Progress Report

This week Eric and I received Ty's first progress report, and had our first official "parent-teacher conference"...I have not laughed that hard in a while!  Apparently, our little stinker has taken on quite the role of "class clown", and has made it a game to "trick" his teachers, and pester his friends!  One of Ty's "goals" for this year was to consistently find his cubby labeled with his name and put away his own belongings - which he learned to do very quickly.  Clearly, typical routine is not entertaining enough for Ty, because his comment on his progress report stated that "Recently, Ty has been placing his belongings in his classmates' cubbies, looking at the teachers, saying "NO!", and then totally cracking up."  His teacher also shared that Ty loves when he is the center of attention and will purposely take a long time to take his turn on an activity, just because it's entertaining!  It was the first of many discussions with our boys about being too silly in school - and I loved it! 

Seriously though, Ty is doing fantastic, and we had such a positive conference with his teachers!  His teacher truly believes in the benefits of inclusion in school, and does all she can to ensure that Ty has a typical preschool experience.  Even more importantly, she sees Ty as a *typical* 3 year old boy, and holds him to high expectations for his academics and behavior.  I'm not sure we could have hand-picked a better teacher for Ty!

In the three short months that Ty has been in school this year, he has completely blossomed all around.  Perhaps most excitingly, potty training ended up being a blip on our radar over the summer, and Ty has gained a great deal of independence using the toilet at school.  (I did not know that potty training could actually be easy, but I'll dare to say it was with him!)  His speech is just taking off, and I think it's safe to say that he is using short sentences pretty consistently.  In school, he is able to effectively communicate with his classmates now, which has been a huge step socially!  Cognitively, he is just such a smarty pants all around and continues to do wonderfully with his reading, counting (he's up to the teens!), and imaginary play.  It's a great feeling to be able to sit back to enjoy the show!

This little man continues to amaze me!

Reading about colors and shapes to Elmo #1 and Elmo #2

Happy 1st Birthday Brady-Boo!!!

Happy 1st Birthday to my energetic, happy-go-lucky, dramatic, and huggable littlest love!  I cannot believe how quickly this year has passed.  One year ago, I was extremely over-sized, a week past my due date, and pretty much convinced I was going to break records by being the first woman to be pregnant forever...

This was my set-up for a week...

 

After a relatively easy and quick night at the hospital - under a Blue Moon - we finally got to meet our newest little boy, who would change our family forever!

 

 

 

My little moose Brady was born at 9lbs 6oz, kicking and screaming and oh-so-snuggly!  He was a spitting-image of his daddy, and had mommy wrapped around his little finger the second he was born!

 

Our year as a family of four - with two little boys - has been an absolute blast.  From the start, Brady and his big brother Ty have had an awesome bond, and a year later it's very rare to find one without the other!  Brady waddles around the house after his big brother all day long, doing everything that Ty does, repeating all of Ty's words and phrases, and laughing at all of his brother's silliness.  The two of them are like a show!

 

Despite the influence of his brother, Brady has developed quite a personality that is all his own, as well as his own interests and dance moves.  He starts chatting from the moment he wakes up to the moment he falls asleep.  Brady is not one to fall into the background - he always wants to make sure he is the center of your attention!  Getting a hug and kiss from Brady is pretty much one of the best moments of my day.  When he sets his sights on one of us, he waddles over to us with his arms out saying "hug! hug! hug!", as he crawls onto our laps for a big squeeze.  And the dance moves - they are something to be envied!  Brady will dance to anything - the radio, tv, even to me singing the ABCs - he never passes up an opportunity to dance!  He is the kid dancing his way through the aisles at the grocery store, and wiggling to the beat in his head through dinner.  Brady just lights up our lives, and I cannot even remember what life was like before August 31, 2012.

 

1 Month

2 Months

 3 Months

 4 Months

 5 Months

 6 Months

 7 Months

 8 Months

 9 Months

 10 Months

 11 Months

1 Year!!!!

 

 

Happy Birthday Brady-Boo!!! We love you!!!

 





Down Syndrome Is...

For the past few weeks, I've been trying to think of a blog post topic to reel in a little more support for the Buddy Walk that we're participating in (and I'm helping to organize!) this year.  I think sometimes with walks and events like this people get that we care about Down syndrome because we have Ty, but I don't always think people understand why Down syndrome is so important to our family - what its presence really means in our lives.

