Thank You

December 2009

I went to the Mom's Night Out tonight and the subject of how people react when they hear the news that your child has Down syndrome came up. I guess it's pretty common to have people not rejoice the birth of your new baby the way they would a typical one. I guess people may not call or come around. I guess they can just stop talking to you altogether. I am thankful that this was NOT the experience that we had. We had all the support in the world from our family and friends. We received tons of calls, emails and visitors. Our Rachel was loved the very second she arrived. So, I just want to put this out there...Thank you. Thank you to all who were there for us. We are very lucky.

Who is Reading This?

Who are you? I started this blog with the intention of keeping my family up to date on Rachel's progress after her birth in the NICU. After over two years, we've slowly picked up more fans here and there. So, leave a comment. Tell me a little about yourself. When did you start following? How did you find us? Do you have a blog too? I've always been curious who exactly is out there and is just lurking. Please stop and say hello!

Red Head

Charlie is a red head and if ever a hair color fit a personality, his would be it. Fiery. Off the charts in both directions. I've had him smile and coo and then in the blink of an eye cry with tears. He hates being on his tummy with a passion and even after you've turned him over, he continues to cry. He tolerates being held for brief periods but don't even try cradle holding him. He just is so very hard to please and every ounce of physical and mental energy that we have goes into making him and keeping him happy. Because if you don't, the wail that he emits from his throat will make you wish that you had.

He can turn on the charm though. He has the cutest little smile and his eyes just shine when he is happy. I just wish that was more often.

We are still in a sleep deprived state of just trying to survive. Hoping against hope that maybe, just maybe, tonight will be the night he goes at least or more than 3 hours between feedings. That he'll lay down for a nap easily and sleep calmly for a couple hours. That he won't scream his head off as soon as he wakes up. 10 weeks into this and we are still searching for the light at the end of the tunnel. Still praying he'll finally sleep in his crib and we'll both be able to sleep in our bed together again.

Pickin' Pumpkins

Saturday was our annual picking of the pumpkins! This year being even better than last year because Rachel was a very willing participant. She wanted to walk around everywhere and look at all the pumpkins. I had one picked out for her but she went ahead and found one by herself. I have to say that it's this kind of stuff that makes being a parent worth while. Watching Rachel take in all the scenery and really enjoying herself just put joy in my heart. Little Charlie was there too but he is, of course, still too little to participate. Next year though....oh next year!

Hum...will it be this one?

Or this one?

or maybe....?

Wait! I see one over there!

Pure joy!

She had a blast being pulled around in this and didn't even try to jump out.

Charlie boy just relaxing in the shade.

My Girl

I love her more than anything

Ice Scream!

This was Rachel's first ice cream cone ever. I know it's October. But, that's like July for the northerners. (And I'll add that these were Rachel's first pigtails too!)

This Little Piggy

2 Months Old

Weighs 14 pounds! The kid went from 8 to 14 pounds in 8 weeks. From 50% for weight to 95%. I think he's going to be tall like his dada.

What's over there?

All this adoration makes me sleepy...

His appointment with the GI doc went well on Monday. The doctor gave us samples of Neocate formula to try. It's super expensive but completely milk protein free. So far the formula seems to working in the fact that he is no longer pooping his brains out or crying or being super hard to put down for a nap. BUT it is making him constipated or giving him more solid poos than he's used to because he is not happy when he has to go. I think that will rectify itself in time though. If not, we have lots of Miralax because Rachel uses it! These kids already share reflux medicine, why not stool softener too?

Still messing with the buttons on the TV

Speaking of Rachel, every day she becomes more and more of a little person. She now tells us what she would like to eat. If she sees grapes on her plate and she's eating a hot dog, she will no longer be content to eat the hot dog until I give her some grapes. She will put down that hot dog and point to the grapes and make the sign for "more" until I give her some. She squeals with laughter and the cutest things and she will come run into our arms for a hug. I love seeing her chug it down the hall to land in my arms. She has really been working on figuring out her toys and initiating playtime with us. Rachel will bring a toy over to us, even if we are in another room, if she wants us to play with her. She can build a kick-butt tower of blocks. She's learning to try different holes in her shape sorter if the block doesn't fit into the first one she tries. She used to just keep trying to jam it in that one hole. Rachel also loves to go outside. If you get her shoes out, she knows what's happening next. She would run around the neighborhood if you let her. I can't wait for Halloween and Christmas and Easter. Each year with her is just more amazing. I look forward to seeing her grow as the years move along.

The shirt says "Daddy's Girl" but she has my heart.

Catching Up

Stephen's job had a employee appreciation day last weekend. It couldn't have been a more beautiful fall day. The four of us bundled up and set out to enjoy our time together. Rachel had a blast in the "needle in a haystack" area they had set up for the kids. The child can go in and find a poker chip in the hay and redeem it for a prize. Rachel just wanted to sit and play in the hay! They had some other blow up bouncy house type things but they freaked her out. I'm sure she'll love them someday though. They are her type of crazy! Little man slept mostly the whole time in the stroller, thankfully.

She likes feeling the wind on her tongue.

Charlie's stool sample came back normal which means there isn't any bateria or bugs causes the blood and mucus issue. We've been referred to a GI doctor down at Children's in Birmingham on Monday. We could have seen Rachel's GI but we would have had to wait until the 20th. I hope we get some answers.

Some smiles in between the crying..

Overall, we've fallen in to sort of routine at nighttime with Charlie. Even though the kid weighs a ton, he still wake up every 2.5 - 3 hours to eat. We rotate nights as to who sleeps with him downstairs so the other person can get a good solid 5 hours of uninterrupted sleep. Tonight is my night to sleep and boy am I looking forward to it. Too bad it goes by so quickly and it seems like as soon as my eyes shut, it's time to wake up and start again. So, good night to all!