I'm not a doctor, but I play one on TV

Over the course of the past year, I have met many parents who have a child with Down syndrome (most of them online). Some found out about their child's diagnosis prenatally, and others found out shortly after the birth, like we did. Yet woven throughout every story is the common thread: Most everyone is glad of the timing of when they found out. I truly think God prepares us all in different ways for this life-changing news.

Those who found out early are grateful that they weren't taken by surprise, that they had "extra" time to deal with the news, and that they were able to bond with their baby early, extra chromosome and all. I personally, having found out about an hour after Benjamin was born, am so, so, so glad that I didn't know beforehand. I was able to enjoy my pregnancy (have I mentioned I *love* being pregnant?), I had a few carefree months before the worry began, and most importantly for me is the fact that I did not fall prey to the Google Syndrome.

All of you (especially moms) know exactly what I am talking about. Your child has three red bumps on her arm, so you Google "red bumps" and ten minutes later, you are convinced that your daughter has Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. (When in fact it is either an allergic reaction to your new detergent or the remnants of pink marker day at preschool.)

So you can imagine the mental agony that a mom must go through who is told that she is expecting a child with Down syndrome. Because let me tell you, there are few medical complications that are not common with our kiddos. Besides the biggies that we are certain to deal with (cognitive delays, hypotonia (low tone), speech and motor delays), there is a laundry list of "maybes" such as congential heart defects (check), intestinal defects (check), hearing problems, vision problems, feeding issues, skin problems, thyroid problems, leukemia, Alzheimer's disease, epilepsy, and immune deficiencies. And I'm sure I've left some out.

Basically you just don't know. And there's only so much you can tell on an ultrasound. Some heart defects are easily seen, while others are not. Benjamin's weren't. We went to a high-risk doctor and had a level II ultrasound to rule out the possibility of Down syndrome (due to elevated numbers on a blood test), and were told that his heart "looked perfect." Ummm...yeah. Then four months later, here came Baby B with three heart defects, one of them being moderate-to-severe in size.

Had I found out about the DS before B was born, I would have convinced myself that he was going to have every medical problem possible. As it was, we haven't had it that bad. I am *ESPECIALLY* thankful that he has had no feeding issues so far, especially after what I have been through (and am still going through...ugh) with Andrew and his eating.

Many of these medical possibilities may not manifest themselves for months or even years after birth. For that reason, babies and children with Down syndrome go through more tests and see more doctors to try to catch any problems early. Benjamin has his hearing, vision, and thyroid tested every six months to a year. So far, his hearing has been fine. His vision, which was checked early (at four months) b/c of his impending heart surgery, was okay but showed some far-sightedness. The optomestrist said that it might have just been the fact that he was a baby at the time; babies' lenses are very short, so it's hard to detect true vision problems that young. We go back on Monday for another check. I hope it's good news, but part of me thinks it won't be. Still, I can handle glasses. As far as his thyroid, Benjamin's numbers have always been a little hard to get. Around the time of his surgery, his numbers ran high, but the doctors all agreed that it was most likely because of other factors (related to the surgery) and not a true thyroid problem. But I heard back from the doctor's office yesterday after Benjamin's one-year well visit on Monday. His TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone) was on the high side of normal. (Normal is 0.5 to 7.1 and his was 6.7.) So right now they're going to check it again before the year is out instead of waiting a full year. She said there was no real cause for concern but wanted to make me aware of it.

Great. Now I'm going to worry.

But the blood work I was most relieved to hear was normal was his CBC, or complete blood count. So far, his white blood cells are not elevated, which could mean possible leukemia. Not that we're ever in the clear for anything in life, but it was nice to know that at least for now, that number was normal.

Benjamin's physical therapy continues to go well. He is still not crawling the right way, but is *definitely* mobile and doesn't seem to notice that he's doing it incorrectly. (He sticks one of his legs out to the side instead of putting his knee down.) He is even pulling up to standing on some objects. (His crib and his LeapFrog Learning Table are just about it for now.) Natalie (his PT) thinks that he may need some sort of braces or support shoes in the not-so-distant future to assist him with standing. He doesn't have much of an arch in his feet and tends to lift up his toes and/or turn his feet out when he stands. I have noticed (and this might not be anything) that his legs really seem to bow in right below the knees. But only time will tell if this will be needed, as he continues to bear more weight on his feet and legs.

