The year that was… – (Louise)

2012 was filled with many great memories for my family including the birth of our baby boy – the final addition to our family after many years of IVF…however 2012 was also one of the toughest years we’ve ever faced! The hardest part was seeing both my ‘babies’ in hospital – firstly Miss M who had a terrible spider bite on her little toe , she was very unwell & as a result required two surgeries to save her toe. 5months later my 6week old baby boy turned blue and struggled to breathe in the car after aspirating on his own vomit. I will NEVER forget the feeling of utter dread watching the ambulance & medical teams working to save his life.

The year certainly passed fast with a newborn who required so much attention – the early months just seem like a blur all fuzzy & hazy from lack of sleep! My poor baby M suffered terribly with silent reflux and was a very unhappy boy for the first 6months of his life…after many specialist consultations he was finally placed on medication (Losec) to help decrease the acid levels in his tummy, we were told he would simply have to ‘grow out of it’. It was a long road with many a sleepless night and I remember feeling so guilty for how it was effecting my 4yo daughter. I was always so tired and she needed and deserved so much of my energy…thank goodness she had started at Kindy – that gave her and I a much needed break.

After getting baby M’s reflux under some kind of control we noticed his head was looking rather flat at the back…more specialists including countless hours at the Physio & Osteo…no improvement…last resort was to have him fitted with a special helmet to correct his head shape. Just another bump in the road. Turns out I was more effected by it than him! Baby M took it all in his stride – 23hours a day for three months. We all couldn’t believe how fast he adjusted to life in a helmet…and now we are all so used to it we even forget he’s wearing it! I of course have had a little fun with it and have a whole disc full of photos saved for his 21st. My daughter and I even made a cute T-Shirt for him…and she loves decorating it with stickers too.  Baby M will be free from his helmet in early January – we’re very pleased with the results so far and are glad we did it…we think he will be too.

2012 was a gut wrenching year for me but I feel like I’ve come out of it a stronger person and a better mother! I vividly remember how close I came to loosing my son and this makes me cherish him and his sister all the more (even the 3am feeds and 4yo tantrums). There’s also nothing like a visit to the Children’s ward at hospital to make you realise how lucky you are – even our two trips were nothing compared to what some families are facing. I’m also so grateful for all my family and friends who helped out wherever & whenever possible – My Mum & Dad who took great care of my daughter when we were in hospital with baby M, so many great friends visited, cooked us food, gave a good ear and shoulder to cry on and Jenni who was there through it all…and even threw Mason a mini ‘helmet’ party (she even baked some mini turtle cookies) lol!

We often place so much pressure on ourselves as Mums to be ‘perfect’ and always seem to harbour some kind of guilt over how we raise our children, or spend too much time comparing ourselves with other parents, we should instead spend that energy trying to cherish and encourage positive times & try to make the best with what we have! I know it’s hard because life gets in the way but its important to remind ourselves how lucky we are and remember to ‘just breathe’.

I’m going to start 2013 with a clean slate…I have set myself personal goals as New Years resolutions (typical weight loss etc) but I have also set myself goals as a mother…first on the list –  BE A FUN MUM who can relax and enjoy her children before they’re all grown up. We can’t re-do anything so lets not focus on the past but start each day afresh with a goal to do something special each day with our children…this doesn’t have to be a big thing – maybe read a book, play a game, draw together or just have a giant big cuddle!

I’m so happy to have started this blog with my best friend Jenni – We have so many great ideas that we can’t wait to share with you all…and we also would love to hear all your ideas too!

What goals have you set for 2013?