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Post by mjm on Dec 14, 2004 21:00:57 GMT -5
Our son Will is now 14 months old, healthy, happy and developing at an amazing pace. He has reached milestones faster than I ever could have imagined. He is crawling, beginning to walk (with support), signs, says Da Da (well, sort of), is learning algebra...well, OK, maybe not that last one. Heck, today he amazed us by putting on Santa hat with no help.
OK, I'm bragging. But I'm not only bragging about Will, but also my wife. I work full time and then some (attorney), while my wife is a full-time mom to Will and his 3yo brother. I have the easier job. My wife has worked so hard with Will while also ensuring that his big brother receives just as much attention. Simply put, I cannot say enough about the job she has done. Oh, almost forgot, she is nearly 8 months pregnant with our third child - and this pregnancy has not been easy for her. I come home in the evening and she is worn out, sometimes at the end of her rope, but always waiting with a kiss and, believe it or not, dinner for dad. And I do worry about her - and I always try to find ways to make things easier for her. But, as you all certainly know, raising a toddler with Down syndrome is a lot of work - and also incredibly rewarding.
I am indeed a VERY lucky man - and I do appreciate everything my wife does. Frankly, I don't know how she does it. Here's my dilemma. Like many wives, she has told me that she really doesn't need much for Christmas, and the list she provided is pretty thin. Do any of you have some ideas for some special gifts that she might like I have bought her some books and videos on Down syndrome nutritional issues, signing, speech development, etc. And I'm certainly open to some ideas along those lines. But I also would like to buy her some things just for her, and maybe some things to help make her day a little easier.
She is a special woman, and I want to surprise her this year. God bless all of you that are mothers of children with Down syndrome - I don't know how you do it.
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Post by Jackie on Dec 14, 2004 21:58:30 GMT -5
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Post by leylah on Dec 14, 2004 22:15:39 GMT -5
How about a gift certificate for her to get a prenatal massage? I loved getting a massage towards the end of my pregnancy. Or some kind of spa treatment like a facial. Do you have anyone that helps your wife with the housework? If not maybe arrange for some house cleaning for the next month or so.
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Post by mjm on Dec 14, 2004 22:53:48 GMT -5
Thanks for the suggestions!
Jackie -
Believe it or not, I bought her a mouse right after my original post! I read another post in this forum about Adopt-A-Mouse.
Leylah-
Never heard of a prenatal massage - I will look into it. I also thought about the spa treatment - not sure if she would like that or not, but I will check that out too. As for cleaning help, I finally convinced her that we should hire someone. She is very frugal!
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Post by Tammy on Dec 14, 2004 23:29:34 GMT -5
I was going to suggest Hire a House Cleaner for a few months....
But seems that has already come up....
So it MUST be a good idea!
I know I could do with that!
And a weekend away... without kids!!
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Post by Debi on Dec 15, 2004 4:43:25 GMT -5
Hey MJM.. my daughter and I were checking out the photo album last night and saw your Will !!! ;D OMG if you ever need an outstanding l5 year old babysitter you have an eager volunteer!!!(Needless to say your boys are adorable  ) So, first may Ariel and I say WHAT A CUTIE!! You say your wife signs??? I found a charm that goes on a chain that is the symbol for I Love You with a tiny child's hand grasping the thumb part of the sign...sigh I thing THAT would touch her heart; it sure went on my Xmas list. I will hunt up the link if you are interested. The same company also makes some really sweet braclets with the I Love You as each link. Most women LOVE Jewelry!!! Also, pure joy to read your post from someone who is SO lucky with their family.. and knows it! THANKS!! |
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Post by meghans_mom on Dec 15, 2004 6:18:01 GMT -5
I haven't any great suggestions....jewelry of course is a good one (maybe one w/ stones representing each member of the family, including the soon-to-be little one) or a 'mothers bracelet" (with names of each child...I can find link if you want)
Another idea would be a set of DVDs or videos if she has a favorite program (Seinfeld, etc) that she can watch during her own relaxing time, hahaha....
