Walking and New Home all in one day! ( I write to remember, so I never forget)

  We are settled in our new home. I have both babies rooms ready and my bags are packed for the hospital. Didn't think I was going to get that all done so soon, but it's done, feeling great!  My internship hours are complete for this semester, signed, sealed and delivered (what a relief). Baby you can come any time now.

He puts his little hand over my belly and starts to giggle when his brother kicks him, I can sense their bond already! He knows where baby is and gives baby a kiss :)

 He's ready for the baby I swear....

  You would have asked me a three days before moving if  Tyce was going to be walking in three days I would have said no way. Oddest thing ever, May 5th the DAY we move into our new home he took his first completely independent, "leave me alone I'm done needing your help" steps up and down the hallways, all around the house.  It's like he knew this was his new home and he was going to to show his house who Tyce Coronado Matchinsky was, he wasn't messin around.  I can't believe he did it before he was two, before his little brother came, what a relief, it would have been hard to carry around two babies. Thank you Tyce!  Tyce is always showing me he is going to do things on his own time, in his terms and he usually does it sooner then I expect it.  He is still figuring out how to stand up on his own, he can do it, he just can't find his niche with it, he wants an easier way to do it, then he gets frusterated and just pulls up on something and starts to walk. So we set goals for this intensive therapy camp this summer, kiddo has knocked off the biggest goal of the summer... Learn to Walk check.

  We had his IEP earlier this month and I am/was very pleased with the goals we have set out for him. Although again, I think he has already accomplished the stacking blocks and can complete a six piece puzzle we may update those sooner then I thought too, that is a good problem to have right? I am totally enjoying this stage in his life, but it is also getting more challenging. Were teaching him not to hit and it is a tough work in progress. I am looking forward to some behavior classes  this summer, I know all kids hit, but I am not sure how to make Ty understand its not ok, and he can't do it. I know he knows it's wrong, but Im not sure how to best discipline him, I hear it's different with the DS, so if any moms have advice please let me know. We have been working on gentle, and no hit, etc... We often remove him from the naughty action that he is partaking in rather that is knocking things down, or throwing things and that seems to help with the discipline but still, I feel I need to learn more. Overall he is such a loving, outstanding baby. The day he made me a momma was the day I became the luckiest person!

  He has totally made himself at home!

 

This Captain America flies throughout our house now, what a superhero!

 

I will leave this post with this deep yet genuine sentiment. My little boy is almost two.  On June 1, 2010 when we had the pediatrician that does her routine checks inspect my little brand new baby boy I had a gut feeling she was going to tell me words I didn't want to hear. Somewhere deep I knew there was something in his little almond shaped eyes that were going to reveal a part of Tyce that his mom and dad had no idea about. A fear like none other came over, I was scared for Tyce, for me, for TJ for our family. I was scared because those words were heavy, they were so foreign, most of all they were so unexpected. The words "your son has features that lead me to believe he may have Down syndrome" felt like the biggest blow my body had ever felt. From that moment on I just knew (mixed with some denial), and I wanted to know everything, I wanted to look 6 months down the rode, 2 years, 10, 20 etc...  I have my moments when I am still scared, but mostly those are so washed away with that little face below, and his personality he is who he is. (To be honest I forget about the DS, a lot, but his birth date is coming up so I wanted to share those feelings). And at 2 he has taught me so much, he loves me so much and I stop beating myself up wondering if I am doing enough for him. All I know is that I am lucky God choose me for him, I may not have said that on June 1, 2010, I think I said things more like...why the heck me God? you know I am the MOST impatient person ever!!! But, I know this was my Tyce, he was never another Tyce and my Tyce is perfect, God bless that little extra chromosome that scared me so much. I love that stinker so much!  Happy almost 2nd birthday to the kid who is going to be an outstanding big brother  and has made this mom feel so incredibly blessed, so incredibly fortunate to be called your momma:). Seriously,feeling LUCKY!

 

I say words, I really do!

Ok, Its been far too long and I miss this whole blogging thing far too much, no wireless where we are currently staying :/. So much is going on in our lives that I have no idea where to to start. But here it goes a conglomeration of this and that...

