Wow. Its been 3 months since last post. Time is flying by and I haven't been keeping up with it at all well. I don't really have any photos organized to show updates, but I was lovingly reminded today it was time to be heard from again. *sheepish grin*
OK. PJ is now 21 months old. He's wonderful and amazing. He's stubborn, spoiled and demanding. And he's mine all mine. He walks perfectly, we bought a little ladder and ball pit (blow up baby pool with 300 balls) He learned how to climb the ladder in one PT session, and now does it for fun, even when no one's looking. 300 balls might have been a little excessive, since he loves throwing them all over the house, hiding them under furniture, in the couch cushions, wherever. And as soon as he sees us start collecting them to return them to the pool, well, that's his cue to start emptying the pool again. Oh, its so cute. (ahem)
His vocabulary is still pretty minimal, words recognized are, momma, daddy, becca, banana, ball, diaper, hey, kitty and woof woof. WE recognize them most of the time, you might not. example his word for diaper sounds a lot like bopper. I know the understanding is there, because when I tell him "come on, PJ, lets go change your diaper, he races me to his room, where the changing table and diapers are.
In a 3 month period, he gained approx 3 pounds, and about an inch and a half, hes still a short little chubster, and he will likely always be, and thats just perfect.
He also has lately tried breathing under water in the tub! Not good. You'd think he would have figured THAT out after the first try. He came up choking and panicked and puking water, oh it was scary, and the very next bath, he tried again. Dear Lord. I was RIGHT THERE. He was sitting nicely, splashing, playing with toys. and then boom, from a seated position, in like zero seconds, his face is in the water, and then he's scrambling to get out, scared and choking. And this has happened twice. Jiminy Christmas! My nerves! He's still alive.
Becca got her final report card, she stayed AB honor roll all year. It's late, and we're all good, sorry for the length of time between posts, I'll try to be better.
Hugs all around.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Saturday, March 21, 2009
WDSD
Today is World Down Syndrome Day. *(thanks to Ecki and Meredith for the reminders!) Today, March 21 was chosen for this day because Down syndrome means to have a 3rd copy of the 21st chromosome. 3/21. As did Ecki (www.oppositekids.blogspot.com) about Kayla, I'm giving you 21 things about PJ.
1. He is 18 months old, and still takes a bottle to go to sleep. (It's our cuddle time - is my excuse, truthfully, he's just not ready to have it taken from him)
2. He has the most beautiful blue eyes. They are almond shaped. He lucked out with some recessive blue eyed gene and is the only one in our immediate family with them.
3. He saw me snap my fingers a few weeks ago, and now often tries to snap his fingers.
4. He doesn't seem to have any problem with sensory issues, especially when it comes to food. He loves everything, except hes not too high on vegetables.
5. He started walking at 16 months, but will not keep shoes on. Anytime we go anywhere the moment he's in his car seat, shoes AND socks are off. I'm sure I get judged for having my barefoot boy out in all kinds of weather, but he will not keep them on.
6. He usually has 1 two hour nap, and goes to bed by 8pm, and sleeps until 6-8 am.
7. He says "bah!" which sometimes means bath, other times it means ball. He says nana, for banana, mama, dada, behbah (becca). I'm thinking speech is where his biggest delays are.
8. He is now waiving and saying "hey" which for those of you who don't live in the south, "hey" means "hi". He waives and says hey to anybody who'll look at him in the grocery store, at wall-mart, wherever he happens to be.
9. His favorite television show is "Jacks Big Music Show". 2nd place is the Wiggles.
10. On 3.16.09 he weighed in at 23 lbs 4 oz, and measured 29 inches long. (He's a shorty, even on the DS growth chart.)
11. He recently got to have Wendy's chicken nuggets for the first time, and he definitely wants them again.
12. PJ loves music, and loves to dance. It's a funny sight, watching him dance, I'll try to get a video of it one of these days to share.
13. He has a mouth full of teeth, he's probably missing 4 to 6 still, but I think more are coming in now, because he's drooling. The bottom teeth are crooked, but the top look pretty straight.
