Oliver’s accomplishments-

1. Oliver is now sitting up on his own for extended periods of time!  

2. While on his stomach, he is able to rotate himself on the floor.  

3. He is making lots of different sounds.  

4. Oliver is a fish (or maybe more like a frog) in the water!

5. He is using his fine motor skills to pick up small objects. 

Last month we had an appointment at the Down Syndrome Clinic at Nationwide Children’s Hospital.  We love going there and meeting with a medical provider that specializes in seeing individuals with Trisomy 21.  Plus, I get to meet moms in the waiting area that are experiencing some of the same joys and trials as myself!  The clinic provides family-centered care, performs a comprehensive medical assessment, and works closely with the primary pediatrician to ensure the individual is receiving all the necessary care and treatment.  

They look at not only Oliver’s health, but also his development.  At his appointment we had a physical, occupational, and speech therapist come in to evaluate him.  As I expected, Oliver is in need of all of the services.  As they told me Oliver would need all of the services, I thought I was going to have an emotional melt-down.  I am a full-time mom.  I work full-time.  I have two other kids that play sports and need my love and attention.  How in the world am I going to add all these appointment to my schedule?  I voiced my concerns to the medical provider and decided to look at what I felt is the most important for Oliver to be successful and reach milestones.  We were able to pick and choose!  Right now speech is not a priority because he does have some conductive hearing loss.  Oliver has a hearing study coming up to get a better idea how much he is hearing.   Once the ABR is completed, then I will re-look at possibly adding speech to our already busy schedule.

We also met with the genetics doc.  We first met her when Oliver was six weeks old to get the “official” diagnosis of Down syndrome.  We have opted into allowing her to follow Oliver for a study she is doing on the development of individual’s with Down syndrome and the resources that are used to encourage development.

In May, we participated in the DSACO Run for Down Syndrome.  I have always enjoyed running, but I have never had the desire to race.  When I heard about this run, I couldn’t wait to sign us up.  Charlie did the kids fun run, and Ethan and I ran the 5k.  It was such an emotional run!  There were multiple times I had blurry vision from the tears!  I ran for Oliver, for my family!  And, I had my 9 year old next to me.  It was such a sweet time!

There are days that I think I can’t do this anymore.  Fight.  I get so tired.  So tired of appointments.  So tired of therapy.  So tired of cleaning.  So tired of working.  So tired of paying bills.  So tired of not knowing what the future holds.  Last Tuesday I was at Oliver’s first physical therapy appointment through Children’s and there were multiple occasions when I thought I was going to cry.  I had worked two 12 hour shifts, and I was physically exhausted!  Ethan was sick with a fever.  Oliver had his therapy appointment.  He needed to have more blood work drawn.  I needed to go grocery shopping.  My house was disgusting.  I was completely overwhelmed!  Every time someone asked me “how are you”, I lied and said “good” (with tears in my eyes).  When we got home from therapy and the store, I sat Oliver on the floor to play while I put away groceries.  I looked back at him and he looked at me with his big blue eyes and his big cheesy smile that lights up his whole face and I realized “this is what it is all about”!  Oliver is happy!  All three of my kids are happy!  There are times when we need to just stop!  Stop and find beauty in that moment and enjoy it.  Ethan, Charlie, and Oliver are mine!  My heart couldn’t be any fuller of love for them!