A party is coming soon for Mr. Andrew. He turns FIVE next week. So, I suppose, it is also the blog's 5 year birthday. That all seems crazy and not possible. I would like to scream STOP THE CLOCK, I would request a time out. Time to soak up my boys just a little longer without them growing so fast. I always told the boys that they were "grown up" when they could 1) take their own shower and 2) buckle their own seat-belt. Because, after all the bottles and diapers, you still have to strap 'em in and hose them down.
So, earlier this month I get ready to put Andrew in the bath because the twins were heading for the shower. He looks at me and declares, "I SHOWER." What, little man, the shower scares you still. To which, Jeff tells me that the night before (while I was out with the girls), Andrew took his first shower. Jeff gave him soap-down and rinse 101, and Andrew passed. I did not know if I should celebrate or cry. And off to the shower he went.
So, fast forward to today. I take him to swim lessons today. Jeff has taken him the last month or so, and Andrew was so excited to show me all his moves. I could read his lips behind the glass viewing area saying, "Mommy WATCH!" and him to proceed with his swimming prowess. He got so tickled with himself that he almost drown a few times because he was laughing as he went under. I could have eaten him with a spoon. As we pile back in the van (it is just the two of us), he climbs to the back seat, grabs his seat belt, declares "I TRY" and just about succeeds in the self-buckling.
I guess he is not a baby any longer. Sigh. Celebrate. Then sigh some more.
So, we have done almost 5 years of having a guy with Down Syndrome. We are forever changed for the better as God has chipped some of the ugly pride from our hearts and replaced it with a little more grace, a little more forgiveness, and a lot more joy.
I was sitting on the sofa tonight and Andrew comes waltzing in naked. Not really sure why he was naked, but he fires up the obnoxious Hallmark things that play music when you press the snowman's hand. He starts dancing and shaking his booty - trying to sing along. Big brother Jeffrey was sitting on the sofa with me and we both decided that if that did not make you smile, then you were hopeless.
Fun twin story will be next.
