Max with Grandpa Rich

this was taken last Friday.
Sorry for the shaky camera. Still getting the hang of it.

This just in!

just took this today about 10 minutes ago.....

Max rolled over...oh yes he did!

yesterday while doing our daily "tummy time" Max flipped himself over from his tummy over to his back.
It was so impressive really. It's a milestone and I hear it's necessary for him to learn to walk - so that's good news that he is learning this new trick.



on to some photos from the last week:

this one is just showing off a onsie that was painted by someone at my baby shower. We had each person there paint one for Max. It took him a while to fit into them because he was so small when he was born...but now - he's rockin it.
And those cute leggings were knitted by my friend Amy. they are SO dang cute!!!




Here is a photo Jerry took that's one of my favorites. Both of my kids near me.
Pretty girl has been sleeping like that for YEARS and I'm so glad she hasn't stopped since her "baby brother" came home.



this was taken 2 days ago at a park in Pasadena. It was 101 degrees out and we were a bit crabby because of the heat.




Every other Friday Max's grandparents - Dee Dee and Richie come over to visit him.
Here are two photos of them - one of Grandma Dee Dee feeding Max and the other was an epic moment of Grandpa Richie sweeping. um...I've actually never seen him sweep in my life - so I HAD to take a photo of it.
He swept the entire house for me. It was so sweet of him.





The other day a friend of mine said " his Down syndrome characteristics are showing more these days"
um...ok. So I didn't realize it at the time - but I didn't like that. He son is sick all the time and it would be like me saying " your son looks more sickly now then he did a month ago ". I mean really? Do you want to really say that to someone who has a baby who has Ds?? I'm certain she didn't mean to do harm. But it gave me another F***ing opportunity for growth. And offers me another situation to express to others what works and what doesn't for parents of a child.
In general - I don't think any parent wants any friend of there's to point out things that may seem different.

And as far as Max goes I just think/ know he is beautiful.
I think hearing this from others just makes me feel bad. And there's more to life then pointing out what it is that makes Max different. How about noticing what is wonderful about him???

I know I will have to deal with this for the rest of my life and Max's life so I figure I might as well start to be his Advocate now - when he is young and get that muscle flexing in his honor!

GO MAX GO!!!!!

We love you and think you are perfect just the way you are and we think you are beautiful. You are following your own markers, growth charts, milestone markers, etc and I love that about you.

Max is ten weeks old....or 2.5 MONTHS

this one was taken this morning by yours truly with our iphone - just before Max woke up for breakfast.


This one Jerry took of the two of us sleeping - and we have been sleeping like this every night. Not all night mind you. It started out being something we did after the early morning (4am) feeding. Max loves to nuzzle in my neck and passes out within literally 1 minute when I put him here. I'm all for making him comfy and I just LOVE the feeling of his face against mine like that. I don't sleep well in this position. I prefer to lay on my "good" ear so I can avoid hearing my dear husband snoring with the "bad" ear - I'm pretty much deaf in one ear which comes in handy let me tell you...
anyhow - sleeping with a baby on me is dreamy - I highly recommend it. As long as you are not really going to deep sleep.
at least at this young age - it's too early to have him just loose in the bed.
( in my opinion! )



This one was taken the morning of Max's 10 week b-day by - yes - you guess it - me - and I look a bit sinister in this photo but really all I was thinking was how ADORABLE Max is and loving him.



This week has and continues to be a big week for Max.
Starting with the Family Easter get together
then Monday we went to the Mom's Club playgroup at a park under the trees. It was wonderful. He was pretty much sleeping the entire time in my sling but I just love that we will be meeting weekly and he will grow up with these babies.

Today he went with me out to lunch at my favorite health food store where everyone loves him and has known him since he was born. I call them his aunts.

Then I met a friend and her baby at the South Pasadena Farmer's market.

Tomorrow Grandma and Grandpa Just are coming over after I get back from the Friday morning Play group at Club21.
Saturday We all start sign language class. we are looking forward to that. And I have heard that most of the mom's say it is one of the top things they did that made a huge impact on their kids with Ds.

