Amazing little girl

O had her surgery on the 16th and she is just amazing. The surgery started around 9:45 and she was out by 10:45 and back to her room by 1. She came out of the surgery like a trooper and was home after 24 hours. And within 48 hours was back to crawling, cruising, climbing all over everything, and into everything. Every once in a while you can tell that she overdid it and it hurt, but she just keeps at it. It just amazes me what an incredibly strong and tough girl she is. You can never count her down and out because she will amaze you!!!

Slacker

After a month of posts every day, I needed some time off. I had no idea the time would fly by so fast! It has been over a month since my last post, how did that happen?
Anyway, the newest thing here is going to be a huge shock, one of my kids has a rare condition! Go figure! O has been sick with a head cold for a while but it finally migrated to her chest, as it always does. Got her into the Dr right away and she was diagnosed with bronchitis and put on antibiotics and breathing treatments. After 5 days of antibiotics, she wasnt getting better so we took her back to the Dr. Sunday morning at our pediatrician's after hours office we met with a wonderful Dr. He sent her over to the ER to get some x-rays of her chest to see if it had progressed to pneumonia. After a while we got the results that it was in fact pneumonia. So you are probably thinking "um, rare condition my arse" but I assure you I haven't gotten to that yet.
After telling us that she has pneumonia, the Dr. says that they found something else on the x-ray. A hernia in the diapraghm, a very rare type of one to be exact (now you can stop being disappointed) called a Morgagni Diaphramatic Hernia. O will be the 19th case in the world of a child with Ds having this condition. She has had it since birth and somehow within the last 16 months no one has caught it but it needs to be surgically corrected as soon as the pneumonia is gone. Basically there is a big hole in her diaphraghm and part of her intestines are in her chest cavity instead of abdomen. The Dr. thinks this could be what has been causing all of her respritory problems.
So, we, or I should say I, proceeded to freak out. The thought of my tiny little girl needing surgery is enough to break my heart and force me to the verge of a nervous breakdown. Thinking about a Dr. cutting her open and playing around inside her near her lungs, vital arteries, stomach, etc. is scary.
But, we met with the Dr. yesterday and since then I have calmed down a bit. He seems extremely knowledgeable and confident that he can fix it without any long term issues. They can do the surgery at the hospital that is almost across the street from our house. That was an even bigger relief!
All in all I am beyond freaked out by the thought of my baby girl having surgery, but I know that she will be in capable hands and we have so many wonderful friends and family praying for her. The surgery is going to be on the 16th as long as the pneumonia is cleared up by then. And by the looks of her the last few days since being on the stronger antibiotic, I think she will be fine by Friday.
So, if you have a moment, please pray for our little girl for a safe surgery and speedy recovery.

I'm in love

I just L-O-V-E the girls' new daycare. It is the greatest place on Earth. It makes coming to work so much easier knowing they are both there and being taken care of. O has been there for 3 months but E just started this week. I was so excited for E to start, but I had no idea how wonderful it would be.
They go with her to the bathroom to make sure she is wiped well, they don't give her 5 options for lunch - she eats what they give her or she doesn't eat, they don't put up with her demanding and give in to every little whimper, and they work with her on things like tracing letters and knowing numbers and letters. NONE of this stuff was done at her previous daycare. The more and more I think about it, I feel like a horrible mother for having her at the other place for so long. Although it was only the last 6 months or so that were really bad there, the other 2 years were good.
I can't even explain how excited I am to have the daycare on the same page as we are. It was so hard to parent E when everything we did was contradicted all day at day care. We don't cater to her for meals, we don't put up with whining or demanding, and we use the same discipline strategies as the daycare. It is WONDERFUL!!!!!
Now the cost on the other hand is something we need to get used to, but it is worth more than money can buy to know the girls are in a much better place! YIPPEE!!!!

More Ds Facts

The things that no scientist, doctor, or therapsit can tell you about Down syndrome and what it is like to be the parent of a child with Ds.

Here are some quotes I have taken from parents, how they describe their child with Ds. As you are reading these, you may realize that a lot of these comments can be true for any child, but some are quite unique. Just like every child in this world is unique, so are those children with Ds. They are more alike than they are different. I have removed all names to keep the children's and parent's identities confidental.

“She knows no limitations. She strives to be independent and just one of the crowd, and is probably one of the funniest kids I know!”

“He is a snuggler. He loves a nice soft blanket, the couch and his Mommy or Daddy. I hope he never outgrows this trait.”

“He has an amazing sense of humor. He knows when something is funny…and he also knows how to be funny. He has a silly, funny, outgoing personality.”

“He is very empathic. He knows when someone needs a hug or kiss.”

“She gives the best HUGS! Claps her hands together and says "Mommy, I want a hug!”

“She loves to be tickled and has the most contagious laugh!”

“We wouldn't trade her for anything in the world! We are amazed by what she can do!”

“He doesn't like keeping his shoes on, and once they're off, the socks are coming off next”

“She is nicknamed “the mayor” at daycare. It takes us forever to get out of there in the evening. We have to stop and say bye-bye to everyone we see.”

“She has a smile that lights up a room and makes my heart smile.”

“He was a "surprise", but a very welcome one! I can't imagine loving anyone more. I'm always amazed by how much the other kids love him and want to play or help with him. He's so sweet and such a happy little guy.”

“She is my perfect gift from god and I wouldnt change one thing about her or anything that we have been through. It made us all so much stronger just by watching her grow, learn, and fight each battle! She is a fighter and we believe she will make a huge mark in this world!”

“He loves to play the drums. A few months ago, he discovered that his drumsticks make a wonderfully loud sound on the large air conditioner vent in the kitchen. So, he often carries his sticks, while crawling, to bang on it.”

“He amazes us everyday. We are enjoying the way he seems to be coming out of his shell and showing us more and more of his personality.”

“She has brought so much joy into all of lives, she is an ever amazing angel and none of her family can imagine our lives without her. Thank you God for the gift of her. We are blessed!!”

“She is magnetic. People are drawn to her. She has an infectious laugh and an amazing smile.”

“She will have many opportunities to succeed and has the potential to accomplish wonderful, amazing things in her life.”

“She has introduced us to a whole new world and perspective, as well as taught us the true meaning of unconditional love."

“Sshe is just a little bundle of sweetness with soft kissable cheeks and delicate little hands.”
“Her spirit shines.”

“She is very charming and makes people smile everywhere we go. When she doesn’t want to do something (like work with her physical therapist) she turns on the charm big time, smiling and snuggling, so that you forget she’s not cooperating!”