  We are expecting our second baby boy in just 8 weeks, we are so excited to meet him!  However, we still don't have a house yet, but we have a perspective and are hoping to close within the month (fingers crossed). We have been staying at TJ's parents house since late January. The closing of our house was a disaster and to say the least we were completely moved out but still paying a mortgage payment, it all went as bad as it could possibly go. None the less we are out, the house is sold and we currently do not own a home, greatest feeling (for now)!  We've spent the last month looking for our "right" home, for some odd reason it is so much harder then I ever imagined.  Throughout this whole situation I am working while doing a 17 hour a week internship and taking a Saturday Grant writing class, not to mention I am pregnant.  Its chaos. And on top of that TJ started a new job.  This new job of his opens up a world of opportunity's for us so we are forever grateful for that. My life might be able to slow down and I might have the opportunity to be there more for Tyce and his therapies and his busy schedule, BIGGEST blessing ever!!!   And spend time with our new baby boy, all wonderful things. Not to mention I am taking the summer off.  I am registering Tyce for a summer 7 week intensive therapy camp that I am thrilled to be a part of.  All in God's timing, even though sometimes I don't agree with God's timing, it really does all work out!

  Tyce had his big year and a half kidney appointment in February and his kidneys showed, well... I still don't know what the heck they showed.  One is totally fine and the other is still not ok, its at a grade 3, grade 4 being the worst. We were still told to wait another six months before he needs kidney surgery, hoping he doesn't need it all is the plan!  We know a couple other kiddos without DS going through the same situation so this kidney issue doesn't necessarily have to do with his DS. Overall, if this is the worst of it we can handle that, however I just wish it would fix itself already watching him be sedated was so sucky! :/.

Tyce and his dad with there new Iphone :)

Downtown Holland, I love the way he is smiling here

For TJ's birthday we went to the Casino (free night stay), Tyce and I went shopping in Michigan City. This is him on our way back, very tired.

Downtown Holland, playing trains and the Sand Castle

This is what we did for World Down syndrome Day!!!  We went to Jackies place and had them sing Happy Birthday to Tyce :) ha it wasn't his birthday but of course it was a part of him we fully celebrate!!!  And he got a Mickey pancake= Happy kiddo!!!

  Newer updates with Tyce: He can eat with a fork now, which is super exciting for us. He has no idea how to portion control on his own, so we have to give him one piece of food at a time and he pokes it with his little fork. His desire to walk plateaued for a little while.  I think he was more interested in working on his OT and Speech skills for a a few months.  He is still walking with us with one hand held, or will walk in between us for about 10 steps. He can climb up and down stairs. And loves to climb up and down on couches and furniture and slides, he is a great climber.  And his new favorite word is Ball, with emphasis on the A-LL part.  He is still signing like crazy and picks up on any new sign we give him he has over 20 signs, I love that we can communicate so well. Moms new favorite is night-night, around 8 o'clock he will sign to me that he is ready to go night-night. Gosh he is such a good sleeper, I am not ready to loose these wonderful hours of sleep again.

   Love the Matchinsky's!!!

Trusting

 Deep title I know.  But trusting has been the Matchinsky family word for this winter.   Tyce is trusting us, and himself and is starting to let go and take steps, he is up to six steps walking.  He will stand alone if we let him go and he will stand for quiet some time.
 We are trusting that God will provide and the right house will be our next house.  We are trusting to lean on a higher power to get us through difficult times.  This winter has brought us a few challenges.  I know, personally I have learned to trust and believe that it will all work out, and it is!

  Can I just say, he makes me proud.  He works hard, but most of all he catches on to things quiet quickly. He is a mimic, I wish you all could see him play in person.  He plays with cars, trucks, trains and makes vroom...vrooom... noises.  He can tell you what a dog does, a monkey and a duck say.  He is a signing machine, his latest and greatest is sorry.  A lot of sorry's going on due to his biting :( If anyone has any good advice on how to get rid of the biting PLEASE tell me!!!  I know it has to do with his teething but none the less he bites, it hurts, who am I kidding, it KILLS!  We don't know how to get him out of the nasty habit, its not all the time, its random, but it's no fun :(. 

   I celebrate his accomplishments, he is my first baby, I don't know anything different.  I know things come easier to 'typical' kids, but I really feel like he is never far behind.  I know reality is, he will struggle in areas, but I will wait for those struggles to come.  Today, we are dealing with him learning to walk and talk.  I don't care at what pace he does it, Ok, fine, the sooner the better, but each time he does something new TJ and I are so elated, who doesn't like to be super proud of there kids?.  We go to bed at night talking about how in LOVE we are with him.  What that extra chromosome did was make two brand new parents slow down and appreciate the little things.  It taught us not to take anything for granted and to be forever tied to a part of our first born son that we would not change.  Would I have wanted him not to be born with Down syndrome? Yes! reality is, it's harder, it has it's challenges, it''s therapies, extra doctor appointments, people alwaways trying to scare you, but Good lord it has it's rewards, it has sweet sweet rewards. No one wants there child to have a harder time with things, but reality is, most kids will have a hard time at one thing or another.  Ty just had them off that bat with his diagnoses.    He accomplished something so simple to us as saying the word pipe and we lost it in tears.  That chromosome has been life changing, but for the GOOD!  I wouldn't take back everything I have learned so far, not for one minute!   This is who he was meant to be, and I LOVE HIM!

