I was showing him this: http://htwins.net/scale2/scale2.swf?bordercolor=white , which is really cool and demonstrates the relative sizes of various things in the universe (yes, “things” is the most accurate term I can come up with, there’s really everything). Two of the smaller ones are the DNA double helix and X and Y chromosomes, and I explained to Simon that David’s chromosomes are a little different from other people’s, and that’s why he has Down syndrome. I said chromosomes and genes make us who we are, that he and David have brown hair and blue eyes like Daddy because of their genes. His response: “Thanks, Dad” (for the eyes & hair).
Speaking of the world's most obnoxious child, he lived in our home for a couple of weeks there, last month. It started right around the time we had a little vacation, to visit family and go to the NC Zoo. It continued for about 2 weeks, and it was such a departure from his status quo that we were on the verge of taking him to the pediatrician to make sure there wasn't something physically wrong with him, that he couldn't describe to us, that was making him so miserable. Screaming, yelling, slapping two different girls in his preschool class (yes) ... it was really awful but we remained consistent and steady (as much as we could, it was really difficult) and fortunately it eventually passed. He's been great, most of the time, ever since.
** Note: the only thing we were able to figure out - at the pediatrician's suggestion, he gets 1/2 scoop of Miralax every morning, and during that 2-week period he didn't have any because the container didn't make it back from his last overnight to Grandma and Grandpa's. That had occurred to me as a possible explanation, but he had continued to have, ah, poops, so I dismissed that factor (and didn't rush out to buy more). But, once we decided to add it back in = return of the great child. Hmmm....
The other night we went to our first Down syndrome Parent Group in Asheville, hosted by the Family Support Network of WNC. There was only one other family at this meeting, probably because the weather was awful (rain, hail & fog). After introductions and during the pizza-eating, Simon randomly, loudly announced, “I don’t have Down syndrome.” Well, that’s correct, my love.
After we got home we asked Simon if he had fun playing with the other kid there, a 6 y.o. boy who does have Down syndrome, and we talked about how by the time David is 6, he’ll be walking around and talking just like that kid. And Simon added, “and he’ll be saying words and he won’t have Down syndrome any more.” Interesting – we’ve managed to convey that Down syndrome is the reason David’s not walking and talking as soon as other kids, so obviously once he learns those things, he must not have it any more? We explained that both David and the other kid will have it for the rest of their lives.
Tonight I made Hamburger Helper for the first time (ever, I think, certainly the first time for him) (my mom was pretty seriously into homemade-completely-from-scratch and I think I'm still making up for a childhood deficit of HH, Kraft Mac & Cheese, and Stove Top stuffing) and Simon's response was so positive, I had to send Matt a text in the middle of his meeting to let him know. While I was still dishing up David's, Simon was already saying how great it was. He said he wanted it "mixed up in [his] lunch tomorrow," ate two big helpings, and mentioned at least 4 more times how much he liked it. Really, I'm thrilled he loves something so easy, and I'd have done this a year ago if I knew how much it'd change his life. But it does make me question the amount of effort I put into most other cooking, often for a less-than-enthusiastic response. Sigh/Sy.
(Yes, following a serious discussion of Down syndrome with one about Hamburger Helper. Welcome to my life)
Oh, and I took him to see The Lorax in 3D this weekend; this was the first time I've taken him to the movie theater and it was just the 2 of us. He was scared by some of the louder parts and sat in my lap. Later I told him I was glad he'd stayed in there (when Matt took him to see Rango they had to leave after the first 10 minutes), and he said, "you protected me." :)
Love this guy. I've said that David (and any other future siblings) owe their existence to Simon, 'cause he was our first and we were so nervous but he was totally a breeze to care for as an infant & toddler.
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