{31 For 21} Down Syndrome Awareness

October is Down syndrome Awareness Month.  Before I had Kennedy, I can honestly say that I didn't know much about Down syndrome.  I didn't even personally know anyone with Down syndrome.  I was shocked and terrified.  It took a few weeks and a lot of time spent reading blogs to realize that things weren't all that different after all.  Not long after that, I started this blog.  Partially as a way to keep friends and family informed, and partially as a means of documenting my feelings and everything that was going on.  In my head, I hoped that it would also help raise awareness and educate, as well as help others beginning on a similar journey.

I think I've done a pretty good job of raising awareness, and helping others understand that Kennedy, and all individuals with Down syndrome are more alike than different.  They have hopes, dreams and feelings just like everyone.  They are productive members of society and their lives have value, no matter how many chromosomes they have.

Last year I participated in the 31 for 21 blog challenge.  I blogged every day in the month of October to help raise awareness.  Some days were more in depth topics, and other days were just photos.  It's pretty obvious that I've been blogging a lot less the past several months.  In fact, I only have posted 80 times this year.  And now I'm taking on the task of posting 31 times in the next month.  I'm a little nervous.  Free time isn't in my vocabulary these days, and time to blog is a rarity.  That said, a ot has changed in one year.  Kennedy is growing up and learning all sorts of things!  I'm hoping that this challenge will help me find the time to get back into regular blogging.  After all, with as little as I've written lately, I should have a lot to say!

Most importantly, there will be a lot of cuteness. 

Hey brother!  Wake up and play with me!

 In an attempt to let Caleb nap, I recruited Kennedy to help pack for an upcoming trip.  Some helper she is....I had quite a mess!

What do you mean the trash can isn't a push toy?

Sure mom...I'll play with toys. All of them!

This is fun.  But not as much fun as playing with trash or clothes.

Hi mom!!!!

 

Yaaaay!!!!  Caleb is awake!  I'm going to give him kisses.

I lied

You're stuck with me for one more week of consecutive blogging.  November 1st-7th is Down syndrome Awareness week in Canada.  I know, I know.  I don't live anywhere near Canada.  And I hope I never do (remember, I'm a Florida girl.)  But I do have some Canadian readers.  And like I said in my post earlier this week, just because Down syndrome Awareness month is over, doesn't mean that we stop trying to raise awareness. 

Okay, that said.  I still don't have a whole lot else to say about Down syndrome.  But as usual, I have cute pictures, and I can always come up with something to say about Kennedy.  Today she continued to prove what a diva she is.  She was totally willing to practice her crawling skills for me this morning.  In fact, she even got up on her knees on her own.  This is huge progress people.  Until today, the only time she'd get on her knees was when she was sleeping!  Of course, when she tried to move, she face planted.  Fortunately, we have a squishy new exercise mat, so her face plant was softened. 

Mom!  Don't take my picture.  I have bed head from my pigtails!  I don't care if I AM on my knees!

How the heck am I supposed to do this mom?

Today was EI.  We met Amanda at the park, in hopes that it would make for a more pleasant and productive session.  Kennedy loved it.  She was talking away and enjoying every minute of Amanda pushing her on the swing.  Then she took her out and actually tried to do something with her, and Kennedy threw a fit.  

Hey mom, that's my friend swinging next to me.

And these next two pictures made me realize how big she's getting.  Seriously, who said my baby girl could turn into a little girl so quick?

31 For 21: Happy Halloween

Happy Halloween from the cutest pink elephant around (and her mommy!)

Kennedy made the most of her first Halloween, even though she slept through part of it.  She was the hit of the neighborhood and didn't want the fun to end.  Holidays truly are better with kids, and even though mom and dad probably enjoyed this more than Kennedy, it was wonderful making such great memories and starting new traditions.  Here are some pictures from Kennedy's first Halloween!

Yes, I know, I'm the cutest pink elephant in town.

Being a pink elephant on the sidewalk is REALLY funny mom.

Can I just sit here and wave at all the people driving by?  I know they think I'm cute.

I can't believe you're bringing me to the grocery store like this.  I'm taking a nap.

Dad, I warned you trick or treating at Publix would be lame.  This isn't even worth being awake.

Enjoying my first Halloween with mom and dad!

Trick or treating!

This is so much fun mom!

Did you hear those people?  They think I'm cute.  I totally knew it mom.

 Remember that nap I took during trick or treating?  Now I don't wanna sleep.  Keep walking, I like the Halloween decorations around the neighborhood.