Lots of different adventures.
The one thing I'm not liking is when Max is crying in the car. My entire body tenses up because I want to soothe him and make it better but I am driving and he is facing the other direction - I cannot see him ( the mirrors for that do not work ) and I don't like that he is uncomfortable. It's usually because he is over tired - or it's his feeding time and I'm on my way home for that.
But either way - that's been hard. Of course right when we arrive at the destination - he is conked out.
I'm used to Jerry being the back seat with him and it's all new to me to hear him be so upset. He never cries like that at home because we are right here to help!

I reach my hand back and through the car seat so I can put my hand on his cheek or hold his hand and I talk with him.
Just so he knows I'm here - and I love him. It breaks my heart to hear him so upset and I feel so far away. Not liking that at all.

We are midway to his 3 month mark. Can you believe that one?
Next weekend Max will be meeting a bunch of friends that are coming by and I look forward to that as well. I'm also going to try out this thing called Stroller Strides. Yep - exercise with the baby in a stroller.

an update on the vaccination issue - I ordered Jenny McCarthy's new book about how to prevent autism and I plan to read the entire thing as fast as I can in the next couple of days so I can hear her point of view on it.

and to BP: love the self portraits with baby! Thanks for the shout out for helping you along the path of photography and documentation. You are rocking it over there. And Max wants to date Vivian...

Max is longer - not fitting into his preemie clothing and barely in the newborn stuff anymore. Crazy how tight it is all of a sudden.
His hands look HUGE to me. He is much more present - and looking and tracking you then ever before. and he gets a little grin when you pick him up which is adorable. He is so so so sweet and quiet and easy compared to the stories I've heard of other babies. I'm drinking that all in because I have no idea if one day that might change!

I'm hearing a lot that this time goes by really quickly and I really don't want him to grow up! Is that so wrong.
I mean - I do...But - He is JUST SO DANG PRECIOUS RIGHT NOW. I am learning to be present in every moment. And really be with him. doing this blog and taking photos and video helps me to document it because I already have forgotten how small he was 2 months ago and I am so glad I can just scroll back and find the dates and see the evidence.

Jerry and I are loving this new adventure.

p.s. if you would care to read this - it's more on vaccines:
read comment #11....amazing

Oh Max....

ok Max picking my nose in his sleep is pretty dang funny.

and the fact that all three of us are in close proximity is pretty incredible.

This morning Pretty Girl ( aka: my 15 year old cat )
got up in the bed and curled up right next to max.
Jerry took photos and I will post them soon.
She was purring too - which was incredible.

I had a talk with her last night which seems to have helped her out.
She was basically staying away and seemed a bit depressed from a lack of attention.

Happy Monday!
we are heading to a Mom's Club Gathering at a park today.

Max's first Easter

Yes - that is Max there in the green sling around me - I'm trying to show his face. he is past out from all the excitement of meeting his family!

Yesterday we went to Aunt Mary Jo's house for our Annual Easter Family gathering. It was the first Road trip Max has been on - about an hour drive - and his first introduction to the Harbaugh Clan. Lots of Cousins!
Jerry's dad flew in from Utah so it was nice to see him as well.

We found out Grandpa Jerry and his wife Shari and Jerry's half brother Jimmy bought a house here and will be moving here very soon!!

We are really happy about this - and Max is so lucky! More grandparents around to spoil him! I grew up around no one ( ok that was dramatic ) - I mean - no extended family so I just LOVE going to Easter and being surrounded by family and having more family near by will be just great.

I can't wait for the Bass lake trip in July with all of them, and the Bundukie ( spelling ) party in June over at Mike and Amy's. It inspires me to see family put such effort into gathering and making it fun for everyone.

anyhow - I got distracted
Back to the Easter

The annual Easter Egg Crack off.

I'm going to ask Mike to send me photos from the event
But I just want to say - I'M SORRY BARB!!
I wanted you to win already!

I got all the way up to runner up.
It was Max - he was my good luck charm.

Rene was the winner - and he took the stained glass egg trophy home for the year.
Lucky !

