It's A Camping Party!

Since this blog is Ellie's virtual baby book, I decided to include the boy's birthday party again. I can't wait to print this thing out and have a physical record of Ellie's first years. When she turned 1, I looked into printing it and still cannot find a printing service that puts the posts in order and keeps the photos in the correct spot. Everything gets jumbled. If anyone has an idea of a good printing service please let me know! Oh and guess what? When I looked at my blog today I found that I've had over 30,000 views! I don't know how that's even possible but I thought it was pretty cool! So thank you to those who keep up on Ellie and her big bro's adventures. 

So every May we throw a joint birthday party for our boys. This year was their big 5 and 7. We always obsess over the weather the week leading up to the big day, and sure enough the forecast always threatens rain the day of the party. But by some sort of miracle, the sun always ends up coming out and so far we've been really lucky each year. And every year I say the same thing... where the heck did the last year go? I feel like time is slipping right through my hands.

Last year I was feeling overwhelmed and ragged, and trying to plan the party was making me crazy. I decided to go "anti-pinterest" style and throw a redneck party. It was great! So last year my mom suggested we should plan something dirty and easy again, so this time we went with a camping theme. It turned out really fun! And I totally gave in to scouring Pinterest. It's full of some sweet ideas! My friends and fam helped a ton too. We ended up with a tackle box full of gummy worms, swedish fish, and goldfish crackers. Luke loved helping put it together as well as helping himself to the sweet bait. 

Mmmm worms!

My amazing woodworking mama-in-law helped cut up wood into small circles and we had a necklace making station. You know, those little wood disks on a string? I was having flashbacks to Outdoor School in 6th grade!

Necklace making station.

See his cute necklace? Our purple loving birthday boy!

My mom-in-law also made a really cool Pinterest inspired cupcake stand. Jess cut the wood slabs and she put the whole thing together. Isn't it neat? My friend Kelly made the mouth watering S'mores cupcakes, they were heavenly (and pretty, don't you think?)! 

Cupcake stand and scrumptious cupcakes!

YUM!

For party favors, my creative and awesome friend Wendy suggested we do S'mores trail mix. It was Honey Grahams cereal, chocolate chips and mini marshmallows in a baggie. The kids loved making itty bitty S'mores! And I was seriously about to dump it into a bowl with some milk, it tasted really good! Mmmm! We also gave the kids geodes, which are rocks you can crack open and they have crystals inside. You can find them in bulk on Amazon. 

Overall it was a really fun and easy party, the kids had a blast and hopefully I can come up with another outdoorsy idea for next year! Or maybe we can just invade Chuck E Cheese, we will see. It's always great getting to see family and friends and catching up. I just wish I could have gotten a photo of every person that was there but it was just not possible. Here are some of the pictures I did capture...

Some cool dudes.

Kisses for Grammee

I made a note on the invitation...  "NO GIFTS" Hmmmm.

Will and a couple of his lifelong friends Tyler and Robby.

Tractor time.

A little game of soccer.

This photo of Famous Iris and her dad cracks me up. It looks like they are going so fast, and I'm impressed with her daddy's ability to hold on to his cocktail with precision :)

This is Famous Iris' handsome big bro!

I love this face!

The birthday boy and sissy.

Our new number art (since I'm number obsessed) that my mama-in-law made me!

Grandma Barb and Ellie.

Sweet country girl.

Famous Iris!

Adorable girls hanging out

Ellie and her Grandpa Gary

Madi and her beautiful blue eyes.

Cora looking beautiful with her daddy.

A couple of my favorite gals :)

For this week's post I knew exactly what song I wanted to add. This song always reminds me of my boys and it just makes me smile :)

Wild Child - Brett Dennen

Are You Worried About Her Future?

If I said I didn't worry about Ellie’s future at all then I’d be a liar. But I worry about all three of my children’s futures, I think it’s a natural part of being a parent. Looking back at my life I truly believe I was being prepared to be Ellie’s mom all along.

My Grandma Hattie always said that from the moment our children are born, that we are preparing them to grow their wings and fly. So as a teenager, I knew that at age 18 my mom and dad would set me free. It was part of the master plan! You either get a job, go in the Army, or in my case go to college. And this belief was true for all 6 of my brothers, including Danny. You can read more about my brother Danny here.

