Raising Joey

New Blog Home!!!

2007-03-29T16:08:00.000-04:00

OK folks, today is a very exciting day, we've moved to www.raisingjoey.com so be sure to change your blogrolls, bloglines and anywhere else you might have us linked in!! Check out our new home!!!

Frustration!

2007-03-28T14:04:00.000-04:00

I've been trying to get Joey to start eating more solid foods and boy, is it getting frustrating!! He's been doing so well with stage 3 gerber foods that I figured it was time to try new foods. He absolutely HATES those meltable puffs, the minute he sees them, he clamps his lips shut. Same with teething biscuits, except with them, he also starts crying. I had made myself Kraft Mac & Cheese for lunch yesterday (healthy huh?) and Joey was watching me with such curiosity that I figured, "what the heck, lets give it a try". So I took some and cut them up into small pieces and gave it a whirl. He has the idea down of chewing, but doesn't do it enough or strong enough to mash up his food. This morning I tried scrambled eggs but he decided he didn't like them. I even put ketsup on them hoping that would help. There has been other foods I've tried with him but he just isn't wanting anything but his canned baby food. Also, some new foods he just gags on. It's like he forgets to chew, he just wants to swallow his food the minute it hits his lips! His OT had me go out and buy those mesh things you can put food in for the baby to chomp on but he once again, throws a fit when I try to give it to him. Tonight I'm going to make something for dinner that I can put into the food processor and chop up for him to see if that works.

I guess I'm just frustrated but I know I need to keep working with him and he'll eventually take to other foods. I just needed to vent to my fellow moms :)

A call for photos of Mom's & their kids with Down syndrome

2007-03-28T12:16:00.000-04:00

Barbara Curtis from Mommy Life is putting together a web album of mothers and their children with Down syndrome as her Mother's Day project for this year. If you would like to participate, go visit her blog for more details.

Wordless Wednesday

2007-03-28T09:17:00.000-04:00

For more Wordless Wednesdays or to participate, go here.

Genetics visit last week

2007-03-27T09:18:00.000-04:00

I went in last week for my first trimester risk assessment ultrasound and my prenatal lab work at Yale's genetic's department. I told them up front no other testing, no amnio or CVS. Anyways, the blood work came back fine with no elevation in my blood levels for Trisomy 21 or 18. My ultrasound showed that the baby has a thicker nucual thickening around its neck. Average is 3.0mm, my baby's is 3.1mm. When I was pregnant with Joey's his was almost double that that plus no nasal bone is what first made them suspect Down syndrome. His nucual thickening was severe enough to be classified as a Cystic Hygroma, but we were fortunate that it dissolved by the time he was born. This baby has a nasal bone. After ultrasound tech was finished, he went and got the doctor to take a look. Of course, the doctor saw that this baby's nucual thickening is a little abnormal. I was a little mad when he said, "I'm sorry", like he was sorry he was giving me bad news or something. I'm not worried what so ever, if this baby has Down syndrome too then God chose us to have another children with an extra chromosome, so what! I'd feel blessed to have another child with Down syndrome. Neither of us are T-21 carriers and the odd's of this child having T-21 is 1 in 45. The only reason for the odds being what they are is due to nucual thickening being what it was. Without the nucual thickening, the odd's were 1 in 100. I guess more than anything I'm mad at the doctor for saying "I'm sorry", because I'm NOT sorry, I'm happy! I'm 13 weeks pregnant and the baby is healthy. It has a nice strong heartbeat and has 2 arms and 2 legs. What more could a parent want?!

Celebrate a new holiday -- Disability Awareness Month

2007-03-27T09:01:00.000-04:00

Here's a great article written by Jeff Huffman who happens to be Nash's Daddy and you can go visit his Mommy's blog at Mauzy's Musings.

Jeff Huffman column: Celebrate a new holiday -- Disability Awareness Month

Help, employ those with disabilities; making a friend easy as saying 'hi.'

Written by Jeff Huffman
March 23, 2007

When you think of March holidays, what do you think about? St. Patrick's Day? Spring break? Dr. Seuss' birthday? (It's true, Dr. Seuss' birthday is being celebrated this week at Goddard School, where our son attends after morning kindergarten at White River Elementary.) How about that Uranus was discovered on March 13, 1781? (OK, my wife Jan found that one.) But did you also know that March is Disability Awareness Month? And this celebration is one where you not only should mark your calendars, but you should also take action.

If someone had asked me about Disability Awareness Month six years ago I would've told them I'd never heard of it. Now that I am involved in disability awareness, both professionally and personally, I realize, it's about "abilities" not "disabilities."

Six years ago our journey commenced when our son Nash was born with Down syndrome. I sought out every bit of information I could and realized that what textbooks, brochures and Web sites left out were the personal connections -- the real people, the ones that experience disabilities daily themselves or through a family member. These experiences molded my perception. People who don't walk the walk and live the everyday life don't know, and it's up to those that do to let others know the needs, the wants, the possibilities, the desires.

Today, individuals with intellectual and physical disabilities are open to a world of possibilities. That's partly due to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act that has given children with disabilities the right to attend public school since 1975, along with the Americans with Disabilities Act which gives individuals with disabilities the legal right to pursue life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, including employment.

So it might surprise you that 80 percent of individuals with disabilities are underemployed or unemployed. As a country, a state and a community we have to fix this final roadblock. How can we do this?

• Transportation is the No. 1 roadblock to employment, so continue to support Hamilton County's expansion of public transportation.

• Encourage everyone that your family does business with to hire individuals with disabilities -- 89 percent of Americans prefer to do business with organizations that employ people with disabilities, according to a Gallup Poll.

• Support school systems' efforts to accomplish great things for students with disabilities by supporting inclusion in classrooms and improving the transition process from school to work.

Those are just three easy ways that we can begin to celebrate Hamilton County's first "Annual Ability Awareness Month." The easiest way to start is do what I try to do everyday: When I meet a new friend who happens to have a disability I just smile and say, "Hi. . . . "

Jeff Huffman is president and chief executive officer of Janus Developmental Services.

We're home!

2007-03-26T12:02:00.000-04:00

Wow, what a weekend!!! Let me start off by saying that we will NEVER fly using Southwest Airlines ever again! All 17 of us flew out of Islip Airport in Long Island on Thursdays and arrived in Chicago at Midway Airport. My sister in law, Eileen, and her husband's 2 suitcases, missing and NEVER arrived for the whole weekend. They had to go out and buy clothes for the wedding (which they were reimbursed for) and then yesterday, lets see.... finding out that one of Eileen's bags had been found in Florida, my other sister in law, Kerry's boyfriend's luggage not arriving with his flight, my brother in law, Christopher (THE GROOM'S) luggage not making it to their honeymoon destination and to top it off, they lost Joey's carseat!!! Keep in mind, on the way home, there was 3 different flights and on each flight, someone lost luggage. And I wouldn't have been so mad about our's, but come on, a car seat?! Thankfully, they had loaner carseats so we were able to go home and also thankfully, Joey's carseat was found by the time my in-laws flew in last night so they were able to bring his carseat home with them and Southwest Airlines is going to pay to have the loaner carseat FedEx'ed back to them.

Besides our mishaps with the airline, we all had a wonderful weekend! The wedding was wonderful, I love weddings!! And the reception was a blast! Joey got so much attention that he was so tired by the time we left. I took so many pictures, 213 to be exact! So I'll only post a few...

My two boys waiting for the wedding to start, aren't they handsome?!

The newly weds!!

Me and Joey (yes, I cut my hair off, 6 inches gone!!!)

Us girls!!

Joey with the newly weds!

"Mommy, I'm tired, can we go home now?"

World Down Syndrome Day!

2007-03-21T09:31:00.000-04:00

As many of the other parents that have children with Down syndrome have posted, today is World Down Syndrome Day. March is the 3rd month of the year and today's date is the 21st and since Trisomy 21 is a 3rd 21st chromosome, today makes the perfect day to celebrate Down syndrome awareness!!!

Please take a minute today to try and educate someone new on some the misconceptions about Down syndrome. Heck, show them a picture of Joey... does he look like he's suffering or a burden? Heck no!!!! He's perfect!! Also, if you've not read my story about when we learned that Joey has Down syndrome, please read it.

Also, a great article on WDSD, Disability must be valued, written by Jenny Bockerstette.

Wordless Wednesday

2007-03-21T09:18:00.000-04:00

For more Wordless Wednesdays, go here.

Crazy week!!!

2007-03-20T09:47:00.000-04:00

So yesterday was my calm day of the week. Joey's EI teacher came for her visit and that was it for the day. Thursday we are flying to Chicago for my husband's brother's wedding. I'm very excited, I've never been to Chicago before so this is going to be something new!! Not to mention that I love weddings!! So the rest of this week goes as follows...

Today
1. Take a shower while Joey naps
2. After Joey's nap, find a hair salon that has an opening so I can get my hair cut
3. Pick up my hubby's suit from the dry cleaners!
4. Joey's speech therapy at 3:15
5. Dig out suitcases and start packing
6. Attempt to shorten the legs on Joey's suit for the wedding

Wednesday
1. Joey's physical therapy at 12:30
2. Ultrasound at 2:30
3. Drop Joey off after the ultrasound at my in-laws and take the twins to get their fingernails painted and a pedicure for myself
4. Try to pack more
5. Buddy Walk committee meeting at 7:30

Thursday
1. Wake up EARLY, finish up any last minute packing and be out of the house by 9am to go to the airport!!!! There will be 17 of us on one flight, so it's going to an interesting ride with all of Patrick's family!

Friday-Sunday we're in Chicago sooooo, if I'm not around much in the next week you know why. Don't worry, nothings wrong, I'm just going to be REALLY busy!! And the cool thing is, I'm going to be getting another sister in law!!! This weekend is going to be a blast Steph, try not to go crazy for the next 4 days!!

Snowed In!

2007-03-17T14:37:00.000-04:00

Well, yesterday morning I woke up feeling worse than the other days. My head was killing me and I could barely breathe. I called my doctor and got the last appointment available for the day. 12:45. I knew that we had a winter storm heading our way but thought I could get back and forth before it got too bad. WRONG! I left a little after 10am to drop Joey off at my in-laws and by the time I got there, the roads were AWFUL! I slid past my in-laws driveway, slid past their neighbors, got turned around in the next street and went to pull into their driveway. My van went sideways and I slid into the guardrail across from their driveway. Thank goodness I was only going about 2mph and did no damage to my van and didn't even wake Joey up from his nap. So I back up and pull into their driveway. Almost 20 minutes later I walk in the door. I kept sliding and getting stuck in the driveway (what a mess!!). No one was home at their house yet so no one heard me trying to get up the driveway which was good due to the fact I was in no mood to talk to anyone after that ordeal. There's one thing I've learned from that experience... new, better tires on my van by next winter!!!

