I cannot tell you how many times I have noticed people (usually older people) watching me (or I guess I should say Cobester) from a distance. Most of the time they get the courage to approach us, and when they do, they say something like "I was so drawn in by your baby, I just wanted to take a closer look". Sometimes they notice Traits of Down syndrome and then realize why they were drawn in, sometimes they don't. But they all recognize his strong spirit. Pretty amazing. They always tell me how beautifull he is, and they usually have some kind of story for me, or words of encouragement. I can't tell you what a comfort it is to me that people, not just my family, accept him and love him, and they don't even know him. They don't have to know him for very long to feel his sweet spirit. I had it happen, yet again, while I was at the store today. So thank you to all of you who have given such great support to Cobester and our family. Your support has given me great strength, when others, who are ignorant to the world of children with dissabilities, say derogatory remarks without realizing that they are being offensive. I have found the strength to say "It hurts my feelings that you feel that way about a group of children that you know nothing about. Maybe I should bring my son in for you to hold. Maybe that would change your mind on the way that you feel about children with special needs". Support from friends and family has softened my heart, and has helped me learn to be defensive in a kind way when the storm blows, and in turn, has proven to be a good teaching tool to those who are ignorant. THANK YOU ALL!!!!

Victory for the Cobee!

The Cobee has mastered the art of rolling over! Some of you may recognize how significant this is for a baby only 5 months old with Down syndrome, and some of you may not. They usually don't start to roll over for several more months due to low muscle tone in their bodies. But not the Cobester!! It is amazing to me how much I have taken for granted all of the little things, like rolling over, for instance, that came so easily for my other boys. I guess sometimes I lose site of the miracles that take place every day. I didn't realize how much of a miracle rolling over is, or even a baby that can nurse without difficulty, or a baby being able to hold up his head, or how much of a miracle it is for a baby to grasp onto a toy. The list could go on and on. It takes hard work and effort on all of our parts, especially Cobee's, in order for him to master milestones of development. Each milestone reached and mastered is a victory none the less, and causes reason to celebrate. Too bad I didn't realize that 3 boys ago! Thanks for keeping me grounded Cobester!

Therapies

These are pictures at a session of his physical therapy and a session of his occupational therapy. Speech therapy is no fun to take pictures of. His speech therapist works on stengthening his jaw and helping the muscles in his tongue and neck get the excersises they need in order to develope strength needed for speech developement. I don't have any pictures of his developmental therapy available either. It is about the same as occupational therapy--at least for now. It will change when he gets older. Regardless- aren't we so lucky to have these therapies and all of the dedicated people who help the Cobester?!? Cobester works soooo hard at his therapies! He is self-motivated, which is encouraging to us because one trait that most Down syndrome children share is lack of motivation- They naturally have low muscle tone, so everything is more challenging for them, making them not want to try as hard. Thankfully, Cobee has genetics on his side!!!

What's wrong with your baby?

Today I took my baby boy into my old work environement to show him off to my friends there. Most of them did not know about him. When I turned him around from my shoulder,one of the girls there asked, "What's wrong with your baby?" I replied with, "What do you mean?" She said, "Well, he doesn't look like your other boys." I said, "He looks a lot like my oldest son. He has Down syndrome...." She said, "I can tell!" I said..."but that's what makes him so right." Everyone was silent, and I walked away. Later, I got a few texts from some that were ther to tell me that he was so cute and that there was no way that they could tell. It is okay. It had to happen sometime. This was a first and I am sure that this is not going to be the last.

Captain Cobee

I love this story. My boys constanly play super heros or something of the sort. They are so good about including Cobee in their role play. The other day, they were playing pirates and they deemed Cobee their Capian. They were calling him Captian Cobee all day long. I had to hide myself around the corner so that they wouldn't see me take my mommy moment. It struck me how appropriate this name was for him. Captian Cobee. Because even though he is the baby of our family, he is the one who will lead us all home.

How Can I Help?

I met a really great Doctor in Billings. He helped get me information that I needed to get started on our journey. He gave me the names of families and support groups that could contact. He is the doctor that deals with high-risk pregnancies, and I have diabetes, and so, I was referred to him. He did the last ulta-sound on Cobee, the week that he was born. It turns out that he was from Idaho, and had attended ISU--where I attended. My in-laws know his wife's family. It's a small world. He was so great and helpful. When families find out that their baby will be born with Down syndrome, they are referred to him. So I went to him and asked how I could help. Was there anything that I could do for families that see him? He told me that sometimes a parent's testimony can impact another, and strike a chord with someone else. It could mean saving a baby from abortion, or adoption. So I decided that I wanted to help. I wrote a song about my thoughts on motherhood, and felt like it was appropriate. My friend had taken some pics of Cobee and me while I was in Idaho, and they were perfect for the cover of this CD. I will try to upload the song and here is the CD cover.

Moving Home!

We got back from Idaho this week, and to my surprise, my friends had a baby shower planned for me and Cobee! I have great friends. It was so refreshing! It reminded me of the love and support that they have for me even though we are miles appart right now. Words cannot express my appreciation and my love for them! We also just found out that Shane just got a job back home! So that visit may has well been perminant. Our house there has been on the market for 9 months with no offers at all, and with all things considered, we felt like moving back is the best thing for us. We will be close to family and friends, and the support system that we need. There are so many people here that have effected my life, I know that is we would not have had the chance to move back that they would have bee there to support us, and I will miss them, but I promise to stay in contact!