This almost made me cry because it hits so close to home! Crew just hit this milestone as well... 4 years of hard work and we are so proud. These kids will continue to progress- sometimes when we least expect it.
I just happened upon your blog a few days ago and had to read it from start to finish. What an amazing story.
What kept me reading from start to finish is Eden's amazing smile. Reading about what she and Holland have both been through and seeing the smile that's always on their faces - particularly Eden's face - warms my heart. You must be able to look at her and know that you're doing a great job with them - otherwise she wouldn't smile like she does!
You mention forgiving yourself a lot - I don't have kids and there are no disabilities in my family - so I don't even pretend to know what you're going through. But as someone reading your story, it would appear to me that, by looking at the smiles on the faces of your girls, you have nothing that you need to be forgiven for. You're a wonderful and loving mother who has two beautiful and happy children. You should be proud.
Think of all the kids in the world who have parents who abuse them or who are drug addicts...and how unhappy those kids are. Think about the kids who don't make it past their youth because of the abusive situations they are in. Those kids are the kids who need our sympathy, and whose parents need forgiveness.
I used to babysit a child who had Downs Syndrome and was autistic. That child changed my life. To spend time around a child with a disability is a true blessing because you see the world through their eyes. I complain about gas prices or about having to mow the yard. Then I see a child like Eden or Holly and I see how happy they are. It makes me realize that despite all the adversity the world throws at us, we all have the option to be happy and to push on.
Your girls are an inspiration to me, as I'm sure they are to many others. Again, you should be proud of yourself for being such a great mother.
Love,
A new friend
P.S. Way to go Eden! Reading about your phenomenal accomplishment put a smile on my face that's almost as big as yours!
Brilliant Eden! But let me just tell you to warn your mamma. The physio will probably not be so happy - they seem to hate what they call W-sitting - and will tell your mamma she needs to change the way you sit. You just remind her that independence comes before anything and the physio can go and, ehm, just find a toy to play with. Don't let anyone take your feedom and achievements away from you.
Mon Jul 14, 08:38:00 PM EDT
Anonymous said...
EDEN YOU ARE AWESOME! Love, Jules
Holland, you want to come over and wash my car too? :)
Mon Jul 14, 08:43:00 PM EDT
Anonymous said...
Wow! Even in Australia, the people are cheering! Well done, young lady!!
She has great spirit. Her pictures melt my heart. Go Eden!!!
Tim and Renee McKeen
Mon Jul 14, 10:06:00 PM EDT
Anonymous said...
I am sooooo excited for Eden and for your family!! This gives me such great hope.
Tricia
Mon Jul 14, 10:08:00 PM EDT
Anonymous said...
WOW!!!!! A little while back, I was going to leave a comment on the post on sitting up in the Target cart with Holland for the first time asking whether this was a good sign for continuing development... but then didn't want to somehow lessen that awesome moment(ie "well, that's great, but can she do BETTER?")... or, I guess, show any ignorance. But this just made my night. (How often have these two little girls, whom I've never met in person, made my night?)
Guauuuuuu!!!! Bravo por Eden! Felicidades Billy, me imagino tu alegría y emoción como papá ver a tu princesa progresar y lo mejor, que es una diversión para ella!! :)
HORRAY! This is so amazing! Look at how PROUD of herself she looks-as well she should!
Hannah just figured this out recently as well and it has done wonders for her in terms of feeling like she is not stuck on the floor. She is less frustrated and more able to initiate independent play.
What a great accomplishment! Both of your girls are adorable! I hope you'll consider adding your blog to the aggregator at Deaf Village (www.deafvillage.com) -- we'd love to have you as a part of our community!
YEAH Eden! I am proud of you too. What a big step, keep up the good work.
Billie, I know all too well how happy you must be right now. We are so blessed to have children that really make us appreciate the little things in life, there are too many people that take these HUGE milestones for granted. If they only knew...
Sat Jul 19, 01:14:00 AM EDT
Anonymous said...
