October 13.

Certainly I will never forget, that when we say "HELLO" to Annabelle, she holds her hand to her ear, as if on the phone, instead of waving.

And certainly I will never forget the way Annabelle squirms out of my arms when she sees her daddy. SUCH a daddy's girl, I'm tellin ya!



A little preview from a sweet sweet Snow White photo shoot yesterday.

PS...I am getting my upper wisdom teeth out in the morning. I can't promise a post, but looks like I keep skipping days anyways. ;)

October 11.

I am not too sure who all reads this, but I think that there are some mommas who also have young children with DS. I don't know a whole lot of other parents who have DS children, so when it comes to questions that I have, I either just figure it out, ask our therapists and doctors or try to read something. But, talking to another parent who has "been there, done that" is what I would most likely prefer to do first. Ya know?

Anyway, so I have some questions for any mommas who have "been there, done that" about feeding. Maybe I'm the only one, but I don't think so. Seems that typical children move to table foods quickly and also drink more than just milk, and from cups other than bottles. Annabelle is having issues with liquids, sippy cups and *most* table foods. She is only almost 18 months, and I really don't think she will be going to elementary school eating baby or pureed food and drinking from a bottle, so I am not yet concerned, but would love to see her eat and drink a more variety of things. She LOVES her bottle, and really only wants milk in that bottle. She chews on sippy cups, and yes, we have tried almost all of them. She doesn't particularly like anything else to drink except for milk. As for foods, she will eat anything from a jar, and most fruits and veggies as long as I puree them. She likes them all best if there is some kind of baby cereal mixed in them. You know, brown rice, oatmeal, grains. She will spit anything she does not like right in my face pretty much. She does really well with crackers, and almost any little Gerber snack.

I have been feeling guilty almost that there must be something that I as a mom am doing wrong. Or what am I NOT doing? What else should I try? I try new things with her all the time. Things as simple as making cream of wheat, and chopped up banana chunks. I tried a special thickener in her juice to see if that would help the sippy cup situation, too. So, what else can I do? Is it time to be concerned or should I just give her what I know she wants?

I can't write a post about things Annabelle can't do without saying things that she CAN! She has made great progress with mixed textures over the last few months, and will at least TRY almost anything at least once. She has learned the sign for EAT and is so super close to the sign for MILK! :)

She's the greatest. :)

October 10.

So, I have been slackin on this every day blogging thing. I was excited to do a post about Buddy Walk and wanted it to stick around for a couple days. This team is growing and I am SO excited about it. I got a little teary today when I was thinking about all the people who want to come out and support Annabelle.

She is AMAZING.



Isn't she? Look at that little Jungle Book walk. :)

October 7. THE Buddy Walk Post.

It's hard for me to ask people to come to events,even parties, or ask for donations, even if for a great cause. I would be a terrible sales person, and no one would want to hire me. It's because I don't like people to feel obligated, or think there is anything in it for me. I have backed down when asking for a raise at work, and was never good at those little door to door fund raisers for school. BUT, this time, I can't feel bad. Still, I don't want people to feel obligated or anything, but I am SOOOOOO SUPER DUPER passionate about this, and maybe that's why I don't feel so bad.

October, as you know, is Down Syndrome Awareness month. I want to do my part, big or small to raise awareness for these sweet people. I want people to be aware that these people are more alike the typical than they are different. I love that money raised during this month can go to organizations that help to better the lives of these sweet people. I also LOVE that there are people doing research and studies about Down Syndrome, so they we can help them to be a bigger part of our communities. After doing my own researches every now and then, I have found that we as a society have come SO SO SO far when it comes to special needs and disabilities. I am SO thankful for the parents that fought for our DS and special needs children to do something as simple as go to public school. Before having Annabelle, I knew nothing about DS, and I see that is the case for most people who don't know someone personally with DS. So, I will do my best, along with many others this month, to help others learn something NEW! :)

"The Buddy Walk® was established in 1995 by the National Down Syndrome Society to celebrate Down Syndrome Awareness Month in October and to promote acceptance and inclusion of people with Down syndrome. Today, the Buddy Walk program is supported nationally by NDSS and organized at the local level by parent support groups, schools and other organizations and individuals.

