You are so FUN right now and absolutely love all of the joy and laughter the holidays bring...the decorations, the lights, the songs..."Jingle Bells" is your FAVORITE and we sing it hundreds of times a day for you!!! You anxiously sign, "more," when we are finished so we will sing it again for you! Your brother ADORES you and loves your new matching jammies!
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Tayvion's Third Christmas!!
You are so FUN right now and absolutely love all of the joy and laughter the holidays bring...the decorations, the lights, the songs..."Jingle Bells" is your FAVORITE and we sing it hundreds of times a day for you!!! You anxiously sign, "more," when we are finished so we will sing it again for you! Your brother ADORES you and loves your new matching jammies!
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Cousins are the BEST
You absolutely love your cousins and I am so happy that you are beginning to show an interest in others, particularly young babies who love to roll around our floors with you, pull down your pants as they chase after you, trying to use you to crawl, and pull out your hearing aides each chance they get!!! We were blessed by a visit from Uncle James, Aunt Chrissy and little Dylan last weekend and they spent the entire weekend with us, cutting wood for the winter, going to the pumpkin patch, and hanging out! You loved playing with your cousin Dylan, and loved that he would roll around with you, even though you loved using him mainly as a pillow for your head! I love the happy little bug you can be on the days when you are feeling your BEST! God bless you!
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Yes, My child has CdLS...who am I???
Who am I? I bet several people reading this would be able to answer this perfectly for me, as I tend to be extremely energetic and passionate about my life, my children, and my family...yet as I attempt to answer this question tonight, most of my answers would include my children and my family, mostly my children...so it might prove more difficult for me to answer, than I had originally thought. I watched a Dr. Phil episode tonight that reminded me so much of my family and what it has become since the birth of Tayvion...and the family struggled with two young boys born with the same rare congenital heart defect, which spun their family into crisis, not once, but twice...Rev. T.D. Jakes said that the family had learned to survive in constant crisis mode, living life in the fast lane, due to the constant medical needs of their two young children. And I had to relate almost 100%, as my family too, has learned to live in a constant state of crisis and chaos since Tayvie-doo was born. I rarely speak of this constant state, as I tend to sugar-coat things for others, tell them how well we're doing, and hope for the best...but this constant state of chaos and crisis can at times be draining, to say the least. And it is not that I do not want to talk about these things with others, but often find that others may never be able to relate, unless they too, had the gift of giving life to and raising a child with such special medical needs. And what has become oh, so normal for our family, would look nothing short of chaotic to others...so at times, I find it better not to discuss any of it all, since it is too difficult to explain...so, who am I??? Well, during the day, I am a School Psychologist for children with severe emotional disabilities...I am a friend to the teachers and staff I work with and a source of support and encouragement to the teachers and children I work with...I counsel children with emotional disturbances and assist in managing their behaviors in the classrooms...I am a tender and funny person, finding the best in each teacher and student that I come into contact with during the day...By mid-afternoon, I drive home with my "mommy" hat on, pick up my five year old from school and head home to our beloved Tayvie-doo...some days I am able to change my clothing into something more comfortable as I switch mental gears to mommy-mode, as therapists come in and out of our front door, in hopes of helping Tayvion develop at the best rate possible...of course, I am also the chef, the maid, and the soccer/wrestling/t-ball mom, making sure we all eat before heading off to practice...I am also superb at mixing formula for the Kangaroo pump for the car ride here, there and everywhere!!! Oh of course, I am the laundry lady, who makes sure school uniforms and work clothing are clean, folded and put away for everyone to find...I am the person who keeps our home in order, writes out the bills, and notes to Kindergarten teachers to see what field trips I might be able to attend to remain involved in my five year old's life as well...so, Who Am I??? I am who I have become a Graduate level professional, a mother, a wife, and a woman in need of some time to herself...but I am also grounded and realistic that this is what my life has become and I would not change an ounce of it for all of the money in the world...I get sweet hugs and kisses from both of my boys and husband, and the rewards far outweigh all of the sacrifices...Tayvion is now waving hello and bye-bye, thanks to all of the hard work, devotion, belief, and love we have given him...he giggles, laughs, and smiles, sometimes having a difficult time going to bed, because he loves to be with me so...so much that he hates leaving to go to sleep...who could ask for anything more? My five year old thinks I am "the most beautiful lady ever," and "doesn't care that I have rolls on my belly (ha, ha)..." and his friends tell him, "Tre' your mom is pretty!" and he thinks it's great!!!! We share secrets, kisses (of course when no one is looking), color together, and read tons of stories...sometimes the same ones over and over...I am who I have become and will be who I am meant to be as I grow, mature, and age...I would not change who I am for anything...I am hoping to be all I can be in the many more years all my boys' lives (husband included)...for as long as we have to be in love with each other!!!
Friday, August 22, 2008
First Professional Photos...
I am happy to say that we finally did it---we finally took you and your brother for your first professional photo session together!!! YAY! We are accomplishing BIG things this summer!!! Although I made the appointment for well before your scheduled nap routine (thanks to nurse Tracey), someone was training and we waited for almost an hour...you were miserable, not to mention that I believe the lighting in the room really irritated you, as your eyes watered non-stop and you kept them closed for much of the session. I am so proud to be the mommy of these two handsome, wonderful BOYS!!! Your brother kept telling the lady, "don't do that, he has a feeding button, he doesn't like to sit like we do, he will cry if you move him because he doesn't know you, and he likes to lay on his belly...do you have any pillows?" She sure did, thanks to Tre'von!!!
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Daddy's boy
Brotherly LOVE...
I've added some older photos from last summer and your first winter, when you had your wild and crazy hair-do...when I look at these older photos, I can't help but remember how much your brother wanted a sibling---to play with, laugh with, and share a room with...and how much he has grown since becoming a big brother! He will being Kindergarten in a few weeks and asked me the other day if you could go with him. He is so gentle with you, but also so rough with you, which you love...he recently began doing some crazy Karate chop with you and you get laughing so hard that you "toot" and actually sometimes need your diaper changed!!! It's hysterical! He will be your hero for many days to come! He has grown into such a mature, strong little boy...he has had a monumental summer---taught himself how to ride his bike, without training wheels one week before he turned five, and basically taught himself how to swim the full length of our pool in almost a week...I can barely keep up with him in the pool any longer. He has your father's athletic ability and my brains...what a deadly combination!!!