"Is he Downs?"

      So it begins...just an ordinary day Mason and I running errands, we were at Walmart and this older lady comes up to Mason. Started off by asking "Are you in a hurry I would love to talk with your little guy." of course I told her she could. Mason was in a silly, happy mood playing with his monkey I attached to the cart. She asked me what his name was, how old he was, then paused a second. She then looked at me and said "Is he Downs?" She said it so unassumingly. I could tell she new the answer before she asked.
      Like always after my answer is "Yes!" I get the lines that go something like this...
Ohhhh he is perfect, just precious, No matter what anyone says he is perfect the way he is, He will be fine, He looks healthy. My face looks a little something like "Okay? Did I say he wasn't perfect? Or he wasn't going to be fine? I'm just here shopping for a few things.
      I don't want to be hasty or rude but I hear these lines WAY more then I would like. Me accepting Mason was NEVER an issue, my concerns for his health, well being, and If we could give him everything he deserves was always on our worry chart but when my husband and I decided no amino during pregnancy that was because either way with or without downs he was going to be loved and accepted in our family.
     I understand there is a fascination but if a person has other disabilities like being blind, or deaf, or missing a limb of some kind, do people approach them? I'm torn with my feelings on being approached, partially because I'm not sure what these complete strangers are going to say and how I am going to react. Or maybe I feel its odd because I wouldn't dare walk up to someone and have the conversation like this lady and I did today. 

      The other day at the pool there were these ladies who walked up to Mason and was in complete awe over him.They took pictures of him, wanted to hold him, and couldn't stop talking about how cute he was.  I said to my friend "I'm always uncomfortable because I don't know if they are feeling sorry for him because they see his disability or if they see this adorable cute face." She assured me Mason is a cute boy so that was probably the case."
      I understand people are going to notice his disability now that he is getting older it is far more noticeable but I'm not sure I could ever get used to it.

Passed with flying colors

      6 months ago Mason had an evaluation. The therapists, and care taker came to my house, asked me questions and ran tests on Mason to determine where he was and what he needed to work on. We set goals and were going to re-evaluate in 6 months. Well 6 months is here! I was beyond ready for the evaluation because Mason excelled past our expectations.
       Looking back 6 months ago I was concerned and needed help to get Mason eating baby food, holding his head, and was still learning about what to expect and so on. Mason wouldn't be where he is today if it wasn't for his therapist. The care taker asked me what I wanted to see more from their program and I told her if it wasn't for Miss Mary I don't know where we would be today. She comes in gives us new ideas to get to the next step and helps me know what to work on with Mason and usually he can do what she has given him to work on by the next time she visits. She is so kind, loves Mason and you can tell she enjoys her job truly.
      I work with Mason every day with the tasks his therapist has given me but if it wasn't for her I wouldn't know where to begin. Little things she taught me was like putting a toy (a little piano) in front of him, putting his back against the couch to help him sit. For a while he didn't want to sit because he learned how to get around and when he was sitting he couldn't crawl. So his therapist showed me to put him in sitting position, put his hands to the side of his body and help him to his stomach. It wasn't long he would be sitting then get right to his stomach just because of that technique she showed me. It seems like something small but for any other baby they learn to do those things on their own, Mason needed a little direction. Last week she sat Mason on the bottom step putting one of his stand up toys in front of him, she helped him to get to a standing position (this was to help him get strong and teach him to pull up to things) After she left I continued to work with him. Sitting, then standing...2 days later I went in his room and he was standing in his crib!!!!!

