Christmas 2017

The holidays have come and gone and we are settling into a brand new year. I would feel there was something amiss if I didn’t give an account of the merriment we enjoyed last month.

I love Christmas. It is by far my favorite holiday and I take pleasure in decorating the house so that anyone who visits knows my deep appreciation for the season. I am all for the good feels of giving and warmth. The house is cozier, everything tastes better and there is a contagious feeling of pure joy.

My appreciation for traditions, especially this time of year, began as a child. One particularly vivid mental picture I recall — my siblings and I waiting impatiently behind a rope at the top of the stairs of our childhood home. We were not allowed to bypass to see what Santa brought until my parents were awake. Waiting this way helped build the anticipation and added to the early Christmas morning joy we shared. I always imagined passing these fun traditions along to my own children someday.

Luke loves Santa!

Last year was Luke’s first Christmas, and while it was exciting, the air felt somewhat thick around me as I was still in a bit of a fog. He was about four months old and it was around that time I felt like we were just starting to adjust to our new normal. This Christmas was going to be much different, of course, given that he is on the move and much more aware of what’s around him. While he didn’t destroy the tree itself, he was curious about its skirt as well as the string of lights plugged at the bottom banister weaved within the garland. We had a few presents sent in early from the North Pole and Luke tried to sneak a peak by tearing the paper and bouncing on the gifts. I bought him an advent calendar tree with magnetic wooden ornaments. We placed them on the tree together each day, counting down to the day we would celebrate Jesus’ birth. He ate gingerbread and had a sip of (semi) hot chocolate for the first time. We made the second trip of his life to Bass Pro Shop to visit with Santa–the classiest and more authentic of all the Santas. As you can see, it was a memorable visit!

Snuggling with Uncle Peter

This year will go down as a particularly memorable one due to the surprise visit from my brother, Luke’s Uncle. I received a text from Peter mid-December to tell me of his plans to surprise the rest of my family for Christmas. He stayed with us and appeared at my parent’s house for Christmas Eve. Seeing the expression on my Mom and Dad’s faces was priceless. I loved having my brother home, especially during the holidays. Even though we are older now, there is still something special about us all being together to share these embedded traditions. Although I send pictures to Peter often, I believe distance has difficulty translating Luke’s sweet disposition. Given that Luke is here to provide us with an ample amount of additional joy, it warmed my heart for Peter to be able to share in it all. Seeing Peter and Luke together was certainly greater than any gift wrapped under the tree.

Getting ready for surgery

As the last week of the year started to wrap up, Luke had his second tube surgery. The first was performed in April after a tympanogram revealed fluid in the middle of his right ear and possibly in the left. We were not surprised when his ENT recommended he put tubes in Luke’s ears. Children with Down syndrome are born with smaller than normal eustachian tubes which can become obstructed with earwax, mucus, dirt, etc., causing infection.  Fluid builds up from the infection preventing the eardrum from vibrating, obstructing hearing, and can also create permanent hearing loss. A tympanostomy tube (pressure equalization) is inserted into the eardrum to ventilate and equalize pressure in the middle ear, helping to prevent future infections, the build-up of fluid, and normalize hearing. In the fall his doctor noticed fluid in his right ear once again as the tube was beginning to slip out of place. So, we returned to Children’s Hospital and Dr. B. replaced the right and adjusted the left tube as needed. Luke did exceptionally well with his droopy meds and the anesthesia. Thankfully, he bounced back quickly and returned to his usual exploring around the house.

Luke has perfected his crawling so much that he is moving on to bigger and better things! Climbing, half-kneeling, and standing! Seeing him stand upright is a bittersweet reminder my baby is no longer a baby, but now a toddler. Dave and I couldn’t be more excited to see what this year holds for our sweet bubby as he climbs mountains–figuratively..for now, and changes perceptions–quite literally. From our family to yours, we wish you much happiness and many blessings in this new year!

“The coming of Jesus at Bethlehem brought joy to the world and to every human heart. May His coming this Christmas bring to each one of us that peace and joy that He desires to give.” ~ Mother Theresa