Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Work Station

Mallory has her very own computer desk.  She calls it "work".  She works on the computer there but I've also added some other activities for her to do as well.

Sunday, March 20, 2011

Phone Addiction

Mallory has a love for phones. 
You've probably received a 6 a.m. (or maybe even a 4 a.m.) wake up call from her. 
She can easily maneuver a cell phone to make a phone call.  I've now been working with her on dialing on our land-line.  I've made a laminated phone number reference that she can use. 
Don't worry Brandy!  Your number is NOT on it.

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Defining Moments.

11 years ago today, was Mallory's 1st surgery.


Little did we know that day that over the next 11 years, that our poor girl would endure surgery 9 more times ranging from ear tubes to open heart surgery.

As new parents, young parents, we were ignorant in those first days of the gravity of our situation. It was almost like a dream. Waiting for the moment when you awaken and everything is back to normal.

What we didn't realize was that our "normal" had been redefined.
God had a grand plan for us and for Mallory. Over the next year, our eyes would be widely opened to the joys and trials of raising a child with Smith-Magenis Syndrome. Our days were quickly filled with appointments. Doctors visits. Medications. Therapists. Lab. Xrays. Parent Educators. It was like we were on auto-pilot navigating each day around the new constant needs of our child.

In retrospect, I now realize that we did a lot amazing things for and with our daughter. She has made huge strides. Not a day goes by, that I don't remember where we were 11 years ago or reflect on the path that life has taken us or look forward to progress that we will continue to make.