My Son is Not a Blob

When my son was born, I was worried he'd be a blob. Not so. In fact, so not so. I spend most of my day chasing after him, cleaning up his messes. One of his favorite things to do is to draw all over himself with marker. Somehow, he'll always find the permanent markers that I hide and use those because they're the hardest to clean off. Highlighters are also hard to wash off.

He also loves to draw on the walls, the floor, homework papers, and the toilet bowl. Yes, the toilet bowl. I didn't even know a pen could mark up a toilet bowl, but he's proven it can be done.

Today, he decided that the books on the shelves in the library were just too tempting to leave alone. Yep, I now have a pile of books, knee-deep, in my library.

He's also become obsessed with eating ice cream bars, usually my Weight Watcher ones. He opens the freezer, grabs an ice cream bar, and eats it as fast as he can before I can find him. He doesn't like some of the bars so I find those melted under the table, on the counter, or in the bathroom sink. I can't keep him out of the freezer.

He's also become proficient at turning on the computer and clicking his way into programs that he likes. He can manuever through programs faster than I can. On one online program, he can click on it and see someone do the sign language for each letter of the alphabet. He likes to imitate the person and it's really cute. It's not cute, however, when he opens my laptop and proceeds to give me the black screen of death, you know, the one where nothing happens and my only choice is to reboot.

So, yes, my son is not a blob and while I'm very thankful that he isn't, there are days when it'd be nice if he'd just slow down for a second.

What More Can I Ask For?

My son was diagnosed with Down syndrome four years ago,  a few days after his birth. I didn't expect it at all so I was shocked. I remember searching through pages and pages of possible medical conditions on the internet and feeling completely overwhelmed. I had no idea what was in store and I worried that I wouldn't be able to care for my other nine children if I was always in the hospital with my son. My doctor gave me some great advice. He said, "Stop getting on the internet. We'll face whatever medical challenges he might have when, and if, that time comes." Smart doctor.

Turns out my son has not had any medical issues. His heart is normal, his lungs are normal, his bowels are normal, and so are the rest of his organs. Other than when he was born, he has not had any overnight stays in the hospital. He's growing and learning. He's happy. He interacts with all of his siblings. He laughs. He draws (sometimes on the walls). He plays with clay. He can work a mouse on the computer. He is a genius when it comes to all things electronic. He sings, he dances, he performs any chance he gets. He makes us laugh when he raises his eyebrows up and down. He tickles his sister. He gives kisses and hugs. He likes things his own way. He loves to play on the piano. Pretty typical stuff.

He is smaller than other kids his age, but he's so dang cute. It took him longer to walk, but now he runs. He isn't speaking in sentences yet, but he has no problem communicating what he wants. There may be other challenges down the road, but I have to say, "So what?" So what if it takes him longer to speak fluently or to learn to read or to do math or to clean his room (well, my other kids haven't even mastered that one yet).

I'm just thankful he's hea;thy, happy, and he knows he's loved. What more could I ask for?