Merry Christmas to all my readers! With only 2 sleeps left, I hope you are as ready as I am! ;) Its been a while since I have last updated you on how things are here at the Holden House... but I am happy to announce, that we are finally healthy again (knock on wood). Alot has happened in the past month and a half. Lincoln had surgery on to get tubes put back in his ears, which went really well, and there were no complications. This is his second time getting tubes, the first time, however, he had his tonsils and adenoids removed at the same time, so recovery was quite different. I didn't know what to expect, so I was amazed that he walked out of it as if nothing happened!! He's such a champion.
We were able to find him another daycare. Lincoln got signed up for the YMCA morning nursery school program down the road. We toured a couple daycares in our search, but this one seemed perfect because it only has 7 kids, and runs in the morning 9:30-11:45, so I can continue to work on potty training. He was supposed to start at the beginning of December, but has been battling illnesses left right and center since the day before his starting day. (Not only Lincoln... our whole HOUSE!! - Its disinfected now... so if you planned on stopping by, you're in the clear ;) ) Lincoln started it with fifths disease - also known as slap cheek, which starts with vomiting, gives you a fever, then a rash that covers your whole face, and most of your body, and the only cure is time... so that was about 4 days. Then Parker got strep throat, then I got strep throat, then Lincoln had so much fluid oozing from his left ear it was making him feverish - and after 2 rounds of sitting in emerge, he got antibiotics for an ear infection, and has been doing well since, then Mike got strep throat, then I got strep throat AGAIN!!! Its a good thing the whole house was on antibiotics at the same time, or who knows if we would have ever gotten better!!! But, we're better, and couldn't be more thankful!!! So, Lincoln has not started daycare yet, and will start again in Jan. after the holidays.
Lincoln is starting to talk understandably... and it is the cutest thing ever! Parker continues to be his little translator also, which is too cute. Most people (well, most people who know how to understand kids anyways) can understand Lincoln. He is starting to use sentences... not crystal clear sentences, but we usually know what he is saying which is such a help, especially when it comes to him and some of the funny things he does - not that he does alot of funny things, but when you're not too sure why hes doing something, he is able to tell you why. He (we) is also (gosh, i hope I'm not jinxing it again....) "POTTY TRAINED"!!!! I say we because he still doesn't tell me, but he has been wearing underwear during the days and we have a pretty good routine, and he actually listens to me when I tell him to go potty now. Such a relief. I prefer just telling him to go potty rather than picking him up to go to the bathroom, struggling with him to get his pants off while hes screaming he doesn't have to go (when he DOES), calming him down while on the potty, and finally getting the waterfall out...Thank the LORD!
GOSH HE'S CUTE!! I COULD EAT HIM!!
So... last night, before eating dinner, we pray. And Parker has stared asking questions about Lincoln... as to why he wasn't praying. We usually sing "Johnny Apple Seed" - with Parker as the leader. Well, last night, he stopped, and told Lincoln to sing. I am wondering if this is the beginning of Parker noticing that Lincoln is different. I thought I wouldn't have this for a couple more years to come. Although I'm sure i wont struggle finding the right words to say, the thoughts of me saying the wrong thing at the wrong time scares me. I haven't really thought about how I would say it, because I have never been in the situation before. Even Lincolns cousin Zack has never asked (me anyways) why Lincoln doesn't talk. Zack just talks the same way as Lincoln does when they are together... which drives my sister NUTS!! lol.
I have also started joining Down Syndrome programs. I mailed in to my dues to join the London Down Syndrome Association, and have started following a bunch of other mommy and daddy's on instagram who have children with special needs. I was never exposed to other families or parents who live their lives just as I do - with a child with Down Syndrome, so its very interesting to see and read how others deal with their day to days. And to be able to ask questions, or comment on how some struggles can be over taken!
So thank you everyone!! You are so special in our lives even if we have never met before. Lincoln truly is amazing, and has blessed our lives the way no one or nothing ever could have.
Merry Christmas!
Love,
The Holden's