      After the evaluation we came to the conclusion his gross motor skills are great and so is his small motor skills. He does say momma and Dada but that is where they wanted to see more of by next evaluation. They also want him walking around holding onto things. I'm going to up them one and say I want him WALKING!! Last 6 month goal they wanted him to sit on his own and get to crawling position but I up them one and said I wanted him crawling and WOLA! DONE! This boy is determined and ready!
      Mason isn't the most sociable person in the world and still has anxiety and scared of strangers that head start program was brought up again. At the last evaluation it was mentioned but I shrugged it off, I thought it was crazy he wasn't even one yet and I was going to leave him in a head start program? no no. But now that he is older and it is a concern of mine I went ahead and registered him in the program. I want him to learn to be away from mommy and cope with other people and children. Wont be long he will be in preschool!

Courage is fire, and bullying is smoke.

     

       Bullying is typical. Some people don't have filters or they bully to get extra attention. I figure when Mason is older this is something I will have to deal with. I had a friend tell me her child was being bullied at school and she asked me what I would do. I told her I would do everything in my power to make it stop. I would go to the teacher, the principal, the parents and let them be aware of what is being said. This is something you would see from younger kids but that's not always the case.
      Mike and I had friends who we spent lots of time with, they played with our kids, held Mason several times, we welcomed them in our home also. I had a fall out with another friend and this couple decided to get involved. (I won't mention names bc I'm not blogging to throw them under the bus just to share my experience.) One night there was pounding on my door, Mike was sound asleep on the couch so I answered. There was our neighbor/old friend standing there. The second I opened my door he got in my face and started cussing me out. I wasn't fazed by his screaming I gave him a look like "dude your crazy" as he continued to yell not getting much of a reaction from me he said "Are you retarded?" I was still looking at him like he was wasting his time. Then he said " Are you retarded like your son Mason?"  My heart started pounding, I started shaking. Next thing I know I had a huge traffic light toy of Dylan's in my hand and I was seconds from swinging. My brain turned off and I wasn't thinking about the consequences of my actions I jumped into mother bear mode. He backed down off my porch quickly. I went from not caring to screaming at the top of my lungs. A neighbor came out and said she was going to call the cops if we didn't quiet down and I said "Go ahead and call the cops, save this guys life!"
      Mike heard all the screaming and woke up running outside. When the neighbor saw Mike coming up to us he back up into his yard. Mike grabbed my hand, didn't say anything because he had NO idea what was going on. At this point the neighbor wasn't saying anything I had plenty I wanted to get off my mind since that was said. He then apologized and said "I love your kids, I had fun playing with Mason." I said "You can forget that, you will never see him and I will NEVER forgive you!" I told him I was calling the police and I went in the house.
      I was so worked up I couldn't stop crying, I called my family to calm down. They were very upset and angry as well. They encouraged me calling the police. I was hesitant bc of course I picked up something with intentions of hitting him and he never threatened me with his words, just his actions. I let time go by but I couldn't let this slide. I called the police, they came to my house got the information they needed then went to our neighbors house. The police came back in and said "Do you remember what you grabbed and what you said when you grabbed this particular thing?" I said "If you are asking me if I threatened him hell yeah! After he said that about a defense less baby I couldn't control myself." The cop smirked. I said "You do what you gotta do but the thing he said about a special needs baby is NOT Acceptable!"
      There were no charges pressed just a warning to my neighbor and if they were to talk to me or come on my property he was going to be arrested for harassment. I don't have any jail time and I don't usually want to beat the crap out of a soldier who is trained to kill with his bare hands but I lost ALL control when he said that about my baby. I don't usually call the cops either but I wanted to make a point that this certain thing was unacceptable and I WILL not let it slide, even if I had to do jail time.
      When I was on the phone with my family, after I told Mike the whole story Mike went back outside to talk to our neighbor. He said "Did you (insert cuss word) call my son a retard?" The neighbor said "Im sorry about that I just wanted to piss of your wife." Maybe just Maybe he will leave my baby out of it next time. I won't let it slide!
      I was amazed that this was once a friend who we trusted around our kids that would do a low blow and get an innocent baby involved. Later that night I sobbed and sobbed! I replayed what he said over and over AND OVER in my head time and time again. I questioned if I should of gotten the police involved but that following morning when I went to Masons room and got his smiley face out of his crib, bringing him back in my room I held him tight and I knew I did the right thing. No he wasn't arrested but hopefully he learned that he shouldn't call an innocent child a retard!