Billie!! I have been following the girls' story since they were little babies and seeing Eden sitting on her own and Holland being potty trained totally made MY day!!
Your story is amazing and I so do love to check in a few times a month to see what they are up to. The girls' progress is amazing and I am just writing to let you and John know you all have some BIG time fans who are cheering these little miracles on!! These girls are gonna be amazing adults and like someone already posted, they have only just begun!! Cheers to you and John!! Cheers to Eden and Holland!!!
Your blog is one of my faves online!!!
---Keely in Atlanta
Sun Jul 20, 07:40:00 AM EDT
Anonymous said...
Wow, you are so amazing Eden. Never posted before but have been reading for a while. I just had to say we are cheering from Georgetown,ON, Canada.
Congrats beautiful Eden!!!! WOOOO HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO................................. can you hear US shouting for you? -Shannon and family in Austin
Mon Jul 28, 03:29:00 PM EDT
Anonymous said...
That is soooo awesome. Yey Eden. I'm sure there's many more milestones to come and I enjoy hearing them all. =)
I am Nana to Kassie and Lena at bitsandpieces.com and I want to tell you that your girls are total inspiration to us in all that we have ahead of us! They are absolutely beautiful! I could be having the worst day and all I have to do is go into bitsand pieces or your site and they always make my day. Way to go Eden! You too Holland! Way to go!
Mon Aug 04, 12:35:00 AM EDT
The best part? Eden is getting into this position all on her own! That means getting her knees up under her, pushing up with her arms, then holding it. It's a lot of work, but she clearly thinks it is great fun, and was saying over and over, "look at me Holland!"
Today she did the best I have ever seen her do and I'm so excited!!!! I want to shout it to the world! Thank goodness for the internet because I CAN!
"Sitting!"
53 Comments -
So, so awesome. Way to go, Eden!
Mon Jul 14, 02:11:00 PM EDT
Way to go, Eden!!! She looks SO happy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Its a big step!!!
Mon Jul 14, 02:25:00 PM EDT
Hooray for Eden!! This is AWESOME news!
I love Eden's pictures; her smiles just brighten my day.
Love,
Dawn
Mon Jul 14, 02:57:00 PM EDT
congrats eden
Mon Jul 14, 03:19:00 PM EDT
Nice Job Eden!!!!
Maggie and Michael
Mon Jul 14, 04:43:00 PM EDT
Yeah Eden!
This almost made me cry because it hits so close to home! Crew just hit this milestone as well... 4 years of hard work and we are so proud. These kids will continue to progress- sometimes when we least expect it.
Have a nice week!
Mon Jul 14, 06:32:00 PM EDT
Nice job Eden!
Mon Jul 14, 06:35:00 PM EDT
I just happened upon your blog a few days ago and had to read it from start to finish. What an amazing story.
What kept me reading from start to finish is Eden's amazing smile. Reading about what she and Holland have both been through and seeing the smile that's always on their faces - particularly Eden's face - warms my heart. You must be able to look at her and know that you're doing a great job with them - otherwise she wouldn't smile like she does!
You mention forgiving yourself a lot - I don't have kids and there are no disabilities in my family - so I don't even pretend to know what you're going through. But as someone reading your story, it would appear to me that, by looking at the smiles on the faces of your girls, you have nothing that you need to be forgiven for. You're a wonderful and loving mother who has two beautiful and happy children. You should be proud.
Think of all the kids in the world who have parents who abuse them or who are drug addicts...and how unhappy those kids are. Think about the kids who don't make it past their youth because of the abusive situations they are in. Those kids are the kids who need our sympathy, and whose parents need forgiveness.
I used to babysit a child who had Downs Syndrome and was autistic. That child changed my life. To spend time around a child with a disability is a true blessing because you see the world through their eyes. I complain about gas prices or about having to mow the yard. Then I see a child like Eden or Holly and I see how happy they are. It makes me realize that despite all the adversity the world throws at us, we all have the option to be happy and to push on.
