Wolf Run

So many days it still seems like Kevin and I keep trading time with the kids. He comes home from work, I go tutor, I come home, he goes back, he goes to play soccer, I go for a walk. On Sunday I decided to break the pattern and we all went to Wolf Run for a great family hike. The kids played with big sticks, climbed over logs, and looked for crayfish. It was a great way to spend a Sunday. One of the best things about Mount Vernon is our parks.

Ian

Three years!

(I started this yesterday and wanted to finish it but I fell asleep at 9:00. 9:00! This time change has been tiring.)

I can't believe how fast he has changed in just 3 years. We couldn't be happier with Ian. He has given me the gift of working on my parenting skills. I'm hoping the 3s are easier than the 2s.
He is so stinking adorable that he has to be a little rotten for it all to balance out.

Here's a few thing about Ian:

1. He loves to play with toy animals. He got a safari set for his bday and he played with it all day yesterday and that's that first thing he went for this morning.

2. He has a cutest pout you have ever seen!

3. His favorite foods are probably pepperoni and fruit.

4. He loves little babies. I watch a 4 month old 2 days a week and Ian is such a good helper.

5. He wants to be independent. Doesn't want me in the bathroom with him, doesn't want to hold hands in a parking lot, wants to do it himself. Not an easy personality trait when you are 2 but I know that I will be thankful for it later.

Ian- I love you so much and I'm so blessed to be your mommy. Happy Birthday!

Where Did October Go?

I thought I would be so much better at this once I started staying at home. Nana gave the kids Cars 2 last night and I gave in and let them watch it this morning. That usually means I read a bit but I only have one chapter left on the book that I've been reading and it's really good and I just don't want it to end... and I haven't decided what to read next. So here I am. There have been so many bloggable moments that I will want to remember that I have let slip by. Here are a few I've held on to.





Lucy-


She is doing so well in Kindergarten! Her teacher pulled me aside one day while I was there volunteering and told me about how all the kids don't really believe that is 6 because she is so small. Then she shared how one day while at reading group the teacher was introducing color words to the kids and Lucy was the only one who knew them. She said the kids' eyes got huge and they looked shocked. Thank you Miss Joanne!


So far I have only heard good reports except that she sometimes has trouble with transitions: lining up on the playground and leaving play center. She is doing better though. We have conferences next week so I'm sure we will get a better picture of how she is doing.

Simon-

He is doing really well in preschool. This year he is at a new preschool and they do a lot more writing. Its been fun to see him spelling and writing his numbers. He still asks so so many questions. He is curious about how the world works. He also loves to say, "that's odd."
He loves living here on campus and loves the students.

Ian-

We started potty training Ian when he was almost 2 1/2. He has learned the quickest and is dry most mornings, but has had more accidents than Simon and Lucy combined. This event from potty training describes his personality in a nutshell.
So for Simon I had a couple pairs of plain white undies that he would have to wear if he had an accident. It worked like a charm. When Ian kept having accidents I remembered the underwear trick and pulled them back out. I explained to him the process and for the next couple of days what underwear did his choose to wear to start of the day.... the white ones.
He has had to stay on the motivators (gummy worms) much longer than the other two. He knows exactly what he is doing.

Buddy Walk 2011

We couldn't have asked for a better day for the Buddy Walk this year. This was our wonderful team. It means so much to us that our family and friends, old and new, come out and surround us. Every year as I look out at the sea of tail gaters and I'm always touched by the people who gather to celebrate people with down syndrome. I still tear up as we round the corners of the walk and hear the high school cheerleaders cheering for Lucy.

Thank you to all that came out and to those who supported us with a donation!

Dr. Spencer

Today Lucy had an apt. with her rheumatologist and minus the fact that we were there for 2 hours because we she was seen twice, once by a resident for practice, I'm assuming, and then again by Dr. Spencer. It was another encouraging visit. He asked if we wanted to totally take her off her meds. I was a little nervous because he has said so many times that we want to make sure she is clear because once we take her off it could come back and come back stronger. He is pretty sure it's gone but she still pulls back a little when he pushes her left wrist. So we decided to cut the meds in half and give it 3 more months. It will be so good for her to finally get off these meds.
He is such a good doctor. He listens and I feel like we work together to do what's best for Lucy. I know that it's a busy office but I always feel like he gives us the time we need.

Simon's First Day

Today is Simon's first day of preschool. He is at a new preschool this year and it's right outside our front door. It will be nice to walk instead of driving across town. Simon was really excited. The only one that cried was Ian. He wanted to stay and see the gold fish. Hopefully I can prove myself as fun as gold fish.

I took Simon to get his haircut before school and he sat and told the the lady that was cutting his hair about how he was going to a new preschool and about how he will miss all his friends and his most favorite teacher, Miss Laura.

I will miss them too!

Books

I have read 17 books this summer. I'm a fast reader and I read in stolen moments, while I'm drying my hair or waiting for water to boil. I've also been reading book candy. I have read the entire Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich. They were funny and required no thinking. A perfect way to get lost. Once I finished Smokin' Seventeen. I went back to my list of books I want to read. Poisonwood Bible was near the top and in at the library so it was next.

