Happy New Year. For real.

So last night, before Phil and I went to sleep, we were talking about some of our past New Year's. Namely the one that stood out was the one 4 years ago or so.

Adam was in Children's Specialized and he had been given his tracheotomy Thanksgiving weekend and it was now New Year's Eve. He was still in the hospital. We were still in the hospital. We had been taking turns since Thanksgiving, never leaving him alone. We were exhausted and overwhelmed. Phil left the hospital when I came at dinner time and he went home to sleep. I made my "bed" (the bench) in Adam's hospital room. I was turned it for the night and trying to get a bit of rest, with the beeps and the oxygen and the suctioning and my little 7 month old baby with a hole in his neck sleeping an arms length away. When what to my wondering eyes should appear but Philip. He had driven back to the hospital and came into the room to kiss me at midnight happy new year's style. It was lovely. We were so tired and cuddled on that little teeny bench making prayers and promises and pacts to do our best. I made lots of deals with myself that year, lots of please if we can get through this, than I'll.... whatever, fill in the blank with a million different things.

Anyway, point is we made it through that New Years and it was one of the best New Year's Eves I ever had. 

Today is the first day of 2012.  If I look back on Reflection on last January (see post)  January 2011 post Adam was doing great.

So, have we made progress in a year?

 YES!  Now, January 2012. He eats lots more than last year. We can add to the list: carrots, tomatoes, cream of wheat cereal, meatloaf,  ham, pizza, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and m and m's.  He drinks 8 ounces of Carnation instant breakfast with whole milk 3 times a day and will ask for water during the day. The meals are less structured. We have cut his night time feeds in half since last year.  We go to therapy every month and will continue to make progress. 

On a personal note. This year, I did my first triathlon and my first half marathon. It was one of those... I promise I will exercise and be healthy I promise I will find time to do whatever I can to avoid being in hospitals again promise that started with a 5k.

Boasting alert: We also managed to do all this, while my main man took grad classes, coached high school football and worked full time (I also work full time). 2011 marked my older son's entry into middle school and I couldn't be prouder of him. of my little guy. and of us. 

Happy New Year! 

Thankful

This is going to sound a bit shallow, but there really is more to it.

I am thankful that the fall semester is almost over.

In case you didn't notice, I haven't had time to write about anything this semester. The idea that we took on a bit too much is an understatement. We were all about Adam being more 'normal', and not needing as much in the world of doctor appointments and therapy sessions, and I got this idea that I wanted to do a half marathon.

This meant I had to run and work out, but mostly run. Philip is in grad school, and getting impatient with the slowness of finishing his program, so he decided to take 2 classes this semester. This is while we both work full time. Moreover, Phil had this opportunity to assistant coach varsity football- which he enjoys immensely and never could have done during Adam's first few years. He took the chance  and is loving it. If that's not enough, Matthew made the swim team, and is in a pretty competitive training group- which means swimming 6 days a week. Adam still takes part in structured meals and still needs to do all that meals encompass. His meals are a bit faster, and he gets rewarded randomly now- like a slot machine.

After the first week of September, I pretty much decided I was done. I was overwhelmed and have not been able to catch up since. I  keep saying the mantra "We can do anything for 3 months".

I bought a deep freezer. I try to spend one weekend here and there cooking a ridiculous amount of large meals (most contain cheese, but there are stews and soups in there) The laundry is out. of. control. I hope to catch up with that sometime in March. I did laugh a lot this semester, and I think the kids like having a messy basement. We did all get sick at some point, but we probably would have even without the stress factor. Holidays? Well, stores are open on Christmas Eve for a reason and I might just be that reason.

In Adam's world of special education- the school year went off without a hitch.