Your girls are an inspiration to me, as I'm sure they are to many others. Again, you should be proud of yourself for being such a great mother.
Love,
A new friend
P.S. Way to go Eden! Reading about your phenomenal accomplishment put a smile on my face that's almost as big as yours!
Mon Jul 14, 07:31:00 PM EDT
Yeah Eden !!!! You're an inspiration to us all! And how cute are those car wash pictures? I love them!
Mon Jul 14, 07:57:00 PM EDT
Well done Eden - that is awesome news.
Love
Em
Australia
Mon Jul 14, 07:58:00 PM EDT
Brilliant Eden!
But let me just tell you to warn your mamma. The physio will probably not be so happy - they seem to hate what they call W-sitting - and will tell your mamma she needs to change the way you sit. You just remind her that independence comes before anything and the physio can go and, ehm, just find a toy to play with. Don't let anyone take your feedom and achievements away from you.
Mon Jul 14, 08:38:00 PM EDT
EDEN YOU ARE AWESOME!
Love,
Jules
Holland, you want to come over and wash my car too? :)
Mon Jul 14, 08:43:00 PM EDT
Wow! Even in Australia, the people are cheering!
Well done, young lady!!
Mon Jul 14, 09:26:00 PM EDT
She has great spirit. Her pictures melt my heart. Go Eden!!!
Tim and Renee McKeen
Mon Jul 14, 10:06:00 PM EDT
I am sooooo excited for Eden and for your family!! This gives me such great hope.
Tricia
Mon Jul 14, 10:08:00 PM EDT
WOW!!!!! A little while back, I was going to leave a comment on the post on sitting up in the Target cart with Holland for the first time asking whether this was a good sign for continuing development... but then didn't want to somehow lessen that awesome moment(ie "well, that's great, but can she do BETTER?")... or, I guess, show any ignorance. But this just made my night. (How often have these two little girls, whom I've never met in person, made my night?)
Tue Jul 15, 12:12:00 AM EDT
You go Eden!! That is so awesome!
Tue Jul 15, 12:53:00 AM EDT
WTG Eden!!!!!!! That is amazing! What an amazing smile on her face. I can only imagine the pride you are feeling. Thanks for sharing with us!
Tue Jul 15, 01:08:00 AM EDT
Do a cheer for Eden over here in Louisiana.
Tue Jul 15, 01:15:00 AM EDT
This is so awesome to see! Way to go, Eden!
Tue Jul 15, 02:33:00 AM EDT
Hooray! Way to go Eden!
Tue Jul 15, 08:59:00 AM EDT
you go girl.............you have only just begun...
Tue Jul 15, 09:44:00 AM EDT
Hi Billie - that is awesoem news! I'm excited for Eden!
Janie
Tue Jul 15, 09:53:00 AM EDT
Hurrah for Eden! Her smile makes my day.
Monique in TX
Tue Jul 15, 11:02:00 AM EDT
Guauuuuuu!!!! Bravo por Eden! Felicidades Billy, me imagino tu alegría y emoción como papá ver a tu princesa progresar y lo mejor, que es una diversión para ella!! :)
Tue Jul 15, 11:21:00 AM EDT
Awesome!!!!! WTG EDEN!!!!!!!! Great job, Princess!!
Tue Jul 15, 12:20:00 PM EDT
Great Job, Eden. Such determination and joy!
XO Amy
Tue Jul 15, 12:23:00 PM EDT
BRAVO EDEN ! WE ALL LOVE YOU AND YOUR FAMILY ALTHOUGH WE ARE FAR AWAY HALF OF THE EARTH! ALWAYS BE WITH YOU ;-)!
Tue Jul 15, 12:23:00 PM EDT
Fabulous! And she's clearly soooo proud of herself!
Tue Jul 15, 12:45:00 PM EDT
YAY Eden!!! Woo Hoo!!!!
Tue Jul 15, 02:48:00 PM EDT
Those pictures brought tears to my eyes. Hooray!!
