 | Diary Navigation:
|
September 12, 2003
September 11, 2003
I remember 9-11-01 like it was yesterday. We were living in Edna Texas and I was on my way to work with the radio on. The news kept interrupting with updates about the towers and the planes and with speculation as to what was really going on. I was shocked and sort of stunned as I drove down the highway. By the time I got to work everyone there was freaking out and talking about what was going on. We all had radios on and were listening as the tragedy unfolded. I decided to call Mark and he told me that he was watching the television when the second plane hit the second tower. We talked about how bizarre and sad the whole thing was and then we hung up. I then made a phone call to my doctor’s office to see if I could get an ultrasound. I had just found out that I was pregnant and we wanted to make sure that the baby was in my uterus and not an ectopic like the two times before. I remember how on that tragic day when so many lives were lost; I was feeling joy at the knowledge of a new life beginning in me. That day will always hold a bittersweet remembrance for me.
Our lives here in Buffalo Missouri are finally getting back to normal. Autumn and Gabriel are well into school now and have made many new friends. Each and every paper that they bring home is graded with "Wow", "Awesome", "100%" or something to that effect. It’s a wonderful feeling to see them doing so well and adjusting in their new school and classrooms. Today was Matthew’s very first day of school and he is officially a Kindergartner. You have no idea how proud I am. Not that Matthew is anywhere near the normal mental status of a typical Kindergartner but just for the fact that my precious son is being accepted into a "regular" classroom atmosphere and has the title of "Kindergartner". I met with his teachers on Tuesday to discuss and go over what I expected of them and what they needed to expect out of Matthew. I gave them a brief overview of Matthew’s history and they gave me a basic outline of what his day would consist of. Since Matthew has not been specifically diagnosed yet, but does have all of the characteristics of "Angelman’s Syndrome", we are using that title when asked what his problems are. Matthew has an extreme fascination with water, which is one of the characteristics of AS. I was thrilled to find out that every Thursday they take all of the special education children to an indoor pool at the local collage. They provide all of the students with life jackets and safety harnesses for those who need it. When Matthew got home today I called his school and talked with his teacher about how his day went. She said that he did wonderfully and that he absolutely loved being in the water. She said that he kicked, laughed, splashed and screamed (happy screams) the whole time he was there. She also told me that they worked with him on placing shapes and that he enjoyed his recess time too. It was such a relief to hear that he did so well and had a great time. When he got home, I could tell that he was worn out and he even fell asleep on the floor. Sweet boy!
My sweet little Christian is now 15 ½ months old. That in itself is amazing to me. It seems as though he went from baby to toddler in the blink of an eye. He continues to astonish us each day with how quickly he catches on and learns new things. When he sees anything round he calls it "ball". Although when he says it, it sounds more like "ummm-baaall". Very cute to hear! He can say momma, dada, this, that, and a slew of other toddler babble that sounds adorable to our ears. When he needs a drink he will hand me his sippy cup and say "this". I ask him if he wants a drink and he'll run his little fat legs over to the fridge and wait for me to open it. While I’m pouring his juice or milk, he will attempt to take anything out that he can get his hands on and I have to distract him with his drink just so I can put everything back in. One day last week while I was getting his drink he stood at the open fridge and pointed at a bag of green grapes then loudly exclaimed "ummm-baaall"! Just darling!
It’s been just over two weeks since we moved to Buffalo and he has not had a bottle in that entire time. He was only having one a day while we lived with my parents which was late at night before he fell asleep. I decided that with the move I would also try to stop giving him the bottle, which worked from the very first night on. Next will be breaking him of the pacifier (yes he still uses it) which will be a little more difficult than the bottle. But we will manage.
The season of autumn is definitely on it’s way and I couldn’t be more thrilled. It’s been almost four years since we’ve had the chance to enjoy the changing of the leaves and the cool autumn air. The temperatures here have been in the mid 50’s at night and in the mid 80’s during the day. It’s perfect for opening up the windows and for taking walks with Christian. One of the things that I always enjoyed growing up was the annual Apple Festival in the town I grew up in. This event is held on the town’s square, which includes singing, dancing, craft booths, games and lots of delicious food. We are going to go this year and stay with Mark’s mom for the weekend so we can visit with her and enjoy the Apple Festival. I’m looking forward to seeing many of my friends that I grew up with and went to school with. It should be great fun!
In only 3 more weeks my Autumn and Gabriel will celebrate their 8th birthday. The very thought of my twins getting older sends waves of emotions through me. There are days that I long for just one more moment to hold them as tiny babies in my arms. Or see their tiny little faces looking up at me as they toddle around the room. On the other hand I am excited and also scared at the thought of them growing into teenagers. I wonder how I’ll be able to handle all of the stresses and problems that life throws their way...and our way. I have to remind myself that every parent must feel this way and that everything will be fine. I find that I am thinking more about growing older. That the years of having babies are now only sweet memories that I carry in my heart. This move has brought about many changes for us all and we have begun a new chapter in our lives. I look forward to each and every day that I am blessed to not only be the wife of such a wonderful man, but the mother of such precious children. Motherhood is by far the best thing that has happened to me. My children are my greatest accomplishment and I feel so honored to have this awesome opportunity to mold, shape, nurture and love these little lives. I can only hope and pray that they will one day understand just how much I love them and wanted them to be here. All of my dreams came true because God blessed me with Autumn, Gabriel, Matthew and Christian.
Take care~
Jennifer :0
 |  |
|
want to keep a diary on iParenting?
Authoring a diary on the iParenting network allows you to chronicle your family's story, preserving it for years to come. It's also a great way to get the most out of the iParenting community. Click here to start...
|
The iParenting Media Awards program helps parents find the best products for their families. 
