing his trademark army crawl after them.
Within the past few days James has become a dancing machine. Anytime he hears music he busts out dancing and it is adorable!
I am going to try to make a conscious effort to post updates more regularly for our friends and family to see. Now that I've passed my licensing exam I have more free time to update on James! Until next time...keep dancing!
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In May, James got accepted to participate in a Brain Research Development Program being conducted by Dr. Elliott Sherr. We were so happy to hear he was accepted into the study so we can hopefully help other parents with children who have the same brain malformations that James has.
James began walking independently with the assistance of a walker. It has been an amazing sight to see and we love his new found independence as much as he does! He is into everything now and we certainly are not complaining about it, this is something we had been waiting for. James takes his walker with him to "school" (daycare) and has impressed his teacher with how steady he is with it and his independence. Needless to say we are two very proud parents. He has taken his walker to play dates and I absolutely love seeing him playing with his friends and being able to keep up with them by walking around instead of doing his trademark army crawl after them.
Within the past few days James has become a dancing machine. Anytime he hears music he busts out dancing and it is adorable!
I am going to try to make a conscious effort to post updates more regularly for our friends and family to see. Now that I've passed my licensing exam I have more free time to update on James! Until next time...keep dancing!
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