Keep on keeping on...

     Holding Mason, talking to him he puts both hands on my cheeks, smiles and talks to me. So precious. Mike and I notice progress like smiling, rolling back to front, front to back, jabbering, and finally being able to hold his head up. Mason will be 8 months old in a couple of weeks which kids his age can talk,feed themselves, pull themselves up to walk and know what is going on around them. Last week at the doctors office we were given a check list of things kids his age should do and unfortunately we weren't able to mark off one thing.
      I was unpacking boxes yesterday and In one box it had Dylan's keep sake box which was full of cards,things received at the hospital, stories of his first year and everything he accomplished, and so much written in his baby book that I wrote on the borders,and on the inside covers. Also in the box was Masons baby book, Calender, and keepsake box. Tears roll down my face as the only things in his box is book after book, paper after paper about Down Syndrome,also phone numbers of people to contact for Downs, his baby book empty because he hasn't started all of his firsts, and there are only a couple Congratulation cards. (we mostly got questions, and "I'm sorry"
      Venting to my best friend, crying not because I am disappointed, or I don't love my child just simply because in some way I feel I failed my baby, I feel the joy of having Mason was taken away from me because of all the fear, negative feed back, and worries. I have recently become friends with ladies who have kids with Down syndrome and I feel selfish, unappreciative because they go through so much more. Mason stayed 2 weeks at the hospital while a friend of mines baby stayed 5 months. I know I will go through things that people never will and I wont go through things or can imagine going through certain things that my friends go through.
      Mike and I have learned to be patient,not compare Mason to other kids his age, don't take things for granted, and most importantly let Mason be his sweet little self and let him guide us. Keep on Keeping on...and always seeing the ups of downs! Its a learning process but I am learning and staying positive that I can make the best out of every situation.