So needless to say, I called and canceled my doctor's appointment. There was no way I would have made it to my doctor's office. Throughout the day, I started feeling worse and worse. Thankfully I had my mother in law and sister in laws to take care of Joey. The snow was falling my the inches which followed in the evening with sleet and a lovely layer of ice. My husband got off work at 2:30 and the usual 20 minute drive to his parents house took him almost 2 hours!! We decided to stay put to see if the weather was going to let up at all. By 9pm, still coming down hard. So we decided to stay the night. It iced all through the night and into the early morning.

This afternoon the sun is finally out and melting the ice down some. We'll hopefully leave here soon to go back to our house and feed my poor little fishies! What a way to spend our St. Patrick's Day, snowed in!!!

I'm feeling MUCH better today, actually about 75% better. I felt so sick yesterday, miserable, down right miserable. Thankfully much better now!!

One Year Checkup

2007-03-15T15:38:00.000-04:00

Joey and I just got back from his one year check up with his pediatrician. Things are looking great! He's 18 pounds, 3 ounces and is 28 inches tall! He also got 3 vaccinations which he wasn't too happy about getting. Dr. B was thrilled with how well Joey is doing.

Did I mention he's starting to stand?! He can't pull to stand yet, but if you stand him up next to the couch, he's holding himself up for about 30 seconds at a time. Joey's PT about had a heart attack today when she was working on his standing. He also wants to crawl so bad, but instead of pushing off with his knees, he tries to use his foot and falls back down. He'll get it soon enough!!

I've had a darn cold the past couple days and it's driving me crazy. Whenever I think it's getting better, I start feeling like crap again. It just stinks since I'm pregnant, I can't really take anything besides Tylenol and benadryl to feel better. I can't even take a nice, hot bath (lord, what I would pay right now to soak in a nice hot bath!)

Also, I forgot last week that I promised pictures of Joey in his new bath seat. He absolutely loves the thing! I think he'd stay in the bath for a hour if we'd let him!!

Thanks Heather!

2007-03-14T20:17:00.000-04:00

Heather over at Flaugh's Flaws made me this for Joey's birthday and I couldn't get the darn thing to post on here without the picture turning into one of those lovely "x" screens. Anyways, here it is!!

For Better Or Worse

2007-03-14T15:51:00.000-04:00

This was posted today on DownSyn and I just wanted to share it with everyone. I didn't know until today that the comic strip had a character with special needs. It's nice to know that the author is helping to promote awareness in the way she is.

Also, check out Shannon's character bio here.

If the comic print is too small, click on the actual comic for a larger version.

Mr. Chatter Box

2007-03-14T14:33:00.000-04:00

Make photo slide shows at onetruemedia.com

Notice at times when he gets excited and talking at the same time, he gets a red line down his forehead?? He's too cute sometimes!!!

Happy Birthday Joey!!!

2007-03-14T10:27:00.000-04:00

Happy Birthday to my sweet boy. I love you and can't believe you're already One Year Old! This past year has gone by so fast, before I know it you're going to be talking, walking and just being a big boy!

Joey's Birth Story

2007-03-13T09:00:00.000-04:00

The FlipFlop Mamma has inspired me to share Joey's birth story with everyone since she shared both of her's last week. And since I went into the hospital one year ago today, I'm posting this today!

Joseph Patrick
March 14, 2006
1:09 PM
5 lbs 8 oz, 20 inches long

Well, I'm actually going to start out 4 days before he was born...

Friday, March 10 started out like any other day for the first couple hours, then I started having contractions. Since they were 7 minutes apart and it was Friday afternoon I figured I better go get checked out since it was Friday. I drove myself to the doctor since my hubby was still at work. Of course I was only 1cm dilated and my cervix was only 50% thinned. Sent home... barely slept that night.

Saturday, March 11, I was still having contractions about 7 minutes apart but they weren't as strong but I was starting to feel very uncomfortable. That afternoon we took our dog Chewie to his new home since he was too wild and hyper to have around a new baby. This broke my heart. I cried that whole night. Chewie had been my best friend since I moved to Connecticut and one of a few friends I actually had. Again, barely any sleep.

Sunday, March 12 was my baby shower over at my in-laws house. I was feeling even more uncomfortable than the day before. I just wanted to get the shower over with so I could go home and lay down. During the shower, I lost my "plug". Slept a little, but not enough...

Monday, March 13 it seemed like my contractions had almost gone away and I got a HUGE surge of energy. I washed all of the baby clothes we received at the shower. I put away all of the gifts. Rearranged Joey's dresser, cleaned the house, I can't even tell you what all I did that day. Around 5pm I was cooking dinner and BOOM, contractions!! About 6 minutes apart this time but the pain was much worse. Since they still weren't exactly 6 minutes apart each time, still irregular, I knew not to call my doctor. Instead, I got in the bath tub and labored in there as long as I could. By then, it was about 10 pm and I couldn't handle it any longer.

Off to the hospital, we get to Yale and the doctor on call checks me out. Still 1cm and only 50%!! I couldn't believe it, I lost it. I started bawling my eyes out telling the doctor how tired I was and how long I had been having contractions. He decided to admit me on bedrest for the night and to give me something to help me sleep.

Tuesday, March 14, about 7 am, I had barely slept at all that night and whatever he gave me to sleep did relax me enough to rest although the contractions were getting very strong and close together. The doctor came in and checked me again. 4cm!! They transferred me from the room I was in up to labor and delivery. Epidural here I come!! A couple house later, the doctor broke my water and by 10 am, I was ready to push.

I started pushing and pushing. My nurse, Indie was helping to coach me through the pushes, and was yelling at me to "focus on your rectum" (yeah, you heard me right, which my husband found very funny yet annoying)...after 3 hours of pushing, at 1:09pm we welcomed Joey into the world. I had given the hospital a copy of my birthing plan. I wanted everything to be as normal as possible. I didn't want people to treat my baby differently just because he had Down syndrome. I didn't want him to be taken away for evaluation & testing, I wanted to have my time with Joey like any normal birth. There was a pediatrician there who quickly checked his breathing and heartbeat so he was handed back to me. He was beautiful, so perfect. I didn't care about him having Down syndrome, I knew he was my child and that's all I cared about. He was safe in my arms.

But my story doesn't end there... about 1 hour after I gave birth to Joey and we were transferred to our room, I felt funny. I told the nurse I thought I was peeing. She told me impossible but I argued with her until she checked. I was hemorrhaging!! She yelled for help and after a couple minutes the bleeding was stopped, my stitches ripped out and I had no energy. The nurses checked my blood count and of course, I was low. They started pumping me full of fluids and gave me this nasty tasting pill to help my blood count raise back up. Luckily the pill worked because if it wouldn't have, I would have had to get a blood transfusion.

But you know what, after the days of labor, 3 hours of pushing and the hemorrhaging, it was all worth it. I love Joey and would go through it all again in a heart beat!! (I just hope this next labor isn't as long!!)

I've been tagged!!!

2007-03-12T12:24:00.000-04:00

ok, I've been tagged by Rhett's Mommy. It seems I'm suppose to list my 5 favorite things about feminism...

1. PURSES! I can own as many purses as I want!

2. PREGNANCY, as much as it stinks sometimes. It's something that you can't share with anyone else. The bond you have between yourself and your babybean is wonderful!

3. MOTHERHOOD, you don't realize how great it is until you're a mom!

4. GIVING BIRTH, seeing your baby for the first time is priceless. Knowing that you had a living being inside of you and to see it for the first time...

5. BEING A WIFE, meeting the man of my dreams and saying I do, need I say more??

Who am I going to tag, lets see, how about Jaymi from The FlipFlop Mamma, Heather from Flaugh's Flaws and Michelle from Big Blueberry Eyes.

A couple articles to start off the week!

2007-03-12T11:09:00.000-04:00

Written by James Burger, "Man with Down syndrome opens his own retail shop" Coby Short opens his own gift shop at Bakersfield Heart Hospital in California.

Another great story, this one written by Karen Meyer, "Couple With Down Syndrome Takes Up Ballroom Dancing". Blake Peacock and his girlfriend, Carly Ziesemer have been taking dance lessons and MAN are they good! They're a heck of a lot better than I can dance!

I love stories like these. Be sure to check out the videos with each story.

Joey's Birthday Party

2007-03-11T20:57:00.000-04:00

Just a couple pictures and videos from Joey's Birthday Party on Saturday. As you can tell, Joey had a great time!!!

Make video montages at onetruemedia.com

Make photo slide shows at onetruemedia.com

Busy, busy weekend!

2007-03-10T21:46:00.000-05:00

Well I started off this morning driving a hour out to the Navy Base at Groton to pick up my friend for the weekend. He's being transferred next week to Virginia so this will be our last time with him for quite some time. Anyways, we got back to our apartment at 12:00 only to have to get Joey ready to go to his birthday party at my in-laws house at 1:00. So off to Grandma & Grandpa's house we went. Joey had a blast! Lots of great gifts and we even let Joey have a piece of cake. Of coarse he didn't really eat any, he just played in it and got REALLY messy. He tasted the icing a little and I don't think he was too crazy about it. Kinda surprised me... and of coarse I left my camera over at my in-laws house so I will have to post pictures and video later when I can get them uploaded onto my computer.

Tomorrow we're going to the New Haven St. Patrick's Day Parade, I'm very excited about it. I didn't get to go last year, it was my baby shower and I was in no condition to stand outside at a parade (I went into labor the next day). Well, I guess that's it for now, I will hopefully post pictures tomorrow night!

Oh yes, also, here's a great find. "They'll Do It Themselves" written by Michael Winerip. It's the cover story for tomorrow NY Times Connecticut Section. Way to go guys!!!

Favorite Ingredient Friday- St. Patty's Day Edition

2007-03-09T08:18:00.000-05:00

Since my husband's family is Irish and into Celtic music, Irish Step Dancing and Irish food, I figured I would post a recipe of something I enjoy snacking on whenever we go to the local Irish Club to hear some of our favorite Irish musicians. Some people say that Irish Soda Bread can be very dry, but I love it especially when I put a nice glob of butter on it and enjoy it with a nice cup of coffee!

