Springtime

I haven't updated in a while so I figured I would share a little about what has been going on since the start of spring. Connor is very into climing and we will find him sitting on top of his train table, the coffee table, the couch...you name it and he will find a way to get up there! Connor is absolutely loving the outdoors and we spend as much time as possible outside. He loves the swings and the slide, the sandbox, the water table and even seems to love walking around on the grass (holding hands of course!). He has started to master a hands and feet bear walk on the driveway...I think crawling in shorts on the pavement hurts his knees. Hopefully this will encourage him to stand up and takeoff but for now the bear walk is kind of cute =) Connor enjoys going for runs in the jogging stroller which is great for me and we have run to the park a few times. Connor's favorite thing right now is definitely the giant bathtub (heated pool) at Mem and Pa's house. Since we have been having some fantastic weather lately, we have spent many afternoons enjoying splashing in the water. Today we went to the Memorial Day Parade at the town common. Connor's favorite part was playing in the rocks in front of the fire station, but he did clap as the parade went by. He was not impressed by the marching band and hugged me tight and even started to cry, but as soon as they passed, the fire trucks arrived and he was able to see Pa, Uncle Andy and Daddy and started to clap and smile again =) Makayla is enjoying this great weather as well. She has been counting down the days left at school, though I do think she will be sad when Pre-K is over. She loves going! She has been practicing riding her new Pinkalicious bike and learning to swim without her floaties!

Push Toy - Walking

Connor made some great progress today! He has taken steps behind a push toy a few times, but has refused to for months. He finally decided that maybe it is worth giving it a try =) I am so proud!

Food Allergies - Birthday Party

I haven't written much if anything about Makayla's food allergies since starting this blog, but have been thinking about it a lot lately. She has severe allergies to dairy, egg, peanuts and tree nuts. She was diagnosed with dairy and egg allergies when she was 9 months old and with the peanut and tree nut allergies when she was a year. It has become part of our life and we have tried not to make a huge deal out of it, but at times it can be very hard to deal with. She learned at a very young age that there were certain foods that she cannot have because they will make her "itchy" or sick. She has had a few moderate allergic reactions to dairy and remembers how she felt during the reactions so she understands why she can't have certain foods.

When we are home, living with the food allergies has just become a natural thing for us. Makayla knows what she can and can't eat and it really doesn't come up very often. Going out to eat can be a little tricky, but we can usually find at least one thing that is safe for her to eat. I was worried when she started school, but they have been awesome about keeping her safe while there and always ask about everthing they will have during parties.

The hardest thing at this point is attending birthday parties. Makayla usually cannot eat the meal or the cake and we have to bring food from home. She is usually really good about it, but it is heartbreaking at times. All of the kids are sitting there eating pizza, and we pull out a ham sandwich. Then comes the cake and ice cream and we give her some oreos. Like I said, Makayla has never once complained, but it really does break my heart that she is never included at a birthday party. When we have family parties (or ones with really close friends), someone always makes sure that there are some things that Makayla can have such as soy ice cream sandwiches or candy, but it is still usually something different from all the other kids.

We went to a birthday party this weekend for a friend of Makayla and she was able to eat just about everything there!  Makayla's friend has a younger sister with the same allergies and the mother made sure that most of the food there was allergy friendly. Makayla was sooo excited to be included and able to eat the cake with all of the other kids. It made me realize how excluded she musT feel all the other times, and I am going to try to do a better job of making sure she feels included. There was even a dairy free fruit dip that she could eat =)

I do not expect other parents to make allergy friendly meals/cakes because honestly it would be impossible to remove all of the most common allergens. But I am going to make sure I ask what will be served at the party and try to bring something as close as possible for Makayla to eat. Maybe make some cupcakes and freeze them so we can always bring a cupcake instead of the oreos.

Like I said, we have tried not to make a big deal out of it, and in the big picture it is minor considering everything else that has been thrown at us, but I think maybe we should make a bigger deal about it to be sure that Makayla does not feel left out or excluded!!!

