Crayola washable markers and tears

Today we met a milestone.

One I took for granted.

Child one, two , three.......

 No big deal.

But child number four.

It's all grace

Upon grace.

Baby steps.

The emotion lodging in my throat.

All because of crayola markers

And progress.

She has been enjoying our schedule

Asking,"color. Bus.yellow" After lunch today.

(We colored a school bus-

Hello Kitty riding safely to school yesterday)

Today. 

She did it.

Took off the lid

Placed it on the barrel

And colored to her hearts content.

Then once she was done...

Try. Try. Try again.

Until success.

The lid was back in its proper place with a click.

Once she did it,

I refused to help.

Each time almost sitting on my hands to make sure I did the right thing

Let her work really hard

And feel the accomplishment

Of a job well done.

Living life.... Thanksgiving

I'm sure my readers,
Hello.... Is anyone out there?
I'm sure you've been wondering where we were.
No worries,
Just taking some time to regroup 
and focus on what is really important.
I'm afraid until we get my anemia resolved 
things will look like this.
A very tired mama.

Pretend there is a 
beautiful photo here *

While we were out of town for thanksgiving we met up with another family that I met from blogging
It was so nice to finally connect with Dawn and her beautiful crew!
She posted about the merriment today and i thought I could at least take 5 minutes and link up to her and let you know I will be back tomorrow because it will be Wednesday
And I will have knitting projects to share 
and a few book reviews to post.

*note: seems like Ive used up all of my storage in Google/ Picasa

I deleted my first blog today.

Today is the day.
I had imported my old blog over a year ago,
I was just waiting on the right time to click delete.
Such a sentimental girl........

If you start getting updates in your reader from old posts,
Well, I'm pretty sure you will......
I am trying to clean house.
Please forgive me.

If this doesn't free up storage space I will either quit blogging altogether
Or move to another server.
If you've experienced this,
Or have any advice Id love to hear a comment from you!
Off to get some knitting done!

Prayers needed for Aziza

I would post a photo here if blogger would let me:

Last night before bed I saw a post on my friends FB status.

Darling Aziza needs our prayers,

What started out spooking like a stomach bug 

Has turned their life upside down.

Presently Aziza is in ICU and has been fighting for her life.

Here is their blog.

If you could pay her a visit for me,

Spread some love?

She might be visually impaired, but I saw what you did.

It was a beautiful crisp Fall evening

I dressed her warmly

We've just gotten over a cold.

The clocks have turned back.

I had forgotten how dark it gets, 
So early for the skies to already be black.

We stopped by her favorite restaurant, I love her squeals of delight

Chicken French fries! Her favorite phrase I fear.

She loves going on Wednesday evenings

We've been changing meds again

I was filled with anxiety

But I don't want her to know that.

The children are laughing and coloring

She enjoys naming the colors

I think she finds a thrill at her newfound knowledge.

Imagine having to wait until you are 4.5 for words!

Her scribbles fill the page

Of course lots of purple.

It's her favorite.

She is teaching me to love it too.

We "line up " to have story time

Hence the reason she signs "line up?" each day.

(Wondering if its Wednesday. Church day.)

She loves the puppets and flannel board stories.

My mind smiles at seeing child number four learning the same stories I did 

Flannel figures depicting the stories

Prayer time is next, We both enjoy this time

The children are allowed to take turns, 
Some just stand quietly then go sit back down

The teacher reminds them 
you don't have to speak for God to hear your prayers.

That is a good reminder isn't it?

Then it's time to play outside.

She holds the helpers hand and squeals and runs

She doesn't care about the games

It feels good to just run and use her outside voice.

I sit with the teachers and enjoy the moments to watch her from afar.

As we "line up" and walked single file down the hallway and passed the older children, 
he ones that are her age, 

two little boys started laughing and pointing. 

Their laughter was so loud. i can still hear it. the horrible things they said.

I was so thankful she had passed and was clueless.                                                                                  I knew I couldn’t be trusted to even open my mouth .

I kept on walking, acting like it never happened.

 But it did. 
                                                  

   The only thing I can think when the ugliness rears its head inside my mind, 

I hope and pray their mamas love them as passionately as I love her. 

I really do.

PARENTHOOD part 2

I really enjoyed yesterday's post.

I don't know what it was that resonated so deeply within

But I've been getting to know some ladies

Some in the cyber world

And some in real life

They needed to hear what I'm sayin' too.

And I'm not sure if they read my awesome post.

But I had a few more thoughts to share

The first will be brief, there is a group that you ought to go read.

I really love what it stands for.

Oxygen mask project.

I really love it!!!!

