I've been dying to get back into writing
again, especially with great blogger idols around like Constance Hall (I
wish I could write half as well as her!). Constance has motivated me
to get back into it so I have a hobby that gets me away from the
sometimes stir crazy-ness of looking after little people.
It's
been over a year since my last post and Miss JB has developed into a
very happy and healthy two and a half year old. If you didn't know she
had such a rough first year - you would just assume she had no
complicated medical history. We now only require yearly check-ups with
the surgeon at Princess Margaret (next one being end of this year) and
luckily there has been no side effects from the two surgeries, all has
gone 100% to plan.
July 15th
we welcomed the handsome Koby Farr Stanley into the world and he has
proven to be a wonderful addition to our clan! Joanie absolutely ADORES
him , though she does sometime squeal a little too loudly
in his ear with delight and gives him some huge boa constrictor hugs
which makes me a little worried for his safety! She loves helping me
with his nappies and giving him bottles and just watching as he babbles and smiles and develops more and more each day.
Shaun
and I were adamant we wanted to try for another baby and sibling for JB
despite there being a 50 % chance of the same "craniosynostosis" gene
being carried on in our next child . We even looked into using IVF to
eliminate that gene, however, we fell pregnant before going down that
path way and it turned out well in the end. I know we would've pulled
together and coped had Koby shared Joanie
and my condition, but it was a relief knowing we didn't have to go
through seeing our precious children in pain again. Some may say what we
did was risky and selfish , but when I see the love shared by JB and Koby I know we did the right thing.
Now
we enjoy the normal developmental milestones of an infant without the
grey cloud of surgeries hanging over our head. I do reflect often on this though when I see things that Koby does so easily that JB found so difficult, such as tummy time and holding her head up.
Shaun and I look at him with proud but surprised eyes, we just can't
believe how strong he is! I'm sure he will also be much quicker with
other stepping stones such as rolling, crawling and walking; all tasks
which require balance and upper body strength, things JB had to work so
hard at to develop. But JB will probably shine at tasks that Koby will
find hard. No other two year old could love the outdoors and fishing as
much as she does!!
We are
extremely fortunate to know Joanie's early challenging days are behind
us now and my heart goes out to those parents who have hospitalised
and/or seriously ill children that will remain that way for a long time
or possibly for their entire lives. It is terrible to see your child
seriously hurt or ill , but all I can say to those with sick or injured
children is don't ever give up, children are way tougher and smarter
than us adults give them credit for.
Now
Shaun and my struggles are that of the more common variety, the things
that most parents have to deal with - juggling the day to day life with a
new born and toddler! All I can say is I'm proud I have no grey hair
and am not a chain smoker from all the times Miss Red has pushed my
buttons!
I'm fairly sure
I'm right in saying I permanently have suitcases under each eye from all
the broken sleeps Mr Koby Farr has given me but I know I can speak on
Shaun's behalf saying our hearts have never been fuller and we couldn't
imagine life without those two little gremlins!
