Tuesday 17 September 2013

She's still standing...yeah yeah yeah!

This coming Thursday see's the second anniversary of Rosie's life saving open heart surgery at Alder Hey Children's Hospital. It's always hard emotionally thinking back to that time. Equally it's vital that I don't allow the experience to become nothing more than a distant memory – such was the importance of the operation, without which we wouldn't be able to celebrate all her amazing achievements. Last year, on the first anniversary we received a lovely card from our friends Amy, Ian & Ella which simply said, 'Happy Heart Day' – I've always loved that and shall remember the day with this phrase each year.

You can read my account of the whole experience here: Rosie's surgery

So back to 'today's' Budlington...
It's usually the case that Rosie will achieve something new, I'll excitedly write a post about it then she'll not do it again for months. However, on this occasion I'm really pleased to say that since my last post, Rosie is still going strong learning to stand up and strengthen her legs. I'm very proud of her efforts which in turn are pushing my fears of her never walking further away each day. There is such a long way to go yet but here we are a couple of weeks on and the novelty is yet to wear off!

She's still standing...yeah yeah yeah!

From here...

...to here in just under two years! Our little hero.

21 comments:

  1. Way to go sweet girl! Keep them in suspense and then surprise the heck out of everyone! Keep up the strong work! Love you guys!

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    1. ...and we love the support we get from you guys in the US! :)

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  2. The first photo makes me feel so sad for this little sweetie pie but looking at the second photo makes me happy. Rosie is so adorable!!!

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    1. Yes its hard to look at the first image but it's real, it happened and so I decided not to shy away from posting it. It really hits home how far she's come. Thank you for your lovely comment :)

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  3. Absolutely gorgeous love watching Rosies progression :))))

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    1. Thank you for your comment and your support Karen :)

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  4. The first photo is so harrowing, always worse when you look back I think as at the time you simply work on auto pilot somehow. But look at her go now! Game of kiss chase next time we meet I think.
    (Natty and Rosie of course, not the adults!)
    H x

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    1. Ha ha that really made me laugh!
      Yes, the first picture is quite shocking to look back on but I felt I had to show it to emphasise just how far she's come since then. Thanks for the comment and love to Natty :)

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  5. Such a touching, heart-warming story. Your excitement really comes through in your writing. I agree with Downs Side Up, the first photo is very harrowing - how much more so must it have been for you to live it?! It's so wonderful that she's doing so well and by the look of the second picture, swimming may be the next milestone! :)

    Happy Heart Day to Rosie, you and your entire family.

    Kevin from Bethesda

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    1. Hi Kevin, thanks so much for your comment and Happy heart day wishes :)

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  6. The transformation from the first photo to the second shows how strong you all are. There is such a strong spirit inside Rosie and determination to just be who she is - wonderful. Thank you for sharing, Warmest Wishes,
    Alison

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    1. Thank you Alison, you are right Rosie will be exactly who she wants to be, I have no doubt about that she's very headstrong :)

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  7. Hi,
    Thank you so much for your openness and honesty. My little girl had her heart surgery about 6 weeks ago. Tomorrow we go to London for her first post surgery check up. Seeing your pictures brings back a lot of emotion and memories of that incredibly difficult time. Waiting for her to come out of her surgery was the longest afternoon of our lives. Since then she has done so well, we're so proud of our little angel. Your posts always inspire us. Your family's journey seems to be so similar to ours but a couple of years ahead. Finding your blog has been a blessing, thanks again for all the help you've given my new little family.
    P

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    1. Thank you very much for your comment. It means a great deal to me to know it has helped. I always set out with the idea that if telling our story helps just one person it's achieved everything I wanted it to. Your comment means so much and adds to the fuel that inspires me to keep going. Wishing your little one the very best and good luck with the check-up.

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  8. Rosie and you are an example of courage and also an inspiration to anyone living hard times at this very moment. Looking at her, makes everyone want to give any fight life asks us to! Laura Oreamuno. Costa Rica.

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  9. She is so gorgeous. It must have been so tough to see her so vulnerable with all those tubes and things. So amazing to see the photo of her now looking so happy and cheeky! x Look forward to meeting you at the #MADs tomorrow evening :) We are in the same category so good luck with it all!

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  10. Magical. Congrats on your MAD. Can I just say we were told our son eouk5d never walk. In March at 4 he still couldn't stand. Since March he has learnt to stand aided and walk with assistance. She will so do it she looks so strong standing

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  11. Look at that GORGEOUS little face! She looks like she wants to cause some mayhem though, haha! Wee cutie. Congratulations on your MAD award!! x

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  14. Hi. I got passed yr blog from a friend. It's great to hear n see wat someone else is experiencing. My little boy was born 11 weeks early n has downs. Yr 1st photo brings back alot of memories as he had his heart op just over 7 weeks ago. It's nice to see how far Rosie has come as u just don't know wat yr future holds :)

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