Rambling Update

Here's a boring "Christmas letter"-type blog post to get everyone caught up with what life looks like for us these days (and a bonus video at the end!) I'll ramble atch'a a little from oldest to youngest...

Russell continues to thrive at PG&E. I'm so thankful he gets up every morning excited to work hard for his employer, but he's also excited to come home to his family at the end of the day. He gives himself freely to encouraging other men to love God and love their families and also helps with teaching the Word at our church and serving as a deacon. He keeps threatening to go on "Atkins" again, as his belt has gotten a little tighter. He doesn't have the flexibility in his wardrobe that I do (elastic-waist pants, oh yes.) I'm so thankful for this wonderful husband who is a true Christ-like servant-leader for our family.

My days are packed with carting the kids around to school, piano lessons, and swim lessons starting on Monday for Sarah. The younger kids will start swimming next month. Ben still takes 30 - 45 mins to eat and I usually read some on my iPad or kindle while he goes at it. Then I keep the laundry, dishes and food going, and squeeze in Ruth's school lessons. I meet with a ladies Bible study group every other week and get some park days with friends from time to time. I also help with leading singing at church and in the nursery. I enjoy exercising at our gym when I take the time to do it, but it's easy to find other ways to spend my time these days!

Phillip is a sophomore at Cornerstone. 4.0 GPA, accomplished pianist, budding guitarist and choir nerd, lousy soccer player (but he loves it), kids Sunday School volunteer and church pianist when I twist his arm :-) He's also learning to drive so I don't have to cart him around everywhere forever (although I think that's what he'd prefer).

Sarah is in 4th grade at Cornerstone also. She loves it but has had to work hard (homework was quite a shock!). She also takes piano lessons and is doing swim team instead of Little League this year (although she really can keep up with the boys in baseball.)  I miss having her home since she's so helpful with her younger siblings and chores around the house!

Ruth is in 1st grade at Highview Academy (our homeschool). She's very bright and easy to teach, although math fact tests are not her favorite. Ruth reads well and finishes all the books we get from the library within the first 24 hrs!

Paul is in preschool at Highview and loves learning whatever Ruth is learning. He has a natural golf swing and often takes his putter out to the back yard to work on his short game.

Mary, I'm happy to report, is finally potty-trained! When I got my act together and decided to lose the diapers she got with the program in no time. She talks a mile a minuet, loves baby Ben, and is quite a mischievous almost-three-year-old. Gotta watch that one...

Ben is doing just great. He's settled into a good feeding/sleeping routine and is a happy, content little dude! He's growing at a slower pace, but that's normal for Trisomy 21 babies. We haven't started any therapies with him yet, but probably will in the next few months. Meanwhile, his siblings give him lots of physical, occupational, and speech therapy every day!



Thus concludes this edition of "Random Tales from Lowerydom." If I had more interesting things to say or more time to post this blog might see more action. But I'll probably just stick to posting photos of the kids :-)

CO Photos and Ben Update

Here's a long awaited blog update!  

We went to visit Grandma Bobbi and Grandpa Ed at the end of December!

Phillip shoveled the driveway!

Lots of time chillin'!

A walk with Grandma.  We didn't go far - it was COLD!

Paul thought shorts and t-shirt were a good idea for about 5 minutes.

We went to church together!

Snow fun with Uncle Dave and cousins!

Not the normal peace and quiet they were used to!

And here's a little Ben update:
 
We just got back from his 4month check-up with the pediatrician and Ben's doing just great (I didn't need the Dr. to tell me that).

He's just shy of 11 lbs which puts him solidly in the 30th percentile on the Down syndrome chart for weight. He's definitely outgrown all his 0-3 month onsies and sleepers - I love that he's growing well, it's just always sad to put away those tiny clothes! We're very pleased breastfeeding is trucking along and that he's so healthy! I'll have to do better about giving him more tummy time and "wearing" him more. With my other babies I purposely tried to DELAY their mobility (tummy time leads to rolling which leads to sitting which leads to crawling and no one wants that!) But Ben may actually need the help with muscle development that these activities can provide. He sure seems to be plenty strong, though, as we've noticed him trying to sit up lately (doing little mini crunches).

We all just love Ben and are so thankful God decided to bring him to this planet.

58 Seconds of Cute

Life is cruising along here in our busy, cozy and crazy home.  Ben is doing all the normal stuff a two-month-old baby does including smiling and cooing.  You know you want to see that:

I know he's going to have physical and mental delays of some sort, but we haven't seen any yet (other than still taking FOREVER to finish a meal!).  I also enjoy getting all the "oh what a cute baby" comments from people we meet, but in the back of my mind I know they can't tell he has Down syndrome yet.  But they're right, he sure is cute!

Quick Pic...

Sorry for the lack of pictures, etc. - just busy times around here!  But here's a shot of Ben working on smiling at me.  He likes me a lot :-)  I'll try to get some more bloggin' done one of these days...

Ben update

In our last installment I mentioned a renewed effort at breastfeeding Ben.  Well, I'm going to declare success!  Breastfeeding doesn't have to be perfect to be successful, right?  I'm more than willing to discuss the details with any of my girlfriends who'd like more info, but basically Ben's getting everything directly from me, no bottles!

yes, he's sleeping again, but I thought this one was cute w/ his tongue sticking out :-)

At his check-up with our pediatrician this morning his weight was not what I hoped, but the Dr. is satisfied.  Ben's still trucking along on the 25th percentile on the DS weight chart, so as long as he doesn't drop his ranking we'll be o.k.  He's messing plenty of diapers and has longer chunks of alert time during the day.  Ben seems content with his food intake so I have to be content with his tininess :-)

So, a big "Thanks" to everyone who encouraged us, prayed, and helped with tips and advice!  I have to say, shortly after bringing Ben home I would have bet against us getting this breastfeeding business worked out.  I'm surprised at how well he's doing at it!  And I actually don't think I would have been all that disappointed if we had to switch to formula.  There are millions of babies who are fed formula and grow up to be healthy, smart, fully functional human beings.  Bottles have benefits too, like being able to leave the baby with a sitter, letting Daddy do some of the feeding work, and mom not having to feel like she's part dairy cow for a year or more!  But I'm so enjoying Ben, settling into more of a "groove," and thankful for God's provision!

Baby Ben is one month old!

Eyes open!

He's still a tiny little guy, but has gained a whole pound since birth - now up to 7lbs 11oz.  This puts him somewhere around the 30th percentile on the Down syndrome growth chart.  He saw the cardiologist today and got a good report.  Just a tiny hole in his heart, but nothing that will cause any symptoms or require treatment.  I'm redoubling our efforts at breastfeeding -- I'd really like to switch him over from the bottles so I can stop using the dreaded pump!  All in all we're doing so well!  So thankful he's a healthy boy and a good sleeper at night.  Can't wait to start seeing smiles from this guy!

Ben at home

Big Sis 'n Ben

I don't feel quite as tired as I look

Paul likes having a little brother

Awake time (not!)