I’m a word person, more than a picture person, so while some people paint or scrapbook or photograph, I’ve used this blog as a way to record the first 2 years and nearly 5 months of Cameron’s life. It’s cool for me to think that Cam will have this record to delve into one day when he’s ready. And it will be good for Murray and me, in time, to remember things that for now are easier to forget. I might also draw on some of what I’ve written here when I finally get around to writing a book about this past season of our lives :). Keeping a blog has been cathartic for me, and a real source of healing. I know God has also used it here and there to encourage others, and I’m really grateful for that.
But seasons changes, and with spring and jasmine in the air, what better time for the August winds to be ushering in a brand new season. Our second little man arrives in just 3 weeks or so, Deo Volonte. I can’t possibly blog about one son and not the other, and the thought of keeping up two blogs, amidst copious newborn nappies, is just too daunting! So, I’ve created a new blog:
http://reyburnboys.blogspot.com/
which you can visit, should you wish, to read about both our little boys. I want this blog to be a celebration of the depth, beauty and richness of life, reflecting the hope we have as believers, the freedom we have to seize life in all its fullness. As we walk through the seasons, recognising that ‘there are pockets of beauty in every season, even the wintery ones’ (Pam Ferreira), I want to be asking, ‘Where did I see God’s glory today?’ I want this blog to reflect that ‘He is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him’ (John Piper). I want it to reflect the beautiful, paradoxical reality that we are getting younger on the inside, day by day – for ‘that is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day.’ (2 Cor. 4:16)
If you read Cameron’s blog because you are given to praying for him and his visual progress, please keep checking the new blog. I will definitely continue to chronicle his journey! There should be photos soon of him wearing his new little glasses. Murray has designed specs for him to wear, to correct his astigmatism (but mostly to get him used to the idea of wearing glasses).
Lastly, thank you for reading my thoughts over the past two and a bit years. Often it has felt as if I’ve sent my bleeding heart out into the ethers of cyberspace to be judged, or worse, to be ignored. It’s then that I’ve received much needed encouragement, from close friends and family who read this blog, or from praying, distant friends as far flung as North America, the Middle East, the UK, Australia and New Zealand. From me, Murray and Cameron: THANK YOU and may our God bless you abundantly for carrying us.
dalene.reyburn@gmail.com
Monday, August 30, 2010
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Two cute statements...
Cam today:
‘I not crying ‘cause I choosing the right attitude.’ (Shame, sounds like his Mom is quite intense...?! :)
‘No, Lola, stop it! You being ridiculous! Just relax Lola!’ (He was trying to wrap her in one of his baby brother's blankets and she was having none of it.)
Twenty-seven days ‘til baby brother makes his debut! :)
‘You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.’ – Psalm 139:16
‘I not crying ‘cause I choosing the right attitude.’ (Shame, sounds like his Mom is quite intense...?! :)
‘No, Lola, stop it! You being ridiculous! Just relax Lola!’ (He was trying to wrap her in one of his baby brother's blankets and she was having none of it.)
Twenty-seven days ‘til baby brother makes his debut! :)
‘You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.’ – Psalm 139:16
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Monday, August 9, 2010
Of painting and spotted, stripy cats...
Cam has had a happy couple of weeks!
Last weekend, he helped us repaint the cot for his baby brother (and he also painted Lola, the bricks, the roses bushes, etc...).
This weekend, Aunty Mel organised an adventure for Cam to see lions, tigers, leopards and cheetahs right up close! Farm Inn (owned by friends of Mel, and Old Albanians whom I taught) has a menagerie of these amazing cats, and it was awesome for Cam to be able to experience them just centimetres away.
And yesterday he made a lego camera and snapped pictures of the family, each photo preceded by a hysterical cry of ‘Click!’ :)
I can feel spring coming; God is good.
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Latest on the little man...
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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
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
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
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.
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.
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