tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12260990334860478682024-03-09T09:19:44.582+11:00Noah's ArkOur Journey: Knowing, Loving, Losing & Remembering Noah
Kat and Aaron Reedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06697840237511878347noreply@blogger.comBlogger30125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1226099033486047868.post-13391443365433960662013-05-03T19:13:00.001+10:002013-05-03T19:13:50.169+10:00Starlight Star BrightBeing that today is Starlight Day I thought I'd share our experience and encourage people to give a little.<br />
<br />
Starlight help to brighten the lives of seriously sick kids and their families, at a time when illness, hospitals and intensely difficult situations have become the norm.<br />
<br />
Although we wished differently everyday, we knew in our hearts that our son Noah would never be "well". We also had to come to terms with the fact that we probably wouldn't have him with us for long. After that our wishes for our son became simpler. We just wanted him to smile and to know that he was loved. We also wanted to make memories that didn't revolve around medical machines, tubes, therapy and pain.<br />
<br />
When we received a call from Starlight letting us know Noah was going to receive a wish we were so excited. We started planning a family holiday to the Gold Coast. Where Noah could swim with the dolphins, visit the theme parks and meet his favorite character, Elmo.<br />
<br />
It gave us something to plan and look forward to. Something about the future we could smile about. Our trip was booked for the end of October.<br />
<br />
Six weeks before we were due to set off Noah passed away.<br />
<br />
A little while after I received a call from Starlight. They had heard of Noah's passing and wanted to pass on their condolences. They also wanted to let us know there was one more special gift in store for us. <br />
<br />
A star named Noah.<br />
<br />
How perfect a star. Shining on brightly like the memories we will always have and the lessons we will forever keep.<br />
<br />
Now when I look up at the night sky at Noah's star (near the Southern Cross) I smile and sometimes make wishes. And today on Starlight Day I wish for all the other families to have the chance to receive their wishes and to see their little stars smiling.<br />
<br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-7mVTxF8FygI/UYN_yXTIaYI/AAAAAAAAAkI/qt1FHjcvmbA/s640/blogger-image--453084438.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-7mVTxF8FygI/UYN_yXTIaYI/AAAAAAAAAkI/qt1FHjcvmbA/s640/blogger-image--453084438.jpg" /></a></div>Kat and Aaron Reedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06697840237511878347noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1226099033486047868.post-41444767545369342922013-02-17T12:57:00.001+11:002013-02-17T12:57:54.965+11:00Beyond WordsWell it sure has been a while between blog posts. Firstly I want to extend my virtual arms and give everyone a huge thank you hug. The support, compassion and thoughtfulness we have received from our family, friends and people all around the world has been truly beyond words.<br />
<br />
I have been keeping myself "busy", but at the same time have felt so completely motionless. For a while I felt like I had fallen into a bucket of slow drying cement and slowly the days were getting harder and harder. The relentless force of time has been knocking at my door, urging me to do what I know I must... go on with life... life without Noah.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UcmcikJGh1g/UR9qPayJteI/AAAAAAAAAjQ/95D9Vvl6zas/s1600/DWhyte_120206_0056.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UcmcikJGh1g/UR9qPayJteI/AAAAAAAAAjQ/95D9Vvl6zas/s320/DWhyte_120206_0056.jpg" uea="true" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
The truth is when Noah was here I felt an inner strength. Like I would, and could, accomplish anything. I had gained a confidence about me. I could speak up, speak out and although I <em>hoped </em>sharing our journey could help and inspire others ....I wasn't frightened about letting the words just spill out. When Noah died I knew what I had to do. Our story, that I had began sharing, was unfinished. There were so many things left unsaid. Experiences unshared. Emotions left unreconciled. Things that I felt could bring sunshine to others who might find themselves in the dark places, places I had visited and still frequented often. Things that could also transcend our circumstances and speak to people going about their daily walk in life.<br />
<br />
But in the wake of losing Noah I had lost a little bit of that inner strength. I became doubtful that I could somehow even try to share the profound life changing experience we have had. But then I read a blog of a lady just like me. A fellow HIE mum who had lost her beautiful son Leroy. Her blog was titled No Words. She spoke about being lost for words and having none to <em>really</em> express what she was feeling. Her words were so simple yet so exactly what I needed to hear at that exact time. It showed me how powerful one persons true words can be.<br />
<br />
And so now I am ready to share...<br />
<br />
Starting with a poem that I came across called He Is Gone by David Harkins. These words bring me great comfort and strength as I walk through the door of tomorrow.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3p6Fw6_OboQ/USA3_6LcaQI/AAAAAAAAAjw/t3PiRym7WcI/s1600/Noah+Poem.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3p6Fw6_OboQ/USA3_6LcaQI/AAAAAAAAAjw/t3PiRym7WcI/s400/Noah+Poem.jpg" uea="true" width="282" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />Kat and Aaron Reedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06697840237511878347noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1226099033486047868.post-62525924199632647752012-10-02T21:56:00.001+10:002012-10-02T21:56:36.334+10:00Up, Up & Away Little BuddyFor those family, friends and followers of our journey whom may not yet have heard,<br />
Noah peacefully took his last breath this past Friday, September 28th at 11:52am.<br />
<br />
He inspired so much in his short 22 months. I am forever grateful...<br />
<br />
thank you Noah xoxo<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--P0KUcM2vcs/UGrTu_5HMuI/AAAAAAAAAio/FF4GF_80Tq0/s1600/Noahs+Ark+Long.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" mea="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--P0KUcM2vcs/UGrTu_5HMuI/AAAAAAAAAio/FF4GF_80Tq0/s640/Noahs+Ark+Long.jpg" width="305" /></a></div>
Kat and Aaron Reedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06697840237511878347noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1226099033486047868.post-39334819620541429352012-07-23T16:14:00.001+10:002012-07-23T16:14:43.676+10:00Kids Just Wanna Have Fun<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
Children seem to have such a limitless imagination and creative process. I find it so amazing just to watch a child and how they interact. I love to listen to the way they express themselves and the somewhat random, but often philosophical comments they make.</div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
Inside every single one of us is creative potential waiting to be nourished and unleashed. Creativity is something which arises from one’s inner self. It can be manifested in so many different and unique ways. It does not depend on the physique of a child. Even a disabled child can be creative because creativity develops from mind and spirit and not from body.</div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
So how then do you nourish creativity and help a child express what their body is sometimes unable to? And as a deeper thought, how do you keep the integrity of their individuality and causation?</div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
Having fun and being creative is part and parcel of being a kid. Making noise, making mess, silly songs and individual expression ....</div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
Now I am by no means a kid at heart in the sense that I hate mess. I like things to be all organised and orderly. Usually when a child comes along, your world, in this way, is turned upside down! Or so I am told :) I wish Noah could destroy the house, draw on the walls and make mud pies in the lounge room. But our situation is so far from that and in learning how to help Noah just "be a kid" I have to in some ways learn to be a kid again myself. I have to use my imagination to help Noah express himself and interact. This is not an easy feat as Noah is our first child and I have not had a hell of a lot of experience with children. Also Noah's physical limitations are a massive challenge. </div>
<br />
I am constantly searching for new activities, toys and materials that will be fun for Noah and allow him to participate in what being a kid is all about. Here are some of the things I have tried so far.<br />
<br />
<h3 style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
Toys</h3>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
With a typical child its usually the simple things that seem to attract their attention. Like everyone knows the story of the child who discards the toy and plays with the box for hours. But with Noah finding the right toy can be like finding a needle in a haystack. </div>
<br />
Toys with lots of lights, movement, vibration and sounds seem to be the best. Here are some of Noah's current favourites:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4yTmWUZlaP4/T-qir1ZAn5I/AAAAAAAAAdc/CVHfEXeNF1M/s1600/Seahorse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4yTmWUZlaP4/T-qir1ZAn5I/AAAAAAAAAdc/CVHfEXeNF1M/s320/Seahorse.jpg" vca="true" width="320" /></a></div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.bigw.com.au/toys/baby-pre-school/bpnBIGW_0000000246302/fisher-price-soothe-glow-seahorse?gclid=CI-2qtLf7bACFSRKpgodC1GXwg" target="_blank">Fisher Price Soothe and Glow Seahorse</a><br />
Lasts longer than 30 seconds, like his favourite Glow Worm, I like this one a whole lot more :)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hpAePqD5Sog/T-qlVjcq5JI/AAAAAAAAAdo/4HldDV1nmmU/s1600/fufris_monkey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hpAePqD5Sog/T-qlVjcq5JI/AAAAAAAAAdo/4HldDV1nmmU/s200/fufris_monkey.jpg" vca="true" width="171" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.kerrisontoys.co.uk/fufris-funny-friends-monkey-p-8623.html" target="_blank">Fufris Funny Friends Monkey</a><br />
So hilarious. Squirms, wriggles, laughs and farts</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VHBtTnR0-Io/UAvDHMLSN4I/AAAAAAAAAhw/ftP6nWU0Tq8/s1600/Noah+June+2012+045.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="239" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VHBtTnR0-Io/UAvDHMLSN4I/AAAAAAAAAhw/ftP6nWU0Tq8/s320/Noah+June+2012+045.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PtGc_2k8aMs/T-qhYUZZWpI/AAAAAAAAAdU/GyOYeuB9HPo/s1600/Puppy+piano.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PtGc_2k8aMs/T-qhYUZZWpI/AAAAAAAAAdU/GyOYeuB9HPo/s320/Puppy+piano.jpg" vca="true" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.lasoo.com.au/offer/musical-toys-instruments/fisher-price-laugh-learn-puppy-s-piano/4qyauxpos.html?source=search&term=piano" target="_blank">Fisher Price Puppy Piano</a><br />
Noah loves the colours that light up<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<h3>
Noahs Ark Toy Library - <a href="http://www.natl.org.au/" target="_blank">http://www.natl.org.au/</a> </h3>
This toy library is amazing. They loan out toys, games and equipment for children with special needs. They have a massive range and source many toys from overseas that can be hard to find and quite expensive. And the fact that its called Noah's Ark is a perfect match.<br />
<br />
It was here that we first ventured into the awesomeness that is switch adapted toys. A switch adapted toy is basically any toy that has been adapted to work by pressing, tapping or knocking a switch or button. There are many different types of switches depending on the ability of the child. Noah needs a fairly large flat switch that is quite sensitive to touch. Noah has very limited movement in his arms and hands. It is quite frustrating and saddening to constantly have to play "for" your child. Always moving the toys, pressing the buttons and being the cause of their interaction. With switch adapted toys Noah can learn and practice causing his own effects. Here is a video of Noah with a switch adapted Tickle Me Elmo. (We are so in love with this toy)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/F-COtdrL7bY?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
<br />
Another cool toy we like from Noah's Ark is the Textured Carousel Busy Box. It is quite unique and each switch panel does something different. Lights up, vibrates, beeps, makes the balls pop up, plays a really eery version of the ice cream truck song?? Only the slightest touch sets it off and it sits on a spinning lazy susan base. It is a sensory dream. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/T9zyJE0oOJQ?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
<br />
<h3>
DIY Toys</h3>
I have come across some awesome toys and play equipment that imaginative and savy parents have whipped up. Most special needs toys are super expensive. I guess the fact that they aren't mass manufactured and often have more complex bits and pieces push the cost up. Not to mention most have to come from overseas and so that's a whole other cost to add on. Here is some pics of a DIY "Toy Hanger" I thought of. Its just a basic portable clothes hanger that can be adjusted height wise. We can hang all sorts of things from it like bells, small toys, mirrors, beads, crinkly paper, tambourines, etc. Its all so easily changed too. What I like about it best is that on the lowest height the toys hang just above ground level so Noah can get to them when lying on his back, then I can move it up so its the right level for his Special Tomato Chair and then when in his seat/pushchair I can put it up to suit that too. Noah just has to move his arms and hands a little to get some sort of sensory effect. It keeps him entertained on his own for a short while too which is a huge bonus.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-h7aTkf6tTkM/UAvEAEQYUzI/AAAAAAAAAh4/ikaNgCkizJw/s1600/Noah+June+2012+063.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="239" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-h7aTkf6tTkM/UAvEAEQYUzI/AAAAAAAAAh4/ikaNgCkizJw/s320/Noah+June+2012+063.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<h3>
Painting and Craft</h3>
