Random Update

Just so you know our, desktop computer died this week so I don't really have access to a computer. I'll use Aaron's work laptop to try to keep up on our weekly updates, but I won't really have time to read posts. I haven't been great at commenting lately anyways; sorry, I am reading!

As far as a Porter Report, we're going through a transition. Porter is going through a lot of uncomfortable changes this last week. He's been teething. We've seen white gums on the front bottom and now around his top molars (not abnormal in babies with Down Syndrome). He's also going through a growth spurt, meaning we're trying to figure out how much food to feed him. We do pretty much everything baby-lead in this house so it can take us a little while to figure out what Porter wants/needs when we go through these phases. The food thing has been difficult because his acid reflux meds haven't been working and although he's hungry, every time he eats he's in pain, causing mixed signals. Some positives of these changes: it looks like we may be going into a 3 nap a day schedule, P's thinned out a little, making it easier to roll, thus he's discovered new mobility. The smaller gut has also helped him pull himself up into 4 point; it's not a pretty 4 point, but we count it. Hopefully we can all be patient with each other and figure things out.

I have a quick question:

Since Porter became ill with what seemed to be permanent congestion we have slept him on a pillow to help with drainage. We roll up flannel blankets and put them on both sides of him to keep him from rolling over. At the time, P's congestion was scarier than the 1/1000 SIDS odds. Now his congestion is a lot better thanks to ALLEN DRUGS CROUP AND COLD OINTMENT, but he's attached to his pillow. We've tried to take it away and it only leads to sleepless nights. Have any of you ever had this situation?

One Last Thing! Click on the link below to check out some pics from our most recent Down Syndrome Play Date!

PLAYDATE

It was so nice! Thanks again Kristin!

Phone Photo Dump

I've mentioned before that Aaron gets at least one photo message from me a day so I thought I'd share some from the last month. Just for fun! In no order here they are:

{Waiting for Grandma's flight at the Park and Wait}

{He fell asleep mid-meal}
{Porter has discovered travel by rolling and he gets himself in some sticky situations. Of course his ribbon goes everywhere with him.}

{So happy it's almost frightening.}

{This is when P got sick while we were visiting St. George. His daddy was helping him sip some pedialyte hoping it would help with the throwing up. I love the tenderness. These were for my Mom obviously not Aaron. She requested to be on P's daily photo list as well.}

I've been thinking

about a few of the same things a lot lately...

{My Boys! These two men are the best thing that ever happened to me!}

I realize it's pessimistic:

As of late I am overwhelmed by the blessings of my life and the immense gratitude that I have for all the joy I find in my life. This bring-me-to-tears gratitude is often followed by a panic that it could be taken away from me through any number of tragic means, so I need to enjoy it while it lasts. I don't know why I'm doing this to myself... My life has not been hard, but I've been thrown a few curve balls and it's like things have been going so well I'm expecting something to shake my world. (as a note: I'm not asking for a trial, I'm just trying to understand)

Does this ever happen to you? If so does it pass?

Baby#2:

Part of me can't even imagine having another baby but there's another part of me (Aaron) telling me it's time to start thinking about it. Not in the sense that we want to get pregnant right away, but I need to get my body ready if we decide we want to have a baby in the not so distant future. I really do want Porter to have a buddy pretty close to him in age, but I have so many worries and wonders. How will Porter's down syndrome play into his big brother roll? Will we have another bundle with an extra chromosome? Am I hoping we have another with Down Syndrome? (yes) Could I raise a typical kid? Porter's been such a delight so far. Can I handle 2 kids? Will having another slow down Porter's development because I won't have as much time for him?

How did you know it was time to add on to the family?

You're Gonna Want To See These

Porter's Aunt is a fantastic photographer and recently took his 6 month photos. She captured the very essence that is Porter! I love them, but of course I'm his Mommy. So if you have a second click on the link below to see the rest. If you like them, please, leave Rachael a comment!

RACHAEL TYLER PHOTOGRAPHY

Bath Time = Fun Time

About a month ago we had to move Porter out of the sink... he's just too big! We tried the tub with a low water level and he wasn't much of a fan because he got so cold. Well, next we tried the water level up to his armpits and he loved that but it presented a drowning risk. To help with that, Aaron or I put on a swim suit and act as Porter's "Bath Time Life Guard". It's a bit of a pain but Porter loves it! With one of us there to keep his head above water we've learned that Porter is a FISH!!! The boy loves to swim and already has a better doggy stroke than Sydney. Porter is also an expert floater, he loves to put his arms behind his head, kick back and relax in the water. Bath Time was already one of Porter's favorite things but now he gets so excited he doesn't know what to do with himself.

