5 Ingredient Friday

Corn Casserole

-2 cans of creamed corn
-8 oz sour cream or yogurt
-1 egg
-1 box corn muffin mix
-1/4 cup milk

Directions
Mix all the ingredients together. Bake in 9x13 inch pan at 350 degrees for 30-40 minutes or until firm.

*This is my favorite side dish at family holidays that is made by my favorite aunt. The couple times I've tried making this, it never comes out as good as Aunt Dolores makes it, but it's still very good!


For more 5 Ingredient Fridays, go to Overwhelmed With Joy!

During Joey's therapy evaluation today, I started wondering, "what is normal for a baby?" I know Joey, like many other babies with Down Syndrome are a little more behind than a so called "normal baby" in some areas like strength. But I have no clue what truly is normal. My brother was 16 when I was born so I pretty much grew up an only child and since I have no nieces or nephews to compare Joey to, I have no clue when certain milestones are usually met. When I asked my mom or mother in law, they both said that it's been so long that they can't remember.

For every two steps Joey takes forward, he's been taking one back. A couple examples, a couple weeks ago he started saying "mum" and calling out for me when I would leave the room. It seems like once he started rolling over from his back to his belly, he stopped saying "mum". And now that he can roll from his back to his belly, he can no longer roll from his belly to his back. He gets stuck and starts crying. Luckily after Joey's evauluation today, his PT decided to start doing PT with him every week rather than twice a month.

Somedays, I sit and wonder, "what is normal?", and "is there such thing as a normal child?". But then, if God made all of our children the same, the world would be one boring place!

I can tell you this though...I am so grateful to have this community of fellow bloggers who know how I feel and to get advice from. It's helped me so much just knowing that I'm not the only one out there. But you know, I wouldn't have Joey any other way. He's the best little baby in the world, extra chromosomes and all!!

Wow, I can't believe how busy I've been the past couple days! Yesterday and today, I've been busy making various signs for our Buddy Walk on Saturday and making Joey's shirt for the walk. So many last minute things that need to be done! I thought it wouldn't take me long to make the signs, but trying to make the darn things plus take care of Joey and do household things has worn me out!! Luckily, I'm almost done, just one more sign to make tomorrow, not to mention more house cleaning and Joey's physical therapy.

Monday, after Joey's TV debut, I took him for his 6 month check up with his pediatrican. Of corse he got 3 shots and screamed his little head off afterwards. I still cannot watch him get a shot. My eyes tear up if I see the needle go in. I guess I just feel bad. But Dr. B said Joey is doing wonderful! He's up to 14 lbs, 9 oz!! He's turning into a little pig! And he's grown 1 3/8 inch in the past 2 months!!!

Tomorrow Joey's physical therapist is doing his 6 month evaluation and more therapy will be added since he's getting older. I can't give enough praise for his PT, Michelle. She is such a wonderful person and she truely seems to care about Joey.

A week from tomorrow, Patrick and I take Joey for the mold for his helmet to be made. I am not looking forward to this, we have to hold him still for 10 minutes while the plaster hardens. Thank goodness Patrick was able to get the afternoon off to go along with us so I wouldn't have to do it alone.

Wordless Wednesday

Newport Bridge

For more Wordless Wednesdays, go to 5 Minutes For Mom.

Joey's TV debut!

For your viewing pleasure... Joey's TV debut!! Once you get onto the written story, clink on side link for the actual video. I can't stand to see myself on film so I'm not actully on the segment. I let our fellow Buddy Walk committee member, Amy, hold Joey. Enjoy!!

We've got a BUSY day today! Joey makes his TV debut on the news today at noon so I'll be sure to post a link as soon as I get it! It's a 4 minute segment on the Connecticut Down Syndrome Congress and our Buddy Walk!!

After the news station, Joey has a Dr's appointment. THEN tonight Patrick and I have our final Buddy Walk Committee meeting before our walk on Saturday!

So I probley won't be posting again today unless it's to put up the link for the news!

Wish us luck today!!!!!!!

Joey gave me his cold so needless to say, I didn't do much today. But even sick, Joey still finds time to play...





