What's happenin

Life has gotten so busy, I haven't blogged in forever. I've gone from working 2 days a week to 4-5 days a week, which is a huge change for me. I haven't worked this much since before Cameron was born. Since he now only goes to therapies on Wednesday mornings and goes to school 4 afternoons a week, I decided to work more. This was more of a necessity than a desire. Being a single mom isn't cheap or EASY!

Alek started middle school this year. We live close to the school so he is able to walk. Lately however he has wanted me to drive him. This gives us time together which I'm sure he feels like he never gets. It's pretty hard being the oldest cause mom is always focused on the babies. Along with going to middle school, he has also adopted the pre teen attitude. Talking back, arguing, being rude etc. This is the beginning of the fun times I'm afraid.

Cameron has started his last year in IPOP. He has the same teacher he has had the past two years and I'm grateful for this. He loves her and she loves him. They were very impressed at how much more Cameron is talking this year. At the end of school last year we were lucky to get a three word sentence out of Cameron. Now he is speaking in complete sentences very easily. He really gets a kick out of telling everyone he has two girlfriends and saying "you're jealous".

Rylee is walking and getting into trouble with her big brother Cameron. She isn't talking alot yet, just a few words here and there but she is getting cuter everyday. She loves her big brothers and they play very well together most of the time. She's learning early to fight back and knows how to get what she wants.

All in all, things are good. Busy but good. I'm trying to not get so busy that I miss these valuable years with my children. Sometimes it's hard to appreciate the moments when you're exhausted.

6 Month Checkups

As many of you know, there are often certain appointments that reoccur every six or so months. For us, they all seem to be on the same time frame, which makes it easy to remember but also makes for a busy few weeks. We have somehow gotten our dentist appointments, ENT, Cardio, and Developmental Ped appointements all running within the same 2-3 week period. Cameron did great at the dentist this time. 6 months ago, he was very reluctant to even allow the hygienist to put a regular toothbrush in his mouth. This time, he let her polish his teeth with the dental tool and real prophy paste. It did take some reasoning, but I was very proud of him. ENT went well too. While Cameron's hearing is good and he doesn't get many ear infections, we see the ENT every 6 months to have his ears cleaned. I'm always surprised to see the amount of wax they pull out of his tiny ears. He doesn't like having this done, but it's the only way to get it out at this point. He fought terribly and required me and a nurse to hold him while the doctor removed the wax. When it was all finished he went to the doctor and said "sorry". It was so cute. Our last appointment was with the developmental pediatrician. This is the doctor we love so much. He said that Cameron scored 85% on the developmental testing they did, which is considered in the normal range. He said that while Cameron's coordination is definitely a problem, he totally understands on the level of a typical 4 year old. YAY! Next week we go to the cardiologist for a check up and I'm sure we will leave there with more good news.

Disney and Down Syndrome

So we had the pleasure of attending the National Down Syndrome Congress's annual conference in Orlando this year. Are there two better things? I think not. First you have the greatest and happiest place on earth and then you finish it off with being surrounded by your own people. People whom you've never formally met, but that are your family. These national conferences are the one time of year where you don't feel like everyone is looking at you wondering why your different? It's the time when you see more Down syndrome than not. It's heartwarming and fun. An experience that cannot be matched.

We had a great time in Orlando. It was hot, but hey, it's hot here in Virginia too. Me and a good friend took Cameron, Alek and her son on the trip. We left early Sunday the 11th and drove straight through to Orlando. Everything was great until on an outing during our stay the AC in the car died. So on the following Saturday night, we left at 10pm and drove home all through the night to avoid the heat. It was a good idea although a very tiring one! We are home now trying to get back into our old groove but finding it difficult to adjust back to the "real" world. Cameron has asked me every day to go to Disney World. (He apparently doesn't remember the length of the ride).

I learned alot, met a lot of terrific people and got away from VA for a week. And did I mention that Disney World is the greatest place on earth. I can't wait to go back !

