On our way

So last summer I received some pec cards from summer school.  I have some medium size ones and some little ones.  I have a majority of different pictures.  Last summer Jonathon really did not seem interested so I put them away.

I have been cleaning and organizing lately and I came across the pec cards again.  I decided to bring them out to see what Jonathon would do with them.  Now the little cards have velcro on the back of them and they stick to a schedule sheet that sticks to the fridge.  He rips them off daily and sticks them back on.  Some pictures he is beginning to learn.

But what I am really proud of is the medium size cards.  We only have a few this size and I have been trying to decide to get some more made or purchase some other sort of flash card.

These are the words that Jonathon knows very well and you can really understand exactly what he is saying!  I am once again so so proud of my little boy and I cannot wait for him to learn even more.

 

Wordless Wednesday

A day of Fun!

So every month our local Down Syndrome Support Group has a meeting on a Monday night.  This month we did not have a meeting due to Winter Break.  Instead we had a bowling party.  The support group covered the cost of the child with Down Syndrome and their siblings.  Pizza lunch was included!  And we were allowed to invite whoever we wanted seems how it was a public bowling alley.

At first I was excited when I received the letter in the mail and yes wanted to take our family.  Then I stopped and thought about it and thought ~ Would Jonathon do okay?  ~ Bowling Alleys are loud and he does not do well with loud noises ~ He is only 2.5, would he even enjoy himself ~ And the worst thought of all ~ GERMS, H1N1, sickness, colds..... ~ Then I thought about it longer and decided NO I would not let Jonathon miss this.  Yes there is germs, but he is good about washing his hands, this is something I want to do as a family so we will go and hopefully the noise won't be terrible.

So I called my sister and invited her, her husband and son.  They said sure that they would go.

So we went yesterday afternoon and we had a riot!  OMG!  I am so glad that I talked myself into letting Jonathon do this.  He had soooo much fun.  He did great with all the people and the noise of the balls and the alleys.

The worst time he had was waiting for his turn to throw the ball!  Too funny.  But he did manage to settle down and wait his turn. 

Kenny loved it.  Andrew on the other hand was not happy and did not want to be there!  Of course this is my child that I had to put into preschool years ago for socialization.  He gets so nervous being out in public.  After awhile he calmed down and did great bowling too.

Awesome day and lots of fun all around.  We have decided that we are going to do this again as a family with us and my sister's family too.  We are starting a tradition and who knows maybe Andrew and Kenny will learn to like bowling and someday Jonathon can join a league!!!!

Jonathon's new stroller!

Uncle Dave(holding ball), Adam(cousin) and Andrew

Andrew bowling

Kenny bowling

Jonathon! and Daddy!

Getting a ball

getting ready

and my crappy camera missed it!

Very excited about going again!

taking a break to call Rylee(his girlfriend)

Top row: Uncle Dave(godfather), Aunt Carol-Ann, Adam(my sis's family)

Bottom: Gilbert, Jonathon, me, Kenny(behind me) and Andrew(behind Kenny)

And this is what happens after a day of bowling!

Our first snow day!

Our winter storm started Tuesday morning around 9:15a.m.  I ended up canceling an appointment for a quote on a new water system because Jonathon and I had to run out and pick up milk.
It just started to snow when we left.

on the way to Kroger

when we came out of Kroger

The drive home

It continued to snow all day and night

We woke up to alot of snow and no school.

We ventured outside for a few minutes.

Jonathon and brothers playing with his new sled he 

got for Christmas

Standing in the snow with Andrew

This is Jonathon's first experience with snow.  He seemed to really like it, but it was very cold and windy so we only stayed out for a few minutes today.  Hopefully tomorrow will be calmer out so he can play out longer and actually enjoy the snow.

Some Important Days in February

February 1st is my oldest(Andrew) birthday.  He turned 15 this year.  I can still remember the day he was born.  Emergency cesarian after 38 hours of labor!  8lbs 2 ounces!

Andrew John Panczyk

Andrew is becoming a young man and I am very proud of him.  I can't believe that in only a few years he will be 18!

