eye opener..

      Before I became an army wife I didn't really pay much attention to details about the army. Sure I noticed a man in uniform I mean I AM a girl but as far as what they did, the sacrifices they made, the shit they put up with on a day to day basis I had NO idea. Now my world revolves around the military. So now I am part of them sacrifices, I hear about all the shit they put up with on a day to day basis, and of course I hear about my soldiers job, what they do, what they are expected to do and so on...because this is now my world.
       A while back I was on a walk with a friend and I remember saying to her " I had NOOO idea there was so much advertisement about Down Syndrome, or Actors who have Down syndrome or the jokes that are made about Down syndrome on movies. Now I swear that's all I see, or hear about. Am I bad person I didn't notice these things before?"
     We talked about how until something is brought to your attention you don't really give it much thought. She was right this was an eye opener for me. Now that I live and breathe this life I notice the good the bad the ugly. The good being this beautiful baby a gift from the lord that has taught me patience, how to appreciate the little things, and how to love unconditionally.
       The bad would be turning on a movie and with in the first 30 minutes there is a joke about downs. For example the other night my husband and I were watching the Change up with Ryan Reynolds. Ryan  looks at this baby and says "he looks a little retarded is he?" the dad replies no and Ryan says " Not even a little downsy?" I know I know its a movie I get it but cant help but think would I laugh at this before Mason? Would I even notice that was said? I cant tell you how I would of reacted before Mason but I know now that when something like that is said I instantly go in mother bear mode and want to protect my cub. After this was said I looked at my husband, he looked at me and we both rolled our eyes not a word was said.
      I can't change what other people say or do. I can only change what I think, what I say and how i act, this is my world now and my eyes are open and if your a follower, or a supporter of Mason please be aware of your actions as well it can make a difference.

The power of touch

      Talking to the therapists I informed them I wanted to do anything and everything I could that is offered for Mason. A whole list of things were mentioned, and suggested but one thing that stuck out to me was baby massage. The occupational therapist told me the benefits. She listed off the following...

Increases circulation

Strengthens the immune system
Improves sleep patterns
Increases weight gain
Relieves congestion
Encourages parent-Infant bonding
Increases body awareness
assists with reflux (which Mason has) 
Improves motor development

Improves muscle tone (hypertonicity)

      The ones highlighted where the main reason I didn't hesitate to say yes. She told me her sessions would be longer if I chose to do the baby massage. But I didn't care. 

      The first day we did the massage the therapist had a baby doll she was wearing a knitted hat another mom made for her. She sat her doll in front of Mason and he took off her hat. We put the dolls hat back on and Mason took the hat BACK off. ha ha

       The therapist told me she was going to do the massages on her doll and I will do massages on Mason. She gave me all natural oil (had to be safe bc his feet are in his mouth often.) told me While rubbing my hands together  tell him it was time for a massage. She said he will eventually learn that when rubbing my hands together he will know it is massage time. 

         At first the therapist wasn't sure if he would stay still because he moves alot. But she was wrong. I started rubbing his legs (his chunky legs that is) ha ha. He stopped moving, stared at me, and smiled. I could tell he loved it! I did different techniques the therapist was showing me. Starting with his legs, then feet (which was his favorite), tummy, arms, hands, head, shoulders and ending with his face. He was so relaxed and loved every second of it. 

          Another occupational therapist bought me a baby massage book. I thought that was so kind and thoughtful of her. It has all the techniques, benefits, pictures to show me how to do different massages. Im sticking to this because Mason LOVES it and it is proven to be beneficial.

         For those who have babies 0-3 yrs old this is beneficial for your children as well. I would highly recommend it. The book is called  "The practical Art of Baby Massage" by Peter Walker. 

          After the massage the occupational therapist worked with his posture, watched how he rolled. He showed off by showing her he can stand at the coffee table for a few minutes. she said "Mason you do so great I maybe out of a job" We then showed her how he drinks capri sun from a straw. She said he has GREAT muscle tone around his mouth and she was more then pleased that he could drink from a straw! 

