Dinner with Governor Bill Ritter

Last Tuesday, July 7, David and I had the great fortune to go to downtown Denver, in Larimer Square, to have dinner at Bistro Vendome. We were invited to attend because we had come in second place for fundraising for the Elephant Rock bike race for Bryce's new school, the Rise School of Denver. The top 10 fundraisers were invited along with the corporate sponsors. We arrived at 6:30PM for cocktails. David and I only knew one other couple there, so we had to start meeting new people right away. I took the opportunity to talk to the only child there, named Jack. Thank God for Jack because he was born with Down syndrome to some amazing parents, Mary and Greg Holm. His parents actually started the Rise School in Denver. Jack is 9 years old and about the cutest thing I have ever seen. He told me all about the basketball camp he had attended that day, complete with elaborate details of a game called "dead worm". I loved talking to him, because he is so happy, healthy, and talks so well. He seems just like any other little boy.

After I talked to Jack for awhile, it was time to sit down to dinner. The restaurant had set up a long table that seated about 45 guests. David and I sat in the middle. All the guests crowded in and took their seats. I was disappointed that no one sat across from me, but I was so excited to be able to eat at a French restaurant. It had been so long and the food was fabulous. Just after everyone had ordered their dinners, in walks Governor Bill Ritter. I was surprised to see him there, but not completely because he had participated in the Elephant Rock race for Team Rise like David had. Governor Ritter is friends with Jack's dad, Greg Holm. He sat down in the only empty chair which was directly across from me. I was nervous at first. I just reached out my hand and introduced myself right away. Actually, it was very easy to talk with him. It was like having dinner with any other person, only he is the Governor of Colorado. Eventually I got up the nerve to ask him about charter schools for children with special needs. I had already told him that Bryce has Down syndrome. I mentioned that my daughter would be attending Academy Charter school in Castle Rock. When I asked the school if Bryce would eventually be able to attend Academy Charter School, I was informed that they do not have the money or resources to accommodate a child with such "significant needs as a child with Down syndrome". The Governor actually finished my sentence before I could get it out. He said, "they told you he couldn't go there." I was shocked. He said it was true that the way the funding works, they don't have the money for it.

So, there it is. Straight from the Governor's mouth. I told him I didn't like that, and that it should be changed. He didn't say much to that. He wasn't rude, he was just telling me how it is. I suppose I don't have to accept this. If I really do want Bryce to attend the charter school, I could make it my mission to see that it happens. I'm already on the PTO for next year. My theory is that if I really get involved in the school, it will be harder for them to turn him away. There was actually an article in the Denver Post not too long ago about the lack of students with special needs who attend charter schools. Here's a link to the article:

http://www.denverpost.com/search/ci_12581441

Despite the disappointing answer to my question about the charter school, I did really enjoy having dinner with Governor Bill Ritter. My dad joked if the Governor had called me yet to be in his cabinet. Governor Ritter is a Democrat. I didn't vote for him for Governor, but I do like him. I love that he supports the Rise School. A third Republican just announced yesterday that he is starting his campaign for Governor of Colorado in 2010. But, I think I already know who I'll be voting for.

Bryce's Surgery

On July 9, Bryce had to go to Children's Hospital in Denver to have his adenoids taken out and tubes put in. I have been to the Children's Hospital about 4 or 5 times for Bryce to see Pat Winders for physical therapy. The place doesn't even look like a hospital. It has only been open for a few years. Inside everything is bright colors, soft carpets, fun couches, and toys everywhere. When we go to physical therapy on the fourth floor it is more of the same. Friendly faces, more fun furniture, play areas, and picture books. The room where we do physical therapy is basically a playroom.

Last Thursday, we had to go to the second floor for Bryce to have his surgery. In the waiting room, there is an amazing fish tank, chairs with duck feet and more toys. But, then when they called us back and opened the big doors, I found out what was hiding back there. It was an actual hospital. I find it very amusing how surprised I was to walk into an area that looked like a hospital. I don't know what I was expecting, the doctors to operate with toy doctor kits like my kids play with, but this was the real deal. No more soft carpets and duck feet.

The nurses were incredibly nice. They all fawned over how cute Bryce is. I was really nervous. I know that adenoids and tubes aren't a major surgery, but it's still a surgery. I even had this exact surgery when I was a little girl. It scared me that he would have to be put completely under. David and I went back to the operating room while they put him under. It took longer than I thought it would for him to fall asleep. But, time was moving at a strange pace that day. After Bryce went to sleep, David and I went out to the waiting room. The surgery itself only took about 30 minutes. I couldn't do anything during the surgery except sit there and wait and go to the bathroom 3 times. Too much coffee or just nervous behavior, I'm not sure. David couldn't believe it.

After the surgery, we went back as soon as he woke up. The nurse couldn't believe how well he was doing. She said she had never seen a baby his age, Down syndrome or not, do so well after this surgery. He did do great, but there was one problem. The anesthesia wired him. I thought he would be groggy and tired, but he didn't take a nap the entire day. His surgery was at 8:45 in the morning. Our doctor told us to be ready to spend the night at the hospital, but there was a chance we could go home that day. We were able to leave by about 12:30 that afternoon. Bryce did fall asleep in the car on the way home, but that was all he slept the entire day. He just cried and wanted to be held and was pretty miserable all day long. All I could give him was Tylenol. I don't know if it helped that much. Bryce finally went to sleep around 6:45 that night. Then one hour later, he woke up. I thought oh no, he's going to be up all night. Luckily he was due for more Tylenol at that time and he went right back to sleep.

