How I Spent My Christmas Vacation
This is how I spent the great majority of my time over the holidays.
Don’t get me wrong, Liam is a very good baby. He sleeps 3-4 hours at a time so I haven’t been running off fumes like most new moms. But, it’s exhausting nonetheless. I’ve also had some bad, stressful days. I’m really beginning to dislike going to doctors appointments. They’re seemingly never ending and raise my anxiety level through the roof. We found out last week that Liam has a "moderate" hole in his heart. Heart defects are extremely common in DS babies. We were told that the doctors would just monitor him for the next couple of years to see if the hole repairs itself (which is supposedly common). If not, he’ll need a minor surgery to correct. Writing it down and explaining it to others doesn’t sound so bad, but it sucks ass. I hate the doctors saying there’s this problem or maybe he’ll have this issue, blah blah blah. All I see when I look at him is perfect.
If you look close at the bottom left of the picture, you’ll see some yarn and the corner of my knitting bag. I have been knitting!! And doing yarn related activities!! The weekend before Christmas, Tracy and Shane came up to visit. While they were here, Doug and I went out on a date (more later). Then Tracy and I reorganized my stash.
Believe it or not, there was a method to the madness on the floor. I dutifully put everything away. All my magazines and books are together on a shelf, and all of my loose patterns are in a plastic protective cover thingy and filed in a 3-ring binder. Yarn is arranged by weight on the rest of the shelves with some shelves holding all the yarn for a particular project.
It makes me happy to have my stash organized and to have my little worktable free from the crap that has covered it for months. One day last week, I sat down there and knit for a few hours while DH took care of Liam. DH has been great about that. He knows that I need some "me" time so he lets me do whatever I want for a few hours, which has been knitting and surfing the blogs.
Movie Review
On our date, Doug and I went to see We Are Marshall. I was proudly wearing my Marshall sweatshirt. And I wasn’t the only person in the theatre doing so either. Let me just say that I have been anticipating this movie since it was first announced that it was being made about a year ago. I didn’t make it through the opening scene without bursting into tears. The movie was great, but I really need to see it again to digest the whole thing. Matthew Fox, who plays Red Dawson, and Anthony Mackie, who plays Nate Ruffin, did incredible jobs and really honored Coach Dawson and Nate. David Straitharn as President Dedmon was fantastic–is he ever not? I cried at several points in the movie and really cried at the end when they showed the real people the movie is based on. I’ve never been to a movie before where everyone stayed to watch the credits at the end and where the audience applauded at the end. If you’re looking for a good movie and don’t mind shedding a few tears, go see this movie. I would’ve liked it even if I wasn’t a Marshall fan. DH liked it and he’s not a fan. If you do see this movie or have already, remember that this was filmed in my hometown, and this really, really is a true story.
Obligatory Baby Shot
"I’m gonna beat you up!"
Those first few weeks are so full of joy and anxiety! Hang in there, and I’m glad that your DH is giving you a break.
I stumbled on a blog this week that you might like, if you haven’t already seen it. The blogger has a son with DS and I think she writes well. I found her blog after reading a piece she wrote at mamazine.com called “the piano”.
http://jennifergrafgroneberg.wordpress.com/
HI!! Happy New Year Lady!
Love the picture of you and Liam sleeping together. Enjoy those moments while you can. Even though he sleeps 3 to 4 hours at a time it is still exhausting being a Mommy.
Sorry that the Dr. appointments are wearing on you. Just the generic shot/well baby check-ups are enough. Then you have to add in all the other appointments for him. I really hope that things are fine and he won’t end up needing surgery of any kind at any time. Yes I agree he is perfect!
Glad that you get some time for yourself. That is always a good thing and it is good for Daddy/Son bonding as well.
Ahhh an organized yarn stash. What better way to spend some down time. I just worked on mine. I still need to do some work on it, but for now it is much better than it was.
Glad that the movie didn’t disapoint you. Every time I see the comercial I think of you. I am glad that you were able to see it and liked it.
Hopefully I will see you soon.
Happy New Year!
Hi Sharp Pointy!
Your son is lovely, and perfect. And yes, the whole in his heart should correct itself. And if not, well you cross that bridge when you get there. Lotsa kids have that particular heart issue, and it really really does usually resolve on its own.
You are right about all the doctors appointments being exhausting…and I support your instinct to love your son, and get to know him in your own way, just as he is. You already know more than I did as a new mom of a baby with DS.
It’s me, the Jennifer Katy mentioned. Thanks for the complements, stop by Pinwheels any time. And if you feel like linking up, it would be an honor. I’d love to add you to my blogroll. Let me know?
Liam is a beautiful boy! Congratulations to you and your family. Becoming a Mother is such an adjustment by itself, it is hard when you have other crap tossed in with it. I’m sorry you’re having to deal with Dr.’s. Not fun. I do hope everything is well. You have such a great attitude, keep on hanging in there. You’re little man is just beautiful. I can’t wait to see him!
I thought about you when I’d see Marshall stuff too. I watched Oprah when Mr. Matthew was on talking about the movie. He was really emotional about the movie, the “real” story, and the people who still live in the town today. He was very aware of how tender of a memory it still is. I thought that spoke alot for his character. I’m glad you got to see it.
Enjoy your beautiful little man!
I too would love to add you to my blogroll. Jennifer GG is wonderful.
Liam is such a cutie.