Reflections on Liam's First Birthday

Liam is napping and Lupe is with Grandma.  I have been wanting to write this post for a while and now I may be running out of time as i get LOST on the internet. Well, not lost really, I only went to one website, but it had so many articles and links about Down Syndrome (http://dsdaytoday.blogspot.com/p/neurodevelopment.html)  that I almost couldn't stop reading.  But now I am in a fog as I wonder, Should I give Liam supplements, will Gingko Biloba help such and such?  etc etc. NOw what do I do about vaccines?  How is it different for a DS kid?  Am i doing enough...... STOP!  See, this is what happens when I read so much.  Yet, who else is going to be his advocate?
What I wanted to reflect on is his first birthday.  First off, THANK YOU to those who came to the fiesta or were here in spirit. (I don't even want to remember reading an online facebook forum and a mom saying how   her ds child was never invited to parties- and wondering if that is why i invited so many to Liam's party and how I want him to have friends, but then- our TRUE friends will always love us and invite us over and our true friends will educate their children about kids with special needs or maybe they won't even have to. they will just know that they love Liam.....oh boy, here i go, digressing....back to the party).
One year old. I'll never have a newborn again. My little guy will now quickly turn into a little boy.  This first birthday was very emotional as those of you who are parents can understand. Liam was born 6 hours after leaving Circus Vargas at intermission on July 3, 2011.  So we went to the circus again and I just know it will be a tradition now. Thank you Apa for a secret letter to the ringmaster and the whole crowd knowing that today was a special day for the McGrath family!  Lupe's name mentioned in front of all, but she and her Papa were oblivious, off buying a light saber! Liam was overwhelmed by it all and decided to sleep through this one.

The party: bounce house, cupcakes, good friends and family. Pretty standard, yet pretty special. We were surrounded by our ever growing circle, our community. Liam didn't cry or fall asleep, not bad for a one year olds birthday!
I normally would never ask for presents, and still don't want to, but I know people like to give them, as do I. Non toxic and earth friendly products are important for all kids, but especially for my little guy, which is why I created the gift registry at EcoBambino.  I am so grateful for all the gifts Liam was given (Lupe is grateful too!)- thank you. We are trying to create the safest environment possible.


It hit me, with him turning one, that he isn't crawling yet.  Most other one year olds have crawled a while and are learning to walk.  I am grateful he is mobile. That he has started to explore the house, scooting from one room to the next, following his sister.

If you haven't already, go back and read my post titled My "everything".  It describes a little of what we do every day.  Most people don't ask me much about it.  This is both good and bad.  I want you to ask, and to know how much extra effort goes into raising this little guy, how much time I spend thinking about what I am doing with him.  How much extra worry there is.  How much more I think about the future.   At the same time, if everyone asked all the time, I'd get pretty tired of repeating myself and explaining it over and over!
But what I most wish for as I reflect on Liam's first year, is that you take the time to read what I write here and let me know you have read it ("like" it when i post the link to this on FB).   Isn't that what anyone ever wants really? To know that they are being heard?