Danny graduated from high school at age 19 then moved out of my parent's house and into a group home type setting. He lived with other adults with varying intellectual disabilities while learning life skills. He would come home on the weekends and from what I can remember as a 7 or 8 year old, he seemed content with his situation. After living there for a few years he moved into his own apartment. He still lives there today, and is doing amazingly well. He has help from a state-funded aid that comes once a week to help him grocery shop, clean his apartment, and drive him to his appointments.

My brother lives a fun and fulfilled life. He has many friends and is very active in his church. He walks everywhere he goes, exercises, and volunteers with some of his free time. He is also the President of an organization called Champion Team. You can read a nice article about this organization here: News Register Article

He’s the handsome one in the Raiders jacket! I’m so so proud of him. 

My mom tells me stories about how my dad used to say “he will live with us forever” and she would reply “oh no he won't!”  My mom and I have had many conversations about Danny and his independence. She admits that it was her fear of what would happen to Danny when she and my dad were gone from this earth that drove her to fight so hard for him to live on his own. But she also believed in him and knew he could do it, and he has.

I recently read an article by Ellen Stumbo and cried big ugly tears, it was beautiful. It's called What if She Lives With Us Forever? Her words really resonated with me. She explained how she is truly OK if her daughter with Down syndrome wanted to live with her forever. But that it wasn't up to her, it was up to her daughter to decide. I feel this way about Ellie. I don't know how Ellie will be as an adult. I don't know if she will be as independent as my brother. She may be, or she may not be. But honestly I am not worried about her living with us forever. I’m going to support her, guide her, and help her grow her wings just as I will with the boys. And maybe she will fly away and live on her own like her Uncle Danny. Or maybe she will live with her friends in a group setting. 

The network of people I've met who have children with Down syndrome keeps growing and expanding. It’s a loving community that stretches across the world. So far Ellie already has many friends in her age group, and a pre-arranged marriage with a boy named Mason. I love his mama and he and Ellie really would make a cute couple. He lives in Pennsylvania so we will have to figure out the logistics when they are older. I tell his mom she would love Oregon though. Is pre-arranged marriage even legal in the US? Don't worry, I will let Ellie choose who she marries someday, it's all in good fun. But I do know Ellie already has a prom date should she need one! 

This photo is almost a year old but hello, isn't he seriously adorable?

As these kids grow into adults I can see some of them living together. Speaking of which, I have been obsessed with a new documentary called “The Specials” about 5 young adults with intellectual disabilities who live together. It is awesome! My mom and I sat and watched 5 episodes in a row and couldn't get enough. If you haven't watched it yet I really suggest you check it out.

I can't say enough how grateful I am that I grew up with Danny as my brother, and with my mom who believed in his abilities. She was preparing me to be Ellie’s mom. She has shown me how to guide and nurture my daughter, and to believe in her. Danny is a vital part of our big family and is loved and valued as an equal. I’m not afraid for Ellie’s future, I'm actually excited to watch her fly.

This week's song is a mushy one, but I love the lyrics. I think it just fits.

My Wish - Rascal Flatts

A Little Dream with a Big Message

For some reason I don't remember my dreams all that often. It seems like when my alarm beeps sharply at 6am, all dreams leave my subconscious. But on the weekends when I'm allowed to wake up when my body clock says it's time to, I tend to be able to recall what I was dreaming about. I wonder why that is? 

This morning I woke up smiling and my heart was full and happy. I had a short little dream, and it was about Down syndrome. I don't tend to dream about Down syndrome really but today was different. My dream was about pregnancy and babies with Down syndrome. I woke up with the words "inclusion in the womb" in my head. In my dream, I lived in a whole new world, where parents who were finding out about Down syndrome are not gutted and devastated. Where doctors weren't pushing termination as a first choice. Where these babies were celebrated, wanted, and loved. Parents who received the diagnosis were genuinely OK, and were excited to welcome their unborn child.

I am part of a private group on Facebook for women who are pregnant with a baby with Trisomy 21. Most of them are going through all the same emotions I did when we received the news. They are worried for their future, as well as the future of their baby. They are worried for their other children's future, how will it affect them? What about potential health issues? Will their child do OK in school and be included? Will they go to college, or get married? Their pregnancy is not what they dreamed of and each mother is grieving in her own way.

What I also get to witness is the fear that crumbles when these mothers meet their children and gaze into their eyes for the first time. The love that binds these mothers to their children is undeniable and powerful. They look back and wonder "what was I so afraid of?" Every. Single. Time. It's amazing to hear about the father's and their love for their children. The fierce protective love that these dads feel, it always overshadows any preconceived notions they had when receiving the diagnosis. And not to mention the special connection these new babies have to their siblings. It is something quite magical and I get to see it daily with Ellie and her big brothers.

