Layne's first mess!!!

Layne made his first mess today!!! I am so excited!! I put him on the changing table to change him and then left him there while I went to brush my teeth(don't worry he will not fall off, lol). When I came back he had gotten cotton balls everywhere!!! I practically jumped up and down, lol. It's funny how something like this can make a mother so proud!! Anyways here are the pics!!

Layne's new cousin!!

Last Thursday night (nov 2oth) Layne got a new little cousin!! Her name is Ella and she weighed 7lbs 4ozs and was 19.5 inches long!! She is so cute!! The hospital rules didn't allow Layne in the room so I couldn't get a pic of them together:( But here is a pic of her!!

Layne playing with a rattle!

Here is a short video of Layne playing with a rattle. I have been able to lay him down and put it in his hand to buy a little bit of time, not much, but a little.

Just an update!

Layne has been doing OK. He is still having seizures and is still as fussy as ever. He is hardly sleeping and man it is taking a toll. My back feels as though it's going to break in half! I have been trying to wear a back brace when I can. It seems to help a little. But seeing his cute little face is all worth it!!!

We are so thankful to have such wonderful church friends!! They have done so much and we can't express enough how grateful we are for them! Many people have pulled together not only in prayer but also bringing us food. That eliminates the worry of what to cook for dinner!! Since Layne didn't get his RSV shot we haven't been able to attend, which really stinks.

Layne seems to be getting better head control, and he certainly enjoys swimming alot! He moves around so much in the water that it's hard to believe he can't do much on the floor! Hopefully after more time he will be able to do more!!

More Swimming!!!

Here is a new video of Layne swimming, he is a little more active!!

I Am Blessed!

I sometimes feel like I am surrounded by tons of healthy babies, I guess because so many people are having babies these days. Sometimes I think, wow they are so blessed to have a healthy child and not feel the hurt I feel everyday. But you know what, I am just as blessed as any of them because Layne has taught me so much more than a "normal" child could have. Layne has taught me to love more, he has taught me the value of life, and most of all he has taught me not to take the smallest things in life for granted.

Because of Layne, my life will never be the same. He requires constant care, and he takes all I can give. I have no time to think about myself. He has truly taught me to be selfless. I will never take his precious smile for granted, not ever. And he is crying now, he just woke up...so I gotta go get him!!

Epilepsy Awareness

Dear Friends,November is Epilepsy Awareness Month and we need your help! As you know, we're asking all Americans to sign our epilepsy petition (www.epilepsypetition.com).

Our goal is to collect 100,000 signatures by December 31, 2008 to present to our elected leaders. That would definitely send a message! So far, we've collected 10,000 signatures online.

If everyone that signed our online petition collected just 10 signatures, we'd reach our goal! Will you take a few minutes and collect 10 signatures in the next couple weeks and help us reach this amazing goal?Collecting signatures is a great way to raise epilepsy awareness.

The more we talk about epilepsy, the more we educate the public. So come on! This isn't going to happen by itself! We need to make it happen! Collect some signatures and help us make a difference!You can obtain a copy of the petition by clicking here .

If you have questions, comments or want to get more involved please contact me at the email address below. Many thanks for your support!

JoeJoseph
LaMountainDirector of Grassroots Advocacy
Epilepsy Foundation
8301 Professional PlaceLandover, MD 20785
jlamountain@efa.org

Heaven's Very Special Child

HEAVEN'S VERY SPECIAL CHILD
A meeting was held quite far from Earth!
It's time again for another birth.
Said the Angels to the LORD above,
This Special Child will need much love.

His progress may be very slow,
Accomplishments he may not show.
And he'll require extra care
From the folks he meets down there.

He may not run or laugh or play,
His thoughts may seem quite far away,
In many ways he won't adapt,
And he'll be known as handicapped.

So let's be careful where he's sent,
We want his life to be content.
Please LORD, find the parents
whoWill do a special job for you.

They will not realize right away
The leading role they're asked to play
,But with this child sent from above
Comes stronger faith and richer love.

And soon they'll know the privilege given
In caring for their gift from Heaven.
Their precious charge, so meek and mild,
Is HEAVEN'S VERY SPECIAL CHILD.

by Edna MassionillaDecember 1981The Optomist- newsletter for PROUDParents Regional Outreach for Understanding Down's Inc.

Happy 14 month birthday Layne!!

Layne is 14 months old today! Can you believe it? Time goes by fast! Here is a little speech from the man himself! Enjoy!

Sign the petition!

Preemie Awareness Month

November is Preemie Awareness Month, so do what you can to spread the word! Make sure you do what you can to help all women get the 9 months of pregnancy they deserve for their babies! If you know someone who is pregnant encourage them to be healthy for their baby!

• Nearly half a million babies (or 12% of births) are born
prematurely every year.
• Premature birth is the number one killer of newborns.
• Preemie babies tend to face lifelong disabilities and
health difficulties such as cerebral palsy, mental
retardation, and chronic lung disease.
• Hospital charges for infants born pre-term average
$75,000, while health care for a healthy baby costs
approximately $2,900.
• Premature births are on the upswing across the nation

I myself have a baby who was born premature. He will face challenges his entire life because he was born too early. Having a premature baby is one of the most emotional and trying times I have ever been through in my life...and it's not over yet. We still face many many challenges to come for Layne. Here is a picture of him when he was born...

Update 11.5.08

Hello everyone! Just wanted to give everyone a quick update! Layne is doing pretty good. He is still working on his first tooth. It seems like it is taking forever to come all the way in! He is still having seizures there has been no change with that. He continues to improve with therapy. We have been wanting him to bear weight on his arms and he has begun to do so! His head control also continues to improve! We are still having him "swim" everyday and are hoping that he will get stronger and stronger from it. His weight this morning was 13lbs 12ozs! Here are some recent pics....

Halloween!

We weren't going to take Layne trick or treating but kinda changed our minds and went by a few houses. He got a little bit of candy, of course I will be the one eating it but oh well. Here is a pic of him in his costume.