Two are better than one

A rather uneventful visit to the Cardio Dr. yesterday, Praise God! She said Parker looks terrific, his weight gain is fantastic, oxygen still 95-96, so no meds for us. She said she won't see us now again until post-op in the hospital. Mike and I remarked how amazing it is that his oxygen stats stayed the same with no drop. One would think that it would start to decline? God has given this little fighter quite the strength and for that we are so grateful..we asked a few questions related to surgery timeline and she felt like end of October rather than middle. This is up to the surgeon, so we won't know more until 10/5 when we have our consult. She said that the key now is to keep him free from fever or illness since any slight fever on surgery day will mean we get "postponed" since technically Parker's surgery is considered "elective" at this point since he is thriving. Not sure how OHS qualifies as "elective," almost makes it seem like plastic surgery..gee, today I'd like to have my heart repaired...HA!

What we have noticed more and more is the strong bond Taylor is forming with his brother. He is always there to talk to Parker, stroke his head, play "ball" with him and always wants time holding him. He offers to hold Parker when I need two hands to fold laundry, make dinner,etc..and he can be trusted for long periods of time for entertaining Parker. I am struck by the love he has for his brother. At night we lay Parker on his pillow and he holds his hands and kisses his head endlessly. He will be Parker's biggest advocate. I always wondered how a 10 year age difference would affect their relationship and I see the outcome we had hoped for!

Be blessed! Lara

“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!” (Ecclesiastes 4:9–10 NIV).

Birth Announcement

Parker has been announced! We are so excited to have connected with a wonderful group of bloggers that are traveling this road with us. I have found strength, encouragement, and positive information from these folks. They have become like family to me. As new parents we struggle to find a "roadmap" of sorts, come visit some of our favorites. Thanks for including us and encouraging us when we are down, afraid or scared of what the future holds!!! http://downsyndromenewmama.blogspot.com/2009/08/its-rocking-around-here.html

23 years ago..

as a child I dreamed of becoming an Olympic ice skater. I lived away from home and trained at championship facilities with championship coaches and friends that achieved the dream (Brian Boitano and Nancy Kerrigan are friends). As I walk Parker around the house during "fusstime" I often stop to look at the pictures posted around our house. Yesterday I stopped to read a signed piece of Roger Bannister, the first man to run a mile in under 4 minutes in 1954. This was given to my parents by a friend and colleague in 1986 that was so impressed with Roger he had an artist draw a depiction of him crossing the finish line, then adding Bannister's poem to the drawing. He had 50 copies made and sent them to England to have them signed by Bannister. What struck me today were the words on the poem, "...what special gift favored him? The quality of mind that said, "it can be done." Life's prizes are not won by those who merely possess nature's gifts. They go to those with the will to win." The friend sent a letter as well and his comments reasonate to me as well, " as I became older, I realized the poem addresses not only the frame of mind a champion athlete must have, but the frame of mind which each of us must have to do our very best in undertaking life's most mundane tasks." He went on to write, " I enclose a copy for your daughter, whom I understand is attempting to be a champion skater herself. I give it to her only on the condition she understand that the quality of mind referred to in this poem addresses not only the quality of mind she must have in achieving athletic greatness, but the attitude she must have in achieving the prizes each day offers."

Lord, help me have an attitude of greatness to achieve the daily prizes each day offers!

Lara

The Down syndrome Creed

I found this today thru a fellow blogger and found it moving. Putting it here to remind myself and others of what is so true! Please be praying for us as we go to the Cardio Dr again on the 28th. Yesterday we weighed Parker, 11 lbs 15 ozs!! Amazing!!!

The Down syndrome Creed

My face may be different but my feelings the same.
I laugh and I cry and take pride in my gains.
I was sent here among you to teach and to love
as God in the heavens looks down from above.
To Him I'm no different, His love knows no bounds
It's those here among you in cities and towns
that judge me by standards that man has imparted,
But this family I've chosen will help me get started.
For I'm one of the children so special and few
that came here to learn the same lesson as you.
That love is acceptance, it must come from the heart;
we all have the same purpose, though not the same start.
The Lord gave me life to live and embrace,
and I'll do it as you do but at my own pace.

-- Unknown

Back to School!!