14. He's finally taking an interest in books.
15. One of his favorite "games" is throwing toys over the baby gate into the kitchen. He also likes to take small items and push them under his sister's door, or the bathroom door, if that's where she happens to be.
16. PJ is obsessed with (ok, less than obsessed, but has a strong interest in) electrical cords. He will struggle to get behind the entertainment stand or behind the computer desk to yank on the cords. We finally gave him an extension cord to play with, which seems to have helped.
17. He has become afraid of the vacuum, but is still fascinated by the sound the bathtub makes when the water is draining.
18. Bath-time is one of his favorite times of the evening, even if he's tired and grumpy, I can count on bathtime chearing him up, at least while he's in the tub. Once he's out, he's grumpy again.
19. PJ loves animal crackers, but I have to break them up, and give him one piece at a time, or he'll shove the whole thing in his mouth and end up choking. He doesn't quite get the idea of moderation, or bite sized.
20. He adds more to our family than I could ever explain or describe, and I'm honored to be his mom.
21. He's definitely NOT happy all the time, that's a misconception. He's happy alot, but he has his mean, angry, pouty, defiant times, too. But then again, he's his daddys boy, right?
1. He is 18 months old, and still takes a bottle to go to sleep. (It's our cuddle time - is my excuse, truthfully, he's just not ready to have it taken from him)
2. He has the most beautiful blue eyes. They are almond shaped. He lucked out with some recessive blue eyed gene and is the only one in our immediate family with them.
3. He saw me snap my fingers a few weeks ago, and now often tries to snap his fingers.
4. He doesn't seem to have any problem with sensory issues, especially when it comes to food. He loves everything, except hes not too high on vegetables.
5. He started walking at 16 months, but will not keep shoes on. Anytime we go anywhere the moment he's in his car seat, shoes AND socks are off. I'm sure I get judged for having my barefoot boy out in all kinds of weather, but he will not keep them on.
6. He usually has 1 two hour nap, and goes to bed by 8pm, and sleeps until 6-8 am.
7. He says "bah!" which sometimes means bath, other times it means ball. He says nana, for banana, mama, dada, behbah (becca). I'm thinking speech is where his biggest delays are.
8. He is now waiving and saying "hey" which for those of you who don't live in the south, "hey" means "hi". He waives and says hey to anybody who'll look at him in the grocery store, at wall-mart, wherever he happens to be.
9. His favorite television show is "Jacks Big Music Show". 2nd place is the Wiggles.
10. On 3.16.09 he weighed in at 23 lbs 4 oz, and measured 29 inches long. (He's a shorty, even on the DS growth chart.)
11. He recently got to have Wendy's chicken nuggets for the first time, and he definitely wants them again.
12. PJ loves music, and loves to dance. It's a funny sight, watching him dance, I'll try to get a video of it one of these days to share.
13. He has a mouth full of teeth, he's probably missing 4 to 6 still, but I think more are coming in now, because he's drooling. The bottom teeth are crooked, but the top look pretty straight.
14. He's finally taking an interest in books.
15. One of his favorite "games" is throwing toys over the baby gate into the kitchen. He also likes to take small items and push them under his sister's door, or the bathroom door, if that's where she happens to be.
16. PJ is obsessed with (ok, less than obsessed, but has a strong interest in) electrical cords. He will struggle to get behind the entertainment stand or behind the computer desk to yank on the cords. We finally gave him an extension cord to play with, which seems to have helped.
17. He has become afraid of the vacuum, but is still fascinated by the sound the bathtub makes when the water is draining.
18. Bath-time is one of his favorite times of the evening, even if he's tired and grumpy, I can count on bathtime chearing him up, at least while he's in the tub. Once he's out, he's grumpy again.
19. PJ loves animal crackers, but I have to break them up, and give him one piece at a time, or he'll shove the whole thing in his mouth and end up choking. He doesn't quite get the idea of moderation, or bite sized.
20. He adds more to our family than I could ever explain or describe, and I'm honored to be his mom.
21. He's definitely NOT happy all the time, that's a misconception. He's happy alot, but he has his mean, angry, pouty, defiant times, too. But then again, he's his daddys boy, right?