Noah recently undertook his first painting masterpiece. We used stamps, rollers, shapes and a canvas so we could keep it as a special memento. Noah finds it very hard to purposely move his arms and his hands are mostly fisted so he cant grasp or hold on to things. So what I did was hold the stamp near his hand and move his hand up and down like he was stamping it all over the canvas. Then we painted his foot to do a footprint. The feel of the paint on his foot got quite a response. The painting experiment was a hit and Noah seemed to really like it. We have since started doing paintings for the whole family.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7ac1jpdtSHE/T_K7pNgNHkI/AAAAAAAAAfA/lGnqSs1aUCk/s1600/P6060187.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" sca="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7ac1jpdtSHE/T_K7pNgNHkI/AAAAAAAAAfA/lGnqSs1aUCk/s200/P6060187.JPG" width="150" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Nj9aAR8W4VI/T_K4X4akfaI/AAAAAAAAAec/OzI4R7804bc/s1600/P6060131.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" sca="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Nj9aAR8W4VI/T_K4X4akfaI/AAAAAAAAAec/OzI4R7804bc/s200/P6060131.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-A36186bGHtc/T_K7L4lx79I/AAAAAAAAAe0/p9NuFy2Babs/s1600/P6060188.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" sca="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-A36186bGHtc/T_K7L4lx79I/AAAAAAAAAe0/p9NuFy2Babs/s320/P6060188.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Mq-moHZotNo/T_K51yIthRI/AAAAAAAAAes/BgXLm7UFixY/s1600/Noah+June+2012+014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" sca="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Mq-moHZotNo/T_K51yIthRI/AAAAAAAAAes/BgXLm7UFixY/s320/Noah+June+2012+014.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Another experience we are exploring is using craft like materials. Things like feathers, different textured paper, buttons, cotton balls, straws, glitter, etc. I would show Noah the different pieces and touch them on him. Then I was gluing stuff on paper so he could see. I think he liked when I tipped all the buttons and paper on him.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ekq2U542Nw4/T_K8K4Lgm8I/AAAAAAAAAfI/VXJco5xxj3o/s1600/P6060051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" sca="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ekq2U542Nw4/T_K8K4Lgm8I/AAAAAAAAAfI/VXJco5xxj3o/s320/P6060051.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<h3>
IPad</h3>
Now I think the iPad technically falls under more of a therapy use for us. Noah loves, loves, loves it and so we use it as a incentive for strengthening his head control in sitting and during tummy time. But there is the fun factor about it too. We mainly save clips on youtube and watch these. Noah's favourites are Baby Einstein, WeSee, Super Simple Learning Songs (my fav is Little Snowflake, it is the most gorgeous thing) and of course anything Elmo. Noah's number one favourite clip is Elmo's Ducks, which we do at least twice a day. I seriously sing it all the time, "Oh Gosh Oh Gee....."<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wgIf_7RcCXU/T_K9DnANPzI/AAAAAAAAAfY/K5z3sd363Fk/s1600/Noah+June+2012+040.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" sca="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wgIf_7RcCXU/T_K9DnANPzI/AAAAAAAAAfY/K5z3sd363Fk/s320/Noah+June+2012+040.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--0TQbknUBII/T_K9YU8vC6I/AAAAAAAAAfg/Q_MBC4Hxwdg/s1600/P6060254.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" sca="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--0TQbknUBII/T_K9YU8vC6I/AAAAAAAAAfg/Q_MBC4Hxwdg/s320/P6060254.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/0LEYwoooVfw?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br /><br />
Having a child with a severe disability is tough. There are so many things to think of, schedule and research. Days are filled with endless things to do with therapies, equipment, medical issues, funding and on and on. Sometimes its hard to just stop and play. Noah relies on us for everything including interacting with his environment and finding joy in the things around him. And sometimes kids just wanna have fun.<br />
<br />
"In order to encourage creativity in others and yourself you must look and listen with your heart and sometimes just be still" - Creative Truths<br />
<br />
<h3>
Noah's Friends From Around The World</h3>
As I have mentioned before I belong to an online HIE support group. It is such a source of inspiration for ideas. I thought Id share some of the toys and playthings Noah's online buddies love so much.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wtU2h-OUVAI/T_LBRJpuHpI/AAAAAAAAAfs/kFou3R54mtE/s1600/Emmy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" sca="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wtU2h-OUVAI/T_LBRJpuHpI/AAAAAAAAAfs/kFou3R54mtE/s200/Emmy.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Emmy loves pom poms. Goooooo Emmy!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-biNdlBgCLQM/T_LBlJ0LaLI/AAAAAAAAAf0/YixRp2hM9-k/s1600/Loga+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="133" sca="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-biNdlBgCLQM/T_LBlJ0LaLI/AAAAAAAAAf0/YixRp2hM9-k/s200/Loga+2.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Logan's Mum is amazing, and so creative. LED lights seem to be a hit (Noah loves them too)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vUFdWxJxMek/T_LW0GGQydI/AAAAAAAAAgQ/BzI9eUOe1UY/s1600/Ava.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" sca="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vUFdWxJxMek/T_LW0GGQydI/AAAAAAAAAgQ/BzI9eUOe1UY/s200/Ava.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ava and her survival blanket. Look at that smile.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TU56nh9R-Kw/T_LX9s-qPzI/AAAAAAAAAgY/vRhAmzLvMoA/s1600/Travis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" sca="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TU56nh9R-Kw/T_LX9s-qPzI/AAAAAAAAAgY/vRhAmzLvMoA/s200/Travis.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Travis in his Squiggles Stander with his fav toy</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PjsUKU0JmCw/T_LZ9SBQXjI/AAAAAAAAAg0/_iD0Aesace4/s1600/eleanor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" sca="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PjsUKU0JmCw/T_LZ9SBQXjI/AAAAAAAAAg0/_iD0Aesace4/s200/eleanor.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eleanor loves drawing</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cfjlE6zzxv0/UAOEX7E04XI/AAAAAAAAAhA/uWLSNQ2jqHs/s1600/Joshskateboard.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img $ca="true" border="0" height="239" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cfjlE6zzxv0/UAOEX7E04XI/AAAAAAAAAhA/uWLSNQ2jqHs/s320/Joshskateboard.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love this pic, such an inventive idea to help Joshua when he was learning to crawl</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tc_OA1rzTaY/UAOFB8oEXEI/AAAAAAAAAhI/dam6FfvNa6A/s1600/Tara+Paper+Jamz+Drum.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img $ca="true" border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tc_OA1rzTaY/UAOFB8oEXEI/AAAAAAAAAhI/dam6FfvNa6A/s200/Tara+Paper+Jamz+Drum.jpg" width="185" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tara with her Paper Jamz Drums - I'm looking into getting one off Ebay</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ElzxZY39fJg/T_LVXYq76cI/AAAAAAAAAgA/yQbepPhAX4Q/s1600/Charlie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" sca="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ElzxZY39fJg/T_LVXYq76cI/AAAAAAAAAgA/yQbepPhAX4Q/s200/Charlie.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look at Charlie's homemade swing :)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1K_h74Qf4GA/T_LVsh9L2aI/AAAAAAAAAgI/Kxcf37Hma0I/s1600/Ben.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="cssfloat: right; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" sca="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1K_h74Qf4GA/T_LVsh9L2aI/AAAAAAAAAgI/Kxcf37Hma0I/s200/Ben.jpg" width="149" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ben shows off his Waterbabies neck ring these are a hit with special needs mums across the world</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wvHuaKbPepg/UAOJW_ffSTI/AAAAAAAAAhU/rUUIzlhmxHQ/s1600/Katrina+Lee's+son.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img $ca="true" border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wvHuaKbPepg/UAOJW_ffSTI/AAAAAAAAAhU/rUUIzlhmxHQ/s200/Katrina+Lee's+son.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mikey's cool wheels</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nhagUhLbhXo/UAvQJVlRAtI/AAAAAAAAAic/470Mp1qnW4w/s1600/Jaren.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nhagUhLbhXo/UAvQJVlRAtI/AAAAAAAAAic/470Mp1qnW4w/s200/Jaren.bmp" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jaren is an Elmo fan too</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<h3 style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
</h3>
<h3 style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
Other Resources</h3>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<a href="http://adaptedworld.wordpress.com/about/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Adapted World</span></a> is a blog I came across that shares the story of Brooke and her family. Brooke was born with Severe HIE, like Noah. Written by her Mum, Erin, this Blog has a wealth of info about toys, adapted and specialized toys, play activities, and a whole host of other fun ideas. You will also find instructions on how to make a <a href="http://adaptedworld.wordpress.com/pvc-toy-bargym-instructions/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Toy</span> <span style="color: blue;">Gym</span>/<span style="color: blue;">Bar</span></a> like above.</div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
If you have questions about any info I have posted, where to find certain toys, or you have any other ideas or resources you'd like to share, please email me at <a href="mailto:azzkat@live.com.au">azzkat@live.com.au</a></div>
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>Kat and Aaron Reedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06697840237511878347noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1226099033486047868.post-22818000813357447552012-06-07T13:43:00.001+10:002012-06-07T14:01:28.620+10:00Time To Take A Little Time<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">Time is an interesting thing. When you think about it, time is how we live and measure our lives. Yes it’s an arbitrary thing, but we do it all the same.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">Times in the past…</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">Times in the future…</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">Not wanting times to end…</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">Counting down the time…</span><br />
Not enough time to do...</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">Am I spending enough time doing…</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">Time spent with…</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">Time without or apart from…</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">Which brings me to the Time that I want to write about today. Needing to take some timeout. Time (dare I say it) away from your child! </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">I mean the kind of time to take a rest, a breath, reflect, re-gather, whatever you need to do to keep yourself balanced and on top of things.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">I’m sure that even mothers with healthy children need to take a bit of “Me” time now and again. For us Noah’s care is practically 24 hours around the clock. It is physically challenging and also very emotionally draining.</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-g3cXRJY4TPA/T8q4FW0T_MI/AAAAAAAAAcg/jtpD_2Dysko/s1600/AManifestoForMums.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" rba="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-g3cXRJY4TPA/T8q4FW0T_MI/AAAAAAAAAcg/jtpD_2Dysko/s320/AManifestoForMums.jpg" width="226" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Love this Manifesto, but if only the needs of our kids were that simple</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<br />
<span lang="EN-US">At first I felt like I needed to be there every moment, as I didn’t know when our moments would run out. I also came to find (regardless of what people tell me) that I am not a super woman! I have already learnt that I can endure way more than I thought possible. Hell I could endure ongoing sleepless nights, constantly watching my child arch in pain and endlessly trying to console him, holding him for hours in the only way he will settle. Waiting for that brief 30 minutes of day nap time so I can run around the house like a mad woman and try to do washing, cleaning, medications, tubie stuff, etc, etc. Never being able to leave the house with Noah by myself. Staying up till all hours getting things done. Only to have to face the same exact things the next day and the next….. But I realized quite some time ago that I would wind up a blubbering mess and not the person I am or want to be. We needed help.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">Sometimes I feel a little selfish and guilty for leaving him or having someone else look after him. But taking this time makes me a better mother to Noah and makes me the kind of mother that he needs. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">It hasn’t been easy trying to find out what services are out there to help in a situation like ours. But as Noah reaches towards the 19 months old mark we are finding more and more balance. I thought I’d share a few of the things that have made this possible.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">Lady Lawley Cottage by the Sea</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">LLC is an out of home respite centre for children with special needs. Including high/complex medical needs. It is a beautiful homelike and enriching place for children to have some time away from home. There are registered nurses on staff, sensory rooms and opportunity to interact with other children. Lady Lawely Cottage has such a wonderful history and was first opened in the early 1900’s. It has such a nice feel about it and has amazing views over Cottesloe Beach. After going there and meeting the staff we knew it was a place we would feel comfortable having Noah visit. Having said that the first few times were really hard. I still can’t help but call up to check on him. The staff there love Noah. They fight over whose going to hold him first when we arrive </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-P4XYVw20PPA/T8q3gDy_G8I/AAAAAAAAAb8/vVY67k_tK9E/s1600/Birthday+Party+20011+002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" rba="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-P4XYVw20PPA/T8q3gDy_G8I/AAAAAAAAAb8/vVY67k_tK9E/s320/Birthday+Party+20011+002.