Missing cable

I haven't posted for ages, mostly because I can't find the stupid cable to attach the camera and download my latest photos. Very annoying. I've looked everywhere several times and have now given up. I must get motivated and have another go- the dog can't have eaten it, can she?

Speaking of the dog, she is again in the dog box for stealing a piece of steak off the bench last night as I was about to cook tea. I had it sitting there on the bench with the pan ready to go when Neil came home and I got distracted. When I came back there were only 2 pieces instead of 3 and a trail of marinade which led to Ella. It is lucky for her that the kids love her, as each time she does things like that I am increasingly tempted...!

We are very busy at the moment with Emily starting kindy 5 mornings a week now that she is getting to be a big girl. A bit worrying for mum, but not for her. They had a visit from a fire engine this week, which we have heard all about. We have also moved Ben to Neil's school for a variety of reasons, all of which were small but which added together to form the big picture. Already he is much happier and is learning far more, which is great. I ummed and ahhed about what the right thing to do was, and now that we have finally done it I wish we had done it sooner. Just goes to show that you know what the right thing is for your child, and that I needed to trust my instincts. It's not good when you have concerns and are made to feel like there's something wrong with you for having them!

I have also started going to Playcentre with the kids, and Luke and I will be going 2-3 times a week when Em is at kindy. He just loves it there and I have noticed him learning from the other kids. Luke is a keen observer and picks things up from watching me and other kids really quickly. He is very independent and was busy doing his spiderman crawl up the ramp, through the tunnel and climbing to the slide, where he went down all by himself. He had done this several times when a little girl around the same age came along. She went ahead of him, walking up the ramp. He turned to me and got me to help him walk up the ramp too. Then he sat down and pushed my feet to get me to go back down so he could do the rest by himself. He crawled through the tunnel which encouraged the girl to do the same- usually she has to have her mum at the other end encouraging her, and climbed to the slide and slid down independently. The little girl was too scared to go down by herself and I had to hold her hand on the way down. It just goes to show that although Luke has that pesky extra chromosome he still has strengths that other kids don't have, and that he can learn from others and they can also learn from him.

We have also received news that we need to move to the next clinic at the Champion Centre which came earlier than I was expecting. I thought it would happen closer to the middle of the year. This means a new challenge for Luke and a greater emphasis on communication, but I am not worried about his communication at all at this stage. My greatest concern is the walking as I feel he stronger cognitively that physically at the moment and other kids (and adults) still see him as a baby because he is not walking. I would like him to be walking more before we move on. Also the new group is only fortnightly until the transition to school stage, and because Luke didn't start until he was 1 when we moved I would like him to get another half a term to a term in the current group- after all we did miss out on lots before we moved and we have sacrificed a lot to get him here. However it seems that is not to be, and I am sure he will be fine.

As for the walking, it is coming on slowly. He has made the mental change from walking when I ask him, with lots of fanfare, to taking steps from one thing to another and standing up and starting to walk in the middle of the room just because he can. It's all very exciting, and he'll get there soon. Good thing he's just a wee dot, so it's no trouble to carry him!

Otherwise things are fine and dandy. Not so long ago I didn't think I would ever come to terms with Luke having Ds. It just seemed so unfair. And I really could not believe those mothers who said that they wouldn't take away the Ds even if they could, because then their child would be someone else. I thought they were either completely mad, in denial, or lying! Now suddenly I see where they're coming from and although I can't say I am there completely, I totally get it. Would I take away the Ds if I could- absolutely. But not for me, just to make Luke's life easier. Because he's not the problem, it's how others react to him. And there are things I would change about the others too if I could- not that I'm going to commit in writing to what those things are! We had an IP for Luke this week, and I had no concerns. For the first time in his life, I feel like things are where they should be. Phew! We've got there!

Sunshine Award

This week I was given my first blog award by Nan P. This was one of the first blogs I ever followed, and I love her take on things, and especially her gorgeous grandson Cathal.

