Friday, February 6, 2009

My kids a math GENIUS!

Ok, so maybe I'm biased, BUT...he did win the Math award at his awards day today. ONLY 1 child in the class gets that and it was Travis! Wow was he proud of it too. Last trimester, he was awarded the Citizenship Award, and that one is voted on by his peers. How proud am I of him?!

Travis was EXTREMELY proud of his award. However, what he was even MORE proud of, is that Jay went to the awards day and took Riley. Travis proudly showed Riley off to his teachers and friends.





Wow. Life seems so normal. I get asked all the time about riley, and truthfully, it takes me a moment to realize that he isn't "normal" when I talk about him. His ostomy is just a part of who he is. He will have it for quite some time now, and we are so used to it. I mean, we have only known him for 10 days without an ostomy. I really can't imagine what life will be like when he no longer has it. Even Travis is well-versed in ostomy and ostomy care. It's comical to hear him talk about it. It wasn't comical at 5am one morning this week when it leaked however. but that was the first leak we've had since he was discharged so no real complaining. Of course, he laid on the changing table giggling up a storm at his groggy/half asleep mommy trying to get him cleaned up and a new ostomy bag on a very wiggly/very awake baby!!

For the most part, he sleeps through the night. He goes to bed somewhere between 10 and 11pm and sleeps to somewhere between 6 and 7:30am for the most part. There are some days that isn't the case and he will wake up at 4:30am starving but that has only been once or twice. Of course he could wake up every hour and I would still just be so grateful that I can feed him snuggled up in bed, versus him being in the hospital.

And as far as all the time in the hospital goes...we saw a lady the day Riley was discharged who told us that we would forget all about our time in the NICU. And while we certainly have not forgotten our long and terrifying journey, it truly has a dream like aspect to it now. We were just talking earlier this evening that it seems like that was all just a dream and it didn't really happen. When I talk to people about our experiences, the entire time, I am thinking in the back of my mind "wow, that was real?". But all I have to do is see or hear a helicopter to be reminded. Or, like yesterday, see a baby being loaded up in an ambulance, to feel like I'm in the twilight zone again. Hopefully those reactions will fade with time, but for now, they are still pretty strong.

Jay had his first week home since being laid off this week. I think the first couple of days were rough on him, trying to get into a routine of taking care of Riley and getting stuff done around the house as well (such as take a shower). NO....I have not left him lists (yet). :o)

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Awwwww, how sweet is that...Travis proudly showing off Riley to his teachers and friends. Travis, you are so sweet and Mama is so proud of you for winning the Math award today at school. Hugs to you and baby Riley. Hugs, Mama

*super dude and super dog* said...

Big high five for Travis! And tell Jay to join us in the smelly parent club. You have leaking ostomies and we have projective pukes. I still vividly remember the NICU, but I hope to get to a place where it was just a dream. I think the weekly check ups and winter "lock down" don't help us forget. So glad you are settling in as a "normal" family.

Anonymous said...

It always amazes me how ones mind blankets the memories. They say if women remebered everything about labor they wouldn't have more then one kid. I am grateful that the mind works that way, you will never, ever forget the NICU and I still cry 10 years later when an ambulance or helicopter goes by. But now the tears are of peace that my baby girl made it and I'm hopeful for whoever is in that emergency vehicle. Maybe you are meant to volunteer in the NICU, so you can touch someone's life and comfort them through the awful time sitting next to their baby like you had to endure. They say things happen for a reason? So nice to see Travis win that award, I love his smile! Tell him we are proud of him. The girls say hi..keep the pics coming...I look forward to reading your blog everyday. It makes me feel like you are not so far away. Take care..

Anonymous said...

Bless your heart Travis, for being so sweet sharing your baby brother with your classmates and teachers. I'm sure they could tell what a wonderful big brother you are to Riley! Congratulations on winning the math award!!! That is a great achievement, and one you should be very proud of. You surely are a very smart boy, and I know you also love to read. Keep up the great work. I know your Mommy and Daddy are soooo proud of you, and they have every right to be. What a super kid you are Travis!
And.....Mr. Riley, you are just a sweet lovable and precious baby boy! Lindsey, you deserve life to feel normal, it has been a long time coming, and it is nice to hear you make that statement.
May God continue to bless your lives with normality.
Hugs to all, Dale

Anonymous said...

I'm VERY proud of you Travis! Way to go.
Christie

Anonymous said...

Travis, I am so proud of you with your math award at school. You are such a great big brother to Riley. The pictures of you with Riley at school are adorable. Love, Debbie and Gary

Anonymous said...

Way to go Travis, on being such a great big brother and for winning the math award!!!!!!

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