Teething

Ugh. Thats all I can say. I think Malachi is teething. He was running a fever last night so we gave him some Motrin and put him in bed. He slept all night and got up early this morning. He was fussy so Josh got him and put him in bed with us. But when we got up, man he was a beast!!! We took his temp again and he had a low fever. He was screeming and crying and nothing was helping. We gave him some more motrin, we will see how he is when that wares off. Got any tricks or advice, I am desperate!

another evaluation

Malachi has another evaluation today, this one was for vision therapy. Malachi's eyes "flutter" a lot and since he is so little and already needs glasses he qualifies for vision therapy! Jenny will be coming once a month to give me new ideas to strengthen his eyes. She was very impressed with how well he is reaching for things and tracking. She said most kids who have vision impairments just kind of sit there, not Malachi, he will reach for everything and anything. I am VERY excited about VT Jenny had great ideas and I think it will improve Malachi's physical development. I have never heard of VT before and I wonder if its fairly new? Either way I am thankful for all the AMAZING therapists we have. Tomorrow we have OT and a home visit from our licensing worker!

Tonight we are going to a orchastra concert at Joshes school. I wonder how Malachi will do??

busy, busy, busy

I just thought this was the CUTEST picture of Malachi. Anyway, we had a very fun filled weekend. Friday night we had pizza and a bonfire at the neighbors, sat. was the white sox game, sunday was church and a birthday party (another dinner and bon fire at the neighbors) and monday we went to see my dad race his sports car and a dinner out with out neighbors! Phew, Josh is back to work today and Malachi and I are looking forward to a relaxing day at home. We might even stay in jammies all day!

Before the white sox game we stopped by Rush (the hospital Malachi has hid heart surgery at and the place we called home for 3 weeks after). When we walked in on the bridge so many feelings were comming back. The smell, the people, the reception desk where we bought parking tickets and ABP where we are so many sandwhiches, soups and salads. Then we started the long treck to the elevators, passing the windows we looked out so many times. We got in the elevators and went up the the 5th floor and when the doors opened it felt like we were going home. The docters and nurses in the 5th floor PICU were our family for those 3 weeks. The took care of Malchi's every need (mine too). They nurtured him through good days and the day we thought we were going to lose him. How do you say thank you to them? What do you say after 5 months? We walked in and were greated by Kathy (she is a no nonsense nurse who probablly knew more than most of the docters). She was thrilled to see Malachi and how big he was. After a quick visit with her, we walked back to the cardio rooms (4 rooms at the back of the picu that are strictly post-op cardio patients). We saw one of the resident docs we had (forgot her name) and Donna was there too! We absolutely LOVED Donna. She was the mom nurse who did so much more than just give meds and take vitals she calmed my nerves and gave hugs to comfort me. She would hold Malachi if I had to run to the bathroom and rub his head if he was squwirming. Donna washed her hands and came right out and heald Malachi. We both got a few tears in our eyes. As we were about to leave Dr. P (malachi's heart surgon) came walking up. He was thrilled to see him and how big he was. He was going to check on a patient so it was a quick visit but Josh and I were able to say thank you (again). Overall it was a wonderful visit to a few of the nurses who mean so much to us!! We are forever greatful to the 5th floor picu cardio nurses and doc's.

pictures

The last get together before the J's big move to Cali. We will miss you!!

Look at my baby!

" Not so good mommy"

Trying ice cream for the first time.

We went to a surprise going away part for the J's this week. It was a bitter sweet time. They are packing up and moving to cali. We will miss them but trust they are following God's plan. They offically move on tuesday, so we will see them at church one more time before they go. We can't wait to go and visit!!!!

Take 2

Im not sure why my past post didn't post but I will try again. My last post was about Malachi and him getting his first tooth!! Woo Hoo. I was starting to get a little worried because he wasn't getting teeth! Do kids with Down syndrome get teeth later? I just dont know. But one is comming, I can see it but can't feel it yet!

Malachi has been working on tall kneeling. I got a quick shot of him working with daddy.

He is getting really good at it! We just have to keep our hands on his lets to keep his knees together. He tries to cheat and separate them! He is getting stronger and we are so proud!

I LOVE this picture. He was playing with a piano. I can just see the concentration in his eyes!

haha, I just laugh. I can see him doing this when he turns 16. "Mom I REALLY,REALLY, REALLY want the red Mustang Convertable.....PLEASE" So cute!

Can't believe it

I can do it, I WILL do it

As I was about to start a post, on a completely different topic, I was sitting on the chair watching Malachi rolling on the floor. He is so cute and has master rolling over to his left. However, I have NEVER seen him roll to his right. Until today that is. I decided to put a huge laundry basket on his left hand side so he couldn't roll that direction and I knew he wouldn't just lay on his back. It was a success. The basket forced him to roll the way he never does! I watched him struggling to get over. He was grunting and using every muscle possible to get on his tummy. He let out a few frustration cries and I wanted so badly to go help him. To give him that last little push he needed but instead I watched and hoped. I tensed up as he was making another attempt, he just couldn't do it. He cried a little and took a short rest. It was so unbelievable hard to just watch. After about 5 mins he was ready to try again, this time, it was a success. He FINALLY managed to roll to his right and make it onto his tummy. He could finally reach his beloved piano and his reward was hearing the music after he pushed the button. My little man finally did it!

Nothing brings sweeter joy than seeing the successes of our children no matter how small they are! As I type this my eyes are filling up with tears. I know DS will cause things to be difficult for Malachi and that he will struggle a lot along the way but today reminded me that no matter what the obstacle, Malachi can do it and he will do it, just in his own time (and, yes, sometimes in his own way) and he is not going to always need me there to give him that final push.