Happy 1 Month, Paige!

I can't believe it's already been a month since we first met our beautiful little peanut!  It has been a challenging month in some ways, but so much fun having a new little snuggle-bug in the house to love! Paige has proven to be a sweet and laid-back little girl, and she has fit into our family seamlessly, like she's always been a part of our's.

At one month Paige has gained a full pound and a full inch, weighing in at a whopping 8lbs 5oz, and 20 inches!  She's still an absolute peanut, but with her newborn clothes and diapers getting a little tight there's no doubt she's growing!  As far as sleep, Paige has been very good to mom and dad, only waking up once or twice a night (with the exception of a couple of growth spurts she has hit!).  Paige is such a snuggler, and is just an all-around good-natured baby.    I couldn't ask for more right now!

It is so much fun having a little girl in the house.  Mom has developed a slight headband addiction, and the pink and purple is a nice balance for the mounds of cars and trucks throughout the house! The boys absolutely love their little sister, and want to hold and snuggle her every chance they get!  As for going from 2 to 3 kids - it's been challenging, but not in a bad way.  Our day is in overdrive from the second the boys wake up, until they all go to bed at night.  Where I once could sit down and drink my coffee in the morning, I am now either changing a diaper, putting someone down for a nap, breaking up arguments, getting someone dressed, feeding one of the three mouths that is asking to eat, or attempting (and usually failing!) to keep the house from looking like a tornado tore through it! I do enjoy it though, and with all the kisses and snuggles from the three kids that I get all day long, definitely can't complain!

In the midst of getting acclimated to our new family of 5, Paige got very sick this past week, which was by far the greatest challenge we've had to face since she's been born.  While our entire family caught a virus that was a cold for all of us, Paige caught it and it turned into viral meningitis instead. We are so fortunate that it was an extremely mild case which we caught within the first couple of hours that she showed symptoms, but meningitis is definitely in the top 10 of frightening illnesses for a parent to hear that their child has.  Our poor girl was poked and prodded all over her little body in the emergency room, including a spinal tap, and spent 3 days in the hospital recovering while we waited for the tests to come back.  Luckily, Paige's fever never returned and she was as happy as could be while we were in the hospital.  She even started smiling and "talking" while we were there, which definitely made mom smile!  Paige (and her head of wild hair) was definitely loved by all of her nurses!  Thankfully, we are home again, and hope to have a very uneventful rest of the winter!

We are so grateful that our little girl is in our lives!  Happy 1 month, Paige!!!

Introducing Baby Paige!

On Friday, October 17th, miss Paige Elizabeth made her way into the world at 11:28 am - right on her due date!

Our little peanut weighed in at 7 pounds 4 ounces, and was 19 inches long!  So petite and beautiful.

Today Paige is already 10 days old!  We spent almost her entire first week in the hospital, as she underwent phototherapy for jaundice.  Thankfully, technology has allowed phototherapy beds to be small and portable now, so Paige was able to sleep in the room right next to her Mommy while she got her treatment!  It was a long 5 days not being able to cuddle with the little princess who we had been waiting to meet for 9 months, but being able to finally bundle her up and bring her home for the first time was very much worth the wait!

Our baby girl is such a love.  She will happily be snuggled all day long, and loves face rubs and kisses!  (Night times have been a bit of a different story as it took a little while for Paige to learn nights are for sleeping and days are for playing!)

As for Ty and Brady, they could not be happier to have baby Paige in their lives!  They both love to sit as close as possible while Paige eats, and they ask frequently throughout the day, "Where's baby Paige?!"  Brady discovered that Paige has a lovie (or a "Lully") just like he does, and makes sure that she has it by her side every moment of the day!  Ty is very much the biggest brother now, and asks to hold "it" every chance he gets!

As exhausted as we are at the moment learning to juggle three between the two of us, I couldn't be happier having a house full of kids and lots and lots of love to go around.