With a bark bark here and a bark bark there

Oh no. Not again. I woke up last night to that all too familiar cough. You know the barking one that goes on and on. The one that nearly causes a child to gag. So on to the bathroom with a hot steaming shower and me holding Cameron with my eyes barely open. Funny enough the man of the house was sleeping soundly next to me in the bed snoring while Cameron coughed and coughed. After very little sleep, off to the doctor we went this morning. Thank goodness they are open on Saturday mornings. And it's croup. Cameron had this last year as well although last time it was really bad by the time we go to the doctor and he had to have an immediate steroid shot because his airways were so inflamed. Luckily this time we just had to get a prescription for steroids for 3 days. Cameron was a little gentleman even though we saw an unfamiliar doctor. He let her listen to his chest and back and check his ears and throat with no complaint. And when it was all over he said "thank you doctor". I was so proud of him and the doctor was truly impressed. She said "he does so well". I guess she hasn't had the pleasure of being around many children with Down syndrome and I'm glad he was on his best behavior for her today. He's feeling pretty good right now, he's singing Happy Birthday mama to me for the 80th time since my birthday over 2 weeks ago!

Gotta love it!

Cameron's 1st Movie

This past Sunday, my husband was taking our older son to see Iron Man 2. He decided he wanted to take Cameron as well. We were both a little apprehensive, as this would be Cameron's first time in a movie theater. Would it be too loud for him? Would he be scared? I wasn't sure! So off to the theater they go. A bucket of popcorn and a courtesy cup of water and the kid sits through the whole movie perfectly. He doesn't get up and try to run. He doesn't talk during the movie. Just sits with his popcorn having a grand time. He fell asleep during the last ten minutes, which is funny because Alek did the same thing in Finding Nemo years ago. He was so excited when he got home and now every day he asks to go to a movie and eat popcorn. The down side is that for one adult and two children, it cost nearly $40 for a couple hours of fun. While it was expensive, his reaction was definitely priceless.

What I've learned in 30 years......

30. You can pick your friends, but you can't pick your family. This can be good or bad.

29. Life really is like a box of chocolates. You truly never know what you'll get.

28. Money can't buy happiness. I don't know this firsthand, I've just been told.

27. Beer before liquor, and liqour before beer.....doesn't matter. Either way, too much makes you sick.

26. While you may get wiser as you age, you don't necessarily get prettier.

25. Men and speedos.....never belong together.

24. Working hard gets you further than hardly working.

23. Being a mother is the hardest job there is. I don't care what men say.

22. Marriage is about give and take.....I prefer to take but you can't always get your way.

21. The most used word for a mother is ....."no".

20. People can only crap on you if you let them.

19. Washing your car always means it will rain in the next 24 hours.

18. You are what you eat. If you eat jelly rolls all day, surely enough your body will become one large jelly roll.

17. People don't always get what the deserve or deserve what they get.

16. Life isn't fair.

15, Good things don't always come in small packages.

14. Treat people as you'd like to be treated.

13. Picking your nose in the car is a bad idea.

12. Never back down your driveway with your car door open. If it hits a tree, it will break the door off.

11. Opinions really are like buttholes.

10. Enjoy every minute you have with the people you love. You never know when it could end.

9. The best things in life aren't free.

8. While having a cell phone is convenient, it is also a bother. People can always find you. Even if you don't wanna be found.

7. Things could be worse.

6. Learn from your mistakes. If you continue to make the same mistake over and over, you start to look foolish.

5. Spongebob is terribly annoying.

4. If you don't have something nice to say, don't say anything at all.

3. Always look in the mirror before you leave the house. Remember other people have to look at you too, try to make sure it looks appropriate.

2. Good friends are always there when you need them.

1. Kids are a blessing. All jokes aside, they are a gift. Some of us are lucky enough to be given these beautiful gifts and don't take time to cherish them. I have learned through Cameron to cherish the little things. The milestones that seem so insignificant. The minutes you spend talking together and laughing. While I've lived 30 years and that seems like such a long time, in theory it isn't. I don't know everything, and I haven't always appreciated everything. But I do feel that since I was 25 (when Cameron was born), I have come a long way to appreciate things more.