Who knows what the future holds, I just know that I wish with all of my heart that this dream could become a reality someday. I've had a few prophetic dreams- I dreamt of my pregnancy with Ellie as well as her diagnosis. I can't help but hope that this dream can someday become a reality too. I'm not saying I'm psychic by any means (haha), but I am already seeing a shift in perceptions. It's a slow process but it's happening. Maybe someday it'll be true, and I hope I am here to witness it when it does.

I have to end every post with a song and this one has been on my mind lately, it's a good one.

A Change is Gonna Come - Sam Cooke

Mindfulness (I'm a Half-Ass Mom)

I am constantly researching, reading, and questioning everything related to Down syndrome. As a way to weed through the vast amounts of information available to me, I have changed the way I look at it all. When I hear about something more than two or three times, I take that as my signal to investigate further. That’s the only way I can keep my sanity when it comes to a new book to read, a new therapy tool, or a vitamin or supplement that may or may not help Ellie in the long run.

I use this method when it comes to regular life too. And in the past couple of weeks I have heard the word “mindfulness” at least five times. It was while watching a youtube clip, talking with my friends, as well as listening to a new book during my commute to work. Someone is definitely trying to tell me something. The definition of mindfulness is “the gentle effort to be continuously present with experience”. So I’m taking this as a sign, and I’m going to try my absolute hardest to make it a reality.

I've been asked lately “how do you do it all?” because I work full time, have 3 kids (two boys who are in sports and a daughter with special needs), I do photography, helped launch a non-profit, have a home to clean, meals to make, laundry to do (oh the laundry), and the list goes on. I've been jokingly replying “oh believe me, I’m on the verge of a mental breakdown”. Then I remembered my mom saying “thoughts become things” and damn if I didn't bring that thought to fruition! I am seriously about to lose it. I'm hanging by a thread and I think my husband is genuinely worried I will quit my job. I told Jesse “something’s gotta give”, and so I've decided it’s me. I need to be the one to change. I’m going to do my best to initiate change into my hectic and hurried life. I'm not "doing it all", and to be totally honest, I'm not even doing half of it. I'm half-assing it in the areas that matter the most and deserve my full attention.

My first step is that damn phone of mine. I’m always plugged in. Always. I'm embarrassed to admit it, but I’m addicted to that device. I always have it on the bedside table next to me at night. Some nights I will be online until 1am or later reading blogs and articles or chatting with new moms who need my support. I have a habit of continually checking my phone… work email, personal email, Facebook. In that order, over and over again. As if I'm going to miss something if I don’t look every 5 minutes. What has happened is that I am not giving my kids my full attention. It’s like half-assed attention as I’m trying to reply to a message. I need to look at my babies in their faces when they ask me for a juice box or a snack. I need to see their beautiful eyes when I ask them how their day was. I need to be in the present.



So I started a week ago. I put my phone down. I am only going to check it when the kids are not with me, or are in bed. I’m not going to be as frantic about checking my work emails when I’m not at work. It’s not what’s important, my boss even told me to quit doing emails at night! My kids are growing up before my eyes, and I feel like I’m not there to watch it. I’m also not bringing my phone to bed. I’m going to leave it downstairs so I don’t look at it every time it buzzes… halfway asleep with one eye open. Who does that? Oh yeah, I do.

The second area I’m going to try to work on is my eating habits. I have a 50% chance of Type 2 Diabetes because I had gestational diabetes when I was pregnant with Ellie. I love to eat and so does Jesse. We center our lives around entertaining and enjoying good meals. Not to mention yummy cocktails which are also bad for the waistline- OK maybe that's just my weakness. Our whole family has a love for pizza and blizzards from Dairy Queen. Even my almost 7 year old Will is known for saying “oh mom this is so bad.. it’s good!” My amazing friend sent me a TED talk by Sandra Aamodt about why dieting doesn't work. If you have an extra 13 minutes I suggest you watch it.

Sandra Aamodt: Why dieting doesn't usually work

As I was watching, I heard her say “mindfulness”. There it was again, that word! I just need to be aware of what I’m putting in my body. But I can't obsess over it. I tend to senselessly shovel Juanita’s chips in my mouth as I cook dinner. I need to take a step back and look at what I'm doing. Just be aware.

