A Good Mother?

Well, I knew this day would come - I was just hopping it would've been later. Since Nathan was born we have had the great privilege of having him taken care of by family. Circumstances arose that changed that situation but we still were able to have Nathan at home in the care of a trusted friend. Yesterday, I received the call - she found a job and will be starting asap. So, at this very moment we have no care for Nathan and few alternatives - and those options we do have turn my stomach. They include day care, a nanny, home day care, or mommy leaves her job. Let me give you my thoughts on each of these options.

Day care - my son is such a good natured little boy - my fear is he'd be put in a toy or simply not given any attention. Who would help him ever day with the therapy that he needs? Who's going to teach him how to crawl, help him with his sign language and speech needs, and teach him how to use his pincher grasp to eat? Those workers making $8 an hour that have to deal with other crying children? I don't think so. Not to mention, the germs that lurk in these settings and Nathan needs to be as healthy as he can be.

Home Care licensed day care - This could be a potential option but my greatest fear is the lack of accountability. At least in a public day care - there are two adults in the room. I am fearful that without this check things could be potentially harmful for Nathan. And, some of my above fears also exist with private day care.

A Nanny - Accountability. period. I have a co-worker that hired a nanny and after suspecting some unethical behavior she set up a camera. She found the girl stealing and giving her children over-the-counter medication so they would sleep longer at nap times! If this becomes our only answer we will set up an in-home monitoring system. We actually own one - Danny just needs to set it up.

Mommy stays home - this is obviously the best option for Nathan. Daddy disagrees.

I feel that placing Nathan in a strangers care makes me a bad mother with mixed up priorities. Danny disagrees - he said to me "do you think every mother that makes the decision to put their child in day care is a bad mother?" The answer is no. But, not every mother is the mother of a child with Down syndrome. Not every mother has to worry about therapy, doctor's appointments, developmental delays and compromised immune systems. And, if they do - I still need to make the decision that is right for me - this is a personal decision.

We have one other option but it all depends on circumstances that may or may not arise. Either way it won't solve my current dilemma. With all of this said, I've full faith that things will be as they should. It's just going to be a little stressful until then.

Grammy's Special Day!

Today is Nathans Grammy's Birthday! It's also his cousin Al's big day! Hope it's a good one!

The Dentist & Speech Concerns

Nathan was born with a high palette - the arch in the roof of his mouth is narrow and high. As Nathan develops and begins to speak this will become an impediment to his articulation. The structure of our mouths is critical to the proper pronunciation of words - the palette plays a critical role in the verbal formation of words. Now, what does all this have to do with the dentist?

On December 8th, Nathan will have his first consultation with a pediatric dentist and the topic of conversation will be a palette expander. I've recently been made aware of the fact that such a device exists by a friend who spent 11 years employed by one. I'm curious to learn if it can help Nathan before he really begins communicating verbally! The device literally pushes the palette out - thereby, decreasing the arch and narrowness of his mouth. I'll keep you posted on the outcome.

Nathan's Family Served Our Country

Nathan's great grandfather (Jido) and his grandfather (my dad) served in the U.S. military - one in the U.S. Navy and the other as a helicopter mechanic for the U.S. Army. I feel that as Americans we can never repay our debt to the men and women and their families that have sacrificed for the freedoms we enjoy (something each of us takes for granted). The simple fact that I am afforded the freedom to sit here in the comfort of my home and blog without restrictions and fear of repercussion was, and is, secured by our military. (it's a small example - I know)

A few years back I decided to see what I could find out about Nathan's great grandfather's service during WWII. Here was the email I sent to the NYS Director of Veterans Affairs -"Is there anyway for you to find out what unit my grandfather served in when he was in the Navy? His name is Peter John Corey he would have been from Troy, New York and it would have been during the 1930's or 1940's. He was very young. Joined when he was 14 because he lied about his age on his application. When they found out - they kicked him out! I actually think he was out to sea before they figured it out. Sent him home and he rejoined when he turned of age."

Here is the response I received "Your grandfather was born on 5 October 1929, and his Service Number was 6019926. He was issued a WWII Bonus check for $250 in January of 1948 and it was sent to 725 4th Avenue in Troy. He had a claim file with VA which was destroyed following his death. His death benefits claim was sent to the archives at Clark Summit, PA. We have requested the folder be sent to our office, but that will take about ten days. The folder may have enough in it to give you the information you are looking for, but if not we will have to go to the National Personnel Records Center in St. Louis and that will take weeks. Sorry I can't tell you more on this short notice, but this is what we have. I'll let you know when the folder arrives."

I'm still waiting.

If you see a Veteran - thank them. Not just today but any day. These men and women are proud to have served their country - be proud of them too by showing a little appreciation for their sacrifice.