The Lodger and Us

The Lodger is now very aware that people eat different things to him. At meal times he'll point out if we are having the same meal and mention any differences between them. He'll show off his counting skills too... 'one piece of bread', 'two tomatoes', 'three different foods on my plate'.  He's also very aware that there are food types he can't eat.  We've chosen to keep The Lodger on a healthy, balanced, nutritionally dense diet. After too many hours.. months, probably years stressing about different types of diets - low carb, high fat, high protein, ketogenic, the list goes on... We've settled on a nutritionally dense healthy diet for The Lodger.  Every few months we'll fill in a food diary to get it analysed by his dietitian to make sure he's getting everything he needs. There's probably not many people who use My Fitness Pal for their 4 year old but it's a very useful tool to plug in his meals and get immediate fe...

The Lodger has many people in his life who love him, care for him and support him. We are very fortunate to have a wonderful network of family and friends who without question got on board with our PWS rulebook. The Lodger has a team of superheroes who work with him in areas such as speech and language, occupational therapy, physiotherapy and not forgetting his teachers and preschool assistant in Playschool.  The Lodger at his most recent checkup was in the recommended zones for height and weight and his blood work came back perfect. This was great news to hear, as we are constantly stressing over 'Is he eating too much?', 'Is he eating enough?', 'Is he getting enough vitamins and nutrients?', 'Is he healthy?' We, as parents, are constantly thinking about his meals and snacks, planning ahead for changes in routine and ensuring that he is eating a very healthy diet. The Lodger is never given extra, never given food from someones else plat...

We're like the Who's in Whoville when it comes to Christmas. We love it.  I remember when I was pregnant with The Lodger dreaming of future Christmases, that would be filled with wonder and magic... and carrying on Christmas traditions my own parents started- The advent calendar, decorating the Christmas Tree, Santa leaving a trail of chocolate money all the way around the house, the Christmas stocking at the end of the bed, the excitement I shared with my sisters on Christmas morning, the gathering of family, the annual chocolate Santa and a selection box, the Christmas morning breakfast, mince pies and chocolate kimberley biscuits in the run up to the main day, Christmas dinner with the delicious smells of spiced beef and red cabbage wafting around the house, the tower of chocolate profiteroles covered in mars bar sauce, the Christmas Day games, the Christmas dinner leftovers to be enjoyed on Stephen's Day, the gathering of friends... The last three Christmases with...

Today, we visited a toy shop with The Lodger. We did this to see if there is anything that he would really love Santa to bring him. We’ve been reading the toy catalogue, showing him tv ads of toys he might like but so far, we are coming up short. The Lodger has only one Christmas wish request.... and that can't be bought in a shop!  The Lodger visiting a Christmas shop In classic Lodger style, he has set us a Christmas challenge.... Recently, The Lodger's Auntie asked him what was Santa bringing? The Lodger without hesitation replied  'Walk'. 'A walk?'  I asked. 'Yes!'  he said with the biggest smile on his face as he pointed to outside. I explained that Santa might be so busy that day, bringing gifts to all the good boys and girls all over the world, that he might not be able to bring The Lodger for a walk. I asked  'If Santa can't go for a walk, what else would you like?' 'Dog!'  The Lodger replied wit...

The first year after The Lodgers diagnosis every week there seemed to be something new that we would have to get our heads around as parents of somebody with Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS).  All we could see was FOOD!! At birthdays there's cake. At Halloween there's trick or treating. At Christmas there's too much. At weddings there's food. At Easter there's chocolate. At family and friends get togethers there's food. Walking down the street, there's food! And then there's the things we enjoyed doing, baking and cooking, eating out in restaurants, going for a coffee down in the village, a takeaway when we didn't feel like cooking, picnics up the mountains, a trip to the cinema with popcorn, an ice-cream on a sunny day, a hot chocolate on a wintery day... the list goes on! In that first year, we enjoyed the last time we'd have our favourite cake on our birthday, a selection box at Christmas, an Easter egg, an ice-cream, a hot chocolate...