So, Happy 30th Birthday to me. I never thought life would go this quickly. I remember being 16 and going to the DMV with my dad to get my license. I thought he was so embarrassing. I only wish he was here now to see how much I've accomplished and to meet his grandchildren. And on a side note, I understand now why women always say they're 29.

I

IEP 2010

We have just completed our 2010 IEP process. While I do hear horror stories about these things, I am glad to report that ours has been another care free experience. We have been extremly blessed to have a team of teachers/therapists that adore Cameron. They praise him repeatedly and are just as proud about his progress as we are. That makes things easier for us. Things for next year will continue pretty much the same. Cameron will be in the integrated preschool program again but will attend 4 afternoons a week. They are moving the older children to the afternoon session and since this will be Cameron's last year before kindergarten, he will be included in that group. Luckily, this will not interfere with our "private" therapy schedule that I still insist on. Cameron will continue to ride the bus to a different school than our home school because our home school does not host this intergrated preschool but I am fine with that. This works so well for Cameron that I don't mind that this school is a bit further away. Therapies such as OT, PT and Speech will continue at school and because he will be there more this year, they were actually able to increase these therapies slightly. While Cameron continues to have low percentile scores on the testing parts, he is progressing nicely. Making improvements in all areas and meeting all of his goals. I am going to cross my fingers that our experiences with IEP's continue to be as pleasant as this one was. And I will continue to be grateful for the truly caring teachers and staff that treat Cameron just like any other student, leaving me with a reassured feeling that Cameron is in good hands!!

Just Some Updates

It's been a while since my last post so I figured I'd throw some updates your way. Last week was spring break and while we didn't go anywhere, we did enjoy Easter with the family and had a few fun outings to local parks etc for the kids. Since Cameron is walking this year he was able to finally participate fully in the Easter Egg hunt. It was the most gratifying sight to see him prodding along picking up eggs with such excitement. It made me wish that everyone did the simple things in life with that same excitement. On other fronts, Rylee is now crawling. Look at mom. Since Cameron took longer to accomplish these things, I am awstruck at how fast all of this is happening. It has made me realize what a sweet blessing it was to have the "extended" time with Cameron while he learned to do these things. Alek has started soccer and is really enjoying it. It seems we are better suited for the 1 hour practices rather than the crazy 2 plus hours of baseball we have encountered in the past. And even Cameron is loving watching it. He and Alek have been kicking the soccer ball back and forth which is really cute to watch.

Another big thing is that we are going to get ready to reallly tackle Potty Training. It has become quite an issue around here. Cameron know when he is going both #1 and #2 and he is able to control his urine flow so I feel that he is more than ready. He does very well in school where they stay on top of him. I am ashamed to say that I think we could have accomplished this already had I been more vigilent. It is just hard staying focused when you are constantly running around. I hope to make a real go of it this time and if anyone has any suggestions, I gladly welcome them. Wish me luck and I'll keep you updated.

3-21

Tomorrow is World Down Syndrome Day. A day to educate and a day to celebrate. I am celebrating my connection to Down syndrome by honoring Cameron. I am going to list 21 facts about Cameron and hopefully remind people that what he has brought to our family and friends  far outweighs any of the pittfalls we've encountered along the way.

1. Cameron was 5lbs 4oz at birth and it took him 6 months to reach 10 lbs.

2. At just 6 months of age, Cameron had open heart surgery to repair a hole in his heart. He stayed in the hospital for 7 days.

3. Cameron rolled over for the first time when he was at the hospital the day of his surgery while getting his pre-op things out of the way.

4. Cameron is a middle child. He has an older brother Alek and a baby sister Rylee.

5. Cameron started walking when he was 3 1/2 years old. His baby sister had just arrived and he had to show her up!

6. Before Cameron began talking, he used sign language to communicate. He could sign around 200 words and although he doesn't use the signs since he has started to talk.....he still remembers most of them.

7. Cameron attends school 3 mornings a week in an inclusive preschool setting with our public school system. He even rides the school bus.