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Original Building at Lady Lawley</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wct9X-pEXNw/T8q3va1AfSI/AAAAAAAAAcE/RMXuczuNws8/s1600/Birthday+Party+20011+003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" rba="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wct9X-pEXNw/T8q3va1AfSI/AAAAAAAAAcE/RMXuczuNws8/s320/Birthday+Party+20011+003.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gorgeous view of Cottesloe Beach</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Jy3Q73gBM3A/T8q33WWhkGI/AAAAAAAAAcM/TQQsLRB-v4M/s1600/Noah+June+2012+035.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" rba="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Jy3Q73gBM3A/T8q33WWhkGI/AAAAAAAAAcM/TQQsLRB-v4M/s320/Noah+June+2012+035.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Noah stays in the Oceanview Building</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DKVzPx2S5fg/T8q4BHIzazI/AAAAAAAAAcY/_D0omG4GhAE/s1600/Noah+June+2012+036.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" rba="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DKVzPx2S5fg/T8q4BHIzazI/AAAAAAAAAcY/_D0omG4GhAE/s320/Noah+June+2012+036.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Last Kisses xoxo</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">In Home Care</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">We now ,only recently, have an amazing carer who comes 3-4 days a week. I honestly don’t know how I managed before. She is awesome with Noah and comes to his hospital appointments, therapies, etc. Things like taking Noah for a walk or in the car were impossible before, as it takes two people to manage it. My last solo attempt at taking him to the park ended in him screaming, shaking and stiffening like a board and me making a dash for home, leaving the stroller in the park (Luckily it was still there when Aaron got home.) Now we are not confined to our house. Yippee! Noah even came grocery shopping for the first time! I feel like a weight has been lifted and I am slowly starting to get on top of things. Now I will have more time to coordinate appointments/therapies/activities/researching ideas for Noah and hopefully will have more time to share things on Noahs Ark too </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span lang="EN-US"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">Kalparrin Mothers Camp</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><a href="http://www.kalparrin.org.au/" target="_blank">Kalparrin</a> organises a range of respite events for mothers, fathers, couples and other family members. Enabling them to </span><span lang="EN-US"></span><span lang="EN-US">take a break, </span><span lang="EN-US">connect with old and new friends met, who have similar stories and can understand what its like to have a child/family member with special needs.</span><span lang="EN-US"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">One of these such events is the Mothers Respite Camp, which is held twice yearly. A few weeks ago I went on my second camp. It was held in a "rustic and rural" setting an hour and a half out of Perth in a gorgeous little village called Fairbridge.</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L3msCKZu8WI/T8q-DxisHlI/AAAAAAAAAc0/W8fpC4NsIYo/s1600/fairbridge_village_middlemore2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" rba="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L3msCKZu8WI/T8q-DxisHlI/AAAAAAAAAc0/W8fpC4NsIYo/s320/fairbridge_village_middlemore2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our group stayed in Middlemore Cottage</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">The weekend included a huge selection of activities to choose from including: massage, reiki, foot reading (this was really fun), chakra balancing (this saw a fellow mum and myself giggling and sneaking out the door, as we couldn't control our laughter. We were trying to follow along, but then the instructor told us if it "felt" like our partners chakra was sticking out too much to take our imaginary duster and dust it away?!? Ah you lost us there.) There was also journaling, crafts and even a flying fox! As traditional there was decorating tables, dinner, <span style="background-color: yellow;">DJ</span> and dancing, with this years theme being All things Magical: Fairies, Witches and Wizards. After dinner there is a big raffle held. Our table had lots of luck and I myself ended up with three prizes!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span lang="EN-US">The experience of Kalparrin Mothers Camp and indeed Mothers/Parent Groups all around the world cant be underestimated. Swapping stories and info is so invaluable, especially in the highly stressful and often confusing world of having a child with special needs. Spending time with these lovely ladies gives me a sense of feeling fantastically normal and also totally understood and acknowledged in the path I have to face. I am already looking forward to the next Camp where my superhero mummy friends and I can talk, listen, learn, laugh, cry, eat, drink and take a bit of time.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<br />
<span lang="EN-US">It is said that time changes things or somehow makes them better, but in my experience you actually have to change things and make them better yourself. Easier said than done but I am working on it…</span><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />Kat and Aaron Reedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06697840237511878347noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1226099033486047868.post-42841086134004832392012-03-21T03:48:00.000+11:002012-05-11T22:52:20.806+10:00HeartfeltWhen Noah was about 7 months old I heard about an organization called Heartfelt. "Heartfelt is a volunteer organisation of professional photographers from all over Australia who have come together to form an organisation dedicated to giving the gift of photographic memories to families that have experienced stillbirths, premature and ill infants and children in the Neonatal Intensive Care Units of their local hospitals, as well as children with serious and terminal illnesses"<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img aea="true" border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pnh0b_OhiFE/T2ihVP3gwxI/AAAAAAAAAag/C5uG0CQZ1Cw/s320/166813_178860122145383_166888393342556_482174_1039770_n.jpg" width="320" /></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/Heartfelt.Australia" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/Heartfelt.Australia</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.heartfelt.org.au/" target="_blank">http://www.heartfelt.org.au/</a></div>
<br />
I had wanted to have some professional shots of Noah done but I didn't know if a regular photographer would be comfortable or be able to work within our circumstances. I contacted Heartfelt and that was when we first met the lovely and talented Deanna Whyte, from <a href="http://deannawhyte.com.au/" target="_blank">Deanna Whyte Photography</a>. She came out and took some amazing shots. I have posted some of them on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/noahsarkperth" target="_blank">Noah's Ark Facebook Page</a>. They came presented in a beautiful folder on disk and some printed. The cost is completely covered by Heartfelt. This is such a gift to us as we could never afford a session such as we got.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
These are some of my favourites</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Pk9mjC3AZGg/T2irY6kFjkI/AAAAAAAAAa4/Bo2TXFKFJDM/s1600/0029_Noah_H0001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Pk9mjC3AZGg/T2irY6kFjkI/AAAAAAAAAa4/Bo2TXFKFJDM/s320/0029_Noah_H0001.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QeIb8gVXciY/T2iqpkD6wUI/AAAAAAAAAas/5B__jIPRFSk/s1600/P_DeannaWhyte_110624_0001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="height: 348px; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; width: 214px;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QeIb8gVXciY/T2iqpkD6wUI/AAAAAAAAAas/5B__jIPRFSk/s320/P_DeannaWhyte_110624_0001.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qdtLQBWtwUU/T2i0GVs7aeI/AAAAAAAAAbk/qgijELl8Rqc/s1600/P_DeannaWhyte_110624_0002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qdtLQBWtwUU/T2i0GVs7aeI/AAAAAAAAAbk/qgijELl8Rqc/s320/P_DeannaWhyte_110624_0002.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
I asked Deanna why she had volunteered her time to Heartfelt and she told me of her sister who had a baby girl born with HIE (same as Noah) at birth who sadly passed away not too long after. In that time she, being a photographer, took many precious photos of memories they would have forever to remember her by. She wanted other people to have the same special memories. She was so sweet and amazing with Noah.</div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
Just before Noah's recent surgery I wanted to have some more photos done. Noah's condition was worsening and we weren't sure how things were going to go. I was overjoyed when I learnt that Heartfelt could offer us another session with Deanna. And this time Nanny Dot was here to join in, which was special. When I received the photos I looked through them and just cried and cried. I loved them and I knew no matter what, I would always have these memories to look back on. <br />
<br />
This is my favourite photo from the session and indeed my favourite photo of all time. It is so special to have a photo of us all smiling, as Noah does not smile that much.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OCgCX2gAaDI/T2isZ97ILKI/AAAAAAAAAbA/OIa6Kkf56Zo/s1600/P_DWhyte_120206_0028.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OCgCX2gAaDI/T2isZ97ILKI/AAAAAAAAAbA/OIa6Kkf56Zo/s320/P_DWhyte_120206_0028.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
The last thing people are thinking about when they have a severely at risk child is professional photos. Sure there are usually all the hundreds of amateur shots taken by parents, especially when a baby is first born. But some of the Heartfelt photos I have seen have literally taken my breath away and brought tears to my eyes with their beauty. I can remember being in the NICU and everyday with each new photo I took wondering if it would be the last. For some parents photos are the only thing they take with them to remember their little angels. It's for them and the people who have to live wondering if this photo will be their last that I want to help spread the word about Heartfelt and the amazing gifts that they give families.<br />
<br />
I thought I would add a couple more of my favs from our shoot. I will be posting the Album of our session on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/noahsarkperth" target="_blank">Noahs Ark Facebook Page</a> soon.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1YjCcLP8cdw/T2iuKHT1mgI/AAAAAAAAAbI/dNl42ierCOQ/s1600/DWhyte_120206_0035.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1YjCcLP8cdw/T2iuKHT1mgI/AAAAAAAAAbI/dNl42ierCOQ/s320/DWhyte_120206_0035.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-v_DvqQa_kUg/T2ix4cRq_KI/AAAAAAAAAbU/xZb0Ip3gz8I/s1600/P_DWhyte_120206_0082.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-v_DvqQa_kUg/T2ix4cRq_KI/AAAAAAAAAbU/xZb0Ip3gz8I/s320/P_DWhyte_120206_0082.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jqXKkAGqAz4/T2iyLHFW3KI/AAAAAAAAAbc/AJaYSm_hh3c/s1600/DWhyte_120206_0071%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jqXKkAGqAz4/T2iyLHFW3KI/AAAAAAAAAbc/AJaYSm_hh3c/s320/DWhyte_120206_0071%5B1%5D.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Kat and Aaron Reedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06697840237511878347noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1226099033486047868.post-17854384232058290362012-01-21T15:54:00.000+11:002012-01-21T15:58:12.723+11:00You're Number 1 - Noah's 1st Party<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Two months ago Noah turned 1! I can’t believe how fast the time flies by. So fast that I am always writing my blog posts so far behind the fact <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
There were definitely lots of mixed emotions celebrating the 1<sup>st</sup> Milestone. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
There’s the “A Year Ago Today club” which included things like “AYAT we had our perfect natural birth plan and had never heard of such things as HIE or hypothermia cooling protocol and were eagerly awaiting the arrival of our first child” then “AYAT Noah was on life support just hanging on” and “AYAT Noah started breathing on his own and we had so much hope” followed by “AYAT Noah had his MRI scan and it showed extensive brain damage” also “AYAT we were told that Noah would most likely not make it to his 1<sup>st</sup> birthday” – it is a really tough thing not to think back at what was happening 1 year ago. That’s what birthdays are for, right? To look back and celebrate the person’s life and the memories and the milestones made along the way. Oh boy is it tough to see all the babies around me growing up and starting to crawl, eat, walk, talk and so on. But you know what? It is getting easier <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
But also (as I mentioned in my previous Blog post) at this Milestone I am looking back and seeing just how much I have learnt. About Myself, my Husband, Our Amazing Family and Friends and about what it means to have a child with a severe disability. Now don’t get me wrong I am far from being in a state of serenity, but I feel I have really had my beliefs and personal strengths put to the test, and I’d like to think, that so far, I’m making the grade.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
One of the things that has really helped me (which I have spoke of often) is to try to focus on the HERE and NOW and just take the next step. Now of course from time to time things are going to put my mind into worry mode about what happened in the past and what the future will bring. But the key is to try to bring my mind back to NOW. It doesn’t mean to just not confront the situation or pretend everything is fine. Obviously there is a time and a place to address these issues and get it all out. I came across this quote and it spells it out nicely. “Worrying does not empty tomorrow of its troubles, It empties today of its strengths”. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
