Diapers Diapers Diapers!

Did I mention I am old enough to be grandma?

I am entering into the world of diapers...not pampers but cotten. No more are we limited to the simple choices of flat or prefolds but there are a dozen self contained, velcroed, snapped, and inserted diapers...so many brands. And who'd thunk that they would run between $10 and $20 EACH??? Where was I when the diaper market went nuts?
There are whole communities, forums and such dedicated to diapers! Check out the Cloth diapering and mothering community with every conceiveable corner discussed!

I just need some diapers...when the adpotion is done we are going cloth. ~sigh~

"I love you"s in the middle of Yucky yuck!!

Here we are sitting in the recliner, NOT reclined cause lil man cant breath and he is muttering away in baby talk....

So I take a deep sigh at 3am and say " I love you" and he squrims to turn on his side to face me and looks at me and says "Wa wuv wu"....I SWEAR!! and I dont swear!

DH comes running to my cheering and he says "nawww he didnt" so I suggest he try...

Once again "Wa wuv wu"! He covered Artie in kisses!

Ain't love grand!

Yucky Yuck!

What is all this congestion and sinus drainage my lil man has to deal with?!?!?

First thing after sleeping any length of time he is hacking and throwing up such mucus! Sorry to be so graphic....:(

Any hints on how to help him?

I have become so attractive in my new alluring scent "Eau de Vicks" and I am menopausal so the humidifer is not so comforting at night...but we crank it up. It seems I cannot take off enough clothes to cool down (this makes DH grin...somebody needs to warn him) and others forget to put an extra blanket! What is fair?

Yeap I said it...menopausal....and I am about to age another calendar year. And I am adopting? Somebody bring me back to reality!

Something to be said for "shop til you drop"

Ever been shopping with a 9 year old and let her pick everything out? It was a tough couple of days and I did just that yesterday. Very theraputic...and exhausting! I slept like Artie! LOL!

Whirlwind of events

Life is a whirlwind of events. I keep thinking that I will be slowing down and taking more time to teach lil man what he needs for Pre K...ambitious aint I?

We have ordered books and music, we have ordered lessons and toys, we have ordered extra time but it hasnt arrived.

I came to a conclusion early this morning.

I have to stop looking for time and TAKE it. Things must take a back seat to us. I am going to begin a new schedule and start saying no. I have to take our time first.

I wonder if this is really possible? Can anyone share what they are doing to teach our children?

What a wild dance we do!

Doctors and therapist, and therapist and doctors! Round and round we go! Not enough and then too much! Who knows?

I just love these...

This kid is living her dreams. I know Artie can too!

My Saturday! Gifts!

Okay...things have been a little hairy around here! We have have been on so many road trips for medical reasons. All my mail piled up and I had been ordering books from paperbackswap and Amazon for home schooling, DS and child behavior. There was an avalance on my kitchen counter when we got back from Philly.

I pulled the bar stool up to the counter to sip my iced tea and open everything...bills first, ya know. When I got over that I started with packages. Each one I opened I thought 'uh huh' I ordered that one last so and so and it goes on this shelf. I have a pile of books by my desk, on the coffee table in the den and by my bed.

Well...I came up on a package and sure enough it was another book...but when I opened it I could not believe my eyes... IT WAS "GIFTS"...the very book I have wanted for months and months!! I thought "oh no! I didnt order this one!" and "I wonder if I can peak in the cover before I send it back?" and I grabbed up the packaging to look for a return address and information...

It was from Just RK and no doubt Braska Bear was in on this!!

Oh WOW! I just took my book and went to my bed and snuggled in and read some of the wonderful stories. Thank you thank you thank you! You two are just awesome!!

You got me! I never expected it! (((hugs))) and many thanks! Wow!

This is awesome! Thanks Hope!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=flRvsO8m_KI

this one made me cry!

Amazing

This young man is such encouragement to me! Look at him go!!

Guess WHAT!! News Flash!

Artie walked!

We were out of town last week and he was playing with some kids and everyone started yelling...saying he walked, but when I looked up he was sitting there grinning. Ok, in my mind, I didnt see it so it didn't happen.

Right?

Last night in the middle of everyone getting a bath and rolling around on the floor...he did it! Four steps, toddling, unsure and wobbly but steps!!!

Future hopes

Check out these teens! I want Artie to have such fun and friends!

The years will pass and

This was emailed to me...

Not a weekend-
but I had to sharef rom Daves weblog To Think

I thought she was going to break into tears. She was standing in front of the display of teas in the grocery store. I'd come to see if they had a particular brand of green tea that I like but I couldn't get by her to check. For a tiny, little woman she took up a lot of space. "All I want is some tea," she said to no one.
"Can I help?" I asked.
She turned, startled. I don't think she realized she was speaking out loud. Then seeing me she simply said, "All I want is some tea, they've got so many different kinds, I just want some tea."

I understood immediately how she was feeling. I'm not yet 55 but I'm already finding that the world changes too quickly, that there are too many choices, that it's work to keep up. I pointed at a box of Lipton tea on the bottom shelf, "There is a box of regular black tea for you." She glanced down and said, "No, I don't want that kind I want tea bags."

Rounding the corner came a man of about 30, with Down Syndrome saying, "Have you got the tea Grandma?" He was bustling up to her with a smile.
"I can't find my tea," she said simply to him. He looked over at me and winked, I could tell this has happened before. He pointed at the same box of tea that I had pointed to and she began to protest. "They've just changed the picture Gran, it's the same tea you always ave."

"Thankyou," she said relieved and picked up the tea, "You're a good boy.""I'm a man, Grandma," he said with a smile in his voice, "you know I don't like being called a boy.

