Wednesday, May 8, 2013

Life Lessons for my Daughter Part 1


I realized that it's been awhile since I've been able to give an update how our little Grace is doing. I apologize about that! I know that many of you are still thinking about her often and praying for her recovery. For those of you who are new to the blog, in short, our 17 month old little girl had a rough first year. She's had multiple brain surgeries and complications and we questioned whether she would ever come home from the hospital. You can read more about her story in Grace's section of this blog.

Overall, Grace has shown amazing recovery since her last surgery 5 months ago! She surprises us with something new each day. She is still a bit behind with her motor skills because her left side was completely paralyzed after part of her brain was removed, but she has slowly gained that back. She is working with physical therapy every other week to work on her crawling and walking. It's hard sometimes, because I can sense her frustration. She is such a curious girl and wants to play, but has a hard time getting around, and needs a lot of assistance. I also can't help but feel bad that all the other kids her age are so advanced in their skill levels, and Grace is so behind, but then I am quickly reminded that other kids haven't had half of their brain removed. Overall, we are just so grateful that she is alive and well. She is now healthy, active, curious and such a wonderful, easy baby to take care of. She is talking now. Her first language is Shanghainese! We are also tapering her medications, so hopefully in the next few months she won't need to be on anymore medications!!

As I watch her grow everyday, I'm excited and scared. She is so small right now, but someday we will watch her walk into the world as an independent woman. At some point, she won't need us anymore. That time will come sooner than we know. Am I going to be able to teach her to be a good person? Is she going to be a Godly woman? Is she going to succeed in life and relationships? Will she be ready for this big world?

Do you guys watch Modern Family? (GREAT SHOW). There was this one episode where Phil Dunphy wrote a book of life's philosophies for his daughter. Most of them were pretty ridiculous, but I thought it would be wonderful to give Grace a few life lesson's once in awhile that I've learned over the years in this blog. Maybe she'll look back one day and remember them :) This also by the way, fits the May blog challenge Prompt Day #8

 Life lessons For Grace


You will meet a lot of people in life. Friends will come and friends will go. Some may even hurt you. Friends are the flowers in the garden of life, and I hope that you will be able to find ones that will encourage you to be a better person, support you, are loyal to you and will grow with you through life. I hope that you will recognize those who don't. Cherish your friends always, because God put them there to shape who you will grow up to be. 


Work your hardest in all that you do, and you will find success. Don't ever cheat. Don't cut corners. Be honest about your work and help those who struggle. Find help if you are struggling. Be proud of the work that you do and your efforts. Always find ways to improve, and understand what your limitations are. You are attempting to read a book in Chinese right now. This is probably not practical, I would encourage you to start with your ABC's first.


There will be times when you'll think Mom and Dad are complete idiots. We probably are, but remember that we are still your parents and we make decisions together not to harm you. Please be respectful to all your elders. Learn from them and appreciate them, despite how different your opinions may be. 


You are a miracle baby. You have beaten all odds, and for you to be alive and healthy right now is a testament of God's mercy, grace and love. You may go through times in your life wondering if anyone loves you. You may feel alone and that no one cares. Your family will always be here for you and praying for you, through the best of times and the worst of times. Please always remember that. 

Love,
Mommy

40 comments:

  1. What a sweet blog. I'm so sorry to hear what your daughter has been through. I'm a new follower so i'm not familiar with what happened. Love the life lessons.

    Agi:)

    vodkainfusedlemonade.com

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  2. Aww I love reading your blog about Grace. So glad to see and hear she's doing great after her surgeries. :) I can't wait to see more photos of her! hehe..

    xo – Sheila
    Enter to win a pair of earrings from Blue Nile!
    Find me on BlogLovin!

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  3. Aww, this is so sweet. Such great life lessons you're teaching her. xo

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  4. I am so inspired in reading this. I believe she'll be really great when she grows up, guided by you. She'll definitely withstand the years to come. Thankfully she is surviving and as a miracle baby, it's hard. But it will get better all the time, with you there. :)

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    http://chenmeicai.blogspot.com
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    | Bloglovin' | NetworkedBlogs | Google+ |

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  5. This is such a touching and sweet post. Your daughter is truly adorable and am so glad to hear she is doing great now despite everything she had gone through. She is so lucky to have you as her mother :)
    xo,Dina
    Beauty to Sparkle

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  6. This is such a sweet and inspiring post Christy! Made my eyes swell with tears :) Grace is so beautiful and adorable...it truly touches my heart.

    I just wanted to thank you so much for your incredibly kind and encouraging words about my blog. Putting ourselves out there for the whole world to see can kinda be nerve wrecking, you know? Audie does indeed take most of my photos...which means NEITHER of us know what we are doing :P Sometimes I come home and review the photos we just took, and I'm like, "what was I thinking?!" hahaha...I'm like you, I get so embarrassed taking these photos in front of people on the street. Still trying to learn...