Over the past sixteen years, the Buddy Walk program has grown from 17 walks to nearly 300 expected in 2011 across the country and around the world. Last year alone, 285,000 people participated in a Buddy Walk! They raised more than $11.2 million to benefit local programs and services as well as the national advocacy initiatives that benefit all individuals with Down syndrome.

The Buddy Walk is a one-mile walk in which anyone can participate without special giftraining. It is an inspirational and educational event that celebrates the many abilities and accomplishments of people with Down syndrome. Whether you have Down syndrome, know someone who does, or just want to show your support, come and join a Buddy Walk in your local community!" -(from BuddyWalk.org)

This year, some of my sweet MOPS friends really encouraged me to do a team. So, we are. On October 23, will be Annabelle's Angels! I would love anyone to join our team, and if you are unable to join and come, you can still be a part of our team by donating HERE. It's super easy, and you can do it from across the world. :) I have a pretty small goal of raising $500. The Down Syndrome Association of Central Texas is a wonderful resource for our community, and amazing for new parents of these sweet kiddos. I would LOVE to see you help support them and all that they do for our families and friends. If you would actually like to come to Buddy Walk, and cheer on my sweet baby girl, please leave me a comment and I can tell you HOW! :) It's going to be an amazing time, and I can't wait too show Annabelle pictures someday, and tell her all about these sweet people who came out to support HER and her friends. I don't doubt that she will be lovingly appreciative.

October 4.

Found out today that October raises awareness for all kinds of things, and is also National PIZZA month. Since I love pizza, I think that's cool. :)

Today feels like it has been a long day, and I am so tired. Annabelle crashed in her daddy's arms tonight as he was singing to her. Pretty adorable. She also just might be saying the word, "DUCK". I'll try to remember to get it on video soon. I have always thought that she says, "Dada", and sometimes I think I hear, "Mama". So, I can't say that duck is her first word. :D Good.

I gotta end the day, what 30 minutes might be left of it, on the couch with the husby. He is also not feeling great now, which means all 3 of us need a little extra attention. ;)

Night night.

October 3.

"Bittersweet October. The mellow, messy, leaf-kicking, perfect pause
between the opposing miseries of summer and winter."
- Carol Bishop Hipps


I really love this month! It is one of my most favorite!

This morning has been lazy, which is perfect for a Monday. I cancelled 2 ECI appointments because Annabelle and I are both feeling icky. So, today will be filled with coffee, couch time and time catch up on small projects! Even though I feel icky and a little bit worn down, the crisp air and sunshine have me feeling so refreshed. I can't WAIT to get my Scentsy order in so that my house smells of pumpkins and cinnamon and everything cozy FALL! :)

October 2.

Last year, I participated in the "31 for 21" Down Syndrome Awareness. You are to blog every 31 days for the month of October. October is Down syndrome awareness month. Down syndrome is caused by having an extra 21st chromosome, so hence the number 21. "31 for 21!"

This year, I will do my best. Even if it is just a picture or a couple words, I will do my best to blog for the rest of the month. I already missed yesterday, SO I will make it up by posting an adorable video! :)

Annabelle has not been feeling well this weekend at all, and it has been a little rough. I got only a few hours of sleep on Friday, and feel like I am still trying to catch up on that. She just has a gross cold, the worst I have seen her have yet. Poor baby. I wish I could take it from her. So, we have stayed home this weekend and done pretty much nothing. This little girl decided it was a good time to do THIS, all on her own:
I was pretty proud to walk into the living room and see that she had figured this out! Sometimes we try to help her with it, but she is all about figuring things out in her time. ;) Now, she looks for that little walker and just takes off. This is awesome, friends!

I also took the time at home yesterday to finish this cute outfit for her:

AND THIS is one of my new fave pics. She was playing puzzles with some little friends, and it looks like she is at school. I love it.

And, this snuggle time has happened a lot more this weekend than usual. She is pretty wiggly normally, so I have soaked up this sweet time with her:


I will do my best for this Awareness by blog, and please look out for a special post all about BUDDY WALK! This year we have a team: Annabelle's Angels.