1). Congratulations on the birth of your beautiful baby boy (or girl)!! Your child has made you a mother and has created your first dose of family life. (Or if this baby is a 2nd or 3rd child, I'd say), Your family has grown to contain more love, joy…and diapers! 2). You are NOT alone. You have a community of mothers, parents, families, and professionals through your local Prader-Willi Continue Reading
Why Mama Got Herself a Tattoo
It sounds like a country song. Of a crazy-exhausted mom in the middle-of-her-life-crisis needing to rebel and do something wild. Yes. I totally get that. But that is not my story today. I never thought I would get one. I never wanted one. Until now. Several reasons drew me to this place of wanting a tattoo. Actually needing a tattoo. Now. Last summer I had an “AHA moment” on an Continue Reading
When We Are Forced to Tell Lies
It’s not something I am proud of. It’s not something I ever wanted to model in front of my children. But I do lie. I have lied. I will continue to, I’m sure of it. Because, it is part of surviving this life with Ryan and Prader-Willi syndrome. I have even encouraged Luke and Kate to lie, and be sneaky. It’s all to protect Ryan from his anxiety--getting triggered and having Continue Reading
7 Things I Learned From Going to Amusement Parks
1). Don’t ever wear WHITE clothes. Just don’t. Even though I am out of the sticky-gooey-small-fingers-all-over-me-stage, I should have known better. It’s the law of motherhood. Either they spill or I spill, just simply cause I have little people nearby. Plus if all seats are taken and you are in need of sitting SOMEWHERE, ANYWHERE, you just can’t, in white shorts, that Continue Reading
When Compassion Collides
That breaking moment. With the ugly crying. In front of your children. I was sitting at the computer trying to complete some work tasks in order to get to Family Movie Time. The kids were sitting on the couch in anticipation. I was anticipating the down time with them. Actually just sitting, being, snuggling in even a bit. But then... Ryan was going over his summer calendar of dates Continue Reading
On Eating Whatever & Whenever
We just complete a FIRST in the Patay Family. We had our very First Family Vacation Without Ryan. Without PWS. Without a schedule. Without a food schedule. Without 1000 questions per day. Without "what's next ?" and "what if...?" and all his bless-ed anxiety. And it was weird and surreal and calmer and easier, and yet not having him with us was a little palpable. We were Continue Reading