Winter Break Begins

This evening begins our winter break! I am beyond excited for two weeks of snuggle time with my boys.  To me, Christmas is a time of giving and all of the awkwardness and warm-fuzzies that go along with it.  I really enjoy watching the kindness that happens between people!  We were SO excited to find Parker sitting up in his crib this morning, patiently waiting for the last day before break to begin.

Today, I witnessed an adult woman shopping at Walgreens.  I tried to resist startling her in her process, but I was so humbled by her independence.  It gave me so much hope! She was shopping around the store for things she needed, checkout out by herself, and double checked her bags to make sure she had everything she needed.  One of the store managers was gracious enough to check on her occasionally and make sure she had everything, like batteries for an appliance she picked up.  

So often, I catch myself holding my breath in these situations.  I am so afraid that one of these times, I will encounter the hate or ignorance I have heard about from members of the DS community.  I always. guiltily, find myself reflecting with surprise that it was a happy and positive experience.  

It was exactly how I needed to start my break!

Here is another warm-fuzzy video of a sweet boy (man!) getting accepted into Clemson's LIFE program.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=apvWbDChh7E&edufilter=28DoOm6zbDnJZkHS9nSWaQ

Favorite!

Over the last year, this blog has evolved into being a therapeutic place for me to share the unfiltered goings-on of our family, but it originally was made to share daily life with Parker with our families! One of my most favorite things that Parker has started doing is one of those that I will LOVE looking back on someday.  He has started to race (aka: army scoot) towards people when they come into the room-- especially people he knows.  He has also really started to recognize entries to common rooms...and heads for those!  His play room is one that he has recently learned how to get in and out of to find playmates.  One of my favorite things is hearing him scooting towards and through the door into the kitchen to find us!  

As always, I love him so much my heart hurts!

Family Health

We made it through Matt's second headache since Parker was born.  For those who don't know, they are a very rare type of headache that usually lands us in the ER at least once, or in this case, twice.  It is so hard to watch him hurt like that.  Selfishly, it is also hard to manage "life" when he gets them.  In addition, we both got sick afterwards, so we are pretty exhausted and very much counting down to winter break!  I am very much thankful that Matt will be going to a headache clinic in January to hopefully get some preventative and abortive steps that don't require an ER visit!

Parker, as always, was a champ when we basically required him to sit with me or in his stroller at the ER.  I spent a lot of time wondering if this would be the last time he would really be cooperative in that situation-- he is getting more and more mobile by the day, and more and more determined to get where he wants when he wants :)  This obviously makes us SO happy, but is also tough when you are in a germ-laden hospital and can't allow your 1 year old to crawl all over the floor!

Here's to hoping we go without any more illness for the remainder of the winter!

Perfection

Both Parker's birthday celebration and his first Thanksgiving were just perfect...and I will cherish the memories from both!

His party went off without a hitch, thanks to the help of our families and great friends!  I was just about in tears, as corny as that may be, when everyone sang to him.  I know it is just a 1st birthday party, but for me, it was a celebration of PARKER and all of the joy he has brought into our lives.  

Here are the videos :)

Taste of Cake

Happy Birthday!


Thanksgiving was wonderful, too! Great food, lots of little ones running around having a blast together...you can't ask for much more than that!

Birthday Boy :)

This time last year....(Part Four)

This day or so last year was my breaking point and included some of the most painful hours of my life. I was finally feeling like Matt and I had come to terms with the Down Syndrome diagnosis when everything sort of crashed around us. The evening I was sent home from the hospital without my baby was a horrible experience. There is nothing to quite describe the pain I felt (physical and emotional) while being rolled out of the nursery and then hospital without my little boy. In addition to the pain, post-pregnancy hormones alone are a cruel torture. They are 3483954743 times stronger, more irrational, and just plain nuts than anything I felt during pregnancy. Yuck. 
 
That night was restless...getting up every two hours to pump and making the call to the hospital to check on Parker was exhausting. He wasn't getting any better, and I was having major issues with being away from him-- but couldn't physically stay at the hospital while recovering from a c-section. The next day, we found out Parker would need an IV in his head to get fluids to his body...which would require NICU time. We also found out about him having Klinefelter Syndrome. That last diagnosis was the last straw for me. I broke down so badly in the hospital that the doctors and nurses sent the social worker back to make sure I was okay. I had no idea what this meant for Parker, and even said aloud..."What kind of life is this baby going to have?" 

