It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

The last few days weeks have been a blur of activity. We've seemingly gone from one activity to another. Here are some of the pictures from the last few weeks...

Making cookies:

Attempting to stand and cheering for herself:

Aiden wanted to make a magic wand for our friend who babysits him. He came up with the idea all by himself. Luckily, I found this great kit after he said that he wanted to make her a magic wand. He also colored her a picture and told me what to write to her. The best part is how he sticks out his tongue when he's concentrating:

Maddie just being cute. Notice the monkey she has in her mouth, she has chosen him to be her "lovey". You should see the way she lights up when we put him down with her... so cute!

Maddie's graduated from the baby bathtub to the sink, and it's really cute!!

Grant's sister, Laura, made this apron for Aiden for Christmas. We opened it before we left for Florida, and he loves it!! In case you can't read it, it says "Aiden's Cafe" on top and then his tag-line he came up with for his little restaurant, "I believe you'll like it!" down below. In this picture he was talking to me like I was recording him and said, "Today we're going to make cupcakes," like he was the host of a show on the Food Network. The kid cracks me up!

Ok, so I condensed some of the posts and just have one big Christmas week post left and then I should be caught up with the blog! Yay!!

Impromptu Day

Most Fridays are busy days here. Aiden doesn't have school Friday mornings and Maddie usually has two appointments, Developmental Therapy in the morning and Speech Therapy in the afternoon. So when both our appointments got cancelled, we had a free day to do anything we wanted.

I was so happy because Aiden had been asking to go to the Children's Museum for quite some time and this was the perfect opportunity.

We gassed up the car and headed out...

Ha ha! Not really, but Aiden did get to gas up a smart car at the museum.

Maddie even enjoyed the infant room at the museum, but Aiden was antsy to get to the water room.

Aiden spent the majority of his time in the water room and the craft room. He loves painting and usually has to make a few paintings before we leave. He was also able to make paper this time, and enjoyed it so much that he did it twice in a row before moving on to something else.

The museum has this huge two story wall that the kids can climb through. It's usually crawling with kids and so busy that it looks like a beehive. Aiden is usually too cautious to go through it for this reason, but at the end of the day no one was in it and he was brave enough to give it a try. He LOVED it!

 We were all tuckered out at the end of the day, but had a great time! I LOVE impromptu days, they are the best. These are the days that fill my heart and keep me going and they are the days that will stick in my head and forever! The smile on Aiden's face was priceless and I would do just about anything to have him look at me like that everyday!

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree...

Ok, I'm really behind in my blogging. I have started 5 different posts and haven't finished one yet. So I'm going to go back and finish the posts that I started. I'm hoping to eventually catch up to more current events.

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The beginning of fall is my most favorite time. However, Christmas time is a close second. I like the fall because it's still warm enough to get outside and do things without freezing to death, there is the farmers market, the warm fall colors, pumpkins and pumpkin patches, and Zoo Boo. It seems like the entire month of October is jam packed with fun things to do.

But, December is just as busy and, although cold, just as fun. I love how the warm colors of fall have melted into deep, rich colors that can warm you just from looking at them. The pumpkins are gone, but replacing them are poinsettias with their huge burgundy leaves. There are twinkling lights everywhere you look, and the way they light up a living room makes it so much more cozy to snuggle into. The hot chocolate and marshmallows that melt away the cold, and the smell of a fresh tree right inside your house, not to mention the stories, cookies and songs, all warm me from the inside, out.

We spent Thanksgiving with my Mom this year and had a great time with everyone. When we got home, we decided that it was either get the Christmas Tree up now or wait another week, possibly two, before Grant had time again to help. So after driving 6 hours home from Mom's, we drove straight to pick out our Christmas tree.

It took us no time at all to pick out a tree, and before we knew it, it was on top of our car and we were on our way home, with decorations, ready to unload, unpack, and decorate.

This year Aiden was able to help us put decorations on the tree and he was excited to be able to do it. He was especially happy to put his decorations on the tree.

Unfortunately, he really thought this ornament was a real cookie and kept trying to eat it.

Maddie sat around supervising us and eating biscuits, but enjoyed herself none-the-less.

Aiden with the small tree for the kids' bedroom. He was really excited to be able to have a christmas tree in his room.

One disadvantage to having Aiden help decorate the tree was that most of the ornaments ended up in one spot, but it was cute, so we left it there.

I was excited for Aiden to be able to put the star on top of the tree this year. I have fond memories of my brother and I sitting on my dad's shoulders, putting the angel on the top of the tree, and I was anxious for Aiden to be able to start this tradition.

Our tree and Christmas decorations look about the same as last years, but as we were decorating, I remembered the anticipation I had last year about what this year would be like. So many things have changed this year, but I remember thinking that this year our family would be a little more complete than last year, and with Maddie's arrival, it is.

