Sunday, July 25, 2010

Latest on the little man...














































Cam’s Uncle Gav, and Grandpa, hooked up a car DVD screen to Granny and Grandpa’s TV so that Cam could watch his own little TV, close up. This was a win-win situation because everybody could watch the cartoon. His cousins are very tolerant, but it can be annoying for them that Cam wants to stand super close and right in front of the TV...! We are looking into loads of techno options to assist Cam in this kind of thing. It’s overwhelming – there is so much out there. Pray for us that we would choose wisely to suit Cam’s age and needs.

I met with a wonderful Mom this week whose son is also visually impaired and in Grade 1 at a mainstream school. I learned a lot from her, was greatly encouraged, and was left with much to think about. What a blessing to interact with people who have walked a similar road, and who are a little further along the way than we are.

Victory: Potty training is going fantastically well! Sleep training is going pretty well, too. Our nights are definitely improving, and we are encouraged that we are gaining ground! :)

Setback: Cam has tonsillitis and another middle ear infection... It looks like a tonsillectomy and more grommets are imminent... But we are completely fine with that, if his health will be the better for it. We are constantly amazed at the level of his cheerfulness and chattering, despite temperatures of over 40 degrees! Wow; he is my brave shining star :)

I wish I could record every hilariously cute thing that Cam says, and am praying that my memory doesn’t fail and that I’ll be able to enjoy the recollections of him at this age when he’s all grown up. For some reason, for the past two days he has been telling us all things that he likes, like Mom, Dad, Granny, Grandpa, Nanna, all his aunties, going to school, going to church, yoghurt, pasta, juice, praying, his toys, Lola, smiling, tissues...? He’s also into little expressions of endearment, like, ‘So nice to see you, Daddy-Dads. Missed you today!’ and ‘Granny’s so precious!’ He entertains himself with role-playing, pretending to open the boot of the car to take out the shopping, or paging through any random book and reciting the story of Mr Noisy in a sing-song voice... Man, we just enjoy him so much.

Had my 4D scan this week and got incredible footage of Cammy’s baby brother – so exciting!

‘Give thanks to the Lord and proclaim his greatness. Let the whole world know what he has done. Sing to him; yes, sing his praises. Tell everyone about his wonderful deeds. Exult in his holy name; rejoice, you who worship the Lord. Search for the Lord and for his strength; continually seek him. Remember the wonders he has performed, his miracles, and the rulings he has given...’ – Psalm 105:1-5

Sunday, July 11, 2010

This past week


We’ve had a bit of a sad week, but it hasn’t been without its laughs and victories.

Last Sunday we spent time with various friends, at church and elsewhere, who have kids the same age as Cam. It’s often then that we notice things that Cam isn’t doing – things that other kids are doing. Like looking across a room for confirmation from mom that it’s ok to do something, or getting the route to the slide and up the ladder right first time, without needing to be shown. Some kids at a coffee shop playground teased him about his eyes, and one was even throwing rocks around (which Cam didn’t see coming).

On Monday I quickly went to my office and left Cam playing with Maria. When I came back in through the kitchen door he was there, but he didn’t recognise me until I spoke, which was sad. That same day, he tried to shove cheese up his nose, which was hilarious (though of course I sternly explained that this was not standard gentlemanly behaviour).

On Tuesday we went to the zoo with Granny and all Cam’s cousins and aunties. What he could see, he absolutely loved! Like the stripy zebras and tiger (contrast), and the seriously close-up horse, and the seal that kept swimming right up to the window. The rest was pretty heartbreaking for me, because he couldn’t see much else at all, and kept saying things like, ‘Can’t see; want to look closer,’ and ‘If only could touch the elly...’ He also ran excitedly right off a step he didn’t see. He got a big fright, but he did do a rather excellent barrel roll and wasn’t hurt at all. We’ve noticed that he actually doesn’t use his eyes at all when he runs – he looks up and doesn’t try to see the way ahead. It’s miraculous that he doesn’t trip or bump into stuff more than he does. Still, it was totally worth going to the zoo, because he had fun despite the quiet dawning of realisation that his cousins were seeing things that he wasn’t. The absolute highlight of the day was a red sucker from Aunty Coral (he is still talking about it).

Other breaking news is that Cam’s grommets have fallen out and he has had another middle ear infection this week. But praise God for his paediatrician, and banana-flavoured Augmentin. We’ll be paying another visit to his ENT in the next couple of weeks to see about another set of grommets. I also had a good chat to the paediatrician about our struggle with Cam’s sleep, and he was super encouraging and understanding. He gave us really sound advice and a way forward that makes sense, so we are feeling much more hopeful and at peace. Already we are getting in a couple of extra hours each night, so here’s hoping that by the time his baby brother arrives Cam will be snoozing all night...

‘The Lord your God is going ahead of you. He will fight for you...’ – Deuteronomy 1:30

Photos: our time at Sabi River Sun; Cam playing the piano for Dunx and Linda; Cam and Lola helping me do some filing...; the zoo.

Thursday, July 1, 2010

Bushveld sounds and jelly tots

We spent a lovely time at Sabi River Sun with Cam’s Nanna, Grandpa-Linds, Uncle Dunx and Aunty Snoox. There's nothing like a sunrise through the fever trees of the lowveld to remind one that His mercies are new every morning. Cam thoroughly enjoyed the cacophony of hippo calls and bird shrieks, and got close enough to some Egyptian geese to see them – and chase them! He just loved the wide open spaces, bashing a tennis ball and kicking a soccer ball (sort of...), singing on the stoep, going for walks, running across the bridges, and generally being doted on by all.

His potty training is going well – give it up for motivational jelly tots! :) We continue to pray for wisdom and discernment with regard to his untimely nightly awakenings. We spent a long time in prayer with him last night, on the lounge carpet in front of a roaring fire. We asked him first if there was anything he wanted to pray about. He said, ‘Dear Lord Jesus; for nothing to be scared of in my blue bed. Amen.’ I’m still trying to scrape my heart off the carpet...

Today was his first day of school with his new teacher, Aunty Rene. He gave her a big smile and a huge hello hug! :)

Struggling to upload photos today - will post some soon!