“She never takes no for an answer and will carry on stubbornly with whatever mission she has in mind - whether it is opening the car door on the highway (we have child locked the car now) or running away across a park at top speed with her head down”

These are the things that no doctor can tell you when delivering the diagnosis of Down syndrome for your child. But, these are the most important things for parents to know. To know that their child will impact this world in ways they never could have imagined. That they will succeed on a level that you never knew existed. And they will inspire a kind of love that you never dreamed of. These children are truly a blessing and make this world a much better place.

I have enjoyed my 31 for 21 experience again this year and I just hope that some of the Ds information I have provided will help bring more awareness and respect to this world for those individuals who may seem different. Every person on this Earth is unique, and that is what makes it so great.

What would happen if people with DS ruled the world?

If people with Down syndrome ruled the world:

Affection, hugging and caring for others would make a big comeback.

Despite the fact that my family was not terribly affectionate, I have had a crash course in hugging at the Center. I am confident that if people with Down syndrome ran the world, everyone would become very accustomed to the joys of hugging. Fortunately for me, I had a head start. My wife is a native of Argentina, and I got some intense exposure to hugging when I landed in her country and found there were 6000 members of her family waiting to be hugged as we got off the plane.

All people would be encouraged to develop and use their gifts for helping others.

In our world, too often people with Down syndrome are “DONE FOR” by others, when in fact they are great givers. If they ran the world, their ability to minister to others would not be wasted.

People would be refreshingly honest and genuine.

People with Down syndrome are nothing if not straightforward and unpretentious. As the expression goes, “what you see is what you get.” When you say to people with Down syndrome, “You did a good job,” most will answer simply and matter-of-factly, “Yes, I did.”

We believe, too, that a stuffy high society would probably not do well in the world of Down syndrome.

However, we believe that BIG dress up dances would flourish. People with Down syndrome love dressing up and dancing at big shindigs. They have a ball, and ...can they dance! (and by the way, who needs a date... “Just dance”).

Most people we have met with Down syndrome also love weddings. This should not be a big surprise. They love getting dressed up, being with family and friends, having good food, and, of course, dancing until the wee hours of the morning. (Many people love it so much, they will chase the band down at the end of the night, begging them to continue.) Perhaps, too, part of the reason they love weddings so much is not just because of the food and dancing, but because in many cases the rules against hugging are temporarily suspended. This may give people a little piece of what I experienced in Argentina. Whoa! Can you imagine what the world would be like with so much affection unleashed?

People engaged in self talk would be considered thoughtful and creative. Self talk rooms would be reserved in offices and libraries to encourage this practice.

People with Down syndrome have a reputation for “talking to themselves.” When conducted in a private space, self talk serves many adaptive purposes.

It is a wonderful means to ponder ideas and to think out loud. It allows people to review events that occurred in the course of their day. It allows people to solve problems by talking themselves through tasks. It allows them to plan for future situations. It is also helpful in allowing people to express feelings and frustrations, particularly if they have difficulty expressing their feelings to others. There is even evidence that athletes who do not have Down syndrome use self talk to motivate themselves. Certainly people without Down syndrome talk to their computer (particularly when it crashes), and likewise many people talk out loud when driving in Chicago. (Of course they may also make odd gestures as well; not recommended if long life is one of your ambitions.)

Order and Structure would rule

We have heard that many people with Down syndrome are stubborn and compulsive. Now, I know what many of you are thinking...“Did you really have to bring that up?” I’m sorry, but—we do. What we hear is that quite a few people have nonsensical rituals and routines. They can get stuck on behaviors that can drive family members a little crazy.

Despite the irritations, there are also many benefits to these “obsessive compulsive tendencies.” We actually have termed these tendencies “Grooves” because people tend to follow fairly set patterns, or “grooves,” in their daily activities.

What are the benefits of Grooves? Many people with Down syndrome are very careful with their appearance and grooming, which is especially important since they often stand out because of their physical features. Grooves also increase independence because most people are able to complete home and work tasks reliably when these tasks are part of their daily routine. (And while they are not fast ... they are very precise.)

For many with Down syndrome, grooves serve as a way to relax. Some people repeat a favorite activity in a quiet space, such as writing, drawing, puzzles, needlepoint, etc. Grooves also serve as a clear and unambiguous statement of choice (very important for people with language limitations). This may even be a way for teens with Down syndrome to define their own independence without getting into the same rancorous conflicts with parents as many other teens.

So given what we know about people with Down syndrome and grooves, how would they use this to run the world? Here is how:
§ Schedules and calendars would be followed.
§ Trains & planes would run on time.
§ Lunch would be at 12:00. Dinner at 6:00.
§ Work time would be work time.
§ Vacation would be vacation.

At the Center, our receptionist, Shirley, will often have people at her desk pointing to the clock or their watches. Obviously, she hears about it when we don’t take people back at their appointment time, but she also found that some people refuse to go back early: “Nope I am not going at 9:45, my appointment is at 10:00,” nor does going over into the lunch period work. I am sure all of you have similar stories.

But there is much, much more:
§ People would be expected to keep their promises.
§ Last minute changes would be strongly discouraged (if not considered rude and offensive).
§ Places would be neat, clean, and organized (not just bedrooms, but cities, countries, the whole world).
§ Lost and founds would go out of business (even chaotic appearing rooms have their own sense of order).
§ The “grunge look” would be out, way out.
§ “Prep” (but not pretentious) would be very big.

In the world of Down Syndrome, there would be a great deal more tolerance for:
§ Repeating the same phrase or question
§ Use of the terms “fun” and “cleaning” in the same sentence
§ Closing doors or cabinets that are left ajar (even in someone else’s house)
§ Arranging things until they are “Just so.”

Despite their compulsions and grooves, people with Down syndrome rarely have the really ‘bad habits’ that so many of us have. In fact, out of approximately 3000 people we have seen at the clinic, we have not seen any drug addicts or gamblers and just two alcoholics and a very small number of smokers. However, we think that pop may be a common addiction in the world of Down syndrome, and of course some people are incurable savers and hoarders of just about everything, but especially paper products and writing utensils. Because of this, I could see maybe a Betty Ford Center for pop addicts and extreme paper hoarding.

The words “hurry” and “fast” would be not be uttered in polite society. “Plenty of time” would take their place.

At the Center, we frequently hear about pace, or how fast or slow people move. Quite often these issues are discussed in disparaging terms by harried and frustrated family members. In this world, people with Down syndrome have a reputation for having two speeds, slow and slower.

Therefore, in the world of Down Syndrome:
§ Our current mode of dealing with time, also known as the “Rat race” (or rushing around like our hair is on fire), would not survive.
§ Here and now would command a great deal more respect than it currently does.
§ Stopping to smell the roses would not be just a cliché.
§ Work would be revered, no matter what kind, from doing dishes to rocket science.