Benjamin will be starting speech therapy soon, but not for speech per se. (They don't really serve children for actual speech development until about 15 to 18 months around here.) But we are having issues transitioning him from a bottle to a cup, and so our service coordinator contacted the ST and we will have an evaluation in the next couple of weeks in order to start ST once to twice a month to work on this. That's another issue with many children with DS; poor muscle tone in their mouths. So it's harder for him to wrap his lips around a wide sippy cup and suck properly. He will most likely need to be on a straw cup or a honey-bear cup. But the best news is that the ST is a good friend of mine! I have known Heather and her husband DeWayne since we were all in the newlywed class together at church, and now we both have two children! I can't wait to get started.

Truth be told, there is a much, much bigger reason that I am very glad I didn't know about Benjamin's diagnosis before he was born. I have hesitated sharing this on this forum before, but I feel compelled to now. Certain beliefs have been revealed in all their hideousness that have caused us to pretty much sever ties with my husband's family. My MIL (mother-in-law), with whom we have purposefully not shared this blog, has made it very clear (even in her attempts to be vague) her true feelings about people with Down syndrome and other special needs. (So if you know her, which you probably don't, please don't say anything and please don't tell her about my blog. I type all this to be therapeutic because it is a big issue in my life.)

My MIL claims to be a Christian. Attends church regularly. Even has a Christian-based organization to help those with no insurance with medical supplies and equipment.

The days following Benjamin's birth, after we knew, she was in the hospital room with us for a few hours. She must have said three times, "No...he doesn't have it. Those doctors are wrong." Now I do understand that people have different ways of coping with things. Denial is completely normal. Heck, at the time, I wished what she was saying was right. But it obviously wasn't. There was no denying that the doctors were right. So why tell a heart-broken mother that? It wasn't appropriate. I just shrugged it off. Little did I know. Little did I know.

When B was about six months old, my MIL was talking to my husband on the phone and asked how Benjamin was doing and how I was doing. He told her that B was doing fine, and told her some of the updates on his heart surgery recovery. He told her that I was doing okay, that some days were better than others, but we were doing fine, etc. And she said something like, "Well, God knew better than to give me a child like that. I wouldn't be able to handle it." (no kidding) She went on to say, "I think that God is okay when mentally retarted babies are aborted because we are all meant to be perfect like God is."

Um....hello? Seriously? Matthew told me that he really didn't know what to say. He obviously disagreed with her, but you know how people are; they are very set in their ways and you can't convince them of anything. He even told me that he didn't think that she, in her mind, even saw the connection between the hypothetical child in her scenario and our son. Her grandchild.

I was beyond furious. I was spitting mad. But there wasn't much I could do. A few weeks later, while we were driving up to Nashville for our post-op visit with B's heart surgeon, Matthew called her and brought it up in the conversation that Benjamin is our son and that we love him very much, and that he is very much a gift from God. We have learned so much from him and his sweet countenance and gentle spirit were such a blessing to us. She agreed. She didn't say much. I really don't know what she was thinking.

Several months later, after we were home from Benjamin's intestinal surgery, she asked once again how we were doing. Oblivious to the fact that she was setting him up and that he should have said all was roses and lemonade, he was honest and told her that we were doing okay, but that the recovery was kind of long and it was just kind of still hard to deal with. (Incidentally, it was just about after this time that I really made a turn in the road as far as dealing with the diagnosis.) He said something to the effect of things were good, there are ups and downs, but mainly ups. (I later told him that if she ever asks again, just to say, “GREAT! THINGS ARE WONDERFUL! GOD HAS BLESSED US SO MUCH WITH THIS WONDERFUL CHILD, YOUR GRANDSON BENJAMIN. HE IS SUCH A GIFT FROM GOD, JUST AS MUCH A CHILD OF GOD AS ANYONE ELSE ON THE PLANET! PEOPLE WHO DON’T EVEN KNOW THE LORD HAVE SEEN GOD’S GRACE THROUGH HIS SHORT LIFE!”) But I digress…

So she started talking about her Sunday School class (full of a bunch of old, gossipy ladies who are evidently easily swayed). Lately they’d been talking about God’s will as it pertains to babies. And then she had the nerve to continue on her poison beliefs, and how the ladies in her S.S. class now agree and think the same thing. It gets worse than what we had previously thought.