"She looked at me and smiled, "And to think I cried when he was born."

Retro Give away! WOO HOO! Just what I wanted for Artie!

At 5 Minutes for Mom

The ultimate toy for fortunate kids in the 50’s was the Petal cars. The child-sized cars began to appear at the turn of the century, but were only playthings for the very wealthy.
But, by the 50’s, pedal cars were carried in major stores and many children spent their afternoons pedaling their miniature cars around their neighborhoods.
Sadly, these high quality steel pedal cars were replaced in the 1970’s by plastic ride-on-toys and, until recently, were no longer available.

I mean check out the fire engine! So COOL! Petal cars and Retro collectables is where its at!

Day 31 for DownS/ Inclusion

I ran across this today and find it so what I needed... Including Samuel touches some of my deepest fears. We all want life for our children...

When his wife said she was very afraid for both him and their family it hit home. The interview clip with teacher chilled me.

What can we do to help our children reach their potential? How do we do this? What is the next step? If not me, who will be an advocate for my child? What should I be doing now?

I leave the month of October and this blog challenge with this thought...

I dont know what to do but I want the best way for him.

Day 30 for DownS/ Awards and Thanks!

Oh man that was so sweet of RK to send us that award. Right away I started playing with my pictures and LET ME tell you I am not computer smart!

Here is my offering as an award....

Now this award goes to everyone who encouraged me. Those with or without blogs. Especially Tricia and Georgia at Unringing the Bell for getting me started on the '31 for 21' and RK and Braska at Braska Bear for all the encouraging comments. For Traci and Ashlyn at Loving Life for inspiring music. Lots of love and support coming from my friends at FF as we share our personal struggles. All the knowledge poured out as I needed and could absorb it from Downsyn.com . Special hugs to Auntie Kris, Auntie Hope, Grandma, Aunt Sandra and a multitude of others that I made read this blog! LOL!

Day 29 for DownS/ Much for Monday

Synagis shots suck. I know, I know. Thank goodness therapy came first and then the injections so we could snuggle and nap afterwards.

I loved this!

Such a sweet girl! I loved this! Look!

Day 28 for DownS/ Encouraging thoughts

I have read the posts on Downsyn.com since Artie came into my life. Today was especially encouraging. I want to quote some of a post. Ok...a lot of it. This person is writing about her brother who has lived with her for many years. He is 47 years old.

"As I sat down just inside of the play area and I could see George cleaning up the tables of napkins and wrappers. He is very efficient and serious about his work. The room was filled with young mothers and very young children, (school age children being in school) running amuck in the play equipment. I watched as George talked to mothers asking if it was ok to throw some things away and all smiled at George and called him by name as they answered him. (It seems that George is well known to these young mothers and their children) Later I watched as he handled a pushing match between two 4 yr. olds. I started to stand up afraid that the mom would take offence to George telling her son not to push but she came over and made her son apologize to the little girl and to George for having interrupted his work!!! Then a mother asked George to get her 2yr old out of the play equipment (he had climbed up too high to reach.) and George was soon quickly bringing the child down the slide. I sometimes forget how much things have changed. Attitudes are so different now and I rarely need to educate adults anymore. Kids are still kids but George is such a great ambassador for himself and for future ds adults that I even seldom have to educate them when George is around. I also forget that George has a whole world of experiences that I know nothing about. Every day he goes to work he meets hundreds of people and they meet him and I know nothing of those encounters but the few glimpses I get when I visit or the many times we have been out together and a stranger will walk up to George and greet him as an old friend. They all know about me, my DH and my children. (George tells everyone about us and shows pictures!) When we ask George how were things at work today all we get out of him is okay."

The poster mentions how hard her parents had to fight to change the hearts and minds of people so that their son could have a happy meaningful life. And he does. She ends the post saying

"George's life is full of love and friendship and respect. What more could any parent ask for!"

I am so glad she posted. I am eased by her brothers happiness and success.

Day 27 for DownS/ Artful Saturday

Red shared this one. We took scraps of paper (like Tricia) and made Melody more flowers. Red was delighted to do something to cheer up others. Tricia had created something that excited her. We made our flowers. She picked a beige background and I loved her flower leaning into the sun. When I considered her grass leaning the other way I wondered if that could be opposition she felt.


I picked a black background so the flowers would jump out...and I really enjoyed the bits of paper.

Artie watched and reached for paper over and over. Someday soon! I know its coming!

For Melody At Wrapped Emotions

This is from a old book...and I have always loved these roses. So this is what I wanted to give to Melody. I love the concept of inspiring art projects to soothe the heart and reach into the depths of ourselves and put out those feelings. It is so theraputic! Ahhhh!

Fun!

I ran across this on Tricia's site. I want to play too!

Day 26 for DownS/ Long drive Friday

Ohhh over 10 hours in the car...

Races in Atlanta = backed up traffic for hours.

Good thing we had the DVD player in the car and my books on CD.

I am tired~ good night!

Day 25 for DownS/ This is Thursday already?

With everything going on in the world like wild fires, droughts, war and too much more to mention, the center of my universe is a small boy.

I look around outside our nest and I wonder what kind of world I am raising him to live in. What is going to become of him and how can I keep him safe?
I see the issues with school, discrimination, health care and again, more. I spend hours on the computer searching for educational advantages for him, nutritional advantages, opportunities and most of all hope.
I struggle beside him through therapies, doctors visits and even trying to eat and walk.
I put up baby gates, clear the way for play, use door stops to prevent smashed fingers and even plug the outlets.

