Sunday, we were up early. It seems like we never allow enough time to get ready....though it is rather unbelievable. We were up at 8am - 2 kids bathed the night before. We didn't need to leave until 11:45 - no problem, right? Well, a few minutes after 12 noon, we were departing. After a few pre-planned errands, we were off to a family member's house. Close to 1:30, we arrived; we were only about 1/2 hour late.
The day was spent with family. It was such a nice and relaxing day. Four birthdays were to be celebrated. Josiah just turned one - ready to embark on a lifetime of adventures. My aunt just turned 84 - the celebration of a long, healthy, life - closer to the end, than the beginning. My nephew turned 20 - he is no longer that little boy or teenager but rather a handsome, young man destined to a life of accomplishments. My birthday falls at the end of the month....I couldn't ask for a better life.
We opted to allow Josiah to do a face plant in a piece of cake (with ice cream, of course). Somehow, I think he was as leery as we were. Although he grabbed the plate with great gusto, he was cautious with every movement. He ultimately decided not to plant his face in his food. He did allow his daddy to feed him a few small pieces of cake, as well as a few tiny spoonfuls of ice cream. Honestly, I don't think he was impressed.
I was impressed, later at home, to see the possible effect the cake/ice cream had on him. Luckily, we didn't have exploding diapers or a sick little boy. What we did have was a maniac. Instead of nursing and falling asleep in my arms at 8pm, he was full of himself. He was energetic, giggly, full of smiles and laughter. He was a crazy little man. Just before midnight, the sugar had worn off; he fell asleep.
Carl and I finally retired at midnight only to be awakened by the 2 yr old at 2:18am; He thought it was a good time to get up and play. He was disappointed to learn that we did not agree with him. Thankfully, he agreed (begrudgingly) to go back to sleep. We tried, and we dozed, but I don't think we got restful sleep after that. The alarm went off at 6:15. It was Monday morning; it had come much too quickly....
Welcome. I was inspired to write this blog while pregnant with my son, Josiah. At 18 weeks gestation, Josiah was diagnosed with Down Syndrome. He had open heart surgery at 3 months and has had RSV twice. He is now 21 months old. He and his two older brothers amaze us everyday. Josiah was not a mistake, nor is he a regret. He is a miracle and the light of our lives. We share with you this beautiful life we have been blessed with.
Showing posts with label first. Show all posts
Showing posts with label first. Show all posts
Monday, October 15, 2012
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
31 for 21 Blog Challenge: DAY THREE: When Will He Walk?
Josiah will be celebrating his first birthday this month. The first birthday is always a fun one. With our other two boys, we reminisced over the many milestones each had accomplished over the first year.
Jesse had stopped nursing at 10 days and was primarily bottle fed. I had returned to work when he was three months old. He had started sprouting teeth at 3 months, was sitting at 6 months, and walking at 11 months. At his first year check up: he weighed 22 lbs, was 31 inches in height, and had all the teeth of a 2 year old.
James had stopped nursing (via self-weaning) at 10 months. I never returned to work. He cut his first tooth at 5 months, was sitting at 7 months, and was walking at 11 months. At his first year check up: he weighed 19 lbs, was 29 inches tall, and had all the teeth of a 1 year old.
Josiah is 11 months old. He had his first hospitalization at 2 months. He became a heart hero at 3 months (surviving open heart surgery). He cut his first tooth at 8 months. He has mastered head control. The skills to master sitting are progressing by leaps and bounds. He rolls around but cannot yet crawl. He just reached 17 lbs and is approximately 28 inches tall. He has a total of 4 teeth.
Carl and I don't see Josiah as being 'delayed.' We know he has yet to reach the developmental milestones of his peers. We also see beyond what he has yet to accomplish. Josiah is an amazing little boy. He is the most social, engaging, little guy. He loves to smile, laugh, and be included. He loves attention. He loves being a part of the family.
