Whew!

It has been a while since I've been able to find the time to post!  Parenthood has a way of really making you adjust your priorities.  For example...the mess that is our apartment has been sorely neglected because let's be honest...if I am given the choice between snuggling my baby for the few hours we get to spend together at night and cleaning...I think the choice is pretty clear.  My grandma, in her 90 years of wisdom, has told me to forget the chores and housework and spend time with your children, because retrospectively, the time with family is what really matters.  

Parker has had a good week or two! He is doing well at daycare with teachers that seem to be truly interested in his best interests.  He got his two month shots on Monday...which were irritating for him, and of course devastating for me!  Aside from the initial screaming and some fussiness the last few days, they didn't phase him.  He is our tough little boy.  We did find out that he should probably see an ENT (ear-nose-throat doctor for those of you not into the lingo).  We were a little bummed, as we foolishly thought we might have a short break in the never-ending specialist appointments.  

We are so excited for the next few weekends, though! We have visits to GiGi's, the Gala, visiting new friends and old friends, and quality time with family all to look forward to.  Can't wait! 

Visit to Springboro

On Friday, we decided to make a last minute trip down to Springboro!  By we, I mean Parker and I went without Matt!  

He is such an easy baby...he doesn't mind the driving or overnights in unfamiliar places.  He got to spend quality time with his Nonna and Grandpa, got to see Jen and little baby Dantzler, and meet the Zimmer clan!  He adored being fussed over by the pretty Zimmer girls.

It is so amazing to have friends and family that love him so much.

Face Time

As I have mentioned before, technology is AMAZING.  We are so lucky to have Face Time and be able to see and share Parker with far-away family and friends.  My parents and grandparents on both sides have been able to see Parker as he gets older from more than 300 miles away.  Their support of us is unwavering, and Face Time just makes it so much more meaningful.  One of these times, I will have to post pictures of us all using Face Time....even though all of us are usually in our PJs with no make-up on :)  So as always, more pictures of Parker fit in nicely!

Rockin' Out

Parker LOVED hearing and watching his Daddy sing and play guitar last night.  It was so neat to see him instantly calm down every time he could hear Matt singing.  We had so much fun just relaxing as a little family.  Our Friday nights may not be exciting to some people, but to us they are perfect.  

Today was fun too-- Auntie Morgan came for brunch!  Then we went to coffee with our friends Amy and baby Ryan, who is just a day older than Parker and also has Down Syndrome.  He is adorable too!  

After a little bit of crankiness, Parker is finally sleeping for the first night in his crib!  Just like daycare, it is probably more of an adjustment for me than for him.  He doesn't seem to prefer his bassinet --laying flat on his back (versus on one of us or in his MamaRoo) means long sleeps for him no matter where he is.

I feel like every day I have off goes so quickly.  Tomorrow is already Sunday, which means Monday and separation are right around the corner....boo!  I am torn between wanting to savor every moment and desperately wishing for summer to get here!  

Regardless, I love every minute of this journey we have been given!

Cardiology

Yesterday Parker had his first cardiology appointment to follow up on some issues he had at birth.  We weren't really sure how it would go because as babies get older their hearts change, and even after his two Echocardiograms in the hospital, he showed improvement. That being said, we also know that Down Syndrome often carries with it heart defects and difficulties.

After an EKG and another Echo, we learned that Parker has an Atrial Septal defect-- in other words, a hole between his two upper chambers.  On the good side, there is tissue floating in the middle of the whole, suggesting that over time it may get smaller.  Additionally, he shouldn't show much in terms of symptoms unless there is another contributing factor, like a respiratory infection.  

On the bad side, it is a moderate sized hole ---about 5-6 mm.  His doctor, Dr. Carr, estimated that Parker has a 50-50 chance of needing some kind of intervention (either surgery or catheterized repair).   

Obviously this wasn't the news we had been hoping for, but at the same time, it could be much worse.  He won't need surgery as an infant and is free of life-threatening or stressful symptoms.  We will hope and pray that his hole gets smaller so he doesn't need surgery.  Let's think of it as a place for more love to flow in and out :) Corny...yes, but corny gets us through the day!

1st Day

What a crazy day!  After a night of little sleep and nerves running high (Parker slept 11 hours!), we made it through our first day apart.  It was -8 (windchill -25) this morning...which of course meant our cars were unhappy about starting.  Matt's wouldn't start at all, and ended up needing help from AAA --so little man almost didn't make it to his first day of daycare!