So I thought I would pass the award on to one of my other favourites, Kimberly at Driving with No Hands. Kimberly has three lovely children, who are similar ages to mine, and I love the antics they get up to!

I have lots I need to blog about this week, and will get around to it soon. Today I have had to ban Luke from coming to the supermarket with me. After weeks of throwing things out of the trolley, he capped it off today by emptying an entire carton of eggs onto the floor. I had to go and confess to the lady at the desk, and put up with her pity sympathy. At least I didn't have to pay for them though!

What a Difference a Year Makes

Here is Ben on his first ever day of school last year, when he was 5.

Isn't he cute?

Here he is on the first day of school this year.

Still cute, but a year older, and a lot cheekier!

It's Not Me, It's You.

I took Luke and Emily to see the dental nurse today. Em was due for a check-up and Luke hadn't been before as he didn't have any teeth! So off we went this morning. I had let the nurses know that Luke has Ds when I made the appointment, and said I had some concerns that he was missing some teeth. I said I wanted someone with experience with children with Ds, and if not, a referral to someone who was in the know. The lady assured me that the nurse was very experienced, and would refer me on if there were any problems.

So in we went this morning. Emily got the all clear, and was rapt with 2 stickers, a new toothbrush, and a necklace made in the shape of a butterfly which the nurses had made using dental supplies. I loved them too when I was a kid.

Luke was up next. He stayed in the buggy and the nurse had a quick look in his mouth. She agreed that the teeth alongside the middle two in the bottom row were probably missing, and said she believed this was common for 'Down syndrome kids'. She went on to say a few more things about 'Down syndrome kids' before I told her (as nicely as I could manage) that Luke was not a 'Down syndrome' but was a boy. He happened to have Ds but he is mainly just a little boy. The nurse blinked then kept talking. She said that the missing teeth were probably not a big deal, and then when I said something about braces, she said Luke probably could not have braces because it would be too difficult.

I just looked at her. The woman was not saying it would be difficult for any medical reason, but difficult because Luke would be difficult. The little boy who to date has been the easiest of my three children. Who had a blood test this morning, and only let out a little growl of frustration because they were holding onto his arm.

So the mama bear came out. "If Luke needs braces, he will have braces, just like my other children." They looked at me with pity. What is with these ladies? They are probably congratulating themselves for handling me so well. And I just want to slap them.

So I'm sorry to break this to you ladies, but it's not me, it's you. And all those like you, who only see that extra chromosome and miss all the beauty it holds. And man am I sick of people like you.

Climbing

During the week, there was shouting coming from the garden. Emily, whose voice could cut through steel, was calling for me at the top of her lungs. I am surprised every "Mum" in the neighbourhood did not come running! When I got outside, there was Luke, at the top of the stepladder, and Emily holding on to his ankle to stop him from falling. I couldn't believe it. Turns out Neil had been using it when he was working on the playhouse, and Luke can climb. Unfortunately he did not tell us he could now climb, or that he planned to go up the ladder, but luckily his sister was on hand to prevent a disaster. I was impressed that she had the presence of mind to hold him and call out. She is only 3 after all.

So the ladder is now always put away. The ladder to the trampoline has gone too, because he climbed up that when I was hanging out the washing. I spoil all his fun!

Last night Luke took his milk and plonked himself down in Ben's lap for a cuddle. So cute! So then Emily wanted a turn. Lucky Luke was happy to oblige :)

More holiday pics

Luke with Rebecca and Gayle. You can tell what he thinks of this!
Luke was very impressed with his big brother on a real motorbike.

Checking out the working dogs with Anna, but really checking out Ben on the bike.

Ben was lucky enough to have a go on Sam's motorbike. I think it's safe to say he loved it!

Who Loves Pepper?

We have been away on holiday for the past 8 days, and school is starting back tomorrow, and Emily is off to kindy this afternoon. But first, here are some of my favourite holiday snaps of Luke and his new best friend.

Our dog would never sit still enough for this...

or this...

or this!

We love you Pepper!