                 Courage is fire, and bullying is smoke.

"If you dont mind me asking..."

      One activity our family enjoys is swimming. One day we decided to go swimming. The minute we walked in there was this little girl with reddish blonde hair that walked right in front of Mike and I as we were walking to lay down our towels. As we got to the area to lay down our stuff I said quietly to Mike. Did you see that little girl? He gave me this look like "SO?" and I said she has down syndrome. Again I got another look and he said "You don't know that, What if she doesn't?" I gave him an I'm certain kinda look. Dylan ran  in the water there were tons of kids in the pool but he started playing with the little girl.
       Mike was still not convinced but I knew. As we were watching Dylan and this girl this lady looked right at us. I figured she was probably her mom. Through time the lady was watching Mason then shortly she came over to me and said "How old is this little guy." I told her he was 14 months old today. I asked how old her little girl was and I pointed at the little girl playing with Dylan. (she had 6 kids with her total.) She said "My little downs girl? shes 8" As we were talking I said "Shes to precious I have been watching her only because this little guy was also born with Downs." She nodded as if she already knew. As I continued to talk to this lady who was much older then I was she continued to share her story. She told me her daughter Rose Elizabeth is her step daughter, her real mother abandoned her.
       I figured because she was 7 years older then Mason she probably had far more experiences with doctors, therapist, and the down syndrome community period, but that wasn't the case. She said Rose Elizabeth started therapy just 2 years ago and had never had any kinds of therapy before. So her step mom told me she is far behind on alot of spectrum's that she does several therapies a week. With her sharing her story of course I shared Masons story also.
       It was rather refreshing talking to someone whose days are a lot like mine and she was from this area as well.  She was asking me several questions about who we work with, who I like, suggestions and so on. I was pleased I had lots of information to share with her. She also had some information about the Denver childrens hospital I've been curious about bc they have people who specialize with children with downs.
      As we were talking I was watching Rose Elizabeth. She was running around in the water, pushing her older brother under the water, giggling, splashing Dylan. I wish I could say people weren't staring at Rose but it was very clear they were. I of course was watching her out of complete curiosity. What is Mason going to be like? Right now he is very shy, is he going to be running around interacting with the other kids like Rose when he is older? Watching her she put a smile on my face she was to sweet and Dylan loved her and invited her to our house.I enjoyed talking to this lady, she was very kind and understanding. Hopefully we will meet again. :)

     

Music baby!

