10/31/04: Jack's Journal, Volume 2, October '04

What a busy month I’ve had!  Mommy & Daddy say that October is their favorite month.  I can see why…all of the leaves in my neighborhood have changed to beautiful hues of rust and gold.  Amazing! I was begining to tire of seeing the world in only red, black, and white.

Grammy Werking & Grandma Page look after me
On October 2, Mommy, Daddy, Poppy Werking and Grandpa Page played as a foursome in the annual golf tournament for the Chesapeake Down Syndrome Parent Support Group (CDSPSG).  They didn’t win, but they sure had a good time.  I got to stay with Grammy Werking all day!  She was terribly impressed with my ability to smile and coo.  She sang “the itsy bitsy spider” to me over and over and over again…I just loved it!

The following week marked Mommy’s return to work at the hospital.  I wasn’t too sure about her doing this until I found out Grandma Page would be having a “sleepover at my house” whenever Mommy goes to work.  Yahoo!  I don’t even get upset when Mommy leaves!  My Grandma sure does love me to drive down all the way from Harrisburg, PA once a week to babysit me.

My first road trip!
The second week in October marked my first real road trip:  off we went to Tennessee.  Mommy called it a “new state day,” and told me all about the photos that she and Daddy used to have taken of them standing next to various state welcome signs as they explored the country together.  Unfortunately, we didn’t get one of the three of us next to the “Welcome to Tennessee” sign.  Daddy wisely determined that it was a little dangerous for me to be out there next to the 18-wheelers cruising by at 80 miles per hour.

At any rate, Mommy & Daddy’s good friends recently moved there from Florida, and Columbus Day weekend was a great opportunity to see them again.  The last time I saw Aunt Erin & Uncle Eric was when I was still in Mommy’s belly.  They sure look different face to face!  To my surprise, there was another little boy at their house for me to play with.  Their son John David is just a few months older than me and he’s very good at sharing his toys and rolling over.  Our parents really enjoyed their visit and the chance to catch up.  I can’t wait for them to come see me in Baltimore so I can introduce JD to my big brother Scuff the Wonder Kitty.  Maybe by then I’ll be rolling over!

"Shot" and baptized, all in the same week
Once we got back from Tennessee, it was go, go, go! Mommy ran like the wind that week, shopping and cleaning and getting everything organized for my baptism the following weekend. Grandma Page came down again and stood watch as a visiting nurse came to the house to give me a shot…ouchy!  She told me that it would help protect me from RSV, a viral infection that makes kids like me get really sick.  So, a little pinch in both of my thighs once a month is probably worth it.   Not that I’m anxious for that nurse to come back!

My baptism was on October 17th. I BARELY squeezed into my baptism outfit because I’ve grown myself quite a tummy.  I didn’t mind, though, because my Daddy wore the very same outfit when he was baptized on Palm Sunday 30 years ago!  I did a great job during the ceremony - I didn’t cry even once.  I did, however, throw up on Mommy when we returned to our pew…all the excitement finally got to me!  Mommy told me that I was experiencing something called “stage fright,” but not to worry.  The day was still a raging success, given that all of my family and friends came back to the house for a fantastic spread of food and drink that Mommy prepared.  All my lovely ladies were there: my girlfriend Lynn (well, ONE of my girlfriends…I’m too young to be tied down), my Aunt Becky, my Aunt Jenny, and my Aunt Noelle.  They all traveled a great distance to see me on my special day…no one is more loved than me!

I gain one girlfriend, lose another
October 23rd was the new member welcome brunch for the CDSPSG.  I got to meet so many other kids just like me!  I think it was rather emotional for Mommy & Daddy, but I didn’t pay much attention to the adult's conversation because I was busy making eyes at the new love of my life, Tatum.  Yes, another girlfriend!  I don’t think my Daddy ever had this many girlfriends in his whole life, let alone all at the same time!  (Of course, that’s because he met Mommy when he was pretty young.)  Tatum is just a week younger than me and her parents are great.  I think our Mommies & Daddies will be a tremendous support for each other.   Tatum and I have already met for coffee at the mall.  (A chaperoned date isn’t ideal, but neither of us can walk yet.)

The last week of October was the busiest of all!  Mommy & Daddy went to see one of Grandpa Page’s football games in Hershey, PA.  His Falcons sure did play hard, but they lost the game.  Grandpa was disappointed, but as soon as I smiled at him, he forgot all about it!   We all had a sleepover at Grandma & Grandpa Page’s house Friday night.  When we woke up, Mommy & Daddy went back to down to Baltimore for Aunt Julie & Uncle Mike’s wedding.  (I did try to talk Aunt Julie out of marrying him, but she said as much as she’d like to be my girlfriend forever & ever, I was too bald.  I wouldn’t have pegged her as being so superficial!) 

A sight for sore eyes
The weekend’s festivities were overshadowed by the passing of Grammy & Poppy Werking’s dear friend, Jacquie Wilt.  Although I never got to meet her in person, I do know that she really encouraged Mommy to have children, that she has the same birthday as me, and that our names are almost the same!  Aunt Noelle came home to attend the memorial service with Grammy & Poppy Werking.  I went over to visit them afterwards, and I tried really hard to cheer them up.  I gave Poppy Werking my undivided attention as he talked and played with me, and we danced and sang to the Moody Blues (he taught me all about “rock and roll”). I’m beginning to figure out that I have the ability to bring joy into someone’s heart when they hold me…I think God gave me that special gift. Aunt Noelle says I remind her of the advertising campaign for milk...Jack: he does a body good.

Lion or pepper?! Pepper or lion?!
Last but not least, Sunday was Halloween.  I just COULDN'T decide between my lion costume or my red hot chili pepper outfit, so I wore them both for 2 hours a piece!  I really was the cat’s meow (no offense, Scuff).  To top off the weekend, Daddy’s Steelers crushed the Patriots, breaking their 21 game winning streak!  I think I’ve brought good luck to that Steeler team.  Aunt Noelle says that I brought it to her Red Sox!

My latest progress report
OK, now that I’ve given you the scoop on my social life, I’ll fill you in on my health.  On October 13th, I weighed in at 13 pounds, 2 ounces and I’ve grown to be 24 inches long!  You should see how long my legs are…wonder where they came from?!

I’m still seeing my physical therapist Miss Elizabeth, but we’re having trouble getting services every week.  So, we’ll stick to every other week for now. I also went to see a very prestigious physical therapist at the Kennedy Krieger Institute.  I asked Mommy if she was a “PT to the stars,” but she said, “only if the stars are children with Down Syndrome, sweetie.”  I’m going to see her once a month until I start walking, which she said should be around 24 months.  November will be a big medical month for me:  my 4 month well-check, an echocardiogram at Johns Hopkins, and round #2 of my RSV injection are all coming up.

Finally, I can ALMOST roll over, but my arm keeps getting in the way like a pesky speedbump.  My other tricks include smiling all the time, reaching for toys, chewing on my hands, throwing my feet in the air, grabbing my feet (but only if my favorite red shoes are on them), and a rare giggle.  Are you impressed?!

Well folks, stay tuned for next month’s edition of Jack's Journal...I’ll be sure to include my famous sweet potato pie recipe!  (Hee, hee!  Mommy told me to say that.)

Love you all,
Jackson