Tomorrow is my birthday. I’m turning 24. Am I ready for 24? I don’t know. I don’t know if I was ready for 23, 22, 21 or even 20 for that matter. The time is going by too fast. When I was a kid I would complain about time not moving fast enough. I couldn’t wait for the last day of school, the first day of summer camp, Halloween, Christmas, my birthday. My mom and grandmother used to tell me, “Wait until you’re older. Before you know it years will be gone.” So true. I’m finding that out firsthand! Alyssa is going to be four. Four. After four comes five. Half a decade. Yikes. And Ryan is going to be two. TWO. Some days I feel like I just gave birth to him. Then there are other days where I feel like he has been here forever! I just can’t imagine life without him. Or Alyssa, for that matter. :heart:
I can’t thank you guys enough for the huge show of support via comments, email and instant messages since I posted last night’s entry. I have cried several times, and have definitely re-read many comments, to try and get everything to sink in. I can’t tell you how much the support, advice and encouragement means to me.
I know that Ryan is going to be okay. I know that we’re going to be okay. Because good or bad, we have a strong family unit. Dan and I have a strong marriage and relationship, and our love for each other and our children never wavers. We work together to do the best we can for Alyssa and Ryan. But there’s no denying that we’re in for a tough road ahead. I can only pray for the best for Ryan, and do everything possible for him. So far we’re doing good: routines, therapy, and now the evaluation, meeting with the psychologist next Tuesday, starting speech therapy, increasing occupational therapy, and so on and so forth.
So. We’ve got a lot going on right now, and I’m not even including Ryan and the weekly therapists (though that is a lot in itself!).
Tomorrow is my birthday! Yippee! I’m especially excited this year, because despite turning another year older, I’m having a party. A party! I haven’t had a party since I turned thirteen. Every year since then it’s either been absolutely nothing (like the year I turned eighteen and my mom was too busy visiting with my grandmother and grandfather to come home for my birthday; I spent the day watching my brothers), some huge dramalicious blowout, or not much of anything — maybe a card and/or a cake.
But this year, Dan is throwing me a little birthday party here at home. Food, cake, presents, guests, and fun. I can’t wait!!! :D
Sunday is Father’s Day. I’m going to make a Sunday brunch for my grandfather, and then later in the evening do something nice for Daniel.
Next Wednesday, the 18th, Ryan’s therapist and I are taking him to the swimming pool to see how he’ll do if it’s not so crowded. Same day, there’s a full moon adult swim from 8pm to 11pm. I have been wanting to do this damn thing since before I had Alyssa, but Daniel never wanted to, so he would either tell me no, or conveniently forget to ask off from work for that night. This year he finally agreed and is showing some enthusiasm, so thanks to his brothers being able to watch Alyssa and Ryan, we’re going. Our friend Jason is also coming with us. 
Jason! Jason took me out for an early birthday dinner on Tuesday night. We went to TGIF. It was delicious. Then he came back to our house, and we all hung out for a while, watching TV and playing Guitar Hero 3 and Rock Band. Oh, and he got me a very nice birthday present:
He wrapped it in the comics section from a newspaper. Heh. Thank you Jason!
Let’s see… what else… oh yeah! WE’RE GOING ON VACATION! Dan’s aunt and uncle invited us to spend a few days with them at the New Jersey shore during the week of the 22nd – 28th. Dan is figuring out his schedule to determine which days we can go, but we know we’re definitely going down for two nights/three days. I am ridiculously excited about this! We had been planning on saving up money for motel/hotel accommodations and going down sometime in August, but even that wasn’t definite. Now? It’s definitely definite! All we have to worry about is money for gas, food and fun!
I haven’t yet told Alyssa, because I know she’ll be bouncing off the walls until the day we leave. I think I’ll wait until the day before, and then take her shopping to get beach towels, a beach umbrella, plenty of sunscreen, and sand and water toys.
Okay, time to go… our (late) dinner is ready!
Psst…
Happy early birthday! :D
I know what you mean about never being ready to be…OLDER! But it happens anyway, and there’s nothing we can do to stop it, so we may as well enjoy it.
Haha! I THOUGHT your camera’s tripod was wrapped in comics! Yay for recycling, it actually looks really awesome!
I’m glad you’re feeling a little more in control of Ryan’s situation, that’s good. As I said before, I hope your consultations go well.
Yay for going on holiday! Lol I can see why you’re putting off telling Alyssa, dealing with excitement for one day is much more bearable than dealing with it for weeks in advance!
Ooh! What part of the Jersey Shore? (I live like 20minutes from Atlantic City, haha).
Hey, My birthday is tomorrow to. I’ll be turning 31 so happy birthday! And I am keeping you and your family in my prayers.
Take care
Happy birthday!