Hi mom...
I think I'll try and crawl now!!
This may seem like a very random post for today, but it's something that has been running thru my head for the last few days. When Jake was born and diagnosed with Down Syndrome, EVERYONE asked if we would have rather known early on in the pregnancy, or if we would have rather had the big SURPRISE? I have always had a really hard time answering that question. On 1 hand, there is our situation...had multiple tests done all that came back negative for ANY kind of health issues (no DS, no heart issues, no under developed anything). Like anyone else who knows little about DS, we didn't think twice about it, because we are both in our early 30's and have no family history (that we know) of DS in our families. It just wasn't something that we even considered to be an issue. Then, 12 hours after birth we got the news of our lives, and it was the most difficult news I've ever had to digest. We went those 12 hours believing we had a perfectly typical baby (with webbed fingers) sitting with us. Later in that night he started showing signs that he was having a hard time breathing. He spent a few days in the NICU, and a few more days on Peds being watched...the rest in on Jake's story page! So would I have rather known that Jake had DS during my pregnancy...Yes & No. See, I still can't answer that. I could say YES, because had we known, we could have had more testing done to see that he had a HUGE hole in his heart, that he had some under development issues, and our first experience with our new born son could have been a whole lot different. We could have had the appropriate doctors/nurses in the room, he probably would have been taken to the NICU right away, the list goes on and on. But then the "what if's" kick in. What if we were told he had DS, spent 8 months worried sick to find out he didn't have it? Would I always wonder why his test came back positive? Would I always be looking for things to be wrong with him for answers to why his test came back positive? I could say NO, I would rather not know (which we didn't), and you know how that story plays out. But now I find myself questioning whether or not knowing really makes a difference. Here is why... Jake is by most standards healthy now. After each of his illnesses, we learned a little more about him and learned how to make him healthier. After 15 months of the most traumatic illnesses, 3 surgeries, more doctors visits than I care to think about...it all just stopped. Jake is healthy. That is hard to digest, believe it or not. So a few days ago, Jake woke up in the middle of the night breathing really bad, coughing a nasty barking cough, and just all around miserable. My very 1st though...go pack your bag, were going to Seattle. Does that fear ever go away? After about 3 days, he seems to be over it! And yes, I want to throw a party! Jake kicked his first illness without a Med Star flight, stay at Seattle Children's, Kadlec ER, or even the doctor's office visit. AMAZING! So now I'm stuck thinking would it have been better to know and process all this info during pregnancy, or since I didn't know, will I forever think that every time Jake coughs I need to pack a bag?
I'll even throw a party when the guest of honor isn't here!
Happy birthday to you...happy birthday to you...
Happy birthday Delana...
Happy birthday to you!
I just finished Jake's story...to this date. I went back and read the entire thing and realized I missed a few things, but decided not to add them in. I started this blog as therapy for myself. I was having a hard time letting go of the past and moving forward without fear that the past would come back. I used the example of waiting for the "ball to drop" at the end of Jake's story. I have really learned through this experience that I need to live each day for today. I can't worry about what tomorrow will bring, I just need to live in the now and be happy and thankful that I have what I have. That is tough for me because I'm a planner, with a little bit of control freak in me. I don't like the unknown, but have learned that I don't have a whole lot of choice in what is handed to me, I can only choose how I handle it. So that is where I am. I am going to continue to do this blog, well because I like it & would like to have a place for people to come and watch our family handle the new experiences that come our way.
Do you know of anyone in the Tri Cities that does cooking classes? I have a little more time on my hands these days not living in hospitals. I want to take some cooking classes, but am having a hard time finding some. If you know where a good place to start might be...tell me about it.
I had a great conversation about life, kids, and good books last night was a good friend. We were talking about books about Down Syndrome & it turns out that there is a VERY popular book out there, that I own, but have only made it into the first few chapters, that she loved. I have had so many people (mostly people without children with Down Syndrome) tell me they read the book and loved it. So here it is, if you have time check it out and let me know what you think!
Expecting Adam by Martha Beck
I am in the process of reading:
Gifts by Kathryn Lynard Soper
Gifts 2 by Kathryn Lynard Soper
Oh ya...I added a little more to Jake's story!!
