Lovin the 50's right now (degrees that is)

Sophia LOVES to swing!

The 3 girls hanging out

 Jayden is practicing her throwing skills

 are you ready for this daddy?

"I've got it!"

...and she caught it!

hey batter, batter, batter!

dad stepping in to assist

and this is how it's done :)

Eye on the ball

SWING!

Sophia watching from her lookout

Hi!

One, Two...

....Three

SLIDE!

Getting ready for our bike ride.



Inspiring things I've read about Down syndrome

I'm still reading my book, Gifts, that was given to me at Christmas, and some of the things I've read have really made a connection with me or just made me think, "wow, I never thought of it that way."  So I thought I would start sharing some of the inspiring things that I've read about Down syndrome from other moms, just like me.

- "....never worry about her.  She's from God and He'll take care of her."-Amy

- "The lows are lower, but the highs are much, much higher."-Jennifer

- "Your  life will have flashes of color you never knew possible."-Mary

- "Life with an extra chromosome is a gift.  A good gift."-Kathryn

- "She is who she is, as she was intended to be."-Rebecca

- "Why me? Why not me?"-Cynthia

- "If I worry about tomorrow, I'm going to miss today; I would miss this very  
    moment."-Gina

- "Our life is better than good.  Sure, we have our tough days, but they have
    nothing to do with Down syndrome.  How can this message be understood
    by those who don't have a person with Down syndrome in their lives?  I
    don't know.  I was one of 'them' and I still don't know.  But I will continue
    trying to build that understanding."-Janine

Mom, HSE students push to end the 'R' word

I love reading stories or articles about people, especially young people, tyring to make a change for the better.  As parents, or older adults, we can be set in our ways and only really know what we had been taught years before.  But in reality, times are ever changing and things that were once acceptable aren't acceptable anymore.  And it's awesome to see young people standing up for what is right, especially when the people they are standing up for may not be able to stand up for themselves.  Check out the article here, that was posted in The Indianapolis Star about ending the 'R' word. 

Stepping outside the box

It's so easy to stay in a place where you are comfortable and feel safe.  Why would you ever want to do anything that takes you out of that comfort zone and throws you into a place or a situation where you are scared, nervous or totally uncomfortable?  I have always lived my life with my "security blanket" right in my hands.  I'm definitely not one to step outside the box.  If something is scary or uncomfortable, I try to avoid it at all costs.  I would much rather pretend that I didn't see something than confront my fears.  But the truth is, this world is full of things that make us uncomfortable and most of the time our feelings of being uncomfortable or scared are based on the lack of knowledge we have about life and people.  I read this post that another man wrote and I imagined myself, not to long ago, thinking the same things.

Communication is something that I worry about with Sophia.  As her mother, I know what she wants.  I know what makes her happy, sad, and mad.  I know how to comfort her and make her feel better.  I know what all her babbles mean and we have our own communication between the two of us right now, but what worries me is that I'm not always going to be there with her to know what she wants or needs all the time.  I want her to be able to express those needs, and be understood, by everyone.  It scares me to think that not only will Sophia not be accepted by certian people because of the fact that she simply has Down syndrome, but to not be accepted, or even recognized, because she may not be able communicate the same way most of us can, hangs a little heavy on my heart.  I don't want people to be scared or uncomfortable around my daughter and therefore dismiss her or pretend like she isn't even there.     

FIELD TRIP!

Today Jayden's preschool class took a field trip to Ostan's Tumbling and Trampoline Academy and we had a blast!  The kids got to spend an hour jumping, climbing, balancing and rolling, and it was FUN! 

Jayden and her teacher, Ms. Angie

 Jayden on the bars

 Side ways on the balance beam, and showing off that pretty smile :)

 Tumbling down the wedge and Sophia getting in on some of that action too!

 Playing with the parachute

 She was so overcome with excitement and wanted to go every where!  I had to cage her :)

 Cracking up over the bubbles

Oh yeah, this girl is standing and has been pulling up and standing all on her own, ALL THE TIME!

Rock wall

Soph and Nana

Bounce!

and more Bouncing!

more balance beam

preschoolers :)

jumping on the trampoline

Outside Play, FINALLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 she had to stop to make #2

just making sure I saw her :)



 Playing, and eating, chaulk

 this leaf looked pretty tasty too

 biker chick

 checking to see how fast Sophia is catching up to her...

 ...and she's right on her tail!

 swing batter, batter, batter

 nothing like a little hopscotch

 and of course Sophia and I had to get in on some of that

 and Woody did too

 then she was outta here!

 Jayden leaving us in her dust

relaxing, why mom does all the work! Typical :)

SOPHIA :)