Happy Easter!

What a special day to celebrate God's unending & amazing love for us!  That is was also 71 degrees and a SPECTACULAR Seattle day, makes it all the better.  We've been fetched from darkness and given abundant life...THIS is amazing love!

 

All dressed up & dancing before church.

Walked himself straight into the sanctuary today & found his seat.
Someone was ready to worship!

 

First Easter!

Some pre-dinner mischevery at Gramma's

What??
I'm forgiven & set free...didn't you listen at church today?

 

Another attempt at a cousin picture...
Someday we'll get it.
 

Traditional Jesus-is-risen-from-the-dead-celebration-Elmo-Easter eggs.

Still in the "if it's not a teething toy, it will be soon" stage.

 

 

Easter 2013!
Living an abundant life!!

 

 

I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

John 10:10

 





Thirty-Two Weeks Together

      It was a medical-ish kind of a week.  We FINALLY got our genetic blood work done (We = Isaac. I was just the chauffeur and provider of goldfish crackers). I've been fighting for this since September so it felt good to see that tube of blood sent off in the right direction. (Isaac may have a different recollection of the day). The results will show us which of the three types of Down syndrome Isaac has and hopefully help us forecast the care he may need in the future.

 

      Isaac is in the midst of welcoming yet another new tooth (no. 9 in 7 months!) and has had the associated sniffles with it. I didn't think much of it, but a call from Kollege late in the week saying that he had a temperature of 102 and wasn't breathing well certainly caught my attention. By the Lord's providence alone, I 'just happened' to be just blocks from the Kollege on a clinic errand when I got the call and I was able to get to him within minutes. He was a hot, limp piece of lettuce in his teacher's lap with a single tear down his cheek signing 'momma'...oh, break my heart!!! I won't lie, I was beyond nervous that we were going to relive our hospital stay from January. What a nightmare! Thankfully, our pediatrician was able to see us immediately and gave us the friendly diagnosis of Baby's First Croup and Double Ear Infection. I am, once again, so very aware & thankful for the Lord's protective hand upon us and the power of His healing through antibiotics, Tylenol, and Elmo!

24hours after antibiotics & doing pretty good.

 

 

      We also had our six month review with Isaac's therapy team. What a treat to sit in a circle of professionals dedicated to my son's success and to be truly encouraged by them. That one is an adoptive mother herself and another has a son with Down syndrome has been such a blessing to me. Each were amazed at the developmental growth Isaac has had in just seven months! The floppy child that couldn't hold himself up last August is running and throwing and practicing kicking with his Physical Therapist, Miss Meri; sitting in a big boy chair and putting his own trash in the garbage with his Cognitive Therapist Miss Tara; putting blocks together and coloring like a pro with his Occupational Therapist Miss Betty; and has nearly 50 signs and working on his words with his Speech Therapist Miss Michelle.  Miss Michelle is the only one that comes to the house on a weekly basis and she will continue to do so. The others are Isaac's special friends at Kollege once per week and they send me emails updating me on his progress.  Because he is doing so amazingly well, physical therapy is being dropped to just one per month and cognitive & occupational therapy are decreasing to twice per month. Whoohoo!! This boy is getting healthy & strong!  Keep it up Isaac!  And THANK YOU LORD!!

Isaac & his therapy harem!
 

 

3:21 World Down Syndrome Day

 

     Today, 3/21, is World Down Syndrome Day! A day to increase awareness of the genetic AWESOMENESS that has gifted more than 400,000 in America alone, including my son Isaac. I'm proud of my son's designer genes!  And I want people to understand that what society would call a 'genetic clitch' or 'mistake' is exactly what it is NOT.  Isaac was created PERFECTLY with an extra chromosome of love just as God planned; his genetic make-up was not a mistake. The more people we can help expose to the absolute miracle of Trisomy 21 the better!  Below is Down Syndrome 101 overview from our homepage.  Feel free to share it with others and spread the love. I encourage you to participate in global 3:21 events or local Buddy Walks as well, but most importantly, be aware. Be aware of the miraculous people around you that own Down syndrome!