As with any traumatic event in life, part of healing is "reliving" the moments so that you can move on and heal. That day is still one that I am working myself through memory by memory.  It seems silly to feel that way when so many mommies go home without their babies, or have terrible situations to deal with, but it was traumatic for me nonetheless.

Even though we have our tough days, I am starting to see exactly what kind of life Parker has and will have. He is loved, supported, and protected by so many people. There is never going to be a day where I don't have a fleeting thought --pleading and begging God to make his life easier, but I will do everything in my power to give him every opportunity I can. 

I am so thankful that I am the one lucky enough to be Parker's Mommy. He is the most beautiful boy in the world...

Happy Birthday to Parker!

This time last year....(Part Three)

This time last year....we were finding out that Parker has Down Syndrome.  I have so many vivid memories of that half hour.  One of the doctors from the pediatric office we chose came in and told us...and in hindsight, it was hard for me to grasp how hard of a job that must be...to tell people something that will totally alter the way they live their lives.  I remember that I felt like he was talking forever...and that I really needed him to leave so I could cry.  I remember bursting into tears, which hurt my C-section incision so bad!  I remember Matt and I separating so we could call our parents.  I could hear him crying in the bathroom telling his mom while I was calling mine to do the same.  I remember holding Parker so tight, in part wanting to rewind to 12 hours before when he was still inside of me so that I could protect him from the world.  

Most of all, I remember the huge waves of love, adoration, and fierce protection that kept washing over me, like I needed to shield him.

Within a few hours, we had family surrounding us near and far, and helping us build our strength and bravery again.  We had about two days of peace...learning about our baby, having our first successful meal; getting to know our baby boy.  My victory on those days being a great milk supply and being able to feel like I could provide for him!

My last day in the hospital and the 3 days after were actually harder for us than the day we found out about Down Syndrome....more to come later!

This time last year....(Part Two)

This time last year, we were getting ready to celebrate Matt's birthday and Thanksgiving!  I had started having what I later realized were contractions that afternoon.  I ignored them for a while, as they were totally atypical compared to everything I had been taught and read about.  They were in my back, and lasted for 3-5 minutes at a time every 15 minutes or so.  They got a bit stronger throughout the day and through the night, but did none of the "get stronger, faster, and longer over time" stuff.  By Thanksgiving dinner, I was fairly uncomfortable during those 3-5 minutes, but kept ignoring them, waiting for a more clear "sign."  How sweet of Parker to let his Mama enjoy Thanksgiving :)


I didn't sleep much that night, and went straight to the doctor the following morning.  It is a visit I will never forget, and one that the office remembers me for every time I go in!  I apparently was already far through the labor process...and went into the doctor that morning at about 5-6 centimeters!  At that point...I realized that November 23rd would be Parker's birthday!  Admittedly, we (and all of the doctors) thought that it would be much earlier in the day than expected, but it still ended up being that day!

I have gotten to the point where I can reflect on memories up to the point of Parker being born with excitement.  The hour before his birth and the 15 hours or so afterwards were the hardest of my life, both physically and emotionally.  Watching his heart rate drop to zero on the monitor with the last few times the doctors let me try to push was heart-wrenching for Matt, I'm sure .  The C-Section itself was anxiety-riddled, uncomfortable, and the meds made it seem like FOREVER.  Matt still tells me, to this day, that it really was only about an hour in total.

Matt could immediately tell when Parker was born that something was "up."  The nurses were huddled and whispering, Parker's cry wasn't the same as the other babies in the nursery, and he even saw the nurses give the sign of the cross in the elevator while transferring Parker to the nursery.  For me, I was totally numb and oblivious.  I hate that I was so out of it.  The whole night was somewhat of a blur.

In those moments, I couldn't get over the fact that Parker had blonde hair, or the fact that it felt like 9348509435834 hours before I got to see him.  I snuggled him as much as I could while recovering that night, and thought of nothing beyond being near him.


Throughout the whole day, Morgan was a complete blessing.  She was there every second, and stuck around until I couldn't keep my eyes open anymore after having Parker.  Mom and Dad Preis and Michelle and Sean stayed all day to meet the newest family member.  I was so thankful to be surrounded by everyone, but also exhausted to the core from the whole experience.

In truth, I can't wait for another chance to go through the birth of a baby.  I can imagine how much more exciting it will be the 2nd time around when you know what the end result is, versus completely terrifying.  There is truly nothing like the love a Mommy has for her baby. 

