Wordless Wednesday - Kitty Stole

We much prefer the live version! For more WWs, go here. Silly? Yes! But, I could not resist. This cat LOVES the boys...and yes, it is technically Nora's fur ball!

Skating and surprises.

Miss Nora attended her first skating birthday party on Sunday. What a riot! She was quite agile and made her way around the rink sans momma or dad’s hand in about three tries. Oh, and she won the limbo – flexible like Elliot!

To my amazement, there was a teen boy whirling around like no one’s business (among all of the grade school kids without bumping anyone). That, in and of itself, is nothing so special, only this teenager had Down syndrome. He was, by far, the best skater at the rink. Skated circles around me (literally), and I used to be pretty darn good back in the day! What an inspiration. Looks like I’ll need to get Wee E a pair of skates (that is, after he learns to walk)!

I did ask this pictured young man if I could please have permission to post his photo. He said, “Sure!”

Wordless and Special Exposure Wednesday - Miss Isaac

I have to say that Nora is in desperate need of a sister. Poor Isaac! Funny, I was notorious for dressing my little brother in pretty girl stuff too. Indeed, Isaac does look somewhat feminine at times. He looks just like his sister did at this age. I certainly got a kick out of this! For more Wordless submissions, click here; for more Special Exposures, take a peek here.

Magic Marker Monday - Nora's Floor Art

We have completed a bit of remodeling in the past couple of weeks. In the process, we let the kiddos draw on the old floor. Elliot, unfortunately, drew in non-permanent marker, hence, it became smeared. Nora, on the other hand, used a Sharpie and it is there for good…under the new floor for someone to find in years to come. For more Magic Marker Mondays, go here.

R espect!

Wordless and Special Exposure Wednesday - Wonder

For more of the same, visit here for Special Exposures and here for Wordless submissions. Isaac's photo by my dear sis-in-law.

Dentists, oral aversions…and tears.

Wee E has a dental check-up this afternoon. Nora and Isaac will also receive a “look-see.” I pray that Nora is clear this time. Her last visit, which was her first visit, brought 8 (yes, EIGHT) cavities, two follow-up appointments with fillings in destroyed baby molars and many tears.

Elliot has a severe oral aversion, so it is my assumption that tears will be shed today as well. His teeth are so sweet, a bit scattered, a bit crooked, and somewhat pointed in certain cases, but sweet nonetheless. I love to watch them shine when he smiles. I am happy that he has so many and is cutting his two-year molars as well.

Unfortunately, he used said teeth to bite his brother two days ago when Isaac attempted to touch his mouth. It was horrid and many tears were shed then too. I do hope that Elliot learns to use his teeth in a more appropriate fashion very soon. The poor kiddo will not eat. We’re still strictly ingesting a full diet of Pediasure. When momma comes with the spoon, the cracker, even a blessed Cheeto, (AND the tooth brush) Elliot goes running (not literally, but many tears…again, are shed). SIDE NOTE: (Barney is singing about teeth on the television right now – felt the need to share the irony). By the way, Barney scares the daylights out of me, but the boys are in awe.

Needless to say, it is a busy day. Buried with PR correspondence; dental appointment; ballet at 6:15; oh, and today is our 8-year wedding anniversary. I doubt we’ll do dinner here as the house is in shambles. My appliances are in the garage as we are installing a new kitchen floor. My kitchen furniture is in the living room and I am pulling hairs out cleaning wood shavings which have made their way into the bathrooms across the house.

I keep telling myself that life would simply be lackluster if we didn’t have 50 things going on at once. I wonder how it will be when I start nursing school in August. I did receive my acceptance letter last week.

Regarding the tears, the dentist and the oral aversion mess, a thought or two would be appreciated. Sending mine out to those in need as well.

Toes.

Don't you just want to kiss them? My brother and sister-in-law were in town for a visit. Sis-in-law is a photographer. You may find her here. She took a multitude of photographs. This is one of my favs. More to come. xo to you, Karen.

Buddy Walk for Wee E

The one-mile, 7th annual Capital City Buddy Walk, hosted by our local Down syndrome not-for-profit, will take place, rain or shine, Saturday, October 4, 2008 (Antelope Park – 30th and “A” Streets – 8 a.m.). Of course, on behalf of our blessed cherub of a child with Down syndrome, we’ll walk. Feel free to join us either in spirit or in person. A donation of any amount will aid in the efforts of our local organization’s goal of raising awareness.

And, for those of you know me on a personal level, you will obviously discern that I do my very best to raise said awareness on a daily basis. And wow, I am just so excited that my “T21” specialty license plates just arrived. Now, if I could only get out of the house more often!

