Saturday, December 5, 2009

Holland

I love this time of year. I love family get togethers and hanging out around the house when its cold outside. Wearing pj's and slippers all day makes me happy. I don't love getting sick. I managed to make it through the hospital stays and frequent Dr. office visits without catching anything. Until now!

I have a nasty cold. My poor nose is red and I can't stop coughing. Ugh. Thankfully nobody in my house has it. I pray it stays that way.

This time of year I become a germ-a-phobe anyway. I took a page out of Holly's book and placed a sign on my door reminding everyone to wash their hands as soon as they enter. Kendall is in lock down. We're refraining from taking her out into the cold or around any public places. She really can't get sick. Really.

I managed to get a bit of Christmas shopping completed this morning. Even though I felt like crap, I was in pretty good spirits. Until it hit me again like a ton of bricks...we're still adjusting to life in Holland! Kids Kendall's age in the store now are not in strollers or infant carriers anymore. They are running up and down the isles. They are reaching for candy in the checkout lines. They sing Christmas carols. At the gym this morning, Kamden was playing with a little girl Kendall's age, and then asked me why Kendall couldn't go to the Kids club with him. (I thought he understood...but apparently not completely) So, its just been a little depressing. I'm going to blame that on my cold. I'm going to publish these precious pictures of my little girl, count my blessings, take a shower, and have a new attitude in about 30 minutes I'm sure. But for now, I don't like Holland. And am really jealous of those in Italy. Ugh.


10 comments:

Jennifer Ortiz said...

I am jealous too, I look at the toys and refrain from buying many of them because Jude cannot play with them anyway. So aggravating sometimes.

Jessica said...

I hate that you are in Holland too but those pictures ARE precious!! As are you, Jussy, Kamden and Kendall!! Love you guys!

Anonymous said...

I just stumbled upon your blog. I agree that Holland sucks sometimes. Especially during the holidays. What do you buy for an almost two year old child that cannot really play with toys. Has CVI and delays in every way possible. Clothes I guess. I'm loving the orange chair in this pic. Who makes it. It looks like Kendall may have better head and trunk control than Cody but I've been trying to find something that we can take with us places...Your daughter is beautiful. Thanks for sharing he story.

Laura G
mom to Cody 22 mth w/ Tuberous Sclerosis Complex and Ethan 3.5 w/o
https://www.carepages.com/carepages/codygarrett/updates

jocalyn said...

Laura,
It is a Child Rite chair...made by the same people that make the Bumbo. It is ridiculously expensive. You can probably google it.
In all honesty, Kendall doesn't have the best trunk control. She can't sit in the orange chair for long without hunching over. We do have a tray that helps a lot.
I highly recommend, if you don't have one already the special tomato chairs. We use ours in her high chair, baby jogger, and take it pretty much everywhere. You can strap it to a regular chair too, and it also comes with a base.
Take care!

Cassie said...

As a fellow citizen of Holland, I appreciate this post. Sometimes Holland isn't much fun but it sure has some beautiful landmarks (our kiddos).

Heather said...

Hope the shower helped.Sometimes it's the one place that I get it all out.A place where we are totally vulnerable and open and can let loose.

Kendall sure looks darling ... your "Holland" is certainly beautiful though.But you know that.I get it,I really do.Have a good weekend.

MMMom said...

{{{hugs}}} Hi, neighbor!

Tara Bennett said...

I'm sorry, girl. I totally know those moments that sneak up on you and make you feel sad. I had one the other day shopping. I saw a little dolly set next to a play kitchen set. My heart just broke. I wanted to buy those things for Chloe more than anything in the world! But I wiped my tears away and wandered back to the infant toy section.... again.

I still feel sad now and then that I missed my flight to Italy, but here we are. I'm just glad we have each other! {{HUGS}}

Jennybell said...

At church there is a little boy 3 months younger than my daughter and he's all over the place running by himself in and out of this and that Eating what ever he wants from potluck. I am thankful Naomi can walk and all of that, but I have to hold her hand because if she seizures she'll fall and bust her head and while we eat she is sitting in the high chair just as long as she can take it so we can have a free moment to eat. She's nonverbal and that is hard!
I was talking to my cousin's wife today and her 21 year old sister has a 5 month old who was just diagnosed with infantile spasms and started ATCH this week. I pray for that girl to find peace. She's not even gotten on the plane, let alone come to the realization it's not going where she thinks! :)

Candace said...

Jocalyn, Poor momma! I have felt that pain before. Time will come when many of these things are just memories and new wonderful, unexpected, surprising memories will fill in. My heart goes out to you but you are strong and Kendall is too!