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10 Morning Moments Every Mom Should Not Ignore

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It’s day four in the hospital for the Sweeney family. Liam has been admitted for his appendix and is being such a trooper. You can’t really sleep while in a hospital. There’s beeps and alarms and interviews and new roommates and … utter chaos 24 hours a day. While I was watching the sunrise this morning from our corner bed, I thought of all the things I used to take for granted during our usual morning routine.

You know – the things that used to bother me. The things that I wished just wouldn’t happen. And I almost started crying in bed because I wanted nothing more than to be able to live those moments today with my son. You see, we don’t know when we are getting out of the hospital. It could be another week or more. There are three things that need to happen —

  • The inflammation needs to go down.
  • He has to stop getting fevers.
  • He has to start eating solid foods again.

Then, after a month of being home with an antibiotic concoction, we will schedule surgery. This is a long road we are on. Normalcy and health are at the finish line… so it’s worth the trip I KNOW.  But still, I can’t help but think of last Wednesday and all those missed moments.

  1. An unmade bed even though it’s part of his daily routine.
  2. Getting milk everywhere on the kitchen table while eating his cereal.
  3. Taking 20 minutes to eat his breakfast because of all the stories he wanted to tell us – and me constantly reminding him to hurry it up.
  4. Fighting over mouthwash with his sister.
  5. Playing soccer in the kitchen even though it’s not allowed.
  6. Forgetting to put his dishes in the sink.
  7. Forgetting to put socks on with his sneakers.
  8. Continuing to wear summer clothes despite the fact that we are well into Fall.
  9. Rushing for the bus.
  10. Running around neighbor’s lawn on the way to the bus.

So, you’re reading this list and probably thinking to yourself… these are everyday things a mom goes through. I LIVE through this and I can’t stand those milk stains on my wood table. But you know what? I would give anything for those milk stains right now. Or for that soccer ball to go whizzing by my face. Or for us to be running to the corner for our school bus. I can’t handle Liam in such a weakened state. He can’t even eat Jell-O at this point. And they won’t let us leave unless he can eat a full meal. So, this is where we will be until he is ready.

Since I am mom, I have to be strong. I can’t cry when they are taking his blood and he is screaming at the top of his lungs while I hold him down. I have to whisper comforting words to him to try to ease his stress when they are pressing on his belly over and over and over again and asking him to rate his pain. But on the inside, I am on fire… just about ready to explode. I want to go home and just cry in a corner for an hour straight or until I pass out until exhaustion — whichever comes first. But my little boy needs a brave mom to remind him that everything is going to be ok.

Everything is going to be ok.

Everything is going to be ok.

Everything is going to be ok.

Everything is going to be ok.

 

Colleen Padilla

Monday 27th of October 2014

Thinking of you Vera. So happy Liam is home and starting to look better. Was sending all kinds of prayers your way last week and for the next month until this ordeal is behind him (and all of you!) so scary. Sending love. xoxo

Sarah

Thursday 23rd of October 2014

I'm so sorry to hear your little guy isn't feeling well! When my daughter was born she had a heart issue. When she was 4 months old we wound up spending a few very uncertain weeks in the hospital and it was agonizing. It's a terrible feeling to not be able to fix it all for our children so, I can only imagine how frustrated you are. Praying for you all!

Vera

Friday 24th of October 2014

Appreciate the prayers! He came home last night. Now we are going into phase two. :)

Patty

Thursday 23rd of October 2014

I know how overwhelming a hospital can be. I hope you get some good news soon and you can go home. When you get scared or he gets scared think of the time you both have together. The environment may not be ideal but cherish the mom and son time. Sending lots of love your way! {{{Hugs}}}

Vera

Friday 24th of October 2014

I thought of that too-- he's spending one on one time with us which hasn't happened EVER. You have to look at the good too. Thanks for the reminder.

Mary Ann

Wednesday 22nd of October 2014

Just wanted to let you know I understand. My youngest has been in the hospital for surgeries way more than I would like. Good luck with everything and try to make the most of the time you have there. Talk a lot and listen to him, even though it's not the norm, he will remember you being by his side.

Hope he returns to full health quickly. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

Vera

Friday 24th of October 2014

Thank you so much Mary Ann -- happy to say he came home last night!

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