31 for 21: Day 3

Speaking of becoming a mom, it's hit me recently that my days as a mom of two are very quickly coming to an end!  I remember feeling this same way in the last weeks before Brady was born, a little sad that the routines and "rituals" that had become so familiar with my Ty were going to change as we learned to split our time and attention between two little guys instead.  Of course, as soon as Brady arrived we naturally adjusted and have created new routines and "rituals" that I can't imagine any other way!  So as the clock ticks away before baby girl gets here, I've been trying to soak up every minute snuggling with both boys on the couch every night before bed, and singing to Brady before he falls asleep, because I know these familiar routines will be changing once again.  (Though for the life of me, I can't figure out how you snuggle with THREE babies on a couch at the same time, or how Eric and I can corral THREE kids into their beds at bedtime, or how grocery shopping will ever happen again in the next several years...but that's a post for another day!)

So in the spirit of enjoying being a mom of all boys for the very last time, here are some pictures of our last adventures as a family of four!

Brady loved ripping the apples off of the tree...

...but had way more fun picking them up off of the ground.  We paid a pretty penny for some rotting, bruised apples, thanks to my star apple-picker! :)

Ty, on the other hand, has a future after-school job as an apple-picker at Mack's.  He learned to choose only the biggest ones, and twist them carefully before putting them in his bucket.  That's my boy!

Of course, throwing them into the bucket super hard is the most fun part of all!

The boys, right before discovering a big animal hole in the ground behind them - the perfect target for throwing apples into!

  These pictures next year will be sprinkled with a little pink on the side - can't wait! :)

31 for 21: Day 2

Ty's arrival in our world in 2010 was full of surprises and unexpected news - the words "Down syndrome" included - but when I think back on Ty's first days in my life, Down syndrome is not what comes to mind.  Instead, I remember how Ty made me a mother.

I don't think any new parents fully comprehend how drastically their lives will change the moment their first baby arrives.  Of course, you prepare by buying all of the right equipment and perfectly decorating the new baby's room.  You sort through the oh-so-tiny clothes and imagine the little cheeks that will fit inside the minuscule diapers that fill the dresser drawers.  Mornings spent sleeping in are knowingly numbered, and you nervously laugh at how little sleep you anticipate getting in the coming months.  But the overwhelming and instantaneous love that you will feel for that little person is something you can't yet comprehend.  Becoming a parent for the first time is a life-altering moment that no one can prepare for or even fathom until the moment it happens.

Despite the months of worry and fear for our little boy's life during my pregnancy, Ty's presence in my life brought nothing but elation the moment I laid eyes on him.  I remember staring down into Ty's blueberry-colored eyes, as he stared right back at me.  Even though he was minutes old, we had an instant connection, like I had known him my entire life.  In that moment, Ty made me a mother. In a matter of seconds someone's life became more important than my own, and a tiny 6-pound little boy stole my heart and held it in his pudgy little hands.

Even though our first months together were filled with doctor's appointments and research as we learned about the extra chromosome that accompanied our child, those details have faded in my memory.  What I do remember, however, are the small moments that we spent bonding as a new family.  Ty was such a snuggle bug.  Both Eric and I spent hours with Ty propped up on our legs, waving around his little arms and legs, as we stared at his precious face and made every effort to hear his little giggle.  Ty was (and still is!) a very early riser, and we would take turns sitting in the dark hours of the morning snuggling with our boy on the couch until he was ready for his (and our!) morning nap.  Watching Ty discover the world around him and experience all of his firsts - first walk in a stroller, first time playing with a toy, first trip to the beach - for us was like discovering all of these things for the first time all over again.  Ty brought us excitement and unconditional love - things we couldn't have ever prepared for before he came into our lives.

So while Ty is special to me for many reasons, and has taught us a tremendous number of life lessons, above all Ty gave me a gift that only he could give - Ty made me a mother.        

Down Syndrome Awareness Month is Heerreeee!

