Mommy & Me Gymnastics Class

After Weston was born, my mother-in-law agreed to keep him full-time so that I could continue teaching. She wanted activities to do with him so she signed him up for a Mommy & Me Gymnastics class. They had a great time going each week. Weston would practice crawling and walking, they'd play with the parachute, they'd clap to songs, roll down the cheese mat, etc.... After Colton was born, I decided to stay home full-time, so my mother-in-law didn't get the same bonding time with him. She asked me if she could sign him up for Gymnastics so that she could spend some time with him and I said, "Absolutely!" I think it's great for him to be around other babies. It's like another therapy session for him....lots of stimulation, babies to watch and learn from, and muscle building activities. She takes him each week, but I've taken him twice while she's been out of town.

The first time I took him to class, I got a little choked up. I've never been around that many babies about his same age. I went into the class knowing that Colton would be behind most of the other babies, but it was still hard for me to see that Colton, although not the youngest, was the farthest behind. I didn't cry, but I did feel a little lump in my throat. It's just hard to see it in person. At home, I don't really notice it because it's just us and I forget what "typical" 10 month old babies can do...but being around kids close to his age, it stands out to me like a sore thumb. And as he gets older, it's just going to become more and more obvious. While I was there, I felt like God was telling me, "It's ok, Carrie. It's ok. He will get there." I decided to suck it up and put on a smile on my face and have fun with my baby. There were some activities that our teacher would have the other kids do that Colton couldn't do. She'd get them started on something and then come work with Colton, individually. Most of the stuff she was doing were things we do at therapy. I was thankful that she took time to work with Colton so that we wouldn't feel left out. She knows he has DS and is just the sweetest. I enjoyed spending time with Colton and we made it fun. We did a lot of songs where you have to raise your arms up and down and cross the midline. We kicked our feet and played with bells. We blew up the large bounce house thing and let the kids bounce. We did things in front of the mirror so the kids could see themselves close up and far away and upside down. It's really good for him to see the other babies. They can teach him things I can't. Colton seemed to really enjoy it! My mom was there to watch us so she snapped a few pictures.







Later on, my mother-in-law asked me if it was hard for me to be there and if I'd rather not take him anymore. I told her that, initially, it did sting, but I was okay and I want him to continue going. It's good for him to be there. Just because it might hurt my feelings, doesn't mean I'm going to stop going. This is not going to be the first time that I'm going to see other kids and feel a little sting because I know he's behind. It's going to happen a lot...like when everyone his age is walking and talking and running and getting their driver's license. I've got to develop some thick skin...it's gonna be okay. And I keep telling myself that it's not fair for me to compare Colton to "typical" kids because he's not "typical." My mom told me the other day that my niece, who is about 6 weeks younger than Colton, is starting to crawl. My sweet sister was afraid to share the news with me because she didn't want to upset me. I sent her a message and told her not to worry about it. Celebrate her milestones! I don't want people to hide things from me. Yeah, it stings a little, but I'm tough and can handle it. Now it's crawling, but soon it will be walking and talking and riding a bike. It's gonna happen. I also know that Colton's cousin who is only 2 months old will surpass him in no time. Some things in life are going to be hard for me and I'm going to have to push through and make the most of each situation. My job as Colton's mommy is to provide him with as many opportunities as I can for him to be successful...some of those opportunities may upset me, but after all, it's about him, not me.

I think the hardest part is that Weston was always physically advanced. He was starting to take steps and walk around 10 months (which is Colton's current age). As soon as he learned to walk, he learned to run. He has also always been a climber. He'd climb in and out of that crib with ease. He runs fast, he jumps high, and he's a little bit too dangerous for his own good. So for us to have a child that is behind physically is difficult for us. We aren't used to the slow pace. But in some ways, it's nice. I don't have to chase Colton around and worry about him like I did Weston. Weston was capable, but dangerous. I'd walk in the room and he'd be standing on the coffee table. I had to put him in a baby pen to keep him contained or else he'd tear up my house. With Colton, I haven't had to lower the crib yet. I get to enjoy him being my "baby" longer because he's not so busy and mobile. And he is the best cuddler around. Colton is sitting better but I still can't leave him while he's sitting because he falls over. His therapist has him working on holding his body up in four point (the crawling position) and he can hold it for a little while before he tires and face plants. His legs are much stronger than his arms. We keep practicing our baby push-ups. Colton is rolling all over the place now to get toys. The important thing is...that Colton is making progress. I can see him doing things we've waited for him to do (like grab his feet and play with them or bring toys to his mouth or roll to get a toy). Slow and steady wins the race. Colton will be able to do everything (crawl, stand, walk, run) but it's just going to take time. And mommy and daddy are getting a really good lesson on PATIENCE.

Colton will continue to go to his Mommy & Me Gymnastics class. As kids learn to walk, they advance to the Toddler Gymnastics class. We may be in the Mommy & Me class for a little bit longer than others...and that's ok. The purpose is for Colton to have fun and to get stronger and to see and interact with other babies. And I get to meet new mommies along the way.

Our journey with Colton has just begun. And it's different and beautiful and stressful and exciting and humbling. My mommy heart is still learning how to deal with all of it. But not a day goes by that my heart doesn't explode from the smiles and joy that little boy gives me. He is worth it.