Now my dear sweet Tally is TEN (part 3)

Well, like I said before it was 10 years ago that Tally was born. Today is her actual birthday. I have really enjoyed thinking back on the experience of having her and finally becoming a Mom. 10 years ago I was a different person too. I have changed and grown with all that I have been able to experience. At times I wish that I could do it again (I think I am a better Mom now than I was then).

I wanted to finish off the little story of our transition into parenthood. We had a rough start (I think many people do). Think about all the training you get to learn to drive and yet they let just about anyone go home from the hospital with a baby (with no training or license required). Due to the breech position, Tally had congenital hip dysplasia. Her hips had not formed all the way and within a day of her being born, we were given the different options of what the form of treatment would be. We were fortunate that the harness that she was given to wear did work (rather than casts or surgery). She wore that harness for 3 months. It was hard to care for her (we couldn't take it off and give her a bath at all). She seemed to be pretty fussy with not being able to kick and squirm. Hard to tell how much of it was from the harness. We were very thankful that things were easily corrected. Though at the time, it seemed like such a difficult situation to handle (oh we were so young).

Another issue we had was with feeding. Breastfeeding never was easy. After struggling with nursing and Tally not gaining weight her first month, I ended up seeing a lactation consultant. Tally just wasn't drawing anything out on her own. I used an SNS (tube system) to feed her and I pumped every time I fed her to have enough for the next feeding. It was very difficult and quite the ordeal. Again, not exactly how I had it all planned. I learned to be flexible and put my child's needs above my own ideas and plans.

I believe that my experiences have formed who I am today. I understand that children are a gift and to be treasured. I am so thankful that I have had the privilege to be a mom. What a blessing. And now my dear sweet Tally is ten. How grateful I am to be part of her life.