Well, we all survived the boy's first week back in school! Jacob said it was "OK." Nolan said "It was the best days ever!" He also claims to have found a new "best friend!" Caleb was depressed for a couple of days. He wanted to know when we would be picking up "my brothers" just about every hour they were gone! He's doing better with it now though. I was sad not having them around the first day, but soon adjusted when I realized I wasn't hearing any yelling going on!
Gavin is STILL having seizures! Although, they seem to be less noticeable when he has them. So, I'll be calling the neurologist today. They'll probably just want to up his meds again! I'm all for it if it works, but after months of this.....it seems like we should try something else! Hopefully they will have results of his EEG when I call. Some promising news with Gavin is that he has been a little more alert and responsive with us this week, especially in the evenings. He has been trying to "talk" with us more, having more eye contact with us and has been more active. I am so thankful for this! He still doesn't smile for us, although he gives us looks of contentment and my mom says she thought he smiled for her Friday when she was watching the boys for us. I REALLY could use some smiles from him! Please pray for this for him and me! It makes me so sad thinking that he isn't happy or enjoying life!
I have another request for you. Gavin has outgrown his infant car seat. Not a big deal, except that I'm not sure how I'll be able to take him into the grocery store if I need to. He doesn't sit up on his own to be able to sit in the cart and carrying in a huge toddler car seat would be a pain! So, I'm asking for any ideas that some of you might have. He weighs a ton, so carrying him around is out of the question! He seems even heavier since he's so limp and doesn't "help" by holding up some of his weight like most babies his age do. Any thoughts on this matter would be appreciated!
We are excited about an upcoming walk that is being held to raise awareness and money for Down syndrome! It is being held September 29, 10AM, at Millennium Park. If you are interested in joining us let us know! Gavin's Aunt Jill (Joel's sister) is setting up a team for us! If you want more details you can e-mail her at mandjsteenstra@yahoo.com. If you would like to make a donation you can go to http://www.firstgiving.com/gavinsvoice. Thanks for your support!
Have a great day! God's blessings to you all!
Love, Alicia and Family
5 comments:
Alicia,
Glad to hear that you & the boys survived the first week back to school. I'm sure you enjoy having some quiet. Sorry to hear that Gavin's still having seizures. Hope that the doctors are able to do something to minimize them. I'll try to think of some ideas regarding the car seat issue. The infant seats certainly do make life easier while they last. I have an article at home from the Press (about a month old) regarding baby slings. When I hear the word 'sling' I think of the simple baby carriers, but there are several ones out there & most can accommodate 35 pounds or so. Let me know if you'd like more info. The article lists severals stores that sell them and one store is even having a free class this Saturday (which may not work with it being Gavin's b-day). Hope to see you soon.
Love,
Kimberly
Alicia,
One more suggestion: I just e-mailed you a link to a shopping cart cover that helps baby sit up. I sent it to javanderwall@yahoo.com.
Sorry. Me, again. One last thought: Even though Gavin has exceed the weight and/or height requirements for his infant seat, does he still fit in it? Could he ride in the convertible seat while in the car and then go into the infant seat once at the store and carried in as usual?
I'm so sorry to hear that Gavin continues to have seizures. You all are continually in our thoughts and prayers. Thanks for keeping us posted with your prayer requests and concerns. I hope the walk goes well. What a great opportunity to come together to focus on a similiar situation with other famililes who have a member who has Down's. Regarding your question about a car seat, I have a friend who has a son with several complications since birth, he is now Elizabeth's age, but I rememeber that they were able to get a special stroller through their insurance company. Might not be your answer for the grocery store, but it helped bringing him into church etc... My friends' son was never supposed to live more than a couple weeks, much less eat on his own or go to the bathroom etc... , but he is almost 11 years old and he can talk, walk, and he goes to the bathroom on his own.
He does have several other complications, but he has done many things the dr's said he would never do. Praise God who is in control of all things. I just encourge you again with Trust in the LOrd with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge HIM and HE will direct your paths. We do not know the future for Gavin, or any of us from one day to anohter, but we have a Great and Awesome God who hears and answers prayers.
glad to hear the boys are settling into the school routine.
Patt Ybema
I don't know if Gavin as enough head control, however if he just needs extra support, you could place him in the cart with a purse/bag on one side of him and a grocery item on the other side (bag of apples, melon, etc.) Another idea would be foam blocks on either side (again, he would need decent head control). Hope this helps. Cristi Smith(Nick's wife)(from Comprehensive)
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