Second, as I was pondering parenthood yesterday,

Being the mother of lil G,

I went through photos wanting to show the reality of it,

I was sad.

There were so few photos of me.

I know how to laugh and have fun

I think.

But the main crux is that I am the shutterbug of the family.

Please, pretty please with sugar on top.

Go read this post. It made me smile.

Parenthood

(Headed to Ecuador to go get my girl!)

Today I thought I would talk about parenthood

And Down Syndrome.

I've only been a member of the club for two years
(well parenting a child with Down Syndrome)

So I really can't speak for everyone.

But I do have a few thoughts to share,

That might be applicable 

Whether  you have a child with Down syndrome

Or not.

(day 2 at Para Sus Ninos)

Being the parent of a child is as huge responsibility

One I don't take lightly.

(signing important adoption papers in Ecuador)

(a new family!)

But one thing I need to be reminded of 
time and time again

Is my need to take care of myself 

So that I can in return

Take care of the ones I love.

You know there are many sayings out there about motherhood,

(carolina park in Quito)

"If mama ain't happy ain't nobody happy." 

"The hand that rocks the cradle rocks the world." 

If I got paid salaries for all the jobs I do around here,

We'd be pretty well off.

But the thing is I don't.

(Easter 2011)

That doesn't diminish the importance of what I do though!

I am needed around here

And if I don't eat right, get plenty of sleep, exercise.

Well, it's not just me I am hurting.

I have this family that needs the things I bring to the table.

My daughter has Down syndrome.

My daughter is legally blind.

My daughter needs me to be around,
present

To be her advocate,

To be her teacher,
most of all

to be her mommy.

You know

The one that makes up silly songs,
 who is teaching her to read, and kisses her owies,
that knows her likes and dislikes

Wipes away her tears, and puts in her DVD of choice!!

No one, no matter how hard they try,

Will ever be able to fill that role in our child's life.

All you mommies out there....

You know who you are.

Please make that appointment.

Have your annual check ups.

Eat right, get plenty of rest,

Take some time to enjoy life- 
a book, friend, a hobby you enjoy!

(what Im knitting! You can see Ginnys Page for the directions for the hat.  Im knitting a sweater with the same lace and its own matching hat for a gift too!)
                                             

Do your Brest self-exams.

If not for yourself,

Do it for the ones that love you!

Presents in the mail

We all love getting mail!

Especially when we are sick!

isnt it great when big sister finds fun girlie things 

on pinterest?!

Headed to the Doctor today.

No dance class for Lil G~

I think we will have our own dance class at home!

Down Syndrome and Bicycling

We have been working in teaching lil G hw to ride a bicycle.

Everything has seemed to come to halt this past summer.

So I put her little tricycle in our yard sale.

She had really outgrown it physically

So we were looking at these types of bicycles



or even these coasting bikes.
 Here is a little about them here and here.

with the newly diagnosed epilepsy

It seemed like this ability was being pushed further into the horizon

Now we add visual impairment to the list

I am not sure if, 

or when lilG will be able to have a lens transplant

It does seem like riding a bicycle on her own

 may not be in her future tho.

I've been wanting a bicycle for several years now

So this week I pulled out the computer 
and started researching options.

Since its Down syndrome awareness month I thought I would make a list of the options I have found

That way , my fellow readers could find what they are looking for,

or maybe just a little direction,

In one easy place.

It seems like what I have in mind won't be in our budget 
anytime soon.....

Newfound freedom, for mommy and Lil G.

It would be thrilling since I live really close to the heart of all the action in our little haven.

Two big box stores, my favorite grocery and the theater.

Then you add the fact that we have BIKE TRAILS!

First I started looking at child carriers for the front then the back.

My concerns with these two options are:

Lil Gs size and weight

Safety- I haven't ridden a bicycle in ages and can't even think of causing her more harm.

These are some of the child seats I looked at in one place

These are awesome

Next I started looking at trailers

I just don't like this idea

But if I did this chariot side carrier is awesome

I would want her closer to me 
so we can enjoy the ride together.

I also found this co trainer  and an add+bike 
which someone else might like for their situation.

Then I stumbled upon cargo bikes

Here is
Joe bike

Madsen bike

Surlys bike

Yuba bike

Kona bikes

Now this is speaking my language.

I love this xtracycle.

I could see us riding to the store

How normal we would look

Plenty of room for Lil G and groceries

I love the low center of gravity -
 less possibility of accident for mama!

This blogger did a thorough write up about these cargo bikes.

I've also found this Buddy bike

It's basically a tandem bicycle 
with an extended handlebar and low front seat

This would be a great option when life looks better for us.
 I don't think it would be safe in our current situation. 
Her current medications cause anxiety 
when exposed to loud noises
 ex: garbage truck, motorcycle,
 loud cars/trucks, dogs. 
She lacks balance so I don't think I could even put her on the seat. 