Blurry due to fit of me getting in front of Mickey!

  The thing I love about blogging is that I can go back and see what he has done, what he accomplishes, how he is growing.  Biggest thing I have realized is, geez he was a chubby baby!  My toddler is thinning out.  And good God, I LOVE his personality.  You ask him for a hug and he gives the worlds best cuddle hugs, especially after signing an 'I am sorry' for biting you mom, here is a hug and a kiss to make my getting in trouble go away.   (yes, that is a Donald duck shirt, Mickey mouse obsession is full fledged).  

  Let's see I am 19 weeks pregnant now.  I have felt this baby move for a couple weeks now and it is a wonderful feeling. I really am a "I love to be pregnant" kinda gal, I can't describe how much I love it, but I totally do:).  We go for our 20 week ultrasound this coming Tuesday, I can't wait to see our next little boy.  But isn't this one below just so cute?!  Tyce you have wonderful hair, and skin color, you glow baby boy! I love it :).

His Christmas gift from Tia Martha, he looves this race car, he pushes the buttons and dances away

  Michigan winter is amoungst us and believe it or not, it is beautiful!  Next post might be from the new house, wish us luck!

Our December

Here he is signing 'Book'

  Tyce is now 18 months old. His personality continues to evolve, some days he is all attitude and others he is a cuddly baby.  Mostly he is all boy.  His new favorite things are cars, race car ramps, airplanes and train tracks and still books.  This kiddo could be read books all day long and be content.  I must include his newest obsession, MICKEY MOUSE CLUBHOUSE and the music that goes along with it, he's obsessed. 

  His 18 month well child visit went well, he finally gained some weight he is 23 pounds he had stayed at 21 for about six months so I am glad he has filled out a little more lately.  We went to the ENT last month and we let him know we had concerns about Ty's congestion, tonsils and sinus infections he had all fall.  ENT suggested we do a sleep study for apnea.  At first I thought this was a great idea, but now that he hasn't been sick for the past month and a half he sleeps wonderfully and is not  even snoring.  I really think his snoring was due to his sinus infections and congestion.  He has small ear lobes and small nostrils, things get stuck in there easily.  We are going to hold off on the sleep study until he is two, that way if he needs his tonsils and adenoids out it will all be less risky.  My momma gut tells me to wait and that he is fine and I over worry sometimes.  I know my kiddo and I want to do what is best for him and I feel waiting is best for now.   His big 18 month Kidney check up is coming up next month.  The dreaded kidney's.  We have heard about Ty having kidney issues since I was 20 weeks pregnant.  I pray that at this next visit they tell us all is well and they have cleared up.  If his kidneys are still retaining fluid he might have to have surgery and I am not thrilled :/.  Other then that he is a healthy, active toddler.   *Above are his 18 month and Christmas's pictures!  

  Today we had the Down syndrome Association of Western Michigan's Christmas Party.  It was wonderful, beautiful and I got to catch up with some of the best mommies I know.  I also got to meet up with the DS nurse, she is awesome,  I love her and I am so sad we didn't get a picture of her with Tyce :/ The party was at Frederick Meijer Gardens and Ty's nana and papa came with us too.  

Me and Angie I love this girl, really I do ;)

Ty and his Nana

Really, this is the best my camera got, sorry girls I dont know why I was doing that face, I love you girls so much!!! 

Ty and his papa, he looks just like his papa.  

Could honestly be my all time favorite picture of him!

I love his kisses

I love being your mom

And he LOVES being your dad, we thank God every single day he picked us to be your parents!

Next year it will be four of us :)

Had to get a picture of Me and Ty with the Mexico Christmas tree

And TJ had to get one with the Russian tree :)

 Great party it was!

Yes, he thinks he's texting and he talks on the phone.

Night Night you all thank you for reading, leave me a comment if you like!

This little man is taking some steps in between us and he is standing alone a lot more.  In his time, but we are so proud of his strength, his new signs and the fact that he now says puhhh for his pipey and his newest word is ball.  I love you Tyce!  My pregnancy with this next one is getting better. I am thoroughly welcoming this second trimester. I can't wait to meet our next little man!
  