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
A death in the family
A death in the family…
My mother-in-law passed away on Monday. Heaven has a new angel, one that can now run, and breathe, and play. The whole family is so sad. She was only 51 years old. She’d been sick for a long time, but was still very much a part of the family. She loved her family so much. She was such a loving and kind woman. She was patient and generous with her time, she did not speak badly of people. She did not push her opinion. She had learned lessons in life that I still struggle with, and had such a peace. She loved Jesus and prayed without ceasing. In my presence she was never judgmental or critical of others. She looked for and found the best qualities in a person and focused on those, rather than seeing one’s shortcomings. She loved her children and grandchildren, her husband, her mother and her siblings. I am proud to have known her. I feel as if she helped me to become a better person, a better wife, a better mother. I wish that I had spent more time learning from her. Why is it that we often get so busy in life that we fail to realize how special someone is until we are left without them? Or is it only me?
None of the old mother in law jokes ever applied. I was always good enough for her son, and she never stopped telling me. I love you Suzie. I will miss you terribly.
My mother-in-law passed away on Monday. Heaven has a new angel, one that can now run, and breathe, and play. The whole family is so sad. She was only 51 years old. She’d been sick for a long time, but was still very much a part of the family. She loved her family so much. She was such a loving and kind woman. She was patient and generous with her time, she did not speak badly of people. She did not push her opinion. She had learned lessons in life that I still struggle with, and had such a peace. She loved Jesus and prayed without ceasing. In my presence she was never judgmental or critical of others. She looked for and found the best qualities in a person and focused on those, rather than seeing one’s shortcomings. She loved her children and grandchildren, her husband, her mother and her siblings. I am proud to have known her. I feel as if she helped me to become a better person, a better wife, a better mother. I wish that I had spent more time learning from her. Why is it that we often get so busy in life that we fail to realize how special someone is until we are left without them? Or is it only me?
None of the old mother in law jokes ever applied. I was always good enough for her son, and she never stopped telling me. I love you Suzie. I will miss you terribly.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Yes, for those who might've been wondering....
I'm still alive. It's been quite some time since I took the time to sit down and post. And I apologize if that's an issue for anybody but me. I doubt that it is, but in case, it really wasn't meant to leave you out in the cold, it's just taking me this long to get it all together. I started my new full time job about 5 weeks ago. I work Monday - Friday, 8am to 5pm, but I'm gone from the house from 7am to 6pm. PJ's usually wanting to go to bed between 7 and 8, so all of a sudden I have precious little time to spend with my very favorite little boy. It's a real bummer, but honestly I don't see any way to "fix" it. Daddy works in HVAC installation for new construction. The economy in NC is as bad if not worse than anywhere else in the country and there's absolutely NO new construction going on here, so, no job for daddy. His new job is the stay at home parent. He's doing a pretty good job of it, although many days I come home and PJ is still in the pajamas he woke up in. ugh. Well, hopefully the weather will start allowing them to go outside and play in the yard, and clothes will be more important to them.
PJ is doing so well gross motor wise, he's walking all around, he loves to squat down, pick up a toy, then stand back up without any support and go on his merry way. His last check up at the DS clinic at duke gave me these stats on him:
50th percentile on the DS growth chart for height, 75th percentile for weight, and 90th percentile for head. (big brains, need more room!)
He's got many teeth, they look pretty straight on the top, but crooked on the bottom. Theyre just baby teeth, so whatever. He waives hi and bye, claps, signs "more", gives big wet kisses (when HE chooses) Says mama, dada, baba (for Becca) nana (for banana, and according to Daddy, walked over to him the other day saying "hey" "hey" with a stinky diaper, as if to let daddy know it was time to change him. Pretty neat, huh?
Becca's doing wonderfully, she has a few good friends at school, she goes to church every Sunday with her grandma, and this past quarter was an all A honor roll student. I'm very proud of her.
That's about it for us, and now PJ is awake and I must go hang out with my little guy, I LOVE the weekends! Oh, and please don't think I'm not reading your blogs, even when I don't comment, I'm reading, trying to stay caught up.
Take care, my friends!
