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Just a quick update on how Jasper is doing. In a word: GREAT! He is now one month old, and he is growing like a weed and seems to be very healthy. His chromosome test for Down syndrome did come back positive, so that's a definite now.
He has also had a heart ultrasound (called an echocardiogram or something) which was fine, and an abdominal ultrasound which showed there is nothing at all wrong with his kidneys! That was a relief as a possible kidney problem seen on the prenatal ultrasound was part of the reason for his early arrival. But it turns out there is nothing. He does have gallstones, which is apparently very rare in a newborn. It may require surgery or may resolve on its own, so we'll have to see about that. Jasper's insides have been mapped out very thoroughly!
He is growing so much. He's been putting on almost a pound a week!! I think that's pretty amazing. On Thursday he weighed 7 lbs 10 oz.
Apparently babies with Down syndrome often have heart or other health issues, and quite often have trouble breastfeeding. So we feel very fortunate that we haven't run into any of these problems and that the little guy seems to be thriving.
He is not quite as quiet as he was for the first few weeks, but still nothing to complain about. He never cries for extended periods, but instead gives little cry "yells", just one at a time, it almost sounds like a little bark. The sleeping has gotten a bit worse too, but still not too bad. He typically gives us a longer stretch at the beginning of the night of about 4 hours or so, and then another 3 hour stretch, and then it's morning. So typically we do one or two feedings at night which is nice since Peyton was an "every two hours daytime or nighttime" baby.
We have been doing lots of research on Down syndrome and have found a lot of good info on the web. Here are some of our favorite links:
Down syndrome explained
Down syndrome language
Welcome to Holland - a cool analogy.
A baby is a baby first
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As Ann Landers said in an artical several years ago you might have planed on going to Englaand but you have nnow arrived in Holland. A different speach, a different trannsportation but still a beautiful country that you will love and enjoy. We too had planed on that "perfect" little blue eyed baby that would follow all the charts.( England) But we found out the blessings of our little Melody ( Holland ). God really did know what He was doing when He sent her our way. She taught her older brother and 3 sisters so much. They are now grown and on their own but you can see the effects of Melody in their lives. Our son is a minister of childern and familes in Hutchinson Ks. Our oldest daughter is working iin Nashville with childern from foster care. The next daughter is a ministers wife and the mother of three. Two of which are from Chhin. The next daughter was in child protection and is now a stay at home mom with two beautiful little girls. So you can see it effect Melody has had on them. Melody is the church hugger and is so advanced socicaly. As for my self she is the reasion for life. She and I have been on out own for 10 years now. The best advice I have to give is to enjoy each and every day with him and do not worry about all thhose milestones. He will learn just at his own speed. God Bles your family as you tour "Holand".