Yet it inevitably happens. All the preparation and protection cant prevent it. Nothing can stop our day like a boo boo. He falls and bumps his noggin'!
And ya know, it seems to happen when everyone is home and there is busy oozing in every direction.

Tonight he is sporting a big red egg right under his hair. We did all the right things, ice packs, stay awake, observe and cuddle. Yes, and all the right things to prevent it.

There is no assurance. Not here or out there. We live each day with the joy of being. Even in the mist of circumstances we can't control we have this life and wake each morning anew, seekers of joy, peace and hope. Everything is going to be just fine...

Day 24 for DownS/ Wonderful Wednesday

Ha! Ever had one of those days that everything worked? Today was it!

I mean from the beginning! DH stayed home and went to the dentist...I took Artie to the doctor for the flu shot. I knew something was up when he didnt cry! He laughed at my antics whilst she was shooting him! We had a good conversation and she is pleased and amazed with his progress. I am tickled!

Listen, the medical teams lined up beautifuly for his surgery...DH offered to take of to take him to New England for his evaulation. His RSV shots were approved for another year (I know, yuck unless you have had first hand experience with that virus. I am thankful) and his doctor got him into Emory DS clinic. She is lining up specialized day care for me and I finally got the paper work submitted and have the handicapped car tag....whew!

No therapy tomorrow...I get to nap with him! My snuggle puppy! I hope we can snuggle until late! Yay!

Day 23 for DownS/ Tired Tuesday

Well, that Artie!
He takes the phone and presses the correct button, waits for the recording and talks to it...'da da da....'

"If you'd like to make a call, please hang up and try again. If you need help..." But he doesn't need help! He just wants someone to talk to.

This afternoon everyone kept telling me that my phone was busy all morning! Huh? Then I found the phone under the chair, 'off the hook' so to speak. Now how did that happen?

I found out very soon!

Day 22 for DownS/ Mystery Monday

On Mondays I seem to be waiting for people...

Mondays start out with a full calendar of appointments, both here and away, calls to be made, return calls to be waited for, precious pieces of paper to look for, bills to be paid and therapy sessions to be had...

I rush to get the place picked up (can you pick up a house?) and get the vacuum going before 7:30am. I would complain if I were my neighbor.

It seems that most of the good intentions go out the window. Appointments are missed, calls not returned and paper disappeared. So Mondays are the 'hurry up and wait day'. At least 9 hours poised for action, ready I tell you, and there isn't much action.

It may seem like such a waste.

Indeed if not for Artie. He was a delight. We read books, counted fingers and toes, looked at the Internet at his ABC program and his peek a boo game and just talked. He is so expressive. He wows me every day.

I know, other typical kids his age are putting sentences together. So cute they are. (I sound like Yoda) But I figured out something today...I am enjoying watching him grow. And grow he will. He will say those sentences soon enough.
I feel like life moves fast. When high school was over, I thought "so soon?". When I turned thirty, I thought "so soon?. My son is just helping me slow down and enjoy it.

I see the cognitive development. I see him over by the phone, hitting the buttons and then putting it to his ear. I see him open a drawer and when I say "no!" he shuts it. Then when I look away he opens it while he is watching me. LOL...rascal. I see him opening up in so many areas.

On Mondays I always seem to be waiting for people. One person I am not waiting for is Artie...we both know things will happen in their own time and I am happy to be here with him as he develops and grows...on his schedule.

Day 21 for DownS/ Serious Sunday

I was reading the blog Big Noise and something clicked. Now granted I have to be careful because of a lowered immune system and a myriad of other things, but am I hindering that "doing something extraordinary"? And if I become less restrictive, can I still watch out for him? Ok...but from a distance? Alright, close enough to catch him?

Never mind. I still have to think about this.

"He is Daniel Handler, who writes under the pseudonym, Lemony Snicket. He is the author of the 13-part “Series of Unfortunate Events,” tales that chronicle the lives of the Baudelaire orphans, Klaus, Violet, and Sunny.
Snicket is their uncle and narrator of all the stories; he is a scoundrel who wants only to separate the children from their inheritance. As the tales begin, he encourages us to do something better with our time; surely we can do better than to sit and read the sad tale he is about to tell. The books are wildly popular. Paramount Pictures made several of the stories into an Academy Award winning movie, “Lemony Snicket and A Series of Unfortunate Events.”
I was listening to someone interview Handler on public radio. The interviewer asked, “why orphans?” She wanted to know why children’s authors write so frequently about orphans. Handler responded, almost casually, “Because to do something extraordinary, one must be unsupervised.”
It immediately struck a chord. Instead of thinking about orphans, I wondered if the same were true for children with disabilities. Must they be unsupervised to be amazing? Children with disabilities are rarely unsupervised. Do we unwittingly, however lovingly, prevent them from doing something extraordinary?"

Day 20 for DownS/ Such a Saturday!

Is the world in a funk? I am not feeling my best and I spent the day looking around Paperback Swap and using my points to order books. I did find some interesting books on teaching baby sign language and some excellent reference books for my shelf. One I want is 'Getting to Yes'.


Here's a shameless pitch...if you happen over there to Paperback Swap and join, please say I referred you so I can get a free book. Oh and you have to use my email address... [email protected] for me to get it.

Anyway...I wanted 'Gifts' and am willing to wait. There are three ahead of me waiting for that one. Bummer!

My eyes are tired from reading all day. Artie played with dada and had a blast. My house is evidence of it...

Day 19 for DownS/ Forgiving Friday

Children learn from people around them as they sort through the early years.

