This year, my son with Alagille will hit 2 major childhood milestones
Each year with Finley brings so much to celebrate
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It’s challenging for me to look far into the future, as I tend to remain grounded in the present. It’s not that I don’t plan ahead; I’m just usually in the here and now.
But those tendencies have changed since having kids, especially after my youngest son, Finley, was born with Alagille syndrome in 2021. As we approach his fifth birthday at the end of January, I find myself looking ahead to this year’s milestones.
It seems like yesterday that my wife, Dani, gave birth to Finley a month early. The images from his whirlwind delivery and two-week stay in the neonatal intensive care unit are seared into my memory. When he was diagnosed with Alagille syndrome and we heard those awful words, “failure to thrive,” I was terrified that we’d never see his first birthday.
Five years later, Finley is thriving and beyond excited for his friends to join him at his birthday party!
Another major milestone
Finley brought his best smile to picture day at day care. (Courtesy of Jay Sandstrom)
This fall, Finley will start kindergarten. But heading to school is only one piece of the puzzle; he will also be leaving day care. While I won’t miss paying for it, leaving will be bittersweet.
Finley has been attending his day care center since before his first birthday, and was one of the first babies at the center’s brand-new location. He has spent time in every single room and formed relationships with kids and teachers alike. The staff have supported his Alagille needs without hesitation. It has been a great fit for Finley.
If you were to ask him about the transition to kindergarten, he’d say he is super excited to ride the big bus like his older brother, Jackson. I am curious to see what his first day of school will be like, as it was quite scary for Jackson when he got on the bus for the first time.
I’m excited about no longer needing to drive him to and from day care, but I will miss the center. Finley has grown so much during his time there, developing alongside his peers in ways I once worried he never would. He has learned to do everything his friends can do and more, and he certainly doesn’t let his smaller stature hold him back. His loud and boisterous personality more than makes up for his size.
While I’m looking forward to the milestones Finley will reach in 2026, each year brings so much to celebrate. I always appreciate these moments, recalling how I once feared they’d never arrive. Thankfully, Finley keeps hitting milestones, and I hope that continues to do so.
Note: Liver Disease News is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Liver Disease News or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to liver disease.
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