On that note, I think I'm going to bed early. Hopefully tomorrow I'll feel better!

5 Ingredient Friday

Egg and Muffin Sandwiches

1. 12 English muffins, split with a fork
2. 12 frozen sausage patties, cooked and well drained
3. 12 slices American cheese
4. 12 eggs
5. 3 Tbsp. butter

Cook the eggs as desired on a nonstick skillet, using 2 Tbsp. of butter. I like them over hard (instead of over easy). Make sandwiches with the English muffins, cooked sausage patties, cheese and cooked eggs.

Cool sandwiches in the refrigerator. When cool, wrap each in a microwave-safe paper towel and freeze. Package them into heavy duty ziplock freezer bags.

To heat, slightly unwrap the paper towel and microwave on high for one to two minutes until the cheese is melted and the sandwich is hot. Makes 12 sandwiches

*A great recipe to make lots of & freeze them for later!

For more recipes, go to Overwhelmed With Joy!

What a way to wake up this morning... to a baby with snot running clear down to his chin! Poor little guy has another cold! At least this time, he's not running a fever. Luckily he seems to feel somewhat ok, he's not miserable like the last one.

Yesterday, my mother in law and I took Joey to Craniotechnologies and he does need a helmet to correct his mis-shaped head. On a scale of 1-10 (10 being the worst), Joey's head is a 7. I never thought his head was that bad. Anyways, he not only has plagiocephaly, he also has brachycephaly. So after it's approved by our insurance (which they Do cover these), we'll go back and get a mold of his head made. This is going to be the worst part of it all. We're going to have to hold Joey still for 10 minutes while they make a plaster mold of his head. Then around a week later we go back to pick it up. Joey will have to wear his helmet for 23 hours a day for approximately 12 weeks, then his head should be better! But THANK GOD insurance covers these things cause they're not $2000 like I thought, they're $3000!!!!!!!

Wordless Wednesday

For more Wordless Wednesdays, go to 5 Minutes For Mom or to join go to Wordless Wednesday

preparing for the buddy walk

I've been slowing getting things together for our Buddy Walk on September 30. We've got our t-shirts and personalized buttons with our pictures with Joey. We've already made it to our goal of $500 and the money is stil coming in! Since this is our first year in the buddy walk, I didn't want to set our goal too high. But we made it! I'm so excited... I guess didn't expect people to be so generous, but they have been and I really appreciate it.


This is the picture we decided to go with on our t-shirts for Team Heeran.


Tommorow, Joey and I have an appointment to go to Craniotechnologies for a consultation for Joey to get a helmet. Unfortunatly, Joey's head never rounded out and has plagiocephaly even with all the belly time and using blanket rolls to have him lay on his other side rather than the flat side. Poor little guy's back right half of his head is rather oddly shaped. Our insurance says they cover a helmet, or else I'm not sure if we can afford it, they're close to $2000. Wish us luck!!!!

Thanks to LeslieAnn for sharing the link to Bluebird Blogs and their contest! My blog really needs a new look that I don't know how to do, so hopefully I'll win! From what I've seen for LeslieAnn's blog, this lady does great work!!!

cued speech workshop

The Cued Speech workshop was a little bit tougher than what I expected it to, unfortunately I wasn't able to attended the last day of it today to finish it up. But, I was expecting actual signing like ASL but Cued Speech has NONE of the sign language I know and I was getting so confused! It's actually like you're signing in phonics. The bad thing is for me that when I learned to read, my school system didn't teach phonics so I had no clue what I was doing. Oh well, I gave it a try. If you know phonics, it would be fairly easy. For those of you who might be interested in learning more, visit here. I think I will stick to teaching Joey plan old American Sign Language like I know.

Five Ingredient Friday

Meatball Casserole

INGREDIENTS:
18 oz. pkg. frozen meatballs, thawed
16 oz. pkg. frozen peppers and onions stir fry mixture, thawed
2 cups chunky pasta sauce
1 cup shredded Mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

PREPARATION:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine meatballs, pepper and onion mixture and pasta sauce in 2 quart glass baking dish and stir well to combine. Top with cheeses. Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes or until casserole is bubbling and cheese is melted.