It's a funny concept - Down syndrome means nothing, yet means everything in our daily lives.  It means nothing because it does not dictate the decisions we make, our goals for the future, or our lifestyle.  We are fundamentally the same family we would have been, whether Down syndrome was a part of it or not.  However, Down syndrome is a part of us, whether we acknowledge it or not.  It has changed our views on life, and our attitudes toward challenges individuals face and challenges we face.

I distinctly remember having a conversation with Eric early on in my pregnancy with Ty, as we shared that we would never be able to raise a child with a chromosomal abnormality "like Down syndrome" - some people can do it, but we weren't those people.  God is a funny little man, however, and sometimes throws your perceived greatest challenges in your face just to prove how capable you really are.  A few weeks later, I heard my baby's little heartbeat on the monitor, and I realized how amazing this little person inside of me was already - I was hooked.  Through every ultrasound where a new abnormality was revealed, and every appointment where invasive testing was pushed, and the moment - 5 weeks before Ty was born - where I was offered the option to "terminate" my baby's life, I became more attached to my son, and more firm in my belief that I could handle anything.  In retrospect, Ty changed me long before he entered this world.

The past three and a half years have taken us on an interesting, challenging, yet fun journey.  On the surface, Ty has had more doctor's appointments than the typical kid.  He has a few more medical specialists in his rolodex than any parent would like their child to have, and germs seem to take their time leaving his body.  We have had therapists in and out of our house every week to help Ty do everything from sit, to hold a crayon, to put together sounds to make words.  A lot of days have resulted in wanting to throw in the towel because of the sheer energy it takes to move from one milestone to the next.  But then we get the days when Ty DOES reach a goal - when the pieces finally fit together and Ty reaches a new level of independence.  These are the moments that make it all worth it - all the stress, tears, and nights that require a drink - are beyond worth it to see our child work so hard to accomplish a new skill. 

Below the surface, however, we have an amazing three year old, who encompasses everything "little boy" that we imagined he would.  He is fiercely independent, and can almost always accomplish something that he sets his mind to.  Dirt and stickiness are perpetually covering his little face and fingers, and he has no poker face to any of his emotions. In the half hour before bed each night, Ty snuggles under my arm and plays with my hair, which absolutely melts my heart no matter how many of these moments we have.  As he lays on his pillow, I read to him his favorite dinosaur book, and he finishes nearly every sentence by heart.  Without fail, he asks me to read it again - even if his eyes are closing.  The very person who Ty is at his core - below the surface of Down syndrome - adds so much to my life, I cannot even remember what life was like before March 10, 2010.

These, however, are the things that are inherent to my son - Down syndrome or not.  The person he is, is what enriches our lives day in and day out.  Yet that shell of "Down syndrome" brings to our life rewards we hadn't imagined.  Because of Down syndrome, we don't take anything for granted.  His one successful attempt out of 50 failed attempts is celebrated for an entire day.  If Ty can persist, why can't we?  Because of Down syndrome, we have found something to be passionate about.  Pre Ty, I never had any specific cause that I cared significantly about.  These days, I would happily make Down syndrome Congress work my full time job; not because I do it for my son, but because I have been privileged enough to see the amazing qualities that this community of individuals possesses, and I wholeheartedly believe in the abilities and gifts that these individuals contribute to our society.  Because of Down syndrome, we are a more accepting, patient, and open-minded family.  We have come to realize that the "good stuff" really lies beneath the surface of a diagnosis or disability, which is a quality I am confident and proud that all of my children will grow up having. 

I realize it's impossible to truly convey every way that Down syndrome plays a role in our life.  But hopefully you have a glimpse into our world.  We participate in this Buddy Walk and the NNEDSC not only for Ty, but for our whole family and our whole Down syndrome community. 

Ty's Page
Brady's Page
Eric's Page
Kerry's Page

Why Support the Buddy Walk???

I know, with a lot of charities or fundraisers, you aren't really sure where that money is going, or how it will be used.  When you see causes listed as: "Supports individuals with ___!" or "Helps fund much-needed research!" you kind of think, "Okay, that's great...but how??"  Personally, if I'm going to fork over my hard-earned money, I want to be sure it's being used effectively!

