Karate

Wanting to write every thought that fills my mind throughout the day and yet finding myself drawing a blank when I sit to compose them. This is typically how my post begin.


My childhood was a good one. Where I had so much freedom to be a child. To grow and learn from play with my sisters and cousins.  I want my boys to be able to experience their childhood without being pushed around from one event to another all because "it's so good for them" or "they will learn and grow from this".

I believe it is so good for them and they can learn and grow so much from experiencing family life together as a family. There is much to learn in the home environment. Every day task can bring a wealth of information to a little growing mind and soul. I hear parents complain  too often about how busy they are with all the sports and all the extra activities in their life. Then they turn to ask why I have yet to sign both of my boys up for such and such.


I have put Joseph in a karate class. It was not a easy decision for me to leap into this world of letting go of your children. But I knew it would be so good for his Sensory Processing. It has been really helpful with  his proprioceptive system and his vestibular senses. I think its even been good for auditory issues. I thought that putting him in this class for those issues far out weighed me wanting him to stay home. Its almost like a mini therapy session each time! He loveees going. What little boy doesn't want to learn karate?!? Daniel stands on the side lines and does all the moves with the class. Honestly if he could take the same class as Joseph I would sign him up too. But he can only start at age 5. I would justify both in the class if I didn't have to sacrifice any extra time.


So as I desperately do not want to get caught up in the whirlwind of sports I have started, and I am sure I will continually evaluate if  they are the best thing for my little family. Because what is good and better things may not be the Best for my children and my family.
Good, Better, Best

Little boy

Just a quick update..........
The results came back that our little boy is low risk for DS.
Now I need a name for the little guy. Husband and I are still trying to find a name that we both love. We have a couple in the mix.

Little

I cannot for the life of me get my pictures to upload on blogger anymore.
I have tried to write different post about 20 times now and every time the picture part freezes up.
So this will be a wordy post, unless for some miracle my photos decide to work with me.


I am expecting baby boy number 3.Thats right. We only make boys around here.  Right now I am 23 weeks and sick with allergies that feel like phenomena.
 I started showing much faster with this pregnancy. I thought for sure there were two in there because I was so huge. Then one day I just stopped growing. I've not gained an excessive amount of weight this time, which I would be proud of but I know its due to the fact that I could barely eat anything well after 16 weeks. I am having lots of pelvic pain far sooner that the last two boys also. I've come to learn that for me I will experience everything sooner and longer than I did with the boys.
I admit I was really wanting a girl to add to this boy dominant family. However I didn't cry when they told me it was a boy. I've got a name I am trying to get J to agree to and hopefully soon I can tell the world!
This time we had a bit of a scare with the baby. After hearing he was a boy, my doctor showed me a ultra sound picture of his heart. He said "here are the four chambers of his heart, they are developed nicely. However, do you see the white spots on his heart? One in this chamber and one in this chamber?" I looked and could see the two white spots he was talking about. One was easier to see than the other. Then Dr. Phol proceeded to tell me how this could be absolutely nothing, it could go away all on its own, or this could be something as serious as a hole in his heart and its also a marker for Down Syndrome.
Well Down Syndrome didn't and doesn't scare me as much as a hole in his little heart. I have two nieces with DS. I see their potential and I know how difficult times can be with them. Yet I know the joy they can bring also. That I could handle. But Doctors rushing my baby into surgery right away worried me.
Last week I went to see a specialist. The fist thing she did was go straight to his heart and say "yep, it's still there."  What is still there? A hole? A marker for DS? Just noting to worry about? She couldn't say and went on with the amazing 3D ultra sound. He is so cute!!
Later the Dr. came in and told me there was no hole in his heart! Yippieeeee!! However he still has the marker for DS. We talked about the Harmony blood test which my sister in law Jamie had already told me about. Its the newest test on the market for detecting DS. It is non invasive and is only a blood test. It is 99.99% accurate at detecting DS. So I did it, and I am waiting for the phone call to tell me if my baby is typical or not. Either way he is special to me and will be loved for his extra chromosomes or lack thereof.
I've only prayed that I may be able to handle this baby and all his needs no matter what they may be. Because I know far to well now you don't have to have a child with special needs to have children  with special circumstances and needs. Joseph has been diagnosed with Sensory Processing and Daniel has major feeding issues and speech delay most of his toddlerhood. Even if he is typical he will have all of his own needs for me to help him with too.