Happy Easter!!

Happy Easter!!! We had a very busy and fun filled day. We started the morning out with an easter egg hunt and the kids opening their baskets from the Easter Bunny. We went for breakfast at Mem & Pa's and dinner at Aunt Eileen & Uncle Tim's house. Yummy food all day long and of course way to many presents for the kids!

World Down Syndrome Day!

Connor is a 26 month old, blond hair, blue eyed boy.

Connor is honestly the happiest kid I have ever met and I am not just saying that because he is my son. When we go to the grocery store or the mall, it takes so much longer than it should because Connor waves and smiles to everyone which causes them to stop and everyone always smiles back.

• Connor gives the best hugs. He wraps his arms as wide and as tight around you as he can. He places his head on your shoulder and squeezes as hard as he can.
• Connor loves to give kisses You have to be careful when asking for a kiss because for the most part he will blow a nice kiss, but if he really likes you then he will give you a big open mouth, wet kiss.
• Connor has many friends and loves to go on playdates especially to the park. The swing is the greatest invention in Connor's mind.

• Connor loves going to music class and swim lessons. Splashing in the water is an all time favorite. Pool, bath, dog bowl, doesn't really matter, it is all fun to Connor.
• Connor is the best little brother. Sure, he annoys his big sister Makayla when he steals her toys or food, but it is very apparent that she loves him with all her heart and would do anything for her baby brother. They really are great friends.

• Connor loves his 2 big cousins as well and makes sure that even though he is the youngest, he will not be left behind. He chases them everywhere they go and they adore him. 
• Connor loves to play and his favorite toys include trucks, stacking cups, blocks, trains, bubbles, and musical instruments.
• Connor loves to play ball especially with Makayla. They will roll and throw a ball back and forth for the longest time.
• Connor loves to cuddle with our dog, Loxi.
• Connor loves to climb stairs and loves to go down slides face first on his belly.
• Connor loves to read books and loves to listen to me sing. His favorite songs are Itsy Bitsy Spider and the Wheel on the Bus.

• Connor loves to do yoga videos with me and is actually very good at it. He is very flexible and has mastered Downward Dog position.

• Connor is very compassionate and when someone is upset, he makes sure to give them a big hug and then smiles and even laughs to try to cheer them up. Makayla bumped her knee the other day and started crying. Connor started cracking up out of know where which forced her to laugh and she kept saying no Connor I am crying, not laughing, but soon forgot about the sore knee.
• Connor has a amazing sense of humor and laughs at the most random things. He is so silly. He finds everything funny and you cannot help but smile when you are around him.
• Connor has Down syndrome.

Since today is World Down Syndrome Day, I would like to include some general facts about it, but would like to stress that there is nothing negative about Down syndrome. Yes, Connor has an extra chromosome, but it makes him that much more special. I would not change a thing about Connor. Down syndrome is nothing to be afraid of. It is a blessing. He is absolutely perfect just the way he is. As seen above, Down Syndrome is just a very small part of Connor.

  

Facts about Down Syndrome

Down syndrome is the most common genetic condition. One in approximately 700 babies is born with Down syndrome. It is caused by an additional copy of the 21st chromosome. Some common characteristics of Down syndrome include flattened bridge of nose, almond shaped eyes, small ears, protruding tongue, short fingers and toes, and a horizontal crease in the palm of hand. People with Down syndrome may have developmental delays to varying degrees, but as I have learned, there is nothing that they cannot do if they put their mind to it. Each person with or without Down syndrome is an individual just like the rest of us and deserves respect, love, and the opportunity to succeed.

Happy World Down Syndrome Day!!!



Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Happy St. Patty's Day! We spent this gorgeous afternoon at Uncle Andy's house with family and friends and we all had a great time! The corned beef and cabbage dinner was excellent and the kids had lots of fun exploring the woods and stream in Uncle Andy's new backyard. Thank you Andy for a great time =)