Happy New Year

Today, we started our New Year with a family walk around the neighborhood. As we rang in the new year, we talked about the many things we are grateful for. Every new year with Errol is a gift, but this year brings risk. This summer, Errol will have his third open-heart surgery. And while each of the three surgeries gets less risky, we grow more attached to him, and have more to lose.

A neighbor came over the other day, took a look at Errol’s stander and asked, “What is that?”
Quick as a wink, Owen replied, “That’s a stander!” as if everyone had a yellow metal reclining gurney in their living room. Of course, for Owen, it is normal, and so is having a brother like Errol. And I hope we can keep it that way, but surely, as they both grow older, Errol will seem less and less normal. But so are champagne, truffles, and Venice.

Errol has grown up, so much that he is starting to be mischievous (which, with him, is a good thing). How can a disabled baby be naughty? you ask – by flipping! Errol has finally discovered the ability to flip over from his stomach onto his back (most kids do by six months, Errol is 20 months) but we are thrilled Errol can do it at all (and hey, this isn’t the Olympics). Errol’s flipping is 99% wonderful, and 1% problematic – he can’t seem to stop. We put him on his stomach, and before we know it, he’s on his back. We turn him back on his stomach and before we can turn around, he’s on his back again, grinning ear to ear. This wouldn’t be a problem if Errol could fall asleep on his back, but he can’t and within a few minutes of bliss, Errol’s smile turns into a cry (yes, he cries). And we have to keep flipping him every few minutes until he finally gives up and goes to sleep. All in all, this is a great problem to have, and I have to admit that it’s fun to see Errol with a naughty glint in his eye, ready to thwart us. I’d love to have more of these kinds of problems, and if we’re lucky, one day he won’t want to stop walking and talking. Keep flipping, Little Man.

Errol is really growing up (and around and around) and I know that this is going to be a great year for him. He’s doing so many things we never dreamed he’d do, which just makes us all the more scared for him. I can’t wait ‘til the summer is over and done and we have our boy back.