That's what I love about the Buddy Walk fundraiser for the NNEDSC - I know that every dollar donated is going directly to an individual or a family in the state of New Hampshire.  And when I say every dollar, I mean, every dollar - yes, even that simple 100 cents makes a difference.

Let me break it down.  At the NNEDSC...

$1 - Pays for phone time with a brand new parent who just learned that her baby has Down syndrome.  She immediately gets connected with another parent whose child also has Down syndrome, who will provide this new parent with support, resources, and friendship. 

$5 - Puts a booklet of up-to-date, accurate, and helpful information in the hands of a parent in the hospital who just gave birth to a baby with Down syndrome.

$15 - Buys a highly-recommended, research-based book about Down syndrome for a new family who is trying to learn all that they can about their new baby and their new journey.

$35 - Sponsors a holiday party or seasonal event for the families of young children with Down syndrome. 

$50 - Provides a welcome box to new families of babies with Down syndrome, complete with books about Down syndrome, a special milestone calendar, a DVD, a booklet highlighting Down syndrome supports in New Hampshire, and a special baby quilt made to welcome the new baby to the world.  This box offers a lifeline to new parents, and welcomes them to the amazing Down syndrome community.

$100 - A donation of $100 goes a long way at the NNEDSC.  It goes toward:

• Holding educational seminars for educators, therapists, and parents of children with Down syndrome.
• Helping parents of children with Down syndrome attend major conferences.
• Hosting an annual prom for teenagers and young adults with Down syndrome.
• Hosting an annual golf tournament for those with loved ones with Down syndrome.
• And of course hosting NH's annual Buddy Walk - an event meant to bring families and friends together to celebrate the lives and accomplishments of their loved ones with Down syndrome!

But this is just the beginning!  In the past year, the NNEDSC has re-focused its efforts to better support new parents of children with Down syndrome, and individuals with Down syndrome themselves.  In the upcoming years, more efforts will be made to provide hospitals and doctors offices with resources they need to provide patients with accurate, up-to-date information.  Also, educational seminars will be expanding, in order to teach parents and educators strategies and activities for teaching reading and math to children with Down syndrome. 

Are you convinced yet??  Scour your couches, and sweep the bottom of your washing machine for that loose change.  Remember, even $1 connects a new parent with the resources they need as they embark on the journey of raising a child with Down syndrome. 

 

Kerry's Walk Page

 

Eric's Walk Page

 

Ty's Walk Page

 

Brady's Walk Page

 

Thank you!!!

Summer Has Begun: Week 1!

Summer is HERE!  It's always such a change going from the hectic, non-stop pace of the school year, to putting the brakes on and beginning the summer.  I promise though, the change-over period lasted all of a day this year, and we have very easily settled into our summer-ways!  Last summer we were a family of three, and I was an overheated, swollen, exhausted pregnant woman, who spent every possible second floating in the pool!  This summer, the "boy in my belly" is nearly a year old, and our family of four is enjoying being home together! 

*Family Time*

 

Always on the move, looking for trouble!

 

Found a good place to sit for a snack...

"Meeting" Grandmum for the first time...Ty gave her lots of kisses and now calls her "la-mum"

Look who eats bread now!  Toast, english muffins...he's obsessed!  Finally!


*Backyard Games*

 

Helping Daddy fill the pool

 

Model pose!

 

 Helping Daddy mow the lawn!

 Splish splash!

 Relaxin' like a big boy!

Having snack time together!

Happy Summer!

Checking In!

Life has been so busy lately, it's been almost impossible to find a few free minutes to update this lately!  I guess this is life as a family of 4 - a calendar full of events and appointments to schedule around one another, while still trying to find some down time to relax and play!  Eric's finishing up his school year next week, and is looking forward to summer!  I'm about to start my third term of grad school, and am back in the classroom teaching again!  Ty is wrapping up his first year of preschool, and Brady is spending endless time trying to master the art of walking!  Never a dull moment in our household!

While I have a minute tonight, I'll share the top 10 recent updates on the boys!

10) Brady has discovered music - he is a crazy dancing fool, and desperately tries to master Ty's moves.  Though head-banging is a move all his own!  (Daddy has introduced the boys to Icona Pop, which is their current dancing obsession!)