I'll try to explain the crack off when I have photos up.

until then - here is the family portrait from yesterday.
I bring my camera every year to take this one photo.
I think it will be so interesting years from now to take a look back at all the years at the Harbaugh's Easter Event.

I'm so glad to be a part of this family now. And I can't wait to share all of this with Max as he grows up near them all.
It was so great to hand him off to each cousin and have them hold Max yesterday. One by one Max got to meet and stare at his family - and they got to see the new member of the clan.

YAY for Max - he is loved by a thousand Harbaughs.

xoxox

*c

vaccinations.....augh

I read a blog entry yesterday that was so well written I wanted to post it here for you as well. It's from Dooce.

Vaccinations freak me out. And then to have a baby who was born a month early and is small for his age and has Down Syndrome - it freaks me out even more. How do I know that my little guy can handle all that crap being shot into him. How do we know that Autism won't be the outcome? How do we know the effects of all the vaccinations with each other in a little body? How do we know my little boy's immunity can handle all of this? Every person is different - so why make them one size fits all?
There are alternative schedules, Dr. Sears being our favorite. And another I read about suggests waiting until he is 2 years old. My gut tells me to at least wait until he is 3 months old so he can be what the regional center thinks of him - 2 months old because he's a preemie they don't count that first month out! So why should we when it comes to these shots? Our pediatrician told us she wanted to wait until he was 4 months old but then at our last visit she didn't remember ever saying that. Annoying.
This is the biggest decision to make up to this point in his life. Heather over at Dooce ( who made the video above ) makes great points in her post below about how if we don't vaccinate - then we are hoping that we don't catch anything - because if we do there is the potential that my little guy could give it to another little person and that person could die from it. It's better said below. But it puts it into a whole different perspective for me.
Potential Autism - Or potentially harming someone else's child.
Jesus.
Depending on where you stand on this issue
ie: Autism isn't caused by vaccinations
or
it might not be caused but if the baby already has a low immune system it can help to push it to autism

also heard that there is a higher rate of kids with Down Syndrome also having Autism.
I can't deal

i can't imagine him retreating inward - not looking at us anymore and not being able to be in the world as much as he is now. It would crush me....But I still believe that vaccinations are important - but I want to spread them out and do single doses.
but I am still terrified, paralyzed by it, and hate hate hate that we really don't know how it will effect him until after we do it. There isn't a way to reverse this.....So then I flip flop..

ok
click below...
***

http://www.dooce.com/2009/04/07/word-or-two-about-vaccinations


***

GO TEAM LANDIS!!!!

My friends Katye and Brandon welcomed their new baby girl today:


Welcome Vivian [to be determined] Maxson-Landis, Born April 8th, 2:45 PM.

She's a big girl, 9lbs. 15 oz. and 21" long.

She had the baby at home in a tub of water without medication.
WHAT A ROCK STAR!!!

I haven't spoken to them yet - just getting updates on their blog at

http://thetenantsea.blogspot.com/

We got a text message at 1:30am this morning that she was in labor.

And Brandon kept all of us informed through out the day on the blog.

I felt pretty emotional when I read some of the posts

It took me back to 9 weeks ago TODAY when Baby Max was born.

It's all still fresh in my mind so I could imagine the emotions going on over at the Landis household....and the lack of sleep.

I love that family so much.
I'm just so excited for them and this new chapter in their lives.

Max has a new girlfriend named Vivian Maxon-Landis!

a beautiful weekend

I have a half an hour before the next feeding and figured I'd post these two photos while I can.
They were taken yesterday on the front porch by our lovely in house staff photographer Jerry Seiner Jr.
For more of his stunning work click HERE

Today was the feedings assessment at the Pasadena Child Development Associates.
It was a Terrific appointment.
EXACTLY what we were looking for in care for Max and not quite finding...until now!
ie: Warm, kind, interested, paying attention, nice, available, listening, great attention to detail, etc etc.
I cannot rave enough about the people we saw there and the feedback we got from them.
SO glad the Regional Center referred us to them.
Looks like Max is doing great and can use just a little help with Oral Motor Development so we get the opportunity to see them a few more times to make sure he is on the right track.

