It seems simultaneously the longest and the shortest year imaginable. This time a year ago, I was quaffing protein shakes and stuffing myself with chicken and fish in a bid to keep Adam in. Now, we have a baby who, though he still has his issues (he's still on 300 ccs of oxygen and still gets all his nutrition through a tube), is the friendliest, chirpiest and most wonderful boy we could have hoped for. Those 8 months as a full time hospital resident seem much longer ago than the 4 months they are, and normal life in our little family, while by no means devoid of medical appointments, is dominated far more by play, nap times and cuddles. The journey isn't over yet, but we have come so far, and we are so proud of how Adam has coped with everything. So come and meet him, and celebrate his 1st actual birthday (when he'll be just over 9 months corrected age)!!!! It's in the function rooms upstairs at The Vine, on Highgate Road (http://www.thevinenw5.co.uk/) on 13th October, from 2pm (babies and children also very welcome, obviously!). Please do join us to celebrate his first challenging year, and to send him off with good cheer into his second!
(Please, please don't feel you have to bring him a present if you come, but if you want to get him something, he's in 6-9 months clothes at the moment, and will only get bigger!)
Finally, here are a couple of teasers to show you what to expect if you come (the videos don't work in Firefox but do in Explorer)!
Thank you for sharing your family's story with the world. Like you bubs have just been diagnosed with IUGR at 23 weeks (measuring 5th centile). I have been at an absolute loss on how to deal with it and clutching at any shreds of hope I can to get us through this rough time. I don' think anyone could say just how difficult it is without having experienced this heart wrenching condition. But seeing how well Adam is doing now really gives me hope. Lots of prayers and love to your family ,
I also wanted to thank you for sharing your story. Like Adam, my little girl was born at UCLH and weighed 647g! I stumbled upon your blog when she was in hospital and it was a source of information and hope.
Thank you all for your comments - and all the best to your little ones! I have horribly neglected this blog, as juggling work and life and a toddler takes up quite a bit of time and I haven't enough time to write and reflect as I would really like. I will try very hard to do a proper update soon, but for now, Adam is doing OK. He's still on oxygen at night and is wholly tube fed, which sounds like we haven't made progress, but actually, he's doing so much better... enjoying licking food, drinking sometimes and intellectually he's a star! 22 is his favourite number and he's very good at drawing trains. We're so proud of him and he's so fun to know it really does put all his health problems into perspective! So thank you again for lovely comments and do get in touch if you come across us and want to connect - I'd love to hear about and send my love to other wee ones who've been through or are going through anything like what Adam has. xxx
Lovely photos and videos, and just sorry we won't be seeing Adam for his birthday. Lots of love to you all xxx
ReplyDeleteHi there,
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your family's story with the world. Like you bubs have just been diagnosed with IUGR at 23 weeks (measuring 5th centile). I have been at an absolute loss on how to deal with it and clutching at any shreds of hope I can to get us through this rough time. I don' think anyone could say just how difficult it is without having experienced this heart wrenching condition. But seeing how well Adam is doing now really gives me hope. Lots of prayers and love to your family ,
Anita ( Australia)
Catherine,
ReplyDeleteI also wanted to thank you for sharing your story. Like Adam, my little girl was born at UCLH and weighed 647g! I stumbled upon your blog when she was in hospital and it was a source of information and hope.
I hope you are all doing well.
Thank you all for your comments - and all the best to your little ones! I have horribly neglected this blog, as juggling work and life and a toddler takes up quite a bit of time and I haven't enough time to write and reflect as I would really like. I will try very hard to do a proper update soon, but for now, Adam is doing OK. He's still on oxygen at night and is wholly tube fed, which sounds like we haven't made progress, but actually, he's doing so much better... enjoying licking food, drinking sometimes and intellectually he's a star! 22 is his favourite number and he's very good at drawing trains. We're so proud of him and he's so fun to know it really does put all his health problems into perspective! So thank you again for lovely comments and do get in touch if you come across us and want to connect - I'd love to hear about and send my love to other wee ones who've been through or are going through anything like what Adam has. xxx
ReplyDelete