But now I have gotten off track.....<br />
<br />
The day of Noah’s 1<sup>st</sup> birthday party was a great day. We went with a Noah’s Ark/Jungle Animal Theme. I dressed Noah up in his "big boy" shirt and he had a Birthday Boy badge, so cute. Noah was even lucky enough to have a visit from Nanny Dot for his birthday too!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GfYyd53DXCc/TxaXG142TiI/AAAAAAAAAYE/Z7Mjdbw1lG4/s1600/Noah+122.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" nfa="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GfYyd53DXCc/TxaXG142TiI/AAAAAAAAAYE/Z7Mjdbw1lG4/s400/Noah+122.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I searched for ages to find either a Noah's Ark cake (too expensive) or a cake topper I could put on the top of whatever we went with. I found a lovely lady in the US who custom makes cake toppers. There are so many themes, and they are so bright and colourful and very well made. I was so happy with the topper. I will definitely be using and recommending her services. Her website is: <a href="http://www.kharygoart.com/">http://www.kharygoart.com/</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uIWlHC4msMI/TxebtkFS03I/AAAAAAAAAZI/qTpCawyYxbs/s1600/Birthday+Party+20011+019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nfa="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uIWlHC4msMI/TxebtkFS03I/AAAAAAAAAZI/qTpCawyYxbs/s320/Birthday+Party+20011+019.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Vv1J667u-JU/TxebD8f-VvI/AAAAAAAAAZA/z20J0ipFmSA/s1600/Birthday+Party+20011+015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nfa="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Vv1J667u-JU/TxebD8f-VvI/AAAAAAAAAZA/z20J0ipFmSA/s320/Birthday+Party+20011+015.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gToWkhn0zFs/TxecXbYGidI/AAAAAAAAAZQ/WVeq3bfyL9Y/s1600/Birthday+Party+20011+014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nfa="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gToWkhn0zFs/TxecXbYGidI/AAAAAAAAAZQ/WVeq3bfyL9Y/s320/Birthday+Party+20011+014.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
We had some yummy food (thanks to our awesome friends who helped out), played pass the parcel and Noah got lots of great gifts and money to go towards his iPad. Noah even got to "cut" (smack a donut off) his cake :)<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r3c3ftHWpvc/Txf0VL8lhWI/AAAAAAAAAZo/gy_CMsiEgqM/s1600/Birthday+Party+20011+025.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nfa="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r3c3ftHWpvc/Txf0VL8lhWI/AAAAAAAAAZo/gy_CMsiEgqM/s320/Birthday+Party+20011+025.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tsYfRKjSQeI/Txf3TljS6_I/AAAAAAAAAZ0/Q-RO2K_wrSg/s1600/Noah+165.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nfa="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tsYfRKjSQeI/Txf3TljS6_I/AAAAAAAAAZ0/Q-RO2K_wrSg/s320/Noah+165.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kkwZ3vu3a3g/Txf4LZFOdzI/AAAAAAAAAZ8/T760rSZqr6E/s1600/Noah+186.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nfa="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kkwZ3vu3a3g/Txf4LZFOdzI/AAAAAAAAAZ8/T760rSZqr6E/s320/Noah+186.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
Thanks to all you wonderful people for making Noah's 1st Birthday Party a special day xxKat and Aaron Reedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06697840237511878347noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1226099033486047868.post-6131220590892180762011-11-17T01:28:00.000+11:002011-11-23T19:21:29.730+11:00Reflections On The Year Gone By<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
I am the type of person who likes to share the good and I don't often dwell on the past or share feelings of sorrow. As Noah's first birthday draws upon me I do find myself looking back and thinking of what I was doing. Blissfully unaware of what was to come. Writing this Blog has become a way that I can share my thoughts, feelings and experiences. Sometimes it helps to just get it out. Thanks for listening :)</div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
This time last year the early signs of labor had started and I was enjoying a home cooked meal my husband made :) Excited and nervous with anticipation to meet our little 'Baby Reed'. It feels like a lifetime ago but it too sadly feels like no time at all has passed, as we have been stuck in a sort of 'limbo'. With Noah not really progressing at all and starting to show more signs of the outcome of his birth injury. Not knowing if the latest temperature, infection or respiratory trouble could send us down another path.</div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TFWnRy64hYE/TsyfUDEXBVI/AAAAAAAAAXs/5See0M1Rwpo/s1600/0029_Noah_H0001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TFWnRy64hYE/TsyfUDEXBVI/AAAAAAAAAXs/5See0M1Rwpo/s320/0029_Noah_H0001.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<span id="goog_930771858"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span id="goog_930771859"></span></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
I guess in the course of life things happen to us that are not of our choosing. There are times when we are not sure where to go from here...or what to do. Sometimes the news we receive can change everything so completely. The world around us seems to go on without realizing how much our hearts can be breaking...and without taking into account how helpless we suddenly feel. Life has a way of teaching us lessons we didn't necessarily want to learn...and giving us tests we never planned to take. <br />
<br />
</div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FFqBhcwxP3A/TspCKrRlZ1I/AAAAAAAAAW0/ZxpFSIy5kAU/s1600/320510_263854600323911_152560524786653_755550_1019812940_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FFqBhcwxP3A/TspCKrRlZ1I/AAAAAAAAAW0/ZxpFSIy5kAU/s320/320510_263854600323911_152560524786653_755550_1019812940_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
And what a test the past year has been. I have come to realise that the things in life that can bring you the most joy can also, on the other hand, bring you the most agonising heartbreaking pain. It's just the way it is in life. There are no immediate answers to the "whys", that we ask ourselves when trying to deal with this type of tragedy. "Why did this happen"? "Why Me"? And even if there were maybe we wouldn't understand them.</div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rDTykOwKlpo/TsygMLP3cdI/AAAAAAAAAX4/7wHzn4F6kJQ/s1600/313518_280545695321468_152560524786653_805131_901893979_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="252" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rDTykOwKlpo/TsygMLP3cdI/AAAAAAAAAX4/7wHzn4F6kJQ/s320/313518_280545695321468_152560524786653_805131_901893979_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
In the past year I have learnt that I can be amazingly strong, that I have a whole other area of myself that I can love with, I guess I'd call it unconditional love. I have always believed that a person is more than their body. That they are a spirit or soul or whatever you may call it. Noah's body may be broken but his spirit is so strong and it shines through. It has taken me a while to look past what I can see and the "complexities" of Noah. And I think because there was a high possibility that Noah wouldn't make it to a year I couldn't let myself love him too much. But somewhere along the way that changed and although I may still lose him I am not living as if "today could be the day". I am taking each day as it comes, which has got to be the single most simplest and best piece of advice I have taken on. Some days are good, some are bad and some I just feel utterly destroyed. But each day is a new day and I am learning that it is not what happens in that day that I can necessarily control or choose, but I can choose how I react. And I choose to focus on the positive and be brave and determined and live and laugh and take one day at a time.</div>
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TSsSVs5U8_o/TsPJ4WyOWLI/AAAAAAAAAV8/-njUXHokIIo/s1600/book-cover-love.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TSsSVs5U8_o/TsPJ4WyOWLI/AAAAAAAAAV8/-njUXHokIIo/s320/book-cover-love.jpg" width="256" /></a></div>
<br />
I have come to realise that the man who is my husband is so much more amazing than I could have ever thought was possible. Strong, understanding, encouraging, tender, compassionate, selfless are just some of the words I could use to describe what a truly wonderful person Aaron is, and has always been my best friend and never has that been more needed than in this past year.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4QHeXUHHqKo/TsPKrY5-dRI/AAAAAAAAAWE/TZnaiUvzgFs/s1600/monkey+mia+005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4QHeXUHHqKo/TsPKrY5-dRI/AAAAAAAAAWE/TZnaiUvzgFs/s320/monkey+mia+005.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Well its now about the time exactly when 1 year ago our lives were changed forever. <br />
<br />
Happy 1st Birthday Noah, we will face a new day with you with love,courage and admiration xoxo<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P-mcM2AsFtI/TsPLnSe0JxI/AAAAAAAAAWQ/g7rd7_TXCgc/s1600/P_DeannaWhyte_110624_0006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P-mcM2AsFtI/TsPLnSe0JxI/AAAAAAAAAWQ/g7rd7_TXCgc/s320/P_DeannaWhyte_110624_0006.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Kat and Aaron Reedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06697840237511878347noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1226099033486047868.post-3994961343475837932011-11-16T00:00:00.000+11:002011-11-16T03:35:29.706+11:00Hills and Valleys<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
So much happening these days, they all seem to disappear. So much to confront and overcome and learn. Somethings are amazing and inspiring and make me cry with tears of joy and thankfulness and other things are just not fair and heart wrenching and I am overcome with sadness. One of my fellow HIE Mammas has described this as Hills and Valleys. Some Highs some Lows. I thought I would share some of the Ups and Downs of the last few months...</div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
The biggest and best high would be that Narelle, Trav and Carlee Climbed Mt Kinabalu for Noah on July 11th. They fundraised a huge amount for Noah and because of them and the support they received, life will be a bit easier for us and we will be able to pursue some new therapies and equipment in the near future. You guys are truly legendary! Thank you so much to everyone who donated and showed their support and compassion for Noah.<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kW_Q9HMydmM/TrfvY0UC2cI/AAAAAAAAAPs/4Po4j8pD7Ew/s1600/198651_10150247333046245_709666244_7968840_5178924_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" ida="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kW_Q9HMydmM/TrfvY0UC2cI/AAAAAAAAAPs/4Po4j8pD7Ew/s200/198651_10150247333046245_709666244_7968840_5178924_n.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-svqakSG1d-0/TrfvMLoRk-I/AAAAAAAAAPc/101FNu5fY7w/s1600/251521_10150247338541245_709666244_7968951_1592529_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" ida="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-svqakSG1d-0/TrfvMLoRk-I/AAAAAAAAAPc/101FNu5fY7w/s200/251521_10150247338541245_709666244_7968951_1592529_n.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Hoq7gtGyqOA/TrfvUf_A4BI/AAAAAAAAAPk/W2rzQpbb3R0/s1600/262906_10150247330761245_709666244_7968775_6839497_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" ida="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Hoq7gtGyqOA/TrfvUf_A4BI/AAAAAAAAAPk/W2rzQpbb3R0/s400/262906_10150247330761245_709666244_7968775_6839497_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8eNRXKA5_Jw/Trfvd_ZKB_I/AAAAAAAAAP0/eHaueHYYHoU/s1600/281926_10150247334121245_709666244_7968863_3343109_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" ida="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8eNRXKA5_Jw/Trfvd_ZKB_I/AAAAAAAAAP0/eHaueHYYHoU/s400/281926_10150247334121245_709666244_7968863_3343109_n.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
Following on from that I entered a competition through Red Balloon where you had to tell your Story of Thanks. I entered in how Narelle, Trav and Carlee climbed Mt Kinabalu and fundraised for Noah and how I could never put into words how much it means to us. We ended up with top votes and were chosen as the winners of the competition. We won a $500.00 Red Balloon gift voucher for our awesome climbers. Whilst in Melbourne we used this towards a special Limo Wine Tour of Gippsland. We had such a lovely day. It was nice to get out and spend some time with the people we love.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://blog.redballoon.com.au/2011/10/17/gift-of-thanks-winner-review-the-reed-family/" target="_blank">Click Here To Read More About Our Day on Red Balloon's Blog</a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_Qc7IPJp-KM/TrgRiQ8FULI/AAAAAAAAAR0/x5-e_wprNWg/s1600/Melbourne+Trip+Sept+2011+088.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" ida="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_Qc7IPJp-KM/TrgRiQ8FULI/AAAAAAAAAR0/x5-e_wprNWg/s200/Melbourne+Trip+Sept+2011+088.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
</div>