I'm so glad Jerry went with me - he was so great in sharing our observations, concerns, and thoughts on his over all development and feeding issues. I just basically sat there and lost my head as what usually happens when I need to share important information with doctors...I stare blankly at them. Luckily Jerry and I do write down notes on our iphones before we go to the doctor so if I'm ever stuck there alone ( which will be the case more and more because of Jerry have that thing called a J.O.B. ) I will at least have the notes as a reference. This visit however - Jerry was filled with info and was also charming and entertaining as his usual M.O. God I love that man!

Anyhow - I'm going to run and eat a lara bar, sip some water, read a blog post from another mama blogger, and then
back to business with Max and his feeding schedule.

Enjoy your day.
xox

Max Harrison is 2 Months old today!

more bonding with Max and his Papa




Grandpa Rich is feeding Max for the first time. I think they work well together!




This is a nightly ritual. Max is in the sling around Jerry - he is fast asleep and Jerry is making the 7 bottles of formula for the next day. He shakes them before they go in the fridge and I think Max likes it. It's become some sort of dance with Jerry. It's hilarious to watch. And even more funny is that he is entertained by it as well.



another smile from Max



Um......CUTE!


a few moments from this past week.

Today we may try to get Max on Video and post that later or tomorrow.

His birthday follows his 2 month check up which was yesterday.
His current stats are:
weight 8 pounds 12 ounces
height 21 3/4 inches
his neck strength is exactly where a "normal" baby should be - and Max showed off his head lifting skills at the doctor's office. we were all so impressed with him.
Strong as bull.

As far as we can see he is doing great. Tracking us with his eyes, pulling his hand into his mouth, starting to smile and laugh
( in his sleep ), eating enough, pooping and peeing enough, and looking cute in all the onsies my friends painted for him although he is slowly moving up in size so just barely into the newborn onsies right now....

Today for his birthday we are relaxing!
This morning I did his usual 5am feeding and then went back to sleep. I usually just stay up. Jerry got the 8 am one so I could get even more sleep - and is currently doing the 11am feeding time so I can post this and rest even more - so I guess Max's birthday is all about ME! HA!
I was with Max for 15 hours yesterday because Jerry had to go to a show with his boss to do some research on a project they are doing so Jerry is giving me a break to get caught up a bit.
My parents came up for a few hours in the afternoon and that was nice too.

Max - you are growing and learning and so fun to watch every day! I love that I can be at home with you and take care of you every day while Papa is at work. I feel really lucky. And I'm glad your papa is so involved in the process.
Hands on Dad! YAY!

just so you know the first 2 months of your life we spent a lot of time on the couch in the living room doing your feeding time every 3 hours so we had the movie channels on almost non stop.

here is the list of movies we've watched since your birth:

1. Rock Star
2. Forrest Gump
3. A Bee Story
4. Jerry McGuire
5. Good Will Hunting
6. Me Myself I
7. I think I Love my wife
8. Bobby
9. Erin Brockovich
10. Grosse Point Blank
11. Martian Boy
12. Across the Universe
13. Say Anything
14. That thing you do
15. A love story for Bobby Long
16. Juno
17. Knocked up.
18. Mr Magoriums Wonder Emporium
19. Cotton Club
20. Ocean's 13
21. High Fidelity
22. Midnight in the garden of good and evil
23. Dangerous Liasons
24. Vantage Point.
25. Empire Strikes Back
26. LA Confidential
27. How to make an American Quilt
28. The other Bolyen Girl
29. Sex in the City
30. Selena
31. Coming to America

some of these we've seen more then once because it was on rotation on that channel. and others we only saw 3/4 of - but enough to call it a viewing.

Yes I wrote them down.
I started to be pretty impressed with all the movies we were watching and well - I love to make a list.

xoxo

Spread the word to end the word

Family portrait with the iphone...


photo taken today as Max sleeps in his new Maya Sling. I can hear him snoring - it's adorable!


photo taken last Monday when Jerry went back to work after 6 weeks off for Paternity leave.


photo taken yesterday at the Rose Bowl. He looks so happy while he sleeps and listens to the birds chirp, and the wind blow softly through the trees
**

Today is the day people - March 31st. The day we spread the word to end the word. the "r" word.

