Monday, August 31, 2009

Madi and Luke

Carey and I were freshman roommates at MVNC. We got married the same year. Lucy and Madi are 3 months a part. Luke and Simon are 5 months a part. We were so excited when the moved back to central OH from CA a little less than 3 years ago. Saturday we celebrated Luke's 3rd b-day and said goodbye again as they move to Chicago. We will miss you so much!

Sunday, August 30, 2009

Time is flying by these days. I'm back to work so I've gotten a little behind on the blog world. This past week we have been getting ready for Lucy to go back to preschool.
She had a doctor's apt. with Dr. Rick. He is an amazing pediatrician. He takes so much time to sit and talk with us to make sure we have all the info and direction we need. We are so lucky to have him close. He is so informed. It's probably because he has 2 children with DS himself. We called and cancelled our yearly at Children's and decided to just see him.
After the doctor's Lucy got shots and a blood draw. Glad that's over!
We also hit the dentist this week. Hopefully some time she will let them get a good look at her teeth. We sat in the chair and her mouth was sealed shut. She didn't want to play with their tools and wasn't up for any of their games. Some fun sunglasses and Kung Fu Panda helped and they at least got to look at her mouth from afar. They should treat her like a princess. She will make some dentist very rich!
Preschool starts Tuesday. I'm nervous about this year. Her teacher will be on maternity leave and we have some things that we want to update on her IEP. I'm not too nervous though. She loves it and is loved on. I'm also excited that our neighbor Ella gets to be in her class. I hope it helps to make Lucy seem more like a 4 year old to her. Kids Lucy's age never seem to treat her like she is a peer. I totally understand. She's tiny and can't quite communicate like they do. Sometimes it's hard to see girls I wish would want to play with her choose to play with Simon.
Good luck to everyone else out there starting school.

Thursday, August 20, 2009

Brownies






Lucy and I love making brownies together. This was when me made them for Ben and Sarah to celebrate the birth of their baby. She does such a good job at helping. She's starting to remember the ingredients and steps on her own. I think the eggs are her favorite part.

Saturday, August 08, 2009

Big Girl

We're always trying to encourage Lucy towards independence. We try to give her that nudge or sometimes push that she needs. One area that we just do too much for her is dressing. We are usually in too big of a hurry. She can put pants on and can get most shirts on- when I give her the chance. She can put shoes on as long as they are loose (which most are- skinny feet) or sandals. If she wears her tennis shoes I always put her socks on and the shoes. They are more difficult because of her braces and JRA.
The other day I threw her clothes in the room and started getting Simon dressed. When I turned back to get Lucy ready she had unfolded her socks and put them on all by herself! I was beaming with pride. She was too.

Sunday, August 02, 2009

Buddy Walk 2009

Friends and Family,

A little over four years ago our beautiful little girl, Lucy, was born. Soon after she was born we were told for the first time that she might have Down syndrome. Let’s just say that was a pretty tough first night! The hard thing about hearing that diagnosis is that you have so little information and tons of fear.

Four years later we have tons and tons of information and most of the fear has now been replaced with hope. Hope because we see this girl’s potential. Hope because we know how much love she has to give. Hope because she has blown away all the “experts” expectations. Hope because we know she is perfect just the way she is. Hope because we see the fingerprints of God all over her.

This past year she started preschool here in Mount Vernon. She thrived in her classroom! We wish you could have all been at her Christmas program where she performed so well. Watching her take a bow was just priceless! Her tutor has been making remarkable progress with her as well. She is in the beginning stages of reading some books and has started to learn to count to fifteen.

Her Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis is now in what they call clinical remission, which means while on her prescribed drugs they can no longer see any affects of her JRA. This fall they are going to start working on getting her off of all medication. You should see her run, jump, and dance in ways we only prayed we get to see a year ago!

Lucy loves that she has a new little brother, Ian. She loves talking to him and playing with him. She is a great big sister to both Ian and Simon. Though you should see the things she does to make Simon mad when she wants to!

Well, that’s an update on Lucy. For all those who have been of any support or have said any prayers for her we thank you from the bottom of our hearts! For more updates go to www.beautifullucy.blogspot.com

Below is the information about this year’s Buddy Walk that goes to support an organization that has been such a support to our family, The Down Syndrome Association of Central Ohio. If you want to walk with us or donate financially keep reading…

With much love,

Lucy, Simon, Ian, Mandy, and Kevin

Every year the in the fall the Down Syndrome Association of Central Ohio holds its annual Buddy Walk as it’s major fundraiser and celebration. And yes it is a celebration! In the words of one of Lucy’s walkers last year, “I pulled up to Crew Stadium and tears just came to my eyes.” When asked why she was crying she could only talk about what a beautiful sight it was to see over 3000 people gathered for the simple purpose of celebrating and supporting those with Down syndrome.

This year’s Buddy Walk will be held at Crew Stadium in Columbus Ohio on Sunday September 13th. Registration starts at 9 AM and the walk will start at 10 AM. There will be entertainment and activities and our team will have a tent where we can tailgate (i.e. sit around, talk, and eat.) One of the highlights is when we walk around the stadium as Lucy leads us.

If you want to join our team and walk with us all you need to do is register by September 13th. If you sign up by August 22nd you get a shirt with our team name on the back (that is if we get 24 walkers). If you just want a guaranteed shirt, without our team name on the back, the registration deadline is August 29th. If you aren’t worried about t-shirts or even walking and just want to donate some money to the cause you can do so any time before September 13th.

Individual Walker- $15 (includes 1 shirt)
Family - $25 (includes 2 shirts)
Extra shirts can be ordered for $10.

If you have any questions don’t hesitate to call us (740-392-3197) or email us (peterkevinson@yahoo.com) at any time.

Lucy’s team name is “We Love Lucy!”
Buddy Walk Website: www.columbusbuddywalk.org
Lucy’s Team Website: http://buddywalk.kintera.org/dsaco/welovelucy
(You can go through either of the above to register or donate)