October 17.

Today has not been my most favorite day. Bleh. I woke up feeling so nasty. I am not sure if it is my teeth or what. But, it set a very grey tone for the day.

Then, Annabelle had a super cranky attitude at breakfast. Grrr. It frustrates me when I can't figure that out.

I had such great plans of getting stuff done around the house, and it just didn't happen like I thought. ALL I wanted to do, and still do, is lay down and let someone else do everything while I watch episodes of How I Met Your Mother. :)

We had Annabelle's 18 month appointment today. Her well checks have always gone pretty well. We have had to do a couple things differently, and have had routine lab works done because of DS, but nothing major. Her pediatrician puts her on the Down Syndrome growth scale, and she has been *mostly* consistent with growth. She's a little one, y'all. In fact, this growth is no longer consistent, but has taken a major plateau. Even on the DS scale, she is measuring super short. Her weight is just OK. Therefore, the doctor wants to see her back in a month and most likely we will be doing some lab work, again.

It doesn't surprise me that the doctor looked concerned, because I know that she hasn't been growing. I have brought it up quite a few times in the past couple months. I am glad that it is being addressed. BUT, because of the kind of day that I am having, I feel sort of like crying a little. But, I don't want to make my head hurt worse, and I don't want to consider feelings/emotions today because overall, it IS "one of those days". So, anyways, that's the latest.

I am excited that this week is going to pick up and hopefully my long face will too. My mother in law is coming tomorrow and will be here for the week. I am excited to hang out with her! THEN, MOPS on Friday, which I love. THEN, BUDDY WALK on Sunday! This week is going to get better. OH, AND, we are supposed to be getting a cold front, which will also help. Maybe I should jump into the season by buying some temporary happiness with BOOTS! :)

October 15.

October 15th randoms:

Happy 18 month birthday to my sweet baby.

My husband is THE BEST!

I am an unsettled "nesting" housewife. You would think I was past 30 weeks pregnant or something. I want to change things in this house every day. Pictures, walls, furniture, high chair covers, furniture placement, etc.. The only word I could use to describe it, is unsettled. Hmpf. ( No, I'm not pregnant.)

I also have a million crafts I want to do.

My mom was going to spend the day with me, taking care of me since I had my wisdom teeth out yesterday. Instead, she got a migraine, and I spent the day with my family at my parent's house, taking care of her. It was nice to laze around with the family today. I love them.

Annabelle fell asleep on my dad today after waking up from a 45 minute nap. I was sure she would not go back down, but she did, snoring and all. They both slept like this for well over an hour. It was pretty precious...


A couple weeks ago at MOPS, we had a different kind of meeting and had a self defense class. I broke a board, and won everyone free kickboxing classes for a month...


I miss my cats. :(

I want to go to Colorado for a vacay this winter, and don't see it happening.

I love this picture of Annabelle at her friend's house...


Annabelle is chatty these days. TRYING so hard to say simple words like: Apple, Duck, Mama and Dada. What I have been LOVING is her stories are sometimes complete with hand gestures...


It's been a nice weekend. :)

October 14.

Look at me! Writing a post just about 2 hours after getting my teeth out! I am feeling well at this moment, but I am still a little bit numb. I can feel it wearing off, so I know I might not feel super great soon. BUT, that is why Craig took the day off. So that I can take some prescribed drugs, and relax. :) I have sent him off to Redbox for 2 movies and Chik Fil A for only the BEST cookies and cream milk shake!

I gotta say, too, that my dentist is the BEST! If you know me well, you know that dental things are one of my biggest anxieties! He did a GREAT job today, and the process seemed so easy. Not what I was expecting. So, if you live in this area, ask me about him and I will give you his info. ;)

Buddy Walk update: We already have a team of 26 registered and more that I know are coming! As far as donations: $0. :( BUT, I am excited for those that will be joining us in the walk!

Off to have a relaxing day...hopefully.

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.