IRISH SODA BREAD

Ingredients
1. 3 cups all-purpose flour
2. 1 tablespoon baking powder
3. 1/3 cup white sugar
4. 1 teaspoon salt
5. 1 teaspoon baking soda
6. 1 egg, lightly beaten
7. 2 cups buttermilk
8. 1/4 cup butter, melted

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Grease a 9x5 inch loaf pan.

2. Combine flour, baking powder, sugar, salt and baking soda. Blend egg and buttermilk together, and add all at once to the flour mixture. Mix just until moistened. Stir in butter. Pour into prepared pan.

3. Bake for 65 to 70 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the bread comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack. Wrap in foil for several hours, or overnight, for best flavor.

For more Favorite Ingredients Fridays, go visit Overwhelmed With Joy!

Previous Favorite Ingredient Friday recipes:
Baked Mac & Cheese
Stuffed Peppers
Chocolate Pancakes- Valentine's Day Chocolate Edition
Skyline Chili Dip- Super Bowl Edition
Cheesy Potato Soup
Peanut Butter Cookies
Saurkraut and Pork Roast
Candied Nuts
Mom's fudge
Peanut Brittle
Beef Enchiladas
Snicker Doodle Cookies
Pecan Pie
Burrito Pie
Apple Crisp

The R Word DOES hurt

2007-03-08T21:37:00.000-05:00

Katie Couric spoke out tonight during her notebook session of the news about using offensive words. Still to this day, I hear friends and family use the R word and don't even realize what they're saying. Like many other parents who read my blog, to me and them, it hurts when we hear it. I admit, before Joey was born, I was one who even used the R word occasionally and it haunts me everyday.

Also, this week, many other blogs have had this speech posted but since I'm on the subject, I too am posting it. It is written by a young man in high school named Soeren Palumbo who has a sister with special needs.

"I want to tell you a quick story before I start. I was walking through hallways, not minding my own business, listening to the conversations around me. As I passed the front door on my way to my English classroom, I heard the dialogue between two friends nearby. For reasons of privacy, I would rather not give away their race or gender. So the one girl leans to the other, pointing to the back of a young man washing the glass panes of the front door, and says, "Oh my gaw! I think it is so cute that our school brings in the black kids from around the district to wash our windows!" The other girl looked up, widened her slanted Asian eyes and called to the window washer, easily loud enough for him to hear, "Hey, Negro! You missed a spot!" The young man did not turn around. The first girl smiled a bland smile that all white girls - hell, all white people - have and walked on. A group of Mexicans stood by and laughed that high pitch laugh that all of them have.So now it's your turn. What do you think the black window washer did?

What would you do in that situation? Do you think he turned and calmly explained the fallacies of racism and showed the girls the error of their way? That's the one thing that makes racism, or any discrimination, less powerful in my mind. No matter how biased or bigoted a comment or action may be, the guy can turn around and explain why racism is wrong and, if worst comes to worst, punch 'em in the face. Discrimination against those who can defend themselves, obviously, cannot survive.

What would be far worse is if we discriminated against those who cannot defend themselves.What then, could be worse than racism? Look around you and thank God that we don't live in a world that discriminates and despises those who cannot defend themselves. Thank God that everyone of us in this room, in this school hates racism and sexism and by that logic discrimination in general. Thank God that every one in this institution is dedicated to the ideal of mutual respect and love for our fellow human beings.

Then pinch yourself for living in a dream. Then pinch the hypocrites sitting next to you. Then pinch the hypocrite that is you. Pinch yourself once for each time you have looked at one of your fellow human beings with a mental handicap and laughed. Pinch yourself for each and every time you denounced discrimination only to turn and hate those around you without the ability to defend themselves, the only ones around you without the ability to defend themselves. Pinch yourself for each time you have called someone else a "retard".

If you have been wondering about my opening story, I'll tell you that it didn't happen, not as I described it. Can you guess what I changed? No, it wasn't the focused hate on one person, and no it wasn't the slanted Asian eyes or cookie cutter features white people have or that shrill Hispanic hyena laugh (yeah, it hurts when people make assumptions about your person and use them against you doesn't it?).

The girl didn't say "hey Negro." There was no black person. It was a mentally handicapped boy washing the windows. It was "Hey retard." I removed the word retard. I removed the word that destroys the dignity of our most innocent. I removed the single most hateful word in the entire English language.I don't understand why we use the word; I don't think I ever will.

In such an era of political correctness, why is it that retard is still ok? Why do we allow it? Why don't we stop using the word?Maybe students can't handle stopping- I hope that offends you students, it was meant to - but I don't think the adults, here can either.

Students, look at your teacher, look at every member of this faculty. I am willing to bet that every one of them would throw a fit if they heard the word faggot or nigger - hell the word Negro -used in their classroom. But how many of them would raise a finger against the word retard? How many of them have? Teachers, feel free to raise your hand or call attention to yourself through some other means if you have. That's what I thought. Clearly, this obviously isn't a problem contained within our age group.

So why am I doing this? Why do I risk being misunderstood and resented by this school's student body and staff? Because I know how much you can learn from people, all people, even - no, not even, especially - the mentally handicapped.

I know this because every morning I wake up and I come downstairs and I sit across from my sister, quietly eating her cheerio's. And as I sit down she sets her spoon down on the table and she looks at me, her strawberry blonde hair hanging over her freckled face almost completely hides the question mark shaped scar above her ear from her brain surgery two Christmases ago. She looks at me and she smiles. She has a beautiful smile; it lights up her face. Her two front teeth are faintly stained from the years of intense epilepsy medication but I don't notice that any more. I lean over to her and say, "Good morning, Olivia." She stares at me for a moment and says quickly, "Good morning, Soeren," and goes back to her cheerio's. I sit there for a minute, thinking about what to say. "What are you going to do at school today, Olivia?" She looks up again. "Gonnasee Mista Bee!" she replies loudly, hugging herself slightly and looking up. Mr. B. is her gym teacher and perhaps her favorite man outside of our family on the entire planet and Olivia is thoroughly convinced that she will be having gym class every day of the week. I like to view it as wishful thinking. She finishes her cheerio's and grabs her favorite blue backpack and waits for her bus driver, Miss Debbie, who, like clockwork, arrives at our house at exactly 7'o'clock each morning. She gives me a quick hug goodbye and runs excitedly to the bus, ecstatic for another day of school.

And I watch the bus disappear around the turn and I can't help but remember the jokes. The short bus. The retard rocket. No matter what she does, no matter how much she loves those around her, she will always be the butt of some immature kid's joke. She will always be the butt of some mature kid's joke. She will always be the butt of some "adult"'s joke. By no fault of her own, she will spend her entire life being stared at and judged. Despite the fact that she will never hate, never judge, never make fun of, never hurt, she will never be accepted.

That's why I'm doing this. I'm doing this because I don't think you understand how much you hurt others when you hate. And maybe you don't realize that you hate. But that's what is; your pre-emptive dismissal of them, your dehumanization of them, your mockery of them, it's nothing but another form of hate.

It's more hateful than racism, more hateful than sexism, more hateful than anything. I'm doing this so that each and every one of you, student or teacher, thinks before the next time you use the word "retard", before the next time you shrug off someone else's use of the word "retard". Think of the people you hurt, both the mentally handicapped and those who love them. If you have to, think of my sister.

Think about how she can find more happiness in the blowing of a bubble and watching it float away than most of will in our entire lives. Think about how she will always love everyone unconditionally. Think about how she will never hate. Then think about which one of you is "retarded".

Maybe this has become more of an issue today because society is changing, slowly, to be sure, but changing nonetheless. The mentally handicapped aren't being locked in their family's basement anymore.The mentally handicapped aren't rotting like criminals in institutions. Our fellow human beings are walking among us, attending school with us, entering the work force with us, asking for nothing but acceptance, giving nothing but love.

As we become more accepting and less hateful, more and more handicapped individuals will finally be able to participate in the society that has shunned them for so long. You will see more of them working in places you go, at Dominicks, at Jewel, at Wal-Mart. Someday, I hope more than anything, one of these people that you see will be my sister.

I want to leave you with one last thought. I didn't ask to have a mentally handicapped sister. She didn't choose to be mentally handicapped. But I wouldn't trade it for anything. I have learned infinitely more from her simple words and love than I have from any classroom of "higher education". I only hope that, one-day, each of you will open your hearts enough to experience true unconditional love, because that is all any of them want to give. I hope that, someday, someone will love you as much as Olivia loves me. I hope that, someday, you will love somebody as much as I love her. I love you, Olivia."

Also, this was a bulletin that was posted on myspace today and I wanted to share it since I'm on the subject...

"Apparently , it has become a trend to poke fun at the mentally disabled on National TV and in movies. Last week I was watching one of my favorite shows on TV, SNL. And one of the skits was about 4 guys sitting at a bar listening to a song that made them reminisce on childhood memories. One of the guys began to tell his friends about his Dad taking him to the park and he watch his father run , jump around , and play in the sand, and for the first time he thought "I have a Dad" not " I have a Dad with Down Syndrome"....audience laughs. Then last night , I watched the premiere of "The Winner", and the main character was confessing to his girlfriend that he had lied about where he worked. He told her that he wasn't some big shot executive or something but that he worked in a video store. The girl said that's ok and that there's nothing wrong with working at a video store and he replied " No, there's nothing wrong with that unless you're over 30 and have Down Syndrome"......audience once again laughs.

Since when did it become ok to make jokes about people with disabilities? Why are they being portrayed as less than human? And it seems to me that anyone that has Downs is a target. Why are they being singled out? I bet if you were to substitute the word Down Syndrome in that joke with African American, Hispanic or Jew, there would be an uproar and this guy would be sent to rehab. There is no reason what so ever to make mean spirited jokes about the disabled. It's not only arrogant but also ignorant. And I'm shocked that NBC would even allow a joke like that to be aired. It shows how ignorant people are about Down Syndrome and disabilities in general. I guess it's really great to be so perfect. Who is going to stand up for them? Who is going to defend them? Apparently no-one, since I haven't seen any of these actors being publicly reprimanded or sent to "sensitivity camp". Or maybe is because the ones making the jokes are not as popular as Mel Gibson or Michael Richards. We must be their advocates. Down syndrome children/people have to fight hard and struggle to do the things we take for granted, but they can do it. They are not incapable. And this type of bullying has to stop.

I'm sick and tired of everyone making fun of these loving kids/people. They are human just like we are. they have feelings like we do and the fact that we even have to remind people of this is appalling."

