Thursday, January 29, 2009

Happy 6 Month Birthday Little Buddy!

Yesterday was Timothy's six month day. No, I am not writing this a day late because I forgot...just the opposite. I wanted to save yesterday for me and I spent a lot of the day thinking about, remembering, and loving our young son.

I can hardly believe that 6 months are already gone. There are times that I feel like this has been a dream. The problem is that everyday I wake up and realize that it wasn't. I remember holding him and touching him, in fact I remember everything about him. His hair was the exact same color as mine, his eyes were a bright blue, his big toe was a little smaller then his "ring" toe, his fingers made a perfect little fist, his skin was soft, and his smell was sweet.

I often wonder what he would be doing now. There are times that I think about what he would be doing if he was a T18 survivor. Would he be having cardiac surgery? Would he be nursing, bottle feeding or tube fed? Would he require oxygen? How much would he weigh? Would I be afraid to leave our house? Would he be smiling at his siblings when they talked to him? Would he be happy? I love reading about other T18 survivors and seeing how happy they are. It brings me joy to know that these babies that are "incompatible with life" not only survive but they love life!!

I also think about what he would be doing if he was "healthy". If he is anything like our other children he would still be nursing but also eating solid foods, starting with vegetables and enjoying fruits as dessert. He would be sitting up on his own and getting ready to be on all four's during tummy time. With daddy's help he would be sleeping through the night and taking 2 naps during the day. I would be taking him to the bus stop in our front pack and sitting in the only open seat in our van. He would be splashing in the tub and loving the water. He would be giggling with his siblings and love to see dad when he came home from work.

Having Timothy has changed my life. I wish that I could say that I am over the grieving process that all I think about if the blessing's and joy he gave me but I can't. Not yet. I do feel blessed and I do feel joy, but I also feel regret, sorrow, and fear.

I don't know who I am anymore. I feel lost and alone much of the time. I know that I am struggling with depression because I love to sleep during the day, I still struggle to sleep at night, have a hard time cleaning my house, and I'm not winning the mother of the year award. In my last post for New Year's Eve I wrote about how my desire is to give God my all. That is my greatest desire but I can't seem to find out how to do that. My head says that it's easy...just do it. My heart, on the other hand, can't seem to get on board. There are moments that the pain is so great that it hurts to breath. I have taken a little step backwards lately. I want to be a wonderful wife and mother and in order to do that I need to figure out who I am now.

God is with me during these difficult days. I know that he is carrying me right now and will continue to carry me until I am ready to learn to walk again. I am giving him my all but it is less then I wanted it to be.

If you would like to pray for our family, please pray that we will continue to grow and that I will find peace as I learn how to move forward and find myself again.

9 comments:

noell said...

I'm praying...everyday, I'm praying.

. La Kris said...

Hey Jen...

You are in my prayers constantly... When I get home I would love to get together so you can show me all the pictures and tell me all about him..! Even being so far away during this past year, he has changed my life as well as your blogs.

I love you!

Anonymous said...

Your honesty has me praying for you. I'm so sorry for the sorrow you have had to go through.
~Lauri

Unknown said...

You are constantly in my prayers, and I will be in touch very soon!

Anonymous said...

I'm sorry your family has had to go through this experience. :(

Corie said...

I am praying for you. I understand the desire to want to Glorify HIm and yet sometimes the thoughts come and overtake me. Such spiritual warfare during this time. I am up at night still alot...know I will be praying for you.

aaron♥michelle said...

Oh Jen, thank you for continuing to share from your heart... I know it's not easy...none of it is, I'm sure... I know now how to better pray for you....

Hugs.....

The Earnhardt Family said...

I'm glad you have blogged again. It's good to hear how we can be praying for you, and to hear you speak from your heart. I can't begin to imagine what you must be feeling, the struggles, the heartache, the rollercoaster of emotions, in so many ways over so many things... I am so glad you have such a clear memory of your time with Timothy though! What a precious and cute and wonderful little baby he was!!! We're forever on our knees for you and your family. We are hopeful and prayerful for wonderful things ahead, God is in ALL of it and He WILL hold you and carry you thru this, all the days of your life. Keep holdin' on, Jen!!!

Heather said...

Jennifer, I came here by way of a comment you left on the O'Brien Family Blog.

My son had T21. I delivered him still born about 5 weeks ago. I find that I am having such a difficult time trying to imagine him. I've never known a child with DS or any Trisomy before. But I also have a hard time imagining him as a "healthy" little boy. I was wondering how you do it? I have a one year old daughter, but I can't even imagine a little boy anymore. I think I have become so disconnected from the reality of it all. I too feel like it's all been a dream, nightmare really. Like it may have been somone else, or a different life or reality. I'm hope that what I am feeling is peace, a gift that I so begged God to give me, and not denial.

I too remember. My son had a funky toe, just like his big sister. The "ring" toe was longer than it "should" be. I smile when I think about that.

Anyhow, I was here. I read your story. I'll be here again. I feel a sense of commraderie in your blogs with the whole Trisomy thing.