Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Little Joe ...






The festivities are over.Joe and I finished off the day snuggled up in his bed discussing his day.I think he passed out mid-sentence.That child plays hard and crashes harder.I lingered a bit in his bed after he had fallen asleep.I studied that cute little face of his that still has tiny almost baby like features.Joe just aches to be like the big boys and I ache to keep him grounded at the tender age of now,six.Very much to his dismay.Joe certainly keeps things interesting around here.Funny little guy,who is constantly saying the funniest things ever.Like tonight,as he ate his cake,he said,"This cake is so good I just passed out." .. as witnessed in the one picture I posted.As comical and charming and outgoing and loving Joe is,he also struggles on many levels which leaves me feeling often helpless.Joe,our fifth born,entered this world kicking and screaming and he has yet to stop.For those that already know this story I am about tell,sorry for the repeat:After Taylor was born,I had my tubes tied.Regretted it from the get go.Mark however was content but I yearned for almost ten years, to add to our family.I felt at times that we just weren't complete.I felt as though there were more little souls waiting for us.After being blessed to be part of the the very courageous battle of a family friend fighting,and sadly losing,her fight with AML,we saw first hand the lesson of living and life and so began or odyssey into our second little family.I had my tubes reversed in June 2000 and Jake arrived the following March.Once he arrived we realized the poor guy was going to have to sit across the table from a couple of old folks,all by himself,after the girls left.We decided one more was in the cards and Joe was born in September 2003.He was a spit fire from the get go and I said if I could handle him,I could handle anything.As active as Joe was he was equally silent and when I say silent I don't mean he just was a bit behind in talking, I mean he had no real sounds what so ever.No babbling,nothing.When he was finally diagnosed at 18 months with severe speech apraxia we felt horrible because our entire family would often say,at family functions,"Joe has been good as gold .. not a peep out of him"Joe literally did not speak a word or babble a sound until he was about 2 1/2.Once he began to talk,he just took off.His receptive language always far exceeded his expressive but eventually they both caught up to each other.However,the data out there suggests that children who suffer from severe apraxia also are highly likely to be diagnosed with ADHD and some learning delays.Both of which we have found to be true with Joe.Along with his ADHD he has a major rage issue and a couple of compulsive components.I feel so horrible for the little guy sometimes.He tries so hard but often much of what goes on is so out of his control.Joe is so confident and self assured and I want that trait to continue to carry him through the rough patches, as that alone will help him feel accepted and successful.Joe can be such a darling,darling boy and one thing that we witness daily, is how very much he adores his baby sister.He is loving and affectionate with her and usually can't keep his hands off her.When he talks about her to others he usually tells people that she has Down syndrome and that means we have to help her learn and be extra patient with her.My wish for this sweet boy is that together we will both make our way.That together,he will find his place in this world.That he will experience joy and love in his life and that he will know that he is loved unconditionally,always.

*Taylor came for dinner tonight.We sure miss her around here,as evident by Zoey's patent hug and kiss!

12 comments:

Stephanie said...

Happy Birthday Joe. You and Andrew have so much in common, I'm sure you'd be the best of friends.
Sounds like your birthday was wonderful, and that CAKE, must have been super good to make you pass out!

Lacey said...

Sweet little Joe, too cute for his own good. A lot like Carter, and they played so cute together.
Happy Birthday Joe!!! Hugs and Kisses from us.

Googsmom said...

HappY BirthdaY Joe!!!

{{{{{HUGS}}}}}}

blogzilly said...

I don't tell you nearly often enough how amazing you are to be such a great Mom to ALL of your kids, not just to Zoey.

Anonymous said...

Can't believe Little Joe is six already. He sure looks like he enjoyed his birthday dinner and he obviously loved the cake. All made for him on his special day. It is great seeing Zoey sit at the counter like one of the big kids. Isn't normalcy wonderful!

kathleen

The VW's said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOE!!! Looks like you had a great day!

Your Joe, sounds a lot like my 6 year old! (Hyperactive, Full of rage; but equally full of love, ALWAYS moving and SO full of life!) He wears me out, but fills me up so much as well! And, I wouldn't change him for the world!

Unknown said...

Happy Birthday Joe! I was so glad to be able to meet your boys when we met Zoey...LOVE THEM both! I can't wait to get them together with my two trouble makers! I am sure, together, then can keep us all on our toes! :) He is such a love and I wish only the best for him, especially this year in school! hope to talk to you today! xoxo

Megan said...

Those blankets that you made are so cute! Where do you for the directions on how to make one?

Denise said...

What a nice birthday celebration for Joe and what a kind tribute his mom has given him. I hope to someday be able to meet that sweet boy in person. As for Taylor, I must say that in every other post, she seems to be home or you guys are there so I think it is the best of both worlds...she gets to be off exploring her world and growing up yet you guys still get to continue to have a frequent relationship. I just love your family!!!

Scrappy quilter said...

Happy Birthday Joe. What a handsome boy. What great pictures. He sounds so much like our J was at that age.

Tish said...

Happy Birthday to you, Joe!!

You are one amazing and inspirational Mom. All six of your children are so very blessed to have your unconditional love; God is smiling on YOU!

Your "first and second set of three" are perfect gifts from heaven.

Sophie's Story by Elaine said...

Just wondering...it that "You are special today" plate a special birthday plate?

Love the pics and Joe is oh so cute!!!

I'll have to talk to you about the whole ADHD thing someday.