31 for 21 - The T shirt says it all:)!

  

That's my girl!  In a house with 4 daughters, that line could keep her out of trouble for a while!

Sorry for all of the quick posts lately.  I have been so swamped!  I'm sure I will have some quick posts like this one during the 31 for 21 challenge, but I am hoping to finish a number of longer posts that I have been working on too.

See you tomorrow!

31 for 21 - Just Crawling Along..........

This summer, we changed K's program up a bit some days to try to make it more interesting.  We did some activities outside for example.  In this picture, the girls are creeping to the sand box - if I remember correctly, they are being bears. 

31 for 21 - Sleeping Bunnies

The other day, I took K to the library program. She was so excited to sing songs & play with the other kids.  I took this photo during the sleeping bunnies song - it is one of her favorites.

31 for 21 - Today's the Day!

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Today is October 1, which means that it is the first day of the 31 for 21 challenge.  I am accepting the challenge, which means I will be posting a new blog each day for the whole month of October to raise awareness for Down syndrome.  I hope you aren't too tired of listening to me by then!  If you would like to check out the other blogs involved in this, or if you would like to join me in this challenge, here is a link:  31 for 21 challenge

Cardiology Update - Mostly Good News

I have been talking to K all week about this cardiology appointment & what will happen. Usually when I prepare her this way, she behaves very well.  Even at age 2 when she didn't like strangers to touch her at all, she still lay there & was quite good about it for the full 45 minutes or so that the echo cardiogram takes.  Yesterday had a rockier start.  From the moment the technician put the jelly (is that what it is called?) on her chest, K started crying & complaining that it hurt.  For a while, I didn't think she would calm down enough for the test to be completed, but thankfully the technicians were very patient & my husband & I both were there to calm her.  K insisted on sitting up which made it a little more awkward, but eventually they got quite a few good images.  Every once in a while she got upset again, but when we asked her to take a deep breath, it  seemed to help her calm herself & eventually they were able to get enough clear images & the echo was done.

One thing that I appreciate about cardiology is  that we get to talk to the Dr. shortly after the tests are done rather than have to wait a week or so like with many other tests.  The news was mostly good.  The VSD & cleft valve have not worsened at all.  The bad news is that he feels that the VSD will not close if it hasn't already.  I was really hoping that it would be healed when they checked today.  The good news is that because both problems have not worsened & are not leaking any more than they did when she was born, he feels that they will not worsen.  Because her heart will continue to grow as she does, the leaks will be smaller in relationship to the size of her heart. He does not think she will ever need surgery!  That was so comforting to hear.  She will need another check up, but not for 2 years.

As we were about to leave the cardiologist asked if K goes to preschool - he said it is really good for kids with DS to have that kind of stimulation. I hope Dr. K didn't realize that I had such an amused smile on my face!  I didn't have time to really go into details, so I just replied that yes, she does & that just yesterday, we went to the library program as well as swimming after as well.  I guess I should share a little more about our neurodevelopmental program, but time just didn't permit.  My husband & I had a little giggle about this after.

And the funniest part of the day?  K had a couple of nurses & the whole waiting room in stitches when she yelled "WOOHOO"  as we left!  She was definitely glad that it was over......................me too!

Cardiology & Comfort Food.

I'm drinking my current favorite, double spice black chai tea & eating chocolate  - my all time favorite as I write this.  In the morning, K has a cardiology appointment -  I always hate this day, so today is one of those rare days that I am in need of comfort food.  Usually chocolate & tea are just for pure enjoyment! I have no reason to suspect bad news & the optimist in me always hopes it will be surprisingly good news, but I know I won't sleep as well tonight & I know I'll be on pins & needles a bit until we hear how she is doing.

When K was diagnosed with T21, her pediatrician sent her to a cardiologist, saying that he was quite certain they would not find anything, but it needed to be done just in case.  As it turns out, they found an ASD, a VSD, & a cleft valve.  Thankfully, the ASD closed on it's own within the first year.  The VSD seems to be closing very slowly, but that darn cleft valve I am told will not heal on it's own.  But again, I'm an optimist, so I still think that there is a chance :)!  One of my biggest worries is that at this point the repair requires open heart surgery.  I am always keeping my eyes open for news that there is a new procedure that is less invasive, but so far this hasn't changed.

Now, although I am complaining tonight, I do need to say that we have been very blessed with K's good health.  Heart problems & all, she is a very healthy kid & I am always very thankful for that, but if you have a moment, say a quick prayer that it goes well or send us positive thoughts for tomorrow.  I'll let you know how it goes.

I've got to go now.................the kettle just finished boiling again!

Thanks
Laura

31 for 21

During the month of October, I will be taking part in the 31 for 21 blogging challenge to raise awareness for Down syndrome.  The challenge is to blog each day for the month of October - that's right, you get to listen to me ramble every day for the whole entire month!   I think it is a really neat way to raise awareness for Down syndrome.  If you also blog, this is your invitation to joing me!  Here is a link for more information:

The 5th annual 31 for 21 challenge