Assessments

I got a phone call a few weeks back that I had totally forgotten that I'd be getting. It was a follow up reminder for Tyler. They had told us this would be coming when he had his surgery but my memory wasn't in its full glory at that time. They basically monitor kids from the ages of 3-8 both physically and mentally who have had this magnitude of surgery.
To tell you the truth, I've been kind of looking forward to it. We have never had any concerns about Tyler being behind in anything - we have actually marvelled at his advanced speech and thinking abilities. He's such a smart kid and it's so much fun to watch him learn. Physically we haven't noticed any hindrances or disabilities so we weren't terribly concerned in that area either.

Today was the day so Tyler and I went in for the morning of appointment. He met with both a pediatrician and a child psychologist. As the first doctor came to get us and Tyler (surprisingly, as he's pretty shy in new situations) began to chatter immediately. She turned to me after visiting with him for a bit and said "oh good. It's so good to have a case when they're doing well". I first felt pride, thinking "oh good, she sees what we see." But after a few more small comments from her it became apparent that this really was special to see...that a lot of kids who have had large surgeries at his age and been on a respirator for long periods of time aren't guaranteed to live unaffected lives. She said that muscular dystrophy and almost cerebral palsy-like symptoms have exhibited themselves in some kids. There can be tremors in their limbs, delayed walking, and lower comprehension levels. We heard similar things from the next doctor. There are many issues that can result from this sort of surgery, both physical and mental. This really rocked me on my heels. Today felt like yet another affirmation of the blessing that Tyler's healing has been. He went through such a major thing in his little life and yet is not just surviving...he's thriving. Excelling. Exceeding. I watched him beaming through his appointments and doing so well and breathed many prayers of thanks. We don't ever forget what a gift our son is.

Onwards and Upwards

So I got a job!

I'm pretty excited about this.  It couldn't be a more perfect job for me...God is so good.  I'm going to be working as a book keeper under an accountant that I know.  I'll get to basically dictate my own hours, work from home when I want to or work at her home office when I want to, and it can be (or grow to be) as much or as little work as I want to take on.  And the best of all - it'll likely only be max a day a week right now which means that our moms can watch the boys and I don't have to search for part time day care.  Win win win!

This could not be more perfect for our stage in life.  I'm not a career focused mom.  I have many friends with amazing gifts that make them so perfect for the jobs that they have and the careers they have chosen, and it makes total sense for them to pursue both their joys of motherhood as well as their calling to their jobs.  They do both well and I have high respect for them.  I just...never had a career call to me in the same way that being a stay at home mom has.  I love being home with my boys.  However, I did learn after going back to work once Tyler was a year old that part of my brain needs to be working to function properly.  I need a bit of outside influence to keep me, well, awake.  We also aren't quite in a place where we can comfortably afford for me to stay home yet so the job search began.  When I got the phone call asking if this job was something I'd be interested in doing, I almost cried.  It's just so perfect for me.  I'm thrilled!

Thankfully my days will still be filled with cookie baking, walks, diapers, curious george, conversations with my favourite chatter box, and all the other wonderful things I love about being a mom.  I will also just get to feel a bit more...adult.  Well rounded.  Accomplished.  Whatever.