October 19-2

So, does two posts in a day make up for the posts I miss during this 31 for 21 Challenge?

I have not had the greatest week. I have been learning some life lessons I guess, and been presented with some tough situations. Situations I am NOT used to. But, I guess I am learning, and I am really really praying for some PEACE.

Maybe these pictures will make up for the icky week and my lack of posts...

October 19.

Ok, no, for real, this week WILL get better. Starting this morning. ;)

My MIL is here, so now I will pretend to be on vacation for a few days.


I might overload you with videos, but this girl is just too cute...
She fell asleep on daddy the other day, and her snoring was pretty adorable.




She tries so hard to walk while holding onto anything that will move. She found a box, and scooted herself across the floor...



Today, I am on the boot mission.

Little brownie face.

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. :)