Before what she had the nerve to say was that she was glad that God never gave her a retarted child b/c she couldn’t handle it. That she doesn’t think God looks down upon the abortion of retarted babies b/c they’re not perfect like God is, like we’re all supposed to be. Okay, so as if that wasn’t enough to handle…Take a deep breath, here goes….

She thinks that when problems are found prenatally that show that the baby is going to have issues, that those tests are a way of God’s saying that He wants that baby in heaven with Him. So it is our responsibility to make that happen. (Note: she never mentioned the words abortion OR Down syndrome OR Benjamin…how very convenient for her conscience.) AND if we don’t make that happen, then we are interfering with God’s will. And so God washes His hands of us and says, “Okay, you didn’t send the child home to be with Me, so I’m going to give you want you get.” And thus, we have hard times with said child. I looked at him and said, “*Please* tell me you said something!” (Let me note that I was not nearly as mad this time as I was last time…more like relieved in a way.) He said, “Oh, yes! I said, ‘I don’t agree with that at all! That’s like saying that when someone is sick, it’s God’s way of calling that person to heaven, so no one should take any medicine!’” That went right over her head. He said a few other things, too, but I can’t remember what they were.

Later in the conversation, she started back up about it. So Matthew just fakingly-politely ended the conversation. Basically it wouldn’t really do any good to fight her on this. It is beyond her weird hang-up. It’s like her passion lately. She’s spreading it like propaganda and by telling it all to Matthew, it’s like she’s trying to get him to believe it. Or to make him see that WE did wrong by not finding out about Benjamin’s DS prenatally and ABORTING HIM! After we talked about it, Matthew sighed and said, “I’m just through. I cannot excuse this kind of behavior, this line of thinking, nor this disregard for our son.”

So we decided not to invite them to either boy's birthday party. I did not want her there watching my precious son eat his birthday cake, all the while thinking I should have aborted him. She called a week or so after Andrew's birthday and talked to Matthew. She never mentioned the party. She did ask how Andrew likes being three now. So she knows. But she has not called since Benjamin's birthday. Part of me thinks she's relieved. Relieved not to have to deal with him. Glad she isn't being asked to be around him. And you know what? She doesn't deserve to be around him.

So that (in a very, very large nutshell) is the real reason why I am glad I did not find out about Benjamin's Down syndrome prenatally. Because my MIL most likely would have tried to convince me to abort him.

I don't know what this means for the future. We have not told them not to call or visit, though they're not in good health and live an hour away. I don't know how Christmas will be, when we usually see them and exchange really crappy gifts. I for one don't want to buy her a thing, and I don't want any of her stuff given to my children. Yes, it's sad that my children will only have one set of grandparents, but it is not worth it to have them around that poison. I will not allow them to be. I still don't know what to say one day soon when Andrew asks why Daddy doesn't have a mommy and a daddy. But to me, I have to protect my family from that.

A Birthday Wordless Wednesday

April 24, 2008

***Today my baby turns one. I am in awe of how much my life has changed and how much he means to me. This is an essay I wrote when Benjamin was about four months old. I am just now sharing it. Thank you to all of you who have been with us through the laughter and the tears.***

April 24, 2008.

That was the most important day of my life. In many ways, it was also the worst day of my life. But it has helped to define me. What I learned on that day has shaped who I am. It has tested my faith, and my faith has been proven.

In late 2007, I was about four months pregnant with my second child. My husband Matthew and I had a wonderful life. An adorable son Andrew who was almost two, a beautiful new house, and the life we always wanted. The life that we wanted was going according to plan. Our plan.

I had an abnormal triple screen blood test that showed a higher risk for Down syndrome, but when we went to have the level-two ultrasound, the high-risk doctor said everything looked normal, he saw no markers for DS, and even said that the baby’s heart looked great. So we opted not to have an amniocentesis. We even cancelled our follow-up appointment because it was so expensive to see the high-risk doctor. We knew we would never abort anyway, and we truly thought it would never happen to us. It wasn’t in our plan. And after we cancelled that appointment, I can truthfully say that it never crossed my mind again. That was in December.