8. Cameron wakes up (at the crack of dawn) with a smile on his face. He truly is happy "most" of the time.

9. Cameron's favorite color is orange.

10. His favorite food is burger with fries and ranch.

11. Cameron loves his family and grandparents.

12. Cameron once had a therapy dog which he didn't care for. We have since gotten a stray dog whom he has named "B Curtis". He and B are best friends.

13. Cameron is very loving. He loves to hug and kiss us all.

14. Cameron touches the hearts of all who know him. We never get tired of hearing how much everyone loves him.

15. Cameron knows the names of every restaurant we pass while driving in the car.

16. Cameron knows the words to a lot of the popular songs on the radio and can even request them by name.

17. Cameron stays very healthy and unlike a lot of the literature you read about Down syndrome.

18. Cameron has the best sense of humor. He loves to make people laugh.

19. If you are ever sad, Cameron is sure to make you smile.

20. Even though it takes a little more work, Cameron does his best to accomplish every task he is given.

21. Most importantly........Cameron is loved so much by all of us, especially me. I look back on my life and am so thankful that I have been given this very special gift. If I could get 10 more just like him, I would surely take them

So celebrate with us as we continue to enjoy all of the wonderful things we have gotten with Cameron. He has brought to us the important things in life.....the kind of things you can't buy with money.

Be careful what you wish for.........

When Cameron was just a newborn, I began to worry a lot about how his disability would affect our family and our other child at the time. One of my biggest concerns was that they wouldn't have the normal relationship that brothers do because Cameron was different. Boy was I wrong. I have had the pleasure and sometimes annoyance of the typical brotherly love that you see between brothers. Conversation from the car the other day.

There was a good song on the radio.

Cameron: Radio Up Mama Please

Me: Ok

Cameron: Thanks Mama

Well then Alek begins to tell me some story about school.

Cameron: (yelling) SHHHHHH. Quiet.

Alek: I do what I want (show Cameron his fist)

Cameron: Go away.

Alek laughs

Cameron: fine ever

As annoying as this is , especially in the car it is also heartwarming to know that the relationship my boys have is no different than the relationship I had with my siblings and that all siblings have. I love that Alek doesn't treat Cameron different. Not that being a bullying big brother is a good thing, but it is a normal thing. And Alek is right there to defend Cameron and help him when he really needs him. It is the days such as these that make me so proud to be a mother.

Talks with an 11 year old boy

I have decided that rather than forget these memorable moments I have with my oldest son, I will share them and even keep record of them. They will be good stories to use when he is older and when he brings girls home etc. Our brief conversation last night regarding saving money......

Me: When you start cutting grass this summer you are going to be required to save some of the money you make rather than just spending it all.

Alek: I know, Mom.

Me: Well you can't just spend it all and have nothing to show for it.

Alek: What about if I put 2% in the bank?

Me: You're going to put half in the bank!

Alek: What about if I put 50% in the bank?

Me: That sounds good!

Now keep in mind that my child, this child is in the "gifted program" at school. This did however provide us all with a great laugh, he even thought it was funny when I told him that half is 50%.

In effort to stop the misuse of the R-Word, I am posting a speech given by a high school senior. I have read this before and thought it was really really good. I'm sure some of you have read it, but for those who haven't, I think you'll agree, it was well written and to the point.

Written by: Soeren Palumbo

"I want to tell you a quick story before I start. I was walking through hallways, not minding my own business, listening to the conversations around me. As I passed the front door on my way to my English classroom, I heard the dialogue between two friends nearby. For reasons of privacy, I would rather not give away their race or gender. So the one girl leans to the other, pointing to the back of a young man washing the glass panes of the front door, and says, "Oh my gaw! I think it is so cute that our school brings in the black kids from around the district to wash our windows!" The other girl looked up, widened her slanted Asian eyes and called to the window washer, easily loud enough for him to hear, "Hey, Negro! You missed a spot!" The young man did not turn around. The first girl smiled a bland smile that all white girls – hell, all white people – have and walked on. A group of Mexicans stood by and laughed that high pitch laugh that all of them have.







