We are the Stow Family and this is our story. Our lives are blessed by Love, Joy and Hope. Follow our sometimes interesting stories on loving our two boys, exploring parenthood, and celebrating a little extra - two parents, two boys and an extra chromosome!

Saturday, April 4, 2009

Nominations, Relfux & Speech Therapy

So, this has been an interesting week... Yay!! I don't often get the chance to say that my life is interesting... Usually just work, home, work, home, work, home... you get the picture!

On Tuesday I received an email from a friend saying that she had voted for my blog on the South African Blog Awards... thanks but what? I had no idea that I was finalist, never mind nominated! So - needless to say that started a frenzy of emails on my side, asking all my loyal friends to vote for this blog (if they felt the urge)... OK - so I was all of a sudden desperate to win! Also, I was just thrilled to be nominated under the "Parenting" category. Please take note of the lack of 'special/disabled/different' in that title... just. plain. simple. parenting. I think it's great that my life with my son is lumped along with all other lives! As it should be.

I didn't win though. *sob*

But I was a runner-up (shiny gold badge to follow soon - keep an eye on the right bar of my blog...). I was listed second from the top... Now, whether it was 'in any order' or 'in order of votes' is anyone's guess. But I'm sticking with 'Second Runner Up' and that's final! LOL!

OK - so moving along...

Malakai has been an unhappy little muffin of late. You know when you get home from a long day at work and you don't even get a smile? Breaks my heart right in two! I had noticed that lately Malakai would bring up milk, even 2 or more hours after a feed. So off to the Pead we went and (1 hour in the waiting room, and a minor tantrum from me, later...) we got some meds for reflux - worked like a bomb! Now my little man is happy, smiley and is even making leaps and bounds in communication and reciprocation! He is laughing more (with sound), he is smiling more, he is just overall a happier little person!

Then, lastly, our first Speech Therapy session was on Friday. I didn't know what to expect, but I had read on some other blogs about ST's helping with feeding, so I thought it would be a good idea to take some food with, so that the therapist would see how Malakai was eating. The session went well - the therapist was very happy with Malakai's eating (so am I - he's a real trooper)! After a million questions she also told me that Malakai's receptive language is at about 6-9 months (great!), and that his expressive language is at about 4 months (ok... not the best... that's about half of his actual age).

I thought that I would be more upset. I thought that it would really hurt to hear that my child is behind. I wasn't and it didn't.

I have known for some time that Malakai was not expressing as much as other babies do at his age, so it was not a shock. I am glad that we are now going to start working on the process of language. But I know that my angel will do his thing in his time. Just like everything else. He leads the way and I follow.

It's still kinda hard to imagine Malakai as older. But I have honestly found that my key to sanity (and happiness) is Staying in This Moment and Accepting What Is. This is my key (it may not work for everyone). Trying to paint pictures of a future that I know nothing about can only lead to unfounded fears - and as I have learned with my little man, he continues to surprise and amaze me as long as I leave my expectations at the door and let him lead the way.

10 comments:

sheree said...

well first off- CONGRATS on the blog award!

Secondly-so glad you got some reflux meds for your boy and he is feeling better because of them. What a relief.

I am happy to hear that you weren't sad when you heard your boy was a little behind in expressive language. I love your outlook. I need to remember this...I'll keep it in my mental toolbox ;) Thank you!

My name is Sarah said...

This is Joyce. Congrats on your blog award. I love reading your posts. You have a beautiful way with words and a healthy outlook on life. I appreciate that.

Lorraine said...

Congratulations Loren!

Your transparent honesty is like a gush of fresh air blowing away old and dusty cobwebs of ignorance.

Your Blog is a priceless gift for those who are taking baby steps towards peaceful surrender that everything is absolutely perfect - just the way it is! In this moment, and then the next, and the next, and the next...

Why? Simply, because that is the way of it. Wanting things to be different from the way they are, is to miss out on the beauty of each moment. Peace comes with the realization that reality wins every time.

I Love you!
Your proud Mom

Laurie said...

Big congrats on your blog award!!! It is certainly well deserved : )

We are with you on the reflux stuff...which med did they prescribe Malakai?

And, I agree with what you said about thinking too much about the future. You are SO right about staying in the moment...

Elriza Paul said...

Couldn't have said it better myself!!!

Life As I Know It... said...

Congrats on the award - well deserved!

Glad the meds work for Malakai..
Keep well!

Unknown said...

Hey my friend - was lovely to see you over the weekend! Congrats again on your blog award! You so deserve it! You INSPIRE us all! God Bless! Megs

Deqlan said...

Congrats Loren, through thousands of blogs just to be nominated is an honor, so congrats dear Loren , look forward to seeing the shiny badge! And glad you started with ST pray that all continues to go so well! And you are so wise with your words - i know exactly what you mean and the best way to live is to live in today for today and treasure each and every day - dont let your mind wonder and worry ahead, cause you will miss out on the now! ( look who is talking, you got to remind of this when i need you to , ok?) hugs to kai and hope to see you soon! Lots of love and hugs mark samm deqlan logan

Miss Magic said...

Congrats on the award...feeling like your work is appreciated is always a great thing!

You know, years ago we decided to stop looking at tests and numbers and equivalents, etc. all together. Some people thought we were wacky and that it would be a disservice to Maren. But, it has always helped us stay in the moment and focused on what is great, too.

It is always wonderful to find fellow travelers on this slightly less-traveled path! :-).

The Hapa Girl said...

Hello Again! I thought it would be appropriate to leave the comment here that I have an award waiting for you at my blog!