As I've cracked its pages I find my brain waking up and stretching itself around the beautiful language and craft.

You know those weekends when you go to your grandma's house and eat all the junk that you don't keep in your house and it taste so good to just eat candy. Then you go home knowing you need to return to fish, brown rice, and broccoli. At first you might be resistant but then you realize how much better good choices make you feel. Nourishment.

That has been my reading journey this summer. I have read 17 books worth of candy and really enjoyed it ..... but once I started getting lost in the craft of Barbara Kingsolver I realized how much I missed the nourishment that comes from a well written book.

Will I read 18? You better believe it!

First Day of School

No tears for Lucy or myself. She was so excited and as soon as I dropped her off she got right down to playing. When I picked her up at the end of the day she was able to tell me some names of the kids she played with and the title of the book her teacher read to her.

My mom and a friend called me to check up on me after I dropped her off. My lack of tears surprised me too. I think it was because I handed her over to friends. I have worked at that school for 11 years and most of the teachers there have watched her grow. I know that I am putting her into good hands.

Buddy Walk

With everything that has be going on we are a little behind on getting our team together for this years Buddy Walk.

When: Sunday, September 18 10:00 am

Where: Crew Stadium

What: The Buddy Walk is a fundraiser for the Down Syndrome Association of Central Ohio and the National Down Syndrome Society. These organizations provide information, education, and support for those with down syndrome and their families. They provide community for individuals and their families.

Why:

Who: YOU!

How: You can support us two different ways. You can make a donation to our team or if you would like to join us at the walk you can join our team.

Donation: Go to http://www.columbusbuddywalk.org/ select donate then donate to a team and our team name is: We Love Lucy.

To Join our team on the day of the walk: Go to http://www.columbusbuddywalk.org/, select registration, select resister, you will go though 4 steps on the 3rd step you will be asked if you want to join a team. Join our team: We Love Lucy.

The registration fee for the walk is $21 per person of which $10 is tax-deductible. Your registration fee includes an official 2011 commemorative Columbus Buddy Walk T-shirt. You should resister by September 4 so that you will be guaranteed your shirt size.

Joining our team will also get you in to our exclusive tail gate party that will include food, games, and a meet and greet with Lucy. =)

If we raise $1,500 by August 28th we will get our team name on the back of our shirts. We are cutting it close this year. Don't wait, sign up now!

Rhythm

I like a plan or schedule to follow. I like when my days have a rhythm. The move disrupted my summer flow. We are now back into a lovely rhythm. 3 days a week I begin with a run then after breakfast the TV goes off and we head for a walk around campus. Depending on how well everyone is listening we can often go stroller free! After lunch I try to do some "school work" with Lucy and Simon. Lucy is working on reading and Simon is tuning up his fine motor skills and I try to distract Ian so they can focus. Then we spend the rest of the afternoon playing in the shade of two large trees in the court yard. The kids ride their bikes and play in the pebbles. To add some variety we take tips to Twin Oak or to the Children's Garden. I'm loving our days together. I could stay in the pattern for awhile.

Then I looked at the calendar.

In one week.....one week... Lucy starts Kindergarten. I've been so excited for her. She's been in preschool for 3 years and I know she's ready. She is just such an important part of my day and now she'll be gone from this great thing we've got going. I haven't cried about her going until this moment. Our routines will feel off without her.

I'm trusting Mrs. Thrift to create a new rhythm for her. One where she will grow and flourish more than she would here. Books and art and music and play dough and a group of kids, all different, growing and learning together. It's hard to be sad for too long. I'm so hopeful about what this year holds for her. I hold on to that when I feel sad for us left behind.

We will create a new rhythm. One that includes quiet afternoons with just Ian and I.

July

Update continued...

Final update:

Thankfully July brought some answers. A job came open at MVNU. Kevin applied, interviewed and the job was offered. So instead of moving to Oklahoma or Florida we got to move down the road. We thought about putting our house up for sell but it didn't look good. We found some great renters and have moved on campus to Oakwood Hall. This also has give me the opportunity to resign from teaching and stay at home for these last few years. In some ways the decision was easy and in other ways it was a sacrifice. I truly love teaching and love the job I had.

We've had the normal July celebrations... fireworks, picnics, playing at the park, and trips to the zoo.

Now that we are moved and settled I hope to return to keeping up with the blog.

Today the first group of students are moving back on campus. Soccer players. We've answered questions, handed out bed pegs, and welcomed fresh faces. I'm so excited for each of them.

More to come...

June

Update continued...



June brought more waiting on the job front... we'll let you know in about 2 weeks turned into 8 weeks.

Lucy graduated from preschool for the 3rd time. Simon has his first preschool graduation. We also learned that Miss Laura will not be returning to their classroom. We have been very blessed to have her has Lucy and Simon's teacher.

We also celebrated Lucy's 6th birthday. Where has time gone. She's 6 can you believe it?

May

Update continued...