Our local organization now accepts donations for individual teams online. We are team “Elliot’s Expedition,” emulating my blog. I would love to see you donate on Elliot’s behalf. And, of course, we appreciate prayers for Elliot’s health and strength just as much. Wee E has come so far. I still cannot believe that he was a 32-week preemie!

Please do holler at me via email if indeed you’d like to walk with our family (I do realize that my readers are all over the world, but hey, if you're near by, you are more than welcome to join in the fun). I’ll be pushing the double stroller in all of its glory, embracing both of my dear baby boys. Nora will walk as well. To her dismay, I refuse to carry or push her too!

God bless.

Please go to either of the below mentioned to donate if you wish:
Primary donation form (listing all walkers - scroll down to Elliot's team)
Elliot's special place

Special Exposure Wednesday - Pride (AND Joy)

My specialty plates finally came in, just in time for an October’s national celebration of the beloved extra chromosome. For more Special Exposures, go here, but do wait until Wednesday. It is still Tuesday night, but my mornings are jam packed!

Happy, happy birthday to you!

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

hAPpY FiRsT bIRtHdAy iSaAc JoSePh! {09.07.08}

Teddy bears and seas of blue
Smiling in honor of you
An infant, not long ago
Now, one candle is aglow
You are growing up so fast
How quickly a year has passed
You are special, sweet, and wise
A present before our eyes.

For a year, I’ve watched you shine
An angel I can call mine
Sent from Heaven, just for me
Filled with hope and dignity
A blessing, now and always
You brighten all of my days
Precious child, I love you so
More than anyone could know.

Baby’s breath and sun-filled skies
Ladybugs and lullabies
Starry nights and bright moonbeams
Tender hearts and lasting dreams
Each, a gift within your view
During this time, made for you
May only good things come your way
On this, your very first birthday.
© 2007 – Jill Eisnaugle

Mommy loves you my sweet baby boy...with all of my heart.
xo
"MaaaMM"

Poor Elliot.

We just returned home from Elliot’s two-year well baby check-up. Darn it. He has a nasty ear infection and get this…he’s down in weight, setting him back to his 19-month weight of 20 pounds. He’s 25 months old. Needless to say, the pediatrician is at a loss. Big surprise! LOL! So, we are being sent to feeding specialists, upper gastrointestinal docs and many other specialists in Omaha for further evaluation. Mind you, he is strictly on Pediasure still. But, down to 3 bottles from 5. He simply will not eat.

We also drew lab today to check Elliot’s liver enzymes again. The past elevations, not due to any known cause, were “mild” as doc pediatrician stated. Mild to moderate elevations of the liver enzymes are somewhat trite. They are often unexpectedly encountered on regular blood screening tests in otherwise healthy kiddos. The AST and ALT levels in such cases are usually between twice the upper limits of normal, as were Elliot’s.

As all of the typical factors that could lead to elevated enzymes were found to be negative previously, we’re all scratching our heads, but this, coupled with his weight loss, has everyone concerned. We’re in to see doc cardiologist soon as well. I won’t go into detail about that, but also related to the liver.

I’m asking for more prayers. Elliot is such a complex little boy from a health perspective. And, he was happy as pie with no tears shed until 30 seconds after the blood draw and immunization. Go figure.

In the midst of all of this negative news, I do have something positive to report. Elliot has not had a bowel movement in his diaper for over two weeks. He poops on the toilet! He tells me “ooooppp” (one of three things that he says) and I put him on his special toilet seat and away he goes. I’ll be damned if I can potty train my wee one with Down syndrome faster than that of his siblings of a typical chromosomal make-up. Again, go figure. God love my boy!

Thank you, Sarah!

"...And in April, my husband Todd and I welcomed our littlest one into the world, a perfectly beautiful baby boy named Trig. From the inside, no family ever seems typical.

That's how it is with us.

Our family has the same ups and downs as any other ... the same challenges and the same joys.

Sometimes even the greatest joys bring challenge.

And children with special needs inspire a special love.

To the families of special-needs children all across this country, I have a message: For years, you sought to make America a more welcoming place for your sons and daughters.

I pledge to you that if we are elected, you will have a friend and advocate in the White House."

Parenting.com

God love them. Parenting Magazine’s online feature, parenting.com, focused on our beautiful children as part of National Down syndrome awareness month (October). Elliot is featured here. (He’s “number 20”). Interestingly enough, a great deal of my friends’ children were also featured. Nathanael is their cover baby. His mother Kitty is a dear. Pam’s Rhett is featured as is Amy’s Mayson. Yippy for Parenting. They made my day!