This time last year....(Part One)

The "at this time last year" thoughts have pushed through the flood gates and are just washing over me!  I rocked Parker to sleep just now (3 hours late, thank-you-very-much-teething!), and thought back to all of the emotions I was feeling a week and a day before Parker was born.  I had anxiety about his well-being, not really knowing what was to lie ahead, and such excitement.  I LOVED every doctor's appointment, and relished in the idea of being closer to becoming a Mommy.  I felt such accomplishment with every week of pregnancy I got through.  Six days before he was born, I was told that I "wouldn't make it to the next appointment."  I was so excited, sitting at work, wondering when it would finally happen.  

This time last year, I couldn't have possibly imagined how much richer my life would become.  I love that Parker's birthday is in November...it is the month of Thanks.  There is nothing I could possibly do to express my gratitude and thankfulness that out of all of the people on this Earth, I am the one lucky enough to be Parker's Mommy.  It is the hardest and most amazing experience of my life.

This time last year...I was dreaming of how life would be with my baby boy.  My life is nothing like that one that I was imagining...and on some scarce days, that is hard for me to grasp or accept.  But I was given the life that's meant for me.  And in that life, my baby boy
is everything.  

The Manoni "greats"

Last weekend, Parker got to spend some (long overdue) time with his Great-Grandma Manoni, Great-Grandpa Manoni, Great-Uncle Ken, Great-Auntie Kim, Nonna, Grandpa, Auntie Morg, & Auntie Mal.  That's a lot of "great!"

He got to show off his "scooting" skills, his big-huge smile, and consuming blue eyes!  He got special stories a-la cousin Khloie, and of course, tons of snuggles.

The guys even got a chance to play cribbage together!

We had a great time!

ENT/Audiology October

The reality of life is that we have good days and bad days.  The bad help us appreciate the good.  Today was a bad day.  I am emotionally spent and raw, and would like nothing more than to go home, snuggle my baby, and go to bed, honestly.  I am hoping to write this post as a way of venting so I can move on with my day!

Parker had his Audiology and ENT follow-ups this morning-- which for some reason, we appointments that I thought would be a breeze.  His last ENT visit lasted all of 5 minutes and involved a quick peek in the ears and that was it.  Today was different, and I am not a fan.

For audiology, Parker is old enough to start doing the behavioral hearing tests instead of the ABR test--which doesn't require anything of him.  We sit in a small sound room with speakers and screens on either side of us, and hope that Parker responds physically to the sounds he hears.  If he turns to look towards the sound, a screen flashes colorful lights to praise him.  Out of about 5 attempts, Parker turned to look twice, partially turned once, and ignored (or didn't hear) the sounds twice.  By the end of the test, which also included probing and middle ear testing, the audiologist could said with certainty that Parker doesn't have any moderate or severe hearing loss....Thank God.  However, she couldn't tell if he wouldn't respond to the test because of development or because of hearing, so she couldn't rule out mild hearing loss.

SO, we are going to try this test again in January to give Parker some time to grow and develop.  If he still doesn't respond well, then we will have to put him under general anesthesia and do the ABR.

THEN, we went to the ENT appointment.  This started with the doctor letting us know that almost all children with Down Syndrome have to get tubes because of their ear canals. Because of Parker's shaky history with hearing exams, he thinks it is best for us to move forward with tubes soon--potentially sometime after the next visit.  Since we were expecting tubes at some point, this wasn't a huge shock, but did happen sooner that expected.  This is considered a surgical procedure, though.

After talking with us, two nurses and I had to hold Parker down so the doctor could scrape out his ears.  I know this is by no means a life-altering procedure, but Parker was screaming so badly that he lost his voice. I couldn't calm or snuggle him until it was over...which was an experience that left me teary eyed, shaking, and sick to my stomach.  There is no other torture like seeing your baby hurting.

The appointment ended with the doctor telling us that the tubes procedure would be difficult and may require special tubes because Parker's ear canals are so small.  They are so tiny, in fact, that when the doctor was scraping out his ears, he pulled 1-2 hairs from inside...obviously adding to the screaming that was already happening.  While many would assume this means he is a bad doctor, I trust that he knows what he is doing....he has done procedures and exams thousands of times, and is on the board of and a professor at Northwestern.  Still...not a fun Mommy moment.

Luckily, I had some time before needing to head to my half day of work to cool off, and take some deep breaths.  Now, I am trying my best to focus on work and erase from my brain the sight of my screaming baby, though I think the effort will be fruitless.  