     My handsome boy is special in a thousand different ways. God made him with dark almond eyes and straight black hair, different from my round blue eyes & wonky curly-ish hair. His skin has a soft Asian glow, mine is that special blend of European-pale that Sherwin-Williams has yet to market as a money-making paint color. He loves music and is especially fond of bath time. I imagine. in time. he'll like to play in the dirt & listen to his Uncles talk about football. In short, he is everything that makes him a little boy. BUT he also has an extra chromosome...which makes him THE COOLEST kid on the block.

"I totally ROCK my extra chromosome!"

      Many of you have quietly asked for information about Down syndrome, which thrills my heart. I want people to be interested in one of the things that makes my kiddo special and to be aware of those around them that may also have a unique physical or mental trait. I also don't want anyone to be scared or sheepish about Down syndrome. It's alright...it's not contagious. :)

Down syndrome was named after Dr. John Langdon Down, who first described the condition. The correct terminology is just that: Down syndrome. Not Down’s, or Down’s Syndrome, because Dr. Down did not have the condition (so we do not use the possessive form,) and “syndrome” is not capitalized because it is not a proper noun. You may also see Down syndrome abbreviated online as DS or Ds.

      Down syndrome is the most common chromosomal anomaly, occurring in approximately 1 in 691 births in the US. However, as common as it is, there are less and less babies being born with the condition, because about 92-93% of mothers who receive a prenatal diagnosis of Ds choose to abort the baby. This comes to about 65,000+ babies aborted each year due to a prenatal diagnosis. I can’t tell you how much it saddens me that so many lives are lost. I am sad not only for the babies, but also for the parents who are missing out on having an amazing child. And, I am sad for my Isaac who will have less friends who are like him. With fewer people having the condition, others will know less about it, there will be fewer resources for him and less research done about Ds.

      Down syndrome is a spectrum disorder, which means the physical, emotional & mental impact of this genetic trait can vary from person to person, but there are common characteristics:

• Shorter stature. A child with Ds generally grows slower & as a result is shorter than average.
• Weak muscles (hypotonia) throughout the body. A child may seem to have less strength than other children of the same age and weak abdominal muscles also make the stomach stick out. (NOT limited to Ds...let's be honest)
• Short, stocky arms and legs. Some children also have a wide space between the big toe and second toe.
• A single crease across the center of the palms of the hands. (Betchya that'll throw off the palm-readers, uh?!)
• The nasal bridge is the flat area between the nose and eyes.
• Small, low-set ears.
• A higher rate of cardiac anomalies, gastrointestinal problems and sometimes, although rarely, leukemia.
• Very low rate of dental cavities! (Something to smile about!)
• Generally sweet & gentile personalities.

      THE MOST important thing to remember about Down syndrome, is that it is a genetic influence of the body NOT of the person. A child with Ds has been created in God's image (Gen 1:27) and has the same call & gifting that any 'typical' person has; the Holy Spirit is not hindered by physical ability, mental agility or the number of palmar creases, nor should our expectation of God's miraculous work through someone whose body is lugging around an extra chromosome. In my experience with Ds, I believe it'll take us all a very short amount of time with Isaac before we realize WE are the ones that have been short changed in the genetics department! :)

      My friend Cassandra gave me an AWESOME book photo-documenting Down syndrome called I'm Down With You. I've added a link here to the website. I encourage you take a look and love on those precious faces. They are all around us! 

      If you would like more information about Down syndrome, PLEASE feel free to ask. There is also great information at the National Down Syndrome Society web page.

 

 

Thirty-One Weeks Together

     This week while shopping at our local Swedish mega-warehouse, we came across an Asian doll (why wouldn't we??)...Isaac LOVES it! (again...why wouldn't he?) I suppose it's nice to have another Asian face in the house that doesn't live in the mirror. And this particular Asian face, when he is not carrying around the house, or licking the hair, Isaac can SIT on while playing with blocks.  Clearly, this is the truest of all signs of friendship. (I, apparently, have never loved my friends enough to let them sit on my face...for any reason).  Isaac ignores the baby during the day, but when tired will schlep him around the house, pat him on the back, attempt to feed him crackers, and/or sit on his face. It's really pretty funny to watch.

 

The newest Swedish-Asian member of the family

Loving the baby!



