MLS All-Star Game

Meg and I decided to make our first outing out without Porter last Wednesday. Meg's mom was kind enough to come to our house and watch our little man while we ventured out. We bought tickets a few months back to go to the new Rio Tinto Stadium and watch the Major League Soccer All-Star Game. It was so fun!!! We had excellent seats on the fifth row in the corner and it was a very entertaining game. Unlike other all-star games in other sports, the MLS all-stars form one team and they play one of the really good teams from one of the premier leagues around the world. This year they played Everton F.C. from England. The game was tied 1-1 at the end of regulation, so they decided the winner with penalty shots. Talk about a suspenseful way to end a game! Unfortunately, the all-stars ended up losing 4-3 in penalty shots, but it was still way fun!

We really loved our time out, but also thought about Porter at home a lot. Luckily, Meg's mom is an excellent grandma and he had a great time!

5 Years Ago

We were lucky enough to marry each other!

aniticipating

a baby blessing

Crazy Busy Week

First off, I stole this first picture from Brittney because it was MUCH better than the one I got. We started the party Wednesday night at the Bee's game with my Grandma T from Idaho and my Aunt Les and her kids coming for a rare visit from Maryland! Not to mention all 6 children and spouses were present which never happens, it was great! It was a good game and we spent most the time just talking because we never see each other!Porter sleeping in his baseball cap and the Moby wrap before the game. I get lots of looks when I wear Porter in his wrap but he loves it!

Kaleena cashing in on some long over due baby cuddles.

Jackson and Cameron, that girl really wants to be a big sister.

By the time we got home from the game, Porter had been up for 5 hours. So what do we do? We go visit with the neighbors for another hour before putting him to bed. We just thought he'd fall asleep but he doesn't want to miss anything so he stayed awake for all the action.

The poor boy slept most of Thursday and as you can see his Daddy wasn't protected from his relaxing powers. I love that Aaron's napping on the Boppy.

Grandma Joy, I put this one in for you per your request for more pictures. He's just so cute when he sleeps...well I think he's cute all the time.

Friday the 24th we went to my parents' to have a big family dinner. Mom was nice enough to take fussy Porter during dinner so I could eat. It was also Aaron's birthday and he got a yummy cake.

We're a big crowd! The night had lots of activities: slip and slides, camping out, a movie on the lawn, girl talk, and lightning over the lake.

Sadly I forgot my camera Saturday, but we started the day off just as you should with a good Breakfast and good Friends. :) Thanks Chris for the wickedly good dutch oven breakfast burritos! We spent the day working around the house. That evening I told Aaron to pick any meal he wanted for his birthday. He decided he wanted to eat out since we don't much anymore with the baby. He picked Rumbi's so we spent a whole $8 bucks on dinner and couldn't finish the chicken bowl we shared! Aaron didn't want another cake from me for his Birthday, so instead he asked if we could get snow cones. I bet you didn't know the Best snow cone shack is not far from our house. We didn't know either until our neighbors told us about it. Now we're addicted...sugar and ice, no wonder it's good!

Sunday we had puffy pancakes before church and they were delicious!

Then we went to Aaron's parents to celebrate the boys' birthdays. I don't think Aaron and Tim will allow us to grow up anymore, they both seemed a little razzled by their age.

Em was trying to drink from her dad's cup and it ended up all over her mom.
Porter and Grandpa Randy.

It was much later than we'd planned when we finally headed home so Porter was tired. He's getting better at riding in his car seat, but I ended up moving to the back with him because he was upset. I took this picture because I love this about my baby. Porter just wants to know you're there so he'll hold tight to your finger, calm down, and sleep. He's the sweetest thing!

Projected Chunky Monkey

All that time eating has paid off for Porter. He has gained 1 1/2lbs in 2 weeks, making him a chunky 7 lbs 15 oz.! However, he also grew another 2 inches in length so he still doesn't have a ton of meat on his bones, but we're working on it. I'm so proud of my little man!

We [Heart] You Porter

[Title courtesy of Aaron]

I just wanted to let you all know that the cardiology team didn't find anything wrong in Porter's heart exam!!! They did a series of tests on him and he tolerated the invasion of his space pretty well, with the exception of one where he got really angry about not having control of his head. His daddy held his hand through the whole thing and that seemed to be enough for Porter, "Oh my Dad's right here, everything is fine."

The hardest part of the day for me was having to leave the hospital right before they started testing Porter to go to my doctor's appointment. The whole time I was away from my little boy I had to hold back the tears. I kept thinking about all the possible problems we'd read about and the thought of Porter going through open heart surgery wouldn't leave me. I just felt like I should be with my baby if they did find a problem. Once I did get back to him my world was restored to the proper order of things and my fear went away.

The doctors told us there are some things that down syndrome children struggle with that can cause heart problems later in life but as far as starting off Porter is perfect! We took a picture of Porter with electrode pads all across his chest and little body but lost it. So, you'll just have to enjoy these few pics from my phone.

{This is what we affectionately refer to as the "MILK COMA"}{A close up}
{Aaron playing with the baby and Sydney desperately trying to get Aaron's attention back. We spoiled the puppy too much during his first year. Syd's protective of Porter and loves him, but that doesn't mean he's not jealous!}

Did you miss me?

If you thought I died I wouldn't blame you! Sorry, for the gaping hole between my posts, but what can I say these days are all about PORTER!!! So in an effort to get caught up I'm just going to list little tid-bits of what's been going on with us.{He loves his thumb}

• Porter's weight gain is on the low side so the last few weeks have been filled with research and seeking out help to find ways to help him gain. Still open to suggestions if you've got them. This has resulted in him eating much more frequently and I'm going to use that as an excuse for not posting.

{It never fails he always gets his hands out}

• I never thought I'd see the day when I would have a hard time eating enough to meet my calorie count. I feel like I'm eating a TON but then I count them up and still have a thousand to go. The joys of nursing! Can we say, "Time for some Haagen-Dazs!"
  
• We had a wonderful visit from Treesha who works for "Sharing Down Syndrome Arizona." She brought me a small library of books, t-shirts, and two teddy bears. She was so fun to have around because she absolutely loved Porter. The information she brought has been and I'm sure it will continue to be a blessing.
• Porter had an intake evaluation last week for early interventions and it was so interesting. A nurse and special educator who specialize in early childhood development came to our house to work with him. They were both impressed with his strength and the nurse kept saying, "You shouldn't be doing this yet, baby!" She also gave us some bad news...She predicts Porter will be an early crawler because he's so squirmy. :( Together with these specialists we'll write a plan for Porter's development and they'll teach me how to help him along the way. I'm so excited!!!
• Even with the low weight gain Porter out grew his preemie clothes 2 weeks ago! YAY, but a little sad too.
• We had a fun 4th of July with Aaron's family which included good food, good company, and a late drive home.
• Porter had another hearing test. There wasn't a change so we'll try one more time in a few weeks.
• Porter smiles at Aaron every day when he gets home from work! (yes I'm jealous) These are the only consistent smiles we get, althought, patty cake works most of the time.
  

{All my boys just sleeping}

• Lastly, in case I disappear again...Please pray for us on Friday. Porter is having an echo cardiogram done in hopes of confirming a healthy heart. We'll be meeting with a cardiologist. Even though it's just routine it's still nerve racking.
  

See I told ya...life is all about Porter