One Thing

It's World Down Syndrome Day! A day to honor and CELEBRATE the incredible blessing of Roo and all of his extra-chromosome-rockin' pals.

In honor of this special day, an organization called the International Down Syndrome Coalition for Life (ISDC for Life) asked parents, "If you could go back to when your child was diagnosed and tell yourself one thing, what would it be?" Parents were asked to write their answer on posterboard and take a picture. The IDSC for Life then used those photos to make an absolutely beautiful video.

Before I share that video with you, though, I'd like to tell you my "one thing." I didn't get my act together in time to be part of the video, but I spent weeks pondering it. What do I wish I could have told myself? I could write myself a book about how amazing Roo is, what a blessing he is to SO MANY people--not just me. I could tell myself that he is fun and wonderful and handsome and hilarious. I could tell myself that (so far) his medical issues are miniscule compared to what they could be. I could remind myself that this was not an accident or by chance--that God PLANNED this for us, and His plans are so good.

But if I couldn't write myself a book... If I had to pick just ONE THING to go back and tell myself... It would be this:

People--well-intentioned people who love you--will tell you that it gets better.

They are wrong.

It doesn't get better...

It gets GREAT. AMAZING. FANTASTIC.

Just hold on for the ride.

Typical

Roo is delayed in several areas. I can put it in writing, I can say it to your face one-on-one, I can mention it casually to a group of friends--or strangers. I can do it with no twinge of sadness, no wave of mommy guilt. Roo marches to the beat of his own drum, and quite honestly, I love it. It's like God's way of reminding me that we are on no one's schedule but His. Roo does things when he's gonna do them, and we just enjoy the ride.

Anyway.

Roo is delayed in several areas. But not in all areas. He is right on track for the "Terrible Twos." In fact, he's about 2 weeks ahead.

He signs milk and whines and lunges for his bottle... and when I hand it to him, he immediately launches it across the room.

He kisses me... using his teeth... but just a little bit. When I tell him no, he cries and acts very sorry. Then he lunges forward and bites HARD.

He throws EVERYTHING, and when you tell him no, he throws harder--and grunts, for effect.

He turns and hops the other way when you say, "Come here, buddy." And he laughs the whole time.

And I love it.

Don't get me wrong--I still discipline him, and I can't say I'm ecstatic about the occassional bite marks on my cheeks. But I love watching him grow, test his limits, develop his personality and his will.

Today I took the boys to Panera, a reward to Monkey for being a good sport about missing preschool because I had a meeting and didn't have anyone who would be able to pick him up, so he had to come with me. And Roo was hungry and tired and a little on the grouchy side. He signed milk, and as I mentioned before, he tossed it across the room when I gave it to him.

The lady next to me said, "How old is he?"

"Almost two," I told her.

She laughed and said, "Well, that's typical."

Typical.

That's not a word I hear very often when it comes to Roo. Typical usually means "children other than Roo." But not this time. This time he was typical.

Bring it on, 2. I. love. it.

I may have a problem...

In my newly-renewed effort to lose weight and have a healthier family, I made a Weight Watchers recipe for dinner tonight. It is quite yummy.

My first thought upon trying it, though, was "this would be awesome with some bacon."

This might be an indication of my issue with weight loss........