Archive | February, 2013

On The Board

26 Feb

For a few months I’ve been debating on how to title this post.  I love the clever use of words, and my initial thought was “3+1=4”.  Then I realized that if I use this title my phone and Facebook account would be inundated with messages of congratulations/are you pregnant?  I’ll nip that theory in the bud right now to say that I am not with child.

Not exactly that is.

Before our little Ladybug was born we were in a very unsure place about fulfilling our dreams of becoming parents.  After back to back  miscarriages I questioned whether I’d be able to carry to term.  We began to explore adoption both within Canada and around the world.  Lo and behold, shortly after I became pregnant – and against all odds gave birth to a very special little Ladybug.

The thought of having multiple children never really left and as Ladybug gets older, I’ve begun to see how much she enjoys being around children.

While looking into adoption once again we dove into a world I never thought to explore – but one that would be the perfect fit for our family.

Fostering.

There are so many children who need temporary loving, stable homes – I knew it was the path for us. I will be honest it has been a long….very long path to bring us here.  Nearly a year of training courses, interviews, meetings, and diving into our pasts with a fine tooth comb. Yesterday, February 25, 2013 I received the call that we are officially “On The Board”.  I’ve been yearning to hear those words for months, and couldn’t help but blast some music and dance around the house with Ladybug in celebration.

On the board means exactly that. Our names have been placed on a big board stating that we are available to take a child immediately. I’ve been preparing/child proofing our home for several months now, guest rooms have been moved around and a room fit for a princess or prince was created. I’m incredibly excited to watch Ladybug interact with her new sibling(s), and think it will be a fantastic experience for her and the children to learn about tolerance, acceptance, and love.

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I also want to send a huge thank you to our family and friends who took the time to write references, watch Ladybug, and share in our journey thus far.  We are who we are because of all of you.  I especially want to thank a dear friend Nicole. Nic, I’ve known you since we were “Rockin’ Robins” and am so grateful for the guidance you’ve given and the willingness to receive numerous text messages and emails before and during the process of becoming a foster parent.  Thank you.  xoxo

Feeding Tube Awareness Video

10 Feb

To kick off the 2013 Feeding Tube Awareness Week, I would love to share this official video created by The Feeding Tube Awareness Foundation.

My favorite quote is about formula getting on the ceiling and being able to laugh about it. It’s nice to know we’re not alone in this.

Can you spot Ladybug in the video?

Official 2013 Feeding Tube Awareness Video

Feeding Tube Awareness Week

9 Feb

This coming week which is February 10-16th, 2013 is

FEEDING TUBE AWARENESS WEEK!

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Feeding Tube Awareness Week was first launched in February 2011 By the Feeding Tube Awareness Foundation.

Each year the week focuses on a few topic areas designed to give parents, caregivers and tube feeders the opportunity to share their experiences with tube feeding with friends and family through social networking sites, blogs, viral and traditional media. Increasingly, parents and siblings have been using Awareness Week to give presentations in their children’s classrooms.

Long before the CDG diagnosis came to light, Ladybug was diagnosed with failure to thrive. Failure to thrive (FTT) is a term given to infants and children who do not meet the growth rate that his or her peers meet. Yes, it is a bit of a generic description but one that we dealt with for quite a while. Basically Ladybug was showing signs of severe reflux or GERD(Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease), and was refusing to eat anything. It was at 1.5 months that Ladybugs first feeding tube was put in.  The lovely NG Tube (Naso Gastric) This tube runs directly from the nose to the stomach.

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What started as a quick fix to help her gain some weight became an everyday part of our lives.  The NG tube truly was a lifesaver for Ladybug, and for the first few months she didn’t bother with it.  That is until she learned it only took a split second to pull it out. It didn’t matter how we taped it, what type of tape we used, or even how much tape we used, those teeny tiny fingers always managed to pull that tube out. After numerous trips to the ER to have the tube put back in, we began to discuss with the doctors about a G-Tube.  The G-Tube (Gastric Tube) is surgically placed into the stomach. Seeing as Ladybug still wasn’t eating orally and was beginning to throw up often it was the obvious next step.

The G-Tube was inserted in October 2010. Ironically this occurred the same month she had a GI bleed, bowel resection, port insertion and the CDG diagnosis.  October 2010 was a very emotional month to say the least.

Even though Ladybug is slowly starting to try food orally, sippy cup with water, Breton Crackers, squash and chocolate, the G-Tube is her sole source of nutrition. Thanks to the G-Tube and an amazing dietician, she is also steadily gaining weight according to her very own growth curve. The other great thing about Ladybug being a “Tubie” is that her best friend has one as well.  “Bean” the other Diva of 3C at Mac Kids is always excited to see Ladybug and compare their identical feeding tube clamps.

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Another tubie mom couldn’t have said it better when she posted that she would rather questions about our kiddies tubes than stares.  I truly LOVE when little kids look at Ladybugs feeding tube attached to a little backpack inquisitively.  I can only imagine what their honest minds are thinking.  I always give them a smile if only to let them know it’s ok to be curious.  The teacher in me can’t wait for a chance to explain what it is not only to the kids but also the parents.  If I can pass on anything it’s for adults to remember the inquisitive little child within. Don’t ever be afraid to ask questions – the majority of people are more than happy to answer them.