Beach Thoughts

It is Spring Break...a time to head South and enjoy the sunshine and the ocean.  And we have, but today, a storm has settled into the Gulf.  I have been sitting on the back patio enjoying the sounds of the rain and it has made my thoughts go many places.  Laik is inside napping as I sit on a comfy outdoor loveseat with my feet propped up listening to the heavens rain down.  The rain is beating down on the tin roof of the house, the sky cracks and booms.  But still, ever so gently, I can hear the peacefulness of the fountain in the middle of the lake.  It calms me. This storm reminds me of my ever changing emotions.  

 

 There are days when it is easy, like a beautiful, sunny day having an ice cream in the park and hanging out with friends.  We do what everyone else does and life goes on.  Now, granted, it might take me a bit longer to do things (not sure if that is just me, mother of a 21 month old or if it because Laik isn't the typical 21 month old.)  But I do things with Laik just like other mothers do with their sons.  Or do I?  No, it is different.  People that are not around us a lot, most likely, do not get it.  I know that when I answer the question, "how old is he?"  People probably wonder why isn't that child walking? Holding his own bottle?  Drinking from a cup or straw? Feeding himself?  Talking?  and so on.  Oh well, it's my life.  It may not appear to be a sunny day, but it is.  I'm just doing what we do.

Then, there are rainy days.  The ones that just depress you.  Those days are often dreary and cold or hot and humid.  They make your hair look awful and your mood go sour.  The day is just ugly.  Everything is wet, beaten down, and lazy. It seems like it is never going to stop and it just sucks.  Like the fact that Laik isn't walking yet and I still have to carry him or stroll him everywhere.  Or being in the car and knowing he wants a drink or a snack and I just can't reach back and hand him one.  And not knowing when or if any of those developmental milestones will come?!? You get the picture, easy life is made a tad more difficult when it rains.

 So, I wait, I watch, I listen and I pray.  I have hope that in the moments of still, I can be full of joy.  I remind myself that all storms eventually pass. People confront storms in two ways:  they either go straight into it or they run!  I have survived many storms before this one and I have faith that I will survive the ones I face in the future. Laik, is my sunshine.  Trisomy 12p is my rain, but it isn't always a storm. It is sometimes a gentle splash in my face to keep me full of hope for a very bright future. Remember, the sun always shines the most beautifully and brightly following the storm!

 And shine on me, it does!  The beach is just a walk away, the lake, with its calming fountain, is just a few footsteps away, and my whole world of sunshine and rain is right in front of me.  If only, I could make my thoughts be as simple and happy as his....

Happy Spring Break from the Sunshine State!

Special Olympics...Swimming

Every year in March, the pool at GPS is filled with swimmers, grinning from ear to ear, ready to compete in the District 4 Special Olympics.  It is an exciting time for each participant involved.  The athletes enter the doors anxious to get down to the pool deck.  Their classmates enter with them, carrying colorful shakers and signs, to show their support.  Once everyone has their swimsuit, caps and goggles on, the races begin!  For me, it is an overwhelmingly wonderful event to watch.  Being a former athlete, a coach and a physical educator, it delights me to see the participating athletes so excited about their event.  As Laik's mom, it gives much hope that he will one day be participating in an event!  If you have never been to a Special Olympics event, find one and attend or volunteer...you will enjoy it!

Now, who is this handsome guy on the screen?  He is the one and only Jason Wade Rogers a.k.a. District 4 Special Olympics Athlete of the Year!  Jason is a stud athlete!  He can snowski, he plays basketball, he golfs, he is a bowler, he participates in track & field, and he swims!  No wonder he was the Athlete of the Year!  The boy does it all!  Today, his time in the 50m Freestyle was 44:22, earning him 1st place....I'd be intimidated to get in the lane beside him! 

 Jason attends East Hamilton, one of Chattanooga's local high schools.  He is the football manager, the basketball manager, and he helps with the school play.  Just this evening, he had a job interview for a summer position at Camp Lookout.  Jason is a man on the move looking for the next adventure.  I like that in a guy!

 Being just a little over 20 months into our special life with Laik, young men like Jason make me smile.  Also, young men like him make me have tears of joy.  As a result of being exposed to many activities of a typically normal lifestyle, Jason has thrived.  Granted, I do not know them well, but just through observation over the years, Jason's family supports him in everything! (Jason's sister, Jessica GPS '07, is one of my former students)  As I was talking with Jason and his mother, Caroline, she received a text from his sister that stated, "Way to go, Little Fish!"  He immediately grinned and told me that was his nickname!  (Tears, joyful, happy tears!!!!)