We have consistently seen respect and devotion to work by people with Down syndrome. This is such a strong characteristic for many that they don’t want to stay home from work even if feeling ill. Perhaps more importantly, they value any kind of work.

Therefore, if people with Down syndrome ran the world:
§ Speed would be far less important than doing the job right.
§ Work would be everyone’s right, not a privilege.

However, we think there would probably be no work conducted during the time that “Wheel of Fortune” is on TV.
All instruction would include pictures to aid visual learners.

Many studies have shown that individuals with Down syndrome have deficits in auditory memory. If they cannot remember verbal instruction, they may be considered oppositional or less competent in school, home, or work environments. Despite this, they have exceptional visual memory-they are visual learners. If they see something once, they can usually repeat it. They also have an exceptional memory for facts and figures of interest (favorite celebrities, movies, music, sports teams, etc).

If people with Down syndrome ran the world:
§ School and work sites would have picture, written, and verbal instructions to accommodate different learning styles.
§ Counselors would be able to use visual mediums to help solve problems.

What About News?
If people with Down syndrome ran the world:
§ Weather would be the only essential news item
§ News would be more local (“A new McDonalds just opened up,” or “A dance tonight,” etc.). After all, what is more important than that?

What About Bad News?
If people with Down syndrome ran the world, would there be wars or murders? We don’t think so! There may be too many McDonalds but definitely not the wars or murders we have in our “civilized societies.”

What About “Behaviors”...
...and terms such as (the ever popular) “Incident reports,” “Outbursts,” “Unprovoked outbursts” (one of our all time favorites), and of course “Non compliance”?
We believe that in the world of Down Syndrome, anyone writing “incident reports” would have to go through sensitivity training, which would consist of someone following them around writing down everything they did wrong. Brian Chicoine and I both figure that we would have been on major psychotropic medications long ago if we had people writing up incident reports on us.

We have found that most people with Down syndrome are very sensitive to expressions of anger by others. I imagine they would do all they could to help reduce and solve conflicts between people.

Therefore if people with DS ran the world:
§ Anger would only be allowed in special sound proof rooms.
§ Trained negotiators would be available to everyone to help deal with any conflicts.
§ The word “non compliant” would not be used (except as a very rude comment). It would be replaced by “assertive,” as in “he or she is being assertive today.”

What About Self Expression?
§ Art and music appreciation would be BIG.
§ People would have time to work on paintings and other art projects.
§ Acting and theatrical arts would be encouraged for all.

Dancing
§ You probably would not hear a great deal about exercise, but you may hear a phrase like, “Dancing tonight ... absolutely.” § The President’s commission on physical fitness would probably recommend dancing at least 3 times per week.
§ People would be encouraged to get married several times to have more weddings for more music and dancing.
§ Richard Simmons and John Travolta would be national heroes.

Music
§ Elvis, The Beatles, and the Beach Boys would still be number 1 on the hit parade (Music of the 60’s, 70’s, and 80’s would be BIG)
§ Musicals would be very, very, very, big (such as “Grease,” and “The Sound of Music”)
§ John Travolta would be the biggest star.

Television
§ Classic TV hits would be very BIG and take up at least half the TV schedules.
§ “I Love Lucy,” “Happy Days,” “The Three Stooges,” etc. would be very BIG.
§ Wrestling would be very Big.
§ “Life Goes On” would also be very Big and replayed regularly.

Movies
§ There would be fewer movies, but they would be replayed over and over.
§ Movie theaters would allow people to talk out loud to tell what happens next.

No Secret Agents
§ People would not hurt the feelings of others and they would also not lie or keep secrets.
§ Therefore there probably would be no secret service agents, spies, or terrorists.

The purpose of this article is to give back some of what we have learned to the families and people with Down syndrome who have come to the Adult Down Syndrome Center and who have been so giving and open with us. If people understand more of the special talents people with Down syndrome have, they may be more able to help them use and develop these talents to improve their lives. We also wanted to reassure families of younger children with Down syndrome who are concerned about their child’s future that there is much to be optimistic about.

Ds Myths & Truths

Myth: Down syndrome is a rare genetic disorder.
Truth: Down syndrome is the most commonly occurring genetic condition. One in every 733 live births is a child with Down syndrome, representing approximately 5,000 births per year in the United States alone. Today, more than 400,000 people in the United States have Down syndrome.

Myth: People with Down syndrome have a short life span.
Truth: Life expectancy for individuals with Down syndrome has increased dramatically in recent years, with the average life expectancy approaching that of peers without Down syndrome.

Myth: Most children with Down syndrome are born to older parents.
Truth: Most children with Down syndrome are born to women younger than 35-years-old simply because younger women have more children. However, the incidence of births of children with Down syndrome increases with the age of the mother.

Myth: People with Down syndrome are severely “retarded.”
Truth: Most people with Down syndrome have IQs that fall in the mild to moderate range of intellectual disability (formerly known as “retardation”). Children with Down syndrome fully participate in public and private educational programs. Educators and researchers are still discovering the full educational potential of people with Down syndrome.

Myth: Most people with Down syndrome are institutionalized.
Truth: Today people with Down syndrome live at home with their families and are active participants in the educational, vocational, social, and recreational activities of the community. They are integrated into the regular education system and take part in sports, camping, music, art programs and all the other activities of their communities. People with Down syndrome are valued members of their families and their communities, contributing to society in a variety of ways.

Myth: Parents will not find community support in bringing up their child with Down syndrome.
Truth: In almost every community of the United States there are parent support groups and other community organizations directly involved in providing services to families of individuals with Down syndrome.

Myth: Children with Down syndrome must be placed in segregated special education programs.
Truth: Children with Down syndrome have been included in regular academic classrooms in schools across the country. In some instances they are integrated into specific courses, while in other situations students are fully included in the regular classroom for all subjects. The current trend in education is for full inclusion in the social and educational life of the community. Increasingly, individuals with Down syndrome graduate from high school with regular diplomas, participate in post-secondary academic and college experiences and, in some cases, receive college degrees.
Myth: Adults with Down syndrome are unemployable.
Truth: Businesses are seeking young adults with Down syndrome for a variety of positions. They are being employed in small- and medium-sized offices: by banks, corporations, nursing homes, hotels and restaurants. They work in the music and entertainment industry, in clerical positions, childcare, the sports field and in the computer industry. People with Down syndrome bring to their jobs enthusiasm, reliability and dedication.
Myth: People with Down syndrome are always happy.
Truth: People with Down syndrome have feelings just like everyone else in the population. They experience the full range of emotions. They respond to positive expressions of friendship and they are hurt and upset by inconsiderate behavior.
Myth: Adults with Down syndrome are unable to form close interpersonal relationships leading to marriage.
Truth: People with Down syndrome date, socialize, form ongoing relationships and marry.
Myth: Down syndrome can never be cured.
Truth: Research on Down syndrome is making great strides in identifying the genes on chromosome 21 that cause the characteristics of Down syndrome. Scientists now feel strongly that it will be possible to improve, correct or prevent many of the problems associated with Down syndrome in the future.

