A New Year

It has been way too long since my last post! One of my goals this year is to reconnect with this blog and update more often and I'm so looking forward to doing that! :)

Gavin has been doing great! He started Jr. Kindergarten in September and he is really thriving and loving it! I can honestly say that I had a lot of anxiety about sending him off to school but I was extremely relieved to realize that he can cope just fine. Initially, as there always is when meeting a new group of children, there were the usual questions and curiosity. I touched base briefly with the teachers to try to set the tone that Gavin is quite capable and doesn't need any special treatment. We were all on the same page right from the start and they were very supportive and made Gavin feel comfortable. The teachers are so great and he just fits right in.

He has made a lot of great friends and I could count on one hand (Pardon the pun! ha) how many times he seemed sad about another children making a  negative comment about his little arm. The few times he has come home upset has been because he sat on another child's toy by accident and they got mad or because someone didn't want to take turns being the goalie. He is learning a lot and is always eager to come home and share some random fact with us or perform a new song for us.

I am extremely proud because in December Gavin earned the award for "Kindness and Caring."

Showing understanding of others by treating them with compassion, generosity and a forgiving spirit. Being gentle, willing to help, friendly and considerate. Considering the needs of others, not just your own.

Gavin is in his second year of hockey school and that its definitely the highlight of his weekends. Waking up early on Saturday mornings is not really the highlight of my weekends. But seeing him out there on the ice, so determined and trying his hardest kinda makes it worth it. He is so independent this year. He doesn't even want Daddy to come on the ice with him. He skates all by himself and tries to keep up with the fastest kids. Each time he falls down, he pops right back up and keeps going. Watching him out there makes my heart burst with pride.

Gavin is also a great big brother and his little sister Eden, is like his little shadow. She follows him everywhere and copies his every move. They're a great team!

Its hard to believe that my tiny baby is already four and a half and growing like a weed and Eden is turning two in March. Gavin likes to tell me that when hes 5 he will be taller than me. I know I'm short but hopefully I still have a few years before he outgrows me!

Sometimes I wish I could slow time down. (Just not when they're playing the drums!)

Love

"There's no other love like the love for a brother.
There's no other love like the love from a brother."

- Astrid Alauda

Story Teller

I just love seeing the bond develop between Gavin and his baby sister. Growing up, I always wished I had a big brother and I think Eden is so blessed to have one!

Today she was laying on her play mat and he decided to read her some stories. She was staring at him the whole time and he was saying things to her like, "Oh, you want to read it again Eden? OK, which one you like? You my sha-sha-sha-sha girl!" (whatever that means...I'm pretty sure it is a term of endearment though!)

So Sweet

I must admit, I was pretty worried about how Gavin was going to adjust to having a new baby at home. He is used to being the baby in the family and he is used to getting all the attention. He has always been a Mama's boy so I was worried that there would be a lot of jealousy and tantrums.

But he has completely amazed me and proved me wrong and I couldn't be happier! Gavin LOVES his baby sister so much. He loves to shower her little face with kisses and tell her, "I love you Eden. I love you too."

He is just so proud of her. The other day we were in a store and the sales lady was helping me and Gavin proudly told her, "Look at my baby!"

He is the first to tell me, "Mommy she's cryin'!" or "Mommy, she puked!"

When she cries, he tells her, "Shh...its OK Eden." as he strokes her face.

He is so gentle and loving with her. I just couldn't be more proud of him.

We took her to Annya's studio to have her newborn pictures done and I wanted to get a few of them together as well (then Daddy took Gavin to the park so Eden could have the spotlight).

This is my favourite picture ever. It just melts my heart every time I look at it.


We are so blessed ♥

And here are a few more of our sweet baby girl. (11 days old in these photos) Thank you Annya!!! xo

Welcome Baby Eden!

Introducing the newest little member of our family!


Little Miss Eden Michelle made her arrival on March 20 at 5:38pm.
6 lbs 12 oz, 19 inches

And all girl! ♥ (I was in complete shock! Totally expecting another boy and could not have been ANY happier to be blessed with a baby GIRL!)
She is just the sweetest little thing. I can't get enough of her precious little face and her sweet newborn smell. I am in love.

I'm not the only one. Daddy is so proud of his baby girl and Gavin is completely over the moon in love with his baby sister. All he wants to do is hold her and cuddle her and stroke her little face. He is very gentle and protective and is loving his new role as big brother. I'm so proud of him!


We are so, so extremely blessed!

We Are Family

This picture was taken last October at our first CHAMP seminar in London, ON. Gavin was 15 months old. Don't mind the lovely 70s decor!



Another really great section in "Parenting the Amputee Child" (based on the work of the War Amps CHAMP Program) talks about how the whole family is affected by the experience of having a child with an amputation.

(Again, I am summarizing in my own words and I do not take credit for any of the following information. )

THE ROLE OF THE FAMILY

The family has a very important role in supporting their child, advocating for them and connecting them with appropriate resources.

What is most important is providing this support in an encouraging and realistic way that isn't overprotective and doesn't underestimate the child's abilities. Connecting with other families who have already been through the same experience can make a world of difference.

It is also very important for parents to explain their child's amputation in a straightforward and encouraging way, which will set a positive tone for others to follow. Family and friends may mean well in some of the things they say and do but its important for parents to be clear about the attitude they want modeled for their child. We were always very clear that there was no need for sympathy or special treatment. Our biggest goal was to empower Gavin to recognize his strengths and have healthy self-esteem.

As everyone gets to know the child they will soon come to realize that they just need to treat him or her like any other children in the family.

Grandparents

Grandparents play an important role in helping the whole family adjust. Especially because children look to their parents for support, no matter how old they are.

Grandparents often experience emotions similar to the parents and may go through some of the same stages of adjustment. Some may even have a harder time coping than the child's parents. Grandparents dealing with their own reactions should face their emotions as quickly as possible because their children will need a lot of their support.

Keeping grandparents informed about the realities of amputation and artificial limbs can help them feel more at ease, with a better idea of what to expect.

Siblings

Siblings will need some special attention to help them understand and be accepting of their brother or sister's limb difference. Just as parents go through so many different emotions, so does a sibling.

Children have such active imaginations and may have fears and concerns that they don't know how to express. They may feel sad, scared or worried. In the case of an accident, they may feel guilty that it was somehow their fault. They may fear that the same thing will happen to them or another family member. They can feel lonely and left out and resentful of all the time the parents spend with their sibling. They may withdraw and not talk about their fears because they don't want to worry their parents.

Its important to openly talk about the cause of the child's amputation. If due to an accident, the sibling may need reassurance about his or her own safety. If due to an illness or disease, it should be talked about in age-appropriate terms.

Siblings may also seem to be coping well at home but be struggling outside the home. It can be helpful to have others that interact with your child to be aware of what the family is adjusting to.

How you talk about amputation with children depends on their age. Its usually around age 2 or 3 that children even notice that their sibling has a limb difference. At that time it should be explained in very simple terms.

Here are some tips for addressing concerns that siblings may have:
- Encourage them to share all their concerns and ask questions. Be open to talking about it.
- Provide lots of reassurance to help them feel more secure regarding their worries
- Help them become comfortable with answering questions that others may ask them about why their sibling's limb is different
- Make time for special one-on-one time with each sibling
- Be sure to include the child with a limb difference in household chores. This sends 2 positive messages: increasing the child amputee's confidence by showing that he or she is capable and sending the message to siblings that there is no favoritism.