To express what I mean about this - I am posting a letter from John C. McGinley who writes about it so well.
p.s. if you know someone who says the "r" word a lot please consider sending this blog post to them. ...
**

Spread the Word to End the Word
A personal message from John C. McGinley
Hi, I'm John C. McGinley. I'm an ambassador for the National Down Syndrome Society, and today I'm teaming up with Special Olympics to bring you a message that's important to me.

John C. McGinley and his son, Max
So many times in life you are asked to change...
Change your clothes. Change lanes. Change jobs. Change the sheets. Change flights. Change your tune. Change horses midstream. Change your latitudes and your attitudes!
Change, and the ability to adapt, is to the human condition as air is to the lungs. We change, and in the doing, we thrive!
In fact, we just elected a president who promised, above all else, to "change."
What if, on March 31, you elected to change the way you use the words "retard" and "retarded"?
Hardly seems like the largest of sacrifices. Not when you consider the changes in language that you have, so willingly, already elected to integrate into your vernacular. You no longer use the words nigger, or kike, or faggot, or jap, or kraut, or mick, or wop.
Why would you? Why on earth would you? Those are all words that hurt. Those are all racial and ethnic slurs and epithets that perpetuate negative stigmas. They are painful! And that is not okay. It is wrong to pain people with your language. Especially, when you have already been made aware of your oral transgression' s impact.
Make no mistake about it: WORDS DO HURT! And when you pepper your speak with "retard" and "retarded," you are spreading hurt. So stop it. Stop saying "retard" and "retarded." Those words suck! You are better than that and you definitely do not need to be "that guy."
There is no longer any acceptable occasion to lace your dialogue with the words "retard" and "retarded." Without fail, those words are the stuff of hurt. They, straight up, are. So, stop it! Stop using the "R-word."
The 7 million people with intellectual disabilities (around the planet) who are on the receiving end of this hate speak are genetically designed to love unconditionally. These "retards" are NEVER going to return your vitriol. Ever! So what could possibly be the up-side of continuing to use the "R-word" in your daily discourse?
We love you. We do!
And, just in case you missed it and you need an extra hug? We love you!
You do not need to love us in any kind of reciprocal fashion. You don't. (It's not that kind of bargain.)
But, how about on March 31, you elect to change? A word? Two stinkin' syllables?
On March 31, join us and "Spread the Word to End the Word." And the word is "retard!" It HURTS! So help us to cut it out.
Thank you! We do love you!

John C. McGinley

Learn more about Spread the Word to End the Word

Take the pledge to stop using the R-word

The mission of Special Olympics is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community. For more information, please visit our Web site: www.specialolympics .org.
Special Olympics | 1133 19th Street, N.W. | Washington, DC 20036 USA | +1 (202) 628-3630
Toll Free +1 (800) 700-8585 | Fax: +1 (202) 824-0200| info@specialolympic s.org | www.specialolympics .org

"Voluntourism"

Max learning about donuts at 7 weeks old! Is that so wrong??

**


After writing about getting involved in the community and being a family that helps others - I ran across the word "Voluntourism"

Have you heard of this?

I was looking around the website "Daily Candy"

and was snooping around the Daily Candy travel newsletter and found an article about this idea of going on adventures all over the world with the intention of helping others.

You can join organizations that take you to greece to help the stray dog population get spayed and medical attention. Um - that's fricken cooooool!

So many more adventures.

I read about an organization called Roadmonkey that was started by a New York Times correspondent.

you can find out more about it by clicking here.

I know there are college students heading down to help victims of Hurricane Katrina instead of taking their Spring Break in Miami - those people are rock stars in my book.

It's so inspiring to see what other people have created to help others and to get other people involved.

I can see Jerry, Max and myself joining something like this in our future.

**

Today was our DSALA mom's luncheon. Jerry came with us - and it was nice to meet about 40 other mom's and kids ranging in age from 7 weeks ( our Max ) up to about 2 years old.

