As Christmas has just passed and we are approaching the new year, it's certainly a time to look back and reflect on the year that has past.
This time last year we had just moved back to Ohio from Tennessee. Mostly because of Arlyn and her medical needs. But also because of lack of support in TN. It was a breath of fresh air to be back and ringing in 2010 in familiar territory.
The beginning of my 2010 was chalked full of specialist appts. for Miss Arlyn and getting her established with a plethora of doctors. We also encountered her major surgery (bowel/fundoplication/g-tube). It was a crazy busy year.
I also had my 4yr old, Alex, to contend with. Alex has more emotional special needs, but needs none the less. We had to re-establish him as well, with the specialists. So between Alex and Arlyn, I was hopping all over the place this year!!
Now that things have slowed and the appointments are a little fewer and farther between, we have gotten into a routine and life is pretty typical. I LOVE typical and predictable!!!
BUT.....when you throw in a holiday such as Christmas....it really throws a wrench in your routine!!
Don't get me wrong, I love holidays and we make them work for our special kiddos that thrive on routine but man, can they throw a wrench in the works!!!
Christmas is the toughest because we have 3 Christmas's in 1 day (ours, inlaws, and my parents). So trying to schedule all of them with medication time, and naptime and meal times is a feat within itself.
This year we have one that takes a med to help him nap and the other that prefers her crib and is very picky about her surroundings. Not a good combo! LOL
So the inlaws seen only about 40 minutes of Alex and Arlyn and off they went, to home for naps!
Do I feel bad??? Well, yes and no. I hate that, that's all the time they got to spend with grandma but I will not put their health and emotions on the back burner either!
I know many of my online friends totally understand this post and struggle with the exact same issues, if not more...
I just pray that family and friends understand and can get a glimpse of what us, as parents of "special children" have to think of and live with everyday.
There will be more to come on this topic for sure!!!