  Next month we move.  Next month I start an internship with the OAISD.  Next month the Lions go to the Play-offs (that was all TJ). Next month Ty has his big Kidney check up.  Next month we have our 20 week ultrasound for baby peanut number 2.  Next month Bo will finally have a nice big back yard to run in.  Next month we all start new endeavors.  We are feelin blessed! God you have never left us and we are feeling your love, you get us through anything, and make it all right!

Happy Holidays we LOVE you all and thank you so much for reading and caring even praying for our family!  May you all have a blessed Christmas and New 2012!

Big Brother!

  We announced a couple weeks ago that we are adding another addition to our family.  Baby Matchinsky will be arriving in late May of 2012!!!  We couldn't be more excited.  Yes it is a busy time in our lives, but we thought this would be a great time to grow, especially when Ty is little, we wanted him to grow up close in age with a sibling.  TJ and my closest sibling are 6 and 7 years apart, we wanted our babies a little closer, ok, well we got a lot closer. And, two years apart they will be :).  To be honest, baby number two is due the day before Ty's second birthday, oh dear, we are cutting it close :).  But I am so excited, I love being pregnant, I love the thought of of us having more babies!  Now, for the question some might ask, are we worried about DS again?  I would lie if I said I wasn't, I would lie if I said it's no big deal, we did it once we can do it again.  I was scared, I was scared when we were told about Ty's diagnoses, I was scared for a long while, sometimes I still am.  I am a need to know type of person!  And I just wanted to know, I wanted to know to be prepared, I need facts, I need time.  TJ and I contemplated for a long time about testing.  We prayed and prayed and I truly feel God gave me peace with our decision.  I was told due to my age it was highly unlikely, I didn't care, I wanted to pursue some options.  TJ once again was wonderful and supportive and did I mention wonderful.  He knew my mind would be more at ease if we tested.  We knew the risks, we talked to genetic counselors, we were again reinforced that Tyce has T21 and after an hour with the genetic counselor we were told that there is no family history of DS that it was just something that happened, that the chances of it happening again were less then 1 percent.  With all that said, our odd's with Tyce were even less, and I still wanted to know.  Call it what you want, I am comfortable with our decision.  We decided to do CVS testing.  We knew the risk and I was once again, scared out of my mind, I was scared for this bean inside of me. But, again, my faith, my God knows me too well, and he knew that my mind would rest easiest if we just knew.  Two weeks later the results came in and Baby BOY number two does not have T21.  Yes, Tyce is going to have a BROTHER, and did I mention they are two years apart to the day, hello? I will not have to buy baby number two much clothes, yes! ha.  To be honest, I don't know if I would do the CVS again, I don't know if I recommend it, the doctor said things for us went text book in the procedure, I felt I was so unalone, I felt God was totally in that room with me!  I feel at peace with everything.  More then anything, I am excited, to be a mommy again! (CVS testing for those who don't know is Chorionic villus sampling (CVS) is a prenatal test that detects chromosomal abnormalities such as Down syndrome, as well as a host of other genetic disorders. The doctor takes cells from tiny fingerlike projections on the placenta called the chorionic villi and sends them to a lab for genetic analysis.)   Baby two does not show any chromosomal abnormalities and I believe this testing is around 99 percent accurate.  We did the quad screen testing with Tyce, but obviously that was not accurate as we were told Tyce's chances of having a chromosomal abnormality  were 1 in 10, 000, another reason we opted for the more invasive testing. 

      Doesn't he look like he will be a great big brother!?

  Our family is growing, our house is for sale, it's looking like we might have a buyer, any prayers and good vibes are welcomed!  We need to move out of this house for a few reasons.  Biggest reason is the main floor only has two bedrooms and well in Ty's room two cribs will not fit.  Secondly, Bo needs a yard to run in and three, we are out growing this house!  Hopefully we will be out of here by next month.   

  Tyce has been flourishing in the signing department.  We teach him a sign and he catches right on.  His latest is 'Book', everything is 'book, please', 'more, book' and flat out 'book'!  I got my little scholar!!!  I would say he prefers a book over a ball, but I really think that is a toss up :/.  He has also been signing, 'milk', 'eat' and 'all done', those are the newest. We definitely work on talking with him, he likes to mimic sounds and actions, but he can't get words out so much.  He says dad, bo and papa clear as day.  I know he should have a few more words under his belt, but to be honest I am totally proud of were we are communication wise with him.  We totally understand what he wants at this point in time, and I feel good about that.  