Wordless Wednesday

2007-03-07T08:50:00.000-05:00

One year ago this week...

For more Wordless Wednesdays, go here.

New Blog!

2007-03-06T17:58:00.000-05:00

Be sure to check out the newest blog I've added to my list, Kwisteena's Kwaziness. Christina is the mother of two beautiful daughters, Brittany and Kallie (who just happens to have a little extra chromosome too!)

Tooth #2

2007-03-06T16:39:00.000-05:00

Today while taking the new video of Joey, I took a couple new pictures too and I even was able to get a new one of his teeth!

For Joey's Grandma C.

2007-03-06T16:37:00.000-05:00

Since my mother called a little while ago and was requesting a new Joey video, here it is!!

Photo and video editing at onetruemedia.com

Weekend update...

2007-03-06T10:42:00.000-05:00

Sorry about the lack of posts the past 4 days... I didn't feel very good most of the weekend (gotta love the first trimester!!). Not to mention my allergies have been KILLING me! I was such a mess on Sunday, I didn't even go to church with Patrick and Joey! Our landlord has been remodeling his apartment upstairs and I think a lot of the dust is making it's way down here and doing havoc on my sinuses.

Yesterday, I had my 10 week OB appointment. Things are looking great! The baby has a nice strong heartbeat. Joey stayed at his Grandma's house while I went to my appointment and I just stayed over at my in-laws all day and you know what?! My allergies didn't bother me one bit! So it does seem that I'm allergic to my house! So far today, I've been sneezing and blowing my nose what seems like all the time and I'm ready to go insane! I broke down and took a benadryl so as soon as Joey goes down for a nap, I think I will do the same!

Joey had a pretty good weekend. On Saturday, we went to Babies R Us and I got him a new bathseat. His baby bath no longer holds him and he can't sit up in the water very well so I've been searching online and found this. He absolutely LOVES it!! I'll be sure to take some pictures during bath night tomorrow night. He was so funny in the bath, he was talking up a storm and splashing water everywhere!!

I can't believe Joey is going to be a year old next week! So, this week is going to be full of planning his birthday party which is going to be this Saturday at his Grandparents house. I just need to decide what to get on his cake...

CAN'T STOP

2007-03-01T17:33:00.000-05:00

Ok, someone really needs to take these potato chips and french onion dip away from me!! I've not had an appetite all day until I remembered that the dip was in the fridge, and I can't stop eating it!

Gotta love being pregnant!

Mr. Attitude

2007-03-01T09:58:00.000-05:00

Last week I started giving Joey stage 3 fruits and veggies and the other day I gave him stage 3 meat for the first time. The first couple bites he gagged on a little, then after that he actually did really good. So yesterday, Joey's OT wanted to watch him eat and was very happy with how he was chewing and swallowing the stage 3 meat. I had bought some biter biscuits and meltable puffs at the store last week so she wanted to see how he reacted to them. To put it mildly, he doesn't like them at all. We put a puff on his tongue and he got sooooo mad and started screaming! So, after it melted and he swallowed it, he went back to being happy so we tried giving him a biter biscuit. He liked playing with it, but the second it touched his tongue, no way! Started screaming again. Joey's OT warned me it might take multiple tries to get him to eat more solid food, but I didn't think he would react the way he did. My little Mr. Attitude.

This morning, he once again wasn't in the best of moods. He would play for a little while, get mad and would start crying. I'm guessing either his teeth are bothering him or he has a tummy ache. So, I just gave him prunes in case he's constipated again and Tylenol in case it's his teeth. Either way, it'll help him out in the long run. Right now he's crying to sleep in his crib and I'm patiently waiting for him to fall asleep so I can take a nap too! It's only 10 am, and I already need a nap!

I hope after his nap, Mr. Attitude has gone for a vacation and my Mr. Happy Joey is back!

Lifeguard article

2007-02-28T10:03:00.000-05:00

This article was posted on the CDSC's message board and is about a lifeguard named Lisa Ellis who works at a YMCA here in Connecticut and who just happens to have a little something extra. Written by Brian Pounds.

Wordless Wednesday

2007-02-28T09:31:00.001-05:00

For more Wordless Wednesdays, go here.

Baby Bean!!!!!

2007-02-27T20:29:00.000-05:00

Everyone say hello to Baby Bean! My ultrasound went good, nice strong heartbeat, arms & legs forming, everything looks good! I've never felt so relieved in my life, I've been so paranoid that something might be wrong, but it looks like I was wrong! Things look great!! Now I can officially be excited!!!!

Fun With Newspapers!

2007-02-27T11:50:00.000-05:00

Joey just loves playing with newspapers and ripping them up. Sundays are his favorite because of all the shopping ads!!

Make video montages at onetruemedia.com

New friends!

2007-02-24T09:55:00.000-05:00

Last night at the storytime we got to meet Georgia & her parents, Tricia & Alex from Unringing The Bell! It made the event even better! That was the first time I've gotten to meet someone from blogging.

We also got to see other people that we don't get to see that often. Joey started getting fussy after a while so I went to stand in the back and while standing back there, Joey buddy Nick (who's 19) came over to help me with Joey and wouldn't you know, the second Nick put his hand on Joey's back, Joey calmed down. Nick has the magic touch!

Standing Outside The Fire

2007-02-23T11:32:00.000-05:00

I'm a country music fan and completely forgot about this music video by Garth Brooks until the other day when another mom sent it to me on myspace. I just wanted to share it with those of you who might not have seen it yet. Enjoy!

Standing Outside The Fire Video

Standing Outside The Fire lyrics - Garth Brooks lyrics

Garth Brooks Music Videos

Music Video Codes by VideoCure

Barnes & Nobles tonight!

2007-02-23T10:49:00.000-05:00

Well tonight is our local Barnes & Nobles story time from 7-8pm. A young man named Sean will be reading a couple of his favorite stories and Melissa Riggio's article. There was a news segment on WTNH last weekend to promote this activity (be sure to click on the blue box below the title to see the video). It'll be nice to see other CDSC members tonight! I haven't seen many of them since our convention in November!

Favorite Ingredient Friday

2007-02-23T09:25:00.000-05:00

Baked Mac & Cheese

INGREDIENTS
1. 1 (16 ounce) package macaroni
2. 1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed Cheddar cheese soup
3. 1 cup milk
4. 1 pound shredded Colby cheese

DIRECTIONS
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain.
2. Place macaroni in a 2 quart casserole dish. Stir in cheese soup and milk until well combined. Sprinkle with shredded Colby.
3. Bake 25 to 30 minutes, or until cheese is brown and bubbly.

*Being a Catholic that doesn't eat fish during Lent is rough, but I manage by finding recipes of really good non-meat foods that are yummy! Either that or I'll just live on cheese pizza every Friday until Easter!

For more Favorite Ingredients Fridays, go visit Overwhelmed With Joy!

Previous Favorite Ingredient Friday recipes:
Stuffed Peppers
Chocolate Pancakes- Valentine's Day Chocolate Edition
Skyline Chili Dip- Super Bowl Edition
Cheesy Potato Soup
Peanut Butter Cookies
Saurkraut and Pork Roast
Candied Nuts
Mom's fudge
Peanut Brittle
Beef Enchiladas
Snicker Doodle Cookies
Pecan Pie
Burrito Pie
Apple Crisp

20 Froggies

2007-02-22T11:45:00.000-05:00

When I was little, my Grandma used to sing a song called "20 Froggies" to me and my cousins. Years went by and I forgot about the song. After Joey was born, and I went home to Ohio for a visit, she was holding Joey and started to sing it. After Grandma had her open heart surgery and stroke over the summer, I feared that I would never learn the words to the song I grew up hearing her sing. I didn't want the tradition lost. Up until today, I could only remember the first verse, I couldn't remember the rest of the lyrics for anything and today it hit me to do a google search and I found it! Now I can continue singing the song to my son that I grew up loving my grandma to sing to me! I can't wait to tell Grandma that I found the song online!

Twenty Froggies
BY GEORGE COOPER

Twenty froggies went to school
Down beside a rushy pool
Twenty little coats of green,
Twenty vests all white and clean.

"We must be in time," said they,
"First we study, then we play"
That is how we keep the rule,
When we froggies go to school."

Master Bull-frog, brave and stern,
Called his classes in their turn,
Taught them how to nobly strive,
Also how to leap and dive.

Taught them how to dodge a blow,
From the sticks that bad boys throw.
Twenty froggies grew up fast
Bull-frogs they became at last.

Polished in a high degree,
As each froggie ought to be.
Now they sit on other logs,
Teaching other little frogs.

Meme Time!

2007-02-22T11:26:00.000-05:00

Connie from over at This Little Blog of Mine tagged me so here it goes!!!

-Aprons- Y/N? - I have one, but I barley use it!
-Baking- I love baking! But after Christmas, I'm still a little burnt out on baking!
-Clothesline- Y/N? - Nope, too lazy. A dryer is easier!
-Donuts- Ever made them? - Not that I can remember, but I do love the donuts from my favorite Donut Shop back home in Ohio!
-Everyday- One homemaking thing you do everyday? - laundry, dishes, the normal...
-Freezer- Do you have a separate deep freezer? - I wish we had one, but then again, we don't have room for one right now. Someday...
-Garbage Disposal- Y/N? - No and I wish I did!
-Handbook- Y/N? - For being a mom? For appliances?
-Ironing- Only if I absolutely must.
-Junk Drawer- Where is it? - which one? I have multiple junk drawers!
-Kitchen- Design and decorating? - I wish I landlord would re-do our kitchen!!
-Love- What is your favorite part of homemaking? - being with my son everyday!
-Mop - Y/N? - My hubby usually does it (thank you!!)
-Nylons- Wash by hand or in the washer? - I don't even know if I own any
-Oven- Do you use the window or open it to check? - Open it
-Pizza- What do you put on yours? - cheese & mushrooms!
-Quiet- What do you do during the day when you get a quiet moment? - BLOG
-Recipe card box- Y/N? - no, but I have a notebook!
-Style of house - very small
-Tablecloths and napkins- Y/N? - Yeah, plastic tablecloth!
-Under the kitchen sink - Dish soap, dishwasher detergent, other misc cleaning supplies.
-Vacuum- How many times a week? - not enough!
-Wash- How many loads do you do a week? - too many!
-X's- Do you keep a list of things to do and cross them off? - I try to
-Yard- Who does what? - our landlord cuts the grass and I have a little flower garden
-ZZZ's- What is your last homemaking task for the day? - usually washing bottles

*I tag Big Blueberry Eyes and The FlipFlop Mamma!!

