Little Miss Amber Skye turned 2 this September!!
I'm having serious issues coming to terms with the fact that I have a 2 year old. I don't feel old enough to have a 2 year old and I sure don't feel like she should be that old already! Where did my snugly baby go? Let me tell you she may still look like a baby but by no means did the terrible two skip over us. They do not discriminate against the globally delayed or medically fragile, aren't they nice! Don't get me wrong 2 isn't totally bad. We are really enjoying Amber's personality develop and her sense of humor. Her want to find a way to communicate is also finally coming along which is a very important thing to help avoid tantrums. I'm trying to not complain about tantrums because they are no where near as loud/violent as your average 2 year old.
Birthdays with I-cell are not always the funnest of times. We were very excited to celebrate Amber's 2nd birthday because 2 is a fun age and birthdays are fun. We were also excited to just be celebrating because so many people didn't expect her to make it to this birthday (us included at some points in the past year). I wanted Amber's birthday to be something big, special and memorable. Unfortunately when it comes to I-cell and birthdays or any special event there is always that horrible, horrible thought of "this could be her last one".
On top of the uncomfortable conglomeration of emotions her birthday brings there are also the unfortunately realization of not being able to celebrate her birthday in a "normal" way. Most birthdays involve cake. Well Amber does not do well with baby food and can not swallow/eat pieces of anything food type or not. The worry of her aspirating and getting pneumonia or worse, kind of takes the fun out of birthday cake. Then there is the question of the party. Amber loves people and other kids and would really enjoy a huge party. Unfortunately Amber's birthday is at the beginning of the cold/flu season meaning most people are sick or around too much sickness to be around Amber. We would love to make her happy with a big party but again the risk of her catching something really takes the fun out of it. I had such a hard time with all of this this year that I almost didn't do anything for her birthday and then that lovely thought of it possibly being her last popped into my head and made me feel even worse.
So we found some middle ground! We decided to go places for Amber's birthday. We planned a Zoo and a Farm Zoo trip. Both outside with little to no risk of her catching anything and thankfully the weather cooperated (not too hot not too cold) so she was able to be comfortable being outside! It was the perfect solution she loved seeing the animals and people and best of all she did not get sick!!! We also had two little family parties for her with our MA and PA families. We did do cake; well cake at one party, cupcakes at another. Amber stuck her hands in the frosting but didn't eat any of it so she didn't have any issues. It also helps that Amber is so stinking adorable, loves to be the center of attention and loves opening presents! I think she could make any situation fun!
I would like to also thank everyone who stuck with me through my hiatus. I believe I'm ready to return now and please excuse any awkwardness in my posting I think I've almost lost my knack for writing coherently!