Testy Tuesday

The cranky, grouchy mood has set in yet again today. Must be the time of the month, or the weather, or my work atmosphere, or the fact that BOTH kids were up at 5 am this morning! My BS tolerance is at an all time low and every little thing someone does, drives me just about nuts. And things that shouldn't bother me do. I hate not being able to function on less than 8 hours of sleep, it just doesn't work for me. LOL

Or maybe my cranky mood is because E had 3 potty accidents at daycare yesterday. I am panicked that it is going to be another kidney infection because this is exactly what happened last time right before the kidney infections hit. So, I am taking her to the Dr. to have a urine culture done just in case it is a UTI to prevent it from going to the kidneys.

Or maybe the cranky mood is because O bit a kid at daycare yesterday. Everyone seems to think it was just an accident so I am not too worried. But, it is very odd that my mild tempered kid bit someone. It is too hard to imagine that she did it on purpose.

Or maybe it is this hideous weather!!

Who knows, I just hope for the sake of everyone around me, it passes soon! LOL

On a better note, O is signing "more" all the time now and it is adorable!!

My mission

It is that time of year when I start thinking about and shopping for Christmas presents. I like to start out with the kids cause they are the easiest to buy for. And of course my mission as an Aunt is to buy the most annoying gifts ever! That is my mission this year, to get the most annoying gifts I can find! I am thinking for my one nephew, the one that lives furthest away, that I will get a bunch of annoying musical instruments. A kazoo, harmonica, tambourine, metal drum, etc. Sounds like fun, huh?
I am not a bad person for doing this, my kids get their fair share of annoying gifts from their aunts & uncles. We are just keeping the tradition alive! LOL
So, if any of you have ideas for annoying gifts for a 3 year old boy, please let me know!! I am all ears! ;)

Handy work

Yesterday was a day of handy-work. My sister did the girls hair, E with a french braid and O with pig tails. Somehow the girls only let my sister do their hair like this, I am lucky if I can get them to sit still long enough to do a pony tail!!! Trust me, they were much cuter in person...
















And as for my handy-work, well this took ALL day long, but I finally got it done and I think it is just too cute. Not too sure I will do it again anytime soon (thank goodness Halloween is only once a year) but defiinitely worth it. M wasn't very happy about my all day project, but it is about time he had the girls to himself for a whole day! LOL E's is the costume I made, I was lucky enough to find one for O for $4 at a consignment shop!!! Can't beat that! How adorable are my puppies? And I must say, my handy-work isnt too shabby either!

FUN

I am watching my sister's boys this morning and all I have to say is thank goodness I have girls! These boys have more energy than I can handle most times. Yikes! But, they have such a blast playing together that it makes it so worth it. E just loves her cousins, N & Z, and O just crawls around after them in awe. It is the cutest thing ever. When the 3 oldest were little, we lined them up on the floor on their bellies and took a pic. E was about 6 months old then. Then when O was born and about 4 months old we did all 4 kids. Today we did it again and it is by far the cutest pic ever!!! I just love it!!! And I must say that having all these kids in the house is wild, but hilarious. And M is just so cute with all of them. I think he likes the rough-housing with the boys the best. Here are the pics I was talking about, cute huh?

E at 6 months....

Funky Friday

I am in a funky mood today so I am just going to post some pics of my adorable kids. that always gets me out of a funk

!

For you online shoppers...

Here is a website that you can go to and then select the online store of your choice. Each purchase will generate a general donation to the Down Syndrome Research and Treatment Foundation.

http://www.downsyndromestore.org/

Here are the participating stores...
1-800-Flowers.com
800wine.com
A Pea in the Pod
Amazon.com
Apple iPhone
Apple iTunes
Apple MacBook Air
Apple Store
Ashford
Blue Nile
Blockbuster Total Access
Borders
Brookstone
Callaway Golf
Caribou Coffee
CBS Sports Store
Coldwater Creek
David's Cookies
Destination Maternity
Dick's Sporting Goods
Discovery Toys
Fashion Bug
Fortunoff
Furniture.com
Gap
Guthy Renker
HP Snapfish
Hearthsong
J&R Computer and Music World
Joffrey's Coffee and Tea Company
Land of Nod
Lands' End
Laura Ashley
Lego
LifeLock
Lucky Brand Jeans
Luggage Online
Macy's
Mimi Maternity
Motherhood Maternity
Mrs. Fields gifts
Musicnotes.com
National Geographic Store
Napster
Netflix
Nickelodeon Shop
Old Navy
OmahaSteaks.com
Paragon Sports
PetMeds (1-800-PetMeds)
PetSmart
Plow and Hearth
Roots
Savile Row Company
Shoes.com
Shutterfly.com
Signing Time
SkinStore.com
StubHub.com
Swarovski
TeamStore.com
The Body Shop
Turbo Tax
Walmart
West Marine
TRAVEL SITES:
Air France USA
Best Western
British Airways Holidays
Cheap Tickets
Dollar Rent A Car
Enterprise Rent-A-Car
Expedia.com
Grand Caynon Tour Company
Hotels.com
Intercontinental Hotels Group
KLM
Marriot Hotels
Orbitz
Southwest Airlines Vacations
Vacation Home Rentals

To 3 or not to 3, That is the Question!

There isn't a day that goes by that I don't have the debate with myself over whether or not to have a third child. I love my kids with all my heart and would love to have a ton more. However, there is this pesky little thing called money that keeps getting in the way. I do the budgeting for our household and I know the kind of money we have (or should I say don't have). Daycare cost of a third alone is enough to make you want to cry, we are talking more than our mortgage payment for 3 kids in daycare. And no, one of us staying home is NOT an option. First of all we can't lose a salary and still be able to provide the kind of lives for our kids we want for them. Second, neither of us are the right kind of parent to stay home with our kids all day every day. Heck, if we won the lottery, M would still work! It is in his blood to be a career man. Not me, I am happy to be a lowly pion my whole life. Just give me my paycheck without a whole lot of responsibility and I am a happy camper. All of this money arguing is on one side along with the items of needing 2 large cars because of fitting in 3 car seats, forcing my kids to wear hand me downs because I cant afford anything else, not having as much one on one time with each kid because there isn't enough time in the day, etc.