Hoping the next one goes better, and that November's mass appointments (RSV shots, cardiology, neurology, etc.) go a little more smoothly.  

Calendars!

We LOVE the GiGi's Playhouse calendars! Parker is one of the beautiful kids on the "March" showcase!  It is so nice to see our babies depicted in such a colorful, lively, and inspiring way. 

We feel honored to be a part of such an incredible organization...and are so thankful for everything they do for our family.  

These calendars seem like fun, cute pictures to most people.  To us, they give our son a voice.  These pictures are proof that these babies are worth our attention, effort, and support.  

Here's to taking things a step past "awareness" and "acceptance" --and on to support and appreciation.

11 Months

Parker is 11 months old today...the next time a month goes by, I will be able to say my baby has been here a full year!  It is incredible to me that the time has passed so quickly.  My sweet, beautiful boy is racing into toddler-hood.  It is awe-inspiring and heart-breaking at the same time.  Every small milestone is a huge achievement in our house, and Parker never ceases to amaze us with his determination and strength.

As the toddler years approach, I can feel "baby fever" slowly creeping back up --I know (Mom & Matt!) that there is still a lot that needs to happen before we think about baby #2.  And my thoughts about more children are intertwined with some really complicated memories, emotions, and dreams.  I keep picturing a house with little ones running around, but those images are laced with flashbacks from last November and December.  I have so many questions and fears. 

I want to beg God not to make us go through that experience again, while simultaneously wanting to show thanks for what we have been gifted.  I want someone to be able to tell me that our second baby won't have Down Syndrome, while simultaneously asking everyone around us to accept and appreciate Down Syndrome.  These are just a few of the thoughts that get stronger and stronger every day that Parker grows and we get closer to expanding our family.  These are the thoughts that rob me from my time thinking about and appreciating Parker.  And that makes me angry.  Because really, at this point, Parker is the role model for me.  And my life is all about him...which is how I've always wanted it to be from before I even knew he existed.

He reminds me day in, and day out that he should never be underestimated, and that the power of a smile and a snuggle are immeasurable. 

So, for the next month, my goal is to push through every traumatic memory, painful emotion, joyous celebration, and triumphant accomplishment, and allow myself to heal and dream again, and just "get over it."  Instead of looking over my shoulder for the next big blow, I want to look ahead at Parker's future...one filled with many more upcoming birthdays, even more love and excitement, and obviously snuggles and smiles. 

I love you Parker.  Thank you for being so patient and giving to your Mommy. 

Raker Family Weekend

We so loved having the Raker family come visit us (and can't believe it has already been a week and a half since they were here!).  Our beautiful kiddos got the chance to play together, and the Rakers got the chance to explore Chicago post-babies.  Our favorite day was Saturday, when we went to the Shedd Aquarium-- our first time there! Although he and Ansley slept most of the time, Parker loved all of the lights and colors! He was enamored with the dolphin/whale area (as was his Mommy)!  

Parker got to show off his pre-crawl moves, Ansley got try out Rody, and Roby got to ride the train!  Of course, the kids were not the only ones who enjoyed the time.  It was so great to get some adult time with great friends, and I might have been more excited about some of the aquarium exhibits than the kids!

We hope to do this again in years to come!

Great-Grandpa

Last week, we said "Goodbye" to Matt's Grandpa, Parker's Great Grandpa, Leonard Glass.  He was 97 (almost 98!), and lived such a beautiful life.  It was evident by the service and celebration of his life that people adored him.  Everyone will miss him terribly, but we are so enjoying imagining him in heaven dancing with "Honey" --Great-Grandma, eating yummy steaks and sandwiches, and discussing the values of a healthy body and attitude with everyone around him.

Here is a video of his first visit with Parker.  We miss you, Grandpa!

A Letter from Parker...

Hi!

My name is Parker, and I have Down Syndrome and Klinefelter's Syndrome.  But... I am so much more than my diagnoses!  I am sweet, feisty, snuggly, happy, stubborn, and energetic.  I love reading books with Mommy and Daddy, getting kisses from my puppy, Chase, listening to music, drinking milk, and eating fruit.  I especially love bananas and apples!

I hope that when you look at me, you see a person.  A person who has feelings, ambitions, fears, insecurities, and dreams.  My hope is that when you look at me...you see PARKER, not Down Syndrome.