Has been moved!! I FINALLY figured out how to get his story in 1 spot! So it is now on my right side bar, with Jake's video!! As time permits, I will continue to add to Jake's story until we are current, then I will start posting updates on Jake in that same spot. Kind of like his own little site, on my site! So I deleted all the old posts (because I cut and pasted them to the new page). I hope this makes my page a little easier and a little more enjoyable to ready!
If you have a easy, tasty, somewhat quick recipe you would like to share...please do so! Tonight I made Chicken Piccata with Artichoke hearts! TASTY! We also hand cheesy garlic biscuits, mashed potatoes and broccoli! It was pretty quick to make, nothing too out of the ordinary, and so good! Enjoy!
http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Chicken-Piccata-with-Artichoke-Hearts/Detail.aspx?prop31=1
Tonight I'm having a 1 person movie night after the kids go to bed, but I WILL get to more of Jake's story tomorrow! Thanks for hanging in there!
It's now on my side bar...to the right...very top! Now you can go look at it anytime without scrolling all the way thru my posts!! Enjoy!
And now that I know how to do this...his story will be listed as a side bar page also! Soon! No more having to dig thru all my other posts to find his story. It will be in one central place! But not tonight...time for bed!
alloons and having some kind of dessert! I love that kids (at this age) don't care who's invited, or that the party favors came from the dollar store. I love that I can make home made cakes, cookies, and cupcakes and they love it. So today, for my 4 favorite little people, I am having a SURPRISE Valentine's day party!! Yahh!! I'm shipping my 2 off to Grandma's and Grandpa's for a f
ew hours while I magically turn our dining room into a Valentine's wonderland. At noon, they will come home to join their two BFF's for a party! Stay tuned...pictures to come!!
party! I wish I had my camera when Gracie came home...priceless. She 
couldn't 
speak, couldn't think...almost looked li
ke she was going to cry! Then she shouted out, "Is this for me...my Valentine's day"?! And that's why I do it!I'm making a slideshow with Jake's pictures for my blog!! Stay tuned!
Oh...and I bought this today on a Etsy account...I can't wait to get it!
http://www.etsy.com/view_transaction.php?transaction_id=25111046
I'm thinking about putting some vinyl wall sayings in Jake's bedroom, and in mine & Zach's bedroom...here is what I found.
Jake's:
Your braver than you believe
Stronger than you seem
and smarter than you think
Ours:
Loved you yesterday,
Love you still,
Always have,
Always will
What do you think? Is Jake's too inspirational/ not toddler enough for him? I wasn't really going for that, just thought it was cute! Post a comment and help this non decorator...decorate!
Ms Gracie (4) started pre school this year. What a HUGE transformation that has made! Although I'm a little concerned about the fact that she finds me embarrassing already! At 4! Gracie's school has a drive up lane to drop the kids off. Pull up to her class room, the teacher opens the door, the kid jumps out, you move on. Great! For the first few months I enjoyed walking her into her class room and watching her put away her coat & bag, find her name tag, and start her entry task...as do many other parents. Ms Gracie decided about 2 months after school started that she no longer wanted me to do this, she just wants me to drop her off. I thought it was cute the first few times, but I enjoy going into her class. She would not have that. Before we even turn onto the street her school is on, she starts begging me to drop her off and stay in the car! What's that about? I usually give in, drop and leave but every once in a while I make up an excuse to get in that little class room!
So Sunday afternoon, I discovered I am not only embarrassing to her friends and teachers, I am also embarrassing to her imaginary friends! You know, the ones only she can see and talk to!! How does that happen?! She had been wondering around for about an hour talking to her friends (imaginary), showing them how she plays with toys, where the bathroom is...you know, that kind of stuff. So after listening to her talk to her friends for awhile, I asked her who she was talking to. I promptly got a " m...o...m" all long and drawn out, "my friends" she said. I asked her what their names were. Again head down voice low so they would not hear, "Shark boy and Lava girl" (she had just watched the movie). I then asked where exactly they were, she put her head down and pointed over her shoulder and gave me the DAHH look. I giggled and told her to have fun. Off she went to her room, and was quick to close her door behind her so that I could not embarrass her any more! Please tell me there is someone else out there that embarrasses their kids imaginary friends!
I'll get back to posting more of Jake's story tonight!