Another Use For Viagra

2007-02-22T10:04:00.000-05:00

I was just doing my usual search of news articles on Down syndrome when I came across this one about a doctor at the Children's Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, who used viagra on one of his patients who has down syndrome and a heart defect. He needed a way to dilate her blood vessels and it worked. They've actually noticed a difference in the little girl's health. Check out this article written by Andrea Cambern. Even though Joey doesn't have any major heart problems, I still found this an interesting article.

Wordless Wednesday

2007-02-21T08:23:00.000-05:00

For more Wordless Wednesdays, go here.

Finally, proof!

2007-02-20T16:14:00.000-05:00

As I told you all back on Feburary 9th, Joey went from laying to sitting all by himself. Well, that was the first and last time until today... so far, he's sat up a total of 4 times today and finally this last time I got it on film! And I wasn't the only one to witness him sitting up, Joey's Aunts Maureen and Margaret are here too!! I'm so glad to got to share this milestone with them!

Photo and video editing at onetruemedia.com

Baby Einstein

2007-02-20T11:45:00.000-05:00

Joey loves his Baby Einstein DVD's... I usually will pop one in and put Joey into his exersaucer when I need to get housework done or need to cook dinner. Yesterday I was trying to get laundry done when I decided play his DVD for him. Usually when I come into the room while Baby Einstein is playing, his attention turns to me, but not yesterday, his eyes were on his TV and also on his exersaucer!

Make an online slide show at onetruemedia.com

BUSY weekend!

2007-02-18T19:36:00.000-05:00

Well, like I said on Friday, Joey still had his lovely hives so we went over to my in-laws for the evening rather than going out to celebrate my husband's birthday. Yesterday, we didn't do a whole lot during the day. Patrick went into work for a couple hours, and Joey and I stayed home and played. Last night, we went out with Pat's friends to have a couple drinks (non alcoholic for me of course) and Joey spent the night over at his grandparents house. It was such a nice treat to be able to sleep in (thank you Joe & Virginia!)!! We went to 11:30 mass and from there went to the Irish Club for a corned beef and cabbage dinner with our family.

After the Irish Club, we came home and watched the Daytona 500, which was a HUGE disappointment! Dale Earnhardt Jr is my favorite driver and with just a few laps to go, he along with a few other cars wrecked!

Oh and Friday, I went to meet with the nurse practioner at my OB and I will be going this week for my first ultrasound. I'm very excited to see my little baby bean. I've been trying so hard not to get too excited until I see that little heart beating for the first time. But the more I think about it, the more excited I get. I went ahead and got out my maternity clothes already. My jeans were getting a bit snug so I've been wearing a couple pair of my maternity jeans that are smaller.

I also spent a lot of time this weekend cleaning and going through things. I actually put together FIVE TRASHBAGS full of clothes to give away to Goodwill! I went through my closet and pulled out anything that I hadn't worn in a year and my hubby even let me go through his clothes too and together we got rid of some of his things too! Not to mention, I finally got my kitchen floor mopped!!!

Oh and did I mention that Joey's hives are finally gone?!

Favorite Ingredient Friday

2007-02-16T08:25:00.000-05:00

STUFFED PEPPERS
Ingredients
1. 1 pound ground beef
2. 1/2 cup uncooked long grain white rice
3. 1 cup water
4. 6 green bell peppers
5. 2 (8 ounce) cans tomato sauce
6. 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
7. 1/2 onion chopped
8. salt and pepper to taste

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

2.Place the rice and water in a saucepan, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover, and cook 20 minutes. In a skillet over medium heat, cook the beef until evenly browned.

3. Remove and discard the tops, seeds, and membranes of the bell peppers. Arrange peppers in a baking dish with the hollowed sides facing upward. (Slice the bottoms of the peppers if necessary so that they will stand upright.)

4. In a bowl, mix the browned beef, cooked rice, 1 can tomato sauce, garlic powder, and chopped onion. Spoon an equal amount of the mixture into each hollowed pepper. Pour remaining tomato sauce over the stuffed peppers.

5. Bake 1 hour in the preheated oven, basting with sauce every 15 minutes, until the peppers are tender.

For more Favorite Ingredients Fridays, go visit Overwhelmed With Joy!

Previous Favorite Ingredient Friday recipes:
Chocolate Pancakes- Valentine's Day Chocolate Edition
Skyline Chili Dip- Super Bowl Edition
Cheesy Potato Soup
Peanut Butter Cookies
Saurkraut and Pork Roast
Candied Nuts
Mom's fudge
Peanut Brittle
Beef Enchiladas
Snicker Doodle Cookies
Pecan Pie
Burrito Pie
Apple Crisp

More hives...

2007-02-16T08:19:00.000-05:00

My poor little guy has even more of these hives/ rash that last night. The ones he did have yesterday have tripled in size and there's more. Luckily, there's none on his face, but he now has them on the back of his neck up into his hair. I feel so bad for him but it doesn't seem to be bothering him too much. I'm going to call his pediatrician at 9:00 when he opens to see if there's anything else to do since they've gotten worse. I just feel so helpless, I hate it when Joey is sick!

My poor boy!

2007-02-15T16:53:00.000-05:00

I noticed Joey had two little pink bug like looking spots on his rear end this morning and didn't think much about it. We took a trip to the mall and a hour after we were there, I went to change Joey's diaper to see that his crotch and rear end were broke out in a rash and that there was a few bumps forming on his belly. So, naturally I decided it was time to leave and when I got out to the van I called Joey's pediatrician who told us to come straight over. By the time we got there, Joey had these little bumps going up his belly and on his neck. It's not chicken pox, mumps, from teething, I didn't change any soaps or detergents, or any type of allergy, Doc B said that it's a viral infection of some sort and to give him benadryl. I just hope it doesn't get any worse before it gets better!

Happy Valentine's Day!

2007-02-14T11:46:00.000-05:00

I just wanted to wish everyone a Happy Valentine's Day! We're snowed/ iced in here so we won't be doing anything special for the next couple days. On a better note, I picked up my new/ used van yesterday!! It's a 2004 Dodge (can't remember what) but we got such a deal on it not to mention it only has 45,000 miles on it! I'll post a picture of it as soon as the weather permits!

Wordless Wednesday

2007-02-14T11:33:00.000-05:00

For more Wordless Wednesdays, go here.

Finally!

2007-02-12T16:19:00.000-05:00

You would not believe how long to it took me to get a picture of Joey's tooth! I never thought I could catch his mouth open, but I did!! See how crooked it is?!?! Also, if you click on the picture to enlarge it, you can see the white from the tooth next to it getting ready to come in (which also seems to be crooked) and the lumps from his I-teeth which I'm starting to believe will never come in!

A tearjerker!

2007-02-09T14:39:00.000-05:00

This one brought tears of joy to my eyes... Selena Waters, a 19 year old senior at Abington Heights in PA helped to bring her girls basketball team to victory. A great article written by Marty Myers, On top of the world. Be sure to watch the video!

!!!!!!!!!!!

2007-02-09T13:25:00.000-05:00

I don't know if he accidentally did it or if he really meant to but Joey just went from laying on his belly to sitting up all by himself!! I was sitting on the couch watching my soap and letting Joey play on the carpet when I heard him grunting and struggling, I looked down to see him pushing himself up into the sitting position!! What a great milestone! This has made my day!

Favorite Ingredients Friday

2007-02-09T09:13:00.000-05:00

Chocolate Pancakes

Ingredients
1. 2 cups flour
2. 3 teaspoons baking powder
3. 1/2 teaspoon salt
4. 1 cup sugar (less may be used, to taste)
5. 1 cup milk
6. 4 teaspoon butter, melted
7. 2 eggs
8. 4-6 teaspoons cocoa

Directions
-Combine dry ingredients. Add remaining ingredients and stir only until mixed.

Sauce (frosting):
1. 1/2 cup butter, melted
2. 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
3. 1 teaspoon vanilla

Mix well. Spread on hot pancakes.

For more Favorite Ingredients Fridays, go visit Overwhelmed With Joy!

Previous Favorite Ingredient Friday recipes:
Skyline Chili Dip- Super Bowl Edition
Cheesy Potato Soup
Peanut Butter Cookies
Saurkraut and Pork Roast
Candied Nuts
Mom's fudge
Peanut Brittle
Beef Enchiladas
Snicker Doodle Cookies
Pecan Pie
Burrito Pie
Apple Crisp

Not again...

2007-02-08T14:34:00.000-05:00

Well, I thought Joey and I were safe from this flu bug. I was hoping it was the same strain that we already had, but it seems like it's not. Joey has started vomiting again and I'm getting nauseated. Poor little guy has already puked 3 times. I'm just hoping that mine is from me being pregnant and not another case of the flu! Wish us luck!

Joey update

2007-02-08T09:48:00.000-05:00

I took Joey to the eye doctor the other day to see for sure if he had a modest left esotropia and thankfully he does not! So no glasses are needed yet! The eye doctor said he will probably need them in a couple years though. He also said that Joey has those brushfield spots that are a common trait with Down syndrome. I guess I never noticed them before :)

Joey is getting so good at sitting up for longer periods of time and reaching for things while sitting. He still can't catch himself when he falls so he throws a fit when he hits the ground. I keep thinking he's going to start crawling, but he can't get up on his hands and knees at the same time. He can do both, just not together. He is finally not buckling his knees when I hold him up to stand by his hands. I can't get over how much he loves to stand! His PT comes this afternoon so we'll see what she has to say.

Mmmmm, formula!

2007-02-07T17:38:00.000-05:00

Yesterday I started Joey back on solid foods, poor little guy hasn't been able to eat any food or drink formula since he had the flu last week. He's been on a clear liquid diet. And finally this morning he had a "good poop" so I gave him a bottle of formula and boy did he ever enjoy it. I've felt so bad the past well, almost week. I felt like I was starving the poor little guy but everyone I would give him formula, hours later he would have the most awful diarrhea ever. And if I gave him food, he would vomit it back up. So, yesterday I started him on applesauce and cereal and it did the trick! Yay for a good, no yucky poop!

Speaking of that nasty flu that Joey and I both got last week in Ohio, my hubby came home from work today with it. It's definitely going around, now the ugly booger has invaded my in-laws house too! You know it's bad when schools close due to it!

Wordless Wednesday

2007-02-07T08:50:00.000-05:00

For the Wordless Wednesday Headquarters, go here.

