Learning As We Grow

It's been nearly a year and a half since I've posted anything on this blog. Doesn't that happen so frequently in life? People get excited about new endeavors, and they start something strong...but then it fades. And it seems that is exactly what happened with me. I was not dedicated enough to make my blogging a priority. But hey. I've been through just about the BUSIEST 2, even 3 years of my LIFE. So I'm not too hard on myself. I'm just acknowledging that I could have done better. My original intent for this blog was to be a space where I could communicate updates to my family and friends about Eoin's health status and conditions. With something as complex as what he deals with, I didn't want to have to answer the same questions over and over again, with the time and depth required to explain things properly. So writing IN DETAIL and sharing on the blog was a good idea. It was easy enough to post a link in emails or on Facebook. But beside that, I wa...

Today I recovered a thought that I had written back in September of LAST YEAR (see below). As I reflect back on how I was feeling 14 months ago, I am just filled with so much gratefulness (perfect for Thanksgiving time, right? GRATITUDE.). I'm not going to lie. It has been a REALLY challenging year. Actually, it's been a REALLY challenging 3 years! (Three years ago this Thanksgiving, my beautiful mother was in the hospital for strange and severe stomach pains. Then, three years ago next month, after a few weeks of evaluation, she was diagnosed with stage-4 cancer. She battled her cancer like a warrior, but her body had different plans. Two years ago this coming January, we had to say goodbye to her. Six months after my mom passed away, we were so thrilled to find out that we were pregnant with an incredible gift from God! What a happy blessing it was during a very sad and heavy time. We experienced a crushing blip in our joy when we found out that our perfect, amazing little bo...

Three days ago, we were able to have our "big" meeting with the official cardiologist. We ended up there after first being referred to a Maternal Fetal Medicine (MFM) specialist after my regular OB found an abnormality with the baby's heart at our 20-week ultrasound, and then the MFM referred us to the pediatric cardiologist. When we initially met with the MFM specialist, she concluded that the baby did have an obvious defect. She gave me some literature to read on Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome saying that "this is probably what it is", talked with us for a bit, and then told us that we would need to meet with a pediatric cardiologist and have an echocardiogram in order for the baby to be properly and officially diagnosed. THE ECHOCARDIOGRAM: Fast forward to this past Wednesday. We got there 45 minutes early, anxious, and hoping they could get us in before the appointment time. We waited there for 45 minutes. Go figure. :) We were called back, and first ha...

The following is an email I sent out to family after we confirmed some findings about the baby: We got some news about the baby that I wanted to share. On Monday, at my 20-week ultrasound, they found an abnormality with the baby's heart. Everything else is fine. He's growing right on schedule and looks anatomically sound in every other way. My doctor wouldn't tell me anything too specific about his heart other than it appears that the left side is underdeveloped. This ultrasound was "meant to be a screen" to discover any possible concerns that needed a closer look. He sent us to a fetal medicine specialist, whom we saw today. She confirmed that the baby's left side is very underdeveloped. She said it looks like a complex condition called hypoplastic left heart syndrome. We're going to another specialist next week at primary children's hospital to have an in-depth echocardiogram and an even more intense look at the baby's heart. They will be abl...

About 2 years ago, I noticed how my oldest son (then in 1st grade), had some struggles and frustrations with his classroom and the general style of public school. In 2nd grade, it got worse for him. My son just had a really difficult classroom environment, and a teacher that was not necessarily nurturing or loving. I hated the emphasis on homework and really felt like if these little elementary-aged kids got home at 4pm, they should not have to do an hour plus of homework after being in the classroom for 7 hours. When did they get time to explore the backyard, or play, or have fun? When did they get time to just be a KID and not worry about grades that they got on a spelling test or a math worksheet? I also didn't love the things that my child was exposed to at school. Some of that came from other students, and some of it came from the curriculum or the teachers themselves. It was not always wholesome. I decided to look into homeschool. LUCKILY, I am blessed to be surrounded by s...