Learning more about our little man and Down syndrome
Thursday, January 31, 2013
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Special Features
I never knew too much about the unique features people with Down syndrome can possess until I had Matthew. Now I think they're pretty cool! When I was pregnant with Matthew the ultrasound tech saw a sandal gap, or a space between his first and second toe, on his foot. This can be common in people with Down syndrome but the general population can also have a big gap between their toes too (like Michael!). We had an additional ultrasound later on to check it out but the maternal fetal medicine specialist said his measurements looked great (and she didn't see much of a space between his toes). This was a very soft marker and one could not diagnosis Down syndrome based on a sandal gap alone. As soon as he was born I checked out his feet and, sure enough, he has a cute little gap. And purple feet... I think that's a circulation issue.
Next are his little features, like his smaller head and his teeny low-set ears. We noticed his ears right after birth. Kids with Down syndrome can be more susceptible to ear infections due to their small ear canals. We've been lucky so far this winter with zero ear infections and the doctors have never had a problem seeing his ear drums.
See that single crease in the palm of his hand? That's a simian crease, or a single palmar crease, as compared to two creases in a typical palm. Isn't his shirt great? People with Down syndrome can also have smaller hands but I haven't noticed too much of a difference with that yet. Also, another feature is upward slanted eyes. We think he looks similar to Michael Jr., who also has smaller eyes like his dad.
Hypotonia, or low muscle tone, makes Matthew super flexible. We always see him on the floor with both feet in his hands and chewing on a foot. At his recent well-check the nurse commented on how flexible he is. I'm so used to seeing it so it doesn't phase me but I could imagine it looks a little silly to most. PT has greatly aided in increasing his muscle tone but his flexibility will always be there.
Hypotonia can also affect his oral motor skills and speech, since the tongue is a muscle. We sometimes see Matthew with his mouth open (and tongue upwards), especially if he's concentrating on something tricky, such as sitting up independently. His speech therapist is happy with his tongue position though and the way he puts his lips into an 'O' but we do see his tongue pop out occasionally.
Finally, my favorite feature: Brushfield spots on his eyes. Brushfield spots are little white spots on the iris that are common in babies with Down syndrome who have blue or hazel eyes. Matthew slept so much after he was born and I just wanted to look into his eyes. When I was finally able to see his beautiful eyes I couldn't get enough!
Next are his little features, like his smaller head and his teeny low-set ears. We noticed his ears right after birth. Kids with Down syndrome can be more susceptible to ear infections due to their small ear canals. We've been lucky so far this winter with zero ear infections and the doctors have never had a problem seeing his ear drums.
See that single crease in the palm of his hand? That's a simian crease, or a single palmar crease, as compared to two creases in a typical palm. Isn't his shirt great? People with Down syndrome can also have smaller hands but I haven't noticed too much of a difference with that yet. Also, another feature is upward slanted eyes. We think he looks similar to Michael Jr., who also has smaller eyes like his dad.
Hypotonia, or low muscle tone, makes Matthew super flexible. We always see him on the floor with both feet in his hands and chewing on a foot. At his recent well-check the nurse commented on how flexible he is. I'm so used to seeing it so it doesn't phase me but I could imagine it looks a little silly to most. PT has greatly aided in increasing his muscle tone but his flexibility will always be there.
Hypotonia can also affect his oral motor skills and speech, since the tongue is a muscle. We sometimes see Matthew with his mouth open (and tongue upwards), especially if he's concentrating on something tricky, such as sitting up independently. His speech therapist is happy with his tongue position though and the way he puts his lips into an 'O' but we do see his tongue pop out occasionally.
Finally, my favorite feature: Brushfield spots on his eyes. Brushfield spots are little white spots on the iris that are common in babies with Down syndrome who have blue or hazel eyes. Matthew slept so much after he was born and I just wanted to look into his eyes. When I was finally able to see his beautiful eyes I couldn't get enough!
Monday, January 21, 2013
9 months old and on the move!
Our physical therapist was on vacation last week... can't wait to show him this video during Wednesday's PT session! I discovered that Matthew absolutely loves the tassels on our family room rug. Whatever works, right?!
8 Month Milestones!
Michael and I both felt that we were at a lull with Matthew's progress and then all of a sudden he took off and surprised us! After taking a little hiatus from Matthew's therapies due to winter sicknesses, Christmas, and traveling, we had much success! He is now sitting unassisted (we've been waiting so long for this) and is working on crawling. He is eating solids well and is reaching to grab his Puffs on his own. And now during our shopping trips he will sit in the shopping cart! Love how all of his hard work is paying off and we're so proud of him for reaching more milestones. Happy 9 months, little man.
Matthew meets a friend
During our visit in Albany after Christmas, we were able to meet another family (oddly enough, my parents' neighbors!) with a cute little 8 month old who also has Ds. Just 9 days apart in age, Matthew and Oliver hit it off as they sat together, looked at each other, and rolled around together. I look forward to many more get-togethers as these boys grow!
Thursday, January 17, 2013
Matthew's First Christmas
We enjoyed a wonderful two week Christmas vacation as a family. With Michael working lots of hours beforehand, it was such a special time to have together. Unfortunately we were fighting off a terrible flu-like sickness for the first week but felt well enough to fully enjoy Christmas and time visiting family afterwards. Thankfully, Matthew fought off all of the germs like a champ. Here are some pictures from Christmas Eve and Day! More updates to come, I promise!
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