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zo0H880NiXA/TrfxNGCaBFI/AAAAAAAAAQA/_9srz800OUY/s1600/Melbourne+Trip+Sept+2011+125.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" ida="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zo0H880NiXA/TrfxNGCaBFI/AAAAAAAAAQA/_9srz800OUY/s200/Melbourne+Trip+Sept+2011+125.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PheZAaVoX78/Trfxrul3ePI/AAAAAAAAAQI/Jjs6-BOFm38/s1600/Melbourne+Trip+Sept+2011+078.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="cssfloat: left; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" ida="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PheZAaVoX78/Trfxrul3ePI/AAAAAAAAAQI/Jjs6-BOFm38/s400/Melbourne+Trip+Sept+2011+078.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I am yet to reconcile whether Noah being accepted into The Centre for Cerebral Palsy is a high or a low, if that makes any sense. What I mean exactly is that I am glad because it means better therapy and support and access to things that will help us and Noah. But it is also just about the most terrifying thing at the same time. Its scary and unknown. Noah has been diagnosed with Spastic Quadriplegic Cerebral Palsy, as a result of his HIE. There are different severity's and Noah's is in the highest severity level (V). As he is still young this may change somewhat. There is thus far no cure for CP, although there are quite a few different therapies/treatments which can be very helpful. We are currently researching and finding out what will best suit Noah. We have a team of therapist at TCCP. But our overall coordinator who is our Occupational Therapist is our favourite :) She is lovely and so on the-ball with things. We have been trying out some different equipment to aid Noah in different positions as he can't support himself very well. The one on the right is called a "Wingbo". It's a type of tummy time swing. It puts Noah in a great position to push off his arms and get his head up. This was the first time Noah was able to lift his head up in a tummy position. This may seem like such a small milestone and not a huge deal but it was such a strain for him and a huge, massive achievement and we are so very proud of him. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bTCcXNTtAdY/Trf2q3SP_UI/AAAAAAAAAQw/3enlYPRmgc8/s1600/302013_10150354409732746_709817745_8662269_1467344305_n.jpg" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bTCcXNTtAdY/Trf2q3SP_UI/AAAAAAAAAQw/3enlYPRmgc8/s200/302013_10150354409732746_709817745_8662269_1467344305_n.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MelNl96bfrU/Trf4kxkfmLI/AAAAAAAAARI/VWXfYExrZ1w/s1600/Chair.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MelNl96bfrU/Trf4kxkfmLI/AAAAAAAAARI/VWXfYExrZ1w/s200/Chair.JPG" width="200" /></a> </div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;">
Another awesome thing that happened recently was that Miranda Kerr and the Kora Organics Team posted our story on their Blog. Miranda is quite the advocate for CP and such an inspirational person. She has actually written a lovely book called "Treasure Yourself ". She says about it, "I wish to share my inspiration with you, so that you will treasure and believe in yourself, have faith in your abilities, accept who you are and uncover your own unique gifts. We all have wings, but it is up to each one of us to have the courage to fly. My hope is that these words and the affirmations included will help empower you to reach for your dreams even in difficult times. With action, anything in life is possible". - Miranda Kerr xxx She seems like such a lovely, down to earth, natural type of person. We were really touched by the addition of our story to her blog.</div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.koraorganics.com/blog/live-in-my-skin/all-things-organic/organic-certification/caring-for-our-little-ones/" target="_blank">Click Here To Visit Kora Organics Blog Post</a></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t_GY2KQHtX0/TrgLmNbUiVI/AAAAAAAAARg/CQ3LV5I7B0E/s1600/9781401924355.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ida="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t_GY2KQHtX0/TrgLmNbUiVI/AAAAAAAAARg/CQ3LV5I7B0E/s1600/9781401924355.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<img height="72" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GZsR7Hpl1KQ/TrfyVQ0Up8I/AAAAAAAAAQQ/eeA9F0T662U/s200/Melbourne+Trip+Sept+2011+112.jpg" style="filter: alpha(opacity=30); left: 130px; mozopacity: 0.3; opacity: 0.3; position: absolute; top: 350px; visibility: hidden;" width="96" /> <br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>Kat and Aaron Reedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06697840237511878347noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1226099033486047868.post-63988325533474391972011-11-08T04:17:00.001+11:002011-11-16T03:29:05.771+11:00Noahs First Holiday Part TwoThey say that a picture tells a thousand words and I am not the most accomplished writer at the best of times, so I thought I would share some of our treasured photos from Noah's first trip back to Melbourne. I have been meaning to share these for a while but time just gets away<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uc01ByABVe8/Tr-iwO7ixYI/AAAAAAAAASw/7XT2H3oAs30/s1600/Melbourne+Trip+Sept+2011+070.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" nda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uc01ByABVe8/Tr-iwO7ixYI/AAAAAAAAASw/7XT2H3oAs30/s200/Melbourne+Trip+Sept+2011+070.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Noah and his gorgeous cousin Taree</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZA319W14Pt0/TsKC_GSjQVI/AAAAAAAAAUM/Is4hfmNUGvs/s1600/Melbourne+Trip+Sept+2011+037.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" nda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZA319W14Pt0/TsKC_GSjQVI/AAAAAAAAAUM/Is4hfmNUGvs/s200/Melbourne+Trip+Sept+2011+037.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Noah and Sam</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QyaJlkP3pr4/TsKDo6e7pRI/AAAAAAAAAUc/1KkcApYKUUU/s1600/Melbourne+Trip+Sept+2011+040.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" nda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QyaJlkP3pr4/TsKDo6e7pRI/AAAAAAAAAUc/1KkcApYKUUU/s320/Melbourne+Trip+Sept+2011+040.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I am Tougher than I look :)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GsPrKo44hs8/TsKEQxU1RzI/AAAAAAAAAU0/aR5lzQVxV2U/s1600/Melbourne+Trip+Sept+2011+066.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" nda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GsPrKo44hs8/TsKEQxU1RzI/AAAAAAAAAU0/aR5lzQVxV2U/s200/Melbourne+Trip+Sept+2011+066.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Noah and gorgeous Cousin number two, Hayley</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3oh9BQGEYMk/TsKEcrl6WCI/AAAAAAAAAU8/FwiSEF2m-7k/s1600/Melbourne+Trip+Sept+2011+077.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" nda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3oh9BQGEYMk/TsKEcrl6WCI/AAAAAAAAAU8/FwiSEF2m-7k/s200/Melbourne+Trip+Sept+2011+077.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another gorgeous cousin (Sarah), lucky boy!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PCNCRLpIxTc/TsKEn_NsOoI/AAAAAAAAAVE/Ve8unml0mdc/s1600/Melbourne+Trip+Sept+2011+132.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" nda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PCNCRLpIxTc/TsKEn_NsOoI/AAAAAAAAAVE/Ve8unml0mdc/s320/Melbourne+Trip+Sept+2011+132.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Noah and Paul</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-L3_vZ-nyejs/TsKLXvJ_GmI/AAAAAAAAAVg/SOxvF-Rk6Js/s1600/Melbourne+Trip+Sept+2011+029.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" nda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-L3_vZ-nyejs/TsKLXvJ_GmI/AAAAAAAAAVg/SOxvF-Rk6Js/s320/Melbourne+Trip+Sept+2011+029.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thanks for my bath Aunty Narelle</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-01q8OIDiOvk/TsKLnvi5sLI/AAAAAAAAAVo/HF4yUjKOr5A/s1600/Melbourne+Trip+Sept+2011+030.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" nda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-01q8OIDiOvk/TsKLnvi5sLI/AAAAAAAAAVo/HF4yUjKOr5A/s320/Melbourne+Trip+Sept+2011+030.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">.......</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Q12aQHStTTA/TsKLBq-rxfI/AAAAAAAAAVY/BLkQOSAoPds/s1600/Melbourne+Trip+Sept+2011+031.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" nda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Q12aQHStTTA/TsKLBq-rxfI/AAAAAAAAAVY/BLkQOSAoPds/s320/Melbourne+Trip+Sept+2011+031.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">& for helping me sleep</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HQqkCWNKCjA/TsKL3Cs1HZI/AAAAAAAAAVw/dOBwPP0GAuo/s1600/Melbourne+Trip+Sept+2011+059.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" nda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HQqkCWNKCjA/TsKL3Cs1HZI/AAAAAAAAAVw/dOBwPP0GAuo/s320/Melbourne+Trip+Sept+2011+059.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Last Goodbye for Great Nana</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<img height="72" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Q12aQHStTTA/TsKLBq-rxfI/AAAAAAAAAVY/BLkQOSAoPds/s320/Melbourne+Trip+Sept+2011+031.jpg" style="filter: alpha(opacity=30); left: 353px; mozopacity: 0.3; opacity: 0.3; position: absolute; top: 1879px; visibility: hidden;" width="96" /> <div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>Kat and Aaron Reedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06697840237511878347noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1226099033486047868.post-54218456448860191522011-09-12T21:25:00.000+10:002011-11-10T01:59:12.742+11:00Noah's First Holiday Part One<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
I am currently writing my latest post all the way on the other side of Australia, in Melbourne. We decided to bring Noah over to meet the rest of his family and friends. He has been lapping up all of the attention. I imagine it must be daunting enough to travel with such a young baby, but in my case I was petrified! I had myself fully convinced that everything was going to go wrong. As Noah doesn't swallow I thought the pressure would make him scream and worse case scenario he would rupture his ear drum. I thought he would have seizures. I thought that Qantas would think he was too "sick" to fly. I worked myself up to imagine the plane trip from hell ending in the plane having to make an emergency landing! <br />
<br />
Well I should have just listened to my cool as a cucumber husband because Noah was amazing. He slept on take off and landing, didn't really cry at all and Qantas were awesome. They loved Noah and helped us with all his medical supplies and let us board first. Phew now I can breath a sigh of relief and enjoy our holiday :)</div>
<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
There were many people anxiously waiting to meet our little man in Melbourne. Aaron's Nanna, who is unable to fly, was first on the list to meet her first born Grandchild.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YXyIBcrwQ-Y/TmyeoWqF2-I/AAAAAAAAAN0/79Y4I3DOy4I/s1600/318994_226611660723691_190354791016045_665716_6668501_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="297" nba="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YXyIBcrwQ-Y/TmyeoWqF2-I/AAAAAAAAAN0/79Y4I3DOy4I/s400/318994_226611660723691_190354791016045_665716_6668501_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Noah was very popular at Nanna's nursing home. Everyone wanted to meet the little boy that they had heard so much about. There was a crowd of oldies and nurses trying to jockey for position with their wheelchairs and walking frames. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Next up it was Aunty Carlee's turn. She finally got to have a big cuddle.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3BgH_RBQd6E/TmyhHF6jTII/AAAAAAAAAN8/fmQkJyh3c3Y/s1600/313578_226613024056888_190354791016045_665718_5391839_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" nba="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3BgH_RBQd6E/TmyhHF6jTII/AAAAAAAAAN8/fmQkJyh3c3Y/s400/313578_226613024056888_190354791016045_665718_5391839_n.jpg" width="297" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xFx5xtBklZY/TmyoP6oGLCI/AAAAAAAAAOY/SDCocEUZv20/s1600/DSC00030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nba="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xFx5xtBklZY/TmyoP6oGLCI/AAAAAAAAAOY/SDCocEUZv20/s320/DSC00030.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Nanna Pam got to catch up with Noah. He has changed so much since she saw him in the NICU at just 6 weeks old.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Noah also got to meet a few other family members for the first time including Uncle Steve, Uncle Adam and Aunty Tanya. Noah loves meeting new people so I am guessing he is glad to be part of such a big family :)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9g9IdQeeD1Q/TmyyTTgabFI/AAAAAAAAAOg/wzdxiiKHeeI/s1600/DSC00028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" nba="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9g9IdQeeD1Q/TmyyTTgabFI/AAAAAAAAAOg/wzdxiiKHeeI/s200/DSC00028.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u_FMmzyOgDM/TmyngYGq5aI/AAAAAAAAAOM/q0k4zvJoys8/s1600/DSC00031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" nba="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u_FMmzyOgDM/TmyngYGq5aI/AAAAAAAAAOM/q0k4zvJoys8/s200/DSC00031.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jP4CUP1moRM/TmyzEmrNkJI/AAAAAAAAAOk/sgC3SkHvgkc/s1600/DSC00026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" nba="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jP4CUP1moRM/TmyzEmrNkJI/AAAAAAAAAOk/sgC3SkHvgkc/s200/DSC00026.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Little Charlotte finally got to meet Baby No-ha as she calls him. So cute.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SHHzA3WFUK8/Tmy5yKhv7UI/AAAAAAAAAOs/_awwc4nyy5o/s1600/DSC00024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" nba="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SHHzA3WFUK8/Tmy5yKhv7UI/AAAAAAAAAOs/_awwc4nyy5o/s200/DSC00024.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zaGz1Jmpjfo/Tmy6NqaV8uI/AAAAAAAAAOw/YlI74FQgJtk/s1600/DSC00032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" nba="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zaGz1Jmpjfo/Tmy6NqaV8uI/AAAAAAAAAOw/YlI74FQgJtk/s200/DSC00032.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
So many awesome new people to meet including the very cool Brendon. Love the glasses guys.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-a9LMfl9vRO8/Tmy7ZoRLlSI/AAAAAAAAAO4/pw7WkWznAkU/s1600/DSC00030%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nba="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-a9LMfl9vRO8/Tmy7ZoRLlSI/AAAAAAAAAO4/pw7WkWznAkU/s320/DSC00030%25281%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>Kat and Aaron Reedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06697840237511878347noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1226099033486047868.post-37344441602803655302011-09-04T23:48:00.001+10:002011-09-26T14:49:17.996+10:00Happy Fathers DayThings like Fathers Day, Mothers Day and the like can be a bit bitter-sweet. Its so hard not to think about what should have or could have been. I am sure that the "firsts" are the hardest and it will get easier in time. <br />
<br />
I decided to surprise Aaron with a DVD I made of pictures of him and Noah. I used the words off of his Fathers Day card. Its times like these I realise how lucky I am to have such an amazing man as my husband and the father of our child. Happy Fathers Day Aaron, you're the best xx<br />
<br />
Here is a smaller version of the DVD I made for the Best Dad in the World!<br />