Jonathon loves his big brother and loves to sing and celebrate

February 5, 2008 is when Jonathon had Open Heart Surgery to repair 2 holes in his heart(ASD/VSD).  To think that my baby was not even 6 months old.  I thank god every day for protecting my angel!

So every year on February 5th we will celebrate with Jonathon for having a HAPPY MENDED HEART!  

Happy Heart Day Cake

Card and stickers came in the mail from Auntie Carol-Ann and family

Balloons with Cake

Daddy,Grandma Panczyk,Jonathon and Grandpa Panczyk

Enjoying his ice-cream!

And February 7th is mommy's birthday ~ Now I would rather just skip the whole birthday thing every year, but my boys love to bake cake and eat it of course, so once again mommy had a birthday and turned 41 this year!  Jonathon keeps me very young, because I do not feel like I am 41 even though some days I know I look much older!!!!

Small rolling pins so my little helper(Jonathon) can help me out

and for playing Play Doh

Now, don't we all just look thrilled!!!!

Kenny, Andrew, me and Jonathon

I also got a new pair of slippers from Kenny, a huge bag of M & M's from Andrew and Coca Cola(12 pk) from Jonathon.  I have been saving for a laptop and I am almost there.  That is my big birthday present, I just don't have it yet.

I spent my day relaxing at home with all my boys.

C E L E B R A T E ! ! C O M E O N ! !

It is officially HAPPY HEART DAY # 2 !!!

Some pictures are graphic ~ please be aware ~

Jonathon's Hospital

Getting my last hug before surgery

Right after surgery

Waiting to take some stitches out and then homebound!

One year later - Our First Happy Heart Day Celebration!

Getting ready for his party!

2 years later - Our Second Happy Heart Day Celebration!

Checking out his Happy Heart Day Balloon

Atrial Septal Defect (ASD) - a hole in the septum between the upper left and upper right heart chambers. This causes mixing of the red and blue blood, thus overworking the right side of the heart. The three types of ASD's are Sinus Venosus, Ostium Primum and Ostium Secundum. Sometimes the ASD can be closed during a cardiac catheterization or surgery may be required. 

Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD) - a hole in the septum of the lower left and lower right heart chambers. This allows blue blood to mix with red blood, causing the heart to be overworked and possibly enlarged. A small hole may not need to be closed, a medium-sized hole may be closed during a cardiac catheterization and a larger hole may require surgery.

Bicuspid Aortic Valve (BAV) - a defect of the aortic valve that results in the formation of two leaflets or cusps instead of the normal three. Normally only the mitral valve (bicuspid valve) has two cusps (instead of three). The aortic valve is situated between the left atrium and left ventricle. About 1-2% of the population have bicuspid aortic valves, although the condition is nearly twice as common in males. It is more common than any other congenital cardiac anomaly. In many cases, the condition will cause no problems. However, especially later in life, a bicuspid aortic valve may become calcified, which may lead to varying degrees of severity of aortic stenosis and aortic regurgitation, which will manifest as murmurs. If these become severe enough, they may require heart surgery. 

http://chdbabies.blogspot.com/2009/08/chds.html

 Jonathon had surgery February 5, 2008 for ASD/VSD repair.   He sees his Cardiologist once a year in August.  If everything looks good this year we may be moved up to seeing his Cardiologist once every 2 years!

His BAV is being monitored and always will.  We have no worries or concerns at this time.

To celebrate Jonathon's 2nd anniversary of HAPPY HEART DAY we are having a small party once again!  Tonight Grandpa and Grandma Panczyk, Mr. Randy, and big brothers and mommy and daddy are having a lasagna, garlic bread and salad dinner with special homemade punch to drink.  Afterwards we will celebrate with a Happy Heart Cake and Neapolitan Icecream(Jonathon's favorite) and lots of balloons!!

I am thoroughly amazed how far technology has come in life and I am very happy with the team of doctors and nurses that we have for Jonathon.  Thank you for choosing the medical field as your career and for saving so many lives. 


I love you Jonathon!  I am so proud of you!  Enjoy your special day!


Please check out the website listed below and help spread awareness ~ Thank you

http://tchin.org/aware