Parenting Magazine

Last night, I was surprised to find a great article in the December/January issue of Parenting Magazine. I have to admit that I have just recently started to page through this magazine again. (looking for gift ideas) After Logan was born and the magazine would come, I would usually throw it away or give it away. I couldn't even open it because I just thought, "there's nothing in there about my baby!!". So, I guess I should give the magazine a chance again because they did decide to talk about my baby, but I still think they could do more to include families and children living with disabilities in their magazine. I would love to see a baby with Down syndrome on the cover or in some of the pictures inside or some special toys or products for my child.
Here is the article: Life With Anthony

Thanksgiving

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving.
We had much to be thankful for this year. Logan's good health for starters (heart etc.) and a happy and healthy toddler who TOLD us what he was thankful for. Topping his list, of course, was toys then that was followed by family and friends. I can't believe his vocabulary lately. When Birth to 3 comes to our house for Logan, they always comment on how clear Devin's speech is. They have told us he is way ahead for his age. That makes me feel proud, but I can't help feeling sad that Logan won't be speaking as well when he is Devin's age. I am so thankful that I have been able to understand Devin's speech for years now. I fear the frustration that Logan and I may encounter when he is older and can't get his point across to me.

I am so thankful for our wonderful friends and family who have been so supportive this year and loving towards Logan.

Logan has been fighting off congestion and a cough since he was sick in October. I feel like he may be this way all winter. He just can't shake it, but he is such a trooper to be so content when feeling so icky.
In other Logan news, he ate about a quarter cup of cereal this morning! He did a much better job swallowing and he opened his mouth for the spoon. I am hopping we can avoid therapy to help him spoon and bottle feed. No luck with bottles though lately.

Thyroid Test Results

The results of Logan's thyroid test came today. His number was 4.38 on a scale of .55-7.10. I have no idea what those numbers mean, I guess I should do a little research, but if he falls within this range his thyroid is normal, which it does.
I am very happy about the results, but I still don't have any answers to why Logan sleeps so much. His doctor told me to enjoy is while it lasts, so I guess that is what I am going to do. I just worry that he is not going to get stronger and learn new skills when he is not awake much.
Logan also had occupational therapy today and I had to explain to his therapist that he is just not interested in toys right now. That fact makes her visits a little frustrating because her job right now is to monitor his development as far as his reaching for and grasping of toys is going. When he is not doing that, it seems like we are doing nothing when she is here. He just looks at us like we are bothering him. He just wants to relax and look around the room.
Here is a picture of Logan from this past weekend. He is sitting with a couple of friends of mine, including another new addition to our group. Also, I made two more diaper cakes.

Logan's Doctor Visit

20 lbs 11 oz (93% regular chart)
25.5 inches long (20% regular chart-he is now on the chart!!!)
We got a referral to a pediatric opthamologist and are wait for the results of the thyroid test. Drawing the blood for the thyroid test was awful! They couldn't take it from his arm because he is too chubby, so they had to take it drop by drop out of his finger. It was the longest I have ever seen him cry! Our pediatrician said he usually checks the thyroid once a year, but I was told by the DS clinic in Milwaukee to do it every 6. After our experience I don't want to do it every 6 months if I can help it, it was terrible.

The First 6 Months (*music, turn up your volume)

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com
Happy 6 Months Tomorrow Logan!

Moving On

After my last post, I feel I need to lighten the mood a little.
I am excited for Logan's 6 month doctor visit on Tuesday. I have a ton of questions and I hope to get a referral to a pediatric opthamologist, just to make sure Logan doesn't have any eye issues. I also want to have his thyroid checked again. I will post the results Tuesday. I am thankful for our wonderful pediatrician who always has great things to say about Logan. I always leave there with a positive feeling.

Dealing With the Diagnosis

I cried a lot in the first couple of weeks after Logan was born. Eventually, I considered a day a good one when I could last all day without crying. One of my favorite artists is John Mayer. Some days (still) I do very well until I hear this song. (I should really ditch this CD, but I love it too much)

The Heart of Life
By John Mayer

I hate to see you cry
Lying there in that position
There's things you need to hear
So turn off your tears
And listen

Pain throws your heart to the ground
Love turns the whole thing around
No it won't all go the way it should
But I know the heart of life is good

You know, it's nothing new
Bad news never had good timing
But, then your circle of friends
Will defend the silver lining

Pain throws your heart to the ground
Love turns the whole thing around
No it won't all go the way it should
But I know the heart of life is good

Pain throws your heart to the ground
Love turns the whole thing around
Fear is a friend who's misunderstood
But I know the heart of life is good
I know it's good


I made a list that has been ongoing since Logan was born. I never thought I would share this list with anyone. I feel very ashamed of it, but I felt like I needed to write them down to make sense of what I was feeling and so that I could remember this time in my life even though it was the hardest time of my life.
Here goes....some of these lasted moments, some lasted for weeks, some I still feel today
A series of emotions from the beginning to the present
1. Shock
2. Trapped in a nightmare
3. Can I please rewind my life...can we just go back to the way it was?
4. This can't be my life, where is my life?
5. I have let my family down
6. I didn't ask for a lifetime commitment, isn't 18-20 years enough?
7. He doesn't look like us
8. Mourning the boy we were supposed to have
9. I let Devin down
10. This is not fair to Devin
11. A GREAT fear of the future
12. A fear of the school years
13. He's not developing fast enough

I believe Logan was given to us, by God, on purpose. Besides looking into my beautiful angel's eyes, that is what gets me through each day.

Well, that is where I am at now. I do feel I have come a long way. Each day is different from the last and I do feel a bit more healed everyday, but I also know that it may take a lifetime to heal completely.

Logan's 6 Month Pictures

Prepare yourself, their are lots of poses! The naked ones were a must to show off those rolls that won't last forever. I would love to hear which ones you like best. My favorites are the first and last. Logan is not sitting up yet, but it looks like he can.
Enjoy!

Reality Sets In

Ok, I should not have done it...but I did. I was doing a great job holding out. I didn't open any baby books or watch any old videos. I peeked today, and I am not even sure why. Devin was pulling himself up at 6 months. Logan will be 6 months in under 2 weeks. Devin had been sitting up for months and crawling too at 6 months. Logan is still working on holding his head well and I don't think he will sit for a while. I had recently convinced myself that I didn't care, but I think I do care very much. I feel a heavy reality setting in now. I long for Devin to have a playmate...I worry how long it will be until they can really play. Sometimes I feel like I let Devin down.

More Halloween Pics

Devin and his trick or treat buddy Caeden.














Madeline definitely won my BEST COSTUME 2007 AWARD! Cutest peacock ever! Go Maddy!! She even had big bird feet that went with the costume!
Devin, Madelynn and Logan

Treadmill Training For DS Babies

Thanks to some fellow bloggers, I came across a VERY interesting article. A study was done with 30 Down syndrome babies that found that regular exercise on a treadmill helped them walk months earlier. The average age for a DS baby to walk is 24 months and this study claims to move up the walking time by an average of 3 and a half months!
That is exciting stuff!!! I am currently looking into it further...
I found an article on the March of Dimes website. Check it out!