<br />
<table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0" bgcolor="#ffffff"><tr><td><a href="http://smilebox.com/play/4d6a59344f4455354f546b3d0d0a&blogview=true&campaign=blog_playback_link" target="_blank"><img width="386" height="303" alt="Click to play this Smilebox slideshow" src="http://smilebox.com/snap/4d6a59344f4455354f546b3d0d0a.jpg" style="border: medium none ;"/></a></td></tr><tr><td><a href="http://www.smilebox.com/?partner=googled&campaign=blog_snapshot" target="_blank"><img width="386" height="46" alt="Create your own slideshow - Powered by Smilebox" src="http://www.smilebox.com/globalImages/blogInstructions/blogLogoSmileboxSmall.gif" style="border: medium none ;"/></a></td></tr><tr><td align="center">Make a digital slideshow</td></tr></table>Kat and Aaron Reedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06697840237511878347noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1226099033486047868.post-68452106877026763272011-07-07T00:56:00.000+10:002011-07-07T00:56:14.237+10:00The Kindness Of People<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GCLTk1LR6rs/ThKPElT7gbI/AAAAAAAAAM0/KEXtiJUizzM/s1600/0300_Noah_H0001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" i$="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GCLTk1LR6rs/ThKPElT7gbI/AAAAAAAAAM0/KEXtiJUizzM/s400/0300_Noah_H0001.jpg" width="265" /></a></div><br />
I wanted to share with everyone the kindness of people and the support we have experienced. As you may have read on our blog our amazing family has supported us from day 1! They have visited at different times and helped out with caring for Noah. Our family and friends are always there to help and listen when we just need to vent :) <br />
<br />
Our situation has not only hit us emotionally but financially also. When Noah was born we were in the hospital everyday for 6 weeks. He has been back to hospital a few times since as well. Looking after Noah is very exhausting to say the least and then there's all the hospital trips and appointments for his therapy, that until this point we have had to travel into the city to attend. And then there is all the extra costs associated with his care.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5ELpzzKk0l4/ThRsVipWCjI/AAAAAAAAANU/JX1GIEETMLI/s1600/0006_Noah_H0001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" i$="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5ELpzzKk0l4/ThRsVipWCjI/AAAAAAAAANU/JX1GIEETMLI/s320/0006_Noah_H0001.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0fLls--iZx0/ThRscfJuklI/AAAAAAAAANY/PWXpr_HzpV4/s1600/0032_Noah_H0001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" i$="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0fLls--iZx0/ThRscfJuklI/AAAAAAAAANY/PWXpr_HzpV4/s320/0032_Noah_H0001.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">We are lucky that Aaron has his own business and so can have time off when needed. But having a lot of time off certainly takes its toll. That's when Aaron's sister Narelle came up with the idea "Climbing Kinabalu for Noah". Narelle, Travis and Carlee are due to make the climb July 11th. They are spreading the word and gathering support. All our family and friends have gotten involved....... I hear there are cards and wishes coming from people we don't even know. I am so astounded by the generosity of people. I look forward to sharing with everyone how it all goes and thanking everyone who has supported us. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nDAsIPyFwN0/ThR2LyfBN6I/AAAAAAAAANo/p8Ay9SGw-aQ/s1600/221662_10150161713011245_709666244_7192977_250109_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" i$="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nDAsIPyFwN0/ThR2LyfBN6I/AAAAAAAAANo/p8Ay9SGw-aQ/s400/221662_10150161713011245_709666244_7192977_250109_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trav, Carlee & Narelle at Mt Kosciuszko (Training for Kinabalu)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> Thank you guys so much, it was your idea and thoughtfulness that has blossomed into a massive amount of support and wishes for Noah.</div><br />
Then a few weeks ago we got a message from a lady called Bree. Aaron used to go to school with her many moons ago. She heard about Noah and saw his blog and wanted to help. She set up an auction on Facebook. She is such an angel and worked really hard spreading the cause and keeping the auction page updated. This has been such a positive experience and we have received so many messages of support and offers of help. We just want to thank everyone from the bottom of our hearts. It means so much to us that people would reach out and help us in a time of need. Help with offering auction items, bidding on items, spreading the word and sharing words of compassion. We will never forget the love we felt from everyone.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5QIQKgeBFLY/ThRpMKFikUI/AAAAAAAAANM/pW81lfJY8-I/s1600/75099_457624652139_787357139_5325404_2759232_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" i$="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5QIQKgeBFLY/ThRpMKFikUI/AAAAAAAAANM/pW81lfJY8-I/s400/75099_457624652139_787357139_5325404_2759232_n.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bree and Her Beautiful Family</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
It was so fun to see the "bidding wars" going on and the high spirited banter between bidders. There were such amazing items donated. Including this picture donated by South Brisbane Storm Chases. It was taken the same day Noah was born, which I thought was such a heartfelt inclusion. <br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7kZEXDEtz-s/ThMhL4ndpUI/AAAAAAAAAM8/eFS6GWy68jg/s1600/248469_190574900994034_190354791016045_532937_1728_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" i$="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7kZEXDEtz-s/ThMhL4ndpUI/AAAAAAAAAM8/eFS6GWy68jg/s400/248469_190574900994034_190354791016045_532937_1728_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
I would also like to thank the following businesses/people for their wonderful donations to our auction:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.190403591011165.59283.190354791016045#!/pages/Little-Loves-Hand-Stamped-Jewellery-Baby-Gifts/144697478911768">Little Loves Hand Stamped Jewellery & Baby Gifts</a><br />
<a href="http://www.facebook.com/search.php?q=graces%20corner&init=quick&tas=0.8623245654188358&ref=ts&sk=wall#!/pages/Graces-Corner/136884823022819">Grace's Corner</a><br />
<a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Noahs-Ark/190354791016045#!/CardsndStuff">Cards and Stuff</a><br />
<a href="http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.190403591011165.59283.190354791016045#!/pages/Sweetly-Scented-soy-candles-and-melts-handmade-by-Sarah/199414643421411">Sweetly Scented - Soy Candles & Melts Handmade By Sarah</a><br />
<a href="http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.190403591011165.59283.190354791016045#!/SonixFamilyEntertainment">Sonix Family Entertainment</a><br />
<a href="http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.190403591011165.59283.190354791016045#!/sandiliraholidayshackrental">Sandilira - Holiday Shack Rental</a><br />
<a href="http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.190403591011165.59283.190354791016045#!/sandiliraholidayshackrental">Lizzy's Letters</a><br />
<a href="http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.190403591011165.59283.190354791016045#!/pages/South-Brisbane-Storms/261100802504">South Brisbane Storm Chasers</a><br />
<a href="http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.190403591011165.59283.190354791016045#!/OriginalMischief">Original Mischief</a><br />
<a href="http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/pages/Siobhan-Johns-Photography/104084956309239">Siobhan Johns Photography</a><br />
<a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Noahs-Ark/190354791016045#!/pages/100-Donation-On-Every-Item-Sold-Every-Little-Bit-Counts-%E1%83%A6/212825728738130">$1.00 Donation On Every Item Sold - Every Little Bit Counts</a><br />
<a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bubbanooshka/112013892220540">Bubbanooshka</a><br />
<a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Noahs-Ark/190354791016045#!/STUNTgirls1">STUNT Girls</a><br />
<a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Noahs-Ark/190354791016045#!/pages/MCC-Photography/212066468828108">MCC Photography</a><br />
<a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Noahs-Ark/190354791016045#!/pages/Kakara-Soy-Candles/138480556212701">Kakara Soy Candles</a><br />
<a href="http://www.moments2share.com/">Moments To Share</a><br />
<a href="http://www.jasonayres.com/">Jason Ayres</a><br />
<a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kids-Cove/149414221765043?ref=ts&sk=wall">Kids Cove</a><br />
<a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Christinas-Bridal-Elegance/215877478449243?ref=ts&sk=wall">Christina's Bridal Elegance</a><br />
<a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Christinas-Bridal-Elegance/215877478449243?ref=ts&sk=wall#!/pages/Tezzas-Tagger-Scraps/130732104332?sk=app_174225559282949">Tezzas Tagger Scraps</a><br />
<a href="http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.190403591011165.59283.190354791016045#!/justright4u">Your Child!! The Movie Star</a><br />
<a href="http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.190403591011165.59283.190354791016045#!/pages/Belindas-place-bargains-for-everyone/173235052738453">Belinda's Place - Bargains For Everyone</a><br />
<a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Tezabears-bedroom-buddys-and-window-clings/141181445912115?sk=wall">Tezabears Bedroom Buddys and Window Clings</a><br />
<a href="http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.190403591011165.59283.190354791016045#!/pages/Bright-Star-Kids-Agent-Emma-Joseph/216115175073635">Brightstar Kids Agent - Emma Joseph</a><br />
Blaise - Poetic Baby<br />
Fiona & Tania Vanstone<br />
Tupperware Consultant<br />
RJ Couture<br />
Carol Watkins<br />
<br />
And of course a big, fat, huge, massive, enormous, gigantic thank you to everyone who bid, donated, liked and spread the word about Noah's Ark. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e9kxCLSFYlo/ThMi8w9uE_I/AAAAAAAAANE/w2GJPdEYe2M/s1600/imagesCAL6H7K7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" i$="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e9kxCLSFYlo/ThMi8w9uE_I/AAAAAAAAANE/w2GJPdEYe2M/s400/imagesCAL6H7K7.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}">People are like stars... we all have our own special light that shines from within. Sometimes we find our light to be dim and we struggle to shine... but that is when we need the light shed from the other stars to help us light our path once again..... Thank You to all the Stars out there xx</span><br />
<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Kat and Aaron Reedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06697840237511878347noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1226099033486047868.post-5002285237169171762011-06-08T13:28:00.004+10:002011-06-26T18:19:05.684+10:00Welcome To Holland<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JoHkMHE6mqE/Te7gCEQCQGI/AAAAAAAAAJc/NgWnc7cYVNc/s1600/Noah+004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JoHkMHE6mqE/Te7gCEQCQGI/AAAAAAAAAJc/NgWnc7cYVNc/s400/Noah+004.jpg" t8="true" width="300" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">Since Noah was born I have been looking into different things to do with HIE (Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy) which is what Noah suffered at birth.</span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">I stumbled across a group of people on Facebook whose babies had suffered the same thing. All in different degrees. Some were only mildly affected and have gone on to have small if any long term disabilities, some, like Noah, are very severely affected. And there are many in between. Although we all have different individual stories and babies some of our questions and emotions are very much alike. It definitely helps to know you are not alone and there are people who can truly understand what you’re going through.</span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">Some of the people I have met have blogs like the one I made for Noah. I was reading one ladies blog and she posted a story she had come across. It really hits home with me and I wanted to share it with you.</span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: black;"><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b9zxd8u7F9c/Te7p-v6oDlI/AAAAAAAAAKA/OXKTUENCoAk/s1600/Noah+093.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b9zxd8u7F9c/Te7p-v6oDlI/AAAAAAAAAKA/OXKTUENCoAk/s320/Noah+093.jpg" t8="true" width="239" /></span></a><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">"Welcome to "Holland"<br />
<br />
By Emily Perl Kingsley, 1987. All rights reserved.<br />
<br />
”I am often asked to describe the experience of raising a child with a disability - to try to help people who have not shared that unique experience to understand it, to imagine how it would feel. It's like this......<br />
<br />
When you're going to have a baby, it's like planning a fabulous vacation trip - to Italy. You buy a bunch of guide books and make your wonderful plans. The Coliseum. The Michelangelo David. The gondolas.You may learn some handy phrases in Italian. It's all very exciting.<br />
<br />
After months of eager anticipation, the day finally arrives. You pack your bags and off you go. Several hours later, the plane lands. The stewardess comes in and says, "Welcome to Holland"<br />
you say. "What do you mean Holland I signed up for Italy. I'm supposed to be in Italy. All my life I've dreamed of going to Italy."<br />
<br />
But there's been a change in the flight plan. They've landed in Holland and there you must stay.</span><br />
