Yesterday while at home working with the girls with our Early Intervention Therapist Lorraine (who is absolutely great) I came to this realization. I wanted to cry. Even now typing this I am holding back tears.

I realized, though I knew it all along, that this is going to be a life long battle. I have known since they were born that it was always going to be a battle for them to live, that they would have to fight the big fight. I knew that life would be different for them, that they would have to fight and struggle but knowing and realizing are different. I knew that having them here would mean extra work for us, therapy, doctors appointments, equipments and many many sacrifices. All things that I am willing to do for them.

Yesterday after Lorraine and I were talking about goals for our girls and how they could reach them. I realized that this will be a life long battle for them, a battle to do "normal" things. Lena will have to stretch her little muscles constantly to do things that our bodies have learned to do naturally. Her favorite new sound, a huge roar, tightens her whole body, I have to stretch her after a big roaring session. We have to stretch her hamstrings just so that she can sit supported comfortably. Kassie will forever have to "remember" that she has two sides to her body and that she CAN use them both. They will constantly fighting their own bodies to do things that we all take for granted. Every parent encourages their children to be strong, to fight their battles with valor but no parent wants their child to fight a constant battle. But I will be strong for my girls and fight the battle with them, holding their little hands along the way.