Sorry I've been absent

Ok...  I need to apologize for being absent from here.  I suppose it is a good thing really.  Seth is doing so well that I haven't thought much about updating.  My family, however, wants to know where new pictures are so I suppose I better get back in the saddle.  I cannot upload pictures this time because I am not of the computer with all the pictures.  I will try to remember to do that in the next few days.

Seth is, as I said, doing well.  He is such a sweet baby.  He will be 18 weeks on Friday (having shared his 4 month birthday with my 30something one on Sunday).  He is sleeping through the night until about 6:30 - 7:00 every morning.  He wakes up happy and talks.  He is quite the chatterbox.  He makes really serious faces too when he is talking.  It is quite sweet.  He has his 4 month appointment on Thurs. so I will update you on his stats then.  He is just over 11.5 pounds.  Still my peanut.  Nathan was 14.5 pounds at 7 weeks!!!  Quite a difference.  

We are also on an adventure to see what we can do to help Seth.  As many of you know, Nathan had been diagnosed with Autism three years ago at 2.5.  We went to see Dr. Jerry who set us on the path of the GFCF diet and supplements.  Well, Dr. Jerry says that there are a lot of things we do to help Seth be more "neuron typical".  Not sure exactly what that means, but we are ready to find out.  Don't get me wrong, I LOVE my little guy, Downs or no Downs, but I want to do all that I can for him to make his life fuller.  Who knows, maybe God has a story to tell with him.

Well, I am going to sign off for now.  It has been a long day and a sad one at that.  I don't want to write about it right now - but for those of you that pray, please pray for me.  I got some hard news about someone in my family.  Please pray for healing and salvation.  

J.

Ugg..  we are having computer issues.  Sorry the pictures weren't with the last  post.  Oh well.  I will provide a better update later.  Never enough time!

Haircut, thumb and smiles

We have had a few big happenings - ok, big for a 3 month old.  

1.  Seth got his first hair cut.  I simply couldn't handle the mohawk any longer.  So, I cut about 1.5 inches off.  

2.  Seth is smiling!!  It is so sweet.  Catching a cute one on camera is not as easy, but he is smiling big!

3.  He found his thumb.  He has been trying for weeks now and finally found it.  He loves it!

4.  He is talking up a storm.  Cute goos and barks.  Love it!

We are having fun.  He will be 3 months on the 26th - ALREADY?!  He is about 9 lb, 12 oz.  

Lost Tooth and First Disney Trip

Sorry for those of you viewing this from the midwest...  yes we went to Disneyland with nice weather.  It was Seth's first official visit - through which he slept most of the time.  It was a nice short visit, 4-5 hours of Disney fun.  The nice thing is that we renewed our passes so we will be able to go back throughout the year.  

I had a surreal moment the other night.  I literally made a knot out of a piece of thread and tied it around Nathan's tooth and yanked it out!!  I actually remember losing my first teeth.  YIKES - I am really a mom!  Sometimes the realization these three little ones depend on ME!!  I think it is because Nathan is starting to form memories that I actually remember from being a kid.  Whew....

New Pics

Just wanted to share some new pics - esp. with the grandparents.  As you can see, Hannah got a pretty big haircut.  Her decision.  She wanted it to her cheek.  I am getting used to it.  Nate got a haircut too and Seth needs one!  I love this picture of the three siblings.  

Below, you see Seth on a large purple ball.  He receives physical therapy once a week and this was part of it.  Susan is working on him holding his head up.  She also works on him following objects with his eyes, smiling, talking, tummy time, etc.  He is an A+ student!!

Love the Star Wars shirt!! Our friends Matt and Shannon got that for Seth.  So cute!  It is a favorite of Nate's who is all about Star Wars right now.  Speaking of Nathan - he is SO close to losing his first tooth.  I will post pics of that when it happens.  

Seth Update

Our little guy is still that...  little.  He had a dr. check up on Thurs. and at seven weeks, he still weighed less than both Nathan and Hannah did at birth.  He was 8 lb, 2 oz (Hannah was 8 lb 3 oz and Nathan was 8 lb 4 oz).  This is only the 25th percentile for the Downs growth chart.  He was 20.25 inches, also the 25th percentile.  His little peanut head is only 14 cm around which is the 5th percentile.  I always wanted a little one and I got it.  He is so sweet and cuddly.

Seth started his once a week therapy last week.  For an hour a week a sweet gal named Susan will be working with him to become more aware of the world around him, strengthening his muscles, and reaching his milestones.  Although on average, Downs kids are later on pretty much every milestone, this isn't always the case.  Seth is already lifting his head well.  I am just waiting for that first official "real" smile.  

Seth also had his first official photo shoot.  Our friend Andre took beautiful pictures of him.  Now we just need to get some taken of the whole family.  (I am having trouble uploading the pics....)

Hope you all are well!

Update - Jan. 24

Sorry that it has taken me 10 days to add a post.  I suppose you could say that I am busy.  It is a good busy though.  

Seth is doing GREAT!!  He was four weeks old as of yesterday which already seems crazy to me that he has been here that long.  He is my little peanut.  As of last Thurs., 1/15, he was up to 7 lb 5 oz.  I am estimating that he around 8 lbs now which is still smaller than either Hannah or Nathan at birth.  It is fun having a little one - neither Hannah or Nathan stayed "small" long.  

We had our surgeon follow-up last week as well.  The Dr. said everything looks great and that other than potential plastic surgery to fix where they closed up the omphalocele, nothing more is needed.  Seth is just a baby at this point - really.  He is on a good four hour schedule, is awake more which is fun, etc.  Although we have already met with Regional Center and he will start receiving services soon, not much more is needed for him right now.  I have been contacted by the Down Syndrome Assoc. of Orange Co., but don't know if I am going to start going to the meetings quite yet.  Eventually for sure, but for now he is just a typical baby.

Nate and Hannah are doing great as well.  Nathan is playing basketball and loving it.  I know that I am a proud mamma, but he really is very good.  He just has natural athletic ability.  Hannah has really come out of her shell since Seth got here.  She isn't as shy, is more vocal, etc.  It is really fun seeing her blossom.  She is currently doing gymnastics and says that she is actually going to play soccer in the fall.  We shall see.  

Yesterday, I got the gift of a nice long nap.  When I woke up and came out to the living room, I have to admit that I was a little groggy.  Nate and Mike were playing Mario Cart Wii which didn't surprise me.  All of a sudden I noticed something that made me LAUGH!!  There on Mike's shoulder was Seth!!  Mike is intently playing the game and Seth is relaxing on his shoulder - I had to take a couple of pics!!  It was too funny!  I also had to snap a shot of Hannah's hair in the trampoline!  Too cute.  

We have a genetics follow-up next week which I will keep you posted with .  Other than that, life is good and pretty normal!!