Here are a couple pics from the week. Ira is doing wonderfully. Joe and I have been rather pensive, trying to take it all in. Our boy seems to have a new leash on life. He is loud and boisterous. He is playful and so so happy. If you haven’t heard him laugh, check out Joe’s blog. He giggles all the time – like he is trying to make up time.
The next several months are going to be very interesting for Joe and me as parents. Ira has a lot to learn socially. He has spent so much time indoors around a very limited number of people. He has no idea how to give others their personal space. At the hospital Ira was in the playroom on the floor playing with another child who was 1 year. Ira was all over this poor girl. He interacted with her as he does our dog Jersey. He would have laid on top of her if I hadn’t intervened. Now that he has a voice, he uses it. Loudly. He has no clue about an “inside” voice. It’s interesting how much volume effects other people and their comfortability around children. Whereas before people might look at Ira with pity, now their stares seem more about annoyance. Where before they might have looked at Joe and me with compassion, now they are wondering why we can’t control our child. So interesting…
I’m looking forward to guiding and directing him in new social experiences.
16 responses so far ↓
Jenni // April 3, 2008 at 5:40 pm |
that is so exciting! as you and Joe made adjustments in dealing with all Ira’s needs up to now, I know that you will manage this also.
Sue // April 3, 2008 at 7:59 pm |
Now more than ever we will have to pray for you to have strength taking on this new adjustment. I’m very excited for him, and for your whole family.
xoxoxo
Barbara Murphy // April 3, 2008 at 8:36 pm |
I have to giggle at the difference in “looks” and attitudes towards your now noisy child.
Peolple can be so strange! I also thought to myself, welcome to almost “normal”. So many parents face these types of challenges, as you probaly all ready know. I can’t wait to hear more about what you guys will be going through. It will be like a dry run for Johnny and I…. 
Take care,
Barb
Denise Perkins // April 3, 2008 at 9:11 pm |
Wow! That is very interesting. It reminds me, even though I have young kids, to not judge the parents based on the kid’s behavior! We never know the situation.
I love the pic of Ira sitting on the bed with Sophia. What a great expression!
Carrie // April 3, 2008 at 9:55 pm |
WOWWWWW!!! The most beautiful pictures I ever saw.
Kaley Ihfe // April 3, 2008 at 10:02 pm |
I’m so glad he is doing so well! I can’t believe how much life has changed in a few days for you guys. I am so happy for little Ira!
kate // April 3, 2008 at 11:58 pm |
LOVE Ira’s thoughtful expression in the photo! This post reminded me of something I witnessed last Fall. I was out with the girls at a local farmer’s market and there were twin boys in a double stroller. They looked to be almost 4 years old in terms of their size, but I knew something was up just because they were in a stroller. Well, the woman in front of me was ordering and mid-order one of the boys started to yell and then the other brother chimed in. The woman ordering stopped, turned around, and made some comment to the boys – shushing them basically. The mother of the boys immediately responded with, “They can get louder if you want.” I smirked at the mother, only to hear the woman in front of me go on at her about discipline going a long way, etc. Before I could even throw the woman a dirty look, the mother of the twins laid it out – very frankly. The boys may look like they’re four but they’re 18 months and they weren’t able to speak at all until recently. After a few very awkward minutes of ordering, the mouthy woman approached the mother and apologized. Though very upsetting to witness, I’m sure scenes like that play out all the time.
I know that you and Joe are going to do an amazing job guiding and directing Ira in new social experiences – just don’t forget to cut him and yourselves some slack along the way – regardless of what passersby may think.
hilary // April 4, 2008 at 5:21 am |
wow. nothing is ever as simple as it seems i suppose. your observation are so astute and a reminder that there are layers to this challenge beyond the external/physical ones most of us note. envisioning the future i can see that while ira may face some challenges socially, he will also have such heart, tenacity, courage, strength and perspective that he will be the child every other parent loves that their child is able to consider a friend.
p.s. he is looking more and more like sophia!
Vasca // April 4, 2008 at 1:59 pm |
Ira and Sophia’s pic is soooo great. I can only imagine how very thrilled you are to have a “noisy guy” around and the trach gone??? How good that is…more than good. You’ve put a permanent grin on my face…way to go!!!
Summer // April 4, 2008 at 2:50 pm |
Laura, I’m so glad you started your own blog! What wonderful news about Ira – he seems to be doing so well….we’ll definitely continue to keep all of you in our prayers. Sounds like there are a lot of transitions and new experiences to come for all of you. My due date is on Ira’s birthday (April 21st right?) so maybe our boys will share that special day. Right now we’re just waiting….
Melissa // April 4, 2008 at 9:55 pm |
Praise God! Ever since praying with you at Homecoming I’ve occasionally checked Joe’s blog. Today I saw that you started your own – yeah! I’m so glad to learn how far Ira has come – maybe he can come to Homecoming one of these years. Both of your kids are precious. I look forward to reading more on you blog.
g // April 4, 2008 at 11:53 pm |
Thank you, Thank you for sharing your photos , and this wonderful progress with us , WOW for Ira , Time for him to Bloom and just BE!
)
He will learn all he needs and as far as personal space and volume, as I remember not many guys are good on either so dont worry (LAUGH
God Bless and ENJOY ,MOMMY!
Gwendolyn // April 5, 2008 at 10:26 pm |
Laura! I love that you have your own blog now, you write beautifully. I’m so so so happy for Ira and for your whole family. Reading about him getting his trach taken out brought tears to my eyes…I’m so happy for you guys!
Kaki // April 6, 2008 at 3:48 am |
Laura,
Praise God for little Ira! and Praise God for Ira’s health! I am so happy for all of you. Now, a new adventure awaits!!
Love,
Kaki
Judy // April 6, 2008 at 11:58 am |
Laura,
First I am so proud of you with you adventure to do your own blog. Most of all I am so proud of two parents that have taken on a job that alot of parents may not have been able to do. Not that they did not love their child but that they did not have what it takes. God always gives us blessing in ways that we do not expect but as people say it makes us stronger or maybe more understanding in ways that we learn as we grow.
I pray that now your life will be more full of joy then fear and every day and adventure with your children as life should be.
Sending my love and prayers to you all and wishing you a very happy year.
Judy
Becky // April 6, 2008 at 9:22 pm |
Laura I am SOOOOO glad you started this blog! We think about and pray for you often over here, and we are so excited to see what’s going on through “the mother’s” eyes! LOVE the pics you posted…. Ira looks amazing and can’t wait to see more. Lots of love from St. Louie!!!!