So now it's your turn. What do you think the black window washer did? What would you do in that situation? Do you think he turned and calmly explained the fallacies of racism and showed the girls the error of their way? That's the one thing that makes racism, or any discrimination, less powerful in my mind. No matter how biased or bigoted a comment or action may be, the guy can turn around and explain why racism is wrong and, if worst comes to worst, punch em in the face.






Discrimination against those who can defend themselves, obviously, cannot survive. What would be far worse is if we discriminated against those who cannot defend themselves. What then, could be worse than racism? Look around you and thank God that we don't live in a world that discriminates and despises those who cannot defend themselves. Thank God that every one of us in this room, in this school hates racism and sexism and by that logic discrimination in general. Thank God that every one in this institution is dedicated to the ideal of mutual respect and love for our fellow human beings. Then pinch yourself for living in a dream. Then pinch the hypocrites sitting next to you. Then pinch the hypocrite that is you. Pinch yourself once for each time you have looked at one of your fellow human beings with a mental handicap and laughed. Pinch yourself for each and every time you denounced discrimination only to turn and hate those around you without the ability to defend themselves, the only ones around you without the ability to defend themselves. Pinch yourself for each time you have called someone else a "retard".






If you have been wondering about my opening story, I'll tell you that it didn't happen, not as I described it. Can you guess what I changed? No, it wasn't the focused hate on one person, and no it wasn't the slanted Asian eyes or cookie cutter features white people have or that shrill Hispanic hyena laugh (yeah, it hurts when people make assumptions about your person and use them against you doesn't it?).






The girl didn't say "hey Negro." There was no black person. It was a mentally handicapped boy washing the windows. It was "Hey retard." I removed the word retard. I removed the word that destroys the dignity of our most innocent. I removed the single most hateful word in the entire English language. I don't understand why we use the word; I don't think I ever will. In such an era of political correctness, why is it that retard is still ok? Why do we allow it? Why don't we stop using the word? Maybe students can't handle stopping– I hope that offends you students, it was meant to – but I don't think the adults, here can either. Students, look at your teacher, look at every member of this faculty. I am willing to bet that every one of them would throw a fit if they heard the word faggot or nigger – hell the word Negro – used in their classroom. But how many of them would raise a finger against the word retard? How many of them have? Teachers, feel free to raise your hand or call attention to yourself through some other means if you have. That's what I thought. Clearly, this obviously isn't a problem contained within our age group.






So why am I doing this? Why do I risk being misunderstood and resented by this school's student body and staff? Because I know how much you can learn from people, all people, even – no, not even, especially – the mentally handicapped. I know this because every morning I wake up and I come downstairs and I sit across from my sister, quietly eating her cheerio's. And as I sit down she sets her spoon down on the table and she looks at me, her strawberry blonde hair hanging over her freckled face almost completely hides the question mark shaped scar above her ear from her brain surgery two Christmases ago.






She looks at me and she smiles. She has a beautiful smile; it lights up her face. Her two front teeth are faintly stained from the years of intense epilepsy medication but I don't notice that anymore. I lean over to her and say, "Good morning, Olivia." She stares at me for a moment and says quickly, "Good morning, Soeren," and goes back to her cheerio's. I sit there for a minute, thinking about what to say. "What are you going to do at school today, Olivia?" She looks up again. "Gonna see Mista Bee!" she replies loudly, hugging herself slightly and looking up. Mr. B. is her gym teacher and perhaps her favorite man outside of our family on the entire planet and Olivia is thoroughly convinced that she will be having gym class every day of the week. I like to view it as wishful thinking.






She finishes her cheerio's and grabs her favorite blue backpack and waits for her bus driver, Miss Debbie, who, like clockwork, arrives at our house at exactly 7'o'clock each morning. She gives me a quick hug goodbye and runs excitedly to the bus, ecstatic for another day of school. I watch the bus disappear around the turn and I can't help but remember the jokes. The short bus. The retard rocket. No matter what she does, no matter how much she loves those around her, she will always be the butt of some immature kid's joke. She will always be the butt of some mature kid's joke. She will always be the butt of some "adult"'s joke.