       As Mason is getting older we have noticed he is very sensitive to sound. If someone laughs loud, or hollers to get someones attention Mason will cry. Mike and I would take Mason to restaurants, malls, or busy places to see his reaction. If it was noisy or a lot of commotion Mason would scream uncontrollably. Mike and I were discussing his behavior because this little guy hardly ever cries, and we came to the conclusion to buy earplugs. Mason was perfectly fine in public places if he had his ear plugs in. Now I carry a little container in my purse and we put them in when we plan to be somewhere busy, and loud. We feel we shouldn't keep him from places because he is uncomfortable but instead try to help him adjust and get used to  this crazy world. I haven't spoken to his doctor about this just yet but I plan to at our appointment next week, but for now it is ear plug time! 
     Music! Mason LOVES his music. I love to sing, dance, and jam out to music. Mason is familiar with music probably from when he was in my tummy. Music is one of my favorite things in the world so its safe to say there is music playing all day everyday and outburst of me singing no matter where we are.
       Riding in my aunts car Mason started crying, I asked my aunt "hey, will you turn up the music?" then he was silent. I also sing to Mason... ALOT. He was playing on my grandmas floor, and I was singing quietly, Mason stopped what he was doing, turned to face me. So I sang louder, then he smiled and started dancing. My grandma said "Do you know your mommies voice or what?"  His big brother did the SAME thing. He could be crying, I would sing and he would smile. 
      His dancing is something new so of course when the therapist was here the other day I had to show them his moves. I started singing and Mason started dancing. The ladies thought it was the cutest thing. I asked them how old Mason has to be to start music therapy, and I was told he can start after one. His caretaker said " I think this would be a great therapy for Mason, We have a child in our program who is older and wont listen to his mom but he reacts to music. So his music therapist suggested for the mother to sing what she wants him to do, and he found it fun and responds to her with no problem." she also told me "there was also this little boy who wouldnt walk, he had a walker but refused to use it. He started music therapy, and his therapist brought a drum and would hit the drum every time he would take a step, this worked very well for him and was walking with no walker on his own." 
      As we continued to talk about music therapy it sounded better and better to me. My reasons of wanting to do music therapy... 1. We love music  2. Mason is very happy when music is playing and I feel this would be a way he can express himself. 
       Mason is VERY shy especially in public. He has to be held and he will lay his head on me for comfort. Tonight we went to a concert, of course it was very loud, very crowded. He had his earplugs, his blankie and was held through the concert. As long as he had his earplugs the screaming didn't bother him. Of course being in a crowded area people notice Mason and say how cute he is and talks to him. Hes less then impressed by strangers, and he has to stare at everyone to make sure they don't touch him. The music started playing then he could careless about all the people and before we knew it he started dancing. He enjoyed the concert. Tonight was his second concert and he loved every minute of it! 
      My song I sing to Mason daily is "I'll be" by Reba McEntire. I love her and most importantly love the message. : )  
                                              When darkness falls upon your heart and soul.

I'll be the light that shines for you.
When you forget how beautiful you are
I'll be there to remind you.
When you can't find your way,
I'll find my way to you.
When troubles come around,
I will come to you.


I'll be your shoulder when you need someone to lean on.
Be your shelter.
When you need someone to see you through.
I'll be there to carry you.
I'll be there.
I'll be the rock that will be strong for you.
The one that will hold on to you.
When you feel that rain falling down.
When there's nobody else around.
I'll be.


And when you're there with no one there to hold.
I'll be the arms that reach for you.
And when you feel your faith is running low.
I'll be there to believe in you.
When all you find are lies.
I'll be the truth you need.
When you need someone to run to .
You can run to me


I'll be your shoulder when you need someone to lean on.
Be your shelter.
When you need someone to see you through.
I'll be there to carry you.
I'll be there.
I'll be the rock that will be strong for you.
The one that will hold on to you.
When you feel that rain falling down.
When there's nobody else around.
I'll be.


I'll be the sun.
When your heart's filled with rain.
I'll be the one.
To chase the rain away.


I'll be your shoulder when you need someone to lean on.
Be your shelter.
When you need someone to see you through.
I'll be there to carry you.
I'll be there.
I'll be the rock that will be strong for you.
The one that will hold on to you.
When you feel that rain falling down.
When there's nobody else around.
I'll be.

Sensory disorder?

      As Mason is getting older we are noticing change. He is old enough to let us know what he likes, what he dislikes and what he wants. Not by speaking but through other ways. Our family will be sitting at the dinner table and if Mason watches someone take a drink and if his drink is not right in front of him he will spit out the food in his mouth, look at what he wants and make this particular annoying sound. Sounds like he is clearing his throat. My family thinks it is so cute but Mike and I hear it daily, several times a day so we find it less cute. My uncle was eating ice cream, gave Mason a bite I told my uncle to wait a second, then came the sound from Mason letting my uncle know he was ready for another bite. ha ha 
      We were home visiting family and my cousin was sitting on the couch, took a drink of her soda. Mason then started crying, I knew he was looking at her but didn't know she took a drink, so I said "did you just take a drink?" she replied "yes" he was expressing he to wanted a drink. I got him a drink and he was fine. My cousin felt bad and also thought it was funny at the same time.
      Mason isn't vocal just yet but he will find a way to let us know what he wants. During meals if he doesn't like something he will spit it out. If I try to give him another bite of the same food he will whine to let me know, So I try something else and he is fine.
      Ever since Mason was little little, he would be very sensitive to touch. If I put something in his hands he will instantly pull away not wanting that object. Now that he is older this has become more of an issue and he is making it more noticeable.  My aunt took Masons hand and placed it on a milk jug while we were watering flowers, he pulled away. She put his hand on a tree trunk and he wasn't impressed with that either. He pulls away quickly as if he is scared. If you continue to put things in his hands or have him touch things he will cry. 
      I decided to research if this is common or needs to be looked at. As I was researching these kind of behaviors I became concern. There was a list that said the following...