I have enough trouble telling my own hubby what to get me for Christmas so I'm not much help.
happy holidays! laurie
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Post by MB on Dec 15, 2004 6:48:40 GMT -5
MJM,
First and foremost, I would cherish a copy of the post you wrote. My other most cherished item is my gold charm bracelet. My favorite charm is the tiny hand signing "I love you." It was given to me on Mother's day by my son who has Ds. All my charms represent important things to me. It is a great ongoing gift.
If you are in a cold weather climate, I was given the most comfortable fleece pajamas when my son was little and my husband was traveling along with a box of my favorite tea.
One cute gift I received was a gift bag with a diet coke, bubble bath and a romance novel.
A night out with a couple of girl friends with you picking up the tab for dinner and providing babysitting would have had me doing a jig!!!
Gift card to Starbucks.
A CD with the song(s) that were played at your wedding.
A bobsled for four people. Big sportging goods stores have them.
A shoe holder that hangs over a door. The pockets must be clear vinyl. She hangs it in a closet and can put all the hats and mittens in it. She can immediately find everybody's stuff. It's one of my favorite things.
A beautiful, sexy nightgown. Check the size of the ones she was wearing before she became preganant.
Good luck!
MB
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Post by Jackie on Dec 15, 2004 7:25:37 GMT -5
mjm........where were YOU in MY life?  ? ;D I think a picture of yourself with a halo over it would suffice............... And btw...yes it is hard to be a mom....but my 'hardest' child was NOT Emily who is the one with DS...LOL Jackie mom to Emily 24 |
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Post by Evans Dad on Dec 15, 2004 8:07:52 GMT -5
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Post by mjm on Dec 15, 2004 11:10:26 GMT -5
First of all, I am definitely no saint/angel - like many husbands, I do not do nearly as much as I should at home. I also am sometimes clueless as to things I need to be doing at home, I don't listen very well, I sometimes come home from work late without a phone call, etc. But, my post was honest with respect to how much I appreciate my wife and what she does for our kids. And moms - I'd be willing to bet that most (all?) of your husbands feel exactly the same way I do.
Great ideas on the gifts! I especially like the charm with hand signing "I love you." Talk about getting big bonus points for a Christmas gift! Does anyone know where I could get something like that?
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Post by Alice on Dec 15, 2004 13:03:27 GMT -5
I would recommend flowers (roses), chocolate candies, and French perfume.
Good luck,
Alice
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Post by MB on Dec 15, 2004 13:19:57 GMT -5
A jewelry store will have a charm bracelet. You need a good quality heavy guage gold to hold all the charms in the future. The hand signing I love you might have to be ordered. There are catalogs with all kinds of charms. The turn around time is very short - a few days. Then it has to be attached to the bracelet by the jeweler.
Bottom line - leave work now! Go get started!
MB
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Post by meghans_mom on Dec 15, 2004 13:49:47 GMT -5
Clint - those bracelets were exactly the ones i was talking about...the 'mothers' bracelets...now could someone tell MY husband THATS what i want...I know it's too late for Christmas ordering but Valentines day would suffice :-D
dont know where to get a charm like that...the flea market or those kiosks in the middle of the mall usually have tons and tons of gold charms,
laurie
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Post by Cbean on Dec 15, 2004 13:57:29 GMT -5
I love the ideas of prenatal massage and spa trips. I know I could use a prenatal one right now! I would like to share with you my perfect Christmas gift which I know I won't be receiving, so maybe you could give it to your wife on my behalf! LOL.
Day of romance:
Day starts off with Dad taking control of kids while Mom goes to Day Spa for massage and some other form of pampering. Then Dad has already arranged for childcare/babysitting for Mom. Mom comes home to get ready. Mom and Dad go to nice restaurant for pleasant meal out with a big bottle of wine. Mmmmmmmmmm wine. The kind that comes out of a bottle, not a 4 year old's mouth. Sorry, got caught up there. But you get the drift. Basically, you pick the date, make the arrangements and spoil her rotten. Now if I could just give you all my DH's email address! LOL!
I also am a fan of the Mommy necklaces...a friend of mine has little baby shoe charms with the birthstones of her three children on each one. I really like that one!
Good luck and have fun and happy holidays!!!
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