Grade 3 is in the history books and we’re kicking summer off with soccer. T has recently developed a love for soccer. Thanks to his CYW, he had his own soccer ball and played soccer at recess with a group of boys. There were bumps along the way, as T gets upset when he doesn’tContinue reading “Goal Posts”
Tag Archives: gratitude
Using Medication for a Child with FASD
The cereal box T created for his media literacy class is called “Growing Stronger.” I like that they teach Grade 3 students media literary, as well as nutrition, in a hands on way. Just as diet influences health of kids with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, our parenting journey has demonstrated that medication can be anContinue reading “Using Medication for a Child with FASD”
Boomerang
On special days when stars align, the energy we send out come flying back at us. T recently completed the EQAO standardized Grade 3 test earlier this month. T’s school was so supportive. He had his CYW’s support to complete the test, as he gets distracted on the computer. On the first day of theContinue reading “Boomerang”
The Joy in the Meander
Slow down, take the detours, be open to the unexpected, stay present, soak in the moment. We all end up at a finish line, so what’s the rush? It’s a valuable lesson I’ve learned as T’s parent. Our family recently helped celebrate the 18th birthday of a friend’s son. It seemed like yesterday that heContinue reading “The Joy in the Meander”
Step with the Best Foot Forward
A painful truth about being a parent of a child with FASD is the world often sees them at their worst. A parent shared this, between tears, during a recent weekly virtual FASD caregivers group and I wanted to hug her because I felt her heartache. I then thought about Mothers Day lunch with familyContinue reading “Step with the Best Foot Forward”
Postcards from the Edge
The first text message simply and sweetly said, “I love you.” I was en route on my early hour-long commute to work and it was a welcomed surprise. On in-office days, I often leave before T is up and when I do see him before I leave, I get sweet long hugs, which energize meContinue reading “Postcards from the Edge”
Keep the Faith
In 2015, the hubby and I finished our South America trip at Rio de Janeiro. It was our last solo trip before T unexpectedly came into our lives. I revisited this special city last night when Madonna completed her Celebration Tour on Copacabana Beach to a record 2 million people. We watched her show inContinue reading “Keep the Faith”
Family is Forever
Eight years ago today, we got a call from Children’s Aid Society. We were matched with a child! It was a Thursday evening and the hubby and I were shocked, because it had been seven years since we had started the adoption journey. We had given up hope we would be parents. They shared T’sContinue reading “Family is Forever”
Sinking Ships, Rising Hearts
The heart does go on and on. T’s latest obsession is the Titanic, quite the step up from Paw Patrol! This was likely inspired from YouTube, as he spends lots of time watching videos about the Titanic and other famous shipwrecks. He loves to draw pictures and pretend play with great imagination about the doomedContinue reading “Sinking Ships, Rising Hearts”
Open to Feedback
Being able to receive and apply feedback, as hard as it can be to hear sometimes, is key to growth. In February, halfway past the Grade 3 school year, the hubby and I had our teacher conference with T’s teacher, CYW and the school’s special education coordinator. We discussed T’s areas for improvement: reading, writingContinue reading “Open to Feedback”
Angels in the Infield
During school lunch a few weeks ago, T proclaimed to his class he was refunding his parents. His CYW recounted to us with amusement, via text message, that T ranted out loud that he had told Daddy (the hubby) many times that he didn’t want meatballs for lunch and still got them. Due to thisContinue reading “Angels in the Infield”
The Darkest Dark
We remind our little guy that he is stronger and braver than the monsters in his head. During a recent Sunday morning, around 1:30, I was woken up by the hubby having a fit. T had turned on all the lights in the house, downstairs included, and was up playing with his toys – becauseContinue reading “The Darkest Dark”
Life is a Gift
Live and love as if it’s your first and last day on Earth. Our caring, curious, funny and not-so-little guy turned 9 this weekend. How is that possible?! The past year brought adventures and hard losses and through it all, he steps forward with his fun-seeking, resilient and endlessly energetic spirit. Our consecutive hard lossesContinue reading “Life is a Gift”
A Thousand Words
Sometimes, a picture sums up life’s depth of emotions better than words ever could. Yesterday, we had lunch with family to celebrate Ma and my aunt’s birthdays. Ma’s absence was noticeable. Afterwards, my uncle, recently returned from the Philippines, gave me Ma’s urn. It was a strange feeling holding it in my hands. The logicalContinue reading “A Thousand Words”
Ray of Light
We took T to his first concert, Madonna’s Celebration Tour, and it provided a needed holiday. Our family had a challenging start to 2024 and this show was a ray of light during gray days. We prepped T for his first concert by looking at photos of the venue and show and speaking about whatContinue reading “Ray of Light”
Personal Affection Day
On Friday, T asked to stay home instead of going to daycare for PA Day. “I just need a break,” he said. On Professional Activity (PA) Days, kids get a day off school and teachers focus on professional learning. My first instinct to T’s request was no. The hubby and I had work, remotely atContinue reading “Personal Affection Day”
The Oldest Chinatown in the World
I recently visited my childhood neighbourhood in the Philippines, 35 years after moving away. Over the holidays, I unexpectedly flew to Manila after Ma fell ill and with a very sad outcome. After Ma was admitted to ICU, I could no longer visit her. So, with thanks to uncles, I visited Binondo, the neighbourhood myContinue reading “The Oldest Chinatown in the World”
Fighting Spirit
Grit, resilience and work ethic are wonderful lessons I learned from Ma. I thought about times she demonstrated them during my recent unexpected visit to the Philippines, as she battled for her life. At 15, she left her home in the province to move to the city in Manila to attend university – working tutoringContinue reading “Fighting Spirit”
The Gift of the Redo
Christmas is a time for forgiveness and it is the kindest gift one could give and receive. When we were having rough patches this fall with T – a part of the FASD parenting life – we met with our developmental pediatrician, who has been supporting T since he was 18 months. In addition toContinue reading “The Gift of the Redo”
“I Believe in the Power of You and I”
We attended T’s wonderful school holiday concert this week and it moved me to tears. The school concert was the first since the pandemic, and T and the kids did such a great job. It brought back wonderful memories of holiday and Spring concerts, pre pandemic, when T was in preschool and kindergarten. I rememberContinue reading ““I Believe in the Power of You and I””
My Life With T 