The third and last baby step I am taking is to be mindful during the nighttime routine with my kids. Jesse and I take turns putting the boys to bed. Usually they will both sit on our laps and Will gets his reading homework done. It’s been getting to where we are shortening it more and more.. “pick a shorter book”, “we are just doing prayers tonight you guys stayed up way too late”, “I’ll tell you one story, but it’s going to be a quick one”, “it’s way too late, no stories tonight you guys need your sleep”.

What am I doing? How much longer will my boys sit on my lap and snuggle me? Why am I shortening this precious time each night? These moments will end up being non-existent if I continue on this path. I tested myself this weekend, it was the middle of the day on Saturday. I had tons of stuff to do around the house, the list seems endless. Luke was cranky so I asked him if he’d take a nap. He is almost 5, so even the word nap stresses him out. I told him I would feed Ellie in the rocking chair and he could lay in bed and I’d tell him a story. He liked the idea. I ended up spending 45 minutes with Luke while Ellie drank her bottle and fell asleep. We sang songs back and forth. He was not shy about showing me how he knew every word to “Let it Go” and “Do you Wanna Build a Snowman”. I had no idea he knew every last word, I had no clue. That 45 minutes was awesome. He woke up happy and revived, and my heart felt full.

The best part of my week, the Saturday morning bed raid.

Parenting is a constant learning experience for me. From the wise words of my mama, “if something isn't working, change it.” Well it’s time for me to change. As a working mom, I have 4 hours at night with my kids during the week. 4 hours. That isn't a lot. And on sports nights, that time is cut in half. I have to be available and there for my babies, in body as well as mind and spirit. I’m so grateful for the nudges I have received these past couple of weeks. Mindfulness. I hear you, loud and clear.

Landslide - Fleetwood Mac

I Have One Too

"Aren't you a pretty girl? You are just so sweet! You are a precious "special" girl, aren't you?" I started to feel my cheeks turn pink. I was nervous and even a little annoyed, thinking to myself "oh please don't tell me how happy they all are, and how they all love to dance." Ugh.

I was at Target with Ellie doing some shopping and was in line checking out. I could tell this woman, who was most likely in her 70's had noticed that Ellie has Down syndrome. I feel bad now that I assumed that she was going that route- the generalized "they are all happy" route, but I hear it practically every time I take my girl out in public. I smiled at the woman and started heading out the door and she quickly yells... "I have one too, my daughter!" I turned around and said "oh that's awesome!" and walked to my car, but I wanted to run back and ask her all about her daughter. Unfortunately my nerves got the best of me. But then at my next stop that day, I got that chance.

 
Ellie and I were strolling along the granola bar section at Costco and I was stopped by a couple who were probably in their late 60's. They couldn't keep their eyes off Ellie and were asking me all about her. She was doing her usual double-handed giant wave and "smizing" (smiling with her eyes) and they were loving it. Finally the woman says "we also have a special angel" to which I asked "oh, how old is she?" They went on to explain that her name was Andrea, and she had passed away when she was 9 years old. She had multiple health issues in her short life. My heart sank. The man grabbed his wallet, and pulled out a torn and faded school picture. She was beautiful with her brown hair falling down around her pretty slanted eyes. He handed me the picture and I showed Ellie, she immediately gave the photo a kiss. I had tears in my eyes as they proudly talked about their daughter. She would be 35 if she were still here, the same age as me. I was so grateful for that couple who shared their gorgeous Andrea with me that day. 

As I was checking out I couldn't stop thinking about that couple and their girl. I was turning to leave and my new friend came up behind me "can we exchange numbers?" she asked. I was so excited. "Yes!" I gave her my info and she gave me hers. She has a friend who has a daughter in her 20's with Down syndrome who lives downtown Portland, takes the Max to work and is in Zumba class. She is independent and doing awesome. She wants to introduce me to this gal's mother, who she said was such an advocate for her daughter who is doing so well. I hope I see this woman again someday. She really made my day and I honestly think I was meant to meet her.

