Oxygen

When Nicholas was born almost five years ago, he spent 20 days in the NICU.  He had low oxygen saturation numbers which meant he needed artificial air support.  After the first seven days or so, they offered for me to be trained on CPR and on how to administer the oxygen at home.  I declined.  I was still grieving over his surprise diagnosis and scared to death of an oxygen machine for my baby.  I felt he  would get better care if he remained under their care.


As I write this post, I  lay next to Nicholas who is wearing a nasal cannula and getting oxygen support...in my bed!  You see, Nicholas has been hospitalized many times since his birth for low oxygen numbers.  And after watching and learning how nurses cared for him, and watching nurses watch ME care for him in the hospital, I insisted on home oxygen for him.  Because eventually I became the better medical caregiver for him.  And now, I do all I can to avoid the hospital care.   Fortunately, we no longer have to do it very often and I am hoping we kick this bout of pneumonia fast!


I've learned many new medical things after Nicholas was born.  I am still learning.   One of the greatest thing I learned is not to underestimate my ability to care for him.  I know now I could have managed the oxygen at home with him as a baby.   I'm off to get this boy better!

Almost Two Years...

It has been almost two years since I've last blogged.  Wow, two years.  But, I'm back.  And now I have to change the name of my blog because we have a Little A to add.  Three beautiful boys that keep me busy. 

My Two Little N's.... 

And My Little A.... 

 More to Come...

The Farther Along

It has been awhile since I've blogged. I enjoy reading other people's blogs much more than writing my own.  I think it has to do with the farther along I get in this pregnancy the less downtime I have to do things like write.  I am getting into the "nesting" mode and trying my best to keep the house in order and get everything (and everyone) ready for the baby.  Plus, it doesn't help that snow is again expected this week and we are SO.over.winter.  I have taken very few pictures over the past two months, and need to get back into the swing of things.

That said, we have had a fun few months.  We did another overnight at the indoor water park, but this time with friends and had a blast. 





It is so funny how my boys have different swimming "personalities".  Nathan is very careful in the water and can't stand his head getting wet.  He wants to learn to swim on his own, but fear overcomes him and he isn't fully ready yet.  Nicholas on the other hand, well...



He thinks he can swim...and he thinks he can swim good.  So you end up doing the above for most of the time in the pool with him, which is essentially doing your best to restrain him from "taking" off .  But, he LOVES the water and who knows, he may learn to swim before Nathan does....

 We celebrated St. Patty's Day....

 And we are getting ready for the baby to come in a few months.  The c-section is scheduled and I am taking Nathan to a sibling class so he can learn how to be a helper big brother.  For Nicholas, we are going to teach him at home.  I don't think an hour class is going to help him learn how to hold the baby any better than he already does....

But, he wears his "Big Brother" shirt proud already (it was the only green one I could find that was clean for St. Patty's Day!).

On another note, today is World Down Syndrome Day.  I never thought that I would be celebrating this day the way I am today.  But, I am honored to join all of the other families that have such blessings in their lives. 

He's Three!

Our Nicholas is turning 3 this week!  I can't believe my baby is a little boy now.  And these pictures definitely prove it...

Remembering the day of his birth almost three years ago brings alot of emotions.  That day was one of the best and worst days of my life.  We had a beautiful baby boy, but one that was diagnosed with a scary diagnosis - - one that was foreign to our family.   Nicholas came four weeks early after an emergency c-section.  The Tuesday before he was born, I noticed that he was not moving very much in my belly.  I put it off for a few days thinking "I'm in my 8th month, I'm big and there is just not alot of room."  But in my gut, I felt something was wrong.  I saw the doctor that Friday and he sent me to the hospital to be hooked up for monitoring.  A few hours later I was having the c-section and delivering my baby boy four weeks early.  I didn't realize how lucky we were that I picked up on the failure to move in the belly until I told the story to the doctor who was doing a recent sonogram of the baby in my belly now.   She told me it was good I followed my instinct and detected the non-movement because many children with down syndrome are born stillborn.  So, this week I hold my Nicholas (still baby in my eyes) a little closer knowing that I am lucky to have him here with us.