Please be patient with my Mommy and Daddy.  They love me so much that it sometimes makes them a little crazy and overprotective.  They just want everyone to SEE me, too.  When you see them with me, you can stare and wonder and be curious...but please don't be rude! Come say hi to us! Get to know me!

For October Down Syndrome Awareness Month, I hope that you ask questions and learn about me.  I hope that you will love me for who I am.  I hope that you will give me a chance.

Love,

Parker

Nonna, Grandpa, Beer and Birthday!

Right after we got home from the MRI, Nonna and Grandpa arrived!  Our home has now been visited by everyone in both of our families! Yay!  We spent Friday night ordering in pizza and watching a movie! 

Saturday was filled with traveling all over the Chicago area.  We dropped off Nonna, Grandpa, and Auntie Morgan at a wedding, and took off to Oswego for a beer festival with Matt's colleague and his family.  It was a BEAUTIFUL day- and we had a great time! 

We ended the weekend with our good friend Ryan's birthday! Of course, Parker got to see his best buddy Ryan Jr.  I can't believe that our boys are 10 months old now! They are so close to their first birthdays...only a day apart from one another! 

If only the weekends could be longer!

MRI/MRA

Today was the dreaded day --Parker's first time under general anesthesia for his MRI/MRA brain, eye orbit, and blood vessel scans.  I admittedly had a lot of fear about this for a lot of different reasons.  First, it is something that can be a little more dangerous for children with Down Syndrome because of their varying heart issues and low muscle tone.  Secondly, general anesthesia is something that neither Matt nor myself have ever experienced.  Expecting a 9 month old to deal with that was anxiety-inducing.  Lastly....HOW do you withhold food from a baby? For this one, I decided to wake P up at 3:45am for a bottle so the drive there and prep before anesthesia was not so painful!

Everyone at Lurie Children's (downtown Chicago) was great! They were very good with Parker-- obviously having a lot of experience with children (and their nervous parents).  Parker got to wear a super cute tiger hospital gown, and they waited until after he was under anesthesia to do any IVs and shots.  It made me feel so much better to know that he wasn't in any pain!

I keep battling with how to feel about and describe our anesthesiologist.  On one hand, he exhibited a lot of the same characteristics as the other doctors and nurses- very friendly, good with children, and used parent-friendly language.  On the other hand, he clearly had no training in speaking with parents of a child with special needs.  He must have called Parker a "Downs Kid" about 15 times.  He also proceeded to tell us that there was a 50-50 chance of needing to be intubation, and that as parents of a "Downs Kid," we should expect to have complications any time he has anything done like this that might result in us staying over night at the hospital.  He implied that our lives would always be much more difficult because of Parker.  After the procedure was done and everything was fine, I ended up asking the nurse we had to pass along a message to the staff about using "person-first language" because the tone and word choices of this anesthesiologist rubbed us the wrong way. 

I know that person-first language seems so minor to a lot of people.  I just wish that everyone could understand why it matters so much.  It demonstrates that you are truly viewing the person before the condition.  The way this doctor said "Downs Kid" really made me feel like he didn't see Parker as a person.  I am sure that he does that as a defense mechanism in his job, but still.  It has been on my mind since!

Overall, the day was a success.  Parker's neurologist took time out of her evening to call us on Friday night to tell us that all looked well on his scans according to the radiologist.  She will be going over them again Thursday to be sure!  Essentially, all that was noted was a smaller area at the base of the head to watch as he gets older (typical with DS), and longer eye orbits (consistent with nearsightedness).  We were so thankful that she was able to do this for us (without us asking) before the weekend!

Lots of relief here!

GiGi's September

We had SO much fun last weekend at GiGi's! We got to see Miss Hilary and Miss Lisa, and all of Parker's friends.  He got to show off his pre-crawl, and all of the kids got to play on their Rody toys! I love this place, these moms, and all of the ladies who care about Parker so much.  I leave with a full heart every time.

Parker's Pre-Crawl!!!!

Momma-Bear!

I am having a super hard time wearing my mommy hat and teacher hat at the same time today.  As a teacher, I understand well what it is like to be responsible for "all" children, or at least for your own class.  I also understand what it is like to be protective of them, and want to do what is best for them.  On the flip side, I understand the fierce and undying commitment one has to her own children.

So what happens when the needs of my own baby seemingly go against the needs of others?  I try to be flexible, empathetic, and generous when I am able.  Today, I hit a wall with being the nice teacher-mama.

