Asher's first Birthday

Just a few picture updates of our now 1 year old!  I can't believe he turned 1 on October 25th.  He had quite the interesting Birthday as all of the Borkowski girls came down with the flu.  Somehow the boys managed to not get it.  No big party, just a small family affair with a smashing of a cupcake ofcourse.  Haley, who was the last to get sick, decorated his present with pom poms. Big sis Zoey was showing him how to use his new toy.  We can't wait to see him pushing it around the house.

Down Syndrome doesn't define me!

To them, he is just their little brother.  I see them look at him with love and I know that will always continue.  They will always fight for him and stand up for him.  He will definitely be in good hands with these two.  

Down Syndrome doesn't define who Asher is, it's just something he has. 

 

October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month

Did you know that October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month?  How fitting since it's the month that our little man decided to come into the World.  He was 2 1/2 weeks early.  He was suppose to be a November baby like Mommy but decided he wanted to join Daddy in celebrating in October.

This month I'd like to educate my friends on Down Syndrome, even though I am still learning more and more about it each day myself.  At first I received most of my information from the internet while pregnant with Asher. I have to say it was scary.  Most of the stuff that was put out there was all of the scary stuff.  But now that I am part of a community here locally, I am hearing the amazing stories as well.  The joys and the beauties. I also follow many blogs that just talk about the day stuff.  The "normal" life stuff.

Most of my friends have been posting facts about DS and their little ones this week and I have enjoyed reading them.  I wish I could share them all with you.  They have the same ups and downs like "typical" children.  They even have the "terrible two's and three's...."  LOL.  They are.... children!  That's probably the most important thing I want you to know.  Asher is a little boy first and foremost.  That was an important thing for me to remember when I brought him home.  He was a baby.  He needed me.

Here is an interesting thing I found on Pinterest that I want to share with you:

 
 I'm still learning the correct lingo myself.  Anyway, that's my education on DS for today.

And here's a cute picture I took of little man today.  Our weather here in CO turned cold and some people have reported the "s" word.... snow.  Don't worry, we're getting back into the 70's again on Sunday.  Hugs from Asher!

There's been a lot going on for the Borkowski's lately.  This above picture and the one below of Asher was taken and the Balloon Classic today.  It's a traditional Labor Day weekend activity for us.  The end of Summer, ah.  Not sure if I'm happy about that or not.  This year we weren't able to go to any of the glow's because they didn't happen.  Blame the crazy CO weather for that.  In fact there were only two launches this weekend as well.  They launch every morning Saturday - Monday and glow Saturday and Sunday night typically.  The launch happens shortly after sunrise so you can imagine how early we had to get up.  What a beautiful site though!  People come from all over to see them.  I have a ton more but here are just some of the highlights from today.  You can check my Facebook page or Clem's for more as well.  Happy Labor Day from the Borkowski's.

No more oxygen!

It's a happy dance kind of a day!  Mr. Asher is officially off of oxygen.  It took him almost 9 months but he did it!  No more tripping over the tubes, no more forgetting to turn his tank on at night, no more lugging the portable tanks around.... can you tell I was a little annoyed?  Everyone says we'll look back years later and probably not remember these moments.... I don't know if that's true.  It feels like such a long time to me.  Either way, we are so excited and so happy that he's healthy!  We are blessed!

In other news, Asher has his first tooth poking through.  All of the signs of teething have been going on for awhile so it's good to see something there. He's really handling it very well.... thank God for that!

Thank you for sharing in our good news with us!  I hope you are happy dancing with us!

Oh, and the picture is of him at his EKG today.  Nothing scary, just have to make sure everything is good and it is!

Strength

Since I am not always so good with my own words, I wanted to share ones from a blog (Not Alone) that I follow.... Good to read no matter what point you are at in your life or what your circumstances are.  I think it applies to everyone.

http://specialneedsparenting.net/2013/07/03/go-with-the-strength-you-have/ 

Read this online today and wanted to share....

 

Dear Mommy and Daddy,

I have felt your tears, falling on my face.

Someone else might think they are tears of sadness, because of what I can't do.

I KNOW DIFFERENT.

I know those tears pour from your heart out of gratitude for me, because of what I CAN do : I can love everyone in the purest form possible. Unconditionally. I can be judged, but will never judge in return. I know different because I feel, in your hugs and kisses, that I'm perfect just the way I am.

I have seen you hang your head down in shame, when we go out on adventures.

Someone else might think you are ashamed of having a child like me.

I KNOW DIFFERENT.

I know you are ashamed of the grown-ups who ignore me, yet talk happily to all the other children. The grown-ups who won't look you in the eye, but stare at me, when they think you don't see. I know different because I've seen the many, many more times you have raised your head up high, with pride, because I'm yours. : )

I have heard you whispering desperate prayers at night. Someone else might think you are asking God to make me a typical kid.

I KNOW DIFFERENT.

I know you are thanking Him that I got to be here, with you, for another day- exactly how I am. I know different because I have heard you ask me never to leave you. And I have heard you cheer for me, every single day of my life- you tell me I don't need to be typical to be amazing, I just need to be here.

I know you have a big job, taking care of me.

I know your body hurts, because I'm getting so big.

I know that more than anything, you want to hear me say your name.

And I know you worry that you aren't good enough, and that you will fail me.

BUT I KNOW DIFFERENT.....

I know that even on your worst days, you will always be enough for me, and I will always love you more than you know.

~By Tricia Proefrock