One Hand Typing

Blame the neglect of this blog on Umar. Even if he is so cute Supermama here has some limitations. My SuperMama powers do not include good one handed typing. In fact at this rate even Mr. Man could beat me in a typing race and he only types with two fingers.

Umar aka Spike has decided the best place to hang out all day is on me. I'm not going to deny him this early in life but at some point he'll have to adjust to time on the floor. He won't be fully denied, I did buy him a baby gym complete with music not that he shows much interest at this point.

I've been reading what I can on Down's Syndrome on the net and I must say I feel for the average Saudi family that is given the news and nothing else. The Dr. who spoke to me just say "They do things latter" and had no other real information to give me. Meaning I should expect him to smile latter, sit up latter, lift his head latter and even walk latter. The way he put it didn't seem so bad to me. But than I went and signed up on a Down Syndrome list and learned latter could mean a child at 2 still doesn't have enough muscle tone to chew their food. Potty training could go on at 5 yrs of age and even walking could develop so slowly I'll be looking for a huge stroller for a child of 4.

Not that all the information is bleak, some children do good in school, go on and play like other children, and have full active lives. Getting to that point though isn't a short haul in which a parent can just sit and wait for milestones to develop as was suggested to me. Beyond speech therapy at an early age my question is what else can I do from infancy on to help my child develop his muscles. They are muscles after all and there must be some exercise, play, or skills which I can use to help him gain the milestones earlier rather than latter in life.

This of course would require assistance, resources, and people to aid me and teach me what to do. Something which isn't given in Saudi other than keeping a child at home or hospitalize them at some point what is one to do? I must say it is an absolutely lonely feeling when it is so hard to reach out to others and get some support, knowledge or at least a sympathetic ear to whatever I'm feeling or concerned about.

But remember I'm not Saudi I am reaching out I am finding information and have at least the opportunity to move my entire household to get more assistance. My first stop is in Bahrain as soon as I get Umar's passport, not only back to house hunting (found one but they sold it) but also to find their resources. I've 'heard' of an Egyptian Dr. who does work early with children who have Down's Syndrome vs the average age of 3 here in Saudi. I've read about a Down Syndrome Association in Bahrain which I'm praying gives me access to more resources. And I've read of various schools in Dubai and Qatar that could be of use to me in the future if need be. But I am of course focusing on as normal as possible life for Umar.

At this point he is like any other child of mine. He is alert in the morning and loves for Mr. Man to walk him about at night to check out the scene. He is a very slow eater which means I do get to cuddle him for an hour without needing an excuse. But this also means in the middle of the night I can barely keep my eyes open and wish he would just get on with it. He moves his head around and pulls it up when laying on his stomach (should I put more meaning on this normal milestone?). He absolutely hates bath time, but I think it is because he tends to be very sensitive to touch (Leyna was the same way). And he is receiving loads of attention and kisses from his sisters.



Mariam is a very big helper when it comes to her little brother. I, alhamdulillah, never had a major issue with any of my children and jealousy. I guess when you start out with twins they are used to sharing their mother's attention with others. This is no different when it comes to Mariam, although considering how attached she is to me one would think the opposite is true.

Mariam has a habit of saying I'm only her mother. She will cry when you tell her I'm Leyna's Mother and Hannah's mother. But she has no problem saying I'm Umar's mother as well. But do not ask her to share her big sister status with Hannah or Leyna. In fact she has no problem telling them to get away from her little Umar which is not something her sisters like. Not that Mariam cares at all but an issue we'll have to address at some point.

I'm tired, I have a load of socks sitting by my bed waiting to find their mates and my house is a mess but I don't really care too much. Supermama isn't about perfection after all it is about doing ones best, putting priorities in order and rising to the occasion whatever it may be. All super heroes have their weaknesses all lack in one area or another doing it all is not something any super hero does.

Right now my main concerns are science projects which need to be completed, making sure that everyone in the house gets fed (Mr. Man's great nephew is staying with us and his brother just arrived yesterday so I'm less likely to order out now) and taking care of my new little man who has certainly blessed this house with loads more love. And of course to learn better typing skills with only one hand.