21 Things I love about Theo

I haven't posted since October. Yikes. I have started posts several times, I just haven't been sure what to say, or how to say it, but since today is World Down Syndrome Day, I will just start with a few facts about Down syndrome.


As Theo was growing in my belly, the first cell happened to included an extra 21st chromosome (0.1% chance), and as Theo grew and grew, each and every cell in his body copied from the first to include an extra 21st chromosome. If any of the other 23 pairs of chromosomes had an extra copy, it would likely ended with a miscarriage because of too much extra DNA. However, because the 21st is the shortest chromosome, only carrying about 1-2% of DNA, many babies survive and even thrive, just with a variety of effects on their development.

Theo is our handsome 3-month-old baby with Down syndrome. If you have been following me on Facebook, you would know that Theo has given us a few scares! We have been in the hospital 3 times since birth and see many specialists on weekly/monthly basis. Luckily, with the amazing doctors and technology these days, I have no doubt that Theo will still have a happy and fulfilling life despite some of the health issues he has been going through.

Features that I love, related to his extra 21st chromosome:
  1. His almond-shaped eyes
  2. His small round ears
  3. The thick skin on the back of his neck (I rub his head and neck all the time)
  4. His sweet pudgy hands with short fingers
  5. The longest tongue in the world (he licks everything)
  6. His little button nose with flat nasal bridge
  7. His short arms and legs (I need to learn to tailor his clothes)
  8. His low muscle tone (he falls right into my chest and melts into me!)
  9. He sleeps with his tongue out and snores
  10. He still fits into newborn clothes (my baby forever!)



Features/Behaviors that I love, not related to his extra 21st chromosome:
  1. His deep-blue eyes and long eyelashes (just like Travis)
  2. His lips (just like me)
  3. How he smacks his lips when he is hungry instead of crying (he rarely cries!)
  4. How he stares at his yellow bird toy like it is the only thing in the room (he doesn't do that with anything else)
  5. How he is so aware of the people around him
  6. How he makes a shocked face when he gets in a warm bath or a cold changing table
  7. How he glares when he gets in the car seat 
  8. How he always farts in the bath
  9. How I can read 5 books to him and he still sits quietly waiting for more
  10. How much he loves the "jelly rolls" when I give him his daily massage
  11. He hates being swaddled, and if we swaddle him, he wiggles until he gets out of it, and he always gets out of it! My little Mister Houdini :)


Travis and I love our little boy more than anything. We treasure every moment with him.  We are so lucky to be parents of Theo.



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