*I actully just found this recipe the other day and can't wait to try it myself, I thought I would share today. It seems easy not to mention yummy!!!

For more 5 Ingredient Fridays or if you would like to share your recipe go visit Overwhelmed With Joy.

My son, a star!

Patrick and I are on the Connecticut Down Syndrome Congress's Buddy Walk committee and amid all the planning and craziness we were just asked if Joey could be used for our local ABC news station's buddy walk segment! Joey is going to be on TV! It's going to be taped on September 25 at 12:15 so I will be sure to post a link to the news story as soon as it is available online!! Well at least I have an excuse to go shopping... this means I have to go out and buy him a new outfit :)

workshop tonight

Tonight I'm going to a workshop on Cued Speech. I'm quite excited and interested to see the difference between Cued Speech and American Sign Language. ASL was my major in college for 3 years. Unfortunately, I did not finish out my last 1 1/2 year. I got too burnt out and changed my major (Occupational Therapy), of course that didn't work either, I ended up quitting school completely. Hopefully someday I will go back. Anyways, back to the main subject... I will let you all know what I think about the workshop. I have it tomorrow night and all day Saturday too.

You know, it's quite funny... both of my previous college majors have helped me out with my child. When I was taking sign language and learning how to become an interpreter, I often thought to myself that I would someday adopt a child with special needs. Well, I didn't need to adopt, I ended up giving birth to a child with down syndrome. For the past 6 months, I've often wondered if that is why God choose us to have Joey. For whatever reason, I am so grateful that we have him. I wouldn't change anything!

And, can you all believe this??? JOEY IS 6 MONTHS OLD TODAY!! Wow, has time gone by fast?! It just seems like yesterday that I was pregnant and ready to pop!

Wordless Wednesday

For more Wordless Wednesdays, go to 5 Minutes For Mom

HBO's Bill Maher said something in his latest show and it ticks me off that he said it... I just went onto his website and got the transcript of what he exactly said...

"Honestly, maybe the reason they haven’t attacked us again is they figure we’re already suffering enough. [laughter] No, it pains me to say these things because I know, deep down, George Bush has something extra. A chromosome. [laughter] [applause] Wait, wait, wait. You see, wait. I did that on purpose. Was it cruel? Maybe. But it saved lives, dammit! [laughter] Because by doing the “extra chromosome” joke, I sent a message to a young Muslim somewhere in the world who is on a slow-burn about this country, and perhaps got him to think, “Huh, maybe the people of America aren’t so bad. Maybe it’s just that rodeo clown who leads them.” [laughter] [applause] [cheers] “Maybe the people get it!” We do, Ahmed, we do!! [laughter] [applause]"


I never have anything related to politics on my blog, I choose to stay quiet about that subject but this really upsets me. Whether your a republican or democrat, for the war or againist it, it doesn't matter. What he said is very innappropraite.

Like Patrick just said, "I knew he was an a-hole but not that big of one". I also agree with something that All 4 My Gals said too, "Again, why in the world do comedians think it's okay to make fun of our disabled citizens?"

Parent's Magazine October 2006

Parent's Magazine is has an article in October's issue featuring 3 families that have children with Down syndrome. It's called "Exceptional Children, Forget everything you know about Down syndrome. We asked three moms to talk frankly about the joys and challenges of raising their amazing children- and what they have to say will surprise you", written by Brooke Lea Foster. The article was a nice change compared to the articles we usually read about all the negatives.

MA!!!!!

Drum roll please.... JOEY SAID HIS FIRST WORD TODAY!!! And it's not Dada!! It's actually "Mum" or "Ma", and we really think that he's using it to call out for me. Whenever I would walk out of the room today, he would start saying it, then I would walk back in the room and he would smile at me! I never thought his first word would be Mom!!! I really wish we had a digital camcorder so you all could hear him!

Today at church, Joey was an angel! No crying, no screaming out, just a wonderful little baby! He does love the sound of the organ. Whenever a song is being played, Joey just looks up at me and Pat and smiles.