9) Ty has become such a chatterbox - he narrates everything, which is absolutely hilarious to hear when he is pretend-playing...his imagination must run wild!  His progress with speech since he started school blows me away!

8) Brady has also discovered real food - and not real food.  Basically, he eats everything...grass, sand, foil...he doesn't discriminate!  Quite the change from my other 8-food-wonder!

7) Speaking of my picky eater, Ty recently discovered toast, and has officially added bread to his diet!  I cannot explain how incredibly excited I am to give my child an *actual* peanut butter sandwich (open-faced at the moment), instead of a graham cracker sandwich!  It's HUGE progress!!!

6)  Brady is minutes away from walking.  He spends every waking second on his feet, and is dying to join the rest of the world in upright transportation!

5) Ty is having such a great time in school!  Every day he comes home and tells us something that he did that day (and is accurate about it - I cross check with his newsletters to see if he really knows what he's talking about!)  He *adores* all of his teachers, and calls all of his classmates by name.  School has definitely been one of the greatest additions to Ty's life!

4) Brady is becoming quite the chatterbox, too!  His latest words include, "no-no!", "car", "mama", and "oh-no!"  The best is when he's doing something he shouldn't be - like trying to dig through the trash - and he's yelling, "no-no!"  Stinker.

3) Ty and Brady are now only 4 inches apart in height, and 6 pounds apart in weight.  I give it until the end of the year before they are wearing the same size clothes!

2)  Ty has gotten really into pretend play recently, and loves to "play house", for lack of a better description!  He names his stuffed animals, and "plays house" with them, narrating the events he creates as he goes.  And like a true boy, he will be so gentle, having them walk together and hug, and then will have one teddy bear smack the other and knock him down - awesome.

1) The boys as a team are so amazing to watch.  They fight like brothers - Brady takes Ty's toys, Ty pushes him away - but also love each other so much.  Every morning when Ty wakes up his first question is, "Are you, Bud?" ("Where are you, Bud?)  And then he either goes running down the hall yelling, "BUD!" to find him, or puts his finger to his lips and says, "Shhh, sleep!" if Brady's still asleep.  And of course, Ty gets the first smile from Brady as soon as he sees his face.  They have "inside brother jokes" and absolutely crack up over the strangest things (they both think the word "granola" is the most hilarious thing ever).  Having two boys is pretty darn awesome!

 

My two little crazies... :)

Happy 8 Months Brady-Boo!

Our little man's first year is flying by!  He has turned into a curious, mischevious little guy almost overnight, and most definitely keeps us on our toes!  This month has been the one of mobility, when Brady discovered how to move forward (half army crawl, half "real" crawling at the moment), sit up by himself, and pull to stand.  It was a nice discovery to turn around and see him standing proudly in his crib, with half his body towering over the railing (which resulted in the crib mattress immediately being moved a couple of feet lower!).  He manages to get his little hands on everything he spots, and thinks it's hilarious when he has something that he knows he shouldn't!

Brady's personality has most definitely come out also.  He loves to be hugged and snuggled, and will raise his little arms to be picked up whenever someone walks into the room.  Waving and clapping are also favorite activities, which are so enthusiastic!  All strangers get a wave, and Ty gets lots of applause from his little brother throughout the day!  He's just such a sweetheart all around!

First Family Vacation: Sanibel Island, Florida!

Our first family vacation was a huge success!  From start to finish the trip went as smoothly as could be expected with two little guys.  The plane rides were uneventful, we got a free car upgrade to a sweet minivan (which I swore I would never ever own, but after having this one I could be convinced!), had absolutely gorgeous weather, good company, and cold beach drinks all week!  With the exception of Brady's first ear infection and a few neon sunburns, it was perfect!

 

 

My little travelers - Ty loved take-off and danced through turbulance!

Thanks to the makers of iPads and pacifiers for keeping my kids happy & entertained!

 

 

 Our scenery for the week...

 

My Beach Bums...

 

And a Few Hours of Pool Time

Play Time

 

The boys' transportation for the week...

 

Happy Hour...the boys were not as excited for

happy hour on the beach as mom and dad were!

 

And Our 8 O'Clock Sunsets...

 

 It was a fabulous week...looking forward to the next vacation already!