Post originally started back in July! (I know...slacker (when it comes to writing, not mommying ;)!)

So Coop is doing wonderfully! Growing like crazy, and getting cuter by the minute somehow. He had a minor outpatient surgery on his boy parts a few weeks ago, but has healed and is totally back to himself now. Today we had a First Steps meeting. First Steps is Kentucky's early intervention program. They provide services such as Occupational, Physical, and Speech Therapy for children aged birth through 3 years who qualify (Ds is an automatic qualifier). Cooper has been receiving Occupational Therapy twice per month since he was around 3 months old, and has had a couple of consultations with  a Speech Therapist to work on his eating. It sounds very involved, but really it isn't. The therapists come to our home and play with Cooper and show us things we can do to work with him while we play.
The meeting today was somewhat of a 6 month evaluation to see where he was with his progress and to set some new goals for the next 6 months. The goals we set last time were for him to be holding his head up, to be tracking objects with his eyes, and turning toward familiar sounds. The good news? He met all of the goals we set last time. So, we set new goals. Within the next 6 months we want him to be sitting independently, crawling, work toward feeding himself (being able to grab puffs, etc. and put them in his mouth), and hold his own bottle. I have no doubt that in 6 more months he will have met all of these goals too. The not as good news? My almost 8 month old (in 5 short days!) has the motor skill level of a 2-3 months old. I'm not gonna lie...it stings a bit. It's kinda like you made something, and you worked super hard on it. In fact, you're certain it is the best thing you have ever made! Then an expert comes and looks at it and they say, "Well, it's decent...improved from when I last saw it, but it still needs a lot of work." Ouch. Now, don't get me wrong, I understand that the truth is the truth and that it is the job of those involved to honestly evaluate Coop. I'm not angry and I know our therapist loves Cooper and that her evaluation is no reflection on how she feels about him. But, he is the best thing I've ever made. I am certain of that...he's my masterpiece, my perfection, and it is sometimes hard to take to know that in the world's eyes he has a defect, that something is wrong (in the view of society, certainly not this momma). It's a funny thing this 'Special Needs Mom' title. I feel so blessed to be Cooper's mother and I accept him just as he is, with Down syndrome and the delays/challenges it entails, and also with the fantastic and typical things about him. I wouldn't change a chromosome of his DNA or a hair on his adorable little head. I won't lie though...sometimes it smarts a bit when I see a child with typical chromosomes walking and talking and doing so many things that children his age do. And it's confusing...I'm not disappointed in Coop...I'm sad because I want the world for him and it hurts to admit that there are things he may not have or do. But, then I look at that beautiful little face with his bright sunshiny smile and I'm grateful that already he has taught me to slow down and appreciate just being here each day. He'll do things in his own time, not mine or B's, and certainly not the world's. And that's okay...