Out with the old, in with the new!

It’s here. The final day of 2008. And I cannot say I am at all sad to see it leave. We have had much heartache over this year. 

February: Tony’s grandmother passed away unexpectedly

March: My grandmother passed away on Easter. Not unexpected but still quite sad.

April: My great aunt passed away. Not unexpected but it happened suddenly.

October: Tyler’s school giving us all that grief.

November: Tony’s grandfather passed away. Somewhat unexpected but he had a broken heart.

December: The realization of another holiday coming and going unbeknown to Tyler.

Of course our year wasn’t all sad. We did have some great things happen:

February: Tyler started walking with assistance.

April: The neurosurgeon told us words we never thought we would hear, Tyler’s right side of his brain had almost fully re-grown. He is only 1 of a handful of patients that this has happened too. Talk about tears! 

May: Tyler started tolerating his prone stander and had fun in it. Tony and I also celebrated 7 years of marriage. 

July: Tyler sat, listened, LOOKED and enjoyed fireworks in town on the 4th.

September: Tyler started back at school very happily and made a slew of new friends.

November: Our big boy turned 5.

December: Tyler FINALLY learned and used the sign for “eat.” We celebrated the holidays with loads of family. 

Who knows what 2009 holds in store. I hope more good than bad, not just for us but for everyone. Seems like there has been too much heartache this year and its time that changes.

I wish all of you a very happy, healthy, joyous New Year!

Holiday Blues

The holidays…a time for family, friends, great food, great get togethers, lots of laughs. My absolute favorite time of the year. However, in our little family, it is also a time for a reality slap and unfortunately for me, the blues. My sweet Tyler could have cared less about his stocking. He wanted nothing to do with presents, though he did enjoy a couple DVD’s Santa brought. And by enjoying I mean by shaking the package not actually watching the movies.  He was unaware that Christmas Day was a day of celebration. To him it was just another day. And here we are, 4 days after Christmas and we still have things in boxes. We can only really introduce 1 toy at a time. He plays with a few things then curls up in a ball and goes to his own quiet place. What I wouldn’t do to give him his vision. I want him to see the toys. I want him to see the lights on the tree. I want him to look outside. More importantly, I want him to see me in the kitchen working or cooking so he knows that I am here and that he could actually help. And I want him to see to help him get up and get moving on his own.

He is so bored. He knows he should be doing things. He just hasn’t figured out how yet. Last year I hit a pretty bad low during this time and vowed I wouldn’t let that happen again. We have so much to celebrate with him and for him. But here I am again, still very saddened that this beautiful little man may never understand the excitement of the holiday. I wished again this year that it might be different. I was hoping with 4 new angels looking over him this year that I may get me wish. But not so much. So here I am watching him roll around from side to side completely unaware of what is around him, and I cry. This is one of those times where I look inside me and try to find the strength to get through another day. I can’t imagine life without him, but I envision such a better life for him.

Now that I have rambled and probably was a real downer for everyone, I apologize. I look forward to a New Year with new challenges and accomplishments that 2009 has in store.

Happy Holidays.

I know I will completely tied up the next couple days in preparation for Christmas and will not be able to write. I wanted to wish everyone out there a happy, healthy holiday season.

3 straight days of snow

Yes. I said that correctly…3 straight days! And after all was said and done, according to our neighbor who measured the snow, we had a total of 13 inches. It was beautiful falling and it was even more beautiful when I went out to take these pictures. I admit, I also wanted to go out just for a few minutes of peace and quiet as I had been inside for 3 days with Tyler. Who, by the way, was not at all pleased to have to be stuck home with Mumma. He would have liked to have been at school. Alas, the break between Christmas and New Year’s may be a long 11 days for the 2 of us

