Lots of Updates

Seems like lots has been going on here. Jack has been wearing his SureSteps since he got them on Jan. 28th. They don't seem to be bothering him at all. Just me - we aren't shoe people especially in the house so it's been weird to get him up and dressed and put his shoes on just to hang around home. What else? When we had his IFSP, the OT mentioned she wanted him evaluated by a speech therapist to check his level of understanding. I said sure so that appt. is ready to go this Fri but all of a sudden it seems like he's really getting what we say. How to decribe it....Tonight, dh got a couple of pillows and threw them on the floor. I was holding Jack and said to him "oooo looky, Daddy's gonna lay on the floor and you can go pull his hair!". (Jack looooves pulling hair.) The little stinker giggled! Now, maybe I said it in a funny voice or I tickled his ear when I said it; but he sure giggled in the right spot! He's really communicating to us his wants now too. If you try to take something away from him he lets you know that is not acceptable! His new trick is he learned how to open cabinet doors and drawers. It's great except now everything inside isn't safe and the drawers can close on his little fingers. Gonna hafta get some drawer guards. He looks so proud when he's doing stuff. He's sooo much fun!

Also, we've had some really bad stuff too. On Feb.7th, my bff's dh suffered a major heart attack. He just turned 40 last Nov. The odds weren't good for him at first, but he's doing well now. I sit on pins and needles 'till she updates me every day. Please add him (and the rest of the family) to your prayer list!

Okay, for the gratful list to day:
1. John is alive and getting better!
2. Andrew is caught up on his homework!
3. Tyler has a terrific sense of humor!
4. Madelyn has proven to be a wonderful babysitter (even changed a poopy diaper for me!)
5. Jackson's development is full steam ahead!

Anniversaries!

Well, it's very late here but most of us are still up because...........No School Tomorrow!! Yep. We've had enough snow in the past few hours to cancel for tomorrow. YAY!! So we had more of a relaxing evening and I folded a bunch of laundry and now I get to check in here!

We celebrated Jack's surgery anniversary and the coming home from surgery anniversary and my birthday and now it's time for Feb. How does time go so fast? And why do I feel so very busy all the time? Yuck.

We had Jack's IFSP the other day and it went really well. He's developing pretty typically and we expect he'll be getting ready to run by the next meeting! He stood alone for a couple of seconds this evening (very exciting), he has 3 teeth, and he got his SureSteps shoe inserts this week. Things are going great!

Time for the grateful list but I am too tired. Soon, I promise.

Cap'n Jack's Anniversary!!

Yesterday was the 1 year anniversary of Jack's heart surgery! I kept wanting to post but life kept getting in the way. I don't know how I felt yesterday. Happy, of course, but the memories of how last year felt kept hitting me off and on all day. I was really terrified last year but trying so hard just to do what needed to get done I pushed it away as much as possible. It's scary to feel that much. Watching him now, I'm just so thankful for the drs that fixed him, the family and friends that helped get us through all that, and Jack himself. He's happy and busy and gives us all so much joy every day. So, for the grateful list today.........

1. Janet Evanovich (I love the Stephanie Plum books)
2. My friend Lori (I love her too)
3. My nice warm comfy bed at night
4. I went to a meeting at the high school last night to schedule my son's sophomore year. It made me realize, yet again, how very intelligent he is. He amazes me!

Who Doesn't Need A TV?

I have been thinking of things I'm grateful for; just haven't been posting them! But for today, here's a few:

1. My mom finally went to the dr and now knows what's wrong with her hip.
2. My kids don't have school tomorrow!
3. I love watching Jack examining things.
4. My hubby made dinner again!

Our tv went out last Thurs. Today is Sun. We are going nuts! Who knew we were that dependant?! Apparently, I like to have it on all day as background noise. I knew that I really only watched a couple of actual shows but I miss it. We're trying to decide what to do about it now. By a new one? Get a flat panel? Do nothing? (That's my husband's favorite option.)

The other things on my mind today? I owe my friend Lori a big phone call. I have GOT to finish putting away these Christmas decorations. And, as usual, my house is a mess and needs to be cleaned up. (I keep thinking a localized fire would do the trick but I'd need about 5 of them!) Also, our wonderful OT would like me to get Jack off the bottle completely, but he really has no interest in drinking if it comes out of a cup. So, do I let him dehydrate? Or just keep the bottle (he only gets it twice a day anyway)? Who knows? Someday, I will not have this stress and then I will miss my kids soooooo much!

A couple of things that crack me up!!

Okay, first my kids have all inherited their dad's sense of humor (he's crazy!). So I asked Andrew to write that we need peanut butter on the grocery list. A few hours later, I go write something on it and this is what I see - "butter of the peanut". What?!?! That was yesterday.

Today, Andrew and I were discussing how those extra chromasomes affect Jack. I was saying how he's developing real close to schedule, and I turned around to see Jack has pulled off his sock, stuffed it in his mouth, and has the BIGGEST grin on his face! What a goof ball!

Yep, just like their dad!

First, the grateful list:
1. Jack's PT. She's wonderful. He always does amazing stuff for her. (Ex. He's been cruising, but he really did it well while she was here today.)
2. Everyone got up on time this morning! That is HUGE!!!
3. My husband made dinner. YAY!
4. Have I mentioned my son, Jackson? I can't even believe how much I love him!

Which brings me to part 2. I've wanted to write some stuff about Jack. Down Syndrome is a part of our lives now. And so what?! He's absolutely a joy. He loves us, smiles, laughs, & plays. Every time he goes down for a nap I rock him to sleep and thank god for him the whole time. Sometimes I look at him and think about how that ONE extra chromasome affects his whole self but he's so dang NORMAL! His little heart beats, his fingers grab, his eyes look around, and his lungs bring air in and out - just like the rest of us! I'm really enjoying this little guy. He's like my bonus kid; I loved being a mom to the others so much and really thought they were it. I'm so loving this extra chance. So for now, he's just a baby who wants badly to walk and eats or destroys everything we don't put away! LOVE IT!!!

New Year, Trying out a Resolution!

Okay, so this year I'm trying to not take things for granted, and be grateful. So I'm going to try to come up with 3 or 4 things a day that I'm thankful for. So, here goes:
1. Jackson's smile.
2. Madelyn shared her pencil with Ty so he could do his homework - and I didn't even ask her to!
3. My husband went to the store tonight to get milk so I wouldn't have to do it in the morning!
4. My oldest son's friend is a good kid and together, they crack me up!

I'd also like to keep track of Jack's progress so here's his new thing. Last night he went up one step. Just one, but he did it by himself. All of us saw him. It was amazing! Also, he has several new teeth that will be through any day now! One, maybe 2 on top and 3 on the bottom. That 1 tooth is getting pretty lonely!