{Watching the tub fill up. It's so cute to see his anticipation.}

{serious face, I don't know why.}

{He forgot he'd fall down if he didn't hold on...good thing Dad was near by.}

{The magical waterfall}

I try so hard not to baby talk on home videos but inevitably it happens.

I've read that at 6 months you can start swimming lessons. I think that would be a great thing for Porter since he's showing a natural knack for it and because it would be good for his muscle tone. I haven't looked around yet for classes, but have any of you ever tried classes with your little ones?

Extra Holiday Pics

These are some photos that didn't really fit into the Christmas post but we still want to share them.

{We don't allow the dog to lick the baby's face, normally. They were playing so well together we decided we need a picture. We got the camera and it just so happened we caught this... What can I say, we're dog people.}

{We had a chance to go visit Grandma & Grandpa Harris after Christmas. Aaron loves this picture of the two of them.}

{This is Porter hanging out at the hotel in the overalls that Grandma Gelter gave him.}

{Porter wasn't really happy with his exersaucer until we let him have the ribbon it was rapped in back.}

{It's a permanent addition.}

{Then he brought it to dinner...why do we buy kids toys?}

Christmas 2009-- Baby's First Christmas

I know, I know, it's been forever since our last update! Several of you have e-mailed complaints and I hope you will forgive me. Hopefully, we'll be back to normal life and blogging from here on out. I have a lot of catching up to do, so let's get on with it...

Christmas Eve...

was stressful. Porter was sick all day long and we knew we might not be able to attend my Grandma's party. We prayed about it and felt good about going. We were there long enough to eat some dinner before Porter just broke down...it was so sad. :( We spent the rest of the night at home.

{Our one picture from the party. PJ's provided by Aunt Baylee.}

{He always knows the second we get home. There is no place Porter would rather be than home. We decided to lift the spirit of the evening by letting P open the smallest gift under the tree. As you can see he thought it was pretty amazing!}

{I was disappointed to miss the party, but it's hard to feel like I'm missing out when I'm with Porter.}

Christmas Day

We've been talking about the traditions we'd like to have as a family for awhile now and since P's with us we decided this was the year. From now on we'll be spending Christmas morning in our own home so we can take things at our pace. We had a great morning together. Aaron surprised me with fresh muffins and OJ. Breakfast will be a special treat when the kiddos get bigger. We excitedly waited for Porter to wake up and just enjoyed being together. Once the babe was up, we got out the beautiful family New Testament my parents gave us in Christmas Past. Together we enjoyed the Christmas Story and the real meaning of Christmas. I must admit there was a little hesitation to disrupt that spirit by opening gifts, but it didn't last long. :)

{Syd didn't want to get out of bed so he found a suitable substitute in the base of Porter's exersaucer. The blanket is so Porter can have his feet flat or puppy naps, I guess.}

{This is my favorite picture from our Christmas. We were talking to Porter about this beautiful painting of the night of Christ birth... it's a wonderful moment and one that I'll keep in my heart as a favorite memory.}

{Oh Christmas Tree!}

{Porter's first present on Christmas morning... he thought it was the paper. We've learned wrapping paper is the best part of Christmas when you're a baby.}

{I couldn't resist putting this one up}

{Santa brought Porter a ton of books and they're going to be well used! They are so much fun to read with him. Santa really knew Porter's taste in reading material.}

{Aaron was happy with his gift... to my relief, I had no idea what I was looking for.}

{Look at those blue eyes!}

{Pull here}

{This picture was Grandpa Randy's favorite he captioned it: "My Paper!"}

{I was thrilled with my gift, new cookware! Aaron must have gotten tired of eating teflon.}

{Sydney was excited about his gifts as well}

Off to the Gelter Grandparents:

We enjoyed an elaborate breakfast and good company at the Gelter's. We were also spoiled rotten. I wish I had a picture of all the clothes Porter got, he'll never have to wear the same thing twice! It was nice to see his Grandparents love and cuddle Porter all day long.

{By the end of the day P had presents figured out}

{Emerie was ready for the fun to begin! She seemed a little bugged that I asked for a picture when there were gifts to be opened.}

{How can you not love our little monkey cuddling with his new monkey?}

The Day After Christmas at Grandpa & Grandma Thompson's:

I don't know how with our obsessive picture taking but we didn't take any this day! Blast!

We had a fabulous day with them. We were spoiled rotten, especially Porter. His Grandpa Gregg searched far and wide to find the spinning globe toy I asked about in Porter's EEG post. He got in contact with the president of the company and requested that she mail the toys herself to make sure they would arrive on time!

Porter don't ever wonder if you're loved, because Grandpa Gregg loves you very much! Not only does your Grandpa love you, but Grandma Nic loves you very much too... she made you a fleece jungle blanket and a soft book. Then your Aunts and Uncles spoiled you as well...oh child, you are so loved!

On that note I'm ending, there will be several more make up posts so keep a look out!