I am looking forward to all the things this Christmas season has to offer, and all the new memories we will make.

Here Comes Santa Clause...

Aiden was SO excited to see Santa this year. He talked for weeks about what he was going to tell him he wanted for Christmas, and asked almost daily if we could go see him. I was excited because last year, Aiden was terrified of Santa and would only "sit" on his lap, if I held him and sat on Santa's lap. I just want to say... it was awkward.

The day came to see the Big Man, and Aiden made him a list so that he would remember what to tell him he would like. We got in line to see Santa and Aiden was silent (this doesn't happen often). When we got up to the front of the line, Aiden was clutching his list, but still seemed excited. The elves finally told us it was our turn and Maddie welcomed the Bearded Guy with open arms and a smile. Aiden on the other hand, closed his eyes tight and walked as far away from him as he possibly could get, clutching Grant's leg instead of the list.

Grant and I didn't push him too much to talk to Santa, I don't want to scar him for life, but we helped him read his list to Santa. Aiden was still speechless. After reading off Aiden's list for him, we attempted to take a picture. For most of the pictures, Aiden has his eyes shut tight and his hands over his eyes just in case someone tried to pry his eyes open. Grant stood next to Aiden holding him just next to Santa and after some "Don't smile, Aiden"s, we get this...

Ripping off the Bandaid

When Maddie was first born, Grant and I needed to take a little time to sit with Maddie's Down syndrome diagnosis. We only told a select number of people, because we weren't ready for all of our family and friends to know at first. But, after a few days, we knew it was something we needed to tell people. Not that we were necessarily ready, but it wasn't something we could, or even wanted, to hide. It was like ripping a bandaid off, you don't really want to, but the bleeding had stopped, momentarily, and it was time to give the wound a little fresh air. We were incredibly proud of our new, beautiful, and wonderful daughter, but we weren't sure how people were going to react. So, in order not to relive it over and over, we sent an email to most people letting them know what was going on, and others heard it second hand from friends or family.

After the news was out, it was much easier to see and face people. I didn't have to worry about their reactions, or judgements, or anything else that may have gone along with it, because they had already done that before they saw us. As a result, I have not had much practice telling people about Maddie. In the beginning, I had this urge to tell everyone I met, the man checking us out at the grocery store, or the woman who stopped to stare at her in Ikea, I never did, but the urge was there. Then I realized, that I didn't HAVE to tell anyone, unless it was something that I wanted to tell them, and that complete strangers didn't fall into this category.

Since Aiden has started school, I've gotten to know some of the other parents a little better. At first, these parents fell into the 'complete strangers' category, and they didn't need to know, but they aren't complete strangers anymore. There are times that Maddie and I are in the viewing room watching Aiden and other parents will come up. Inevitably, they start to ask normal questions about Maddie, is she crawling yet, talking yet, etc. There is always backpedaling on their part to reassure me that kids develop at their own rate when they find out that she's not doing these things yet. And, with a couple of parents, I have felt like they have been searching for some answers because they know that something is a little different with Maddie.

At first, I was hesitant to say anything. Because of my lack of experience in telling people I wasn't exactly sure how and when to say it. I was also afraid of having to see, hear, and feel peoples reactions when they found out. And lastly, I didn't want people to define Maddie by her Down syndrome and assume things about her based on any stereotypes or assumptions that they have about people with Down syndrome.

An opportunity arose the other day when two women, with children similar ages to Maddie, were asking questions. The backpedaling and inquisitive questions began, and I decided to just say it. My heart was racing, and I could feel that pit in my stomach start to grow. I was ripping the bandaid off... again. I'm not sure what I expected, but my worst case scenario didn't happen, however, neither did my best case scenario. Both women were respectful, and asked questions, but had assumptions like Down syndrome runs in our families, and that it only happens to older women. It made me wonder what else they assumed, but weren't saying.

As we were talking, I realized that one of my new roles as Maddie's mom is to educate people about Down syndrome, for the sake of my daughter. Before Maddie was born, I didn't know much, so I hope that I can do it correctly, but I'm sure I will make mistakes along that road. It's part of the learning process. What I wanted these women to know most of all, is that Madelyn is not that much different than their children, that it will take her a little bit longer to get where their children are, that she may need a little more help doing it, and that it's ok. Different doesn't equal worse or bad. It adds diversity to our lives and our world, and we're all a little different in some ways. Just look at this little ham, who requested a bow tie, like the Cat in the Hat, but blue! :)

It has gotten easier, the bandaid doesn't stick as much, and since this incident, the opportunity to tell another parent came up again, however, this time, I got the response that I wanted and needed. It went a little something like this,

Her: How old is Maddie again?
Me: Almost 10 months
Her: I bet she's crawling all over and just getting into everything!
Me: No, not yet.
Her: Well (slight pause), all kids are different... It'll be no time before she is.
Me: Maddie actually has Down syndrome, so (interrupted by Her)
Her: Oh, so it's just going to take her a little longer than other kids.
Me: (smiling and trying to hold back from crying and hugging her at the same time) Yes, just a little longer.