• Excessive mouthing of objects,
• Decreased or no purposeful play with toys,
• Staring directly into lights,
• Abnormal hand movement (such as flicking fingers in front of eyes or waving hands away from body),
• Refusal to hold objects (such as clothing or a spoon to self-feed),
• Self stimulatory behaviors (such as rocking, banging head, humming or screaming), and
• Decreased interaction with people

As I read these I realized Mason does each one of these. The rocking has been his newest we have noticed. He will bang his head on things. I mentioned these things to his occupational therapist, she wanted me to talk to Masons doctor and we decided to set up an evaluation to start a sensory therapy. This kind of disorder is often found in children with autism.

      Mike and I decided to buy each one of the boys a puppy. They are 8 weeks old now. Pets are a good way to establish responsibility for a child Dylan's age (6) and we thought Mason would chase the puppies around and would be a motivator. Also bought the puppies because dad is getting ready for hard core training, and deployment. Need to keep the boys busy. 

      When Mason first met the puppies he was less then impressed. We would sit him on the floor and the puppies would come to him. He would instantly put his hands on his face, then turn away and crawl (his worm crawl) as fast as he could to get away from the puppies. He wouldn't cry but he didn't think twice about what his next move was going to be. He doesn't want to touch the puppies and he absolutely doesn't want them touching him. We have had them about a week now and when they come up to Mason he has learned to push them away. Not aggressively but defending himself. Im trying to teach him to say "no puppies no no!" 

      Our next step is talking to Masons doctor and doing an evaluation to see if Mason has a sensory disorder. I will keep updated. :)

Fun being one!

       I can't believe this sweet boy is one. When I walk into his room there is a big smile with 2 hands reaching up. Everyday he seems to be growing in some way.



      Mason got a ball pit for his birthday from friends, we bought another 100 balls and he LOVES his ball pit. I will walk to the ball pit holding Mason and he lunges towards the ball pit. He likes to move around not sure if it is the feeling or the sound. He also will grab a ball, hold it to his mouth and make a "ba ba ba ba" sound.



Sunglasses 101:
So I had this grand idea to teach Mason to keep his sunglasses on because I wanted to switch from the sunglasses with a strap and the regular sunglasses. So I had a little talk to him, it went something like this "okay bud...see these...these are COOL, it is important to accessorize soooo it is important for you to keep these on your cute little face.
As you can see that left hand headed towards his glasses to remove them my sunglasses 101 was a fail. It turned into a game. I put them on... he took them off...then giggled at me.

Shoes...For some reason he doesnt want to wear both of his shoes...one is plenty in the world of Mason. He has more shoes then I do but he is barefoot often. We play a constant game of "nooo Mason keep your shoe on." or walking into a store and a lady runs up behind us and says "excuse me? Is this your sons shoe?" and it always is. just one...not two.

Water Water Water!!!! Mason LOVES water. He loves his baths, to swim, loves sprinklers, and the other night we took him to an aquarium in Denver Colorado and he was excited to HEAR water.

     Everyday Mason is learning something new and turning into this sweet little man! : )