Blessings Come in the Most Unsuspecting Packages

November 23, 2009
When Mikey was born, one of my brothers insisted on taking photos of him 24 hours after birth. I protested because I didn't want to remember my baby looking like that, especially since he probably wouldn't live much longer, but he took the pictures anyway. Now we wish we'd taken more because they're a testament to his strength.

It was a little over a year ago that Jaden had a mother-of-all-temper tantrums - not her first, but definitely one of her most violent up to that point. It was this particular incident that rattled us to our core. As we sat with her in silence, the room became grayer by the minute as the gravity of the situation washed over us. Like Mikey's 1st 24 hours, we took a picture of the aftermath hoping for the same outcome.
Today marks 3 months since Jaden had her last violent temper tantrum. This may not seem like a long time but considering one week was a lengthly respite, 3 months gives us credible hope that she's over them.

So what happened? Lord knows we searched high and low for a "fix" and even considering putting her on drugs at one point.

Our answer came in the package of an incredible mother and her adorable two year old daughter. A couple of weeks after Jaden's last episode, this friend started babysitting Jaden 2 days a week for us. (Parent/toddler was cancelled this year and we wanted to keep Jaden interracting with another child her age). By the patience and loving hearts of this mother-daughter team, Jaden has blossomed. Within 2 weeks, she started speaking more and better. Most importantly she hasn't tried to injure herself since then. It wasn't just us that noticed the transformation, two of her therapists were baffled as well.

Jaden still gets uncontrollably angry and spews gut wrenching scream-curses at us but it's a calmer, safer world now free of blood and bruises and we know where credit is due. So thank you thank you THANK YOU our friends - you've helped answer our prayers in making the picture a testatment to our daughter's strength. (no pun intended)

Crazy Little Thing Called Love

November 15, 2009

Snuggling by the fire this morning:

"If a big fuwocious beyah comes, I'll pwotect you Jaden. I would die fuh you because that's what big bwuddus do Jaden."

Sigh.

Moooo

November 5, 2009

Going through Mikey's baby book last night and came across these photos.

Having a Preemie - Consequence # 238: There is a high likelihood the mother's body will not produce milk because the body was not prepared to have a baby.

Guess I was a little more prepared than I thought.