The conversation went to something else after this, I don't remember what, but I will never forget this part of it. This woman has no idea the amount of acceptance and understanding she gave me in that one little sentence, even before I had a chance to say anything. It was amazing. Before this happened, I wasn't sure what kind of response I wanted, but as soon as she said it, I knew that was it. I will forever be grateful to this woman for not only accepting my baby immediately, but for also showing me what I was missing by not telling people. Because, not only are there going to be negative reactions (not that the previous conversation had been negative, it just wasn't filled with the understanding that went along with this one), but there are also going to be positive reactions, and I won't know which one I'm going to get unless I put it out there.

A few days after both of these conversations, the director at the school met me at the door to let me in. She said that Aiden's teacher told her that Madelyn had Down syndrome and then shared with me that she had had a son with Down syndrome who passed away when he was 13 from heart problems. She told me that he was the best thing that she has ever had in her life and that he brought so much joy to her in those short 13 years. She also said that it was so hard for her at first, but that it only got easier because he was so easy to love. I agreed with her, loving Maddie has never been the hard part, but learning to love the Down syndrome has been a struggle at times.

The instant connection I have with other mothers of children with Down syndrome, the shared bond between us, this common knowledge of what we have gone through, and our endless love for our children, the wish for acceptance and love for our children is an amazing thing. I wondered how badly it stung for her as she ripped the bandaid off to tell me about her son, but she did tell me that seeing Maddie brought a lot of memories back for her. I hope that they were good memories and I am so appreciative that she was willing to share and open up with me.

Life's Beauty

"The clarity of life’s beauty is more evident when the struggle for that beauty is more difficult." - Paul Daugherty


This quote seems fitting for our last few months and then the turn of events last week. For months Maddie has been progressing very nicely. She's done a wonderful job babbling, smiling, lifting her head up, reaching for toys, etc, but I feel like there have been no major developments since she was 7 weeks old and she started rolling over. So, for the last 7 months we have been working on the next step, and it's finally here!

Maddie is sitting up, and it is BEAUTIFUL! After months of physical therapy and practice, she's sitting up! I was hesitant to announce it at first, thinking that I might be prematurely jumping the gun, but she's doing it, and for long stretches at a time, too. She will start to wobble and quickly corrects herself so that she doesn't fall over. She's finally got the hang of it, and is loving her newfound independence. She loves that she can see more, play more, and is down on the ground with Aiden actually playing instead of lying next to him. 

I don't think I appreciated sitting up with Aiden as much as I do now with Maddie. One day, shortly after Aiden was 5 months old, he just decided that it was time to sit on his own. We hadn't really practiced it with him much, just a few times, and he got it. So it wasn't as big of a deal as it is now with Maddie. Don't get me wrong, I was happy and proud of Aiden when he did it, but I hadn't invested a lot into making him do it. With Maddie, not only have I invested time and energy into practicing with her, but a team of people have invested time and energy into her, too. It makes it extra sweet, and special, and I couldn't be more elated about it.

Aiden is excited about this new turn of events, too. He can interact and play with Maddie more than he could before. And, they are adorable playing together! This was the image I had in my head when I was pregnant with Maddie, imagining Aiden playing with his sister.

Although, I have started to see some jealousy come out during their playing together. Maddie can get into more of his things and he has a hard time sharing his toys with her. He will often take away something she has been playing with, and replace it with something else. I guess he figures if he gives her a different toy, then it doesn't matter what he took away from her. We're going to need a little work on this. Luckily, Maddie is pretty easy-going and willingly accepts the new toy every time. Hopefully, we can work on this with Aiden before Maddie starts to get upset about it.

There's more news, too. She's waving "Hi" and lifting her arms in the air for a game of "So Big!"! She knows when I am waving to her and will wave back, stop when I stop, and start back up when I do! I took a sign language class after Maddie was born at the hospital and they said that a good time to start signing with your child is when they can wave, because it means that they have made the connection that a sign actually means something. I have been signing things at mealtimes to her for a while, but you better believe I'm ready to start doing more!!


She has also figured out how to turn on one of her favorite toys. This toy has been such a great motivator for her since she was born. It's the first toy she started to track with her eyes. She loves that it lights up and that it plays music, and will stop anything else that she is doing when this toy turns on. The fact that she can now control it and make it play over and over, fascinates her.


Next stop is crawling, but I'm going to sit and savor these milestones for a little bit longer!