On the morning of April 24, 2008, Benjamin Matthew Amick was born. A healthy 8 pounds, 6 ounces, 20 ½ inches long. We were so full of excitement and just couldn't believe how well everything was going. We didn't find out the gender of either of our babies until they were born, so the excitement of finding out that we had another son was tremendous. About an hour after Benjamin was born, my OB came into the recovery room. My mom and husband were talking a few feet away. I'm pretty sure I was holding Benjamin, but I can't remember. It is kind of all a blur. He approached my bed solemnly and I could just tell that something was horribly wrong. The look on his face said it all. But even then I thought that something was wrong with me. Like something had happened during the C-section and I was going to be unable to have another child; they found a suspicious lump--something. Anything other than what it was. Nothing could have prepared me for his next words. He put his left hand on my right arm, took a deep breath, and said, "I'm 99% sure that Benjamin has Down syndrome." All the clichés you hear are true. ‘It was like the wind had been knocked out of me.’ ‘I was like a deer in the headlights.’ ‘I can divide my life into two sections--before I heard those words and after I heard those words.’ My first thought was, "No. This can't be. This isn't true. This is a bad dream." I vividly remember staring at a specific spot in the upper right-hand corner of the ceiling. Like if I stared at that ceiling tile long enough and hard enough, that my doctor would tell me he was wrong. That the whole scene would play in reverse and he would back up and leave. And I could get back to my normal baby. The one I wanted. The one I planned on having. But he kept talking. I could tell it pained him to have to break this life-altering news to me. I felt bad for him. I had so many questions that I was afraid to ask. It was all so new. I remember thinking, "That's it. We're finished having children. We wanted four, but we're done now. He'll always live with us. He'll be such a burden on us. We'll love him, but he will be dependent on us his whole life." Then I felt trapped. Like I couldn't breathe. I heard my doctor. I nodded my head. But I was silent. Because the things I was thinking you don’t say aloud. You don't say what’s in your heart, deep down. That you don't really want this kind of life. That you love your son but no, thank you, I didn't sign up for this.

My mother and husband could tell that something was wrong, so they came over to the bed. My husband told me later that his first thought was also one of entrapment. I honestly still feel that way sometimes. The doctor went on and pretty much said that there's no way to know how advanced Benjamin will be until later; there's nothing they can test to see how delayed he'll be. My lactation consultant came in after that and helped me to nurse him. She said that a lot of DS babies have trouble nursing because of low muscle tone in their mouths. But Benjamin seemed to do really well, and still does to this day. It's what I prayed for the most when I was pregnant. That he would be a good breastfeeder. My first son was a horrible breastfeeder. It was months of struggle and spit-up; I’ve often said that nursing Andrew was akin to wrestling an alligator. I so desperately wanted it to go well this time. Little did I know that God answered that specific prayer because He knew I needed it.

The next day was the hardest I think. It started to sink in more. By this time, we knew about his heart defects and knew that he'd need surgery. We were able to do a little research on the Internet and were just still in shock. There were a lot of visitors. I was exhausted and confused. In front of everyone, I tried to keep a brave face on, but with my mom and husband, I just broke down. A lot. It was hard. It still is. The things that meant the most to me were the tears of other people. I specifically recall my friends Ginny and Juliet. They came separately, but they each just cried with me. It meant so much. They say that you're not supposed to say ‘I'm sorry,’ but those words meant the most. I was sorry. I am sorry. Maybe one day when he’s older I’ll be more accepting of it. I doubt that I’ll ever be glad that my son has Down syndrome. If I could take it away from him I would. But I can't. And he has it for a reason. And I have him for a reason. I have grown so much as a person through all this and can only imagine that I will continue to.

It was very hard to leave the hospital. We had been there for four days and had been in our little bubble. As we left, the reality of what our life now meant hit me. We looked back at the hospital, and my husband and I both cried. We remembered how greatly we anticipated this event. We got to the hospital at 5 a.m. for my scheduled C-section four days earlier and could not have been more excited. We had a specific outcome in mind. A boy or a girl. A Benjamin or a Katherine. But a healthy one. One without Down syndrome. But that's not what we got. It just seemed so unfair. And the pain was real. It was very heart-wrenching. I think that's the saddest I've ever been in my life. I still cry when I remember it.