<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j4-BMzRpbds/Te7pzMmCV5I/AAAAAAAAAJ8/Ab58E6sNYr8/s1600/Noah+072.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j4-BMzRpbds/Te7pzMmCV5I/AAAAAAAAAJ8/Ab58E6sNYr8/s320/Noah+072.jpg" t8="true" width="240" /></span></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">The important thing is that they haven't taken you to a horrible, disgusting, filthy place, full of pestilence, famine and disease. It's just a different place.</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"></span></div><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">So you must go out and buy new guide books. And you must learn a whole new language. And you will meet a whole new group of people you would never have met.</span></div><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">It's just a different place. It's slower-paced than Italy less flashy than Italy. But after you've been there for a while and you catch your breath, you look around.... and you begin to notice that Holland has windmills....and Holland has tulips. Holland even has Rembrandts.</span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">But everyone you know is busy coming and going from Italy... and they're all bragging about what a wonderful time they had there. And for the rest of your life, you will say "Yes, that's where I was supposed to go. That's what I had planned."</span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">And the pain of that will never, ever, ever, ever go away...because the loss of that dream is a very very significant loss. But...if you spend your life mourning the fact that you didn't get to Italy, you may never be free to enjoy the very special, the very lovely things ... about Holland.”</span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-alO8n5cDuaY/Te7oQML4gNI/AAAAAAAAAJ4/W40QacplAY8/s1600/Noah+107.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-alO8n5cDuaY/Te7oQML4gNI/AAAAAAAAAJ4/W40QacplAY8/s320/Noah+107.jpg" t8="true" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: black;"><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qkW-HI7PyoI/Te7oOarIlKI/AAAAAAAAAJ0/V0UKuqrFWjI/s1600/Noah+106.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qkW-HI7PyoI/Te7oOarIlKI/AAAAAAAAAJ0/V0UKuqrFWjI/s320/Noah+106.jpg" t8="true" width="240" /></span></a></div><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">After reading this I realized that I don’t want to keep going over the why’s and what if’s. I don’t want to be stuck in the past and focused on all the negatives. Noah may not be here for a long time but I am going to do my best to find happiness in the time we do have. Yes I really wanted to go to Italy (and maybe one day I will get there) but I ended up here in Holland and I am going to do my best to find tulips -xx</span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Kat and Aaron Reedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06697840237511878347noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1226099033486047868.post-58723171446049783562011-05-24T13:30:00.000+10:002011-06-18T19:11:50.568+10:00Has It Been 6 Months?Noah has hit the 6 month mark and his latest stats are:<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2jIa4dTf3Ak/Te9FcwIr8pI/AAAAAAAAAK4/_NhxCbM12pI/s1600/Noah+096.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2jIa4dTf3Ak/Te9FcwIr8pI/AAAAAAAAAK4/_NhxCbM12pI/s320/Noah+096.jpg" t8="true" width="320" /></a>Weight: 7.310 kgs<br />
(14.2 Percentile) </div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">(89.6 Percentile at Birth)<br />
<br />
Length: 67.8 cm</div>(43.2 Percentile)<br />
(92.5 Percentile at Birth)<br />
<br />
Noah is currently not doing so well. He is having severe muscle stiffness and his seizures are starting to come back a little. He is back to being constantly upset when he is awake. It breaks my heart. Aaron and I are exhausted but we are trying to keep each other sane.<br />
<br />
We are back and forth to the hospital in Perth (PMH) quite a bit. Noah now has a Neurologist, Occupational Therapist, Physiotherapist, Dietitian, Speech Therapist (Who helps with feeding), Ear, Nose and Throat Specialist, Pediatrician, and I'm sure I’ve missed some! He will also in the near future see the Ophthamologist and a Gastrostomy Specialist. Then there is our Palliative Care Nurse who is our overall coordinator. Plus we have to go to the Pharmacy to collect medicine and also deal with hospital supplies for Noah's feeding equipment. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mMZh7yPabhA/Te9GZGtjefI/AAAAAAAAALA/bBQ3aa-5NQk/s1600/Noah+013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mMZh7yPabhA/Te9GZGtjefI/AAAAAAAAALA/bBQ3aa-5NQk/s400/Noah+013.jpg" t8="true" width="300" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SJZcaPEX4vk/Te9FUU5p9kI/AAAAAAAAAK0/On2bjFBy2Ow/s1600/Noah+102.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SJZcaPEX4vk/Te9FUU5p9kI/AAAAAAAAAK0/On2bjFBy2Ow/s400/Noah+102.jpg" t8="true" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This month Nana Dot came back for a visit. I was able to fly to Melbourne for a quick visit to see my family. My younger brother is in hospital, but it looks like he will make a full recovery :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sePLglt7kno/Te9KPqK4g7I/AAAAAAAAALM/XOXROaKMfaY/s1600/Noah+089.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sePLglt7kno/Te9KPqK4g7I/AAAAAAAAALM/XOXROaKMfaY/s320/Noah+089.jpg" t8="true" width="239" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XsDSDR9ADtU/Te9KqXTzoII/AAAAAAAAALQ/Wbrrxk0CjSo/s1600/Noah+074.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XsDSDR9ADtU/Te9KqXTzoII/AAAAAAAAALQ/Wbrrxk0CjSo/s320/Noah+074.jpg" t8="true" width="240" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Also Aunty Nuz dropped in for a quick visit. She brought Noah a cute kangaroo jumper with a little Joey it.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-h_HXud3Y7sk/TfxhMC0t70I/AAAAAAAAALg/Aj4yhopGKGE/s1600/noah+027.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" i$="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-h_HXud3Y7sk/TfxhMC0t70I/AAAAAAAAALg/Aj4yhopGKGE/s200/noah+027.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lMMCoewSuDg/TfxhMOjcgOI/AAAAAAAAALk/ynJ0nLKaSzA/s1600/noah+035.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" i$="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lMMCoewSuDg/TfxhMOjcgOI/AAAAAAAAALk/ynJ0nLKaSzA/s200/noah+035.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iOB0kZ8FFG0/TfxhjeNVmsI/AAAAAAAAALs/2wjrLVLf4VY/s1600/noah+052.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" i$="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iOB0kZ8FFG0/TfxhjeNVmsI/AAAAAAAAALs/2wjrLVLf4VY/s320/noah+052.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jADNSnzv-Xg/TfxhkujcdFI/AAAAAAAAALw/jYPtwMEGiPo/s1600/noah+047.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" i$="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jADNSnzv-Xg/TfxhkujcdFI/AAAAAAAAALw/jYPtwMEGiPo/s320/noah+047.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>Kat and Aaron Reedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06697840237511878347noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1226099033486047868.post-85126006511419649922011-05-20T13:43:00.000+10:002011-05-26T14:06:07.073+10:00Noah's NurseryBefore Noah was born I picked out the nursery set I liked. Of course the one I liked was a new design and there was a delay in it being available :) I was finally able to get it last week and I wanted to share it with everyone because I think it is so cute.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Uh42nz85kgo/Td3OJmzFHWI/AAAAAAAAAJY/KaHaOa96gBM/s1600/Noah+017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Uh42nz85kgo/Td3OJmzFHWI/AAAAAAAAAJY/KaHaOa96gBM/s400/Noah+017.jpg" t8="true" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-71MVjabfrWU/Td3Na0Ob6fI/AAAAAAAAAJM/g8RVKAnqMpE/s1600/Noah+023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-71MVjabfrWU/Td3Na0Ob6fI/AAAAAAAAAJM/g8RVKAnqMpE/s400/Noah+023.jpg" t8="true" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wKzXWjfgxzc/Td3NjDZEq0I/AAAAAAAAAJQ/WLHwi1ScJZw/s1600/Noah+022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wKzXWjfgxzc/Td3NjDZEq0I/AAAAAAAAAJQ/WLHwi1ScJZw/s400/Noah+022.jpg" t8="true" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BvlA3UVgckg/Td3NPhbGoHI/AAAAAAAAAJI/NzU5ja8Xq4Q/s1600/Noah+015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BvlA3UVgckg/Td3NPhbGoHI/AAAAAAAAAJI/NzU5ja8Xq4Q/s400/Noah+015.jpg" t8="true" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8xJRIf7j1r8/Td3NsRS8uTI/AAAAAAAAAJU/C-ZwCVrrE8o/s1600/Noah+020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8xJRIf7j1r8/Td3NsRS8uTI/AAAAAAAAAJU/C-ZwCVrrE8o/s400/Noah+020.jpg" t8="true" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jb7Z75v53vw/Td3BEM90AzI/AAAAAAAAAJA/E9QMfmbNUbo/s1600/Picture1.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="296" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jb7Z75v53vw/Td3BEM90AzI/AAAAAAAAAJA/E9QMfmbNUbo/s320/Picture1.gif" t8="true" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Kat and Aaron Reedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06697840237511878347noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1226099033486047868.post-35267346894557665432011-05-19T17:29:00.000+10:002011-05-19T17:29:50.320+10:00Noah SmilesEvery now and then Noah has a tiny little smile and very rarely something that sounds like a giggle. Here was the first time he smiled for a few minutes in a row. Luckily I just happened to have my iphone handy. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><object width="320" height="266" class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="http://i.ytimg.com/vi/kcnOyO1c_-I/0.jpg"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/kcnOyO1c_-I?f=user_uploads&c=google-webdrive-0&app=youtube_gdata" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/kcnOyO1c_-I?f=user_uploads&c=google-webdrive-0&app=youtube_gdata" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object></div>Kat and Aaron Reedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06697840237511878347noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1226099033486047868.post-25700684069430418112011-05-10T15:02:00.003+10:002011-06-18T19:38:06.917+10:00Climbing Mt Kinabalu For Noah<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">I am constantly reminded and touched that I am part of such an amazing family. In July Narelle, Trav and Carlee are heading over to <place w:st="on">Borneo</place> to climb Mt Kinabalu. And they decided to do it for Noah, to help raise money for his care. I can't even say in words how much this means to us. Thank You guys so very, very much. I hope you have an amazing adventure!</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RmX25s9HO1k/TcjF8KXS1PI/AAAAAAAAAFw/t-c5auG5zmg/s1600/Picture1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="282" j8="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RmX25s9HO1k/TcjF8KXS1PI/AAAAAAAAAFw/t-c5auG5zmg/s400/Picture1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><span style="color: white; font-family: ErasITC-Demi;"><span style="color: white; font-family: ErasITC-Demi;"><span style="color: white; font-family: ErasITC-Demi;"><span style="font-family: ErasITC-Demi;"><span style="font-family: ErasITC-Demi;"><span style="font-family: ErasITC-Demi;"></span></span></span><b><span style="font-family: ErasITC-Bold;"><span style="font-family: ErasITC-Bold;"><span style="font-family: ErasITC-Bold;"></span></span></span><span style="font-family: ErasITC-Demi;"><span style="font-family: ErasITC-Demi;"><span style="font-family: ErasITC-Demi;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;">Or see Narelle, Carlee or Travis to donate</span></span></span></span></b></span></span></span><br />
<div align="left"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;">Donations can be made to: CUA Bank Account Name: Special Purpose </span></div><div align="left"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;">BSB: 814282 Account No: 31135952</span></div><div align="left"></div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Kat and Aaron Reedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06697840237511878347noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1226099033486047868.post-43799320968414936772011-05-06T20:16:00.002+10:002012-03-30T23:14:23.912+11:00Where Things Are At - May 2011<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-08aiW157RzI/TcQClY5XyHI/AAAAAAAAAEU/S7hn6gORcCo/s1600/Noah+096.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" j8="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-08aiW157RzI/TcQClY5XyHI/AAAAAAAAAEU/S7hn6gORcCo/s320/Noah+096.jpg" width="320" /></a>Currently Noah is approaching the 6 month mark and the doctors are actually surprised that he has made it this far. He hasn't developed any absent reflexes like his sucking or swallowing. This causes his breathing to be very strained and he coughs, is congested and stops breathing sometimes. He doesn't track with his eyes at this point, can't see or doesn't register what he sees. We are waiting on further hearing tests but we think he can hear but he doesn't respond to sounds too often. He has very high tone in his arms and legs and is very floppy in his trunk. He used to be able to hold his head up when on his tummy but he can't do that now. His vomiting is under control, so that's one less thing annoying him. He has become very irritable and is upset and/or cries 70% of the time he is awake. In all honesty he is not happy and it breaks my heart to have to see him go through this everyday. But we do have hope....hope that Noah wont have to endure his suffering for too long. It is a terrible thing to have to hope for, but we love our baby boy so much and just want what's best for him. We want him to be free.</div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-B8dCyo0fn8o/TcQC2JTej-I/AAAAAAAAAEY/3QyVmJiFIzs/s1600/DSCN0939.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" j8="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-B8dCyo0fn8o/TcQC2JTej-I/AAAAAAAAAEY/3QyVmJiFIzs/s200/DSCN0939.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-i4D1zC7ab8M/TcQCcFmJvsI/AAAAAAAAAEQ/LO23oi2rBMk/s1600/DSCN0940.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" j8="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-i4D1zC7ab8M/TcQCcFmJvsI/AAAAAAAAAEQ/LO23oi2rBMk/s200/DSCN0940.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br />
