For Some Good News

Loads of good things going on with my little man Umar, besides he is the sweetest baby around. First up I think I mentioned before he had a small hole in is heart, not anything specifically relating to his having Down Syndrome. I saw a pediatrician in Bahrain for a cold who mentioned he didn't hear anything in Umar's heart. So I made an appointment at dreaded Saad and he had an echo today, it is so small the Dr. wouldn't consider an issue at all. He showed me the new tissue that is growing which will continue to close the few mm that is left within six months.

I noted before how I was impatiently waiting for a tooth to come in. Well just yesterday don't you know he has a little tooth that has started to show. He has found it quite amusing and keeps twisting his tongue around his front gums to check it out. I'm so relieved that finally he has a tooth I thought I would have to go in there and cut it out myself.

Umar has also decided to start feeding himself which is a big step I was a bit worried. He still won't hold a bottle but his therapist suggested because he just might associate it with him being cuddled which is probably true. My other kids were all great messy eaters very early on, at 5-6 months I could easily put finger foods in front of them for dinner and they would chow down. A mess and something that some parents don't encourage but I do for two reasons. 1. It is good for fine motor skills 2. It leaves me in peace to eat with out an infant yelling at me for more. Umar is now among the pack that is learning mashed potatoes are really cool to play with, peas aren't so easy to pick up, and it is best to mash it in your hand and shove it in. Some goes where it should and he doesn't have to worry about if it doesn't.

Having short pudgy little fingers doesn't make this a small accomplishment. It isn't easy to grab little bits with your hands and keep them long enough to insert them in your mouth. It takes practice, concentration and effort to pick up a single piece of corn and get it to the place of deposit in order to nourish your body. For months I watched as he struggled to pick up a piece of corn, or a pea or even a cheerio from his table. Tried as he might it just kept slipping out of his fingers or he would get it and loose it half way to his mouth. This is a major accomplishment for my little man. Isn't odd how some things make you realize how much you take for granted. ??

He makes that look good doesn't he?? A fine mess he makes and this Mama could care less that he may wear his food or I have to dig rice out of his seat. I am enjoying it as much as he seems to be.

We are also back to Bayzura his physical therapist in Saad hospital. I missed her although I can't say the same for Umar. The price increase isn't as bad, evidently loosing so many patients made someone wake up. What used to be 150 SR and than went to 375 SR is now at a flat rate of 240 SR for his 45 minute therapy session. I decided that my little man needs that extra push that Bayzura knows how to get out of him. Even if he screams the entire time he is still benefiting. I will continue to work with the woman here in Bahrain and do the things at home she suggests. Inshallah all will work together to get that boy where he wants to be in the next few months...standing!

In other big news by little man is going to be 1 on the 22nd. And yes I'm a Muslim who does participate in birthdays and will be having a big family bash for the boy. I expect him to use his new tooth and his new found love of shoving food in his mouth to tackle his piece of the cake. Pictures are expected to be taken by the bucket load to memorialize his first birthday. I generally don't make a major big deal of my kids b-days, it is small and all about the family. But consider my b-day is on the 26th I've decided to go all out and spoil my boy and myself all in one shot.

This one year mark will also bring about an appointment with his pediatrician. At one years of age children with down syndrome have an xray of their neck in order to determine if there is atlantoaxial instability . If the xray comes back as abnormal than he will continue to have xrays to determine if he should be with held from strenuous activities like sports. He will also have a thyroid test to make sure that is functioning properly. And we will also go back for hearing tests to see if anything has developed with the possible slight hearing loss of last time. I think he just ignored the test for he turns to me when he hears me and doesn't see me.

So that is all for the good news today. If you need anything else to cheer you up just take a look at this boys smile. Tell me it just doesn't make you smile!