October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month.  For the first few years of Ty's life I participated in the "31 for 21 challenge", writing a daily blog post for the 31 days of October to celebrate our guy and raise awareness for Down syndrome.  Last year was the first year I bailed; between being in grad school full time and going back to work as a teacher for the first time in two years, I didn't have a second to spare that wasn't dedicated to one of my full time jobs as a mom, wife, teacher, or student!  This year, however, I'm back and ready to take on the challenge again - though being 38 weeks pregnant at the moment may put a wrench into my 31-day plan!!!  Instead I'll accept the challenge to commit to posting as many days as I can - however many that turns out to be, I will still consider it to be a success!  :)


That being said, as I'm sitting here trying to come up with 31 days worth of Down syndrome-related topics to write about I'm drawing a blank!  Nearly 5 years into this journey, I'm not sure there's much more I can write about Down syndrome that our friends and families haven't already heard (probably more than once!).  Instead, I am deciding to dedicate this month to Ty (okay, and probably his baby sister who will share his special month!).  My ideas for Down syndrome topics are limited, but when it comes to my oldest little peanut, I can definitely write for days and days! 


So there you go - Day 1 of the challenge complete!  My goal is set and I'm ready to go!  Stay tuned for Day 2...

Surprise!  Down Syndrome Awareness Month is here!!!

Brady Is 2!

My Sweet Little Monster,

Exactly two years ago, at 8:22am, you came into our lives on the calmest, most perfect morning.  As the sun came up and peeked into our wall of windows, we got to meet our second miracle.  You snuggled right up against your Momma, which is where you still love to be two years later.

 You are such a momma's-boy!  At this moment in time my kisses heal all of your boo-boos, I am the only one allowed to put you to sleep at night, and I definitely make you the best jelly sandwiches with milk.  I am very much aware that these days are going to eventually fade away and Mommy will no longer be the center of your universe, so for right now I am loving every snuggle and every minute that your little hand wraps around my finger to parade me around the house or the yard.
                                       
For being such a momma's-boy though, you are incredibly adventurous and many times a day make my heart skip a beat as you test your boundaries.  If something has the potential to be climbed, you will be the first one to the top.  As you stretch to the top you love to yell, "Look!  I'm climbin' a mountain!"  Sometimes you think it's funny to jump down too, though Mommy and Daddy don't always think so!  Your legs may look like rotten bananas, and you always have at least one bruise on your face somewhere, but you never let that stop you from trying something new and pushing your limits!

You are also a problem-solver.  If something is broken, you make every attempt to fix it, and love to use tools just like Daddy to "fix" things around the house.  I'm not sure what you're going to choose to be when you grow up, but I'd put money on the fact that it will involve problem-solving in some way!

Lastly, you are hands-down the funniest almost two year old I know!  The lines that come out of your little mouth belong in a movie.  For example, this week when I told you your friend (who happens to be two months older and taller than you) would be coming over to swim with you, you told me, "No Mommy, I don't want to swim with ___, he's too small!"  You also chose not to play with a plastic lion with your barn today because, "Lions are too scaarrryy for barns!"  Where you come up with these things, I have no idea, but you definitely know how to put smiles on our faces on a daily basis!

So, our little monster, we wish you another year of happiness, new discoveries, and lots of laughs as you make your way through the "terrible 2s" (though if you decide to take a path of your own instead of that one, I won't be disappointed!).  We can't wait to see what new adventures your third year will bring!  Happy Birthday, peanut!!!


Love, Mom & Dad

Christmas in August!

This week we took our last summer vacation to the White Mountains to visit the big guy at his home away from the North Pole - Santa's Village!  What an awesome park for families with young children!  I was so impressed with everything from how clean the park was, to all of the "non-ride" activities to do like playgrounds and sandboxes, to the constant flow of top-notch Christmas music blasting through the speakers!  We went with our friends, and I think it's safe to say that all 5 kids and 4 parents had an awesome time!  Definitely a trip that we'll be making every year!

Family selfie from the train of all 9 of us!  The train ride around the park was hands-down Ty's favorite part!  If you ask him about Santa's Village he'll definitely tell you how he rode on a train AND it went through a tunnel!  So cool!

One of my favorite parts of the trip was watching my Ty - who used to be so resistant to sudden movements - ride on and actually enjoy the rides!!!  I learned that both boys are fearless when it comes to heights - they loved riding on the ferris wheel that practically touched the clouds, while Eric and I gripped the bar for dear life every time the thing went up and over the top!  And while Ty wasn't quite ready for the fast and scary rides (unlike his fearless buddy Connor!), he did go on quite a few, including his first log flume ride (which I was certain would be the end of his ride-riding days!).  It's pretty awesome how far we've come!!!

