A Year Ago.

A year ago today I was 5 months pregnant.

A year ago today Mike and I were facing the first full day post-stroke with Liam.  We were facing this day on nothing but tiny cat naps throughout the night.  I remember forcing myself to sleep in the ambulance on the way to Loyola from Rockford.  And then, curling up on the floor of the waiting room while Liam had his first MRI.  I don't think I actually slept during those moments, but I tried.  I knew what we'd be facing the next day would be difficult and require quite a bit of energy from me.

A year ago today the uncertainty of why Liam had a stroke and whether or not he'd have another was at the forefront of our thoughts. 

A year ago today Liam could barely say a few words and preferred to answer yes or no questions.  We were waiting for a speech therapist to answer our questions as to what was going on.

A year ago Liam was not yet walking and he wasn't yet allowed to eat or drink.

A year ago I couldn't imagine what our life would now be like.

Today we've got an amazingly "easy" 8 month old who has added nothing but love and laughter to our lives.

Today I'm facing a huge clean up of a mess from a celebration party we hosted yesterday.  I slept well last night and the baby graced me with ten full hours before needing to be fed in the early hours of the morning. 

Today we're confident that the vaccine Liam received two weeks prior to the stroke was the cause and find peace knowing that he will most likely never suffer another stroke.

Today Liam had a detailed conversation with me about the firefighters he was able to visit with and what he'd like to make them to thank them (fruit salad - because firefighters need to stay healthy, not fat!).  We know Liam's language difficulties and he knows how to work around it.

Today Liam is resting in the morning hours from a full day of running, playing hockey, climbing, play fighting, and just being a typical six year old boy.

Today our life seems to have just fallen in place.