I canโt remember the last time I made a New Yearโs resolution. And I never really understood that trend to pick a โwordโ for the next year. Yet here we are. With a word to help guide our lives in 2022. But it means way more than Iโd ever imagined. And I think it has the potential to change our lives.
47 weeks: Some seizure hope
Even though I feel hesitant to write it out in case I jinx it, I can't help but celebrate. Y'all, 4 out of 7 days this week were seizure-free. Hip, hip hooray! That has felt so hopeful. But I feel way more hope this week, especially around seizures.
40-42 weeks: Treasures from trials
To say weโve had a few rough patches over the last weeks may be an understatement. In case you missed recent events I posted about on Eloise's facebook group and the stories of Eloise's instagram page, I'll recap it. And then move on to those treasures I mentioned. The very short version On Saturday, November... Continue Reading →
Surviving one of our nightmares
Another seizure. This time longer. 40 minutes. In those moments, especially when Eloise gets a sudden breather for a half second before the seizures return and freeze her little body over and over, itโs heartbreaking. It feels like pain is all there is, and pain is all there will ever be. But I know tomorrow... Continue Reading →
39 Weeks: Maybe solids were magic
I've been kinda freaking out. In the best way possible. I was fully preparing myself for a lifetime of Eloise struggling with food intolerances. Not only that, I was mentally making peace with the fact that not only would I also have to stay on a limited diet for quite some time as I continued... Continue Reading →
38 Weeks: Mushed Banana Giggles
Brian here. I don't often write blogs, partially because I'm so impressed with Mallory's ability to communicate through them, and partially because I never really feel like what I have to say would be meaningful or useful to anyone. But I thought hey, I could give Mallory a bit of break so she could spend... Continue Reading →
37 Weeks: Still holding on
At times, it feels like the โproblemsโ never stop. We solve one problem, then another pops up thatโs just as big. Or bigger. I guess thatโs life with Eloise. No rest. Sigh.
I want to choose her
At least once each day, as Brian holds Eloise, he pauses and turns his full attention to me. Then, with his voice breaking from the emotion of it, he says, "I know our baby girl has so many problems, but I wouldn't give this up. I would still choose this life with her even knowing... Continue Reading →
Week 6: It’s like we have 2 Eloises
Saturday, March 6 2021 This was originally posted in Eloise's facebook group a month after she was born, and before we knew her diagnosis. I've been up since 3am with only 1 coffee. But it's going to be okay. We're going to be okay. Just when I thought I had it all figured out. Tuesday... Continue Reading →
Week 2: Hospital to home
It's Friday, February 5th. And it looks like no one will be coming home today.
Eloise’s first photoshoot
We brought our camera with us to the hospital. I had dreamed of weary photos of me holding Eloise, exhausted from labor, of Brian bending down next to me laying in the hospital bed, the nurse taking our first out-of-focus photos as a family. But that's not what happened.