People who have heard our story have said that they are impressed with the faith and grace with which we have handled things. I can only say that it must be God because I do not feel strong on my own, and I don't feel like I have things together. I feel lost and sad sometimes. But most of the time now, as I've had about four months to deal with this, I feel okay with it. I know that it is what God wanted for me, and I have a strong faith in Him, so I trust in His infinite wisdom.

It still is hard at times. And it will continue to be, I'm sure. I am more accustomed to the health things by now. Constant doctor's visits (but none out of urgency yet, just necessity) are just a part of life, as are physical therapy sessions. Benjamin will be having open-heart surgery to repair two heart defects at the beginning of October. Just the thought of that would scare most people. But I’m okay with it. God will get us through it.

I’ll be honest. Sometimes it just smacks me in the face and I have to take an evening to be sad and just cry and mourn. Mourn the life I wanted. Mourn the baby I wanted. But then I hold Benjamin and he smiles and coos at me. He needs me. And whether I always realize it or not, I need him.

One year ago...

Today is April 19.

One year ago, I was five days away from giving birth to Benjamin.

One year ago, I was expecting a typical child with no developmental delays, heart defects, or Down syndrome.

One year ago, I was a lot more self-centered.

One year ago, I didn’t think it would ever happen to me.

One year ago, I didn't truly know what it was like to cry until it hurt.

One year ago, the word "bittersweet" never quite hit home as much as it does now.

One year ago, I was a lot more judgmental of people in general.

One year ago, I thought I already understood how hard motherhood could be.

One year ago, I had never had the thought that I might outlive one of my children.

One year ago, I didn’t know what these meant: OHS, VSD, ASD, PDA, duodenal webbing, hypospadias, etc.

One year ago, the thought of the future wasn't filled with so many questions.

One year ago, I didn't quite know how much our friends and family could shower us with love in the form of meals, cards, gifts, prayers, hugs, tears, and time.

One year ago, I had only had to go to one doctor (instead of eight) for my child.

One year ago, I never imagined one of my children would have had open-heart surgery at just five months old.

One year ago, I hadn't met so many wonderful people whose children also have an extra chromosome. I never knew that we share a bond that others will never know or understand.

One year ago, I had never truly had to lean on God for survival.

One year ago, I never knew that my heart could be filled with so much love.

One year ago, I never knew that holding him and seeing him smile would help to alleviate my worries, doubts, and fears.

This Friday is Benjamin's first birthday.

Wow.

Welcome to the world, Baby Jack!

For those of you who know my older brother Michael, you will find this post especially entertaining. And for those of you who don't, you will wonder how I am so normal. Just kidding.

My older brother Michael is quite a character. He is the one in the crowd who wins everyone over with his smooth talking and inappropriate jokes. But he is also a very private person and rarely lets anyone in.

Back in May 2006, Matthew and I took Andrew (six weeks old) to Panera Bread. Who did we happen to run into but Michael...and he was with a girl. He was noticeably flustered and probably irritated that his master plan of keeping a secret got ruined. He introduced us to said girl. Her name was Edie (short for Edith). She looked very professional. I assumed that the two of them worked together and had come to Panera after work. And because the last girl Michael had dated was about ten years his junior, I made the comment to Matthew (after Michael and Edie walked away), "Hmmm.....she's an *adult*." :)

That summer, we got to know Edie and her three children from her first marriage. We quickly grew to love them all. In December 2006, they were married. (We now laugh that I thought she was professional when we first met at Panera b/c she's a stay-at-home mom who, like me, is usually in sweats and a t-shirt.) :)

This past Wednesday, April 15, at 4:12 in the afternoon, Edie gave birth to Jack Michael Crosby. Michael's first child. Jack weighed 7lbs, 5 oz and was 19 1/4 inches long. (Compared to Edie's other three giant children, Jack was TINY!) They are doing wonderfully, and it is quite hilarious to watch Michael with a baby. He is the quintessential first-time dad. Even the nurses at the hospital pegged him as such right away.

