Hi Friends,
We hope that everyone had a safe and happy Halloween. Wow – here we are. Paige is 6 months old and this is the first update I’ve done since her birth announcement, which was created just after we received the diagnosis. I have so much to say, but I have no idea where to start. What an experience this has been…an incredible life experience that brings forth so many emotions. If I would have been enrolled in college the last 6 months, I should have 200 credits by now and a 4-year degree (at least).
Paige is the picture of perfect health right now, so we are trying to absorb this moment for what it is worth. We have dove right into all the therapies, and I’ve never learned so much in my life. Although Paige is very newborn-like…I try to think of it as a blessing. What other mom can experience freezing time right in it’s place? Well, I digress…probably a majority of you reading this knows what its like.
I would be lying if the past 6 months were easy. They were not. You not only have to manage the medical complexity of a special needs newborn, but you also have to keep your emotions in check (fail) AND you have to learn how to deal with everyone else’s that are close to you. Talk about overwhelming. I already had anxiety issues before Paige was born…so everyone I talked to usually gave me another thing to worry about (and trust me, I was already dealing with enough worry). I’m trying to get better at explaining my feelings and setting boundaries, because I can’t afford to get hurt anymore than I already am. This is definition of adding insult to injury. I am also learning to not be so sensitive (easier said than done for me). I have a long way to go, but I’m working on it. I know that everyone means well. To all of the new WHS moms and dads, my only advice is to be kind to yourself because things can’t and won’t change overnight, but eventually they get better. Things will get easier. They might get harder again in the future but just keep climbing that mountain.
Well…I’m done rambling now. Sorry if this post was boring…I’m just tired and that’s all I could think of.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Paige Stats at 6 months off of the WHS chart:
50% for height, 50% for head circumference, 75% for length
(yes, she’s going to be a model)
Thanks,
Keely Absher
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Thanks for the photo and update. I enjoy them so much. Our children seem to specialize in sweet and adorable and Paige does not disappoint. She puts her Teddy to shame. I look forward to each post because I like to see all the the traits and characteristics the children have in common and all the things that make them unique individuals and broaden the range of the syndrome. Paige shares her prolonged infancy with other WHS children, and I agree that most of us do not mind that part. Her good health may or may not be an anomaly, but it is certainly a blessing and we hope it continues. For the most part she looks like a normal baby to me, but I am biased. I use to think Rochelle looked completely normal and would be surprised when people asked me what was wrong. Thanks for sharing your feelings. It sounds like the emotional task of adjusting to Paige’s diagnosis has been a challenge but it also sounds like you have worked hard and are doing a great job. I don’t think that challenge ever ends. I look forward to seeing more photo’s of Paige and hearing from you. I don’t think you ramble at all and your post was great, not boring.
Keely, thank you for sharing this special post and beautiful photo of Paige. What a precious pumpkin! (I absolutely cannot wait to meet her!) Through your honesty and candid thoughts I can also clearly hear such optimism and strength. Paige is blessed to have you in her corner. I always cry when people tell me this, but it’s true, so I want to tell you too: You are exactly the parent that Paige needs. You were designed to be. There have been so many moments when I have felt so ill-equipped and like ‘not enough’… not what Elsa needs. I’ve felt that Elsa deserves someone braver, smarter, more persistent… that God got it all wrong and that I’m simply not strong enough. But you are! You can only take it one day at a time, just like you’re doing. Thank you again for sharing your journey with all of us.
Well, you’re 100% right. Noone but a parent or caregiver of a special needs child will understand the emotional roller coaster that we contantly battle. Realizing that our child will NEVER be like their siblings, cousins, or friends. But the tough circumstances we go through become “nothing” or “a breeze” to us. Multiple doctor visits, multuiple therapies, seizures, and what not….unfortunately for us is considered normal. We as parents learn patience and to not take things for granted. We as WHS parents get to enjoy our babies as babies longer. I was told this and it made me feel soooo much better while in one of my “Why?” moods. But since then I’ve come to believe it. God will never give us anything we can’t handle. We were chosen to have these precious babies in our lives. I wouldn’t change a thing in my life if I could. My Nathaniel is so precious and loving, I would go insane without him. Things can definitely get worse, but they will always get better. You are very lucky to have your baby and so is she! I wish you nothing but the best! She’s precious and congrats!