My mom commented out of the blue today. She said "he watches every move you make" as I was cleaning my kitchen. It didnt dawn on me at the time. She played with him for a while. Every now and then he would look up at me as I worked and our eyes would meet. He would grin and go back to playing.

During the morning we went through two therapies and several other visits, planned and unplanned. He flirted with people and waved bye bye as they left. We played and enjoyed his signing times lesson. He smiled and cooperated. Sweet boy!

In between I had a dozen phone calls, many about his medical needs, some about positive things but two about subjects of conflict. During the first of such unhappy calls, right before his nap, I spoke firmly and with authority, not relenting an inch. Not giving in. Not speaking kindly. Not compromising. I spoke thoughtlessly as if nobody heard me but the person debating with me on the other end of the line. I felt strong and righteous afterwards. After all it was just and I was right.

Later I couldnt understand why Artie was fussing at me after his nap. Rearing back in my arms, speaking in his baby babble, clearly fussing at me. I didnt understand at all.

Two things happened. First, later in the afternoon we were playing on the floor and the phone rang again. Second, he became quiet.
I reached into the toy box and handed him his toy phone. I moved away from him to the kitchen to talk. It was another call that began with conflict. It concerned a check that was written to me that was returned for lack of funds. It was not the first incident from this person. I squared my shoulders and pulled out my notebook. When we embarked on the discussion, again I was firm, unrelenting and not willing to compromise. As I leaned back against the counter, I mentally counted off the reasons why I would not allow what was presented to happen. A comment was made so I turned around to jot down information and my eyes met Artie's wide eyed stare.

He had not picked up his play phone where it had rolled to the floor in front of him. He was watching me intently. The shock of what my mom had said earlier echoed in my mind. "He watches every move you make" and listens to every word I mentally added. I paused on the phone. I smiled at Artie. He did not smile back.

Suddenly I realized there was silence on the phone. Then person I was speaking to starting asking "Are you there? Hello?" I was slow to respond. Great day! I had to think!

I slowly replied in a gentler manner, watching Artie as I talked. I told the person I was very disappointed in them, but I was not going to continue the conversation in the manner we had begun it. I said this very softly. I told the person, in a gentle way, that they needed to come up with an acceptable solution and I would give them breathing room to do so...again I spoke very gently.

The change was amazing. Not only did Artie seem to relax, look down at the toy, pick it up and begin chewing on it, but the person I was speaking with began to apoligize and explain what they could do to solve the problem.

Conflict over because Artie made a rock crumble...

Children learn from the people around them. Even when you think they arent listening...they hear. Even when you think they are not listening. I think we can learn from the children.

Cool Contest! YAY!

What a cool way to promote awareness~ And everyone can enter!

Check out Life As a Household 6 for all the details!

A crisp twenty to spend at your choice of two businesses that are operated by young adults with Down syndrome!

Awesome!

Imagine a handmade baby blanket than can be handed down generation after generation! What a great shower gift~ it even comes folded and beautifully packaged with a hand signed card from the creator! Simply Adorable Blankets
Or a yummy gift basket of cookies or breakfast temptations! Creekside Cookies and More!

I'm entering!

Day 18 for DownS/ AAAAKKK Thrusday

I pomise I posted yesterday!! I know I did! Call out the computer guys! Get the Admin! Check my log in dates and times! Sniff, sniff! I must have gotten distracted and NOT hit publish post! I will try to reconstruct my post...sniff sniff~

Young at heart is a better place to be that just young...often the young carry around an old heart.

I reflect on all of the faces I have seen in the past two days. All the eager smiling moms and dads, all of the moms and dads with a dull, beaten look, all the children with various handicaps and I have lost myself in a sense of "everything is going to be just fine".

I find that two very different experssions kinda made everyone morph into two people. I saw some parents of various ages laughing and playing with their children, drawing out smiles and giggles. These parents made me smile in those lost hours in the waiting room. They had joy, love, patience and a kind of energy going on. Sure they faced obstacles.

The other experssion was a dull look, a stare with an almost dazed quality. Maybe they were tired. Maybe everything was heavy on their shoulders. I could never know their burden. I saw the same children, children with some of the same disabilities. But there was not a smile at all, unless the nurse came out to say hi and talk to the children. I felt sad and out of place when I was faced with this.

Looking down at Artie in his stroller I found I am 'young at heart'. He looked up at me ready to laugh. I am so glad my home and my family live with the ring with laughter and we joyously pick and prod each other for that giggle that sometimes heals a bumped head, a lost toy, a late report or even flat tire. I have to give credit to my DH here. When we get lost we call it an adventure. We always find our way again.

I know that everything is going to be just fine. I know this now.

Our family is young at heart!

Day 17 for DownS/ Weary Wednesday

Blah blah blah...another 225 mile round trip to OTHER doctors...

As you have already guessed, its more than just DS. Man life would be easy peasy if it were just that...

This is one tough, brave little boy! When things get hard, a little hand reaches up and pats my cheek as if to say "we can get through this, hang on mama!"

Day 16 for DownS/ Too Much Tuesday

We travled over 500 miles today (round trip) to see a specialist...

Artie was a champ. He did so good on that long drive! Of course it was hard and towards the end it was almost unbearable for him, but he smiled for the last two miles.

One day I am going to tell you all a story about a brave boy and how wonderful he really is.

WOW

I am so thrilled about this!

http://www.billingsgazette.net/articles/2007/10/02/news/state/25-queen.txt

Day 14 for DownS/ Such a Sunday

What a lazy day...all I did was clean out a closet and play with Artie!

We have to travel a lot of miles to see the doctors the first of next week. Lotsa paperwork. We just hung out while everyone else went out.