             

                  


We had a wonderful trip all around, and enjoyed our family time - one of our last as a family of 4!!!

What's the Big Deal About the NNEDSC?!

So in the midst of "fundraising season" for various organizations, I think it's important to stress why the NNEDSC is such a worthy organization to support - not only for our family, but for all children and adults with Down syndrome across the state of New Hampshire and their families too.


In the past couple of years, the NNEDSC has expanded the services that it provides - only possible because of the support it has received through events like the Buddy Walk!  It is a small, volunteer-run organization, but every dollar goes right back to families who are touched by Down syndrome, which means EVERY.SINGLE.DOLLAR counts! 

Here's a little breakdown of how funds raised were used by the NNEDSC in the past year...


First Call Program - 20 new parents of babies with Down syndrome were supported through the First Call program!  All families were provided with up-to-date books and resources about Down syndrome, as well as special gifts for their new little bundles!  Many parents were also connected with parent mentors through this program!
Hospital Resources - All 20 hospitals in the state of New Hampshire were provided with up-to-date, accurate booklets about Down syndrome to share with parents whose babies are born with Down syndrome at their hospitals.
Family Support Grant Program - 21 grants were awarded to families across the state of New Hampshire.  Through this program we:
                   - sent 3 children to summer camp;
                   - sent 3 parents to Down syndrome conferences;
                   - funded recreational activities and therapies for 4 children;
                   - provided educational materials to 8 children and families; and
                   - helped offset the cost of medical expenses and supplies for 3 families!
Medical Supports - In addition to the family grants, we were able to provide support to families whose children with Down syndrome were undergoing hospital treatment.  This included personal gifts to brighten the days of the little guys and girls who were in the hospital, as well as assistance to parents, as needed. 
Exceptional Educator Awards - 2 exceptional educators were awarded our first annual Exceptional Educator Award!  These educators were selected out of a pool of nominees as those who support best practices in education and inclusion for children with Down syndrome.  For their hard work and dedication, each educator was awarded a personal check, and their schools were awarded funds to further support the education of children with Down syndrome in their buildings.
NNEDSC Social Events - In the past year, the NNEDSC sponsored monthly get-togethers of the Saturday Explorers playgroup for children with Down syndrome and their families!  In addition, the NNEDSC annual Winter Carnival was held with a fantastic turnout, and we had our first NNEDSC summer outing to Sunapee State Park! 
Annual Buddy Walk - Last but not least, the NNEDSC's largest event each year is the annual Buddy Walk!  This walk is a nationwide event that is sponsored by the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS), that is held in states across the country in October to celebrate Down Syndrome Awareness Month.  Last year, the Buddy Walk hosted 300 walkers and raised $20,000 which was used to support the programs mentioned above.  This year we hope to go above and beyond in order to continue to better support families of individuals with Down syndrome across the state of New Hampshire!

Ty's Team Page!

Please consider supporting this awesome organization, so families (like ours!) across the state of New Hampshire can continue to receive support!

Summer Update

Well, I just realized that it's been almost 4 months since my last blog post, so I'm overdue for some pictures and updates and brags about my boys!  With grad school finished (well, with the exception of 2 more internships) I have much more time on my hands these days!


We are three weeks into summer and have wasted no time getting down to business with time in the sun!  The boys spend hours outside every day digging in the sand, soaking each other with the hose, and perfecting their athletic skills.  I love that they have these simple summer experiences, that I loved as a kid, as well!  It's nice to break free of our routine for a while and just spend time as a family.


Last week we spent a few days on Cape Cod with my side of the family.  We had our first taste of what it's like to bring two energy-packed little boys to the beach, which they loved, and got to spend a day on Martha's Vineyard and take the boys for their first ferry ride.  The effects of Hurricane Arthur cut our vacation short, but it was plenty of time to relax and enjoy what the upper Cape has to offer!


Here are a few pictures from our trip.  More to come this summer! :)

Cousins at the breakfast table

First ferry ride (with a little light stretching)

This boy LOVED the ferry - the boats were "so cool mom!"

Baby girl got to come along too

Selfie at the Black Dog for breakfast

Brotherly love

Goodnight boats!