It has been 3 days since his surgery, Bryce has had his ups and downs. He's had a fever and been pretty yucky since his surgery. But, I'm glad he's sleeping better now and napping.

The reason for the surgery in the first place was that Bryce seems to have chronic fluid in his ears. He has not done well on his hearing tests lately either. His nose is congested most of the time. The surgery should help with his hearing, speaking eventually, and balance. For those reasons, he really needed the surgery and I'm glad he got it. I was so nervous. I'm so glad it's over.

Bryce's Collage

We had a professional photographer take our family pictures about 6 weeks ago.  We started doing this when Payton turned one.  We did our first family photo shoot just after her first birthday.  Then we had our second photo shoot when Braydon turned one.  Of course we didn't want to leave Bryce out.  It was hard to get the pictures taken.  First, we had to coordinate with school schedules, work schedules, and photographer schedules.  Then, once the day arrived, Bryce had pink eye.  He didn't kind of have pink eye, he really had it.  I tried 3 different treatments to get rid of this thing.  Finally the doctor put him on oral antibiotics and that did the trick.  It was nasty.  I'm so glad we are done with that.   Of course, we rescheduled.  Just before Bryce turned 13 months, we got his "12 month" picture taken.  It was also really hard to decide what to wear.  Our photographer, Lisa Turner, runs her business differently than most.  She burns all the pictures she took of us onto a CD.  We purchase the CD from her and then we can do whatever we want with the pictures.  Once I have the CD, I'll post more pictures on my blog.  For now, this is the collage she created for us to hang in Bryce's room.  He's so cute!!!

Pool Day

I finally did it.  I took all three kids to the neighborhood pool, by myself today.  I was nervous about going by myself because not one of my three children can swim.  Payton and Braydon are in swim lessons, but they cannot swim yet.  I do think swimming is starting to click with Payton.  I predict, she'll be swimming by the end of the summer.  

Bryce was so sweet.  I set him up in the stroller next to the pool.  He happily watched me trying to teach Payton and Braydon how to swim for about 20 minutes.  Then after we all ate lunch, we went to the baby pool so Bryce could play.  He had a blast!  He just crawled all over the place.  The best part of the pool for babies is that there is a zero degree entry.  Bryce crawled over to the fountains and played with Braydon's football.  He thought it was great.  He played for an hour solid in the pool without making a sound of complaint.  His little knees were red for the rest of the day after all that crawling around.  

On the way to the pool I told the kids my new mantra:

"No fighting, no crying.  No fussing, no whining."  They agreed to my conditions.  The best part is they actually followed through and behaved.  With them, if I set the expectations up ahead of time, things usually go much more smoothly.  The trick is to remember to set up the proper expectations in advance.  

I feel like summer has finally started.  It has been cool and rainy most of June.  I'm ready for the sun, the pool, backyard  barbecues, and leisurely days.

The Birthdays of 2009

I wish I were doing a better job of keeping up this blog.  Four birthdays have passed in my family in the past 6 weeks and I haven't posted a thing about them.  Baby Bryce turned one on April 24.  He's still my little baby though.  That is one of the good things about Down syndrome.  He's such a snuggle bug baby.  I still get to hold and cuddle and love him like he's much younger than he actually is.  I like that part.  

Braydon turned 3 on April 27.  He was sick for his birthday.  He didn't have as much fun at his birthday party as he would have.  The fire department came and everything.  He didn't seem too impressed.  I thought it was a fun birthday party.

I turned 34 on May 10.  Pretty uneventful.  I think we went to Red Robin for dinner.

Payton turned 5 on June 2.  Her birthday party is this weekend.  We did celebrate with my parents last weekend.  David was out of town on her actual birthday.  We couldn't leave Red Robin out of the equation for Payton's big day.  So, I took all three kids by myself to visit the big red bird.  It went well.  The strange thing is, I think I'm actually starting to like that restaurant.  The salads aren't bad.  I recommend the strawberry margaritas too.  Although they aren't cheap.  We must be one of Red Robin's best customers.

Bryce is CRAWLING!!!

Today is Tuesday, May 12, 2009.  Bryce is 12 months 18 days old and he officially crawled today for the very first time.  He has been up on his hands and knees rocking back and forth for months now.  He has been reaching with one hand or moving one knee forward, but for the last month, he couldn't quite put it together.  But, today he did.  We had physical therapy this morning.  Then this afternoon after a long nap and some milk, he was in a great mood.  He just acted like he wanted to do it.  So, after lots of encouragement, HE DID IT.  David was home, so I yelled down to him so he could see Bryce crawl too.  We got it on video and Bryce crawled about 4 feet 10 different times.  I was so excited.  I'm still so excited.  

For typical children the range for crawling is 6-12 months.  For Down syndrome, the range for crawling is 8-22 months.  I'm thrilled that Bryce even falls within the range of crawling for typical kids.  He's on the early side for Down syndrome.  What a great day!!

Cutest Baby Award

And the cutest baby on earth award goes to Bryce!  Today after church I had to go to Costco to get things for the birthday party next weekend.  Bryce was so tired.  He had already missed his morning nap because we were at church.  It was time for his afternoon nap.  I knew if I didn't make it to Costco today it would be very hard to find another time.  So, we had to do it.  Now if this had been Payton and maybe Braydon there would have been no way.  Crying, screaming or worse would have ensued if I had tried this manoeuvre with them.  Costco was packed.  We just finished with a three day snow storm of two feet of snow.  The people were out today.  Bryce fussed for about 5 minutes, then laid his head down on the cart and went to sleep.  As I was navigating the aisles with my giant rolls of paper towels and massive amounts of food, people left and right were going crazy over my sweet sleeping baby.  What an angel!