Nothing accomplished, grumpy baby, early bath and off to bed.

I promise a better blog tomorrow!

Day 13 for DownS/ Sunshine Saturday!

Somehow there is a link between dogs and kids.

Well at least my kid!

There is nothing like an early morning ride! When the mist rises off the country ponds and the sleepy cows are grazing, you could go on forever. Today we were driving right into the sunrise, all orangey and red! The power and telephone lines were lit up like neon wires, changing back into their drab black as we drove closer. It was a wonderful drive.
Of course 'you know who' had to explain why there is a mist over water in the mornings and why the sun is orangey red at sunrise and sunset...is romance dead? Well, at this rate lil Artie is going to be an encyclopedia of random facts. The other kids in the car just listened with periodic comments, nods and 'yes sir's.

The strong smell of fresh green peanuts was heavy in the air as we drove and we looked for the fresh fields being turned. DH would point this way at some sight and then that way...lil Arties head turning to look in each direction obediently as he pointed. He saw fields of cotton and millet, cows and goats, forests and swamps. He calmly listened as dada taught from the drivers seat. Red and GB just sat in an early morning daze, waking up now and then to comment.
He was a trouper.

Then suddenly something got his attention and he tried to lean forward in his carseat. Even the older kids sat up wide eyed. Dada started blowing the horn because there were puppies in the road. Dada explained that he blows the horn to make sure all animals can get out of the road to be safe. And then we talked about the dogs.

A game ensued...everyone joined in. Artie was teased into saying dada and trying to say blue and other charming vocal sounds. Blue is a word that came from his ability to make the BL sound as he spits, LOL! I tuned my head and asked him "say dog. da da dog!" Clear as a bell, without any further coxing he replied "dooog!"

There was total silence in the car for the first time since we started the ride. Well from DH and the kids anyway...Artie was still jabbering away. I looked back and Red comfirmed it, awake now, with her wide eyes and her mouth in a big O.
I looked at DH, wanting an adult to validate the incident, and said "he just said dog, did you hear him, he just said dog!?" And my DH grinned and comfirmed that I wasnt crazy...which is sometimes likely. Especially when I am in the car, early in the morning, and there is a lot of talking.

Its true! There is a connection between my kid and dogs. It was the first sign he learned. Not milk or more or even all done but DOG. And now it goes down in history that Artie said "dog" before he said "mama".

Am I jealous? Not today! I had two thoughts consectutively. First, I want to go get that boy a dog to grow up with! And second, I wish his speech therapist could have heard that!

Day 12 for DownS/ Funny Friday

The deep belly laughs are the best~

However, how we achieve those laughs can sometimes be questionable!

My BIL came over a couple of weeks ago for a day and he had Artie laughing so hard he was gasping for air...big deep belly laughs. I loved it. One itty bitty thing though...he was doing slapstick and would use his palm to knock himself in the head or leg and fall over making a loud OW or HUUNNNHH noise. The kid loved it and laughed for 20 minutes straight!

Now this week I noticed that as we were watching the puppets on his movie, one of them got bonged in the head a couple of times with a beach ball and there Artie went...he rolled over laughing like a little mad man! Those glorious deep belly laughs! At the sight of someone getting konked! I had my reservations about this...

Then today I come buzzing through the house, cleaning, ya know...last minute before the man gets home, and BAM! I try to remove my toe from my foot via the corner of the table leg. I fall to the chair, grabbing the wall and yowling like a cat in a fight! Oh the pain!!

When I finally come to my senses and the fog of pain clears a little, over next to the toy box, my little pooh is laughing his butt off...like I did that just for him!

Now, tell me! Does he have a sense of humor or what? Twisted yes, but humor! I bet this kid would love the 'three stooges'...however, at the risk of reenactment I will pass on that.

What I wouldnt do for one of those deep belly laughs from Artie, King of the toy box!!

Day 11 for DownS/ Tired Thursday

This is so encouraging and sweet! I had to share it.

http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071011/NEWS07/710110412/1024/NEWS

Today we just chilled...lots of kids out of school. I bought the older kids some webkins and that is a great activity for them. Artie loves to watch it too.

I am blaahh. I need some sleep so I will say hi and step aside. I want to be rested for the weekend. The whole family together is jam packed action and fun. I dont want to miss a thing!

I go, promising more of true blog tomorrow!~

Day 10 for DownS/ Its been a heck of a day at sea, sir!

WHOA!
We had our physical therapy at IS Kids, the interactive museum here in town...and ya want to hear something cool? They are closing one day a week to the public and offering that whole day to therapists and the children they treat...FREE of charge! Now isnt that awesome? Artie was the first and it was great!

Artie walked the plank (with a little help from his friends) and manned the big ship. As captian he claimed his rights and steered the big ship to saftey! All that was needed was an eye patch and to teach him to say "ARRRRGHHH! A pirates life for me! ~
He felt like a big boy up in the big wooden ship they have! I cant wait to post pictures!

He played and flirted with himself in front of the big mirror and giggled at the giant bubbles he popped! And of course we attempted to play in the moon sand...he did not approve!! LOL!

Ahoy!

Day 9 for DownS/ Tons o' fun Tuesday

Ohh little man had a great day starting with OT! He had a good session! The secret weapon is working...nutrients are the key.

As for me...I am going to bed early! Yay! My night to read a book!

