31 for 21: 21 Things about Jack and Down syndrome

Here are 21 things about Jack and our family that have to do with Down Syndrome...

• We didn't find out Jack had DS until he was two weeks old when a very observant pediatrician questioned the shape of his eyes.
• Jack was born on time with no complications. We went home after 2 days.
• My Ultrasound did not pick up Jack's AV Canal Heart Defect, a defect specific to DS.
• Jack had Open Heart Surgery to repair his AV Canal at 8 months old.
• When I was pregnant with Jack, my AFP Quad Screen came back negative.
• Jack has ABA (Behavior Therapy) 12 hours week to address certain behaviors that make it difficult to function in the real world...it's the real deal...it is WORKING!
• Jack goes to a Special Day Class (Special Ed.) from preschool. Next year, we are looking for full inclusion.
• Our team Jammin' for Jack raises money and walks in our local Buddy Walk with many of our family and friends.
• I have met some of the most amazing moms and their children...all because I had Jack.
• It took my husband and I about a week to grieve the diagnosis once we found out...then we were moving forward.
• I found DownSyn when I was researching everything and anything I could find about DS while we were waiting for the test results to come back.
• I got pregnant with Jack when I was 30.
• Other than his heart surgery, Jack has had his Tonsil and Adenoids out and ear tubs in.
• Jack rolled over at 6 weeks, sat up one week after heart surgery at 8 months, army crawled at 12 months, pulled to a stand at 14 months, cruised at 16 months, and walked at 24 months. He hasn't slowed down since, LOL!
• Jack's first sign was "more." Two months later, he was up to 20 signs. At three, he was at over 100 signs. Now, at 4 1/2, he uses 3 and 4 word sentences.
• Raising Jack is more normal than not.
• Jack has non-disjunction Trisomy 21.
• I have found that I am soooooo excited at every milestone Jack meets. Our family celebrates the things we have always taken for granted with our other kiddos.
• Jack loves music and dancing...his favorite songs are "On Top of Spaghetti," "Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Hot Dog Dance," and "California Gurls" by Katy Perry, LOL.
• Jack has lots of girlfriends. His best friend is Macy. They are two weeks apart in age, and they WILL get married, LOL.
• Our days are richer because we were blessed with our son Jack, who just so happens to have an extra chromosome. He has changed the hearts and minds of many.