Christmas is nearly upon us! I have one more day left in work then it’s feet fully up for the festive period – as much as three children will allow anyway! We really look forward to this valuable family time together and will never take it for granted as we think back to Rosie’s first Christmas which was spent in hospital.
Rosie has been getting in the festive spirit as she played the part of an Angel in a ‘mini’ Nativity play at one of the local toddler groups she attends. Needless to say we thought she looked adorable sat with her friends, dressed in a white cloak and tinsel halo. I was really proud at how she managed to keep the tinsel on her head for most of the performance whilst staying relatively still too.
The last couple of weeks haven’t been without mischief either as Rosie decided to go on one of her exploratory missions to the kitchen where Karen found her emptying the contents of a box of powdery cereal all over herself and the floor! I was at work at the time and received a picture message of the mess saying, “Look what I’ve been doing Daddy”. I couldn’t help but laugh, her ‘caught in the act’ face is just brilliant. As no real harm was done and the mess was already made Karen decided to let her play in it for a while which she thoroughly enjoyed!
Rosie has also been busy developing her vocabulary and yesterday added word number 10 to her slowly but surely increasing portfolio. It’s with great pride and embarrassment that I can unveil word number ten as (drum roll please)…
…BUM!
She was sat on my knee merrily trumping away (*note to self, avoid sprouts in Bud’s Christmas dinner) when I said, “Rosie will you please stop making those Bum noises!” to which she replied, as clear as day with, “Bum”. I couldn’t help chuckling (bad Dad alert!) and because it raised a laugh she kept saying it – with much encouragement from her cheeky brother Joe! Typically of all the ten words she can now say it’s the one that she pronounces the clearest! I’m hoping a lack of encouragement will put it out of her mind for a while.
Bud’s vocabulary so far:
1. Addy / DadDad (Daddy)
2. Mum-ah (Mummy)
3. Ba ba (Bye Bye)
4. Nu nigh (Night Night)
5. Leh Low (Hello)
6. Ess (Yes)
7. Oh (No)
8. Layna (Helena – [her best bud])
9. Dod (Dog)
10. Bum.
On a less embarrassing note the year has ended on a very proud high after I was interviewed by TOTS 100 for a special feature they have been running throughout December celebrating the five most inspirational parent bloggers of 2013. It was a genuine surprise to be asked and a real honour to be included.
For those interested the interview can be read here: http://www.tots100.co.uk/2013/12/23/inspirational-bloggers-of-2013-the-futures-rosie/
Some of you may recall a post from March titled, ‘Bionic Boy‘ written about our friends little boy who was so cruelly taken from the world far too soon. Well yesterday would have been his second birthday and we were extremely privileged to be amongst their guests at a wonderful celebratory party packed full of family and friends – all of whom have been touched and continue to be inspired by their wonderful son, Harry.
I urge you to read this beautiful letter written to Harry on his second Birthday by proud dad Ian. I cannot begin to imagine the pain and daily battles parents must face when losing a child and I’m in awe of Ian’s ability to convey his feelings into words: Happy Birthday Harry
As this is likely to be the final post this year I’d like to take the opportunity in not only wishing you all a very Happy Christmas and 2014 but also thanking you for all your support. It’s been a fantastic year for the blog and the accolades received really couldn’t have been achieved without your help. I hope you continue to enjoy following Rosie and her progress next year.
The Future's Rosie
I'm Tom, a thirty something father to three beautiful children and husband to my soulmate Karen. I started this blog as a means to talk about stuff, get things out in the open, a bit like an online therapy I guess and to celebrate the progress of my beautiful daughter Rosie who was born in March 2011 with Down's Syndrome (DS) and a Complete Atrioventricular Septal Defect (AVSD). Maybe the experiences shared on here will help others too, hopefully help illustrate the bright futures our children with DS will have if we can break down common misconceptions. When I first found out Rosie would be born with DS I found reading literature with open and honest feelings on the subject, extremely helpful. This is not intended to be a written masterpiece and I can promise you it won’t be. I don’t pretend to have a large vocabulary and to be honest the further behind me my school days become the more my grammar has deteriorated!... however, you will find what is written on these pages comes from the heart.
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