Of course we will continue to take each day as it comes and try to hold our heads up. Very, very rarely Noah will make a little smile or laughing noise (usually when he is asleep or just waking) We just have to make the most of the time we have. Aaron and I were already pretty strong, positive type people but we have really had to dig deep and just keep on digging :) We really couldn't have stayed so "sane" without the help of our family and friends. We love and thank each and everyone of you xoxo</div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zt7kk-P56ZA/TcQBY1XTupI/AAAAAAAAAEM/sDD1LWqUKbY/s1600/100_2710.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" j8="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zt7kk-P56ZA/TcQBY1XTupI/AAAAAAAAAEM/sDD1LWqUKbY/s400/100_2710.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>Kat and Aaron Reedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06697840237511878347noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1226099033486047868.post-85431241015842245322011-04-12T19:24:00.009+10:002011-05-07T00:47:28.466+10:00Noah Goes To HospitalWhen Noah was 5 months old he started developing strange sort of quick jerking movements. He would put his arms out then move them really fast into the middle, turn his head to the side, arch his back a bit and stare. He would only do this for a few seconds. It was quite scary and over the next few days started getting worse. At first we thought it was just spasms but we soon realised that something was different. We took him into the hospital and he had an EEG done. It showed that he was in fact having seizures. By this time he was doing it quite a lot. It was worse when he was tired or trying to fall asleep. Even if he was asleep sometimes he would jolt and wake himself up. The neurologist told us that it looked like he was having Infantile Spasms. He was put on Sabril, an anti-epileptic that is specifically used for IS. It seemed to help and after a few days he came home again.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AU0thhMXjyw/TcP-kLeb0xI/AAAAAAAAAD8/mLhdqwZ7gA8/s1600/iPhone+Pics+308.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" j8="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AU0thhMXjyw/TcP-kLeb0xI/AAAAAAAAAD8/mLhdqwZ7gA8/s400/iPhone+Pics+308.jpg" width="298" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Then after a few days at home they started to come back. One day he didn't really sleep all day and night. He would keep having these seizures and couldn't sleep because of it. Of course it happened to be the long weekend over Easter so the usual doctors were away. It got to 11pm and we decided to take Noah back to the hospital. He was admitted and given something to help him sleep. He had another EEG and it was discovered that he was actually having Mycolonic Seizures, of which Sabril can actually make worse! So he was put on a different anti-epileptic called Epilim. This really upset his stomach and he started vomiting and having other complications. Noah was in hospital for another week and this settled down and now 2 weeks later he isn't having any seizures that we can tell.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dMCRMrRhw5I/TcP-1qKJ6CI/AAAAAAAAAEA/XVdMvbyCGhQ/s1600/iPhone+Pics+312.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" j8="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dMCRMrRhw5I/TcP-1qKJ6CI/AAAAAAAAAEA/XVdMvbyCGhQ/s400/iPhone+Pics+312.jpg" width="298" /></a></div>Kat and Aaron Reedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06697840237511878347noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1226099033486047868.post-81690386394880169772011-03-10T17:22:00.003+11:002011-05-07T00:48:26.760+10:00Help Has Arrived!Noah was about 4 months old when Nana Dot, Aunty Di and Aunty Grainne come to stay for a month. It was a blessing! At first I didn't know that Di's daughter Grainee was coming too. I didn't really know her very well and I wondered how she would be with Noah and me being the neat-freak stress-head that I am was worried about having too many people here. But I must say she is a gem. She is so easy going and sweet. She was great with Noah and it was nice to have someone to hang with and someone to watch The Kardashians with. Thanks gorgeous girl :)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iwP7rdHYZbA/TcNpDvOuY2I/AAAAAAAAADg/vdx18QB9z3E/s1600/DSCF2026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" j8="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iwP7rdHYZbA/TcNpDvOuY2I/AAAAAAAAADg/vdx18QB9z3E/s200/DSCF2026.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QY8fPHBEAMs/TcNqE5MbV5I/AAAAAAAAADw/A__8oVEq4-Q/s1600/Noah+019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" j8="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QY8fPHBEAMs/TcNqE5MbV5I/AAAAAAAAADw/A__8oVEq4-Q/s200/Noah+019.jpg" width="150" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
It was so great to have them here, they all have there own unique wonderfulness. Nana Dot would take Noah when he woke up in the morning so we could sleep a bit more. Noah very often had a snooze with Nana. Di had a knack for holding Noah just the way he likes it and would tell him very interesting stories and Noah always seemed to fall asleep right on Grainee, when he wasn't vomiting on her that is. They all learnt how to look after Noah and really gave us a break while they were here. And who knows hopefully they will all be moving here soon.......<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eQcbgdfTfKQ/TcNpxoibjsI/AAAAAAAAADs/pZj__rCs2A8/s1600/Noah+018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" j8="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eQcbgdfTfKQ/TcNpxoibjsI/AAAAAAAAADs/pZj__rCs2A8/s200/Noah+018.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xNd0ASMPc80/TcNqNWWKL2I/AAAAAAAAAD0/k_wPpMrW54k/s1600/Noah+027.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" j8="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xNd0ASMPc80/TcNqNWWKL2I/AAAAAAAAAD0/k_wPpMrW54k/s200/Noah+027.jpg" width="150" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eMfpB5RF9t0/TcNpPF6ikRI/AAAAAAAAADk/rkD8d-HhMj8/s1600/DSCN0930.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" j8="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eMfpB5RF9t0/TcNpPF6ikRI/AAAAAAAAADk/rkD8d-HhMj8/s400/DSCN0930.JPG" width="300" /></a>Kat and Aaron Reedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06697840237511878347noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1226099033486047868.post-68960082627154955832011-02-25T15:09:00.004+11:002011-05-07T00:50:03.359+10:00Aunty Nuz is Back<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Noah was now just over 2 months old. His condition had started to worsen and he had started to vomit quite regularly. He also was having temperatures and feeling very clammy. He had started to cry not only at night but also a lot during the day. Our once stable datum of the bath soothing him didn't seem to work now either. We were giving him medication to help him digest his food better and to stop any burn from any reflux. Just when we thought things were hard enough we had to dig deeper and just take one day at a time.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MuqZkHfwexE/TcI0OuUruUI/AAAAAAAAAC8/Va_dfeZAXnE/s1600/DSC01420.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" j8="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MuqZkHfwexE/TcI0OuUruUI/AAAAAAAAAC8/Va_dfeZAXnE/s200/DSC01420.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0-0864w7aX0/TcI0A-U9VLI/AAAAAAAAAC4/R4_6sxOGXFk/s1600/DSC01418.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" j8="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0-0864w7aX0/TcI0A-U9VLI/AAAAAAAAAC4/R4_6sxOGXFk/s200/DSC01418.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Then Aunty Nuz came over for a visit to cheer us up. She was so good with Noah and watching her I realised how much of a great Mum she will make one day. Thanks Narelle for everything. Your the best sister in-law ever!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WJ8Zpn7jXqE/TcI1JM3ttUI/AAAAAAAAADA/EmGl6-KJhvE/s1600/DSC01425.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" j8="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WJ8Zpn7jXqE/TcI1JM3ttUI/AAAAAAAAADA/EmGl6-KJhvE/s200/DSC01425.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ftPx27VpvPc/TcI1ZedITTI/AAAAAAAAADE/k_W7PFyjOdA/s1600/100_2708.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" j8="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ftPx27VpvPc/TcI1ZedITTI/AAAAAAAAADE/k_W7PFyjOdA/s200/100_2708.JPG" width="200" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LO0Av01tXio/TcI2e_-c4CI/AAAAAAAAADI/L-2dqvBDshI/s1600/DSC01412.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" j8="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LO0Av01tXio/TcI2e_-c4CI/AAAAAAAAADI/L-2dqvBDshI/s400/DSC01412.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>Kat and Aaron Reedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06697840237511878347noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1226099033486047868.post-76030826970473391192011-02-20T14:59:00.001+11:002011-05-07T00:43:48.561+10:00Uncle Trav Comes To Say HiNoah was around 13 weeks old when Uncle Trav came to meet him. He brought a gorgeous little photo book that Aunty Carlee had made. <br />
<br />
Our good friends Gary and Ellena looked after Noah for the day and we went out for a winery tour in the Swan Valley. It was great to get out and unwind, although it felt really strange and I had to keep reminding myself that they would be fine and not to worry.<br />
<br />
Noah showed Trav that he was a one-eyed Magpie supporter too!<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--cNeaEWnXkQ/TcIv5lmDFkI/AAAAAAAAACw/KBoPuoSqkPI/s1600/100_2620.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" j8="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--cNeaEWnXkQ/TcIv5lmDFkI/AAAAAAAAACw/KBoPuoSqkPI/s200/100_2620.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QFW58sGcUnM/TcIwEalKQjI/AAAAAAAAAC0/G3Oc6_SUDXY/s1600/100_2629.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" j8="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QFW58sGcUnM/TcIwEalKQjI/AAAAAAAAAC0/G3Oc6_SUDXY/s200/100_2629.JPG" width="200" /></a> </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div>Kat and Aaron Reedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06697840237511878347noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1226099033486047868.post-14060765720009399082011-01-20T14:32:00.000+11:002011-05-05T14:58:59.641+10:00Grandpa & Grandma Visit<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2WI0wDEEb2Y/TcItHuNLfzI/AAAAAAAAACk/YAWLWaUI2dA/s1600/Noah+093.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" j8="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2WI0wDEEb2Y/TcItHuNLfzI/AAAAAAAAACk/YAWLWaUI2dA/s200/Noah+093.jpg" width="200" /></a>Noah had a visit from Grandpa David and Grandma Lea when he was about 9 weeks old. They brought lots of presents and were keen to help out. My favourite present that they brought with them was the one from Lea's sister. It was a beautiful "Noah's Ark" money box and it was engraved with Noah's name and birth date. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-V7LXM1WMEKY/TcIs-0SLETI/AAAAAAAAACg/s1P_dDf9CNw/s1600/Noah+095.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" j8="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-V7LXM1WMEKY/TcIs-0SLETI/AAAAAAAAACg/s1P_dDf9CNw/s200/Noah+095.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">At this stage Noah would sleep a lot during the day or be pretty chilled during the day. But at night he had a pattern of crying for hours and hours. The only thing that would soothe him was when we put him in his bath. He would stop right away and relax. Then as soon as we took him out again he would start up again. His breathing was also getting a lot worse.</div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-N_BAwy64YHk/TcItdjjhHdI/AAAAAAAAACs/Yg3eS5ChC6s/s1600/100_2604.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" j8="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-N_BAwy64YHk/TcItdjjhHdI/AAAAAAAAACs/Yg3eS5ChC6s/s200/100_2604.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Upm5EhqO-dk/TcItPRkAODI/AAAAAAAAACo/jVFs5yI1Hcg/s1600/100_2618.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" j8="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Upm5EhqO-dk/TcItPRkAODI/AAAAAAAAACo/jVFs5yI1Hcg/s200/100_2618.JPG" width="200" /></a> </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">It was great having some spare sets of hands or arms more so. We would have to hold up Noah's syringe which was filled with milk and would slowly go down his tube. He was on thickened milk so sometimes it could take ages. Lots of tired arms :) Thanks Grandma and Grandpa</div>Kat and Aaron Reedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06697840237511878347noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1226099033486047868.post-85116148580000835662011-01-07T23:57:00.007+11:002011-05-07T00:42:32.260+10:00Coming HomeWhen Noah was 7 weeks old he was able to come home. We knew it was going to be tough, as Noah pretty much needed 24 hr care. Also 2 nights before Noah was due to come home he started crying for the first time. At first we were happy to see this change... but we would very soon be wishing we hadn't. So with what felt like half the hospital in our car we said goodbye to KEMH. We had all sorts of different equipment (NG tubes, syringes, tape, PH indicator strips, kangaroo pump for overnight feeds, kangaroo sets for the pump, suction unit, thickening powder for his formula, medication......) we had a lot of stuff to get used to. It was very daunting bringing Noah home but it was also a relief knowing we wouldn't have to go into the hospital everyday.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TMdYpTTqiv4/TcFgNtvfpQI/AAAAAAAAACQ/OpvymwTfn9k/s1600/Noah+084.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" j8="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TMdYpTTqiv4/TcFgNtvfpQI/AAAAAAAAACQ/OpvymwTfn9k/s320/Noah+084.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
When we got home we showed Noah around and introduced him to "Jack" our cat of 12 years. Jack gave him the head but of approval. It was really surreal bringing Noah home and having him in bassinet and nursery. This really was so different to how we imagined things would be. At this point Noah would sleep pretty much all day then he would wake and start to get uncomfortable with stiff arms and legs. He would cry for hours and hours, but only at night.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-C_sEUVVTXDo/TcFhy2yL6RI/AAAAAAAAACU/PDV7ebEL--A/s1600/Noah+097.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" j8="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-C_sEUVVTXDo/TcFhy2yL6RI/AAAAAAAAACU/PDV7ebEL--A/s320/Noah+097.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-L41yjylhBLs/TcFh9iBcwyI/AAAAAAAAACY/j5S2kKNlSRI/s1600/Noah+111.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" j8="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-L41yjylhBLs/TcFh9iBcwyI/AAAAAAAAACY/j5S2kKNlSRI/s200/Noah+111.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3fs6ZX_I08k/TcFiG6A7hoI/AAAAAAAAACc/m-gEYrKhylw/s1600/Noah+107.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" j8="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3fs6ZX_I08k/TcFiG6A7hoI/AAAAAAAAACc/m-gEYrKhylw/s200/Noah+107.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Kat and Aaron Reedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06697840237511878347noreply@blogger.com0