This morning, I remarked that he would be celebrating his first birthday soon. I also remarked that his big brothers were walking by 11 months. That thought made me a little sad - a feeling I don't usually have when it comes to Josiah. I know he will be able to accomplish anything and everything. Sometimes, I just need to remind myself that it might take him a little longer.
Recently, we had the boys on an outing. Two women kept remarking about how cute Josiah was (the older boys were playing nearby). The thought went through my mind, "Can they tell that he has Down Syndrome? or Do they just think that he's cute?" Either way is fine. I guess I'm trying to prepare for the day (and there will be one) when the topic is raised.
Like we've said from the beginning, Josiah is not a regret but a gift. We don't pity him or our family. We are humbled by the joy our boys bring to us on a daily basis. I know someday, Josiah will be judged by someone. Perhaps we'll be judged (again) for keeping him. Perhaps he'll be made fun of. I don't look forward to those moments but hope I can use them to teach others about the blessing that is Josiah.
Yes, I have the moments where I ask myself "When will he walk?" "When will he...." In the end, it doesn't matter. He'll do all those things. Our older boys will meet all of their next milestones. They are only young once. We will enjoy every minute of this time. Once they meet a milestone, we can never go back.
Jesse had stopped nursing at 10 days and was primarily bottle fed. I had returned to work when he was three months old. He had started sprouting teeth at 3 months, was sitting at 6 months, and walking at 11 months. At his first year check up: he weighed 22 lbs, was 31 inches in height, and had all the teeth of a 2 year old.
James had stopped nursing (via self-weaning) at 10 months. I never returned to work. He cut his first tooth at 5 months, was sitting at 7 months, and was walking at 11 months. At his first year check up: he weighed 19 lbs, was 29 inches tall, and had all the teeth of a 1 year old.
Josiah is 11 months old. He had his first hospitalization at 2 months. He became a heart hero at 3 months (surviving open heart surgery). He cut his first tooth at 8 months. He has mastered head control. The skills to master sitting are progressing by leaps and bounds. He rolls around but cannot yet crawl. He just reached 17 lbs and is approximately 28 inches tall. He has a total of 4 teeth.
Carl and I don't see Josiah as being 'delayed.' We know he has yet to reach the developmental milestones of his peers. We also see beyond what he has yet to accomplish. Josiah is an amazing little boy. He is the most social, engaging, little guy. He loves to smile, laugh, and be included. He loves attention. He loves being a part of the family.
This morning, I remarked that he would be celebrating his first birthday soon. I also remarked that his big brothers were walking by 11 months. That thought made me a little sad - a feeling I don't usually have when it comes to Josiah. I know he will be able to accomplish anything and everything. Sometimes, I just need to remind myself that it might take him a little longer.
Recently, we had the boys on an outing. Two women kept remarking about how cute Josiah was (the older boys were playing nearby). The thought went through my mind, "Can they tell that he has Down Syndrome? or Do they just think that he's cute?" Either way is fine. I guess I'm trying to prepare for the day (and there will be one) when the topic is raised.
Like we've said from the beginning, Josiah is not a regret but a gift. We don't pity him or our family. We are humbled by the joy our boys bring to us on a daily basis. I know someday, Josiah will be judged by someone. Perhaps we'll be judged (again) for keeping him. Perhaps he'll be made fun of. I don't look forward to those moments but hope I can use them to teach others about the blessing that is Josiah.
Yes, I have the moments where I ask myself "When will he walk?" "When will he...." In the end, it doesn't matter. He'll do all those things. Our older boys will meet all of their next milestones. They are only young once. We will enjoy every minute of this time. Once they meet a milestone, we can never go back.
"Slow down and enjoy life. It's not only the scenery you miss by going too fast -
you also miss the sense of where you are going and why"
- Eddie Cantor
Labels:
31 for 21,
birthday,
blog,
challenge,
delayed,
down syndrome,
DS,
first,
milestones,
T21,
Trisomy 21,
walk,
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