After crying on the way out the door and once in the car, I did pretty well once I got to work.  It was good to see everyone and get back into things, even if I was counting the minutes until day's end.  

Parker's day care was awesome --they emailed me several times and even sent a picture! Matt also went to visit him during his lunch break, which made me feel better.  They had a sign welcoming him, and were so eager to learn about anything they could do for him.  They even said they would like to come with us to GiGi's sometime!  So relieving...

What I didn't account for was the fact that I really only got about 5 minutes (literally) of awake time with Parker before feeding and bedtime.  Between that and eating, pumping, washing all of his bottles and organizing his daycare items I feel like I hardly had any time with him.  The thought of that makes me so sick.

Kudos to all of the mommies and future out there...I feel for you and admire your strength.  It is easy to empathize with working parents, but until you are one, the emotional connection can't really be understood.  I guess my motto from now on will be to use all of my time wisely and cherish the moments with him!

Last Day of Leave

P-man and I had a peaceful, snuggly last day of maternity leave.  Aside from a successful first speech therapy visit, we relaxed and read stories, watched crime dramas, and cuddled.

 
Tomorrow, it is back to reality...albeit, a revised reality.  For me, it will be my first day at this job non-pregnant --which should be both more comfortable and more painful at the same time.  I will love being able to walk up the junior high stairs (3 flights!) without having to stop and breathe, but will miss having my inside companion.  I will love getting to see the kiddos and help the teachers, but will miss the natural conversation-starter that is pregnancy-- though I'm sure a new baby is a great conversation starter too.  And I will love my independent, busy, challenging career, but I will desperately miss seeing every detail of Parker's day. There is a small part of me that is excited to get back in the swing of things...I just wish I could find a way to live both lives...working professional and stay-at-home mom.  I'll have to work on that one!

Overall, I know Parker will be in great hands.  His Daddy will safely take him to daycare and back, saving me from having to drive him in the snow....because driving in the snow terrifies me.  Maybe they will even get to eat lunch together sometimes.  The teachers at Bright Horizons seem like they will love him and meet his needs the best they can, and he will be mere footsteps away from his cousins.  

Overall...all of the people in his life will be doing everything they can for him...and that is the best we can hope for! 

FaceTime Fun!

Technology is amazing...so thankful that it lets us keep in touch with our family!

Parker got to see so many people today thanks to FaceTime!  Grandma Preis, Nonna, Grandpa Manoni, Great-Grandpop Cucchiaro, cousin Robert, and Uncle Doug!

House Hunting

Basically, we outgrew our apartment when I moved in :)  It has decent square footage, is nice looking (without all of our clutter), and has a great patio...but the arrangement of space is not enough for us.  We started house/condo hunting about a month ago, as we always do every year, and found a house that we loved!  What we didn't love were the hidden water contamination problems with the neighborhood and pending lawsuit against the builders.  So even though we are back to square one in our long, very picky search, it was nice to know that there might be options out there that fit us!

Hopefully, we can have a nice, relaxing day before we start my first week back at work and Parker's first week of daycare...free of houses, bills, insurance claims, to-do lists, and packing lists and full of lots of snuggle time.

Love this little boy! 

PT Evaluation

The best part of our day was our last visit to GiGi's!  We spent 45 minutes chatting with and meeting more new, wonderful people in the Down Syndrome Awareness community.  Unfortunately, we won't be able to go again until the Saturday group in February...BOO!  Hopefully we can network and make friends with people who are available outside of work day hours!

Parker had his physical therapy evaluation today, which was quite humbling.  I received the message again that Parker is the one who owns this journey...and he will show us what he can do on HIS schedule.  

Today was the first time we have been told that Parker is actually showing delays...and admittedly, that was hard to hear even though I knew it was coming.  He lifts his head so well and rolls over...all things that many other babies his age (typical and DS) aren't able to do...but we learned that he is using all of the wrong muscles to do these things.  

Our goal is to teach Parker how to use the correct muscles to do these same things...like using his arms and shoulders to lift up instead of his belly and back extensions.  He is also showing a preference for turning his head to the right side that we can work with him to correct.   Just like always, we will do anything we can to help him succeed.  We just need to learn that this will be at his pace, not ours.   Love him!