Yesterday was World Down Syndrome Day --appropriate, as it was 3/21. I really thought hard about what that day could and should mean for us. I noticed some families treat it as a celebration, telling their friends "Happy WDSD" ---I don't think I am quite at the point where I can do that and truly mean it. I am always willing to celebrate my son and all of the support he has, but I just couldn't bring myself to wish people a "happy" day as if it was a holiday. For me, this year, I think it was a time of reflection and appreciation. The last 4 months have been the most incredible and most difficult of my life. I couldn't help but think of the all-encompassing support we have had from our friends and family.
So instead of participating in the "crazy socks" for awareness, or wishing people a "happy" day, we went about our day as observers, and spent a little time with our friends Amy and baby Ryan. For now, that is enough. Parker is the reason I get up in the morning, though, and his morning smiles are why I never miss sleeping in. I am here to be his mommy...and that IS cause for celebration. Maybe next year, I will be more ready to celebrate instead of observe!
Last weekend was so GREAT! Parker got to meet three of his cousins, his Great-Aunt Marijanna, Great-Uncle Ian, Great-Grandpa Manoni, Great-Grandma Manoni, and Great-Grandpa Glass. He got to see his Great-Uncle Ken and Great-Aunt Kim, and Grandma and Grandpa Preis too! It was so incredible to watch him with all of these people who love him so much. Without them, Matt and I would not be who we are today --so Parker will surely learn from them. We have to say that Parker was and continues to be a great traveler. He is such a mellow baby. Our biggest challenge on this particular seven hour journey was keeping him awake-- he would have slept the whole way! (and a nasty bout of constipation =smelly ride home). Words don't quite measure up when we try and describe how special some of these moments were for us, so here are some videos and pictures.
We have begun our major travel weekends for March! First stop...Cleveland! Parker is slowly getting to the age where car rides also require a little bit of entertainment, which is both stressful and so fun! I love getting time when he sleeps in the car to catch up with friends. I have to admit, though, that I love hearing Matt catch up with his friends just as much... especially the parts where he gushes about how well Parker is doing and how strong he is. It puts an instant grin on my face just hearing his pride. Even though traveling with a baby is hard, I love taking our little family to places where Parker can feel the love we all have for him. More pictures to come :)
The hard work for Parker is beginning! He has started two of the four therapies...physical and speech. We are holding off for a reevaluation with developmental and occupational. We have already learned so much this week! We are continuing tummy time, and also propping Parker up so he can have a little more support to grab at toys at his mid-line. We are having a little bit of a hard time with conflicting information that comes from different therapists, but are just doing out best to prioritize and determine what is most important. I am hoping that this summer I can read up a little bit more on things we can do with him.
From this point on, we will try to make Parker's eating and play time as purposeful as possible --within reason-- which is the part I have a hard time with. I feel so guilty when I can't be doing things with him every moment in the evenings. Bottle cleaning, pumping, bath time, laundry, etc...all of those have to get done too, unfortunately. I know we all go through that "mommy guilt." We are so proud of how well he is doing. He is a strong little guy!
Yesterday was World Down Syndrome Day --appropriate, as it was 3/21. I really thought hard about what that day could and should mean for us. I noticed some families treat it as a celebration, telling their friends "Happy WDSD" ---I don't think I am quite at the point where I can do that and truly mean it. I am always willing to celebrate my son and all of the support he has, but I just couldn't bring myself to wish people a "happy" day as if it was a holiday. For me, this year, I think it was a time of reflection and appreciation. The last 4 months have been the most incredible and most difficult of my life. I couldn't help but think of the all-encompassing support we have had from our friends and family. 
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