and we are OFF..almost!

OK, so silence is golden..or not...this post is overdue, but we have GREAT BIG news!!! Parker turned 10 months last Tuesday, and on Friday....he started to get up on all fours!!!! He is frequently found up on all fours rocking back and forth! Today he is up on all fours and trying to "scoot" himself forward..so fun to see, not the best pictures (or the best outfit for crawling), but you get the idea!!! of course this happened AFTER the eval at the Down syndrome clinic, the boy is smart..already knows how to manipulate the eval (or not perform when told)...and when he is tired he gives the "big eyes" look or a "swimming" smile!

So, last week brought the 9 month visit to the Ds clinic here in Houston. Nothing big to report. From there we were given instructions to have 1)thyroid tested (done every year in kids with Ds) 2) CBC white blood cell count (again precautionary and he won't need this again until much later unless we suspect something or he is sick and Dr orders it). 3) have hearing tested again (precautionary) 4) get initial eye exam. Wow, for a child doing so well, I had 4 more appointments and 2 new Drs added to the list. UGH! Oh well, we are praising God for a great report. Parker is doing well developmentally and he is meeting his milestones. The PT gave me three excellent exercises to encourage pulling up and help facilitate crawling (and they work!). She gave me two exercise to help from side or back to sitting position. Apparently this skill he's a bit behind on? Not sure I agree here, don't think my other kids could do this at 10months? We are getting a PT eval for Parker next month, I loved the exercises given and really felt excited to receive some "homework" which we don't get currently. Dr. said to use the PT order as we see fit, not a MUST, but we may sub out some OT for PT. Parker was happy to chat and squeal to the ST's delight and he gave lots of babbling. She gave us some good suggestions too, now we are working on two sounds (ba be, me ma, oh ah...), so if we sounds strange you will know where it comes from. Helps encourage that pre language ability!

So, at 10 months for my feeble memory..here is what Parker is up to..

-up on all 4's!!!!
-commando crawling (or slithering like a snake)

-pivots and rolls everywhere, turn your back and he's gone or on the opposite side of body you laid him on

-sitting well and gets down to crawl (although it isn't graceful and more like a face plant)

-knows his name and his siblings, responds to them and recognizes them

-eats real food (no teeth still), we are beginning table foods (broccoli, chicken, bananas, rice) and we really like them all

-working on open cup drinking, sippy cup, and straw drinking

-lots of sounds, and varies pitch, tone, and range

-find the hidden toy and plays peekaboo

-waves bye-bye/hi (hit or miss here)

-places things in and out of the toy box, is fond of putting his socks in the box :)

We have so much to be thankful for, but most of all we are thankful for Parker! His milestones are just that..his milestones!!! We are proud of his progress and we are learning that we don't have to compare ours to others! Surprisingly we are OK with it all!

Anticipating God's best!!

Lara

Selena Gomez/Justin Bieber Texas Style!

it's official..we are "those" parents..yes, we did buy Rodeo tickets to see Selena Gomez and Justin Bieber. They girls have now seen Selena, Hannah Montana, Miley Cyrus, and Justin Bieber at 6 and 8 years old. Oh well. I couldn't help but laugh as I watched all these girls croon to the songs and the adults wince as they watched. I don't think I saw a concert until I was 18.

It was unseasonably COLD for Texas, beautiful day, but SOO windy. No carnival rides or outside fun for us. I'm a bit untrusting of carnival rides as it is (they aren't engineered like WaltDisneyWorld) and the wind gusts were at an all time high so we passed. We did see a bit of the livestock show and waited 30 minutes to ride the ponies...just the girls went to the show with Grandpa and Mom. It was a fun night out although I will admit in a very "un-Texan" fashion that I am not a rodeo fan. The sneezing for Mallory and I started the moment I got near the livestock...and I fail to see the thrill of riding the extreme bulls..why would one want to ride a bull that could catapult you into the air? The mutton busting was pretty funny, but again, who lets their 5 year old ride a dirty sheep clinging for dear life until they fall off into the dirt? Madeline asked the important question, "what do they smell like?" "Not good honey." "What do they get if they win?" "A trophy." She was disappointed. :)

I am amazed at the opportunitites the 4H kids have though to win college scholarships. I am sure that my crew probably won't be running to the ranch after our visit though...

Last week was Spring Break and we had a terrific week off. We had no sports or after school activities and took full advantage of sleeping in and staying up late. Parker still had his appointments, but it was nice to hang out in the pool with the kids and have no schedule. I highly recommend the down time..we all needed it! Parker enjoyed the outside, the grass was fun although all he wanted to do was pull it out!!!

Here are some livestock pictures for you to enjoy if you've never been to the Rodeo..YEEHA!!!

Blessings!

Lara

Lucky Boy!

Parker's first St. Patrick's Day! I'd say he is one lucky boy..no, we are the lucky ones!

Being Charming...waving bye bye..the 4 shamrocks...cute with eyes closed..and from sitting to trying to crawl...looking for the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow!

We are not usually ones for celebrating St. Patrick's Day, but with a new sibling we celebrate ALL the firsts! What a fun day!! Go Green! :)

Blessings to all!

Lara

My First Blog Award!