By no fault of her own, she will spend her entire life being stared at and judged. Despite the fact that she will never hate, never judge, never make fun of, never hurt, she will never be accepted. That's why I'm doing this. I'm doing this because I don't think you understand how much you hurt others when you hate. And maybe you don't realize that you hate. But that's what is; your pre-emptive dismissal of them, your dehumanization of them, your mockery of them, it's nothing but another form of hate. It's more hateful than racism, more hateful than sexism, more hateful than anything. I'm doing this so that each and every one of you, student or teacher, thinks before the next time you use the word "retard", before the next time you shrug off someone else's use of the word "retard". Think of the people you hurt, both the mentally handicapped and those who love them. If you have to, think of my sister. Think about how she can find more happiness in the blowing of a bubble and watching it float away than most of will in our entire lives. Think about how she will always love everyone unconditionally. Think about how she will never hate. Then think about which one of you is "retarded".






Maybe this has become more of an issue today because society is changing, slowly, to be sure, but changing nonetheless. The mentally handicapped aren't being locked in their family's basement anymore. The mentally handicapped aren't rotting like criminals in institutions. Our fellow human beings are walking among us, attending school with us, entering the work force with us, asking for nothing but acceptance, giving nothing but love. As we become more accepting and less hateful, more and more handicapped individuals will finally be able to participate in the society that has shunned them for so long. You will see more of them working in places you go, at Dominicks, at Jewel, at Wal-Mart. Someday, I hope more than anything, one of these people that you see will be my sister.






I want to leave you with one last thought. I didn't ask to have a mentally handicapped sister. She didn't choose to be mentally handicapped. But I wouldn't trade it for anything. I have learned infinitely more from her simple words and love than I have from any classroom of "higher education". I only hope that, one-day, each of you will open your hearts enough to experience true unconditional love, because that is all any of them want to give. I hope that, someday, someone will love you as much as Olivia loves me. I hope that, someday, you will love somebody as much as I love her. I love you, Olivia."

Friends for Life?

Okay so for those of you who don't personally know me, I'll explain. My mother in law, while she means well, can be a thorn in my side. She is old school, I know, but when you have a grandson with DS, you should really take the opportunity to get updated on your information. There have been several ridiculous comments made by her over the years, including-"he only has a mild case of Ds", and oh, Cameron is much smarter than the other kid with DS. Well I have about had it with these comments. First off, let's understand that there are no degrees of Down syndrome. Either you have Down syndrome, or you don't. Cameron DOES have Down syndrome. He doesn't have a mild version and he faces challanges daily because of this extra chromosome. Second, I don't compare my typical children to other typical children when it comes to intellect and I surely don't plan to start doing it with Cameron. Just because there is a teenager at your church with DS who may be lower functioning, doesn't give you the right to compare them cognitively to my son. I only hope that her failure to use common sense hasn't occured in front of this individual's parents. Today she comes over and invites my oldest son to church tomorrow. He is 11 and he made the decision to go. Now our family doesn't go to church at the moment. Not because we don't believe but because 1- we don't have a church we like yet and 2- things have been so hectic. Now my mother in law is not capable of taking care of a small child like Cameron, DS or not and she has acknowledged this. However today she shows up wanting to take Cameron to church tomorrow. I told her he would not be going to church with her tomorrow that he would be staying home with me and she got pretty irritated. She said that going to church will allow him to make friends that he will have all his life.....people who will pray for him and check up on him, not like the friends he has at school. Now maybe I'm being over sensitive, but what makes her think that Cameron doesn't have friends right now that he'll have all his life? Is it possible in some abstract universe that Cameron, even with his extra chromosome is lovable, friendly and very social and has many friends that love and care and even pray for him. I am trying to not take this so personally, but I would like to think that family could get the ridiculous stereotypes out of their heads. I mean I'm asking strangers to consider Cameron a person first, yet his own family doesn't.

Perhaps for Christmas this year, I'll give her some updated reading material on the "abilities" of people with Ds.