Before and After

2007-02-06T14:54:00.000-05:00

I finally got the before and after pictures from when Joey wore his helmet. I can't get over the difference. Some of the pictures you can't see much of a difference, other's more. As much of a pain the helmet was, it was worth it in the end.

A TOOTH!

2007-02-06T10:20:00.000-05:00

Yes folks, it officially happened! I forgot to post the other day, while in Ohio, one of Joey's front bottom teeth finally showed it's pearly white self and boy is it ever sharp! I've still been waiting on his four I-teeth to pop through, they're still HUGE lumps, but this little guy in the middle popped up out of nowhere! And now, I feel the one next to it. I hope it shows it's way soon! I'll be sure to post a picture of it as soon as I can get Joey to keep his mouth open long enough to snap a picture!

Polar Plunge!

2007-02-05T21:11:00.000-05:00

A very good friend of mine from high school, Matt, is swimming in the Missouri Special Olympics Polar Plunge in February and I just wanted to share the link in case any of you might want to donate to his goal of $500. Help Matt out if you have some extra cash!

We're back!

2007-02-05T08:58:00.000-05:00

Well after a long sick week, we're back! Our week didn't go anywhere near what it was planned to be. The first weekend went great! Tuesday morning about 4 am, I wake up to Joey crying and his bed covered in vomit. So, we took it easy Tuesday and late afternoon I thought he was feeling better so I gave him some baby food. Bad idea.... poor little guy puked all over me twice, the second time choking on it so my father and I took him to Dayton Children's Hospital. In the mean time, I hadn't been feeling too hot all day, but I figured it was me just being pregnant and thought nothing of it. Well, we get to the ER to find out that it was FULL of sick babies with the same thing wrong as Joey. So after sitting there holding the little guy for a hour, I was so nauseated, I had to hand him over to my dad. My mom arrived after she got off of work and took over holding Joey. After 2 hours, we got called back. Once in the room, I started vomiting. The good news was the Joey didn't aspirate. So needless to say, the next couple days were full of me feeling lousy and poor little Joey not able to keep anything down but pedialite. Of course none of our family wanted to be around us except my poor dad who also caught it. Hopefully our next trip will go better.

Well, I'm off to call Joey's pedi to see what the heck to do with Joey. Yesterday I gave him formula for the first time in the airport so he wouldn't scream his head off on the plane and now he has diarrhea again.

But we didn't get to do all the fun things that were planned for our trip and we barely got to see anyone that we were suppose to see. At least I got to see my brother and his wife, and my grandma!

Also, while in the ER, the doctor there detected a very slight heart murmur in Joey's heart. I called Joey's Dr the next day and he said that he was aware of it. Why didn't he tell me about it!? He says it nothng to worry about, but I would have still liked to have known about it!

Back in 9 days!

2007-01-25T21:16:00.000-05:00

Well, Joey and I are off to Ohio to see our family and friends till next week! Be back on February 4th! If I get a chance I'll try to post an update while I'm there!

Favorite Ingredients Friday- Super Bowl Edition!

2007-01-25T15:10:00.000-05:00

Skyline Chili Dip

1. One 12 oz. package softened cream cheese
2. One 13 oz. frozen Skyline Chili thawed OR one 15 oz. can of Skyline Chili
*For those of you who can't find sky line chili, use any hot dog chili, works good too!
3. 1/4 cup diced onions (optional)
4. 12 oz. Skyline shredded mild cheddar cheese

Spread softened cream cheese evenly on bottom of 9 x 13 microwaveable casserole dish. Heat chili according to package directions. Pour heated Skyline Chili over cream cheese. Sprinkle diced onions (optional) on top of chili. Cover with Skyline shredded mild cheddar cheese.

Conventional oven: heat at 350 degrees for 10-15 minutes or until cheese is completely melted.

Serve with nacho or corn chips.

For more Favorite Ingredient Friday recipes, go to Overwhelmed With Joy!

Previous Favorite Ingredient Friday recipes:
Cheesy Potato Soup
Peanut Butter Cookies
Saurkraut and Pork Roast
Candied Nuts
Mom's fudge
Peanut Brittle
Beef Enchiladas
Snicker Doodle Cookies
Pecan Pie
Burrito Pie
Apple Crisp

I'm on a mission!

2007-01-24T23:00:00.000-05:00

I've decided that I need to make a difference somehow helping to educate other women who were in my shoes in October 2005 when I got my CVS results that Joey did in fact have Down syndrome. I've been emailing back and forth with another mom here in Connecticut and hopefully we can start to not only educate medical professionals but also families who receive a prenatal diagnosis of Trisomy 21. Hospitals don't give out enough if any information on Down syndrome so families don't always realize the joy our children bring us and how they're not really much different than a typical child. Joey eats, sleeps and poops just like a typical baby, he might need a little more help getting strong enough to sit, stand and walk, but that doesn't mean to give up on him. His heart beats just like ours and his blood is red just like ours. The more I sit around and think about it, the more determined I become to make a difference!

To be continued...

The year I was born

2007-01-24T10:50:00.000-05:00

Michelle had this on her blog and I thought it was pretty cool so I decided to post mine too!

In 1981 (the year you were born)

Ronald Reagan becomes president of the US.

Minutes after Ronald Reagan becomes president, Iran releases 52 American hostages that had been held captive for 444 days.

President Reagan is shot in the chest by would be assassin John Hinkley.

Space shuttle Columbia, the world's first reusable spacecraft, is sent into space.

A suspended walkway in the Kansas City Hyatt Regency Hotel collapses, killing 113.

A female former lover files a "palimony" suit against tennis star Billie Jean King.

President Reagan appoints Sandra Day O'Connor to be the first woman on the Supreme Court.

The Pac-Man video game is introduced in the US.

Alicia Keys, Elijah Wood, Kelly Rowland, Anna Kournikova, and Britney Spears are born.

Los Angeles Dodgers win the World Series.

Oakland Raiders win Superbowl XV.

New York Islanders win the Stanley Cup.

Raiders of the Lost Ark is the top grossing film.

"Bette Davis Eyes" by Kim Carnes spends the most time at the top of the US charts.

MTV debuts on cable television, playing music videos 24 hours a day.

Gimme a Break premieres.

What Happened the Year You Were Born?

Oh and to add in a little something extra, the day that President Regan was shot was the day I was born! My mom was in labor with me sitting at home waiting to go to the hospital when it came across the TV.

Dads update

2007-01-24T10:26:00.000-05:00

Both of our fathers are doing well and both should get out of the hospital today!

My Dad had his heart cath done yesterday along with a stint and is recovering nicely. Now we're not sure if he had an actual heart attack. He's had 2 doctors tell him yes and one tell him no. But he did have a blockage that required a stint so that's definitely a sign that he needs to eat better and exercise more!

Thank you for all your thoughts and prayers!

Wordless Wednesday

2007-01-24T08:35:00.000-05:00

Joey with his Aunt M.

For The Wordless Wednesdays Headquarters, go here.

Stinky Boy!

2007-01-23T12:40:00.000-05:00

Well, not only did Joey go #2 once today, he's gone twice and I don't think I've ever seen him so happy after going potty, he was cracking me up and boy did it smell!

Photo and video editing at onetruemedia.com

Prayers Needed

2007-01-23T08:58:00.000-05:00

So Friday my father in law starts having chest pain along with the pain radiating down his arm, finally on Sunday drives himself to the hospital.

Yesterday my father wasn't feeling well so he took himself to his doctor and after taking his blood pressure, his doctor called an ambulance and he was taken to the hospital.

Do you see where I'm going with this? Both my father and my father in law have had heart attacks in the past 2 days! WHAT THE HECK?!

My father in law had a 90% blockage in one artery, less in the some others so they repaired the 90% with a stint and the others they're going to try to fix with medication.

My father is in route being transferred to a different hospital for the heart cath and possible stints.

LOTS AND LOTS of prayers are needed today folks!

Golly, What DID Jon, Joey and every other person with Down syndrome do?

2007-01-22T08:44:00.000-05:00

Many of us have been posting this article, but it's worth posting again!

Will: Golly, What did Jon Do?
Written by George F. Will

What did Jon Will and the more than 350,000 American citizens like him do to tick off the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists? It seems to want to help eliminate from America almost all of a category of citizens, a category that includes Jon.

Born in 1972, Jon has Down syndrome. That is a congenital condition resulting from a chromosomal defect that causes varying degrees of mental retardation and some physical abnormalities, such as low muscle tone, small stature, a single crease across the center of the palms, flatness of the back of the head and an upward slant to the eyes (when Jon was born, Down syndrome people were still commonly called Mongoloids). There also is increased risk of congenital heart defects, childhood leukemia and Alzheimer's disease. Down syndrome, although not common, is among the most common congenital anomalies—47.9 per 100,000 births (compared with 77.7 with cleft lips or palates, which also can be diagnosed in utero, and which sometimes result in abortions).

As women age, their risk of having a Down syndrome baby increases. It has become standard practice for women older than 35 years old to be offered genetic counseling and diagnostic testing. But because of the higher fertility rates of women under 35, such women have 80 percent of Down syndrome babies. So new ACOG guidelines recommend that all pregnant women, regardless of age, be offered such counseling and testing.
For the rest of the article, click here.

George Will, a fellow parent of a child with Down syndrome wrote a wonderful article in Newsweek this week. It truly does seem that the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists wants to eliminate people with Down syndrome at the rate they are going! 85-90% of prenatal diagnosis of Down syndrome result in abortion. If doctors would give more positive information rather than all the negatives, this percentage would go down! What doctors fail to tell you is that people with Down syndrome live full and wonderful lives! People with Down syndrome do not suffer because they have Down syndrome. Many graduate from high school, go to college, live on their own and heck are even getting married! What about the waiting lists of families waiting to adopt a child with Down syndrome? Some people just don't get it...

Like I've said many times already doctors need to focus on the positives and less of the negatives. Don't just offer abortions, offer information on local Down syndrome groups so that soon to be parents could meet families with children that have Down syndrome so they could see the positives.

I had a prenatal diagnosis but I chose life. I'm only 25 years old but Joey had some markers of possibly having Down syndrome during an ultrasound and I wanted to know for sure so me and my family could educate ourselves and be prepared for Joey's arrival. And you know what, I wouldn't have him ANY OTHER WAY! He's perfect just like he is, extra chromosomes and all!

Surprise... new ticker!

2007-01-21T14:49:00.000-05:00

Take a look at my new ticker below Joey's 1st birthday ticker! I wasn't going to say anything for a while, but it was all of you who got me through losing Kiera so I can't keep this exciting news from you!!! I just found out Friday afternoon so say lots of prayers for this time to be a safe and healthy pregnancy!!!!

