You know you have a child with Special Needs when...

You compare ER's instead of grocery stores.
You compare your child's oxygen saturation's.
You view toys as "therapy.'
You don't take a new day for granted.
You teach your child HOW to pull things out of the cupboard, off the bookcases, and that feeding the dog from the table is fun.
The clothes your infant wore last fall still fit her this fall.
Everything is an educational opportunity instead of just having plain old fun.
You cheer instead of scold when they blow bubbles in their juice
While sitting at the dinner table (that's speech therapy), smear ketchup all over their high chair (that's OT), or throw their toys (that's PT).
You also don't mind if your child goes through the house tooting a tin whistle.
You fired at least 3 pediatricians and can teach your family doctor a thing or two.
You can name at least 3 genes on chromosome 21. (You really know your toast if you can spell the full names correctly)
You have been told you are "in denial" by at least 3 medical or therapy professionals. This makes you laugh!
You have that incredible sinking feeling that you've forgotten SOMETHING on those few days that you don't have some sort of appointment somewhere!
You get irritated when friends with healthy kids complain about ONE sleepless night when they're child is ill!
Your vocabulary consists of all the letters OT, PT, SP, ASD, VSD, IFSP, IEP, etc.
You keep your appointment at the specialist even though a tropical storm is raging because you just want to get this one over with.....you waited 8 months to get it.....and besides, no one else will be there!
Fighting and wrestling with siblings is PT.
Speech therapy occurs in the tub with a sibling.
When potty training is complete, you take out a full-page public notice in the Washington Post.
When the Doctors/Specialist/Hospitals etc. all know you by your name without referring to your chart.
You keep a daily growth chart.
You calculate monthly statistics for the number of times your child vomits, and did this for more then one year.
You phone all your friends when your child sits up for the first time, at age two.
With a big smile on your face you tell a stranger that your four year old just started walking last week.
His medical file is two inches and growing.
You have a new belief...that angels live with us on earth.

(author unknown)

Cameron is 2 Today!

We tied balloons to Cameron's crib so when he would wake up he would know it was his special day. We were hoping to sneak into his room before he woke up, sing happy birthday and see his face light up when he woke up and saw all the balloons. However, he woke up early and I was woken up to the sound of him banging the balloons together.

Cameron - 2 years

Croup

It is so heartbreaking when your baby is sick. To see my normally very active and fun-loving toddler so uncomfortable is very sad. He sounds like Darth Vader when he breathes and a barking seal when he coughs. He was coughing all night long, poor guy. I wish I could take the pain away from him. Motrin seems to help and I did get a few smiles out of him yesterday. At least he is cuddly again - I guess that's a good thing, right? I hope this passes very soon and that his brother doesn't get sick. The doctor says it should progressively get better. I sure hope so!

And I had to leave him to go to work. At least grandma will give him a lot of TLC. Although, this afternoon they are with a new sitter (Yikes!)

Accident

Do you believe in miracles? That was the e-mail I sent to my friend when I found out I was pregnant for the first time. We had given up hope and then it happened!

Have you ever experienced a miracle? Most people, when experiencing a bad situation, say "why me?" and "what have I done to deserve this?" I too have asked these questions many, many times.

Recently I have asked these questions in a positive way. My life has taken a turn for the better.

There have been several instances wherein the outcome could have been different (worse). All of these instances, I believe, were God's helping hand.

This past weekend there was a terrible accident. I keep replaying it over and over in my mind and it brings tears to my eyes every time. The outcome could have been MUCH different. I truly believe I experienced another miracle and feel extremely grateful and blessed!

Thank you AGAIN lord!

Cameron is 1 Today!

I can't believe my baby is one year old already. It makes me happy and sad all at the same time.


Cameron Allan Hust

The Journey of Motherhood

A friend asked me the other day, “Do you like being a mother?” Without hesitation, I said “I love it!”

For several years I suffered silently as I watched friends and family have babies and begin the wonderful journey of motherhood, a journey I so desperately wanted to travel. However, I had to face the reality that maybe being a mother wasn’t in the Lord’s plan for me. I continuously felt like something was missing, like I needed more, like I just wasn’t complete.

And then I began the journey of motherhood. It is, simultaneously, the most enjoyable and the most difficult thing I have ever done.

Before becoming a mother I had an idea of what it would be like, but this idea didn’t prepare me for the tremendous amount of unconditional love I would have for this new person that I brought into the world.

It has been said that “God gives special children to special people.” I didn’t want to be one of the “chosen ones”. I wanted to be an average person with a “typical” child.

However, God gives us what we need, not what we want.

I will never again take anything for granted, I will always have an open mind, I will cherish every moment spent with the people I love, I will always appreciate the little things in life, and I will not sweat the small stuff.

The Creed

The Creed of Babies with Down Syndrome
My face may be different
But my feelings the same
I laugh and I cry
And I take pride in my gains
I was sent here among you
To teach you to love
As God in the heavens
Looks down from above
To Him I'm no different
His love knows no bounds
It's those here among you
In cities and towns
That judge me by standards
That man has imparted
But this family I've chosen
Will help me get started
For I'm one of the children
So special and few
That came here to learn
The same lessons as you
That love is acceptance
It must come from the heart
We all have the same purpose
Though not the same start
The Lord gave me life
To live and embrace
And I'll do it as you do
But at my own pace