Behavior Issues

So recently, I've been approached a couple times regarding parenting and disciplining a child with special needs. The people approaching were not making snide remarks, they were actually complimenting me on how well Cameron behaves. Cameron's speech therapist (whom I love) recently told me that she and Cam's other therapists think that I am great when it comes to Cameron and his behavior and they wished that more parents were this way. A week or so later, a parent (of a child with DS) approached me asking what I do that has been sucessful. First, let me give kudos to Cameron himself. He is a very easy going child and he is very intelligent. That being said, he also knows how to work people and is a master manipulator. And let's not forget he's 4. My approach is simple. I have always treated Cameron the same way I treated his older brother Alek. While Cameron does have special needs and sometimes lacks the understanding that say his typical peers would, he does understand right and wrong. I think too many times (and I have witnessed this) parents let their children with special needs misbehave because they feel sorry for them or think that they don't understand. This usually makes the issue worse and you end up with a child you cannot take out in public. (Again, I have seen this first hand). Cameron has the same rules as I would give any of my children. Simple. Be respectful, use your manners, and do as you are told. I'm not saying that Cameron always does as he is told, but usually once I make eye contact with him by getting on his level, I have no further problems. Occasionally when Cameron is feeling extra hard headed, I do have to use the time out spot. This is a spot in our hall way where Cameron is out of the loop of what is going on and being that he is so social, this is a real punishment. Typically after the time out is over, Cameron- on his own, will apologize and go on his way. While this works for us, I realize that it may not always be as simple as this for others. There are all kinds of variables, including dual diagnosis, that may make these things a little more difficult. The point of my post is that we spend a lot of time wanting people to treat our kids the same as they would any kid, yet as parents we don't always follow this advice. I think it's important to remember that when it comes to behavior, don't underestimate your child and their understanding of right and wrong. I assure you that they will quickly pick up on this and take advantage of it. That's all from Dr. Strickland today. Thanks for tuning in.

How do you get it all done?

It seems that there is so much to do and simply not enough time to do it. Let's break this down. There's oral motor, physical therapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy, not to mention learning letters and numbers and trying to teach site words. Sometimes, I don't even know where to begin. I have gotten back on track with the oral motor exercises (I have no choice because Cameron makes me do them:). And I try to do educational things throughout the day. I have flash cards and we have games etc. We are also working on cutting with scissors, lacing or threading and isolating fingers. My struggle is getting myself organized and getting some of these things accomplished on a daily basis. Perhaps I need a clone. Another mother to help get it all done. Maybe she could do the cleaning, cooking, working and changing poopy diapers. I'll do the other stuff.

"Self Mama"

Cameron has been claiming independence lately, which is great. I'm not complaining at all. It's a real treat to have him feeding himself which gives me either the opportunity to feed myself or the other child who still needs help. Cameron insists on feeding himself by saying "self Mama" everytime I put a meal in front of him. What isn't so great is the end result. No wonder the kid is still hungry after his breakfast......

This is blueberry yogurt. I think at least half of the container is on his shirt. And to top it off when he was done, he wiped his hands on the shirt as well. Surely didn't hurt did it? So here's to independence and to boys. Cause extra chromosome or not, they are so messy.

Getting back on Track

So the last 6 months have been crazy. I had a baby, back surgery, Christmas, Cameron's surgery, and a death in the family. I have done my best to keep up with everything including work, Cameron's appointments and all the other family needs all while Robert is still working away from home and gone 5-6 days a week. What I have failed on is keeping up with Cameron's oral motor therapy. For those unbelievers out there, oral motor exercise has proved to be very beneficial. I can tell you firsthand that it makes a world of difference. Perhaps if I hadn't lapsed, I wouldn't notice the difference. Since I have not been doing it (bad mama) we have noticed a couple of things reappearing......drooling, jaw jutting and increased sensitivity in his mouth. I discussed these things with Cameron's speech therapist today and also his Occupational Therapist. They both agree that oral motor exercise is the key to this. And while I hate to admit it, it seems that my failure to keep up the routine has caused this backslide. Tonight we got out the trusty Talktools Toolbox and did the z-vibe, some stretching and some chewing. Cameron's favorite exercise tonight was definitely the horn blowing. Good thing Rylee is a sound sleeper! Hopefully getting back into the program will remedy these problems. If only there were 20 more hours in every day!