PJ is doing so well gross motor wise, he's walking all around, he loves to squat down, pick up a toy, then stand back up without any support and go on his merry way. His last check up at the DS clinic at duke gave me these stats on him:
50th percentile on the DS growth chart for height, 75th percentile for weight, and 90th percentile for head. (big brains, need more room!)
He's got many teeth, they look pretty straight on the top, but crooked on the bottom. Theyre just baby teeth, so whatever. He waives hi and bye, claps, signs "more", gives big wet kisses (when HE chooses) Says mama, dada, baba (for Becca) nana (for banana, and according to Daddy, walked over to him the other day saying "hey" "hey" with a stinky diaper, as if to let daddy know it was time to change him. Pretty neat, huh?
Becca's doing wonderfully, she has a few good friends at school, she goes to church every Sunday with her grandma, and this past quarter was an all A honor roll student. I'm very proud of her.
That's about it for us, and now PJ is awake and I must go hang out with my little guy, I LOVE the weekends! Oh, and please don't think I'm not reading your blogs, even when I don't comment, I'm reading, trying to stay caught up.
Take care, my friends!
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Look Who's Walkin'!
Yes, ladies and gentlemen, at 16 months of age, my amazingly brilliant little man is taking steps! His PT got him to walk across the room a week ago, him wailing and mad the whole time, but she told me when she left, that before she comes back in 2 weeks, he'd start practicing on his own, and guess what? She knows her stuff! Yesterday he started, and today Daddy was able to catch a bit of what we're excited about around here. Yay PJ!!
I've started a new job, and Daddy is being Mr. Mom. It's very difficult for each and every one of us in the family. The job is from 3pm to 12midnight, which I've never done before, so it's real hard getting the required sleep for a number of reasons. It's hard to wind down and go to bed, PJ is not LOVING the new arrangements, since I've always been the one to put him to bed AND he's getting a few teeth, so he's being fussy. I ALMOST NEVER get to see my daughter Rebecca because she leaves the house at 7am for the school bus, and I can't get up by then if I only fell asleep at like 3. I'm gone by the time she gets home from school. I miss her. And she misses me. Daddy's doing a great job, and getting all the quality time he could ask for with PJ and Becca. She's a big help to him, playing with her brother and giving Daddy a break.
Financially things are at an all time low. My first paycheck isn't until the 30th, and I'm not sure I'll have enough gas to get back and forth to work. I had to borrow $20.00 from mom last week for diapers.
PJ's stomach seems to be getting better. I almost hate to write about it, for fear of jinxing the whole situation. I'm not sure if it's the Prevacid in higher doses, or if it's just that his muscles are finally getting the strength they need to move the food down, instead of up and out. He was seen last Monday at the pediatrician, and he had gained 10 ounces from his check up on 12/15, so that's terrific. His vomiting is much less, for the past few weeks. We are thankful.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
New Year News
I finally got the results of the biopsies from PJ's endoscopy. As suspected, the only thing that came back was mild esophagitis, and he switched PJ from prilosec to prevacid, and doubled the dosage from the previous rx that PJ's pediatrician had prescribed. (was 7.5mg daily, now is 15 mg daily.) I also told the nurse I spoke with that I had decided to withhold the Reglan from PJ until we had tried other "fixes" as I was not comfortable giving it to him at this time. He's actually been vomiting a little less for the past few days, and I've been giving him pediasure mixed with cereal at night before bed (when he normally doesn't vomit) to try to help him gain weight. We'll see the Ped. GI in a month and see how he's doing, and if necessary, see what else we can do.
I got a job!!!! I start training this coming Monday. Thank you to everybody who prayed and sent positive wishes. Now please don't get me wrong. I am happy to have a job. I will work hard and enjoy my work, and be a valued employee. BUT... It's really NOT the ideal job, or at least I don't see it as such at this time. My hours will be from 2:30 pm to 11:00 pm, And I will have Wednesday and Sunday off. I've never worked a shift like this and have always had 2 consecutive days off, always the weekends, so It's going to be different, and PJ will definitely miss me at bedtime. It's our cuddle time, and daddy is great, but he's not me. Becca will miss my homework help in the afternoons, too. But, it will be nice to have a weekday off, and I've already started trying to reschedule PJ's future Dr appointments to Wednesdays. When the economy picks up, and Daniel can once again have a good job, we'll re-evaluate who needs to be home. (I'm hoping it's going to be me :o)
Anyway, I wanted to leave you with some PJ. The videos are poor quality (cheap little no name digital camera), but it's still my darling boy!
mmm, sgetti.