Jason and his mother checking out the line-up for the rest of the events.  I left the pool deck with emotions from every side of the spectrum.  The feeling of honor was the heaviest.  I was honored to share time with Jason and his mother.  I have said many times before, the mothers that have gone through this journey ahead of me are my strength to keep my head up and be on the lookout for what the future holds with Laik.  I want to stand by my son and look-up the next event. And I want to look around in the stands and see the support of family and friends, classmates and teachers, and volunteers!  

The next Chattanooga Special Olympics event is the track & field meet....I added my name to the Volunteer list.  Join me if you can and experience something that is far beyond special, it is inspirational! It will be a gratifying experience that you will not soon forget! 

What's going on with the blog???

Hello friends!  I'm back.  It has been quite a while since I have posted, but things have been busy.
It's as if the new year started and we haven't slowed down!  So, here's a quick run down of what's gone on in the past three months....no pics right now.  (It's 2 am and I am sharing the sofa with a bundle of happiness that is choosing not to sleep....his name is Laik!)

1. I was told Laik has a 3rd nipple.  WHAT?!?!??!  Yes, a third nipple.  I thought it was just a little scar from the "slice n dice" delivery!  (it's not like a nipple really, but Dr. Stevens said that is what it is)  
2. Laik has started 5 days a week at Siskin.  And he is doing great!
3. Laik had his first true "bump on the head"....he lost his balance while standing at school and BAM!  Big red bump on the noggin it was!  Nothing serious, thankfully.  
4. Laik is babbling a lot more jibberish these days.  
5. Laik loves "if you're happy and you know it, clap your hands." He will now even clap at the right time.  I have to prompt him with a "Laik's turn" but he is getting pretty good.
6. Todd started a new job (Blessing from God) on December 27.  This has been fabulous, but it meant that I had to start "doing mornings" alone.  That has been an adjustment, but Laik and I are close to having it mastered.
7. Laik has been back to the eye specialist and the report remains to be good.  His optic nerve is small and he is a tad farsighted, but no need for glasses as of yet!  But we do possibly have a blocked tear duct, which will be monitored and re-examined in April.
8. Laik has now seen a cardiologist.  Yep, that's right a cardiologist.  Sometimes, I feel as if he has more doctors than my grandmother!  At a routine visit, a heart murmur was heard.  So, we had it thoroughly checked out with multiple tests.  All signs CLEAR!  No murmur!  YEAH! 
9. Laik is beginning to eat many more solid foods.  We are still quite a bit away from self-feeding consistently, but he does continue to do well picking up puffs and veggie straws.  
10. Laik has been drinking from a cut-out and honey bear straw cup at school and home. He is slowly losing interest in the bottle at particular times of the day, so these are perfect opportunities to introduce a different drinking method.  I do look forward to the day the bottle is gone and he is drinking from a straw!
11. Crawling still hasn't happened, but he is moving around much more on the floor now.
12. Pooping seems to be an issue sometimes too.  This does worry me due to the fact that children with trisomies can have intestinal issues, but Miralax is our current miracle worker.  
13. Laik does experience weird overnight sleep patterns sometimes.  So, we do occasionally spend some quality play time together around either 2 or 4 am in the mornings!  
14. He is growing.  29 lbs, 3 oz and 33 1/2 inches long.
15. He loves bubbles.
16. Swinging still makes him laugh!
17. Bath time is a very WET experience for all involved.  Sir Splashes-A-Lot is good at what he does!
18. He gets cuter everyday!
19. He melts my heart with his precious two tooth smile!
20. He brings joy to Todd and me like nothing we have ever known!

In a nutshell, Living Leffew is crazy busy and on the go!  I commit to getting back into blog mode.  But I want to warn everyone, Spring is just around the corner and this is what's coming up on the agenda....

• Laik's spring carnival and fun at school
• GPS Bruiser softball season (granted, I'm no longer coaching....Laik and I are fans!)
• lacrosse season for our nephews #2, 3 and 4
• baseball season for nephew #5
• first prom for nephew #2
• 5th grade graduation for nephew #4
• college graduation for nephew #1

I'll keep you posted....my sofa buddy is snoring.....it's time to go back to bed....Happy 3 am!