Day 8 for DownS/ Move it, Move it, Move it Monday

25 things about Artie that have nothing to do with DS

1. He is loved by everyone...but mostly me and dada

2. He outsmarts me! He is amazingly smart.

3. He loves to chase me and play hide and seek.

4. He loves watching football with dada.

5. He throws his arms up and yells when dada does! Its lots of fun!

6. He has beautiful golden auburn hair that I hate to cut.

7. When he is sad he buries his face in my neck and cries. I try to take apart whoever or whatever makes him sad.

8. He makes always smiles for the camera...he knows!

9. When he gets a matchbox car he fights to get on the floor and he lays on one elbow and drives the car with the other going "RRrrrrrRRRrrrrr!

10. He is a happy boy and laughes from his belly!

11. He flirts with everyone.

12. He loves his grandma.

13. He can open the baby gate going into the kitchen.

14. He can beat an adult to the brass table in the living room.(and that is on all fours).

15. If it is in my glass he wants to drink it, but if I put it in his sippy cup the taste changes.

16. He hates bananas.

17. His favorite toy is bouncing Tigger.

18. He walks to the mail box every day holding my hand.

19. He loves being outdoors.

20. He loves playing http://www.kneebouncers.com/kneebouncers.html especially Peek a Boo

21. He can throw a kiss that you can hear across the room.

22. He loves a bath and helps me take his diaper off.

23. He takes off his shoes and socks and tries to put them on again.

24. He loves my singing and sings with me.

25. Everything within his reach is his.

And thats Artie!!

Day 7 for DownS / Simply Sunday

25 things about me that have nothing to do with Down Syndrome!

The most important thing about me above and beyond this list is my relationship with God. He is good, kind and my strength and hope. Prayer gives me peace of mind that excels all thought.

1. I love my family a lot

2. I have been married for 25 years and love my husband more than I did 25 years ago...I love him more than last year. It just gets better and better.

3. We are in the process of adoption of guess who~

4. I am over 50...how much over is not up for discussion.

5. I am therefore a child of the 60's and 70's and am as retro as it gets.

6. I love old things and will shop for a good used item instead of new. I wish people who gave me presents understood that. I love USABLE antiques.

7. I love my plants both indoors and out....

8. I love baskets, rocks, seashells, minitures, mudmen and books. Especially old ones. Well all rocks are old but you know what I mean. I am almost out of shelf space again.

9. I love family history and do research in spurts.

10. I love stamp collecting~ I really love it! Have any stamps to send me?

11. I moderate our local Freecycle(TM)

12. I am so happy that I retired early

13. I love peaceful mornings on the patio with lil man.

14. I have rheumatoid arthritis

15. I juice everyday (LOL! edited to say "I drink juice everyday" cause DH juices for me everyday!)

16. I have traveled the world

17. My home is a place of peace

18. I love arranging flowers

19. I do not like agressive people

20. I have to have 10 hours sleep a day to be at my best

21. I can go for days with very little sleep when there is a need...seems I dont miss it until the emergency is over.

22. I love rainy days

23. I dont wear shoes unless I have to.

24. I love and collect cameos. (small, old and shell or rock...guess thats why) I have to stay off of Ebay

25. I do not like pressed wood or plastic.

TA DA! There ya have it! Simply Sunday!

Day 6 for DownS / Sensitive Saturday...

Okay...today was jam packed with emotions...

Today we had our home study. We flew around, almost getting everything we wanted to do finished. Here and there, and not making it to the grocery store at all! We all arrived home 30 minutes before the visit, wiping away traces of peanut butter sandwiches and spilt milk just in the nick of time.

When she left I could not get the thought out of my mind that I did not say what I should have said...or that I should have said more, or that I should have said something more profound. Some how I should have had her convinced before she left that Artie was home, here with me.
I didnt feel that she wasnt convinced, I just felt strongly that if she were convinced it would follow that she would do or say something that sealed our fate together as it should be. Of course she did not. She was simply documenting.

It left me anxious and unfinished. I dont feel she stayed long enough to get the full story. His story and our story. DH walked around afterwards smiling, saying "that went great! Dont you think so?"

It must have gone well if he said so because he has a better sense of people. I tend to be a little intense. I find myself thinking "what!!? YOU are trying to decide if he can stay?!?" while DH is looking at it like "great, lets finish up this business and sign!".

Afterwards, I deserved a good cry and a nap. But Artie and I ran away to the local kids museum. Our hiding place.

IS KIDS is a wonderful non profit museum with interactive exhibits. It is geared toward children with disabilites. Lots of sensory input! We explored a teepee and Artie ran his toes through a fake fur rug and looked suspicously at the babydolls in the middle. He banged on drums of all sizes and rolled on the floor turning over buckets of legos and swimming in them. He played with every thing he could get his hands on. He was reserved about the moon sand. He touched it with his thumb and grunted his disapproval. He loved the astro turf and little mower. All boy! He played with the big bugs in the garden and felt of all the differnt textures of the clothes in the dress up trunk. He popped big soap bubbles and giggled hysterically. We walked all over the place and played a lot.

Suddenly I had an insanely brilliant idea. There Artie was, standing at a big drum, stick poised in mid air to hit it and he dropped the drumstick. He looked down at it for a moment and then bent over and picked it up...and he did this not once, but twice. We walked over to the grocery store display and he took a basket that was filled with plastic apples. He followed the request to "take one out" over and over. When I told him "put one in" he completed it perfectly again and again.

The idea? To have his PT and OT there. Not in his home with his toys but on netural ground. He has been having difficulty cooperating and there have been comments that he was not able to follow the tasks he was asked to do because of temper tantrums. Okay, I felt he was not able to due to his cognitive level or maybe pain in his back. Bull...because here he is doing the same tasks that his OT has been trying to get him to do, without crying and fighting, for weeks. Sooo, maybe a change of scene? Cant hurt to try!

