I wrote a post at the start of the year about my hopes and wishes for 2012. A few things we’ve achieved, some things we are still working on:
In no particular order:
- Samuel’s seizures improve! I think we’ve come a long way and I’m proud of how strong our boy is. For one good spell he went 60 days without Midazolam. Amazing.
- Sam doesn’t catch many (or any if that is possible) bugs and has a very healthy year. I think we’ve been quite lucky this year, although it did break my heart in the Autumn when Samuel had a small chest infection, but as everyone kept telling me, bearing in mind his disabilities, for him to have his first one at almost two years old is extremely good!
- Sam makes some progress development wise. My real dream would be that this year Sam starts to make eye contact and smiles. The only time we get to see him smile is when he has a seizure (and it would be a cracking smile if it wasn’t for the circumstances), so to have him look into our eyes and smile would be amazing. No development progress, but he’s achieved so much more hasn’t he?
- We become part of the hospice community and I meet other parents in our world. I think having the hospice involved in our lives will be fantastic, not only for Samuel but for us too. I really can’t wait. Well, if you’ve been reading this blog for a while now you will know that I have fallen head over heels in love with Julia’s House. I’ve made some fantastic mum friends and I really feel that the hospice have become part of the family.
- Samuel starts the ketogenic diet and we can see a positive difference. We started the ketogenic diet in April and it worked! We had a blissful time initially but then he started to lose weight and we had a bit of a battle on our hands. BUT we are still on it and although it might not be having the same overwhelming experience as before, I do think it is making a small positive difference.
- Samuel finally gets some teeth! We’ve had teething but no actual teeth have come through yet. Samuel now has five teeth!
- I get to see much more of my sister and nieces. They live over two hours away and I just don’t seem to see them very much, but I do really miss them. I love and adore them but I still don’t see enough of them. Not for the want of trying though.
- Sam’s dad has a good year at work and gets the recognition he deserves. All I’ll say is that he works so hard and is so committed to his job, it’s just a shame that some people don’t seem to be able to acknowledge that.
- Sam gets some strength in his neck and is able to support his own head. Unfortunately no progress here but we perservere with regular physio, so who knows.
- I master Skype so I can chat with my faraway friends.
Almost! - My blog grows and helps people who find themselves in our world. I’ve been overwhelmed by all the comments I get and the fact that people actually come and read my ramblings! I’ve made contact with a few wonderful families through my blog too which has been great. I love sharing our world and telling the world about our amazing little man.
- Sam starts hydrotherapy and seems to like it/benefit from it. We did a course of hydrotherapy which I think I enjoyed more than Samuel. He slept through every session and even snored through the last one!
- We continue to strengthen our friendship with our NICU parent-friends. What can I say? This has been an amazing year as far as our NICU friends go. It’s such a privilege to have them as friends as they are an amazing group of people and their children are little miracles. I adore them! They have all become part of our family!
- We transform the garden to make it a nice sensory area for Samuel and for it to be more Sam-friendly. Sam’s Dad and Grannie did a lot of work in the garden over the summer and although we have more to do in the Spring, I think we are getting there.
- I get to meet some of my lovely blogging and twitter friends. I’ve met a few but there are still more I desperately want to meet!
- We finally start our veg patch and it is a success.
Failed. - My sewing skills improve. I’m notthe best sewer or crafter, but I’ve been really enjoying making things and selling the odd thing. I wish I’d discovered this ages ago.
- I learn to knit. Started. Stopped. Started again…will try and perservere with it.
- I do much more cooking and baking. Baking yes, cooking…no comment!
- Sam’s Grandparents finally get the confidence to look after Samuel on their own, or at the very least start helping by doing things like his nappies etc! No progress unfortunately.
- We celebrate Sam’s second birthday and Christmas 2012 at home. Samuel has just had his second birthday and we had a wonderful time. Can’t wait for Christmas!
- We win the lottery so Samuel’s dad doesn’t have to go to work and can spend ALL day, EVERY day with his boy. Unfortunately we’ve had no luck with this!
We’ve had a wonderful year the three of us. I love my little family and I’m so lucky to have my gorgeous boys. I feel greedy to think of hopes and dreams for next year, but all I really want is to be here this time next year telling you what a great year 2013 has been and how strong our little boy is.
Tricky Customer 