Siblings

While this blog is mostly to write about raising our child with Prader-Willi Syndrome, it is incomplete without mentioning the great impact our other children have on her life as well as the great impact she has on theirs.

Let's start with the easy part. Kayla, Noah and Mckenna are Ayden Jane's greatest assets. They work with her, cheer her on, challenge her, are so proud of her, are great examples for her and keep her life busy with activity. They couldn't be better brother and sisters. Ayden Jane is in the parrot phase. She imitates them in every way she can and it is hilarious. She will do anything for their laughter, cheers and attention. They get her dancing, kicking balls, chase her all over the house, wrestle with her, read her books, draw with her and take her outside to swing... Ayden Jane has gone to more soccer games, volleyball games, basketball games, karate classes... Talk about having constant stimulation for a baby! I couldn't be prouder of how they love their little sister.

The harder part as a parent is the time and resources I have spent during the last couple years on Ayden Jane. Not just feeding and therapy and doctor's appointments, but reading and research until wee hours of the morning. I feel bad that Ayden Jane's needs have overshadowed their needs at times. I wish that the worry and stress of parenting Ayden Jane were invisible to them, but I know it was/is not. The financial strain has truly caused us to have to say no to the other kids on many occasions and I nearly cry when I think about how great they have been about it. I wish I could have spared them the fear and worry they went through as they had to process their baby sister having a scary problem they never heard of before. I am thankful for all the prayers they have said for Ayden Jane and for me during all of this.

In the end, I guess I just hope that Ayden Jane somehow enriches their lives as much as they so obviously enrich hers.