I saw a great tab on the buddy bike 
 that lists ways to find funding.

I might try contacting some of these organizations locally.
 I really believe it would give her an opportunity to experience more of our beautiful community 
and would be a great bonding experience.

Ive also edited to add a program called 
"lose the training wheels"
They are hanging their name and 
their program a bit to add gymnastics 
an swimming. You can read about that here.

I also wanted to add a few links to training wheels 
I found these several months ago 
when I was looking at options.
These and this link about balance & disability.
eSpecialneeds.com has a whole list of bicycles
and training wheels under the mobility tab.

I hope this helps one if my readers in searching for just the right option for their little one~
If there is something else I missed
give us a shout out!

Saturday means family time

Brother was gonna take a nap after work

Lil G thought he needed some help.

She had a few important things to discuss first

She loves family time!

Hope you are enjoying your weekend.

What the F ?!

Did I get your attention?

Good. Ha ha!

Today I wanted to share about handwriting.

We've chosen to use Handwriting without tears at home.

The past few years I have poured over blogs 

and books and magazines.

I like to be educated on various topics when it comes to the health and education of my peeps.

I kept coming back to this handwriting program

 and decided it was what we needed.

Typically I don't spend $100 on one subject.

So this was a tough decision for me.

I checked out eBay and found a preK set so bid on it.

Lost.

It finally was winding down to crunch time

 since their "sale" is over at the end of the month.

But I started thinking,

Dontcha hate when that happens!

I thought to myself.

"Some of this doesn't have to be so expensive."

I just love a challenge.

 I put on my big girl panties and got started.

I knew I had seen little slates at the local hobby store.

Road trip!!!

I picked up a box of chalk on clearance  for .77

some was broken and the box was taped together.

Score!

I figured I'm talented enough to break the chalk

 into approx 1 inch pieces. 

What do you think?

They use little 1 inch sponges for some of the techniques 

so I thought I could purchase a sponge 

and go at it with a pair of scissors.

I got home with my $3 expenditure,

 you Know that wasn't all I spent right?!

I mean, there are projects to be made

And Christmas is right around the corner!

But I did spend $3 on the handwriting supplies.

I looked on the website

 and figured out what they do and got started.

 Lil G loves it!

 Her favorite part is writing with the waterlogged sponge.

She asks repeatedly,"water? Water?"

So I alternate from one side of the slate to the other

Chalk

Water.

Wet. Dry.

I can get 15 minutes or more practice time writing one letter!

I know, it amazes me.

 yesterday I allowed enough time before ballet

 to drive over to the "used home school curriculum store"

What should be waiting on the shelf

Just for us

Shining like a beacon on a hill?

You guessed it!

More Handwriting without Tears curriculum!

My next project is to either purchase 

or make letters used on the Mat.

Last night I googled it and found this post.

In two weeks Lil G has mastered the strokes 

to make the letter E and F.

They arent perfect.

But we arent striving for perfect.

She knows what a Letter E and F look like.

I know with hard work

 and perseverance

we can do this!

A is for attitude...........

The only disability in life 
is a bad attitude. 

                             -Scott Hamilton

If you don't like something, change it.

 If you can't change it, change your attitude. 

         - Maya Angelou

( One day I will fit in these shoes!)

Attitude is more important than the past, 

than education, than money,

 than circumstances, than what people do or say.

 It is more important than appearance, giftedness, or skill. 

-Charles Swindoll

Take a child and patch her "good eye".

Id think she would have a reason

to have a bad attitude.

Nope, this is her playing with her cat piano

and singing twinkle twinkle little star

she is my little star.......

you see,

I had blood work a little over two weeks ago

to test for celiac disease

you know, cant eat gluten, bread, pasta, pizza crust

to name a few......

I was whining and telling DH how much I hope

and pray this isnt the root of the problems

the continuing saga of anemia 

cuz its such a pain and I dont want to have to live this way

for the rest of my life.

He was quick to say,

"well do you think Lil G wanted any of this???"

yeah,

Attitude check

with a capitol A.

thought Id share in case anyone else needed an attitude check for the day,

it is Monday you know! Ha ha!

31 for 21 - Flower girls

Weve talked  about some medical topics

now Id like to discuss

 how little girls with Down Syndrome

are just little girls.

Really....

they like dressing up 

and being beautiful

 just like you and I

They make really good flower girls too by the way

If you follow us on fb 

Im sorry for overkill

Im sure you wont mind 

looking at the photos

one

more 

 Time???

Happy Down Syndrome Awareness month!