World Down Syndrome Day

Today is World Down Syndrome Awareness Day. 3 copies of the 21st chromosome (3/21). I love every chromosome my Gabe has, so I guess that means I love Down Syndrome too.

I love his single palmer crease.


















I love his little ears.

I love his almond eyes (and slight nystagmus in this picture).

I love his repaired heart.

I love Gabe and I wouldn't change anything about him (except maybe take away a feeding tube and get him to take independent steps...ha!).

Baptism and Grandma We

Alyssa was Baptized a couple weeks back. Here are some pics.

My Grandma Wehage passed away on Friday night at the age of 96. She was ready to move on and at peace with it. Alyssa is wearing my Grandmother's Baptismal gown in these pictures. It was slightly yellowed, but very special. I've been thinking about my Grandma alot this weekend. I have a very clear memory of being about 7 years old and her babysitting my brother and I. We were at her apartment playing the tile game drinking Tab cola out of a plastic cup from the 70's with Golden Girls on in the background. I would eventually fall asleep on a green velvet couch with Empty Next on in the background. I can still remember the sound of her clock in the dinning room chiming on the hour.

I also remember my Grandma picking us up from school in her little white car on the last day of class before summer break. I got a C on my report card and was embarassed to tell her. I told her about the C (along with the other A's and B's) and her response went something like, "that's great. Lets get a creamy whip"...I'm still convinced that creamy whips make everything better.

Leap day

We're home

Both Gabe and Alyssa were discharged on Saturday. They both have a little residual cough, but are doing well. Alyssa still has a little bit of coarseness in her lungs, but is breathing much more comfortable. We are continuing to suck their noses out really good for the next couple days and it should clear up on its own. I have to call the pediatrician to check in on Tuesday. I'm glad last week is behind us. I'll try to post healthy pics later this week. Right now it's time to catch up on some sleep...zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

Hospitalized

Here is the quick version:
Gabe's cough got tighter on Saturday with wheezing. Took him to the doctor. Responded well to a nebulizer treatment started on steroids. Got worse over the weekend. Fingers looked dusky during his nap Monday. Went back to the doctor. No longer responding to nebulizer oxygen levels dipping down to the 80s. Brought to ED. Admitted. Nasopharyngeal suctioned. Still on oxygen. Lungs slowly clearing. Seems to have more energy today.
Alyssa started with a little cough Sunday. Got a little wetter with secretions as the week went on. Tried to stay on top of it with the bulb syringe saline drops and humidifier. Started working to breath and sounding course in her lungs yesterday. Brought to the ED. Admitted with bronchiolitis. She shares everything with her brother. Suctioning and oxygen for her.
They are down the hall from each other. We are juggling the two kids and grandma's are helping. There are visitor restrictions and they are both in respiratory isolation so you cannot visit. We'll let you know if we need anything. Thanks for the prayers.

February

This is my second week back at work. I miss the kids. I'm still figuring out how to keep up with everything. We're balancing it all the best we can. The sickness is still coming and going. Gabe and I are still coughing. Is it summer yet?
Alyssa is growing so fast. Gabe just loves her and she's starting to watch him. Too cute.

Oh the sickness

This winter has brought its fair share of sickness into our household. Gabe and I (and half his class at school) had a stomach bug Thurs-Sat. Today Gabe is doing better, but has developed a little cough and is still not wanting to eat. Poor guy. I can't wait for the spring when I can open the windows and air this place out. I hope Gabe is okay to go to school tomorrow....because mama has to go to work. That's right...maternity leave is over as of tomorrow. I think I would totally be fulfilled being a stay at home mom and offering volunteer nursing care somewhere. Oh well, I like my job, we need the insurance, and it's nice having the second income. Alyssa and Justin have escaped the sickness luckily. I have washed and Lysol-ed everything this weekend so hopefully there germs around Alyssa are minimal.
Here's to a good week back at work!
Also, check out Gabe's independent standing. He's able to do it pretty easily now.