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Catch 22

Well I am stuck in the middle of a total catch 22 with Tyler. Earlier this afternoon he signed “eat.” This was around 3PM. I was tickled pink that he signed that so Tony went dashing upstairs to get 2 granola bars. Well Tyler was thrilled that we understood what he said and ate both granola bars. So we delayed supper by an hour figuring he would be hungry. Plus he started acting like a bear, which is usually the tell tale sign he is getting hungry. Well I have been sitting here for just about an hour now and we are a quarter of a way through supper. I told him he has 5 minutes left. But what this means is he will be up by 3AM because he will be starving. So this is quite a pickle I am in now. Do I give him what he wants, something to eat when he actually CLEARLY communicates that  is what he wants? Or do I have him starve and not give him that instant gratification when he signs which completely goes against anything we have been taught in regards to sin language. We have been told to always give the instant gratification so he learns. Looks like I will be getting only a couple hours sleep tonight as I still have teachers gifts to get together, wrapping to do, and cleaning  

Happy Holidays!

Let it Snow. Let it Snow. Let it Snow.

We are in the middle of a big snowstorm. I love it as it means a white Christmas. I am saddened though as Tony is stuck at work. He will be staying the night at a hotel right next door to work. He has to work tomorrow so it makes sense. Plus roads are closed as it is snowing at quite a clip, 2 – 3 inches an hour!!!!

Tyler was not at all happy to be home yet AGAIN! He has been to school 1 day in a week!! There is another storm coming on Sunday so I am not even sure he will be going on Monday. So that means 1 day next week and then 11 days off! What am I going to do to keep him occupied!!!!!!

 

      

Ice. Ice and more Ice!

Well our state is currently under a state of emergency. We had an absolutely terrible ice storm come through last night and is still lingering today. thousands of people are without power, including Tony’s aunt. We are fortunate and have power. Tyler didn’t have school today so Tony’s aunt is over staying warm at our house.

My brother was “slightly” injured this morning at 4:30AM when he and is remote went out to remove a large limb that fell in front of their front door. I guess he received a scrape on his face when another branch came falling down. Very very scary stuff.

My parents have loads of branches down and I guess the tree in their front yard is bending so much it is touching their front steps. That tree has been there as long as I can remember. It will be quite sad if it does indeed go. But as long as they are ok, that is all we can ask for.

Mother nature certainly can pack a big blow when she wants too.

Picture Day

Today was picture day at school for the preschoolers. This is always a chore for Tyler as he can’t look at the camera when the photographer asks him too. We always tell the teacher to have them flash the flash a few times as that gets him smiling. So I bring him to school to be greeted by the disgust of the teacher that I wasn’t staying. I said there was no need for me to stay, as I cramped is style 2 weeks ago by being there. I told her we don’t expect these pictures to be perfect. We know that its not going to be, though the last 2 years have been GREAT! She said that they would just have to try their best! Why they keep wanting to push him away is beyond me.

When I went to pick him up, his aide said it took quite a few tries but they think they got a great one. They must be able to preview them before taking the next child’s photo. I thanked her, as I always do for her patience and hard work with Tyler. The teacher came out to the hall, chasing after another child, and made a point of saying how many times they tried and how she even had to help but that they got a good shot. I smiled and said thank you. I can’t wait to see what these look like. I am sure they will be just as precious as always.  Ahhh, the drama!

Tough Week

This past week is one that we would like to forget for sure. Tony’s grandfather passed away unexpectedly. And the tough part is, his grandmother passed away only 9 months ago. He was such a wonderful man and will be missed. I am honored that I was able to know him the last 9 years.

Tony and I also did our annual full day Christmas shopping yesterday. While I absolutely love this time of the year, I long for the day that Tyler would have the sparkle in his eyes when he sees Santa or Christmas lights or opens that special present. These are all things that kids at age 5 do without even knowing they do it. The magic of Christmas is definitely alive with children and I selfishly want that for my child. I am not sure he is even aware of what is going on except that there is now a tree in his normal play area that he needs to scoot around. 

So this week my heart has been very heavy. But now Tyler has another angel up above keeping a very close watch on him and giving us the strength we need day to day.