Then on the other side there is this almost anamalistic urge and passion that I have to have more kids. I would love to have at least 2 more, so why am I so worked up about having 1 more?

Some days I just wish I would get pregnant accidentally so I don't have to make up my mind! LOL

Now, I am off to the budget to figure out where I can squeeze some money out so I can "afford" another kid. Yes, I am one of those annoying people that can't just listen to her gut and her mommy instinct and go with it. I need data, facts, stats to base my decision on. So, off I go to research what sedans can hold 3 car seats and what cable options I have to cut that bill a bit. LOL

An addiction

I have to admit a really goofy addiction that I have. For whatever reason I am A-D-D-I-C-T-E-D to "The Hills" on MTV. Ok, ok keep laughing...it is very funny! I know it is a totally rediculous show and probably half scripted, but I just can't stop watching. I guess my teenie bopper addiction to MTV isn't totally gone. "The Hills" is on my DVR list for series recordings and Tuesdays I can't get home fast enough to watch what happened the night before. It is an addiction but one that doesn't surpass my addiction to my sleep! Seriously, not staying up after 10 to watch anything, no matter how much I love it. LOL So, there it is, my rediculous addiction to a rediculous show!

Case of the Mondays

If any of you have seen the movie Office Space, you know what I am talking about. If you haven't seen the movie, drop everything you are doing and go rent it! It is the most hilarious movie ever!! If you do or ever have worked in a cubicle or for a large company, you will really appreciate it.
Anyway, I have a case of the Mondays. Which means I am tired from the weekend, had so much fun over the weekend that I am miserable having to be at work. I spent a lot of time with my kids, friends and family this weekend and now I am missing them terribly. If only I could talk M into moving closer to my family I would be much happier. Then again, that would mean I would be away from B and my nephews which would suck. And we would have to make weekend trips to see the ILs which would require us staying overnight with them which would be torture. Their house is just too small for all of us.
Not to mention M and I have really good jobs and love our house. Guess we will stay put for a while, but I will definitely be racking up the miles on the van for sure!! ;)

Halloween

I am starting to get excited for Halloween. Yesterday I came down to my parent's house for the weekend and got to see the Dalmatian costume W found and my mom bought at a consignment store for O. It is ADORABLE!!! Haven't been able to find one for E at a consignment store though. So, I broke down and bought all the supplies to make it. I am excited to get to make at least one of their costumes. i would have made both, but you can't beat a costume for $4!!! Not to mention I know I have 1 costume that will look good! LOL While at the fabric store I had to buy more decorations for the house. Because of the kids, Halloween is becoming a fun decorating holiday! I got a witch and ghost like our scarecrow and some other yard stakes to put around the house. M is nuts about Christmas decorating and now I am going to be nuts about Halloween. E loves it and is all into it so that has suckered me into it too.

Future

What Does the Future Hold for People with Down Syndrome?
People with Down syndrome are people first. They may have some of the characteristics generally associated with this condition, but they are overwhelmingly unique and must be treated as individuals. Over the past few decades, progressive legislation such as Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act has recognized that people with Down syndrome and other disabilities are individuals and citizens, and are entitled to equal protection and opportunity under the law.
Ensuring equal treatment and access to services is a struggle that every family of a child with Down syndrome faces. Daily, these individuals strive to accomplish the same goals as everyone else: self-fulfillment, pride in achievement, inclusion in the activities of the community and the opportunity and challenge of reaching one’s full potential. With the emergence of the self-advocacy and self-determination movements, people with Down syndrome are becoming actively involved in defining their own lives and negotiating their roles within community
and family.

People with Down syndrome regularly participate in community activities: in schools, jobs, places of worship and leisure activities. Some live with family, some with friends or independently. They form interpersonal relationships and some marry. While rare, some people with Down syndrome have become parents.
The opportunities available to people with Down syndrome today have never been greater.However, it is only through the collective efforts of parents and family members, people with Down syndrome, professionals and concerned citizens that acceptance is becoming widespread.

E's Test...

We had E's test (ultrasound of the kidneys and bladder) this morning and she did wonderfully! She laid there with minimal fussing for the kidney part but then lost it when it came time for the bladder. The looked at her bladder when it was full and then after she went to the bathroom to make sure she fully emptied. She passed with flying colors and got 2 stickers! A dalmatian one and a lab puppy one. And then we stopped at the hospital cafeteria to get her a halloween sprinkled donut. She was a happy girl and I was glad it was over. Although it is by far the easier of the two tests she needs. But, fingers crossed that everything looked so good on this test that they don't need to do the other! Not sure how long it will be before the Dr. has the test results and makes that determination.

Back at my desk today after the glass fiasco yesterday. Still nervous about the other panes shattering and falling down, but I could use some time off! LOL I am also still finding tiny pieces of glass on my desk and stuff. It is amazing how you can never get glass all cleaned up, no matter how hard you try! I need to invent a glass magnet thing that can find and pick up even the tiniest pieces of glass. Then I could be a millionaire! ;)

Seriously?

Where I work, the section I sit in, the ceiling is opened to the floor above where there are glass walled conference rooms. And the railing surrounding the opening is glass. I walk into work today to find my desk COVERED in shattered glass. Just before I came in this morning one of the panes of glass from the wall of the conference room shattered and fell down onto my desk and surronding desks, but mine was hit the most. Here are some pics I took with my camera phone. The first pic is my desk covered with a tarp to keep it protected from the rest of the glass falling on it. The second pic is of the pane that is broken, you can't really tell where the missing section is (upper right section) but it is the middle pane that shattered. Needless to say I am a bit nervous about sitting at my desk again considering there are 2 more panes that could come crashing down on my head!!! Glass and I are just NOT getting along these days!!!

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Door Pics

Since we got our new door yesterday and this one will be just a distant memory soon (well, as soon as M's daddy can come help him replace it) I had to post pics of why it needs replaced. And yes, a 2 year old little girl did this with her toy. Gotta love temper tantrums!!! It sure is pretty, isn't it?

No Clue!

