Wednesday, September 23, 2009





I was gently reminded by a friend that it is now officially fall and it is not prudent to have a picture of your child in a swimming pool under such circumstances. (what if we lived in Florida?)

I took that as a hint that it is time to update the blog. Fall has brought a time of transition for us. Both Brian and I are teaching at new schools which has been an adjustment in of itself.


Faith is doing tremendously well. However cliche it may be, she has exceeded all of our expectations. The girl who showed no understanding or connections to words six months ago is now continually adding to her repertoire of about 15 signs. She now knows words carry meaning and can follow simple directions such as, "Go give Elway a hug" (which is her favorite).

The girl who would make eye contact or acknowledge people in a room is now a social butterfly who demands the attention of anyone who steps inside our home.

The girl who we took home from the hospital who clinched her fists and whose high toned body became rigid at any source of external stimuli, recently put her hands in a tub of butter while we were cooking and rubbed it all over her body.

The girl who was not crawling at this time last year is now walking up a storm, falling down stairs, and forcing her parents to put up all of the unused baby gates (remind me every time we put one up and it chips the paint on the walls that the need for such a barrier is worth far more than the drywall.)

And the girl who did not breathe on her own for her first two years of life has not been hooked to a ventilator since June.

I have stopped diagnosing her. I've stopped marking time in terms of milestones unmet and I am simply enjoying my daughter. Perhaps it was not Faith who needed to make gains, but me. Once I finally accepted who for who she is and all that she is going to be, she proved me wrong on both accords.


Thanks for keeping up with us.

Hope your fall is as warm and cozy as ours.

Jen & CO.

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

wow. I'm very excited to see her (btw- read some more...my suggestion is to read the first, middle, and last page of each chapter)

Alicia said...

I have to tell you, Jeremy and I are just as proud of Faith as you and Brian are. She has amazed us with how far she has come. She is AWESOME!!!

Ann said...

"Perhaps it was not Faith who needed to make gains, but me."

This is so true Jen. As someone who is still "making gains" because of Jack, it really is us (we?) who are learning and growing the most on this journey.

xoxo

Karen said...

Beautiful blog.

Michelle said...

I so should not keep reading blogs bc it keeps making me cry---beautiful and true.

Hope said...

I love this post. Faith is doing so well and has overcome so much in her short life. I'm thrilled by her accomplishments.

The Marini's said...

I am so glad to hear from you again Jen! And I'm so happy to hear how well Faith is doing!!!!! I am rejoicing with you in every step she makes-you guys are great

Unknown said...

Jen.. It's so great to hear how wonderful Faith is doing! I'm MORE than happy for you and your whole family. She is such a blessing, she looks great! I miss you! Maureen

Jen said...

Oh my goodness somehow I missed this post. So sorry about that.

I love the picture of Faith and I'm so glad that she is doing well. She looks so so incredibly happy and perfect in that picture!

Anonymous said...

Absolutely beautiful - your daughter and this post!

Barbara

Anonymous said...

MISSING MY BABY!

UNCLE MIKE IS THERE AND WILL GIVE YOU HUGS AND KISSES FROM YOUR AUNT SUSAN!

WE LOVE YOU MY SWEET FAITH!

XOXOXOXOXOOX

AUNT SUSAN ( TEXAS)

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