It was a nice introduction to the larger community. We went around the room and introduced ourselves and our babies and a little about our stories. The stories varied a lot depending on whether the mom's had the amnio test done prior to the birth of the child.

The one consistent theme was that we all feel blessed to have the baby we have.

Our friend Kristen was there with her 9 month old Sebastian. I just ADORE that little boy and am so glad I met his mama.
Tomorrow we go to the Club 21 play group - this time without papa. I'm looking forward to going again and meeting more moms and kids.

I am Verrrrrry tired. But Jerry has a harder schedule then I do. He does the hardest 2 feedings of the day. The 10pm and then 2am.
I sleep all night until the morning feeding time at about 5 or 6am. I'm trying to figure out how to give him a break and it might just be that he sleeps all weekend long.

Right now he has Max in the new Sling we bought called the Maya. Love it. And Max fell asleep after 5 seconds in it so we know it works!

xo

You are 7 weeks old today!

©Jerry Seiner Jr. 2009
taken probably when Max was 2-3 weeks old ( sorry - I'm too tired to get a photo from this week prepped to upload )


Max!!

You are so dang CUTE I want to eat you.
This week
lets see.....

You are sucking your thumb - but have no idea you are doing it.
You still LOVE to be in a sling and pass out with the wubba nub in your mouth in about 5 minutes of being put in there.
You are more alert, more interested, and more able to have a little time to yourself.
You are starting to unintentionally hit the worm and lion rattle toys that are hanging in your bouncy chair. I think you like the sound they make but I could be projecting of course! You stare at them and seem to be having a meaningful conversation with them or some sort of meeting. You seem drawn to the worm the most, and the bee - the bee was the first thing you ever looked at in your bassinet so we put it on your bouncy chair.
You don't mind a bath.
You are growing! We think you're HUGE! ( but really you are just about 8 pounds right now )
You still eat every 3 hours - it takes you about 45 minutes to finish 2-3 ounces and you love to pass out on my shoulder when you are done. I love that too. Don't stop that please!
You didn't pee on me all week during any of the diaper changes ( now THAT is news worthy! )
Your Grandma DeeDee visited you for 2 days this week and you got to witness how many Jewish Mother's it takes to put your clothes on, fold your clothes, and adore you with kisses and hugs!

Your papa went back to work this week and that was the big change for all of us.
So we get to play all day together and when your papa gets home around 8pm - the first thing he wants to do is kiss you and hold you and then feed you. He sends you text messages from work and he misses you so much! I send him photos of you all day long. Today papa had a meeting with the tennis channel and I put you in the tennis onsie he painted for you so we could all be team Seiner supporting papa. I took a photo of that and sent it to him before his meeting. ( I have it on my iphone so I can't upload that today - sorry ! )

Tomorrow we are heading to the Skirball Centerto attend a New Mother's luncheon for mama's with babies and kids with Down syndrome. Your papa is going to meet us there and join us. We can't wait to meet more of the community and to get started meeting other babies your age that you will potentially grow up with or at least play with at different events. The event is being put on by DSALA. We've loved this place and hope to continue to learn and grow from all the resources they have available.

I signed up for Team in Training tonight - Going to train to do a half marathon in October. I'm going to WALK it people - don't freak out on me. Training starts May 23rd. I'm SO excited. I just LOVED doing the triathlon with them a few years ago and the team spirit is something I miss. They scream and shout for joy at every workout. GO TEAM GO TEAM! We raise money to help cancer research.

One thing I dreamed of doing with our baby is getting involved with the community and help others. This will be our first event.
Not that Max will be training with me - but he will go to the event and see all of us working together to help a cause.

I'm looking forward to all three of us finding causes we believe in and putting time and effort into helping others.

Of Course - we are going to get very active in the Down Syndrome Community and help on all levels for our Max and others to live their best life ever - and to be involved in other organizations - like an animal shelter - or some other out reach.

um...ok - I'm falling over from being tired now - need...to....pass out now.

love you Max!

Happy World Down Syndrome Day

first bath in a baby bathtub




Max visits with his Grandpa today.







Max made his first friend.....a teddy bear that Pat Hunter gave him before he was born.....