Ok, so this is going to be a brainless post because I have no clue what to write about today. So, here is a summary of my day today for those of you who are interested in my mundane, and boring life!
Got up and went to work all day after dropping off E at daycare who of course had to have a hissy fit when I tried to leave. FUN! Then at work I actually worked all day, can you believe it? that never happens these days as I am too distracted with downsyn, blogging, and chatting with friends on email! But, I was very productive all day so YEAH for me!
MIL called at one point to find out what I did to help with the morning sickness when I was pregant. M's aunt was diagnosed with breast cancer, had a mastectomy, and started chemo last week. Well, the barfies are catching up with her now. So, I told her about my sea bands and unisom, the saviors of my life for weeks 8-16 of pregnancy with both girls during which I felt on the verge of barfing all day every day. I guess that is somewhat what chemo is like too. YUCK! Poor Auntie D!!!
Then I went to pick up E and found out she didn't nap that day which meant we were in for a "fun" evening. Stopped at Auntie D's to drop off a set of sea bands for her, dropped off O's swim lesson registration, and then finally got over to pick up O. Took the girls home and found our new patio door on the porch! Of course I was beyond eager to get it in and finally put the kids and their toys back into the family room! But alass, my darling hubby thinks that I couldn't possibly help him do it so we have to wait for his daddy to come over and help him. GRRRRR. I will probably do it myself when I get home tomorrowt before he gets there! LOL TG my dad taught me how to be handy!!! Although it may be a bit too heavy for me to maneauver so I should probably wait.
As for E and her behavior for the evening...I can't even begin to explain what she gets like when she doesn't nap. She doesn't listen at all and she is some hideous mutation of ornery! Ornery is one thing and I can handle that, but how she gets when she is sleep deprived is just evil. I love my child to death, but when she gets like that, it is very tempting to just leave the house! LOL TG M is a saint and can deal with her like that, otherwise it would not be pretty.

Ds Facts...

Do People with Down Syndrome have Health Problems?
People with Down syndrome are at increased risk for certain health problems. While there is an increased risk for certain medical conditions compared to the general population, advances in medicine have rendered most of these health problems treatable and most people with Down syndrome lead healthy lives.

Congenital heart defects, increased susceptibility to infection, respiratory and hearing problems, obstructed digestive tracts, sleep apnea and childhood leukemia occur with greater frequency in children with Down syndrome. Adults with Down syndrome are also at increased risk for Alzheimer’s disease, thyroid conditions and sleep apnea. The majority of people born with Down syndrome today have an average life expectancy of 55 years, with some living into their seventies.

Resources such as the Down Syndrome Health Care Guidelines and specialized growth charts can further assist families and medical professionals in providing appropriate medical and preventative care. These documents can be obtained from NDSS.

How Does Down Syndrome AffectDevelopment?
All people with Down syndrome experience cognitive delays, however, the effect is usually mild
to moderate and is not indicative of the many strengths and talents that each individual possesses. Children with Down syndrome learn to sit, walk, talk, play, toilet train and do most other activities — only somewhat later than their peers without Down syndrome.

DEVELOPMENTAL MILESTONES
Milestone; Down Syndrome Range; Typical Range
Gross Motor
Sits Alone; 6-30 Months; 5-9 Months
Crawls; 8-22 Months; 6-12 Months
Stands; 12-39 Months; 8-17 Months
Walks Alone; 12-48 Months; 9-18 Months
Language
First Word; 12-48 Months; 8-23 Months
Two-Word Phrases; 2-7 Years; 15-32 Months
Personal/Social
Responsive Smile; 1 -5 Months; 1-3 Months
Finger Feeds; 10-24 Months; 7-14 Months
Drinks From Cup; 12-32 Months; 9-17 Months
Uses Spoon; 13-39 Months; 12-20 Months
Bowel Control; 2-7 Years; 16-42 Months
Dresses Self; 3 -8 Years; 3 -5 Years

Just a little brag here, so far O has done everything within the "Typical Range" timeframe! ;)

Fun weekend...

Well, this was certainly a whirlwind of a weekend! But we had a ton of fun. Went to a pumpkin patch with the girls yesterday and they had a blast! E rode a BIG pony and O rode the little pony. E went 3 times around and was begging to keep going and O only went around 1 time. It was a play date with the daycare so a lot of parents, kids and teachers came. It was a lot of fun. Then today we carved our pumpkins and did some stuff around the house. Then we went to celebrate bdays for some of M's family members who have bdays the same month. Just got home and now I am trying to catch up. A lot of laundry to put away yet!
And OMG it totally sucks to have it get dark so early now! YIKES!! It isn't even 8 pm and it feels like it should be 10!!! =(
Here are some fun pics...

Some Brags...

Our family room, eat in kitchen area, and kitchen are all an open L shape. So, I put a bunch of little gates up between tables, etc to try to keep O in the family area (play) part. Well, the little smarty pants figured out right away that she just had to crawl under the end table to get through. 15 ft of gated area and 2 ft ungated and she figured out how to get through! She is doing excellent with body parts, knows belly and toes now and can do nose on other people. She is talking and yelling but not really saying anything, but the fact that she knows how to express herself is great. She is taking bites of food instead of shoving it all in her mouth. She is pulling up to kneeling and sometimes stand on things. She is really getting "in" and "out" with toys and mastering her gumball machine (put the ball in the top, push the lever, the ball comes out). She is following commands like "follow mommy", "go get your cup", etc.
And now for the biggie... O had an OT appointment Monday and the therapist held her by both her hands (O's arms up in the air) and stood behind her and she "walked" about 20 feet! Just put one foot in front of the other and kept on going!!! It wont be long now until she is on her own! I am so proud of my little girl! i just hope I can get pics of her doing it! Until now she would just collapse and try to crawl because she knew how to get places doing that. now that she knows she can get to places on her feet, walking isn't too far off!!
E is mastering skill after skill also. She is learning to color in the lines, she can count to 10, can identify some colors (when she wants to), and she is getting really good at dressing herself. Still having some issues with getting shirts off and getting things zipped up. She tells stories with animation that has you rolling on the floor. She has gone from being super camera shy to being a ham. She was posing for pictures the other day and then would run over to see how they looked. It was hysterical. I have certainly got a "star" on my hands!!!
Here are pics of our walker and model...

Down Syndrome information...

What Causes Down Syndrome?
Down syndrome is usually caused by an error in cell division called nondisjunction. However, two other types of chromosomal abnormalities, mosaicism and translocation, are also implicated in Down syndrome — although to a much lesser extent. Regardless of the type of Down syndrome a person may have, all people with Down syndrome have an extra, critical portion of chromosome 21 present in all or some of their cells. This additional genetic material alters the course of development and causes the characteristics associated with the syndrome.

TRISOMY 21 KARYOTYPE (FEMALE)













CHROMOSOME 21 MAP




The indicated region of chromosome 21 appears to be associated with many of the characteristics linked to Down syndrome.













