[tri-med] re-introducing myself

It has been some time since I posted here but I am finally getting it 
together (sort of) and thought I should join in again.
I have a son, Michael, with t-18 mosaic.  You may remember him as the one who 
had a terrible fear of water.  I spent his first year sponge bathing him as 
he would scream and turn purple if I emerged him in water.  Then last summer he 
went into a swimming pool with me holding him mostly out of the water.  I 
think I posted a picture of this big day.

Well, times have changed and so has Michael.  He now loves water.  He can't 
get enough!  He wants to play with it, bath in it and even pours it over his 
head.  I cannot believe the difference.

Anyway, I have lurked for the last year and tried to keep up.  This list 
moves so quickly it has not been easy.

Michael is now 2 1/2.  He is doing beautifully.  He has had 2 dilations for hi
s TE fistula repair but other than that he has been healthy and strong.
He is walking and climbing.  He even runs (not great but hey).  He has 
started to speak which is just such a joy I can't even tell you.
If I ask him his name he answers My pull.  He stutters so it comes out 
my,my,my,my PULL.  He definitely understands whatever I say.

Last year my DH and I received a call about a baby born with Trisomy 21 
(downs syndrome).  She was 11 days old and was being released from the 
hospital.  
Would we be willing to take her as pre-adoptive/foster parents?  We said yes 
but I as concerned for Michael who was 18 months at the time.  He was just 
beginning to walk and making some great progress.  I was afraid he may regress 
with 
a baby, who also has special needs, in the house.  But we took that leap of 
faith and I can't tell you how rewarding it has been.
Michael grew quickly into a big brother role and did not regress at all.  I 
think, if anything, he began to improve more rapidly and challenged himself 
more.  He took more risks physically.
He has showered this baby with such love and affection I am amazed at the 
bond he has formed with her.  We have been told how lucky she is we took her 
but 
I must say how blessed we are she came into our lives.  She has been Michael's 
angel.

His health has been good, he has been eating well and regular foods and now 
that he has begun talking I can't express how happy we are. He has a wicked 
sense of humor and gets himself into trouble plenty.  If I dare to complain 
about 
one of his antics my mother really lets me have it.  She tells me I should be 
thanking God for everytime I find him upstairs pulling apart a toilet paper 
roll.  He got himself upstairs!!!
I never thought I would be grateful for the terrible 2 stage.

Well, I look forward to joining in again and I hope I can keep up with you 
all.





                  Building ___ooOOoo__ Rainbows
                       www.trisomyonline.org
                  Families Helping Families On-line

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