As I sit here and type, I'm getting that awful feeling in my throat of a sore throat coming on. Geez, I hope I'm not getting sick! Joey just got over his cold last week and I can't afford to get sick! Hopefully it's just allergies.

I will end with this tonight...Joey, like any other baby loves bright lights so I bought Joey a fiber optic wand at the store the other day and he has been mesmerized by it ever since...

GO BUCKS!

Did I forget to mention that I'm a buckeye? GO BUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

9/11

September 11, 2001 is a day none of us will ever forget. I was still living at home with my parents and was actually in the shower getting ready for work when the 1st plane hit. My mom knocked on the door and told me a plane just hit one of the World Trade Centers. At that point terrorists never even entered my mind. So I finished my shower, grabbed my makeup bag and went into the family room with my parents to watch the news and finish getting ready. Suddenly the other plane hit as we were watching the TV and my eyeliner went halfway down my cheek (no joke). I couldn't believe it! Then we realized it had to be terrorists and not long after that the 3rd plane hit the pentagon. I went ahead and left for work at the bakery to hear on the radio that a 4th plane crashed in Pennsylvania.

I lived in Dayton, Ohio about 20 minutes from Wright Pat Air Force Base. Later on that afternoon, sitting at work, there was a HUGE explosion sound. It actually was loud enough to shake the windows of the store I worked in. Suddenly it can across the news that a plane had just crashed into the Dayton VA Medical Center. Of course this DIDN'T HAPPEN. The news crews were a bunch of idiots, who saw smoke coming from that area of town and heard the explosion and put two and two together. The smoke was from a brush fire right outside of the VA. The local news never gave an apology for their mistake. The worst part was that this put many people in Dayton in panic mode including my family since my mother works out at the VA. Come to find out that the explosion we heard was 2 fighter jets going to escort Air Force One and when the took off they made a sonic boom.

Of course, no one was coming into the bakery that day, so we closed early and I went home to watch the TV. It didn't really hit me until that evening what had happened that morning and the extent of what had happened. I sat at home by myself and wept for all the victims and their families.

I will never forget September 11, 2001

For more September 11 stories or if you would like to share your story, go to Rocks in My Dryer and leave your link.

Eddie Barbanell's blog!

Last night I came across Eddie Barbanell's blog. For those of you who don't recongnize his name, he's one of the actors from The Ringer. You know, Johnny Knoxville's roommate, "You scratched my CD!". Check out his blog!

Five Ingredient Friday

No Bake Cookies

2 cups granulated sugar
8 tablespoons (1 stick) margarine or butter
1/2 cup low-fat milk
1/3 cup NESTLÉ TOLL HOUSE Baking Cocoa
3 cups Quaker Oats (quick or old fashioned*, uncooked)

In large saucepan, combine sugar, margarine, milk and cocoa. Bring to boil over medium heat, stirring frequently. Continue boiling 3 minutes, stirring frequently.
Remove from heat. Stir in oats.

Drop by tablespoonfuls onto waxed paper. Let stand until firm. Store tightly covered.

Makes about 3 dozen.

*If using old fashioned oats, cool mixture in saucepan 5 minutes.

For more 5 Ingredient Friday Recipes, go visit Overwhelmed With Joy!

another milestone!

I thought I'd make a quick post before we give Joey his bath...

I forgot to post yesterday that Joey hit another milestone... he rolled from his back to his belly all by himself!!!! I couldn't believe it! The sad part is that I missed it. I turned my back for a minute and boom! He was on his belly!


Joey has been enjoying his playtime in his new exersaucer although he only tolerates being in it for about 5-10 minutes at a time.





I tried feeding him pears today for the first time. I don't think he liked the texture of them very well. Patrick tried again this evening to feed them to him and he did do a little better. He didn't spit them all over the place like he did for me.



Sweet Potatoes!!!


Pears!!!


Joey's favorite... PEAS!!!!!!

Baby Blog O Rama!

I just realized that I never made a post about another Blogroll I belong to. It's called Babes In Blogland. It's a great blogroll to get involved with if you have a baby or are trying to concieve. Check it out!