Nondisjunction
Nondisjunction is a faulty cell division that results in an embryo with three copies of chromosome 21 instead of the usual two. Prior to or at conception, a pair of 21st chromosomes in either the sperm or the egg fails to separate. As the embryo develops, the extra chromosome is replicated in every cell of the body.This error in cell division is responsible for 95 percent of all cases of Down syndrome.

NORMAL CELL DIVISION


During fertilization, the 23 chromosomes from the egg and sperm combine. The resulting fertilized egg has 46 chromosomes. During mitosis, the cell replicates itself and divides into two cells with 46
chromosomes in each.







NONDISJUNCTION


Nondisjunction is the failure of the pair of chromosomes to separate during meiosis, which is the process by which egg and sperm cells replicate themselves and divide. Nondisjunction results in both 21st chromosomes being carried to one cell and none to the other.





Why nondisjunction occurs is currently unknown, although research has shown that it increases in frequency as a woman ages. However, many people are surprised to find out that 80 percent of children born with Down syndrome are born to women under 35 years of age. This occurs because younger women have higher birth rates. It does not contradict the fact that the incidence of births of children with Down syndrome dramatically increases with the age of the mother. Once a woman has given birth to a baby with Down syndrome, it is estimated that the risk of having a second child with Down syndrome is about one in 100. However, the age of the mother may also be a risk factor.

INCIDENCE OF DOWN SYNDROME AND MATERNAL AGE
Maternal Age = Incidence of Down Syndrome
20 = 1 in 2000
24 = 1 in 1300
27 = 1 in 1050
30 = 1 in 900
33 = 1 in 600
36 = 1 in 300
40 = 1 in 100
42 = 1 in 70
45 = 1 in 30
47 = 1 in 20
48 = 1 in 15
49 = 1 in 10

Although nondisjunction can be of paternal origin, it is much less common. It has been suggested that environmental factors may cause nondisjunction. However, despite years of research, the cause (or causes) of nondisjunction is still unknown. There is no scientific evidence that environmental factors or the parents’ activities before or during pregnancy have an effect on any of the three types of Down syndrome.

Mosaicism
Mosaicism occurs when nondisjunction of chromosome 21 takes place in one of the initial cell divisions after fertilization. When this occurs, there is a mixture of two types of cells, some containing 46 chromosomes and some containing 47. Those cells with 47 chromosomes contain an extra chromosome 21. Because of the “mosaic” pattern of the cells, the term mosaicism is used. Mosaicism is rare, responsible for only one to two percent of all cases of Down syndrome.
Research has indicated that individuals with mosaic Down syndrome may be less affected by the physical and mental characteristics of Down syndrome than those with nondisjunction or translocation; however, broad generalizations are not possible due to the wide range of abilities that people with Down syndrome possess.





Mosaicism occurs after the fertilized egg begins to divide normally.


Nondisjunction occurs in one cell line resulting in an individual with a combination of both typical and Trisomy 21 cell lines.



Translocation
Translocation accounts for only three to four percent of cases of Down syndrome. In translocation, part of chromosome 21 breaks off during cell division and attaches to another chromosome. While the total number of chromosomes in the cells remain 46, the presence of an extra part of chromosome 21 causes the characteristics of Down syndrome. As with nondisjunction, translocation occurs either prior to or at conception. But, unlike nondisjunction,
maternal age is not linked to the risk of translocation. Most cases are sporadic, chance events. However, in about one third of translocation incidents, one parent is a carrier of a translocated chromosome. For this reason, the risk of recurrence of translocation in a subsequent child is higher than that of nondisjunction. Genetic counseling can determine the origin of translocation.

Scooby Doo

Our local Perkins had a kid's night on Tuesday so my sister and I ventured out with kids and hubbies in tow this Tuesday for Scooby Doo. I wasn't sure how E was going to react, but she warmed up quickly to him. The kids were hysterical with him, even O. Here are some adorable pics...cause you know I had my camera along since I am such a picture-a-holic!!!





Gotta love my redhead and her "Vogue" poses in the last 2 pics! LOL

21 for 21

I had to do this back when O was little and I thought it would be fun to do it again. So, here is a list of 21 things about O...

1. Her smile lights up the room
2. She has the same stubborness as her big sis and her mommy
3. When she makes up her mind to do something, her determination is inspirational
4. Her hair is blonde with a hint of red
5. She has the most gorgeous blue eyes with little flecks of white in them
6. She is the nosiest little one, always exploring everything
7. She can melt your heart with her laugh
8. She has taught me how to truly love and see the best in everyone
9. She smiles with her eyes
10. The best sleeper from day one
11. The kid can pack away some serious food
12. Thinks it is funny when we try to teach her signs
13. Her big sis is the funniest kid around
14. Loves to pull hair, especially big sissy's red curls
15. Has a temper like you wouldn't believe
16. Anyone who meets her is instantly wrapped around her finger
17. OT and ST pet, their wonder student
18. Could make any day better with her smile and laugh
19. Gives "aye-ayes", hugs and kisses to everyone
20. Has 3 adorable little teeth and is working on #4!
21. Is truly our little butterfly - the first few months she was a caterpillar to us and then one day, she became our butterfly

Resources

Here are some great resources for information and support for Down syndrome...

http://www.downsyn.com
http://www.ndss.org
http://www.nads.org/

http://www.thearc.org/NetCommunity/Page.aspx?pid=183&srcid=-2

http://www.dsiam.org/

http://www.dsrtf.org/

Locally for us...
http://epdsc.net/default.aspx

Can find local agencies linked to NDSS here...
http://www.ndss.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=92:locate-an-affiliate&catid=41:affiliates&Itemid=113

If you have any additional resources, please add them in the comments section and I will update my list! Thanks!!!

Wild One!

Today has been a pretty wild day! I am home sick with the kids which is always interesting.

Got the call from the pediatrician and it turns out E did have a kidney infection, again. This is the second one she has had in 2 months. Now we have to take her to the hospital to have an ultrasound done of her bladder and kidneys. In about a month we have to take her for the horrible test. They will partially sedate her and insert a catheter to put dye in her bladder so they can watch and see if there is reflux. Sounds like fun, huh? Just when I thought I had one kid I didn't need to worry too much about for medical issues.

Then E decided to get mad today and hit our sliding glass door with one of her toys. Yeah, you guessed it, she shattered the glass. It is thankfully shatter-proof glass so it is still all in the door, but now I have to figure out how to get it replaced. On the phone with Andersen right now and the lady I am working with seems very nice. OMG!!! The lady just came back on the line and said it is under warranty and they are going to make arrangements to send us a new one. YIPPEE!!!!

O had therapy this morning and she walked 20 while holding onto the therapists hands. Yeah O!!!

