Happy Birthday!

Hayleigh turned two this summer. Her party was cancelled at the last minute and we flew to Trinidad. A day later she turned two. In light of everything going on celebrating was far from our minds, but we needed to at least let her have fun.

My cousin and I went out at lunch time and we got a few gifts, balloons, party hats and we even found a birthday candle in the shape of a cake! So we wrapped up the gifts and made a tower "cake" and put the candle cake on top. She loved it when we sang happy birthday for her. She smiled the whole time. It was great and she enjoyed opening her gifts.

Hayleigh turned two! Two years of many unknowns, of many ups and downs. Two years that I sometimes thought I wouldn't survive. Two years of caring for a child with special needs but yet no Dr. knew what those needs were. Two years (and counting) of sleepless nights (yes she still wakes at least twice a night). Two years of worry. Two years of wiping away tears, too many tears for a two year old. Two years of working overtime to turn that frown up side down.......to see that beautiful smile shine. Two years of watching our little girl overcome hurdles that most children her age will never face. Two years of being mummy to the best daughter any one could ask for. We love you Hayls and we wouldn't change the past two years for anything! Happy Birthday.

A little support can go a long way

Visiting Trinidad has given me a break from the constant drain of Dr appointments and living and breathing PI/EGID. The children have been given the opportunity to spend time with our families. It has been very different from our daily routine but a welcome change.

The support we have received here has surprised me. People ask questions, but they listen and they have showed empathy. Only once or twice have we had eyebrows raised or someone say something stupid like "just feed them they'll get over it". Most people have no clue the extent of the way our lives are affected but some are willing to learn.

Simple things like Hayleigh sharing her toys with children I don't know makes me cringe. This weekend gone we were at a beach house with some of my family. There were two other families there that we did not know personally. One daughter was playing with Hayleigh's my little pony toys and decided to spray Off (insect repellant) in the hair. Luckily my mom saw it all happen and washed the ponies after their visit to the hair dresser. But the mother was understanding and the kids knew ask to play with the toys after that.

Close family have paid attention and helped me keep the children safe while on our visit. This has been the best gift ever. To know that you could run to the bathroom or eat without freaking out during a family gathering.

However something that made my husband and I feel like we could continue trodding on our journey was getting an unexpected little pat on the back by a couple we had never met. They have two older kids themselves and made it their duty to give us support and encouragement. You do what you have to do for your children but having it noticed by someone you have only just met and receiving support lifts you up and re-energises the spirit.