"Fine Ever"

It's amazing what children pickup. What you don't always realize is that they listen to every word you say. And while most times they repeat it immediately, they sometimes keep it locked in their very intricate brains to be brought out at a later time. A most appropriate time! Just a few things to consider. Sometimes the words they repeat are not supposed to be said by children. Like the time I dropped something in the kitchen and said "son of a " and I actually stopped myself. However, Cameron finished the statement for me. He had never repeated the word before, but had brought it out at the appropriate time.  Good thing we were at home. Today, I was trying to get him to the door to wait on his bus. I know I called him at least 5 times. Finally, I said get to this door or you're gonna get  a spankin. His response was simply "Fine Ever". Translation- Fine Whatever.  I couldn't help but laugh. Especially since I know I'm famous for saying this to just get through a conversation. Outta the mouths of babes!

How Far We've Come

We had our 6 month check up with our favorite developmental pediatrician last week. Like I've mentioned in before posts, he is my absolute favorite doctor. He is always positive and very energetic. I never leave there feeling sad for the things Cameron isn't doing, because he always makes sure to point out how well he is doing in certain areas. So since our last checkup six months ago, Cameron has made significant progress. He is now walking......and running. He is using 3-4 word sentences. He can recognize most of his letters, all of his colors and is answering questions like a pro. The doc was very impressed at what he's accomplished in the past 6 months (not as much as I am) and said that cognitively, Cameron is not far off his age. We already knew that. The doc was very excited to tell me this and also to mention that while people assume that children with DS are always affected with severe intellectual disability, this is simply not true. He told us of a boy who just graduated high school with a regular diploma and now works a "regular" job. It was touching for me to see his excitement when he told me of this. It was far more touching when he teared up telling me that when this particular child was born, his mother was told to put him in an institution. While I'm glad that it is no longer standard to tell parents to place their children in institutions, I'm still saddened that there aren't more doctors out there like ours. If there were, perhaps there would not be so many people choosing abortion when they get a diagnosis of DS.

I'm Back

Things have been crazy busy around here for the past couple of months. I think now they may be settling down a little. At least enough to maybe post on my blog which is starting to collect cobwebs. Cameron's surgery (a month ago) went well. It was a tough week or so after though I will say. He had to stay overnight in the hospital which I was thankful for since he literally refused to drink. That was the toughest part was getting him to take fluids. And although Cameron is usually very good about taking medicine, even that was an awful fight. I do have to say that CHKD is very good and I was impressed with how well they took care of him, even allowing me to go into the OR with him until they got him to sleep so he wouldn't get scared. And he looked so cute in his yellow pajamas.....

Then just 20 days after his surgery, he had his 4th Birthday. We didn't have a party. I did take cupcakes to the school for all of his friends to enjoy. They were so cute and I really wish that my unorgainized self had taken a camera to get some pictures of those faces! We let him choose where he wanted to eat that night and he wanted the mexican restaurant across the street (I promise I had no influence over this). Everyone who works there loves Cameron and even our waiter participated in the events.....

We invited the grandparents and some other extended family and Cameron ahd a terrific time. I can't believe he's 4 already. It seems not that long ago that he was just a baby. A tiny little baby who had a hard time drinking a bottle. Look at him now~!~

I'm so proud of my little boy and all he has accomplished in this past year. I could go on all night about all he has done over the past year. We love you so much Cameron~ You're the best.

Surgery Today.........

Well today is the day folks. Cameron is having his tonsils and adenoids out today. He is scheduled for 2:05pm which is great for a 3 year old. He has no idea why he can't eat, and has been saying "eat" repeatedly since 6am. UGH. Hopefully we can leave soon to fight any traffic and being in the car will distract him enough so he forgets for a minute. I don't know why they make a little child wait so late in the day like this, but I guess it is what it is.

So pray for him today. I know everything will go well, but it never hurts to have that extra help. I will update tomorrow when we get home (yes, we have to stay overnight).