           "Touch the body. Calm the mind. Heal the spirit."

Answered Prayers

      As a child you look to your parents, older relatives, and teachers for answers. When you become a parent you realize you dont have all the answers and you look to others to find them. The saying "you learn something new everyday" has been multiplied since having Mason. I never thought I would have to learn the things I am learning or thought I would have a fear of not knowing. I also never thought there was a "perfect" doctor. I have a very healthy family, we don't get sick much at all and the only time we go to the doctor is for checkups. So finding a "perfect" doctor wasn't a priority. Until I walked in the world of the unknown, until I was handed this precious boy who was labeled as "Special needs" "Mentally Retarded" "Delayed" "Downs baby" I quickly learned I needed to find that "perfect" doctor. 

      Masons home nurse asked If we found a good doctor I was quick to say "absolutely not" I told her how we have been from one doctor to the next, have had the run around. Either we were sent to someone new bc the doctor didn't have any experience working with a baby who has downs, Or we didnt feel comfortable with the doctor because of lack of experience, or there was major lack of compassion. 

      Before walking into each doctor appointment, before any therpist appointment, every morning and every night I say a prayer, a specific prayer for those babies, kids, and adults who have to go from one doctor to the next, who has to get tested for several different medical needs, who does weekly physical,speech, occupational therapys. I pray for those parents who have kids with special needs to fight for their child, to find the best for their child, and most of all to keep faith and strength. I pray for those bullies who dont realize one simple word like "retard" is hurtful and they dont realize what these kids go through on a daily basis. I pray for a great therapist for Mason who have the answers, if they dont they can find the answers, who are supportive, who have compassion for their job, and can push Mason to his full potential. And my last thing I pray for is a "prefect doctor" who has all the answers, who has compassion, who wouldnt mind a home phone call If I have a question and is reliable. 

      Mason has AMAZING therapists, and an AMAZING home nurse. After telling his home nurse about our experiences I asked her if she could go to his next doctor appointment with me to help me get the answers I needed and to push for a Great doctor. She didnt hesitate. This morning I met Masons home nurse at the clinic. We already discussed a game plan on what we needed answers for, and further look into other medical needs. 

      About 5 minutes into Masons appointment I realized I have found that "Perfect" doctor!!! He had the answers, the experience, told me to call him any time, who adored and talked to Mason like a friend, and was straight to the point. LOVED LOVED him. Now as a parent I found a person who DOES have the answers!

Accomplishments and Goals

I thought It would be fun to write about our goals, and Masons accomplishments and share them with Masons family and support system. I have the caregiver send me copies of EVERYTHING she writes down...so needless to save I have ALOT of papers... lol

                                     Mason 7 months old:
                                        Communication:
What he does:                                          6 month  Goals:                              
Makes Raspberries                              make strings of constant
Squeals                                                vowel sounds
"ma da ba" sounds                                be able to say one
 very quiet                                            word the family understands
                                                            use sign language
         


                                           Strategies:
                                continue to imitate his sounds
                                    play in front of a mirror
                           continue modeling sign language for things


                                          Fine Motor:
What he does:                                         6 Month Goal:
Will hold a toy                                        Hold his own bottle
Swing a toy
reaches for bottle and puts his hands on it briefly
bats at hanging toys

                                          Strategies:
                 parents continue to do hand on hand with
                 Mason to hold and shake toy, rattle
                 parents continue to put hand on bottle when feeding

                           
                              I have my own goals:
                            In 6 months be able to crawl
                                 sit up alone
                             sign at least 5 words
                             say at least 3 word
  If he cant, he cant but I believe he will be able to do these things!
                                We shall see! : ))

Time to conquer this eating thing...

