The Latest on John

Yesterday we took John in to weigh him just out of curiosity because we knew that he was feeling heavier and looking pudgier. He weighed 14 lbs. 11 oz and was 24 1/2 inches long. We have been feeding him solids on a daily basis but were real sure how big of a difference on the weight that would make - but evidently, he is gaining from it. We were real pleased with his weight gain.

Speaking of solid foods, we are trying to feed him twice daily #2 baby food. It varies from day to day as to how much he gets or how interested he is but I try to make a habit to offer it to him once in the morning and once in the evening. My goal here is to give him practice with the spoon as much as possible. I also try to schedule these feeding sessions about an hour after he has nursed or taken a bottle. John's preference is the bottle or nursing (when available). So when we try to feed him solid foods when he is real hungry, he gets frustrated quicker with the spoon. But we are still using a normal depth baby spoon to feed him and his menu consists of carrots, sweet potatoes, rice cereal, and mashed up bananas (sometimes).

John continues to progress with his therapy time with Dad. We are currently working on sitting and bearing weight on shoulders in side-sitting. We also do some standing in place to let him bear weight through his ankles - you just have to make sure that their ankles are in a neutral position when they stand (not let them stand on the inside or outside of their feet). We continue to have play time on his back and work on reaching and playing overhead and reaching and playing with his feet. We are finding that the more time he has on his belly, the more he is able to figure out on his own of how to move and reach for those play toys we use to facilitate the movements.

He continues to charm wherever we go. He seems to have his own fan club at church and school that really enjoy holding and talking with him. We have a lady that often keeps him 1 day/week for us in her home. It is very exciting to me to see and hear how she loves John and is very surprised by his abilities to communicate and move. Prior to keeping John, I don't believe she had any knowledge of Down syndrome except maybe some negative things heard from the various forms of media. It really makes me feel good when she gets excited over him. It's like she is surprised that he can do those things. People in general get a real slanted view of Down syndrome; I know that my preconceived ideas were shattered. It makes me wonder that if more people knew the abilities of these children, would there still be the high rate of abortion there is now. That is difficult to say. But I'm so glad that my friend/babysitter enjoys him.

John continues to sleep through the night about 7 hours at a time. This has been such a great help to Joy and I as it is hard enough trying to get to bed on time with the other 4 and then waking up at 6:00 every morning so that we can get ready and have a good breakfast to get out the door on time. So an uninterrupted night of sleep is a blessing and we are thankful.

We are thankful so much for John in every sense. He has really been a content and healthy baby. And to see the way that others (even ones that have had no contact with Down syndrome before) have interacted with him has been a great gift to us. We feel that John is truly teaching everyone that comes in contact with him.

Thank you all for your readership. It encourages me to see those of you who have visited (even if you don't comment). It has always been my goal to be able to encourage and help others that share this journey.