    My friends have been telling me for years that i should have my own blog to display my crazy sense of style. But I was always hesitant to do it because, like you said, it's really intimidating. The fashion blogging world is so saturated, and some have SO many followers...I know I can't compete. Additionally, blogging is like a full time job! Just the social media aspect is overwhelming...facebook, instagram, pinterest, tumbler, twitter, GFC, etc (none which I have by the way)...I don't even know where to begin! I mean, I'm just trying to figure facebook out...I don't even have a personal facebook account (I know...I sound positively archaic). But when I get discouraged about the lack of views or followers, I have to remind myself that I cannot let this define me. As you can relate, working in medicine can get so clinical and square...I really needed a creative outlet so that I could express myself. And when I declined fashion school in order to go into healthcare, I thought that I had to give up my love for fashion. Who would've thought years later...we could do both! So I'm just constantly reminding myself the true reason I'm doing this...to express and challenge my creativity...and so that maybe in 60 years I can show my grandkids...look what you're grandma used to look like :P

    Veloria in Velvet
    www.veloriainvelvet.wordpress.com

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  7. What a beautiful letter to your daughter. Each lesson is so true. Grace is so strong and has overcome a lot. A child's resilience is great! I feel she will overcome this. Remain
    Prayerful and faithful! Be patient with her. She will be strong.

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  8. Lovely post and she's so adorable!

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  9. What a wonderful post. I went back to read some of Grace's story...and my heart goes out to all of you. She is such a beautiful, wonderful girl, and you all have been through so much in these past 17 months. Thank you for sharing with us.

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  10. shes a lovely little angel! this was a touchy post too

    xx Jeeshan
    www.beautydosage.com

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  11. beautiful family <3

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  12. Love these photos and what a lovely sentiment. It goes shockingly fast. My friend had her daughter Mia and I remember when she brought her home from the hospital and she is 4th grade considered a "tween" sooo fast!

    Ha ha I actually had an idea for the blog to do "manovers" but I need willing participants Ha! I do not think I am following you yet I am now!

    Ali of

    Dressing Ken

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  13. How beautifully put!! I remember the amazing essay Aaron wrote about your miracle baby last year. Pretty sure I cried reading it! I also remember him leaving class to join Grace and you in the hospital. I remember thinking to myself how strong you two are! Not sure I could have kept life straight through all that. What a year it was for you guys! Thanking God for his blessings and his works! Grace will grow up to be such a strong woman, just like her parents! Hang in there about the motor skills, soon enough you won't be able to catch up with her anymore ;)

    Maria

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Maria for the kind words!

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  14. lovely! would you like to follow each other in gfc and bloglovin? let me know!

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  15. I just found your blog and I'm so glad I did. What a beautiful story, and what sweet life lessons you're teaching your little girl. Those who face the greatest obstacles end up being the strongest. I think your miracle baby is going to have a pretty amazing life.

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  16. Oh my gosh she is so adorable! And this post is just brilliant!

    Daisy Dayz

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  17. Being new to your blog, I had no idea about her health problems. I hope she can continue to recover! What a lucky girl to be surrounded with so many people who love her :)

    The lessons for her are so great. There are so many things I hope to pass along to my kids!

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  18. Oh my goodness, I had no idea that Grace had health problems (being a new subscriber and all). She is such a happy and beautiful girl. I couldn't agree more - she is a miracle child and an amazing one at that. What a beautiful post this is (and I love Modern Family, too!).

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  19. okay so I'm in love with your blog and your family. So happy I found your place :) And Grace is beautiful and I'm kinda partial to her name :)

    grace
    http://herumbrella.com

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  20. Hey Christy! Just wanted to stop by and say thanks for checking out my blog. Yours is lovely. Can't wait to read more!

    Your baby girl is so gorgeous and such a fighter. This is a beautiful post. :D

    Always,
    Mostly Lisa

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  21. This is adorable! What a beautiful family :) Love this!
    <3
    katsfashionfix.blogspot.com

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  27. Those are great lessons. She will cherish these someday. You are a great writer by the way!

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  28. Those are great lessons. She will cherish these someday. You are a great writer by the way!

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  29. P.S. the orange bag was a gift from last summer so unfortunately i don't know where it's from. but i have seen similar ones popping up in some stores this spring, so maybe they are still around.

    MemoriesOfTimesPast

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  30. this is such an inspiring and touching post. im so glad i dropped by ur blog


    xx Michelle

    mich-ette.blogspot.com.au

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  31. Aw she is the sweetest! Wonderful photos! :)
    Maybe you might consider following each other on GFC and Bloglovin? I will wait for you on my blog!

    callmemaddie.blogspot.com

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  35. Your daughter is absolutely beautiful. My baby girl has the same flamingo PJ's :)

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  37. so happy were blogging friends now. your grace is so sweet and my heart aches for you... my nephew was diagnosed with joubert syndrom - it's a rare disability that's not very well known... to see my brother and sis-in-law handle heartbreak and discouragements is heartbreaking for me to witness.. but at the same time, their faith and their trust in our heavenly father so much more encouraging to see. it's also been so awesome to witness GOd answering ALL of our prayers for Marcus my nephew.. it's growing and is now walking and standing on his own...he even walked me down the aisle at my wedding since my dad passed away 2 years ago... if you need any encouragement from another mom who is also struggling with a special needs child, you can check our her blog.. http://mrssuelee.blogspot.com/

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