He Opened The Door...

When Colton was born and diagnosed, Hunter and I decided that we wouldn't tell Weston that Colton had Down Syndrome until he started asking questions. Weston was only 3.5 at the time and we knew he wouldn't understand. We didn't hide it from him, but we didn't sit down and specifically tell him. We wanted to wait until the time was right.

Over the past year, I could see the wheels turning in Weston's little head. He was making a few observations, especially when we were around other children Colton's age. He'd tell me that babies don't walk until they're 2. Then, he'd see a baby walking that was 1 and he'd say, "Mom, that's a walking 1 baby." He kept knocking on the door, but I never felt the time was right during those quick moments.

However, in January of this year, right after Colton's 2nd birthday, Weston opened the door...and I knew that it was time. I was in my bathroom getting ready for the day and he walked in and was playing with some toys. Nonchalantly, he said, "Mom, it's kinda weird that brother is 2 and he can't walk yet." Whoa! It took me by surprise. Tears welled up in my eyes and I got a lump in my throat. The conversation I'd been practicing in my head for over a year was about to take place. I took Weston to my bed and asked him to sit down by me. I said, "Weston, God made brother special. Colton was born with something called Down Syndrome. Can you say Down Syndrome?" And he did. He wanted to know what that was. I said, "There are these little things in our bodies called chromosomes. Mommy has 46. Daddy has 46. You have 46. But brother has 47. One extra chromosome. That extra chromosome makes things harder for brother. He will learn to walk and talk and play and do everything you do, but it will take him longer. And God gave him to our family because he knew we would help him." I could tell he was a little upset by the information I'd just given him and he finally said, "Mom, can we stop talking about this now?" I said, "Sure."

And that was it. Does Weston fully understand what Down Syndrome is? No. But every once in awhile he brings it up. His little mind thinks about it and he asks questions. Sometimes those questions come when we're driving in the car or when we're playing toys at home....I never know when they'll come, but I welcome them. He has asked me if the new baby will have Down Syndrome...and I tell him no, I don't think so.

I think that God made Weston knowing that he'd have a little brother with Special Needs. Weston is such a sweet, loving little boy. He adores Colton! He always says to me, "Mom, he looks so cute in those pajamas. Colton is the sweetest brother in the world." He's so patient with Colton, especially when Colton is messing with his toys. Instead of getting mad, he just grabs Colton under the armpits and drags him away. He helps teach Colton sign language because he watches Colton's videos with him. And when Colton does a sign correctly he cheers for him and says, "Mom, he's definitely learning."

I'm so glad that Weston finally opened the door at age 5. He knows that Colton has Down Syndrome and that means that we need to help him more. And he's up for the challenge. Seeing Weston love on Colton and teach him is one of the greatest gifts God could give me. I just know that Weston is going to be a better person because he has a brother with Down Syndrome. And Colton is so very lucky to have an older brother that loves him so much. Their relationship is so sweet...and I'm excited to watch it grow.