Blood work results

We had a good and quiet week at home aside from the kids getting over some colds. Tuesday I took Matthew and Maximilian to the lab to have some blood work done. Matthew had to have a CBC test and his thyroid levels checked and Maximilian was tested for Celiac (I don't think he has it but it's standard to check all other family members- we'll hear results next week). They were such tough guys! Our pediatrician called yesterday and said that Matthew's levels all looked good. What a relief! They did the CBC to check for leukemia, which is much more common in children with Down syndrome vs. typical children. Good news is that kids with Ds respond very well to treatment. So, I was happy to check that worry off of our list and we will repeat Matthew's blood work again when he turns 1 year. Here are some recent pictures of the little man!

Playing his piano. This play mat turns into a sit up piano, so much fun

Rolled under the swing!

Always eating his feet

He really wants to crawl and is always pushing his legs up to try

Michael has been working late most nights lately and sometimes misses seeing Matthew before bedtime. When I do keep him up, he always greets his daddy with a big kiss

So sleepy but so happy to see Daddy

Today's discovery, mail!

Matthew's First Thanksgiving

This year we were so thankful for Matthew! We celebrated Thanksgiving (and big brother Maximilian's 2nd birthday!) with my parents and siblings and my brother-in-law and were happy to host this year. Matthew seemed to enjoy himself but definitely became overwhelmed at some points with the action. It's neat to think that just one year ago when I was pregnant with him, that I said I was thankful for this little guy in response to the traditional, "What are you thankful for?" question. I gotta admit, it's so nice to see him on the outside this year instead of being pregnant like I was last year. ;-)

Family picture

Smiley guy

 

7 months old!

Look who's 7 months old! Lately Matthew has become a rolling machine and is always grabbing onto his feet and going after his toys. Here is his 7 month pic, something fun I always do with our kids each month from birth to 1 year old to show their growth.

 

 

Going after the lion

Look at those lips!

Hello, lion

I'm going to grab you

And eat you!

Yum

Nothing to do with the lion, just a little brotherly love

Local homecoming king & queen

Stories like this just make you feed good!

LAGRANGEVILLE — A Dutchess County high school set the tone for the rest of the school year, and hopefully beyond, when the student body elected two students with Down syndrome as homecoming king and queen, said the house principal. Read more...

Mommy Life blogger passes away

I have been following Barbara Curtis's blog, Mommy Life, for some time, even before Matthew was born, and always enjoyed her posts about motherhood, Catholicism, homeschooling, politics, and more recently, Down syndrome. Mother of 12, including 4 boys with Ds, her writing encouraged me and inspired me in my day to day life. Four days ago, she passed away at just 64 after suffering a stroke, leaving her husband and kids behind. Keep Barbara and her family in your thoughts and prayers at this time.

Cardiology Appointment

This morning Matthew and big sister Maria had a date with Dr. Levin, their cardiologist at Children's and Women's Physicians of Westchester. Maria just had to go for her yearly followup after having Kawasaki Disease 2 1/2 years ago. She wore her heart shirt and heart pocketed jeans for good luck. According to her echocardiogram and EKG, her heart looks perfect and she is clear to go three years before her next appointment. Woohoo!

When Matthew was born the neonatal doctor told us that 50% of babies born with Down syndrome have heart defects. She ordered an EKG and echo and Matthew has these tests done at just one day old. Although we were unsure of his diagnosis for sure, it was so nice to have that taken care of right in the hospital. The cardiologist told us that Matthew had a couple of common small holes in his heart that hadn't closed up yet, but that they should with some time. We were happy that his heart was healthy.

During this morning's appointment, the cardiologist mentioned just one opening (I am assuming the other hole closed) that appears to be a PFO, or patent foramen ovale, which is exactly how things were described to us 6 months ago. According to the Mayo Clinic:

A patent foramen ovale (PFO) is a hole in the heart that didn't close the way it should after birth.

During fetal development, a small flap-like opening — the foramen ovale (foh-RAY-mun oh-VAY-lee) — is usually present between the right and left upper chambers of the heart. It normally closes during infancy. When the foramen ovale doesn't close, it's called a patent foramen ovale.

Although it's common to have a patent formen ovale, most people with the condition never know they have it. A patent foramen ovale is often discovered during tests for other problems. Learning that you have a patent foramen ovale is understandably worrisome, but most people never need treatment for this disorder.

Not Matthew's heart but an image of one with an ASD

The cardiologist wasn't quite sure if he saw a flap to cover the hole or not so we will followup in 6 months when Matthew is one year old. If it isn't a PFO, it could possibly be a small ASD, or atrial septal defect (a hole in the wall between the two upper chambers of the heart; may close on its own). Only time will tell if it is a PFO or an ASD. Either way, if the hole doesn't repair itself it would not require open heart surgery to make the correction but a much less invasive catheter into the groin procedure described here.

Here's to Matthew's little hole closing!

All Saints' Day Photo Contest

In honor of All Saints' Day, we turned Matthew into St. Francis of Assisi and entered a photo contest through The Catholic Company. It's just for fun on Facebook, but we thought he makes an adorable St. Francis. The Catholic Company has a wonderful catalog for ordering Catholic gifts, books, etc. Check him out and vote by clicking on the 'vote' button on the upper right HERE.

Happy All Saints' Day!

Happy Halloween!

Little Pumpkin!

Friar Tuck

The whole Robin Hood crew

Ready for trick or treating!