Tue Jul 15, 03:11:00 PM EDT
So good to see this...she looks so happy to be sitting like a big girl. Way to go Eden!!! You should be so proud. What a hard worker you have there!
Keep up the good work Eden!
Rachel
Tue Jul 15, 04:51:00 PM EDT
Congratulations! She is great! Your daughters are awesome.
Anna
Tue Jul 15, 06:25:00 PM EDT
awesome news!!! go eden!
Tue Jul 15, 07:06:00 PM EDT
HORRAY! This is so amazing! Look at how PROUD of herself she looks-as well she should!
Hannah just figured this out recently as well and it has done wonders for her in terms of feeling like she is not stuck on the floor. She is less frustrated and more able to initiate independent play.
Congratulations, Eden!
Tue Jul 15, 08:55:00 PM EDT
She's an amazing little girl and so stinkin' cute too!
Tue Jul 15, 11:49:00 PM EDT
You've been awarded a Mommy Blogger Award!
Wed Jul 16, 01:14:00 AM EDT
WTG Eden!
Wed Jul 16, 08:34:00 AM EDT
Hurray, Edie!!!! You are such a beautiful big girl!
Love,
Kendra
Wed Jul 16, 09:17:00 AM EDT
Go Eden!
I love reading your blog and seeing all of the girls accomplishments!
G
Wed Jul 16, 11:42:00 AM EDT
What a great accomplishment! Both of your girls are adorable! I hope you'll consider adding your blog to the aggregator at Deaf Village (www.deafvillage.com) -- we'd love to have you as a part of our community!
Wed Jul 16, 01:43:00 PM EDT
And we're all cheering right there beside you! YAY!
Wed Jul 16, 06:52:00 PM EDT
Wow way to go Eden!!! Sitting on your own is awesome, you go girl!!
Wed Jul 16, 11:37:00 PM EDT
You go girl!!
Thu Jul 17, 11:26:00 PM EDT
YAY Eden! So excited for you! You too Billie!
Fri Jul 18, 01:24:00 AM EDT
Oh my goodness look at her go! That is fantastic!
Fri Jul 18, 10:40:00 AM EDT
YEAH Eden! I am proud of you too. What a big step, keep up the good work.
Billie, I know all too well how happy you must be right now. We are so blessed to have children that really make us appreciate the little things in life, there are too many people that take these HUGE milestones for granted. If they only knew...
Sat Jul 19, 01:14:00 AM EDT
Billie!!
I have been following the girls' story since they were little babies and seeing Eden sitting on her own and Holland being potty trained totally made MY day!!
Your story is amazing and I so do love to check in a few times a month to see what they are up to. The girls' progress is amazing and I am just writing to let you and John know you all have some BIG time fans who are cheering these little miracles on!! These girls are gonna be amazing adults and like someone already posted, they have only just begun!!
Cheers to you and John!! Cheers to Eden and Holland!!!
Your blog is one of my faves online!!!
---Keely in Atlanta
Sun Jul 20, 07:40:00 AM EDT
Wow, you are so amazing Eden. Never posted before but have been reading for a while. I just had to say we are cheering from Georgetown,ON, Canada.
Sun Jul 20, 12:32:00 PM EDT
OMG!!! That is so wonderful!!!!!
Mon Jul 28, 02:24:00 PM EDT
Congrats beautiful Eden!!!! WOOOO HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.................................
can you hear US shouting for you?
-Shannon and family in Austin
Mon Jul 28, 03:29:00 PM EDT
That is soooo awesome. Yey Eden. I'm sure there's many more milestones to come and I enjoy hearing them all. =)
Thu Jul 31, 10:45:00 PM EDT
I am Nana to Kassie and Lena at bitsandpieces.com and I want to tell you that your girls are total inspiration to us in all that we have ahead of us! They are absolutely beautiful! I could be having the worst day and all I have to do is go into bitsand pieces or your site and they always make my day. Way to go Eden! You too Holland! Way to go!
Mon Aug 04, 12:35:00 AM EDT