Thanksgiving

Well looking over the past few months there are quite a few things to be Thankful for.  This is Michelle by the way.  We are thankful for our little Baby “Jack Jack” aka Mason and all of the amazing things he has been doing in his short 6 months.  We are thankful for all our family, friends and coworkers.  Everyone has been so great throughout this journey.  We are thankful for Primary Childrens and for all the wonderful nurses and doctors that took such great care of Mason this year and that will be caring for him coming up here in the very near future.  For those that don't know, we are on the countdown to Mason's next (and hopefully last surgery).  Mason will check back into the hospital in December and will be there for about a week this time.  This surgery will be the "Take Down" that closes up the colostomy site on his stomach and reattaches the intestine to his bottom.  I don’t' think I will ever be so excited to change a poopy diaper in my life!  The next few months following surgery will still be a little bit of a struggle as his little body gets adjusted to its new functions, but we are certainly moving in the right direction and soon everything will be just like normal...or as close as we can get to it.  Hope you all are having a wonderful Thanksgiving.  We are staying home this year as we can't risk Mason getting sick or he won't be able to have surgery.  I picked up some Marie Calendars for Kurt.  Mason is going to get his first taste of real food (oatmeal) so we will see how that goes.  Happy Thanksgiving!!!!  Here are some pictures from Halloween this year.  Grandma Greta did an awesome job on Mason and Mommy’s Incredible Costumes!!!  Mason sure is an INCREDIBLE baby!!!

new pics finally

After at least a half a dozen times of saying that we needed to update the blog with pictures....I am going finally do just that.  Two months have elapsed since the last time we added pictures as Mason continues to grow, change, and develop every day.  He had his 4 month check up a few weeks ago and measured at over 26 inches and just under 13 lbs.  This is pretty amazing as his height puts him in the 85th percentile for all kids.  Children with down syndrome have their own growth chart because they generally end up much shorter than typical children.  He is tall and skinny just like his daddy!  He is still right pace with his milestones since our last update.  He is smiling all the time and doing some giggling.  He loves to be roughed up by daddy and held overhead to do his superman impression.  He loves playing with toys now and playing in his activity gym.  He is babbling all the time and loves to have full conversations at bed time.  I think he is trying to talk his way into more play time before sleep.  We are doing steadily better as a family.  We still have moments where we wonder why this happened and what our future holds.  Ultimately when this creeps up, we come back to Mason and how he makes us happy.  We try to stay in the present and enjoy what we have in each other. 

So here is a big dose of pictures of our little boy:

 

 

Newborn Pictures

Here are some more cute Newborn Pictures (really 1 Month pictures) of Mason and Family.

 

Continuing to amaze

To our few faithful checkers to this poorly updated blog.....we say hello.  Life continues to be busy since our last blog post and thankfully for Mason, Michelle, and I it is also getting much better.  The tears are almost all gone and now routinely replaced by thousands of smiles, laughs, and head shakes of amazement.  Our little boy is definitely something special.  Since our last post he has continued to steadily grow, eat better, and gain weight just like he should.  He had his 2 month checkup recently and was measured at 23.5 inches and just a hair under 10 pounds.  Still on the faintest whisp of oxygen at night, but has otherwise mostly gotten rid of it.  He now commonly rides in his car seat and takes his daytime naps without.  I can't wait until we can totally ditch the tetherings of his oxygen tubes and monitors.

Mason is developing more personality every day and also getting more handsome....must take after his mom.  What we are most excited about though is his continual development not just on par with standard development, but way ahead!  Mason rolled over for his first time from his back to his stomach the day after he turned 6 weeks.  The people working with us from Early Intervention are absolutely shocked.  He also recently has rolled twice from his back to his stomach.  We have video evidence that both have occurred..lol  Most standard developing babies don't do this until 4-5 months and most babies with Down's Syndrome until 6-8 months.  About 10 days ago he mastered this skill and now is rolling over 10+ times a day.  This coincided exactly with the start of the Olympics.  Coincidence??...I think not. 

Mason also has started to smile....mostly for Daddy!  Mommy is just a bit jealous.  However, she is forcing me write that she did get the very first one though.  It is really fun to see his little personality starting to develop.  He is making more noise and moves around so much.  He is always so alert and curious, constantly looking around.

So without further ado....here are some pics and videos our amazing little guy.


New Kid On The Block






Crashed with Mommy




Things that make you go...hmm




I love my Grandpa Harry




Rock Star





Mason and Daddy nap



Cutest little guy ever with a half grin



I wear my sunglasses at night...jk







A Quick Hello With Pictures

Hello to anyone left reading our little blog.  Life is steadily improving and there is a lot less gut wrenching stories to tell and less of my soul to spill out into words.  We still have sad moments and flickers of time that we wish we could turn back the clock and undo all the wrongs that have happened.  But, then we come to a quick realization....we can't.  Life tore through our world like a hurricane leaving devastation in its path and pelting us non-stop with a down pour of sadness and bad news.  However, like the end of any storm, the sun returns and often times rainbows are left in their place.  We have been blessed with a beautiful baby boy and his spirit is filling our life with joy now.  His spirit is so strong and he is a wonderful example to us of perserverence.  Whew....anyhow the whole point of this post was new pictures of our little guy that many of you have been asking for.  Thank you again for the continuing support.  We love you all and God bless.

~ Kurt, Michelle, and Mason
 



30 seconds after laying on a cushiony bed









Business up front.....Party in the back!

He always loves to sleep with his hands by his face.  Striking a pose that would make GQ proud.






Adorable sleeping



        

Holding Daddy's hand


 

 Getting sleepy in the snuggabunny swing



Showing my beautiful blue eyes







Fish Face!