I can't quite put my finger on what the "thing" is that happens when I meet other families who have been touched by Down syndrome, but it's amazing to me. It's like a secret club, a connection, a feeling of knowing, and it's beyond just having something in common. My family feels it, and even my friends too. Even the connection I have with the moms I've met online is hard to put into words. They are from all walks of life, and across the globe. We have spent countless hours sharing advice, worries, and triumphs. I haven't met them in person yet I feel a bond to these ladies. I have met families in real life and can't help but feel like there is something more. When Ellie was around 6 months old, I read a very interesting book and this paragraph gave me goose bumps:

"When I spoke with parents of handicapped children, all commented on the extraordinary people they met as a result of their children's handicaps - people they felt they already knew. In all likelihood, they did. There is often a special bond that goes well beyond the commonality of having handicapped children."

I don't know if I'll ever unlock the mystery to this connection I feel to these families, so I'm just going to go with it. I'm going to count my blessings and just be grateful every single day. I know that I will continue to meet new people who are on the same journey as me. They will be just beginning, or will be more seasoned pros offering invaluable advice. I look forward to talking to new moms and to be able tell them "it will be OK, I promise", just like others told me.

This week's song is one that I used to love when Jesse and I started dating over 10 years ago. It's funny how the lyrics to a song can evolve as your life changes, this one has taken on a new meaning for me. xoxo

Wave on Wave - Pat Green

7 Things on 3/21 - World Down Syndrome Day

We love our neighborhood!

This is our second year celebrating 3/21, World Down Syndrome Day. Looking back at this day last year I can honestly say I didn't know much about Down syndrome. I thought it would be fun to share 7 things that I have learned in the past 14 months. We have had a crash course and some of the information is really surprising! I hope you find this information interesting too. This post is also jam packed full of photos, since it's been a while and I have a hard time picking my favorites!

Princess Ellie says... keep reading, this is some interesting stuff!

1. Bear with me, point 1 is a long one but it's very important. To commemorate World Down Syndrome Day, I am so happy to announce the launch of DSDN, the Down Syndrome Diagnosis Network.  We are a non-profit group comprised of 8 mothers from across the US who all have a child with T21. We come from varying political and religious backgrounds and we believe in a pro-information stance. Our mission is to create an unbiased family-centered discussion of Down syndrome within the medical community. 

• We encourage parents to respectfully write letters to their medical providers whether they had a poor or positive experience in receiving the diagnosis. 
• We help to connect families to birth-club type support groups on Facebook. These private groups have been my lifeline and I've made friendships that will last a lifetime. 
• We help connect families with their local Ds organizations to encourage face to face support. Sometimes just hearing the words "I understand" can mean the world. 
• We have an online book of over 80 true-life birth stories linked to our site to help parents know that they are not alone on this journey. You can find Ellie's story in the "Unique Diagnosis" section. 
• We have compiled a links section to the most current and useful Ds related sites such as Down Syndrome Pregnancy, International Down Syndrome Coalition, Down Syndrome Blogs and more.

I'm so grateful to be a part of this community and am passionate about our message. You can also find us on Facebook and like our page! 

Part of my passion in getting involved in this non-profit stems back from something I learned shortly after Ellie's birth. Did you know that 90% of babies prenatally diagnosed with Down syndrome are terminated? This means only 1 out of 10 babies like Ellie get to meet their families. I researched this number a little deeper and have found that the % may not be as high as reported. The statistic is based on women who are opting to have invasive testing (like a CVS or amnio), and it does not include the women who refuse prenatal testing. So the number may not truly be 90%, but it's still high. I think I am discovering part of the reason for this staggering percentage.

Many of the moms in my online group have shared that they were pushed to terminate by their doctors when they received their diagnosis. I've also had the opportunity to talk to pregnant women who are facing life-changing decisions. One story that I can't shake from my mind was a mother I spoke with who found out her unborn baby had T21. She was 20 weeks along. The doctors informed her that her child will never walk, never talk, and will be in a group home by puberty. He pleaded with her that was unfair to her other children to bring a child with Down syndrome into their lives. He told her it was utterly selfish of her. She was heartbroken, scared, and completely defeated. Ultimately, this mother chose termination. She had complete and total trust in her medical provider. As a mother of a child with T21 I know wholeheartedly that the information she received was not true. It is crucial that the medical community is providing unbiased and up-to-date information when discussing options with their patients. The information they are providing is life altering. This is why DSDN's mission is so important to me.

2. In keeping with the numbers theme, I was also surprised when I found out that Down syndrome occurs in 1 out of 691 live births (National Down Syndrome Society). There's a misconception that more women of "advanced maternal age" have babies with Down syndrome. It's true your odds of having a baby with Trisomy 21 go up as you age, but more babies are born to younger mamas due to the amount of women having babies in their younger years (approximately 80% of babies with Ds are born to women under 35) See the below chart that shows the odds based on age from The March of Dimes.