The owner of IS KIDS offered to open the doors to us early on Monday for the therapists to come and work with him. Can you get any better than that? I think we are gonna try it.

Standing there talking with the owner and seeing her obvious concern and care made me cry.

I was overdue anyway.

Day 5 for DownS/ Family Friday

Its true...everyone needs someone. I have often thought of what would happen to lil man should I lay down to dust.

I look around and see what a healing factor he has been to my family. I have had family members we havent seen in person for over 15 years come from across the country, see him and fall in love...and then keep regular contact with us. I have seen relationships mended just because he laughed. I have seen bitterness melt. Everyone needs someone. We all need him.

My quandry has been what to do for him in my demise. I know he will need love and support for the rest of his life. May it be a gentle and happy one...but before today I had not had anyone step forward and talk with me about it.

Oh I dropped hints...you know. Saying "whoever does this will..." and "when the time comes he'll need...". Finally after almost a year and a half, out of the blue my baby sister calls. I guess you can call her 'baby sister'. She is seven years younger than I am. Her words warmed me and made my eyes tear up. She talked about family, togetherness and how stable her life is. And then she said it. She said "If anything ever happens to you, we want you to consider letting us raise and take care of Artie." My heart skipped a beat and I stopped breathing for a minute.

I paused a moment. wondering if she understood the magnitude of that statement. She continued saying something like "oh we have already talked about adding an apartment on to the house for him so he can live independently. He will never do without anything that it is in my power to give him."
My sister is not a woman who commits lightly. She is a tower of strength and those who stand beside her are fortified by her presence. She is funny, kind hearted, gentle and generous to a fault. She is a people person and no matter where she goes her social skills are amazing. She is at home in a board room, leading a company to profit margins off the chart or in the kitchen, making dumplings.
Which I might add at this point are a personal favorite of Artie, the lil man who has feeding aversions. I swear, this child who wont eat anything ATE some of her dumpling gravy and loved it! Reason enough that he should be her shadow.

I could think of no better advocate for him should I not be there.

Tonight before I put him to bed, I lay down with him and cuddled him. I told him about the future and all the wonderful things he could do if he wanted to. And then I told him about Aunt Sandra and how much she loved him. He watched me talk and played with the collar of my blouse. When I finished he was watching my eyes, laying calmly on my arm. I kissed him and put him in his bed. He took a long sigh and got into his favorite postion on his tummy. Good night Artie! We will all sleep better tonight! We have someone that needs us.

Just a note for Auntie Hope

Guess who is wearing the coolest pants, shirt and jacket today? Looking all athletic!! Yup! He can finally wear the goodies you sent a long while back...and he looks so grown up!! (((hugs to you)))

Day 4 for DownS/ Tuckered out Thursday?

Today was another busy day in Artie’s little life. He was still sick most of the night but you could not tell it by his energy level today. He is much better. Way much better while I have red eyes and deep circles under them! Ha!

To begin with, as I was cleaning the kitchen, he opened the baby gate (didn’t I shut that?) and cruised on in holding onto the cabinets. He looked up at me and grinned. I love that grin! First time around the cabinets, dude! And what fun it was, until he got halfway around.
He came to a standstill at the dishwasher.
For some reason that escapes me now, when I bought the thing, I selected black. Oh, wait, I know…it was on sale! Any way it has a nice shiny reflection.
The minute he got there, he kinda froze. Of course I moved over to where he was to make sure he was okay. He was so still. Very unlike him. Lil man was looking at the baby in the reflection touching his hand. It was fun watching him check himself out. When he finally moved he patted his tummy and laughed. He touched his face and ear. Self awareness. It was so sweet. He has been checking himself out in the mirror since he was nine months old and the first person he ever waved at was his own reflection, but this was different. He was there, alone, looking at a full length view. This was him, by himself, standing tall and in all his glory. He did a few squats, gave himself a ‘no-no’, rubbed his hair and giggled a lot. He liked what he saw.
He managed to break into the kitchen several times today to visit the dishwasher.

Later, after floor play and OT, I sat him in the lounger. We have been working on dismount. He tends to prefer the head first approach so we have been turning him around and showing him the feet first approach to floor contact. This has gone on for a couple of weeks and he has just giggled and lunged. Ouch! Good thing I have been there to catch. Sure enough, today he turned that diapered butt around and eased off feet first! Yay!! A safe landing and lots of cheers…he loves the cheering part and will repeat something over and over again to get me to do it. Yes, I do make a fool of myself for him. Nobody else is watching! Today, since he couldn’t get back on the lounger to do a repeat act for his audience, he just stood on his tippy toes and put his head on the seat and pretended to dismount by turning around again and throwing his arms in the air as if to say "TA DA!"…I cheered for that too. I told you I was easy. He did that until I grabbed him up and tickled him to distract him. The boy is relentless!

There was still a lot of play in him at bedtime. We lay down together to have a talk. He had a lot to say…”ba ba ba ba da da” and then a few raspberries. I, too, had a lot to say. I kept repeating “ma ma ma ma” over and over with lots of emphasis on the “MMMMM” part, challenging him. I am vain and want to hear my name too. I mean this Da Da thing has gone too far. When I explained it to him in a gentle way, he giggled. Covering his face and rubbing his eyes he blew me another raspberry. Guess that’s baby talk for ‘get a grip’.
Sleep came easily and softly for him tonight. I gently moved him to the baby bed. I hope he sleeps better. I hope I do, too.

Day 3 for DownS/ Wet Wednesday 10/3

It seems the sky was in tune with Artie last night.
It rained and rained here. And he cried and cried. He was so sick. His fever topped out at 100.8. Enough to make him hurt and be achy but not enough to alert the doctor. We kept using a cool cloth and Tylenol every time the tiny writing on the bottle said we could. Poor baby.

