An update of sorts

[bananapancakes]

Hi all, I haven't posted here in a very long time but today is my son's 10th birthday and I felt compelled to come back here to read my posts from the day he was born so I thought I'd say hi.

To jog your memory, my son was born with a whole host of issues and experienced brain damage at birth. Then, once he stabilized, my husband had to leave us for 8 months for work training and an assignment. My kiddo also hated to sleep! I posted here a lot in my son's first year!

I just spent like an hour reading my posts from his first year and I definitely teared up. His birth, subsequent NICU stay, and first year of life were so very difficult. Sometimes I wonder how we made it through but we did and a lot of that had to do with the support from people here.

We are doing just great! My husband is still working for the RCMP. Even though those 8 months were so difficult for us. It was the right move for our family. We are still very happily married! We went on to have a second kid. Our daughter is 6.5 and is a spicy little firecracker who cracks me up (and makes me pull my hair out!) on the regular. My son is 10 today and is doing so, so well. It's hard to believe that he is the same kid that we were told might ever walk or talk and would likely be developmentally delayed. He's pretty much a straight A student at a bilingual school. He plays academy/club level soccer and is on his school basketball team. He's witty, compassionate, kind, athletic, and so, so smart! He still doesn't love to sleep and still wakes up early but he doesn't wake me up anymore! I slept in until 8:30 this morning! Much better than starting my day at 4:30am like I often did from about 2014-2017.

We're definitely in the sweet spot of parenting right now and I'm just feeling so grateful and proud of my sweet little family.

[VillainV]

My kiddo turned 10 two weeks ago…so we spent a lot of the same sleepless nights posting on here ten years ago! I’m so glad that your kiddo is thriving now. It’s amazing how fast that ten years seemed to go, and at the same time it feels like a million years ago.

[momin2013]

Hello, nice to ‘see’ you and glad to hear you and your LO’s are doing well! I’m in Ontario too (I think that’s where you are, IIRC) and my DS just turned 11. I agree - this is a lovely sweet spot age-wise right now, and I’m enjoying every minute of it!

[bananapancakes]

Apr 14, 2024 16:25:49 GMT -5 VillainV said:

My kiddo turned 10 two weeks ago…so we spent a lot of the same sleepless nights posting on here ten years ago! I’m so glad that your kiddo is thriving now. It’s amazing how fast that ten years seemed to go, and at the same time it feels like a million years ago.

Seriously! Now I know why they say, "The days are long but the years are short." It feels like it was just yesterday and a lifetime ago that my son was born.

[bananapancakes]

Apr 14, 2024 16:53:09 GMT -5 momin2013 said:

Hello, nice to ‘see’ you and glad to hear you and your LO’s are doing well! I’m in Ontario too (I think that’s where you are, IIRC) and my DS just turned 11. I agree - this is a lovely sweet spot age-wise right now, and I’m enjoying every minute of it!

Such a great age! I can't remember the last time I wiped a butt that wasn't mine. They leave me alone in the mornings. They are mostly self-sufficient. But they still love me, think I'm awesome, and want to be near me. No teenage angst yet though I know it's coming!

And yes, we're still in Ontario. We've moved 3 times in the last 10 years and are likely moving again this summer but we've been lucky that we've been able to stay in Ontario.

[heygrey]

Yes, nice to see you again! My son turned 10 in late Feb, so I was awake all those nights and remember reading your posts. I'm so glad your son is doing so well!

I agree that this age is a sweet spot. I love having a kid who is able to manage himself with little support, but also wants to hang out and do things with mom and dad.

[JayhawkGirl]

Another mother of a 10 year year-old remembering those days together! So good to hear from you, thrilled he’s doing so well.

[loira]

Omg hi!!! I remember you because there are so few Canadians on this board so I've always kept tabs (in a non creepy way). I'm so glad you're doing so well!

My DD is 8 now and we moved back from London to Canada just before she was born. We're in BC.

[ellipses84]

Happy Birthday to your son! I remember your screen name and it’s great to hear a wonderful update. My DS1 is turning 13 this year and seeing our old BMB friends post comparison pics of their newborn/ teen brought back memories for me, especially seeing the NICU babies thriving!

[minniemouse]

Hii! 10 years,wow. Happy birthday to L! Glad he is doing well
Time is flying. My youngest will be 11 in August.

[winemaker06]

I love that you came back to give a quick update! I also had a son the same age, so yep, definitely remember your screenname from middle of the night posting all those years ago.
I'm so glad your story has gone on to be so positive. Glad you're stopping to enjoy the moments now, and thanks for the reminder (as my firecracker of similar age yells at my from her room!)

[aprilsails]

Thanks for the update! We met once during your husband's posting to Ottawa. I'm glad you're doing well and that the kiddos are doing great. A lot has certainly changed since that time. Glad to hear it's been for the better.

If you ever are in my area let me know. I would love to meet up again!

[Blue Moon]

I also remember you and am so happy to hear that you are all doing so well! My daughter will be turning 10 soon and I remember how much I leaned on this board during those tortuous MOTN moments all those years ago.

[sent]

My DD turned 10 back in December. I also slept in until 8:15 am this morning. I sure don't miss those MOTN days and am so happy to hear your son is doing amazing!

[kdubs923]

Hey friend! Nice to see you here!! How are our boys 10?! sobbbb

Happy belated Birthday to L! <3

[browneyedgirl9]

Another mom of a 10 year old who was here during those years! Glad that everything is going great. Welcome back!