Paying it forward

It's been 2.5 years since the twins were born. What a ride it's been. We've gotten through the hard part, however I'm not sure which is more difficult, finding out your child has a rare growth disorder or potty training! All jokes aside, both Daniela and Sebastian are doing amazingly well considering the start they had. They are still tiny, but thriving, so for all the doctors that use phrases like "failure to thrive", you should really consider changing your terminology for future parents! Dr Kline called me yesterday and mentioned that he had a new patient that was 3 months old with RSS. He asked me if I would be comfortable calling her mother who was dealing with the emotions of discovering the diagnosis and dealing with all the feeding issues. Finally I was able to use my crazy experience to be there for someone else, something I wish I had during that first year. I spoke with the woman today. I heard her voice quiver as she was obviously holding back the tears and it brought me back to the time when I called Dr Kline daily, begging for a feeding tube. I remember sitting in Giggles and Hugs covered in vomit after feeding Sebastian in public with the hopes that all would be ok. I remember making my nanny write down every ounce he consumed as well as every ounce he disregarded post meals. We went to more drs and appointments than I could count and we were just trying to figure out what the cause of all of our issues was. I remember crying and feeling nauseous myself from the stress of feeling that my child wasn't getting basic nutrition. I never had to think of the importance of food. And feeding issues are definitely the most stressful issues you can have with a child. Not knowing was the hardest. I didn't know how he'd be developmentally. Would he crawl? Would he walk? Would he talk? Little did I know he'd be so vocal he's like a little parrot and sometimes we wish he'd tone it down a bit! Little did I know he'd be climbing, jumping, and running (well, it's a bit of a waddle, but I'll call it running!). And whoever said that all kids with RSS would have learning disabilities are wrong. He's a genius. Maybe there were some kids that just weren't as bright and their parents blamed it on RSS. Just kidding... but seriously, Sebastian is pretty cognitively advanced... bi-lingual and counting to 20 in both Spanish and English. So, this mom reminds me of how lucky we are. What we went through was scary, stressful and heart wrenching. But I wouldn't change it for the world. Because now I look at my children, both of them and I am beyond grateful. Grateful for every meal they eat, totally fine when they skip a meal, and I have patience that my mother never had... everything comes in good time. Now I sit here 29 weeks pregnant with a baby girl. I'm 1 week less pregnant than when D&S were born. I know what this baby looks like. She is a real person now... just needs a bit of time to grow. I can't wait to see D & S as older siblings. I can't wait for them to look after her and protect her. And I can't wait to introduce this new baby to our amazing little unit we have. As for the c-section, I'd love to pass on that, but she has to come into the world somehow so I'll just focus on getting it over with. That was the worst experience I've had! Ugh, I don't want to go through that again. But it's worth it. So, here's to my two defiant little toddlers... doing everything they are supposed to be doing. Saying no anytime I ask them to do anything, crying when they don't get their way, wanting to do everything on their own even if it means taking 30 min longer than usual. And I'll take it! I love it. They are also cuddlers, little loves and the sweetest people in the world. Here is to silver linings, overcoming obstacles and always using your experiences in a positive way. And to any mom's out there dealing with difficult situations, you are not alone.