Lovely, now the supervisor from Andersen called and said it might not be covered under warranty. How? A 2 year old should not be able to break tempered glass no matter what she does to it!!! Jerks. Oh, I will get a new door for free, I may just have to yell a bit about it! ;)

Productive

I am super productive this weekend! Got our disaster of a basement under control finally. Just need to build the storage shelves and get that area organized. Then the hubby can get working on finishing it off.

Also got all my winter stuff out and organized. Got all my summer clothes put away, except for what I will need for our vacation.

Went through all of the kids toys and put stuff away that they don't play with anymore.

Needless to say I had to take a nice jacuzzi bath tonight cause I am pooped!!! Off to bed soon!

Yes, you see correctly...

It is 3 in the morning and I am blogging. Why in the world am I doing this? you may wonder. Well, E is up sick. She hasn't slept well the past few nights and has been running a high fever since Thursday night. We took her to the doctor today (technically yesterday I guess) and they took a urine sample. It had large white and red blood cells in it so they sent it off to the lab. We will have preliminary results by noon tomorrow (actually in 9 hrs) but not official results until Monday. The Dr. is worried about a kidney infection. Although some of the cells could have been caused by the vaginosis she has. Yep, when she get sick, she gets sick. Gotta love sensitive skinned redheads (easily gets these issues)! So, of course the Dr goes into all that could be wrong considering we went through this 6 weeks ago. There could be a problem where infected urine is traveling back up the urethra and into the kidneys. I won't go into the details of what will be involved to diagnose that as I am not fully convinced that is what it is. She isn't complaining of any pain while peeing (hasn't at all) and has no back pain or anything. I am just hoping it is viral, and considering she just threw up everywhere, that is my guess.
This just sucks! She is miserable and can't sleep and there is nothing I can do about it. I hate that I can't fix it and all I can do is watch her suffer. =(

All about DS

Here are some Down Syndrome Facts from NDSS...
Down syndrome occurs when an individual has three, rather than two, copies of the 21st chromosome. This additional genetic material alters the course of development and causes the characteristics associated with Down syndrome.
Down syndrome is the most commonly occurring chromosomal abnormality. One in every 733 babies is born with Down syndrome.
There are more than 350,000 people living with Down syndrome in the United States.
Down syndrome affects people of all ages, races and economic levels.
The incidence of births of children with Down syndrome increases with the age of the mother. But due to higher fertility rates in younger women, 80 percent of children with Down syndrome are born to women under 35 years of age.
People with Down syndrome have an increased risk for certain medical conditions such as congenital heart defects, respiratory and hearing problems, Alzheimer's disease, childhood leukemia, and thyroid conditions. Many of these conditions are now treatable, so most people with Down syndrome lead healthy lives.
A few of the common physical traits of Down syndrome are low muscle tone, small stature, an upward slant to the eyes, and a single deep crease across the center of the palm. Every person with Down syndrome is a unique individual and may possess these characteristics to different degrees or not at all.
Life expectancy for people with Down syndrome has increased dramatically in recent decades - from 25 in 1983 to 56 today.
All people with Down syndrome experience cognitive delays, but the effect is usually mild to moderate and is not indicative of the many strengths and talents that each individual possesses.
Quality educational programs, a stimulating home environment, good health care, and positive support from family, friends and the community enable people with Down syndrome to develop their full potential and lead fulfilling lives.
People with Down syndrome attend school, find work, participate in decisions that affect them, and contribute to society.
Researchers are making great strides in identifying the genes on Chromosome 21 that cause the characteristics of Down syndrome. Many feel strongly that it will be possible to improve, correct or prevent many of the problems associated with Down syndrome in the future.

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Today is a very sleepy day. And as I sit here, half asleep & exhausted, I am reminded of days when E was the easiest kid to put to sleep. We always received comments about how easy it was to put her to bed. Well, those days are so far gone that I can barely remember what it is like. This is a kid that didn't sleep through the night until she was 9 months old and we had a great run from then until about a year ago.
Now it is a huge production to get her to go to sleep and to stay asleep in her bed all night. Last night M got her to bed in a record 20 minutes (I was at a meeting)!!! I should have known that meant something bad was still going to happen. And oh did it ever. Around 12:30 I wake up to E crying for me so I head in to see what is the problem. I laid down with her to try to get her to settle back in and then all of a sudden she pops up, totally awake and starts chatting with me. Telling me about everything that happened when I wasn't home, especially about her big #2 success. Which, I must say, was a HUGE deal (no pun intended). She was so cute that it was hard not to stay up and play with her, but the Tylenol PM was hard at work so I couldn't even keep my eyes open. It took about an hour to get her back to sleep and then I fell asleep there. Woke up about 3:30 and went back to my bed only to be woken up again at 4:30 to her cries. M got up that time and tried to get her back to sleep but eventually gave in and let her stay up with him. Even though I have repeatedly told him that she NEEDS to go back to sleep if she is up that early, he doesn't seem to think it is an issue. Well, that is because he doesnt have to deal with the tears and meltdown during drop off and the horrendous temper tantrums at daycare and after I pick her up. And tonight he wont be home until late. So, that means I will have a cranky kid on my hands on top of me being cranky from being tired. It will not be pretty! Maybe we will all take a nap together! LOL
Then there is my little O, she is such a good sleeper. She has slept through the night since day 1 and can sleep through almost anything. She goes to bed easily and wakes up happy! TG she is an easy kid or I would really be zonked!!!! It is amazing how different your kids can be!
I must admit though, I do love the nightime snuggles!!!! ;)

And so it begins...

This is the first post in my 31 for 21 "challenge". A wonderful mom came up with an idea for people to blog for every day in October in recognition of Down syndrome awareness month and I think it is a FABULOUS idea!!!! For more info, click on the button in the upper right of my blog. To answer some of the questions posted on her explanation...


Why should I do it?
One reason...because of my gorgeous daughter...because I love my O more than anything (well not more than her sister or my hubby) and I would do anything to help make this world a better place for her.



What is in it for me?
I get to "talk", a lot! ;) Seriously, I want to make people more aware of what my little butterfly is capable of and help remove the stereotypes that are out there. One of the biggest ways I feel that can be accomplished is by making more people aware of Down syndrome so it is no longer misunderstood. Ds is NOT scary and there is a lot more to it than the mental retardation aspect (which is what is commonly thought of when Ds is mentioned). Individuals with Ds are much more like the rest of us than they are different. They have their own set of talents and shortcomings just like any other human being. I want to change the way people look at individuals with Ds. No looks of pity, fear, or condescention. Just looks of admiration, understanding, and love.

I hope that I can accomplish some education during this month and beyond. Thanks for reading!!!