May was when things really began to get moving. Kevin began to feel some direction about his next career step and started applying for Resident Director positions at colleges. He interviewed in Oklahoma and Florida. The waiting game began.

Lucy had her first dance recital. She was so excited she should barely contain herself. She did so well and is a performer at heart. She couldn't wait to get on stage and didn't want to leave when her performance was done.

"Lucy, smile pretty!"

April

Update continued...


April brought the IEP season and Kindergarten registration. Thankfully we made it though successfully. With only a few rookie mistakes. Lucy will be attending Kindergarten at Twin Oak... her home school. She will be there all day. In our district there is half day K. So for the morning she will have full inclusion and then will receive therapies and some special instruction in the afternoon. We feel so lucky to have her at Twin Oak.

Here are some pics from K registration: She was very impressive!

Such a big school for our little peanut!

Showing off to her OTs and teacher.

March

It's hard to decide where I should start since its been so long. These last months have been at times overwhelming and our patience was tested. We have finally settled so it's time to share on what's been going on and where we have landed.

At the end of March we found this last minute deal and headed to North Myrtle Beach for Spring Break. We usually vacation at the beach in the summer but we were able to enjoy it more since we didn't have to worry about crowds and sunscreen.

3.21

Today is World Down Syndrome Day. A good day for me to pick up and finally blog. I'm so ashamed that it has been so long.

I wish we could've celebrated in some significant way but I didn't realize that today was the 21st until I had to fill out this form. To celebrate in a small way we let Lucy choose where we had dinner and invited our neighbors to celebrate with us. Here we are at Lucy's choice Pizza Hut.

So much has been going on it's impossible to capture it here. Today I'm just thankful that I have a reason to celebrate and I'm extra thankful for those that celebrate with us.

Happy B-Day Simon!

On January 29th 2007 Simon was born. This past Saturday he turned 4 years old. My heart is so full as I sit here and think of all the ways we love him. These days he loves to play with trains and airplanes. His imagination play is really expanding. This morning I quietly listened as he talked back and forth for his train. He is such a cuddlier. I soak it up as much as I can because I know those days are numbered. He says about 30 too cute phases a day and I think to myself "I got to write that down." I never do. I need to! Right now his favorite show is Dino Dan. He loves chicken nuggets and ketchup. His favorite color is white, "because that's the color of milk." If I could freeze him at this age I would be very tempted.

Here are some pics from our celebrations:

Cake: Another one from Pink Cupcake... It was pretty awesome!

A new airplane. Imaginex- His favorite.

Lunch at McDonalds with the Parrys.

Sick

Lucy got sick again last night. Before this winter hit we had been very lucky in the health department. She hasn't had any ear infections or strep, and she would maybe get throw up sick once a year. So far this winter she has had 2 sinus infections, a skin infection cause by the sinus infection, and has been throw up sick 3 times. Then the MRI scare on top of that. Thankfully she is a good patient. I cover the living room in blankets and towels so that clean up is easy in case I don't get to her in time. Her timing for throwing up is very predictable. Last night I was able to listen in her monitor from my room and get to her room in time so that she made it to the trash can. That lead to a much easier clean up and since I didn't have to change sheets and clothes she went right back to sleep. (unfortunately I didn't sleep all that well)
I don't know why she is getting sick so often. The meds she takes for her JRA are immune suppressants and they haven't made that much of a difference before but I'm beginning to wonder if for some reason they are causing her immune system to be extra weak. We are almost to a point where we can stop the meds but she's not quite ready. I wish we could just stop.
I'm feeling more worried for her and really wondering why she is getting sick so often.

MRI

Last Thursday we made the trip to Children's for Lucy's MRI. So many emotions and nerves go into taking your child into the hospital, handing them over to a doctor, letting them put your child to sleep and you walking away. Considering all of that, we had a very calming experience. The staff and doctors were amazing.
Once we got in the back she changed and then headed to the toy room to pick out a toy. She chose a Snow White puzzle. She didn't want to sit on the bed so we turned on Disney to help. She was really curious about how the sound come out of the hand held speaker.


After doing the puzzle a couple times they came back to get things rolling. Everything went smoothly. When she woke up she was a little weak but returned to normal within an hour or two. We never got a direct answer about when we would hear the results so Kevin called Children's on Monday and a someone let him know exactly what we wanted to hear. Everything was normal. Big sigh of relief! So it looks like that's just the way her eyes are.



We were so proud of her though everything. She was such a good patient and a very cute one!

Glasses

And here they are... She's pretty stinkin cute! They have taken some getting used to. They've been hidden, chewed on, thrown in a parking lot and bent. We've only had them for 2 weeks! Thank goodness they are flexible and durable. If they last a year it will be miraculous. We think they make her look older.

Chirstmas Pictures

Preschool Christmas Program: Take note- first and probably last time Lucy isn't the shortest in her class. It helps that it's a 3-5 class.

This was the face she made while playing the drum. She means business!

Christmas Teaser

We left the camera at Nana's house so the only picture I have is what my sister posted on FB. We had a wonderful and relaxing holiday. I'll write more once I can add photos.

Photos in Lucy's new glasses coming soon!