Addie took 5 steps yesterday and I still cannot contain my excitement!!! Her PT came yesterday and we started working with her as usual. Emily, the world's most amazing PT, decided to let go of Addie's legs and my girl walked, I mean, she really walked! And, she kept taking 4 steps in a row every time we tried. As soon as PT was over I ran to call Jeff, and sent out a mass text message about the major accomplishment. I was hoping that Addie would have it in her to show Jeff her skills when he got home.
I am not sure what was sweeter, the laugh that came over Addie when she walked to one of us or the look on Jeff's face to see her do it. I have seen a single step here and there, but Jeff has never, not ever seen even one. His teary eyes said it all. Our little girl is growing up and we are so proud of her. My heart melted at the sight of his warmth for her. I love that man.
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Sunday, July 24, 2011
My one
Two weeks ago, Jeff and I attended a great friends' wedding in Lake Tahoe. How lucky we were to spend 4 beautiful days together! It was strange to be without our kids, but I must say that sightseeing in San Francisco and laying on the beaches of South Lake Tahoe more than kept us occupied. We talked and were actually able to listen to each other without someone crying, spilling something or needing one of us. It was a wonderful chance for us to reconnect, so thank you JR and Wendy for a great time!
It was very hard to leave the kids. My parents volunteered to watch them at our house, which made me feel so much better. I think any Mom has a hard time handing her kids over to anyone, but I felt it was especially hard with Addie. When I was pregnant with her, I thought about who would babysit her and be able to learn all the things that she needed, other than Jeff and I. Well, I have to say that I found "My One"... My Mom. She comes to visit us once a month (sometimes more) to see the kids, help me and be part of Addie's therapies. She is involved, tries to come up with new and more exciting ways for Addie to learn and loves, loves, loves my kids! Not to mention the fact that while she is teaching Addie and playing with Tyler, she is also cooking, cleaning and organizing things I never have time to do. She is a Supermom. She celebrates with me, laughs with me and cries with me. She knows when I am overwhelmed and steps right in. I have found my one and I will never forget how lucky I am to have her.
Addie had PE tubes put in her ears right after we returned from Tahoe. She had a moderate hearing loss because of the fluid in her ears and we were excited to get the tubes in. We are hoping this will help her imitate and make some new sounds. She had anesthesia in April during a tear duct surgery and everything went perfectly. This time, her heart rate went way down for a few minutes and they had to give her emergency meds to get it back up. The doctors said they had anticipated this because of her heart issues. I knew she had more of a chance to have difficulty with anesthesia, but I was devastated. I know that she was okay within a few minutes, but it was MY baby laying on that table, MY baby that was in danger. I think this incident and the fact that she visits with her Cardiologist soon are bringing up a lot of old feelings. The holes in her heart are closing and she will not need major open heart surgery, but her heart issues still effect her. I am forever scarred by the thoughts of waiting for her to go into heart failure as a 5 pound piece of innocence. I am thankful every day for her improving health. But, I sure do hate the reminders that she still does have special health concerns. My sweet angel just doesn't deserve any of it.
It was very hard to leave the kids. My parents volunteered to watch them at our house, which made me feel so much better. I think any Mom has a hard time handing her kids over to anyone, but I felt it was especially hard with Addie. When I was pregnant with her, I thought about who would babysit her and be able to learn all the things that she needed, other than Jeff and I. Well, I have to say that I found "My One"... My Mom. She comes to visit us once a month (sometimes more) to see the kids, help me and be part of Addie's therapies. She is involved, tries to come up with new and more exciting ways for Addie to learn and loves, loves, loves my kids! Not to mention the fact that while she is teaching Addie and playing with Tyler, she is also cooking, cleaning and organizing things I never have time to do. She is a Supermom. She celebrates with me, laughs with me and cries with me. She knows when I am overwhelmed and steps right in. I have found my one and I will never forget how lucky I am to have her.
Addie had PE tubes put in her ears right after we returned from Tahoe. She had a moderate hearing loss because of the fluid in her ears and we were excited to get the tubes in. We are hoping this will help her imitate and make some new sounds. She had anesthesia in April during a tear duct surgery and everything went perfectly. This time, her heart rate went way down for a few minutes and they had to give her emergency meds to get it back up. The doctors said they had anticipated this because of her heart issues. I knew she had more of a chance to have difficulty with anesthesia, but I was devastated. I know that she was okay within a few minutes, but it was MY baby laying on that table, MY baby that was in danger. I think this incident and the fact that she visits with her Cardiologist soon are bringing up a lot of old feelings. The holes in her heart are closing and she will not need major open heart surgery, but her heart issues still effect her. I am forever scarred by the thoughts of waiting for her to go into heart failure as a 5 pound piece of innocence. I am thankful every day for her improving health. But, I sure do hate the reminders that she still does have special health concerns. My sweet angel just doesn't deserve any of it.
Friday, July 1, 2011
Really?
At the risk of sounding completely redundant, I am so mad and furious and just completely shocked by what happened today. Addie went to the eye doctor to have her tear duct stent removed. Both of the kids did so unbelievably well at the appointment that we decided to go out for lunch. After we ate, Tyler and Addie were playing in the indoor playground. A mother, who was about my age, came in with her kids. She kindly asked how old Addie was and when I told her that she would be 20 months old in a few days, she was very surprised and turned away very quickly. The Mom kept watching Addie as she tried to climb the stairs to reach her brother, a task that she could easily do if I had not been afraid of some crazy kid knocking her down. As we played as we normally do, the Mom and the Dad of the family kept staring at us (Addie and I), not like, "Oh, she is so cute", but what I would call a "shit face". Then they actually proceeded to not allow either of their children near us. Umm... What? Do we have the plague or something?
I was bubbling with anger and thought of a million things I could have said. I, of course said nothing. I am sitting here still shocked and angry, but most of all sad. Sad for Addie, sad for those people who will never know that Addie is just like their kids and sad for their kids that saw their despicable example. I know this is not how the world views my daughter, but I also know that this is not the first or last time this will happen. Maybe I will start wearing a sign ... "Yes, she has Down Syndrome and no, your kids will not catch it". Some people.
I was bubbling with anger and thought of a million things I could have said. I, of course said nothing. I am sitting here still shocked and angry, but most of all sad. Sad for Addie, sad for those people who will never know that Addie is just like their kids and sad for their kids that saw their despicable example. I know this is not how the world views my daughter, but I also know that this is not the first or last time this will happen. Maybe I will start wearing a sign ... "Yes, she has Down Syndrome and no, your kids will not catch it". Some people.
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