Sometimes our journey overwhelms me

Recently we started Tiernan back at OT. A few years ago his amazing therapist Amanda exited him. Mostly because he was doing so well, but also because she had split from her business partner and there was a non-compete situation. We always knew that when he started Kindergarten and the "demands" increased (needing to sit and attend to a given task for more than 3 minutes) then he would probably need to start again. So when his teacher started saying he was distracted and distracting others, we decided to check in with Amanda and see if the non-compete was over. And it WAS!!!  So we said sign us up!  

Flashback 6 years:

This is Tiernan at 6 months. Exactly. He had just started with Amanda a few weeks prior. She came to us at our house because he was so fragile and couldn't handle the 30 minute car ride it took to get to her. 

He couldn't roll over or sit up unassisted. (For comparison, Tristan rolled over at 2 months and sat up at about 4 months. On his 6 month birthday he began to army crawl.)

Amanda had to teach him every little movement that goes into being able to do the things healthy babies just figure out on their own. He finally rolled over on his own and sat up without help when he was 8 months old. (Again, for comparison, Tristan was crawling on hands and knees and cruising around the furniture by 8 months). 

This was Tiernan at 8 months. Finally sitting up without trouble. 

Amanda was finally able to get him crawling just days after his first birthday and walking by 15 months. She was the one who got him to eat and drink enough by mouth in order to get rid of the stupid tube by his 2nd birthday. She has encouraged us and supported us at every turn since he was a tiny 13 pound 6 month old. When he didn't respond the way his GI docs anticipated and they told me the way he was behaving was "impossible" (even though I was watching him do it), Amanda backed me up and validated me.  She brainstormed with us to find solutions to the countless challenges we have faced.  

She has celebrated every milestone with us and I have sent her updates during the past 2 years when he didn't see her. 

Tonight was the first time I got to take him to OT and see Amanda since well before his bivent surgery.  Tonight as he was jumping on the trampoline, she was beeming. She said how she looks at him and can't believe it. How she still just thinks of that tiny 6 month old. And now he's this big active boy!  And I was suddenly overwhelmed by the enormity of his journey and just started crying.  

Even writing this, hours later, I'm tearing up again. 

Everything Tiernan can do is honestly thanks to this woman.

He would not be the kid he is today without her. 

Absolute truth. 

We love Amanda!!!!!