One of Parker's daycare teachers let me know third-hand today that the director wanted her to tell me that I will need to do my Thursday developmental therapy sessions with Parker in her office.  The reason?  Because his therapist used toys with sounds/music during therapy that other teachers complained about, as it was nap time for most kids in the daycare.

Now, at first glance, this seems somewhat reasonable to an outsider.  I know, because I've thought about it for hours (once my momma-bear rage settled).  

However, I am not willing to siphon my baby off to the back office during his therapy, and set a trend for exclusion.  This office is about the size of a closet, and excluded from Parker's class (and all of the others).  His most effective environment is his natural environment.  Who knows? Other kids may learn something too! And Parker certainly learns from them.  

Additionally, his teachers have been somewhat overwhelmed with the start of the year and have been a bit apathetic to learning about him.  Therapy prompts them to ask questions and LEARN about his development, which in reality, is knowledge that will help them understand all children.  

Lastly, I was sitting with Parker and his therapist the whole time.  Two babies in the room were two feet from us, and didn't stir during their naps.  

I think it was wrong for her to try and tell me third-hand through one of Parker's teachers, and to not give me any other options...like a phonecall saying "Hi Megan, would you mind letting your therapist know that it is the daycare's nap time, and to steer clear of the noisy toys?"  How easy could that have been?  I like to think I am pretty reasonable, and would have been agreeable to this, even knowing that musical, light-up toys are Parker's biggest motivators. 

Thank God for the ability to write this out, and remove some of my emotion so that when I speak to her, I can sound like a rational, intelligent adult instead of a furious nutcase. 

 Whew!

New Daycare

I remember so vividly being terrified of sending my baby to daycare. I wrote about it often, thought about it constantly, and dreaded going back to work after having Parker. But we were fortunate enough to have two teachers that absolutely love Parker to this day. Saying goodbye to them was one of the hardest “mommy moments” I have had in a while. With Matt’s new job, driving Parker an hour west and then an hour back east to our jobs would equal 3-4 hours of driving a day, which is just too much for all three of us. Even though Parker would have “aged up” into a new class eventually, it is still so hard to leave people you trust and have grown to care about. All of us cried, and all of us wished it could be another way…:(

Parker’s new daycare is about one minute from my work. As comforting as I thought this would be, it is actually very distracting! When Parker was an hour away at the Sears Daycare, I could more easily push away the urge to run over and snuggle him. I also came to terms with not being at his therapies because there was no other choice. With having him so close, I find myself wanting to be there during my lunch and rushing to get him after school. I do love getting more time with him, though!

The daycare he is at is brand new, and on the local high school campus…which has its perks and pitfalls. It is clean and fresh, and follows my school district schedule. On the other hand, all of the procedures for driving around high school kids, picking up, supplies, etc. are both different for us and new for the staff there. We are still getting used to the changes!

His teachers are nice, but since they are new to the building, and the kids are all new to them, they are overwhelmed….and I don’t feel like they are forming a particularly close bond with Parker (or me) quite yet. They do the best they can to show him attention, but they don’t have the same level of intensity and desire to learn about him and help him in the ways we got used to.

I am hoping as we settle into the school year, we will get closer to his teachers, and let go of the hurt of leaving great people. I am finding it interesting to try and wear my teacher hat and parent hat at the same time and empathize with everyone involved. We will see how it goes!

Therapy Re-Mix

One big change caused by moving is therapy placements. Early Intervention, the state program that assigns us a coordinator to help us locate and employ therapists for Parker, is broken into regions. Usually, therapists only travel to specific regions and have very packed schedules, thus prompting our need to change therapists now that we are living in a new location.

This is always a stressful process for us. Luckily, it isn’t so bad for Parker, as he seems to be happy to be around anyone right now, and isn’t showing much preference to specific people. Being Parker’s advocate requires me to only accept therapists that are a good match for him—both in personality, how they handle him, how they interact with our family, and the tasks they push him to accomplish.

Twice since we have started therapy, we opted to change therapists—and for me, that is an especially difficult thing to do. I hate knowing that I hurt someone’s feelings or made them uncomfortable. But the bottom line is that I am here to make sure Parker gets what he needs and deserves. Thankfully, we have a coordinator that actually conveys the decisions to the therapists!

My hope is that with our new round of therapists, we can get a good, hardworking, and collaborative team together to help him progress. We have already seen our OT, and she seems great! We start DT next week, and are still waiting for Speech and PT. Here’s to hoping for a strong team right out of the gate!