Dada rocked him and held him on and off all night. No sleep. Could you tell today, Auntie Kris?

By 7am we curled up on the bed with his hot little head on my arm. He slept that way until 9am. I was afraid to move because he was sleeping so calmly.

Teething? Sinus infection? Sore throat? The only signs were fever, congestion and being fretful.

The nurse came and checked him and she rocked him so I could grab a shower. Did I tell you how much I love our nurse? She is so caring. She comes quickly when he is sick. She carried him around, talking soothingly to him and looked in the big den. "You rearranged the room?" she asked. I hadn’t been in there for a couple of days so I came with dripping hair to see what she was talking about. The furniture was moved around so the sectional sofa was in line with the ottoman to make a bed. Dada had built a nest last night for Lil Man and himself so I could sleep some. I smiled and fell in love with my husband again. "No", I said grinning, "Dad was just making Artie comfortable while he was sick." She hugged him and handed him over to me. I went back to my chair and for a moment Artie grinned up at me, glad to be back in mama's arms. He is such a great kid.

We talked about his surgeries past and upcoming. We talked about his eating aversion and the feeding clinics available in our state. We talked about his compressed organs, stomach, lungs and kidneys. We talked about how much he is loved and what a healing factor he is in everyone's life. We laughed about his antics and adventures. He is a happy boy. Thats my job, trying to help him find happiness, and I am glad to do it.

As I listen to him play in the other room, I sit here wishing I could take every wrong, bad thing and wash it away with the rain so he doesn’t have to deal with it.

If life were only so.

Day 2 for DownS/ Therapy Tuesday!? 10/2

My boy was up early with the birds, singing in a soft voice to himself. It is a sweet sound to wake up to.

Mind you, if you don’t respond in the required time that soft song becomes a persistent whine, then a serious "don't you know its morning?!" cry!

He has been waking up so hungry lately and I think it’s because we cut out the late evening milk. Reflux will make you do that.
He is ready for his cereal right after early meds. Don’t you dare be late! He gets mad and cries "Da da da da da da!" Ats my boy! He knows who to blame! LOL! Dada is right there in the kitchen mixing the potion that keeps the food down and helps him eat...that he loves to do!

So, ambitious as we were, today we tried to cram in three therapies and two doctors appointments. Could we do it? Artie told everyone he, for one, had had enough by 1pm. I took him serious. You have to. He can stop you cold in your tracks. That little upside down smile of his is just the beginning. We canceled therapies two and three. With no more therapy on the horizon my sweet toddler took a long nap. Serves them right, they should have been here yesterday. It was lovely. I love to watch his peaceful sleep. Now and again, I still have to go make sure he is breathing. Old habits die hard. Today it was a soft even breath with no congestion...mommy's happy!

When he woke we had a lovely physical therapy session all by ourselves. He thinks it is so funny to stand on his wobbly own feet while I am cheering him on. He clutches those chubby hands together under his chin and laughs a hearty laugh, mouth wide open! We make our play occupational therapy. The highlight is shouting "YAY!!" and clapping for every maneuver he makes. He is eager to please. He is such a sweet heart.

When he had his afternoon milk, I watched as he held up his hand looking at it front and back. and I swear this child signed 'MILK'! I was overjoyed! I tried to get him to do it again but he just grinned at me. I know he did it though. We are watching 'baby signing times' together and I am signing away and he just grins. He gets it. I know he does. It’s like "I know it, but you gotta work for it mama!"

We wind up our evening with some snuggly book reading. He loves the textured books and now uses his index finger instead of his thumb to touch each picture. A nice close to a peaceful evening with Artie, King of the toy box!

Day 1 for DownS/Manic Monday Oct 1

I think if I woke with more to do on my list, me~n~Artie might just head to the local kids museum and become strays...who needs a home when its this much work?

We waited and waited...no therapist. Ya know, having occupational therapy and physical therapy is not a peice of cake...especially in one day. I made sure lil man was rested, fed and ready...and then no show! Now what could be wrong here? We will do it again tomorrow. He didnt miss them because we ran around so much today that he got lots of exercise! Fine motor skills were honed by picking up all of the cheerieos one by one and throwing them off of his tray...did I mention he has feeding aversions? Physical exercise (upper body strength) was achieved by pulling up and opening all my desk drawers and looking for choice markers to write with. At 19 months the carpet is a fine pallet. Or the desk itself!

He was such a joy today...even when we went to the grocery store. He smiled and flirted with every one. Oh yes he is a charmer! I am constantly surprised how many people come up to me and say "I have a child with Down syndrome too" and ask about him. I always have to look at him really good afterwards to see what they saw. Blinded by love. I have to tell you, I am so proud of him! I used to think "what will I tell people?" but now I cant wait to tell them about him! LOL! And there is a young man who works there who has Down syndrome...ya gotta love Publix! The only grocery store with the anti bacterial wipes for the buggy! My kinda place.

Today he was active again. He took two steps the other day with forward momentum but today he just practiced speed. He actually stood up to cruise later, saw something on TV he thought was hysterically funny and raised both hands in the air to say "yayyyy!" laughing.
What I am saying is he stood up on his own and balanced with no support!!! This occured with me holding my breath and trying not to move. He stood there for at least 20 seconds. Lord, I am in trouble when he starts walking!
A good day in the land of Artie, King of the toy box.

Yep...what a day!

Get it Down: 31 for 21

Ok! I am in! Blogging for Down syndrome awareness is on!