What a small world!

2007-01-21T14:27:00.000-05:00

It was just brought to my attention last night that Tricia from Unringing The Bell also lives here in Connecticut! How cool is that! I love meeting other parents of children with DS and how cool is it that we're both part of the crazy world of blogging!?!? And we're both members of the CDSC!

Much better this morning

2007-01-19T11:58:00.000-05:00

Joey went to bed last night without any problems a little after 9:00 but he woke up at 12:30 crying. Luckily I was able to pat his back until he fell back asleep. This morning he's been a little cranky here and there. He's been taking a nap for the past 1 1/2 hour. I'm hoping the rest of the day will be ok.

Patrick didn't have to be to work this morning until 10:00 so I got to sleep in an extra hour! Thank you Sweetie, I need that!

Yesterday the weather man said we were suppose to get 1/2 inches of snow last night. Well, he was wrong! Well, I woke up this morning and looked out of the window and we got nothing :( I was actually hoping for a little snow. Oh well, I'm sure we'll get some at some point!

Also, yesterday I went grocery shopping at Shop Rite. They're having their can-can sale so I once again stocked up on canned goods and anything else I could find for a good price. As I was walking around, they announced in the deli that they had pre-cooked turkey dinners for up to 10 people on sale for $9.99! This included mashed potatoes & gravy, stuffing, sweet potatoes, creamed spinish and an 11 pound turkey!You just have to heat everything up! So along with half the store, I rushed over there like an idiot to get my turkey dinner. So tonight, I "cooked" for my in-laws and we're having a turkey dinner! I also got my 12 cans of veggies 12 for $3.48!

Favorite Ingredient Friday

2007-01-19T10:42:00.000-05:00

Cheesy Potato Soup

Ingredients
1. 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
2. 1 1/2 cups chopped onions
3. 1 1/2 cups chopped celery
4. 4 cups water
5. 8 potatoes, peeled and cubed
6. 15 slices American cheese - broken into pieces
7. 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
8. 2 1/3 cups milk
9. 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

Directions
1. Melt the butter in a large pot over medium heat. Saute the onions and celery in the butter for 5 to 10 minutes, or until tender.

2. Stir in the water and potatoes, bring to a boil and then simmer until the potatoes are tender. Add the cheese and stir until melted.

3. In a separate small bowl, combine the flour and the milk and stir well until the flour is mostly dissolved. Pour this into the soup slowly, stirring constantly, until soup has thickened, about 5 minutes. Garish with parsley.

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

Previous Favorite Ingredient Friday recipes:
Peanut Butter Cookies
Saurkraut and Pork Roast
Candied Nuts
Mom's fudge
Peanut Brittle
Beef Enchiladas
Snicker Doodle Cookies
Pecan Pie
Burrito Pie
Apple Crisp

Please restart my heart!

2007-01-18T16:37:00.000-05:00

Ok, well that was scary... I was just giving Joey a bottle of juice when he started choking, like I'm talking didn't take a breathe for about 30 seconds, juice coming out of his nose, gasping for air choking. I just hope he didn't aspirate, but it sounded like he did. He just cried himself to sleep so we'll see what happens. It scared the crap out of me though...

Wiggles & DS clinic note

2007-01-17T14:18:00.000-05:00

Well, The Wiggles were on The View today, I usually don't even watch The View but Joey's PT & OT were both here and they saw The Wiggles so I turned it up for Joey. Up until now I've refused to watch anything like that. No Wiggles, no Barney, no nothing. The only children's thing I've let Joey watch is his Baby Einstein DVD. Well, even at 10 months old, The Wiggles caught Joey's attention. Joey seemed to like listening to them. So we've been sucked into The Wiggles craze!

His PT & OT usually don't come to the house together but every couple months they like to just to "compare notes" and to give eachother ideas. They both can't believe the progress Joey is making each time they see him!

I just got the Dr's note from Joey's trip to the DS clinic from a few weeks ago. I can't believe how much this doctor went into detail! The note is wonderful! He said "his length is 68 cm, 3rd centile; weight 7.8 kg, 3rd centile; head circumference 44.5 cm, 10-25th centile. On the Down syndrome growth chart, his length is at the 25th to 50th, weight 50th and head circumference 90th centiles". I have DS growth charts, but I have no clue what the heck I'm looking at!

Why can't they explain that in English to where I could understand?

He also said that Joey should have a pediatric opththalmology evaluation done within the next month to see if there is indeed a modest left esotropia (WebMD & google here I come!). On that note, I'm off to the DownSyn forum to post this to see if anyone can explain growth charts to me! Or if any of you could help, please do!

My M&M self portrait

2007-01-17T13:36:00.000-05:00

I was watching TV today and saw a commercial to make myself into an M&M and gave it a try! Pretty cool to do with the kids! Just thought I would share. Become an M&M!

Wordless Wednesday

2007-01-17T09:13:00.000-05:00

To visit the WW Headquarters, go here!

Finally!!

2007-01-16T12:57:00.000-05:00

Today is finally the day! Joey is done with his helmet!!! And I think he's as happy as I am!

Peak A Boo!

2007-01-16T12:35:00.000-05:00

Another video of my little cutie pie this time playing peak a boo!

Make an online slide show at onetruemedia.com

Joey's close up!

2007-01-16T12:29:00.000-05:00

I took this video last week and forgot to post it! Anyways, Joey was sitting on my lap being cute as can be so I grabbed my camera and started filming.

Make photo slide shows at onetruemedia.com

back in the day...

2007-01-15T11:56:00.000-05:00

I often sit back and think about my days in high school. My friends, the things we did together (some I regret, some not), and my days in AFJROTC and marching band (yeah, I was a dork). There are some I still have contact with, and some I wish I could be in contact with. Many have grown up, some still have growing up to do. I was part of a very close net group of friends. We all were in either band or ROTC together. I was fit and in shape, not to mention about 30+ pounds lighter than I am now. I love popping a tape in of an old marching band performance and picking myself out. Some of my friends joined the military, some went away to college, and some stayed home and went to local colleges. I wish I could find the few I have no clue where they are. I have a myspace and a facebook account and unfortunately, not everyone is on them.

(I'm the second from the left)

Then I look back on the couple years before I moved up here to Connecticut. I worked my butt off at various jobs, hung out at a local bar (often drinking too much) and taking turns with Patrick flying back and forth so we could see each other every other month or so. I am a much different person I was back then, I have grown up more in the past 2 years than I ever thought I could.

But yet, I look back on the old days, and miss it. Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't change my life back for anything now. Being home all day long DOES get very lonely though, I know I could get out more but part of me just doesn't want to.

I'm not sure where I'm going with this post, but just wanted to let any of my friends from Ohio know that I miss them. If any of you guys stumbled across this link via my myspace or facebook profiles and now read this, be sure to drop me a comment saying hi!

New blog!

2007-01-15T11:07:00.000-05:00

I just wanted to share a new blog starring a little boy Jaden, who shares the same little extra chromosome as Joey, Jaden's Journal.

weekend update

2007-01-14T22:03:00.000-05:00

Saturday morning, Patrick and I went to test drive the van we've been looking at. It drives like a top! I'm so excited, I just hope this one works out better than the last one we looked at. The guy who is selling it is going to let me take it to our mechanic to look over to make sure there's no major problems hiding under the hood. As long as it checks out ok, I'm going to have a new/ used van!

Saturday afternoon, Joey's Aunt Maureen, and I went and bought Joey a new car seat. He hasn't completely outgrown his infant car seat, but since he's getting his helmet off on Tuesday and they warned us that his car seat that he has would put more pressure on the back of his head and might help his head to regress back to being flat easier. So, after making a trip to BJ's then to Babies R Us, then BACK to BJ's, I chose a car seat that adjusts from 5 lbs, to 80 lbs. And even in the infant setting, his head doesn't seem to have as much pressure on the back of it.

Today was spent going to noon mass then spending the rest of the day cleaning and doing things that I've been wanting to get done. Unfortunately, I ran out of time! There was so much more I could have gotten done today, but hopefully I can get most of the things done this week.

I still can't believe Tuesday is the last day with Joey's helmet! The last 13 weeks have gone by so quick! Tomorrow I'm actually going to let Joey have his helmet off for intervals so he can start getting used to not wearing it. He had it off for about 45 minutes this evening and didn't seem to be too happy to have it off, especially when he hit his head on a toy. It'll take a little adjustment getting used to it being off for good.

Tomorrow I need to go back to Babies R Us. Today Joey used a medium flow nipple on his bottle rather than a slow flow for the first time and did good. No choking, so we're going to try medium flow for now on. Mostly because his slow flows are wearing out and he needs to use the ones more for his age.

I just checked my bloglines and realized that I've not read many of my favorite blogs all weekend and I'm getting too sleepy to read them tonight, so I'll save that for tomorrow morning during Joey's first nap of the day to catch up with all my favorites and try to read a couple new blogs too!

Favorite Ingredient Friday

2007-01-12T08:36:00.000-05:00

Peanut Butter Cookies

Ingredients
1. 1/2 cup butter, softened
2. 1/2 cup peanut butter
3. 1/2 cup granulated sugar
4. 1/2 cup packed brown suger, or 1/4 cup honey
5. 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
6. 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
7. 1 egg
8. 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
9. 1/4 cups all purpose flour
10. granualted sugar in a bowl

Directions
1. In a large mixing bowl beat butter and peanut butter with an electric mixer on medium to high speed for 30 seconds. Add the granualated sugar, brown sugar, baking soda and baking powder. Beat until combined, scraping sides of bowl occasionally. Beat in egg and vanilla until combined. Beat in as much of the flour as you can with the mixer. Stir in any remaining flour. If necessary, cover and chill dough until it's easy to handle.

2. Shape dough into 1-inch balls. Roll in additional granualted sugar in bowl to coat. Place 2 inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet. Flatten by making crisscrosse marks with the tines of a fork. Bake in oven on 375 degrees for 7-9 minutes or until bottoms are lightly browned. Transfer to wire rack and let cool.

** This is my favorite PB cookie recipe and comes out of the Better Homes & Gardens Cookbook.

For more Favorite Ingredient Friday recipes, go to Overwhelmed With Joy!

I need relief!