CBS Early Show

I usually watch the CBS Early Show every morning while I feed Joey his breakfast bottle. Today I was pleasantly surprised to watch a wonderful segment on a married couple who found out that their second child was prenatally diagnosed with T-21. What a wonderful family!

Wordless Wednesday

A day with my cousins... I'm the one in the middle.


For more Wordless Wednesdays go to http://www.5minutesformom.com

I can't believe how tired I am today. I couldn't fall asleep last night, the last time I looked at the clock it was 1am. I usually fall asleep around 10:30 so it was a long night. Then of corse Joey was awake at 6am and I don't do well on a couple hours of sleep, I guess this is something I just need to get used to.

Joey has been having issues with constipation again the past week. He's been refusing to eat prunes (the little booger spits them out), he refuses to drink water so I can't add prune juice or dark syrup to it. I'm running out of ideas! Help!

Oh yeah... You might have noticed that I have added an add for Coupon Clipper torward the bottem of my page. For those of you who are into coupons, it's a great site to get them from. My mother in law uses this site and she LOVES it! Give it a try!

Well, I'm off to bed, I need some extra sleep tonight!

Is anyone else having problems posting comments to other bloggers? This Beta Blogger is really starting to tick me off! I haven't forgotten about all my blogging friends out there, I'm still reading your blogs daily, but even when I sign in with both accounts, it still won't let me leave comments. I think it's time to write the people at blogger an email...

Happy Labor Day!

First of all, I would just like to wish everyone Happy Labor Day! We didn't really do much this weekend. We stayed home, cleaned & played with Joey. I'm actually in the process of cleaning, but I needed a break after mopping the kitchen floor. Friday night, we dropped Joey off with his grandparents and Patrick took me out to dinner at TGI Fridays. I must say that their kungpow chicken wings and the deep fried green beans were excellent!

Saturday, college football made it's offical start for the season and OSU kicked butt! There's nothing better than a stadium full of Ohio State Fans!

It was such a shame to wake up this morning, turn on the TV to see that Steve Irwin aka the Crocodile Hunter was killed. So many kids enjoy watching his shows on TV. Heck, sometimes I even enjoyed watching his shows although sometimes he did get to be a bit much. My prayers go out to his family.

I did go to Michael's today (gotta love those 50% off coupons!) and bought more scrapbooking supplies. I never thought I would get so into scrapbooking! It's so addicting! It seems like everyplace we go, I have to make a page just for the occasion.

exersaucer!

Sorry about the lack of "real" posts lately. I've been stressed out with things going on back home in Ohio and haven't felt like posting much lately.

Anyways, we went back to Babies R Us and bought Joey an Exersaucer today. It took Pat and I nearly one hour to put the darn thing together but it was worth it to see how happy Joey was to have a new toy to play in. I'll be sure to post pictures of him playing in it later. I had to take a couple rolled up recieving blankets to prop him up to keep him for falling forward since he can't hold himself up yet.




Ok well I thought I had a good post in my head, but I lost it so I'll post again later.

I just have to complain and say that I do not like this Blogger Beta very much. I really wish I wouldn't have switched over now. It's constantly having error messages and I miss using my HTML. You're suppose to be able to use HTML, but everytime I try, it tells me that there's an error. Well, it's the exact same HTML I used with my previous layout and now it's not letting me use it. Grrrr... I just had to complain. Is anyone else having problems with it?

Five Ingredient Friday

Crockpot Cajun Beef and Potatoes

INGREDIENTS:
3 Tbsp. Caribbean jerk marinade
1-1/2 lbs. round steak
4 potatoes, cut into chunks
1/3 cup flour
14 oz. can diced tomatoes, undrained

PREPARATION:
Trim excess fat from round steak and cut into 1" pieces. Combine marinade and beef in a large glass dish and stir to coat. Let stand for 15-30 minutes.
Place potatoes in crockpot. Add flour to marinade/beef mixture, mix to coat, and place on top of potatoes.
Add undrained tomatoes. Cover and cook on low for 8-9 hours until beef and potatoes are tender. 4 servings