      One day I was talking to a therapist, told her Mason screams in the middle of eating. He will eat a few bites of something, scream so hard that I give up and give him a bottle.  I first thought he was impatient and I wasn't fast enough feeding him. I also thought because he was on medication for re flux maybe it hurt him eating something other then milk. 
      She started telling me that babies with Down syndrome have low muscle tone (which I learned that before he was born) she said with low muscle tone it also means he may have hypo-sensitivity/Hypo-responsivity to touch, taste and smell. She told me that he probably cant taste the foods I was feeding him and it can be frustrating. She continued telling me I needed to feed him things I would NEVER think of feeding a baby. She named off things that made my mouth drop. Lemons, Limes, spicy foods, hot peppers, pickles and so on. It must of been the look on my face that caused her to continue to explain why he would like these things. She said they are strong tastes that would make any other baby make a face but it will be a taste Mason will actually be able to taste and will encourage him to chew also because he can perceive there is food in his mouth. 
      She told me it sounds crazy but to give it a try. She was absolutely right it sounded crazy. When Dylan was little  my husband and I would let Dylan lick a lemon to see his body shiver, and watch him make the craziest faces. I never thought I would actually feed a baby these things. 
      well here is goes... Off to the grocery store that very same day to stock up on everything she listed. I got home put Mason in his bumbo, reached in the pickle jar grabbed a pickle and let Mason taste it. There was no crazy faces made, he LOVED it. I cut a piece of lemon let him taste it, again with no face! I COULDN'T BELIEVE IT! I then got out a baby food jar, he ate a WHOLE jar without a scream! I was amazed! Thank you therapist!!! Eating is no longer a struggle! :))
      

The upside of Downs...

• The "R" word is used often and without thought usually referring to something someone considers to be "dumb" or "stupid" The word is hurtful, unkind, and disrespectful. Keep in mind that what and how we say things show others what we believe. All individuals are deserving of respect. 
• A person with down syndrome does not "suffer from" is not a "victim of" down syndrome it is not a disease. Saying these things are diminishing to an idvidual who has downs.
•  
• Remember a person IS NOT defined by their disability. He or she is a person first and for most. So dont refer to a person as a "downsyndrome baby" or "downsyndrome child"
•  
• Saying such things such as "They are so loving" "they are Always happy" or they tend to be stubborn" its only when we get to know a person we really know what they are like. Dont stereotype.  

Make a difference! The Up side of Downs : )

I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something; and because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do something I can do.

My husband and I recently welcomed a little guy in the world that has Down Syndrome! This brown hair, blue eyed beauty name is Mason! :) I wanted to share with those who I inspire, those who love Mason and those with caring, kind hearts...we recently became a part of donating money towards Down Syndrome Awareness, to educate more doctors, better educational programs, also a cure for Down Syndrome not only for Mason but for those who also have down syndrome!
Let me know if you are interested in participating I would LOVE to send you information! 

PoEm

I cant take credit for this poem I did not write it however I DO love it and hope you enjoy. 

I pushed my little baby out, 

they handed him to me. 

I looked into his tiny face, 

he was as perfect as could be. 

Then the doctor said “Down syndrome”, 

and my joy turned into fear. 

How could he have Down syndrome, 

for he was so sweet and dear. 

His perfect hands, 

his tiny feet and chubby little toes. 

His jet black hair, his dark brown eyes, 

and little button nose. 

They have to be mistaken. 

The diagnosis just can’t be. 

Then they handed me the test results, 

and it was plain to see. 

My baby has Down syndrome. 

Those words cut like a knife. 

My baby has Down syndrome, 

and he will for all his life. 

I cannot make it better. 

It will not go away. 

But I can continue to love him, 

with every passing day. 

For God gave me a child with Down syndrome, 

as it was in the plan He had. 

And as time goes by I realize, Down syndrome isn’t bad. 

My son has filled my heart with love, 

and brought me so much joy. 

He is my little angel. . . . . . . my perfect little boy!!!! 

Love, 

Mommy