I took Andrew and Benjamin over to the hospital on Wednesday at about 1:30 to see Edie, Michael, and my mom. She was induced that morning at about 8:00, and her doctor had just broken her water right before we arrived. Here are pictures of that visit and then some of after Jack was born. (Those are obviously from my mom's camera b/c I wasn't there. The boys and I left at about 2:00.)

Here are Benjamin, Michael, and Edie



Benjamin is blowing raspberries at us.



Michael is taking a video of Andrew (who was confined to the double stroller). (I just posted it on my Facebook wall for those of you who care to go look.)



Michael kept the nurses entertained with his silly antics.



He is in awe of his son.

Here's my younger brother Justin with his new nephew.

This is my very favorite one!

By the time I got to the hospital, it was after 9:00, so I was feeling (and looking!) tired. But being there sure brought back a flood of memories!

The proud new father with his son's footprints on his shirt.

Aunt Angela and Baby Jack

My mom loves being a grandmother!

Big Brother Davis, age six. My mom said that when Davis was holding Jack, he looked down at him and whispered, "Do you want to be my best friend?" How sweet is that??

Big Sister Ashlyn, age nine, being handed her mask b/c she has a cough. LOL

Big Sister Abbie, age 11. I think Jack kind of resembles her.

They came home from the hospital yesterday, and they came over to Mom's house (where they boys and I were). Here are all three boys. Jack, Andrew, and Benjamin. (Doesn't Benjamin look like a monster? He'll be one next Friday, and he is much smaller than most one-year-olds, but next to Jack, he's a giant!!)

Thanks for looking! I'm sure it will be a fun summer!! :)

All you ever wanted to know about our Spring Break but were afraid to ask

Okay, first of all, sorry for the delay!!!!!!! Just thinking about posting vacation pics was kind of stressful.

Then I decided to just pick five pictures from each day.

That only worked on some days.

Some days have 10, and our first full day at the beach has 15. I just couldn't help myself.

So.....without further ado....here is our Spring Break. (Many of you have already seen these on Facebook.)

Friday, April 3

The most important thing from this day: Before I left, I got my DVR down to ZERO PERCENT!!!! That is amazing, my friends.



I drove the last half of the way there, but Matthew started out driving. Mom was in the passsenger seat (natch), so I was stuck in the back with the toys and the stuff. But also my boys. :)

Saturday, April 4

Here is Benjamin showing off his cute teeth and getting sunscreen on for the first time.

Awwww....you gotta love the beach!

My little beach dork

Oops! LOL

He didn't last long. It was windy!

We're quite the Motley Crew.

Poor little guy. He was (still is) cutting teeth. That, with the added wind at the beach, made for a snotty, runny-nosed, runny-eyes little guy.

But he cheered up when Daddy started throwing him up in the air. (See why I couldn't limit myself to five today?) There is a video of this at the bottom of the post.

He loved running around on the beach. :)

Andrew loved all the toys that were at the condo. He especially loved the TWO Buzz Lightyear action figures. Here he is on Mom's bed playing. He didn't know I was there. (There is a short video of this at the bottom of the post.)

Right before dinner, I took him out to one of the pools. That is a Carter's 12 month swimming suit. (He just turned three.) LOL

Sunday, April 5

For six of the nine mornings that we were there, Matthew and I traded off duty. We each had three glorious mornings to sleep in or get up and have time to ourselves. (I chose to sleep, while he chose to get up and bike ride/run...err...whatever.) On my first morning, Mom and I took the boys to a playground. It was a short drive, but a long walk (0.66 mile one way, we calculated later) with a three-year-old. He did fine on the way there, but I had to carry him on my shoulders on the way back. Here we are on the way.

Stopping at the Alys Beach pillars.

I love this sign!!!

My boys=Serious Fellas on weird animals

Andrew loved this slide! Check out the video at the bottom of the page to watch him wipe out!

Benjamin's first time swinging. Despite being totally ready for a nap, he enjoyed himself. :)

A Brotherly Swing (As you can see, there was a storm moving in, but we managed to make it home without getting drenched.)

"I'm the King of the World!"

