Sunday 30 May 2010

New challenges ahead

Been a bit under the weather last couple of weeks and find myself in bed today and y'day after having struggled through things for a while. Anyway, is nothing major but just makes the practicalities of family life more difficult.

Amelie is coming on a treat, clapping, shouting, eating lots, playing and learning every day. It is both a joy and a privilege to watch. She's refusing to crawl but is starting to stand hence the beginning of new, more independent horizons. I am waiting for it but don't think I can fully prepare myself until we're in the thick of it. Obviously there are things to do in preparation, like the safety at home stuff but managing it myself on a physical level and feeling capable in my management once she's properly on the move are things I'm hoping I will master,probably
proceeding a greater period of trial and error than most!





Wednesday 5 May 2010

Overcoming obstacles

I have decided I need to start taking playing with Amelie a bit more seriously. When I say seriously, I don't mean strict ahendas and lesson plans are to be implemented but more that physical play between a mother and child becomes a little less conventional when one of you can't get down on the floor. We have put a booster seat on a chair by the dining room table so today for the first time, I used that with her so we could play together just us two. It worked well apart from she's at the learning-about-gravity stage, hence everything she touches falls on the floor where I can't go which means I have to involve a 3rd party for retrieval. Am aware that some days this will infuriate me greatly but it is already teaching me that the best way to the journey towards achieving what you want out of life is to keep calm. Surely this can only be a good thing?




Tuesday 4 May 2010

Bit more progress

I do like it when people make progress. It uplifts the spirit somewhat. As per last posting, I am trying to manage my reluctancy to look awkward when doing things with my child in public, so I can actively participate in all areas of her life. This includes feeding solids from a wheelchair to any highchair the respective visited venue deems fit for service. I fed her her dinner in a restaurant for the first time, swallowed my self awareness and got on with the feeding, only to find that we both really seemed to enjoy it and much fun was had by all involved. I've always had instances of feeling awkward since I became disabled, getting out of a car, having to have my food cut up in restaurants etc increase self awareness in a negative manner. I am now learning from my child that if I want to be hands on with her, I have to swallow my pride and dignity and just get on with it and be as hands on as possible as actually it's the best way forward for all concerned!


Saturday 1 May 2010

Out and about

Being out and about with Amelie is 2 things: 1. Hard work 2. A lot of fun
The getting out of the house routine seems, in general, to be easier, as we've got more organised, more adeft at coping with everything and we are doing it all the time. It took quite a lot of time to get there, but I feel mainly this part of things is sorted and it's less stressful, so that's great. The bit I feel we have to concentrate on now is me being confident with her when we are out and me finding ways to manage her better so I don't feel that I'm relinquishing some of my responsibility, allowing respective able bod to play a bigger part than I'd like as it's easier. It's much more difficult when we're out and about as equipment such as highchairs etc make it difficult to get a chair round because they are too low or too bulky or whatever, when we are invited to peoples houses, she gets put on the floor where I can't go etc. I feel that this in turn makes me look like I'm not actively participating in my daughter's development and like I'm not really all that bothered and am not in control. I am very aware that people might think that but more importantly that Amelie might start thinking that Mummy is more interested in having a nice time when she's out and that someone else can look after her needs. I guess I just need to be more patient with myself and persevere more even if I am very aware of how awkward it all looks to other people. I just have to get over that and know what is most important as we develop and grow together as a family.