Just in

Gabriel's one year pictures are finally in. Here is a short slide show. He is getting so darn big!

I am...

Watch the slide show to find out if Gabriel is going to have a little brother or sister.

Water

Watch how big Gabriel is getting!!!! He LOVES water this much :)

crazy week

Things have been pretty crazy around here. Gabriel got to have a new experience this week. One of my girlfriends got laid off when Grand Rapids laid off 200 people this summer. She got called back to a part time position and gets two days a week off. Gabriel went to hang out with her and her lovely daughter Adri while I worked yesterday and today. Adri is a nineteen month ball of fire. (Note, this is the same age Gabriel will be when the baby is born). Gabriel is pretty overwhelmed by Adri. She runs circles around him. Michelle had to deal with Gabriel's breaking down each day. He is not around other little kids for any length of time because of not being in daycare. He has been around Adri several times but never with out his mommy.

I hope I am not raising the kids who cries every time he is dropped off at school. He will be starting school at 3 and I hope he can handle it. We HAVE to do more exposures to get him use to stimuli.

Gabriel is pulling himself up on everything. I am always looking over and he is standing up holding onto something looking at me. I am hoping to catch it on video camera soon!

Twice a week therapy is going to be so nice for Gabriel! He did awesome this week. He is getting stronger each day.

Hiking

Gabe finally felt well enough to go mountain biking today. Gabriel and I decided to go along for the ride. I packed him up and we went off for a hike.
He started the hike talking non-stop. Even if there were deer to be seen he scared them away LONG before we got there. But the woods were still lovely.


A couple miles in Gabriel grew quiet. Sure enough, I looked back to find a sound to sleep little one. Too cute!

FOOTBALL

Football is pretty big in our house. Yesterday we had Michigan State (who sadly did not play very well) and U of M (who played very well). Today we have the Minnesota Vikings. Gabriel of course dresses up for each game. Here is Gabriel ready for the Vikings game today.

temp

Gabriel broke his fever last night. He was back to normal by 2am this morning. He was up with me most of the night. We cuddled and rocked until he finally drifted off to sleep. Sometimes mom's need cuddle time as much as babies! Gabriel stayed at his beloved Mimi and Papa's today, while I left for another day of work. I think they are the highlight of his day. They take such good care of him. We never have to worry about the care he is receiving while we are stuck at work. It is such a blessing to have them in our lives.

Gabriel had a Hematologist appointment today. They noted that he had a temperature again. They did a blood count and found that his white blood count was low and his red blood count was high. This is normal in children with Down syndrome so there is nothing to worry about. The pediatrician is going to take over monitoring Gabriel's blood count. We will get blood drawn every 4 months but do not have to drive to Grand Rapids for appointments unless something abnormal comes up. The hematologist checked Gabriel's ears, throat, blood and everything else and did not find a reason for the high temperature. He did see that Gabriel does have some white areas on his gums so he thinks Gabriel is teething. I would have to agree but it is 8:30pm and Gabriel's temperature is again 101.9, where are these darn teeth. He is just not comfy.

I have had such a busy week I forgot to say that I had another OB appointment on Tuesday. Baby's heart beat was in the 140's. Gabe and I were able to schedule the BIG ultrasound for September 28th. So excited to find out if Gabriel is going to have a little brother or sister!

slacker

Yes, I know I have been slacking at putting posts up. Getting into the routine of going back to work has been really hard on Gabe and myself. Gabe is not use to sleeping on command. If he does not come home and get a few hours of sleep he doesn't get any until I get home. Mimi and Papa watch Gabriel for those few hours. I have lesson plans, papers to correct, and other school things that have to get done when I get home. I leave school as soon as it is out therefore things have to get done at the house. Once we are finally into a better routine I will be able to post more.

Gabriel had his first week of PT on Monday and OT on Wednesday. He is doing GREAT. He will pull himself up to the standing position when he really wants something (Biggie on the couch). We are watching Gabriel really closely tonight. He is running a fever of 101.9 with Tylenol tonight.

LOVE

I am enjoying my weekend with my boys, what little Gabriel and I have seen of Gabe. Gabe is working 7 days a week right now because they are SO busy.
Gabriel having some mommy time

Gabe and Gabriel sharing secrets

pictures

some pictures that were taken through out the week to take you into the weekend

Gabriel and Biggie trying to share a bottle. GRR! Stop doing that it is icky!