2007-01-11T09:21:00.000-05:00

I used to enjoy wearing perfume and scented lotions, now I can barley walk through the perfume section of my favorite stores without sneezing 10 times. I would always wear my favorite perfume, Miracle, but now it's just a pretty bottle sitting on my dresser along with my Bath & Body Works lotions. I can't even light my favorite candles anymore without getting a headache and sneezing! Gotta love allergies that arrived in my early twenties. Medication doesn't even help me sneezing to my favorite scents! These allergies have also brought on a new enemy... mold! In November, my allergies seemed to be getting better in that department after our first freeze. WELL, thanks to the past couple weeks of the temperature being in the 50's, 60's and even last weekend in the 70's, my friend, Allergy has reappeared. I've been sitting here sneezing my head off for the past couple weeks. We had a freeze last night so I'm hoping for some relief in the near future. Not to mention, I'm running low on Kleenex!

I want a Nintendo DS!

2007-01-11T09:10:00.000-05:00

I've been sitting here thinking about what would help to make me a more Hip Mom. What a better way than to get a pink nintendo DS lite? I too haven't touched a videogame in years and think it's about time! Many of my friends have their fancy video games and I think it would be so cool to have one myself. You see, over at the Crazy Hip Blog Mamas, they're having a contest to see who would be the most hip with a new pink nintendo DS and brain age game. My son is still too young to think I'm hip, but wouldn't he get a kick out of seeing pictures of me in a couple years playing my PINK Nintendo DS?! It would be a great way to spend what little free time I get by racking my brain playing brain age too!! I need something to get my mind back in shape! Not to mention, I've never won anything in my life so it would be pretty cool to win. I consider myself a pretty hip mom and this would just add to the reasons why I am!

ears, homesick, vans & helmet update!

2007-01-10T20:32:00.000-05:00

Patrick and I noticed this morning that Joey didn't seem to be hearing as good as he had been for the past couple weeks since his surgery, so I called his doctor this morning and took him in. Sure enough, his little ear canals were already filling with wax again! So his Doc did as good of a job as he could cleaning them out. And he does actually seem to be hearing a little better now.

Yesterday I was sitting here at the computer and started getting homesick, well I've been homesick, but I was sitting here thinking about it so I decided it was time to plan another trip home. So, I'm flying out the 26th and coming home February 4. It's about time I go home. I haven't been home since October and I miss my family. I just saw my parents, but I really miss my brother, sister in law and my cousin, well I miss everyone! I can't wait!!!

Today I went and looked at another van. The other one we looked at ended up having a leak in the transmission and the guy wasn't willing to pay the full amount to have it fixed so it's his loss. But it's good that we didn't buy that one. It was a 1997 and today the one I looked at was a 2002 and only $1000 more! And come to find out the guy who's selling it is a friend of a friend and is going through a divorce and needs to pay of the loan. So we're going to talk to him in the next couple days. Cross your fingers this one works out!

Less than a week and counting left with Joey's helmet! And I can't wait! Well a broad range of topics talked about tonight but I think I got everyone caught up on the latest!

Wordless Wednesday

2007-01-10T11:01:00.000-05:00

For more Wordless Wednesdays, go here.

Meme time!

2007-01-09T10:39:00.001-05:00

I've been tagged by the FlipFlop Mama! This is a pretty interesting meme, kind of like an interview about you and your blog.

1. Do you like the looks and content of your blog?
I think so, I do want to get a blog makeover as soon as I have a little extra cash and also get my own URL.

2. Does your family know about your blog?
Not all of them, I've been meaning to share the link with them though!

3. Can you tell your friends about your blog?
Yeah, but sometimes they think I'm a little crazy :)

4. Do you just read the blogs of those who comment on your blog?
I try to read everyone's blogs who leave me comments although sometimes it's hard seeing that I have 47 blogs that I've suscribed to on bloglines. I also try to read a new blog everyday.

5. Did your blog positively affect your mind?
Yes, it's my way of getting out my feelings on being a parent and also a wife.

6. What does the number of visitors to your blog mean?
That I have a lot of visitors :)

7. Do you imagine what other bloggers look like?
Most of the blogs I read have a picture of the writer in the profile and many of the writers also post pictures so no unless they don't post any pictures, then I wonder what they look like.

8. Do you think blogging has any real benefit?
yes, it's actually therapeutic to me!

9. Do you think that the blogosphere is a stand alone community separated from the real world?
Sometimes no, sometimes yes

10. Do some political blogs scare you? Do you avoid them?
I try not to read them very often, they tend to confuse me. But my husband reads them!

11. Do you think criticizing your blog is useful?
sure

12. Have you ever thought what would happen to your blog in case you died?
I never thought about that before! Ummmm, I would hope that my husband or someone would let my readers know.

13. Which blogger has had the greatest impression on you?
Rebecca, Michelle & CJ. They were my first readers and got me into blogging more!

14. Which blogger do you think is the most similar to you?
Geez, I have no clue! We're all so much alike yet so different!

15. Name a song you want to listen to.
Right now? Ummmm.... how about Kelly Pickler's "Red High Heals".

And now I tag:
Rebecca, Heather and Christina

21 reasons why...

2007-01-09T09:32:00.000-05:00

Finally, my montage is done! I chose to use the theme of 21 reasons why I chose life while I was pregnant with Joey.

Make photo slide shows at onetruemedia.com

catching up!

2007-01-08T12:17:00.000-05:00

Joey has been taking an extra long nap this morning so I've been taking full advantage of it! I've actually gotten caught up reading all of my favorite blogs. I now have a total of 46 that I've suscribed to on bloglines and I read all that had new posts today! I also got caught up on the dishes, got a load of laundry in the washer and re-potted a couple of my plants that had outgrown their pots, which meant since it's raining and too chilly to do it outside I had to re-pot them on my kitched floor which meant I had to sweep the floor. And I even just ate my lunch without Joey trying to grab it out of my hands!

Speaking of the grabbing, Joey is full fledge into the grabbing stage! Everything he sees, he wants. The TV remote, the phone, food I'm trying to eat, anything! Last night, I was sitting on the floor clipping coupons and who rolls over to me and trys to help? Joey!! But hey, it kept in occupied for 30 minutes playing with the paper!

Be sure to cheer for Ohio State tonight when they play!! GO BUCKS!! OH-IOOOOO!!!!!

another article

2007-01-08T09:24:00.000-05:00

This article was posted on DownSyn and I just wanted to share it with those of you who might not have read it yet. It's written by a doctor and about prenatal testing and is actually worth reading! Steve Calvin: OK to test for Down syndrome? It's complex.

Doctors visit

2007-01-06T11:18:00.000-05:00

Our visit with Joey's new doctor went very good. I heard a lot of things that I already knew and some new things. He answered each and every question I had to ask. A couple things I guess I really wasn't expecting to hear and didn't want to hear.

He drew Joey's blood for his thyroid & CBC tests, and he also had enough left over to send out for a chromosomal analysis. I had the prenatal diagnosis of trisomy 21 but after Joey was born I refused to let them draw blood again for another one to check for MDS. Apparently it doesn't always show up in prenatal testing. He said that there was a small chance that Joey might have mosiac DS, but with way Trisomy 21 is Trisomy 21 and his diagnosis won't change.

Joey has the cutest pinky fingers. Many children with DS have crooked pinky fingers but I guess I never realized that Joey is missing a complete bone in each of his pinkies until the doctor pointed it out too me. He only has 2 joints instead of the 3 typical people have.

He also told me yesterday that there's a chance that Joey won't walk until he's 2 years old. I just can't believe that, I won't believe that. Each of our children is different and I'm going to hope and pray that Joey walks by 1 1/2, if not sooner. I quit reading the books about babies with Down syndrome soon after Joey was born. Each of our children are so different and the books make each child with Trisomy 21 seem the same exactly the same kind of like a text book.

He did give me wonderful ideas of certain types of shoes to buy for Joey to help him stand better, different techniques to use when eating and drinking that our OT had not told us about, and showed me a massage to use on Joey's high palate if Joey will corporate.

I went to the appointment with a pile of Joey's medical records that he didn't have yet in Joey's chart. He was quite happy with that. I also brought the before pictures when Joey was fitted for his helmet. He was very happy to see the progress Joey's head has made.

Well, I guess that's all that I can think of right now that went on yesterday at the appointment. I think it went good minus him telling me about Joey and the possiblity of Joey not walking until he's 2. He will walk when he's ready to walk!

New Doc

2007-01-04T16:52:00.000-05:00

Tomorrow I'm taking Joey to meet Dr. Bob for the first time. He's a genetic doctor who specializes in Down syndrome out at the University of Connecticut health center. I'm interested to see what all he has to say but then I also have a feeling he's going to be telling me the same things I've already heard and read about. We met Dr. Bob when I was pregnant with Joey at the Connecticut Down Syndrome Congress's convention almost 2 years ago, and he was such a nice man. I love learned new things and I'm hoping me can teach me more! Not to mention that all the other parents here in CT absolutely LOVE Dr. Bob. I'll be sure to give you guys an update after our appointment!

In other news, Patrick and I are going tonight to look at a van. I stopped and looked at it the other day and fell in love with it, well didn't fall in love with it, but it's really nice. The only thing is that it's a 1997, but it only has 99,000 miles on it and the inside and out are both in excellent condition. It's a Dodge Caravan and a deep red color. And for the price that they have on it, it's possibly worth buying. We'll see. I want to see if it has a carfax report or anything so we can see the maintenance history of it. Cross your fingers it's a good one, I could really use a new/used car!!!

Piano Man!

2007-01-04T14:50:00.000-05:00

Joey recieved The Fisher Price Baby Grand Piano from his Uncle Terry and Aunt Laurie for Christmas and absolutely LOVES it! I wish the lighting would have been better in the video so you could see the expression better on his face!

Make an online slide show at onetruemedia.com

ENT visit

2007-01-03T18:26:00.000-05:00

I took Joey today for his follow up appointment with his ENT after his ear surgery a couple weeks ago. His ENT was so pleased with the results. He wants to take Joey in twice a ear to clean his ears out since they don't want to drain on their own. Of course this means, going under a general anesthesia twice a year, but I think it will be worth it after seeing the results from his surgery. He went from not responding to sound, to looking at us, jumping when something startles him and being so much more vocal!

Dental info

2007-01-03T18:21:00.000-05:00

I was doing my daily search of DownSyn last night when I came across this article. It's from the Nation Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research and it's about practical oral care for people with down syndrome. It has some pretty interesting information for anyone who's not read it yet or that might be interested in it.

Wordless Wednesday

2007-01-02T22:20:00.000-05:00

You can go visit the WW headquarters for more Wordless Wednesday's!