   His newest funny thing is to blow at fans and  fireplaces, as if he is going to cause some major change with that that little amount of air that comes out of that body!  He points and tries to blow as hard as he can.  

  Tyce has been getting really sick this fall/early winter.  I think it has a lot to do with his going to therapy group.  And well it is to be expected for him to get sick, especially when he is around other little kids, but it breaks my heart to see him so stuffy so often.  This is his second sinus infection in two months.  I like the group therapy and I don't like the group therapy.  I like to socialization he gets, but I also don't like the lack of one on one time he gets, not to mention him coming home sick at the end of each week, but I guess I can't stop that from happening, better now then later.  With the move, the option for group therapy will no longer be there, so I'm sure it will all work out.  

He's about to sign book ;)

That is our life, these are our updates, we hope you all had a wonderful thanksgiving!  

Happenings

  We have a busy toddler in the house.  I used to have a cuddly, timid baby boy and now he is all sass.  He never wants to be held and he wants to fly crawl around the house.  Life in the Matchinsky household is no longer  quiet and we love it that way.

This video is about a month old but it was too cute I had to post.  Go to my playlist and push pause, it is too cute!!!

  October was busy, but beautiful.  We had the Step up for Down syndrome walk.  We had an amazing turn out and surpassed our goal of 1,000 and ended up with 1,360 that was GREAT!!!  We can't thank those who walked with us and donated enough.  I also want to thank my friend Betsy who designed our wonderful "All for Tyce, Think BIG shirts".  We wore red and white because we are from Holland and we have a lot of Holland High Pride still in us all :).  The back of the shirt had a big T and the Down syndrome foot with the extra gap in between the first and second toe, I love that little characteristic on Ty's little toes!!!

  October also brought on some fun Halloween festivities.  Tyce was our Chicken Little with bat, tights, feathers and glasses.

A very tired Chicken Little

Chewey, Chicken and Chucky 

Save the Chicken the sky is falling

He is flying away!  

  He was so fun, we swear we heard him say trick-or-treat and he said it again the next day at therapy!  A very baby version but it sounded like trick-or treat!  He also calls Tj dada but mama is not even close to being said ;-(.   I will take what we can get.  

  With October of course comes more Lions Football !

  Updates with us.  Well I will start with Tyce.  Therapy is still going good.  I wish he got more one on one time while at group to work on his walking.  He is loosing most motivation to walk because he crawls so fricken fast.  We hear that the crawling is really strengthening his core so that he can walk, but I feel like all its doing is making him fly around the house.  I know it will happen in it's time and when he decides that's what he wants to do, but sometimes I get the mommy guilt of "am I doing enough to help him''?  I don't ever want to feel like I am settling with answers I'm given but I also don't want to go nuts sending him to therapy's all the time if the therapist don't feel he needs it, and I want him to be a baby, to have fun.  I feel it's all such a balance. He is meeting goals in OT and Speech and he is learning new signs all the time (some of the signs are so similar he starts just throwing his signs everywhere until he gets us to understand what he wants).  Today, he brought over a book and wanted it to be read to him  while he sat on my lap.  He also will come up to me and sign eat when he wants a snack or pucker up and smack his lips for juice.  We are breaking some huge understanding barriers here!  One of his OT goals was to learn to drink from a straw.  I was initially told it was good for him to learn to drink from a straw so I really wanted him to meet this goal/milestone.  Well, he hates straws, they are like his enemy.  He is in LOVE with his sippy cup and has been drinking from his sippy cup since he was ten months old.  Whenever we would bring out the learning straw cup he would throw a tantrum until he got his sippy.  Luckily, this past week we were told to no longer push the straw cup use with him.  I was told that some kids are cup drinkers and some are straw drinkers.  Ty is a cup drinker, he now has a beginners training open cup and he does sooooo well, no spills, of course I give it to him.  But that is sooooo exciting, no need to push something that made him so unhappy.  In it's time :). 

   TJ and I have been busy being working and being parents to a very fun little boy.  He keeps us on our toes.  

 In the mornings when I get ready for work Ty likes to do his own thing around the house.  Here are this mornings happenings :)

Busted with the toilet paper

Sad it got taken away

Giggling can't remember why

Back into the bathroom after every roll of toilet paper was taken from out of his reach

Now throwing a fit

And I'm sure he is contemplating his next move

Which was going into his mom's drawer and take out her cords 

What mom? It is fun to hang things around my neck that are dangerous!

I was just wondering if you needed them for work today, that's all :)  Thanks Ty!!!