3. Some people with Down syndrome can drive! I was excited when I heard this because it's something I have wondered about but I had no idea who to ask. Noah's Dad did a great post highlighting 7 of these drivers. He gave me permission to link the post here, Noah's Dad - Can People with Ds Get Their Drivers License? I wonder if Ellie will get her drivers license someday? Only time will tell!

Come on dad, give me the keys already! She looks so grown up here.

4. The life expectancy for a person with Down syndrome has gone from 25 back in 1983 to 60 years old today (National Down Syndrome Society) By the time Ellie is older I am curious what this statistic will be! It's amazing the advances that have happened just in the past 30 years and I have a feeling we will look back in amazement in the next 30 years.

5. College opportunities! Did you know that there are over 250 college programs nationwide that are tailored for kids just like Ellie? How awesome is that? In the weeks after I had Ellie I reached out to the Down syndrome support group on Babycenter, and met Margaret "Gary" Bender. Her daughter Alex is AMAZING. Alex is now 20 and last year she won the bronze medal for downhill skiing in the Special Olympics in S. Korea. Today she is a freshman at the University of Cincinnati in the TAP Program. I read Gary's book From Grief to Celebration in the first month of Ellie's life and it was so encouraging and uplifting for me. It was just what I needed at the time to realize Ellie's future is so bright. Alex is such an amazing role model and I'm grateful for mothers like Gary who have paved the way for new moms like me. What a community of support! There's a great site to find college programs for special needs in your area called Think College. I'm thinking Oregon State needs a program like this.... who knows what'll be available in 17 years ;) (GO BEAVS!)

Yay for college!!

6. "Is she walking yet?" I have this photo of Ellie as my screensaver at work:

I've been asked this question at least 10 times because age 1 is the average age that most kids learn to walk. Well kids with Down syndrome have their own development chart and tend to do things a little later than typical kiddos. The average age for a child with Down syndrome to walk is actually 2. I had no idea until we had Ellie! Here's a chart that helps put the range in perspective: (from www.dsmig.org.uk/pdf/downs3.pdf)
And as I like to say, Ellie does everything on "Ellie time", and she is crawling around now and surprising us daily with the things she is learning.

7. "God only gives special kids to special parents"...Well duh, Jess and I are awesome, right? We heard this sentiment A LOT after Ellie was born. To be honest, it's not true. Surprise! We are just like any other mom and dad, and it's not a stretch to say we are actually pretty dang boring. But I do believe God knew what he was doing when he gave us Ellie- special or not! Just like he knew what he was doing when we were given Will and Luke. In other words, we are just like any other family of five and I truly believe our kids were hand picked for us. And I feel very lucky that they are ours.

Our three. And no, Luke isn't wearing hair clips it's his backwards sunglasses!

Before I end this post I also have to share this amazingly beautiful and inspirational video that the IDSC (International Down Syndrome Coalition) made for World Down Syndrome Day. It is sure to make you smile! I am honored this year to have Ellie's photo picked to be in the video! See if you can find her!! (hint: she's about midway through, 2:17 to be exact) You can watch it here:

IDSC 2014 World Down Syndrome Day Video

And lastly (I promise) I woke up this morning, on 3/21 and saw that Ellie and our story made the news. My heart is full and I am feeling so grateful. You can check out the article in the Oregonian here:

The Down Syndrome Diagnosis Network Sprouts from Moms Looking for Support

My song choice came to me during my 11 hour flight to Asia last week. I was watching the movie The Delivery Man with Vince Vaughn when I heard it. I was rummy and tired and missing my babies, and it totally made me cry (what song doesn't these days?) I had never heard it before and it really made me think of my kids, I thought it was a good fit for today's post. :)

Little hands
The world is yours
Hold it close with open arms

Little feet
With miles ahead
Take it slow, see it all, take it in

Little Hands - Inland Sky 

High fives with neighbor Dani!

So? Who is the fairest??

Having fun with big brother and Eric.

Will, Luke and Ellie with Eric and FAMOUS IRIS, and Dani! xoxo

Giving big squeezes to her friend Kate.

Having fun with Kate!

It's World Down Syndrome Day!

Hangin' with my favorite guy (I'm not kidding, this girl is smitten with her daddy!)

Thanks for reading my mom's blog, I hope you learned something new today!!