They seem to have a lot to talk about......until....



Max wanted to practice his punching technique on him.....



Luckily the bear doesn't take anything personally.

They still hang out on the changing table from time to time,,,

when Max isn't contemplating the universe on his own



My cat is just a tad curious when all this madness is going to end???



I'm thinking - not any time soon!




***

Today is World Down Syndrome day. We've been getting a quote each day for the last 21 days from a person who has Down Syndrome in our e-mail from the DSALA - Down Syndrome Association of Los Angeles

here are two of my favorite quotes:

"Having Down syndrome means nothing to me, I'm special like everyone else. I do not let people judge me for having Down syndrome. The important thing is how I feel about myself. On the inside, I feel beautiful."
By: Edward Barbanell (31)
(Billy in "The Ringer")


"I can get a lot of money if I sell my extra chromosome on eBay. I don't need it anymore."
By: Graham Sheldon (23 today)

***World Down Syndrome Day (WDSD), is on 21 March. On this day, Down syndrome organizations throughout the world organize and participate in events to raise public awareness of Down syndrome.
The date was selected by Down Syndrome International (DSI) to signify the uniqueness of Down syndrome in the triplication (trisomy) of the 21st chromosome and is used synonymously with Down syndrome. The original idea was proposed by Stylianos E.

Max is 6 weeks old today!

Max's first Massage:




MAX!

You are 6 weeks old today!

we celebrated you - by getting each of us a massage. She came to the house and you went first. She taught us how to do it so we could sooth you and know what the heck might work for you. It was so great to watch you respond to the touch. Don't worry max - she's going to come back 2 more times ( at least ! ) and pamper you some more!!!

We all LOVED getting the pampering and want to make it a ritual. Maybe once a month or twice a month. It was the first time we've had someone come to the house for massage. I loved that we didn't have to pack up Max and all his things to make it happen.

This is the last week that Jerry is home for his paternity leave!

6 weeks at home. What a treat for all of us.
As you can imagine - I'm gearing up for a big melt down once he is gone.
No - Not Max melting down....
ME!

I've been so spoiled in having a husband who helps with changing - feeding - playing - holding - etc.
We share feeding times and alternate between the two of us so that we get more time to catch our breath and regroup.

We decided to hire someone once a week to come over and help watch him with me so that I can take a walk, take a bath, eat, or just call people and have a moment for myself. I think this is going to help a great deal.

I'm already signed up to go to 2 different play groups during the week - and plan to take him on a daily walk after the noon feeding time as well - so there will be more going on in a way.

Part of me freaks out that I won't know what to do if something is wrong with little Max.
part of me feels like it will all be ok.
part of me needs to know that I can handle it.
part of me doesn't want to know.

most of all I will miss my husband. When I think about him being at work it really makes me sad. We've had such a good time together as a team - the three of us.

His boss had a baby and never really came back to the office. I was hoping maybe - Jerry could take one day off a week and be with us - but that might not be a reality for us.

Going to cherish these last few days in the bubble with him and Max.
it's all about pampering this week.
yesterday we all went to the hair salon and had out hair done. Max just slept in the sling. He doesn't have a hair to cut yet.
Today - massage
tomorrow - walking at the rose bowl
Friday - checking out a play group for kids with Down syndrome.
Saturday Grandpa Jerry and Shari come to visit
Sunday - we will see! I might be a mess that day.

Today is the 18th - we are going to take another belly photo. We are going to keep on doing the belly shots on the 18th and see how long it takes me to get to a place where I feel comfortable in my body again.
they say it takes a year. I have about 30 pounds to lose. I know I can do it. I feel up to the challenge.

Max is doing great and we are still waiting for him to really smile at us - and not just smile when he has gas!
It's still so cute to watch him and his expressions and try to figure out what they all mean.

We had a dresser delivered last night and we are so excited to have a place for all the clothing we got from friends and family. I think it will REALLY help us organize his life more! ( and ours! )

happy happy birthday Max.
6 weeks! What an amazing life already!
We love you
adore you
want to kiss you every minute
can't get enough of you.