Ride a little horsey, and a perfect life

I have some stories to share with you guys today, both of which I think are touching. Last night I was playing with Jude in the gameroom while we were watching TV. I was bouncing Jude on my knee singing the "Ride a little horsey" song. Every time I would say "little horsey don't fall down", and dip my knee, Jude would smile SO big! I thought to myself, "Jude is really playing with me". I realized that sometimes I don't play the normal baby games with Jude that I did with Emily because of my ridiculous assumptions regarding his capabilities. I have sang little songs to him, but he doesn't normally respond much. Maybe it's the increased nutrition that is helping Jude be more aware of his surroundings. Regardless, I vow to play more games with him. Also, Emily helped Mike put Jude's medication through his tube last night, so she is responding better to Jude's current condition. Mike is always amazing, and makes sure Jude's feeding schedule is kept without deviation.

My second story is based on an article I read in a magazine last night. It's also based on a conversation I had with a friend. She was telling me how some friends of hers wanted their young daughters life strict, and structured. So much so they just gave their daughter her first sweets on her first birthday, which of course made her sick. She had never been exposed to cupcakes, or anything like that, so it upset her stomach. Anyway, I was telling her how things just don't always go as planned, especially when you want your life that structured. I am not knocking how they choose to raise their child, just shaking my head a bit because I know first hand how those great plans for a child can change. You can plan all you want to, but then life has a way of slapping you upside the head. I started telling her about the article I read last night regarding a mom who was planning her second birth. She was a mom that didn't want any medication for the pain, a natural birth, with a doula. She had planned everything meticulously from the beautiful smell of lavender burning, to the relaxful candles, and soft music playing. She had dreamt of how she would introduce her young daughter to her newborn daughter, and how wonderful their life would be. She described in detail how painful the contractions were, but how she knew her body was just making progress towards it's ultimate goal. Then the delivery........it wasn't what she expected. She knew immediately when her daughter was born she had downs syndrome, and she was in a panic. She said she cried for hours over the loss of the daughter she wanted, and mourned for the perfect life she dreamed of. Then she finally realized that this little baby had already accepted her as her mother, and was begging for her to love her. So she did. I was touched by that story, and related to every feeling she had.

The tube is getting easier to handle, and our life is moving forward. We are learning to adapt, and are watching our little baby grow.