He is pretending to do something here...
it involved my purse and a washcloth
??

Also this week, the "I'm two and I'm all boy" switch got flipped.  You know, the jumping, throwing, bouncing, running, squealing, kicking, splashing Switch. The switch that involves: eating an entire book of stamps, pooping in the bathtub like your shooting cannon balls at pirate ships, wearing underwear on your head (I won't say who's), pulling ALL the baggies out of the drawer, and taking the mouse out of the computer to carry around the house as a phone...for example. Good gravy!  Welcome to having a boy!  What an adventure this little human is taking me on...and I LOVE IT.

 

Falling backwards on to the couch...SUPER FUN

Oh nuts...I got caught!

Ah well...

Mailing updated photos to ChinaMomma

Rockin' out at church

With Miss Rebecca after church!

 

Just look at that face!

 

 

Seven Month Update--An Interview with Isaac

Happy Family Day, Isaac!!!

We've been a family for SEVEN MONTHS!

 

 

It looks like you've grown a bit, Isaac. How does it feel to be a 'big boy'?

Yup...I'm a big boy! I can reach into all the top drawers in the kitchen and grab most stuff off the counters. Momma says I'm 'such a big helper' when I pull the full grocery bags off the counters after we've been shopping...but then she takes the bags away from me and puts the food away on her own, so I'm not sure how I'm helping, really.  I'm still figuring that out. I get to wear all new clothes now and I only get carried when I want to...the other times I can walk all by myself. Sometimes I even can play chase!  When there are big kids around, I watch real close and I try to do what they do, even if I fall down. Momma says that's how you learn to do new things and I just have to keep getting UP.

 

How was your trip to see your Auntie Ange & Uncle Scott?What did you think of the snow?
I got to go on an airplane again and sit in a big seat all by myself and watch Elmo. That was super fun. But then I got to see Auntie Ange and Cousin Xander again AND I finally got to meet Cousin Jaelyn & Uncle Scott. We played at Cousin Jaelyn's birthday party with all her friends and me & Xander saved Uncle Scott from the vacuum cleaner!  Momma was excited about taking me outside...but it was COLD and the white stuff was only fun until it touched my skin, then I really wanted to be ALL DONE. Auntie Ange says she is on my side and Momma has always been a little crazy about the snow...but I'm not supposed to tell her that. Wait...

 

How are things going at Kollege?
Kollege is FUN. I have lots of friends there now and we play and sing songs with our teachers and work on projects together. Everyone knows my name and I know how to say Hi & Bye Bye to all my teacher friends and helpers in the building. My bestest friend is Cadence. He is a little bit bigger than me, but we always play together and sometimes Cadence shows me his belly button when Momma drops me off...he doesn't have to wear a onesie like me. Terrell is little-er than me, but he can walk so we play chase around the lunch table. One day my friend Savannah and Cadence helped push me up on the table when our teacher wasn't looking so we could all dance on the table together! It's OK...we didn't get in trouble because our teachers were laughing so hard. Momma says that was good teamwork, but our feet have to stay on the ground.

 



 What about the biting?  Is the Asian Biting Machine still working?
Only sometimes. I have another tooth coming in, so it REALLY feels good to chew on stuff, especially clothes...occasionally the skin just gets sucked in with the fabric. What can you do?? When little people get too close to me too fast I don't like that and sometimes they only way I can tell them is with my teeth. I haven't bitten anyone at Kollege for a long time, but they all know to not come too fast. I don't see all my cousins everyday so sometimes they forget to go slow...and I forget not to bite. Oops. The other day, I was trying to get Momma's attention while she was cooking the, but she wasn't looking so I climbed up behind her to hug her legs and bit the inside of her thigh. Oh boy did she turned around FAST! Then she could see that I was signing that I wanted a cracker. How else was I supposed to tell her??

 

Any new foods that you are liking right now?
I like to eat just about everything! This week I've been eating pineapple like Momma and green beans with my fingers! Last week I ate TWO of everything, including the spaghetti squash...that feels funny in your mouth! My therapy friend told Momma that I need to practice holding my own bottle. I don't like that she said that, so I take my bottle and balance it on the entertainment center so I can watch my singing show and suck down my bottle with no hands. Let's see how she puts that in the report!