Wow, I am humbled..my first blog award passed along by Libby of Blessings and Glory! http://www.blessingsandglory.wordpress.com/!!! Libby, I am honored to accept your award and humbled by your kind words. You continue to inspire me and the feeling is mutual (in a non-stalking way). I love that we are traveling this journey together and hope someday we can meet up. I know that God has great plans for our boys and he directed me to your blog when I did my first desperate search after finding out about Parker's diagnosis. I love searching your achieves...laughing, crying, but finding strength and hearing the Holy Spirit thru your words of wisdom. I aspire to be as eloquent as you and admire your strength as a Mom, wife, and friend. You are simply amazing! You remind of the Proverbs 31 woman, " a wife of noble character who can find? Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value..she gets up while it is still dark; she provides food for her family and portions for her servant girls..." I am thankful for you my sister in Christ!



Now onto the award!



The rules for this award are as follows:

Thank the person who passed this to you and link your award back to them (not sure how to do this, but...)

Pass it along to blogs that deserve this award and let them know they earned this award..

List 7 things about yourself..

1. I celebrated 17 years of wedded bliss to my husband on 2/20/2010. I am more in love with my husband than ever. He still makes my heart flutter, I love holding his hand or being held in his embrace. He loves me unconditionally and gives me grace way more than I give in return. He makes me a better person, he is selfless and always gives me time to indulge myself while he rarely has time for himself. He takes all 4 kids to the grocery store and never complains. He has grown more handsome with every year and I love every inch of him. He is the most wonderful father and his kids love him with every inch of their being. He is the "fun" parent and I love to see the kids eyes light up with their Dad. God answered my parent's prayers and gave me a precious gift! I love you babe, more than you will ever know. He is my better half!


2. I will be 40 on April 13th. I am having moments of anxiety of turning 40. I feel I have aged 10 years since Parker was born. The stress of this journey does show on my face despite my attempts to minimize it. I desperately want to run to Cabo to celebrate with my husband for a few days. I know this is a selfish indulgence, but still want to anyways. It is high season (read expensive) and I am high maintenance kind of gal (only the best will do). I am also a nursing mother whose precious son refuses to take a bottle (so not sure how 2 days away would even work).


3. I am much better at dealing with life in general when I run or work out daily. Being a competitive athlete who trained the majority of my life, working out isn't really a want it is a need. When I start to "fall apart" my husband always says, "please don't skip workouts. You always feel better after working out." He is of course right. Nothing like a good sweat to work the "blahs" out. I also function 100% better when I get enough sleep. Late night and early mornings do not make me a nice person.


4. As much as I love the Lord and know that being spiritually "plugged in daily" is the answer, I miss time in daily devotions. The devil loves to take hold of this and guilt me which usually makes me miss time alone with God even more. I confess this and know that one cannot hear from God when one isn't seeking Him. I am thankful we can't do anything to earn salvation that it is by grace and faith. Thank you my Lord and Savior for loving me and forgiving my failures.


5. My oldest son is graduating from 5th grade in May and I am emotional. I am so proud of the young man he is becoming, but I am struggling with the fact that these 6 years have flown by so quick. I am afraid of the times ahead when kids offer him drugs or tempt him with other things and pray constantly that he will stand firm in his faith and be a light to those around him. I love his innocence and the way we've protected him from worldly things. I love that he still wants his Mom and Dad to tuck him in bed at night, he wants to kiss his baby brother, and he doesn't mind if I hold his hand on public. I love all of my kids so much it hurts. I dream often of the people they will become and am so proud of them even when they are on my every, last, nerve!


6. I am scared of what our kids will feel and think when we have to tell him about Parker's surgery. I recognize that life happens and kids are more resilient than we give them credit for, but I am still afraid. I don't want them to worry and have a fear of life. Mallory already has an unusual fear of Drs and concern for medical "issues" that brings her to tears. My heart aches for her each time one of these episodes occurs. These episodes are so minor, xrays at dentist office, flu shot (nasal), you name it lately it triggers tears for no reason. I know God will give us the strength we need.


7. I love my friends and my family more than I ever have time to say. I don't call them often enough, sometimes "flake out" on them for no reason. I love that they stand by me when I am tired, irritable, and that they listen to my whining and complaining without judging me. My Mom and Dad do more than any parents ever could and I could never repay their tireless commitment to our family. I was blessed to be born into this family. Love you Mom and Dad. I love my little brother and wish he lived closer (LA is too far) because he is the best Uncle and my kids love him. Matthew, come visit again soon!!



I could write much more...I am passing this award along to my fellow bloggers below..ladies I love you all and am blessed to be a part of your families. You all encourage me so much! You all give me such strength and I find myself often running to your blogs searching for the "ok" or what to "do" when I have a question. Forgive me for "unplugging" often, I don't always have daily time to read blogs, but you are always in my heart and prayers...

http://wwwourunexpectedjourney.blogspot.com/

http://downsyndromenewmamblogspot.com/

http://www.loveforcolin.blogspot.com/

Anticipating God's best for us all!!

Modeling a Lil Sis Design!

You all know how much I love to shop! Parker is modeling the ankle biter set, so adorable!! Link to Adrienne's store here or on etsy. http://www.lilsisdesignsblog.blogspot.com or http://www.lilsisdesign.etsy.com Not only is she a talented seamstress, she is a fantastic Mom who has a beautiful family and a precious son who also happens to have Down syndrome. Any purchase you make she donates a portion to Down syndrome research, so please check her out!!

Hope

Hope Define Hope at Dictionary.com: "to look forward to with desire and reasonable confidence.
7.to believe, desire, or trust: I hope that my work will be satisfactory."

This face exudes hope....what a blessing!