On November 18 2009 at 4:02 am William Alan Bartosch was joyfully welcomed into our family. He weighed in at 7 lbs 9 oz and 20 in long. We were stunned to discover that he was born with Trisomy 21, or Down syndrome. We love him unconditionally from the top of his toe-head to the tips of his toes. We know that this diagnosis will not define him. He is a happy, healthy little boy that just happens to have an extra chromosome.



Follow us on this unexpected and exciting journey as we learn how to live life Will's Way.



Thursday, February 14, 2013

Valentine's Week!

Will has been getting goodies from family and friends all week!  Now that I don't work in the cut flower world, I kinda like Valentine's day and week too:)  I had a teacher/therapist conference this morning with all of Will's 'team'.  They are happy he is making progress in areas of therapy but also in social/interpersonal ways in the classroom.  I believe Will has a hard time interacting because of his inability to communicate.  He has been more willing to join in play with others by bringing a toy to play with and has been singing and dancing more each day during music time...as long as no one is looking:)  His teachers know him so well...they told me that if he is dancing and they look at him or comment about it, he says 'no' and sits down.  Oh Will!?!  My stubborn boy:)  His therapists all said that he has been more willing to work with them lately too, which with Will is half the battle!
 
 
Will is on a one month break from his thyroid meds to see if he still needs them.  At age 3, doctors often try this to see if the hypothyroidism was a temporary thing that the child grew out of and then retest the blood in a month to see if his TSH and T4 numbers are where they should be.  Now that we have figured out how to get the medicine in the kid, it is no big deal to give it to him each day, but I guess if I didn't have to that would be one less thing for me to worry about.  So we will wait and see.
He also went to the ENT recently to find out one of his tubes is dislodged.  Another wait and see approach.  His 3 year check went well too.  Growing slowly, but growing still and otherwise healthy.  His pediatrician is his (and my) favorite doc as she entertains all of my laundry list of questions and rarely does anything invasive.  I try to limit my Google searches and check with her instead because otherwise I would have Will doing all kinds of crazy stuff:)   I also think she checks in on Will's blog, so I am hoping I got some 'points' for that one! 
I am getting excited about some new possiblities for speech and other therapies, including music therapy.  I hope to try some new things to get this kid motivated to communicate.
 
Will got a package from Grandpa Ron and Grandma Susan with popcorn and other goodies.  Luckily he shared with Lillian (and mom and dad!).
 
 
Opening (or spectating) the box of crafts and candy from Gaga and Papa.

 
He did NOT want me to take his picture with his Valentines for his class.
 
 
Circle time at school. Everyday they sing 'Will came to school today, we're so glad lets shout hooray!' and the kids get a turn to hug the duck. He loves to take his turn:)

 
Snack time with Valentine's goodies and CHD treats!  This week also celebrates Congenital Heart Defect awareness.  Many of Will's Buddies with Down syndrome have CHD as do other friends at school.

 
Playing and sharing valentines today with friends.

 
 

1 comment:

Grandma Judie said...

Great info and pictures too.I do love reading Will's blog. I know how busy your day is but appreciate the time you take to update the blog.Thanks---A Greatful GAGA