 

What special things are you going to do with your Momma in the next month?
I don't think we have anything super special planned. I'm starting to go back to see my doctor friends again for check ups. They all say I'm getting big. Hopefully, some more outdoor playing. I like the swing & the slide...and eating the bark. I want to figure out how to climb up on the couch by myself and to get the refrigerator door open. I keep trying, but it's stuck!

Thirty Weeks Together

      I didn't think it was an especially noteworthy week, but once I got to flipping through the pictures on my phone & camera from this week...turns out we had a good time! 

     Many people have asked me how long I'm going to keep up with the weekly updates.  The answer is...I don't know. :) It was never really my intention to do this to begin with; it just kind of happened, and I'm super glad it has. In prepping to go to China, I followed several other families and their adoption stories through their blogs. I was absolutely engrossed and SO unbelievably excited when I knew they were coming home with their sweet one. But inevitably, as soon as they were back to real life the updates went absolutely silent. Crickets. Clearly, they weren't thinking about MY needs!  Bond with your kiddo already, but keep me updated! I want to know what's going on!!  (I joke. Entering back into life post adoption is HARD). So to avoid offending the nine people I knew were following our story (turns out we have close to 3,000!), I had planned to update weekly for a month and then gradually wean off to oblivion. But as I started snapping photos through the week with the sole purpose of having something to post on the blog, I found myself looking at our day to day events in a totally different light. The mundane snapshots of our day were the exciting events! Ultimately, the things I desperately want to remember: touching grass for the first time, walking like a drunk monkey, little feet sticking through hospital crib bars, my boy peeing into his own mouth during a diaper change (that happened yesterday and I've been told that while I should be very proud of my son's skills, I probably shouldn't post any photos...) And I suppose it's more than just not wanting to forget; it's making sure I SEE & LIVE the little events of our lives as significant and worthy of our time on this earth...God does.  So, I'll continue to post random photos of our life on a weekly basis until I don't anymore. It may be until summer, maybe until a notable birthday or anniversary. At some point "Four Hundred Fifteen Weeks Together" is a little over the top, but I really don't feel any obligation to hit a certain date or number. I'll just go until I don't...Forrest Gump style.  :)

Playing with Cousin Magdalene.
Cousin Vaughn didn't want to be in the picture "cuz dats when Isaac does sump'in to me".
The Christmas Cousin Photoshoot must still be fresh in his mind!

After Service Fellowship, toddler style
"How you doin'?"

Warm enough to go to the park!

Yeah swinging!!
It took him a minute to decide he was having a good time, then it was ALL smiles & giggles!

61degrees in Seattle...heaven!

Having some snack
(That would be the Ode To Isaac wall behind him...)

Trip to the toy store!

Coloring with Gramma
(I LOVE his little legs hanging down!)

Playing hide & seek

 

Twenty-Nine Weeks Together

     Isaac has had a growth spurt!!  FINALLY.  I think the combination of his heart finally working well and that little eleven-day speed bump in the hospital probably scaring the living daylights out him, has given him good cause to grow a little. He's always had a pretty decent relationship with food--we've had some areas of struggle, especially after his surgery,  but since our hospital discharge last month his appetite has increased tramendously!  His Kollege teachers have even noted that they have started giving him double portions of his breakfast, lunch & snacks and he is eating the same at home, PLUS his normal formula bottle AND a bottle of pedisaure every day. Good gravy!  Way to make up for lost time!! What is SUPER sweet is he now has the strength & dexterity to hold his own bottle and to feed himself with a spoon. I'm convinced the peer pressure at Kollege has helped with that! He has also officially grown 3 inches and added 5 pounds to his frame since coming home. Which means we've hit the 25 pound mark!!! My boy is growing!!

Uh oh...looks like a flood is coming.

Size difference between his old pants (top) and new (bottom)

Um... what do I even say to this?

Decided he didn't need his food cut today.

Nom-nom-nom.

Loving some devilled eggs

De-lish-ous!

Eating with a spoon like a big boy!!

See Mom, just like this!

Pirates Booty.
He actually pulled these out of the back of the cart to sit next to him!

I've got a serious addict on my hands!!