Saturday, January 3, 2009
New Year
Has GOT to be better, please?
PJ had his endoscopy the other day, and did just fine, he did NOT cry all the way to the hospital because he was starving, which was something I really worried about. He actually fell asleep on the way, even though he slept all night. Sweet! The Dr. said that everything LOOKS normal, but got biopsies and we'll have those results early next week.
In the mean-time, I met a lady in the waiting room who's little 2 month old baby girl was having OHS. I encouraged her, telling her that I "know" (in the online community) a bunch of little ones who had to have ohs and they do SO well. During our wait for PJ's procedure she mentioned to me that her baby's doctors had her on Reglan. A drug used to move food through the stomach faster, in order to gain some weight. I hadn't ever heard about it. So...
The day after the scoping, as PJ was vomiting everywhere, which is what he does after EVERY meal, I called the GI and asked why couldn't PJ be on Reglan while we waited for the biopsy results, just to keep SOME calories in him, he's lost a pound in the last 2 weeks!! (That's 5% of his body). So, he said ok, but I was to call him immediately if I saw any side effects. So, I began to look up Reglan and the effects that can occur, and spoke with Leah on the phone who told me about 2 kids that she knew of that had seizures because of Reglan, (Thanks again, Leah!) and I decided to just wait and see what GI recommends after biopsy comes back. I called the pharmacy and told them never mind. I really don't want to put PJ on a medicine that can have horrible side effects just to keep a cleaner house. It would be different if he were in pain, or if he were dehydrated. I know, I AM worried about the weight loss, but a few more days isn't going to make that big of a difference, I hope. It's hard to know always, the right things to do for a baby.
On another topic, now that the holidays are over, we are hoping and expecting to be able to find a job. One of us. Please God. Things are pretty scary for us right now. I won't go on and on, but believe me.
So, I hope that 2009 is a better year for everyone. I don't love money, I just hate not having ANY. And that's where we are. Please God.
PJ had his endoscopy the other day, and did just fine, he did NOT cry all the way to the hospital because he was starving, which was something I really worried about. He actually fell asleep on the way, even though he slept all night. Sweet! The Dr. said that everything LOOKS normal, but got biopsies and we'll have those results early next week.
In the mean-time, I met a lady in the waiting room who's little 2 month old baby girl was having OHS. I encouraged her, telling her that I "know" (in the online community) a bunch of little ones who had to have ohs and they do SO well. During our wait for PJ's procedure she mentioned to me that her baby's doctors had her on Reglan. A drug used to move food through the stomach faster, in order to gain some weight. I hadn't ever heard about it. So...
The day after the scoping, as PJ was vomiting everywhere, which is what he does after EVERY meal, I called the GI and asked why couldn't PJ be on Reglan while we waited for the biopsy results, just to keep SOME calories in him, he's lost a pound in the last 2 weeks!! (That's 5% of his body). So, he said ok, but I was to call him immediately if I saw any side effects. So, I began to look up Reglan and the effects that can occur, and spoke with Leah on the phone who told me about 2 kids that she knew of that had seizures because of Reglan, (Thanks again, Leah!) and I decided to just wait and see what GI recommends after biopsy comes back. I called the pharmacy and told them never mind. I really don't want to put PJ on a medicine that can have horrible side effects just to keep a cleaner house. It would be different if he were in pain, or if he were dehydrated. I know, I AM worried about the weight loss, but a few more days isn't going to make that big of a difference, I hope. It's hard to know always, the right things to do for a baby.
On another topic, now that the holidays are over, we are hoping and expecting to be able to find a job. One of us. Please God. Things are pretty scary for us right now. I won't go on and on, but believe me.
So, I hope that 2009 is a better year for everyone. I don't love money, I just hate not having ANY. And that's where we are. Please God.
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