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Don't forget the Dog!
When Andy and I decided to have a child we purchased the popular book "What to Expect when You're Expecting." I liked the book with its neat chapters broken down into precise weeks describing just what will happen. Somewhere along the line we veered off that neat plan. This is our story of the chapters that are not included in "What to Expect" and how we are learning that things don't always go according to plan...
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About Me
- Amy Forester
- We live in Schoolcraft Michigan with our favorite dog Buster the Westie. The newest addition to our family is our daughter, due on Janurary 21, 2009 - but born December 10, 2008!
Blog Archive
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2008
(35)
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December
(35)
- Nora is 3 weeks today!
- Not letting go of this pacifier!
- Dad playing with Nora
- Some thoughts on parenting in the NICU
- Waiting, waiting, waiting
- The Rest of Life Goes On...
- Inspirational Reading
- Buster the Santa Claus
- Christmas Eve
- MRI Results & other downers...
- Kangaroo Care and Feeding Update
- Bronson Hospital
- Nora's Name
- Nora's moving up
- Nora awake
- Nora's Room
- I think we have a thumb sucker!
- Hot Nights
- Hydrocephalus - Things are never what they seem - ...
- Grandma Sue and Nora
- Nora's Room in the NICU
- Grandma Vought and Nora
- Sleepy Nora and Andy
- Nora's morning
- Peek a Boo!
- Dad feeding Baby Nora
- Hydrocephalus update
- Sun bathing
- Nora sleeping
- Diaper Castle
- Busy Day in Hospital
- December 13 Picture
- Nora's Birthday - December 10, 2008!
- In the meantime, Mom gets sick....
- History up till now...
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December
(35)
Welcome To Holland
by Emily Perl Kingsley
I am often asked to describe the experience of raising a child with a disability - to try to help people who have not shared that unique experience to understand it, to imagine how it would feel. It's like this......
When you're going to have a baby, it's like planning a fabulous vacation trip - to Italy. You buy a bunch of guide books and make your wonderful plans. The Coliseum. The Michelangelo David. The gondolas in Venice. You may learn some handy phrases in Italian. It's all very exciting.
After months of eager anticipation, the day finally arrives. You pack your bags and off you go. Several hours later, the plane lands. The stewardess comes in and says, "Welcome to Holland."
"Holland?!?" you say. "What do you mean Holland?? I signed up for Italy! I'm supposed to be in Italy. All my life I've dreamed of going to Italy."
But there's been a change in the flight plan. They've landed in Holland and there you must stay.
The important thing is that they haven't taken you to a horrible, disgusting, filthy place, full of pestilence, famine and disease. It's just a different place.
So you must go out and buy new guide books. And you must learn a whole new language. And you will meet a whole new group of people you would never have met.
It’s just a different place. It's slower-paced than Italy, less flashy than Italy. But after you've been there for a while and you catch your breath, you look around.... and you begin to notice that Holland has windmills....and Holland has tulips. Holland even has Rembrandts.
But everyone you know is busy coming and going from Italy... and they're all bragging about what a wonderful time they had there. And for the rest of your life, you will say "Yes, that's where I was supposed to go. That's what I had planned."
And the pain of that will never, ever, ever, ever go away... because the loss of that dream is a very very significant loss.
But... if you spend your life mourning the fact that you didn't get to Italy, you may never be free to enjoy the very special, the very lovely things ... about Holland.
I am often asked to describe the experience of raising a child with a disability - to try to help people who have not shared that unique experience to understand it, to imagine how it would feel. It's like this......
When you're going to have a baby, it's like planning a fabulous vacation trip - to Italy. You buy a bunch of guide books and make your wonderful plans. The Coliseum. The Michelangelo David. The gondolas in Venice. You may learn some handy phrases in Italian. It's all very exciting.
After months of eager anticipation, the day finally arrives. You pack your bags and off you go. Several hours later, the plane lands. The stewardess comes in and says, "Welcome to Holland."
"Holland?!?" you say. "What do you mean Holland?? I signed up for Italy! I'm supposed to be in Italy. All my life I've dreamed of going to Italy."
But there's been a change in the flight plan. They've landed in Holland and there you must stay.
The important thing is that they haven't taken you to a horrible, disgusting, filthy place, full of pestilence, famine and disease. It's just a different place.
So you must go out and buy new guide books. And you must learn a whole new language. And you will meet a whole new group of people you would never have met.
It’s just a different place. It's slower-paced than Italy, less flashy than Italy. But after you've been there for a while and you catch your breath, you look around.... and you begin to notice that Holland has windmills....and Holland has tulips. Holland even has Rembrandts.
But everyone you know is busy coming and going from Italy... and they're all bragging about what a wonderful time they had there. And for the rest of your life, you will say "Yes, that's where I was supposed to go. That's what I had planned."
And the pain of that will never, ever, ever, ever go away... because the loss of that dream is a very very significant loss.
But... if you spend your life mourning the fact that you didn't get to Italy, you may never be free to enjoy the very special, the very lovely things ... about Holland.
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Buster
Don't forget the Dog!
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Labor Day Weekend - Saturday12 years ago
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Hugh reads a bedtime story14 years ago
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Amy and Andy,
ReplyDeleteCONGRATULATIONS! (How did I not know that you were even pregnant?!?!) Anyways, Nora is absolutely adorable! Thanks for the blog link to keep us updated. You're all in my thoughts and prayers!
Sada
She's beautiful baby girl! You have all experienced so much in only three days.
ReplyDeleteYour very erudite essay about her genetic make-up does not diminish the celebration of her being here with all of us. Welcome Nora!
Remember it takes a village. We're here for you and yours as much as you allow.
Much Love, Camilla and Phil (Great Aunt & Uncle)
I had to look up erudite in the dictionary. I agree my description is rather scientific. At this point that is all there is really. I am of course upset that she has the disorder. Now that she is here though, it doesn't really matter. We are just going to take care of her and see what happens!
ReplyDeleteI meant erudite in the most complimentary way, I applaud your handling of subject matter that was brand new. You did a great job!
ReplyDeleteYou have always had resolute determination in everything you've done, this will be a great strength for you!