Life with better than I ever could have imagined because of Nicholas.  He brings to our family...Humor:  I couldn't imagine our house without his dance moves, spontaneous sommersaults, and mischievous behavior (such as taking his boots and socks off in the car on on 8 degree day, climbing on the kitchen table and dancing, deciding to jump the stairs rather than walk).  Love:....he kisses his teachers as he leaves school and he hugs his brother (even when he is playing on his smart cycle or otherwise would rather not be bothered).  Patience:  It may take him a longer time to do some things, but he tries his darndest to do it.  He teaches all of us to be patient and pay attention to eachother because sometimes things can't be just said so easily. 

This week we celebrate our Nicholas and count our blessings for having him in our life.

New Year. New Stuff.

This year is going to be an amazing year. In June, we will be welcoming a new member to our family.  In November my little brother will be getting married....a baby and a wedding...it can't get any better than that! 

I've have a zillion "goals" for 2011.  Unfortunately, I'm an "all or nothing" type of person when it comes to goals and resolutions.  Dieting, working out, setting a budget, etc. etc...I start out in full force and then eventually fizzle out.  I have trouble finding the happy middle when it comes to these things.  So, my resolution this year is to find that balance in my life.

My first goal is to get Nicholas potty trained before the baby comes.  It has been three days.

 And it is hard.  But he gets it...

The funniest thing is that he will pee a tiny, tiny bit and celebrate like he just won the lottery.  So, we end up celebrating about 12 times during one pee session.  But celebrating is so much fun.

More goals for this year.,,.And many "post-baby delivery" goals for myself.  But I am taking it one step at a time and now running to put someone on the potty....

Transition

It has been a busy month and a half.  November and December means holiday craziness and right in the middle of it all we had Nicholas' evaluations for transition from EI to preschool services and his eartube replacement surgery. 
Nicholas' surgery went great and confirmed that he has no hearing loss.  Yay!  This might sound crazy but in the last 24 hours since the surgery we have noticed an increase in sounds from him.  Can't wait to see what the next few weeks bring.
The evaluations went well also.  Nicholas scored within the low average range for cognitive ability.  He is moderately delayed in fine motor and severely delayed in speech.  But, he scored average for gross motor and that means he doesn't qualify for physical therapy services!   The school district meeting is soon and I hope he gets placement in an integrated preschool for next year.  The evaluator told me that he might recommend a typical preschool with a push-in special education assistant, but I am hoping he can stay where he is right now in an intergrated program. 
I am also officially 11 weeks pregnant now.  Starting to get excited and to spread the word to a few close family and friends.  I am waiting to tell everyone  until after my first sonogram which should be in two weeks.  It seems like everything is going fine, esp. because I am with my usual morning sickness and have to take medicine to get through the day.  The worst was when I couldn't find my meds the morning of Nicholas' surgery and began the morning, which required us to get up at 5:30 am, throwing up.  Oh, and I had to throw up  a couple times at the hospital too :(
Besides that we have been enjoying the snow, holiday parties and play time at home. I better get back to work and internet christmas shopping, pictures next blog for sure!

Brother Love

I lately have been terrible about taking pictures of the boys.  So this week we met with Samara, an amazing family photographer and I got some great pictures of the boys.  This one I am in love with.

 It absolutely reflects their love for one another.  Nathan just loves Nicholas...he watches over him, in a very kind and loving way.  He treats him like his friend, but is careful with him like a big brother.  Nicholas just adores Nathan (as I write, they are on the floor giggling to eachother).  He wants to do everything that Nathan can do and feels secure around him.  So much so, he can be fearless attempting to do Nathan tricks.
And they both have the most amazing blue eyes and long lashes...oh, I love these boys so much!