Sacked out shortly after getting back into the stroller.

This is the weirdest picture! Matthew was messing around with the settings on the camera...Can you find both boys? Quite ghostly...

Isn't this the coolest tic-tac-toe board? The letters each had pegs so they stayed.

Monday, April 6

Oh. Yum. We went to eat at a pizza buffet at Spicy Noodle. I had a salad and three *delicious* pieces of pizza. Here are two of them. Oh. Yum.

I love this boy.

Guess who suddenly decided to eat peaches? Sigh...picky eaters stink!

Ticklefest with Daddy after the meal

I have dreams of this.

We went back to the beach. Andrew loved playing in the sand and really didn't have any interest in swimming. Which was fine with me!

Tuesday, April 7

We took a short walk (1/2 mile) down to Rosemary Beach, where there are cute shops and a lot of families hanging out.

We stopped at Sugar Shak for a cherry shaved ice.

That night before bed, Andrew and I did a construction puzzle.

Wednesday, April 8

Because I've seen pictures of the Blackiston boys jumping on this bed, I thought it would be fun to recreate that with Andrew. (I didn't really think it was safe to let Benjamin up there, LOL.)

Benjamin is getting a lesson on not touching Andrew.

And I love *this* boy!

Snuggling up in towels straight out of the dryer is always fun. :)

For lunch, while the boys napped back at the condo under Mom's watchful eye (she was watching movies, LOL), Matthew and I went to eat at the Seagrove Village Market Cafe. Stephanie had told me that they have the best fried grouper sandwich, but I was feeling more like shrimp. But Matthew ordered the sandwich. Look at this...it's perfection! The best part is that they have tartar and cocktail sauces in a big squirt bottle. (Incidentally, Mom and I went back the next day during the boys' nap time and we *both* got the fried grouper sandwich. That thing is SO delicious. It's like a Filet-o-Fish on crack. The best fish sandwich I've ever had.)

After naps, we headed back down to the beach. Because that's how we roll. (Literally)

Benjamin didn't last long down there b/c it was so windy. After being on the beach for literally five minutes, Matthew took him back to the condo. His nose and eyes ran and ran and ran the rest of the evening. :(

Throwing sand is fun!

Here is a picture that Matthew took of one of the pools at night. Sigh...paradise, anyone?

Thursday, April 9

Here is a picture of Andrew and his Clifford friends watching...umm...Clifford.

Andrew stalking some kids from Atlanta in the pool.

Andrew venturing out in his boat

He hasn't done it since, but Benjamin pulled himself to standing by himself for the first time while Matthew was giving him a bath!

Friday, April 10

While I slept until 11:00 on one of "my" mornings (WOWZA!), Mom and Matthew took both boys back to the Alys Beach playground. I love this picture of Matthew and Andrew.

What a cutie!

He really does love his mommy. I should know.

This picture is one of my favorites. (It looks better enlarged, so click on it!)

Hubba, hubba!

Saturday, April 11

This was probably the most beautiful day here!

Sunday, April 12

Right before we left, and right after Andrew slammed his fingers in the door.

Andrew got to watch one movie (Toy Story 2) on the way home. What a glorious 90 minutes that was! (Namma bought him a cookie at McDonald's!)

And here are four short videos for you to enjoy.

**To listen, please hit "end," pause the music, then hit "home" to get back to the top.**

I like to call this one "Cryfest." Andrew had just gotten into trouble for something (there's no telling what) and had been told to go sit in Mommy and Daddy's room. He was crying and screaming. Benjamin was in his playpen playing but was getting fussy and was ready for his nap. (He was in the laundry room the first couple of days but then we moved him to the master closet.) This video just goes to show you that when you take kids with you, there really is no such thing as a true vacation. LOL

Here are Benjamin and Matthew on the beach.

Here is Andrew playing with two Buzz Lightyear action figures (Can I call them dolls?) on Mom's bed. I love the commentary, "To infiddity...and beyond!"

The fun slide.

Well, that about sums it up. We had so much fun, and even though it was work, it was relaxing. If any of you are interested in renting this place, it is wonderful!! Our friends, Tim and Stephanie, are the owners, and they have thought of everything. Click here to see the place.