Brendan turned 8 a few days ago. It is so hard to believe that he is 8. He has come so far over the years. When I think back to when he was a few months old and were realizing something was wrong I could never envision my son as he is today. He was basically blind, he never stopped crying, and he had a very hard time sucking on a bottle. Now he can see my face and recognize me, he is a happy child with so much to say and he can eat a pound of turkey if you let him!
He is very excited to be 8 and be a big boy. Apparently 8 is so much bigger than 7. He loved celebrating his Birthday. He gets the biggest grin on his face when you sing to him. He was able to see his cousin who came for a visit from the Army and I don't think that child could have smiled any larger when he saw him. It was the cutest thing I have ever seen. He received a power wheels jeep for his birthday. He wanted a go cart but we didn't think the neighbors were going to appreciate that so power wheels it was. Well Brendan calls it a go cart and absolutely loves it. He just drives around with this ginormous smile and that is what life is all about..happiness!
I had a dream last night Brendan got himself out of his walker and ran across the gym. I love and hate those dreams. I love them because I get to see my child walk or run but I hate when I wake up and realize that it didn't happen. Often times in these dreams I dream that I wake up and it was real so it is very confusing when I really do wake up. They always feel so real. I am very happy my boy can get around in a walker but I just want to see him stand up straight for once without him having to hold onto anything. I want to back up and just look at my boy and see how tall he is and what he looks like without all that equipment around him. Maybe one day.
For now I am happy for everything that he can do because it is impossible to predict and envision what your disabled child will be able to do and what they will overcome. Brendan has overcome a ton already and he is only 8. I am looking forward to see what the next 8 years will bring!
It was Thanksgiving day back in 2002. I was only 23 years old and my life forever changed on that day. I had a placental abruption and Brendan was born at 33 weeks. He lost oxygen during delivery due to incompetent care but was a fighter and turned 17 this year. My journey in life over the past 17 years took many turns I was not expecting but I try to stay strong and have my husband by my side even when I am not.