The boys


My giggle monster


Who doesn't love this face?


Kitten trying to hide in one of Gabriel's toys. She doesn't like it when Gabriel tries to pet her. By pet I mean pull her hair out.


Somebunny is too cute!


SO BIG


Gabriel was ready to start the weekend early tonight


I love the little bum up in the air!


Note: Gabriel pulled over Mimi and Papa's step stool today. Look at his head. He did not cry until someone else panicked a little bit. I am sure it scared Mimi and Papa quite a bit. He is perfectly fine!

Back to basics

Gabriel is trying to get use to the routine again. He has taken to getting up at least once in the night to eat. Little man is growing and needs some food!

Gabriel had his one year appointment yesterday. He is officially 16lbs 9oz and 28 1/4 inches tall. GETTING SO BIG! Poor little guy got 5 shots.

I have to cut this short because Gabriel said it is time to play before he goes to bed.

Buddy Walk

Please Join us for West Michigan Down syndrome Association's buddy walk on October 10th. If you are unable to join please donate! There is a side bar on the right side of this blog where you are able to donate.

After we had Gabriel and found out he might have Down syndrome the hospital was able to tell us that there were other people like us. West Michigan Down syndrome Association had created a three ring binder of hope and joy that hospitals hand out to new parents. It was out first life line telling us that we were not alone. We have attended several events that have been put on by the association.

Our family has the goal to raise $1,000. Please help us in our journey!

Buddy walk facts:
# The Buddy Walk® was established by the National Down Syndrome Society in 1995 to celebrate Down Syndrome Awareness Month in October.

# The Buddy Walk® has three primary goals:

* To promote acceptance and inclusion of people with Down syndrome;
* To raise funds locally and nationally for education, research and advocacy programs; and
* To enhance the position of the Down syndrome community, enabling us to positively influence local and national policy and practice.

# The Buddy Walk® has grown from 17 to more than 275 in 2008 across the country and around the world.

# At least 250,000 people are expected to participate in more than 280 Buddy Walk® events this year.

# Since 1995, more than 2,000,000 people have participated in the Buddy Walk® program.

# Last year alone, the Buddy Walk® raised more than $10.5 million to benefit local programs and services, as well as national education, research and advocacy initiatives.

# The Buddy Walk® program is supported at the national level by the National Down Syndrome Society. Local Buddy Walk® events are organized by NDSS Affiliates, parent support groups, schools, and other interested organizations and individuals.

# Most Buddy Walk® events take place from September through November to recognize Down Syndrome Awareness Month in October.

# John C. McGinley, who plays Dr. Perry Cox in the hit NBC show "Scrubs," is the 2009 National Buddy Walk® Spokesman. Mr. McGinley is both an accomplished actor and the proud father of Max who has Down syndrome.

# Anyone who wants to support acceptance and inclusion of people with Down syndrome can participate in the Buddy Walk®.

it has been a couple days

Gabe came down with a bug on Wednesday and sure enough by Thursday I had it. We have been in a house of illness! Lucky for us we are now on Sunday and Gabriel is still looking healthy!

missing my little guy

Grr, going back to work stinks. It is so hard to leave Gabriel at Mimi and Papa Purdy's house each morning. This school year is going to be interesting. I am hoping that is all that it is. I really hope the colors one of my co-workers, I have to work with closely, are not truly evil as she is showing right now. I hope the students do not see these colors. Hopefully if this is the real person she is, she will only show her colors to her co-workers and not the students. They do not deserve it!

I am looking forward to starting a new school year. I am worried about being out for the 6 weeks on maturity leave. I know the building will run but I hate leaving the students like that. We try to keep things as consistent as possible for them and here I go leaving them for 6 weeks mid year.

My little monster is doing amazing. He is getting around and sitting up. He has started to try to pull himself up on things. There is no free time with him around. He had speech therapy today, his eating is improving by leaps and bounds as well!!! He is up to 16lbs and 8oz, such a big boy!

I am having trouble keeping my eyes open. Gabriel just fell asleep so it is off to bed for me!