A milestone of sorts...three kids off to the SAME school (at least for one year)..Madeline K, Mallory 2nd grade, and Taylor 5th grade! Wow, how time flies..I remember like it was yesterday Taylor starting K. Can't believe he is "big man on campus" already. I also remember how choked up I was when he started K. Mike and I went inside the building to "see him off." Totally different story with Mallory. Mallory wanted to be dropped off in the carpool line when she started K, and Madeline...well, let's just say she would have preferred riding the bus if we'd had one. Today I am not sad, just proud. Proud of these three kids and the joy they bring to my life. I am thankful for their wonderful school, teachers, and administrators that teach them with a Biblical worldview and don't accept the world's standards. I am thankful for the Lord's provision provided to our family through Mike's job and the Godly men that own and operate his company. It is moments like these that we can see the "fruits of our labor." I am thankful for my husband and his many sacrifices he makes to give everything to our family, love you honey!

As you prepare for back to school with you and yours may you remember to be a light to others around you and that God created each of us for a purpose!

be blessed! Lara

PS, Parker is full of smiles these days although capturing them is quite the trick. My angles on these pics aren't the best, but his smile is! I love this boy!!!

And so it begins...

the process of preparing for open heart surgery. I came home yesterday to a message from our heart surgeon's nurse. Talk about hitting you like a ton of bricks. Guess I have been pretty good at burying the surgery deep in my mind..almost forgetting it was coming...talk about bringing you back to reality! Parker will have a sedated echo on October 5th and we will have our surgery consult right after the echo with the surgeon. All of this means that within a few days after the echo we will have a surgery date and be in Texas Childrens Hospital. The timing is all in God's hands, but one of our prayers will be that we will be home before Madeline's birthday on the 22nd of October. So now we wait in this land of "limbo" trying to live normal lives, but knowing his surgery is still pending. One of my blog friends' sons just had successful surgery (her son was born 1 day before Parker) and her story has given me new peace and strength. Thank you Adrienne and Bennett!!! God is so good!

Many of you have asked how Parker is doing and the news is...great! He is much more aware, alert, and charming all! People always comment how hard it is to believe this little boy could have medical needs. We give God all the glory! We don't have a scale at home to weigh him, but I know by the fatigue in my arms, neck, and back that he is gaining! He is not on any medicine and we are so thankful!

Our next Cardio appt is Aug 28th, then an appointment with the specialty Down syndrome clinic on Sept. 1st. Please continue to pray for Parker to gain weight, have no symptoms of cardiac or pulmonary issues (no meds please), and for peace for Mike and I as we prepare for his sedated echo and surgery. If anyone has advice for us on what to ask the surgeon, please send them our way. We know some of you have traveled this path before and we are anxious to hear from you!

Be blessed and hug your family tight today!
Lara

Acceptance

How timely these messages are to me, this week I was reading Rick Warren again and the message is on leaving a legacy to our children. In particular his comments on acceptance spoke to my heart.

"The gift of your acceptance: Everyone craves acceptance. It seems we never get enough. When you give your children the opportunity to be themselves and to become what God—not you—wants them to be, you give them a great legacy. The welcoming environment of acceptance is the atmosphere in which kids bloom. Jesus said, “Whoever welcomes a little child, welcomes me” (Luke 9:48 NLT)." This part seems especially convicting.."Even though they’re your children, acceptance is never automatic. You must be intentional in offering it and continual in showing it. " OUCH." One of the most important times is when a child does something that embarrasses you publicly. At that moment, you have a choice: Will I care more about how others see me or about the feelings of my child? We’ve all seen embarrassed parents in stores use angry, derogatory words with kids who didn’t realize what they were doing. An often-quoted research study noted that the single greatest factor determining whether a child succeeds in life or messes up is the presence and acceptance of a caring adult in his or her life. The amazing discovery was that it doesn’t have to be a parent! It just has to be someone who offers love, acceptance, and godly guidance."

Lord, help me accept all of my children and to teach them their uniqueness: created by you for your glory!

And of course a picture of Parker having "playtime," he loves to look in the mirror at himself and my two boys, Taylor, our oldest who gives me such pride and joy for his love for Parker!!!

Be blessed! Lara

New Friends!

Today Parker and I met some new friends and I feel inspired and encouraged, so of course I had to share! Thank you Kristin, you have blessed me in so many ways and talking to you today gave me so much hope. Take a moment to visit her organization and be empowered and in awe of this terrific family! http://www.fathersjoy.org/ To think that this family has lived less than a mile away from us for years and our paths have not crossed until now...

Parker's new lovey blanket..fell asleep after exercise gripping his new monkey :)