On another note, the 31 for 21 Challenge is coming to an end tonight.  I hope I didn't bore my readers too much.  I also hope that you all learned something, and can pass it along to your friends or family.  Just because the month is up, it doesn't mean that Down syndrome awareness comes to an end.  I would say that you won't be hearing from me for a few days, but tomorrow is Kennedy's PT eval, and Wednesday we're testing out a new theory for Early Intervention, so I'll probably have updates on that.  But you definitely won't be seeing daily posts for awhile!

31 For 21: More About Awareness (and a Baby in a Pumpkin)

As October comes to a close, I just want to remind everyone that my point of blogging every day this month was for Down syndrome Awareness Month.  I didn't talk about Down syndrome every day, but then again, we don't think about Down syndrome every day.  It doesn't rule our lives.  But Kennedy, who happens to have an extra chromosome does rule our lives.  Of course, even if she didn't have that extra chromosome, she still would!

This month I talked about heartwarming stories, discovering strength, and how people with Down syndrome are more alike than different.  I gave you facts about Down syndrome and facts about Kennedy.  I asked you to use people first language, and I shared survery results about how great peoples' lives with Down syndrome are.  I talked about Kennedy's therapy and I shared TONS of pictures of her.  I also blogged a lot about nothing.  I'm sure I probably bored you all to death, and you'll probably be thrilled that as of Tuesday, I'll be back to blogging every other day or so.  (Of course, with the holidays coming there will be tons of pictures.)

I've asked a lot of things of my readers.  I've asked you not to use the "r" word.  I've asked you to use people first language.  I've asked you to treat individuals with Down syndrome the same as you would anyone else.  Now I'm asking you to share what I've told you.  Help me make others aware.  I'm challenging you to share my blog with your friends.  Post it on Facebook.  Tell your friends about it.  Pass on the information that I've shared with you.  Help me get the message across that life with Down syndrome is wonderful, and that my daughter, and others with Down syndrome are more alike than different.  I am living proof that most people don't know a lot about Down syndrome until their lives are touched by it.  I didn't know much about it until I had Kennedy.  I want to change that, but I need your help.

And now, what you're all waiting for.  Pictures of a baby in a pumpkin.  But before I share the pictures of the baby in the pumpkin, I have a few other pictures from today's Halloween festivities.  ENJOY!

Happy Halloween Everyone!!!

 I love playing in the hay!!

Isn't this stuff so much fun mom?

Hey dad, come play in the hay with me?

You have no idea what you're missing.

Mom, I feel like someone's watching me.

I love this time of year!  Why can't we always have hay?

I can't wait to carve pumpkins with mommy and daddy!

Mom...are you for real?  This is kinda squishy.

I might like squishy.  It feels neat between my toes.

I can't believe I'm in a pumpkin, NAKED, in the front yard.

Mom!!  The neighbors just drove by!

This is a lot better.  Watching daddy carve my pumpkins.

Excuse me mom?  AGAIN?  I thought we were done with this. Dad, can you help me out here?

Why are you laughing so hard mom?

Okay, you're right.  I'm sure this is pretty funny.  Are we almost done?

I'm getting over this mom.  Hurry up.

I mean it!  I'm D.O.N.E.!!!!!!

31 For 21: Survey Says

I decided that maybe I really DO have a lot to say, but by the time I sit down to blog at night, I'm way too tired to think.  So, today starts a new attempt at blogging earlier in the day.

Recently the Children's Hospital of Boston released findings from recent surverys.  The results indicated the following things:
  - 79% of parents surveyed said that their outlook on life is more positive because of their child with
    Down syndrome.
  - 97% of siblings over 12 said that they felt pride about their sibling with Down syndrome.
  - 88% believed that they were better people because of their sibling with Down syndrome.
  - 99% of adults with Down syndrome surveyed said that they were happy with their lives.
  - 97% of adults said they were happy with their lives.
  - 96% of adults were happy with their looks.

A new test for Down syndrome "hit the market" this week.  It's a non-invasive blood test that can be done as early as 9 weeks.  Currently, about 90% of pregnancies are terminated upon diagnosis of Down syndrome.  Now that the test can be performed even earlier, it's likely that this number will rise.  I truly wish that society could see just how wonderful life is with children like Kennedy.

Speaking of Kennedy, here are some new photos.  We attempted a Halloween photo shoot today, but I guess neither of us were really feeling it, and it went south pretty much before it got started.  We'll try again another day.  Kennedy also has a new hobby.  Flinging food.  Either before or after the spoon enters/exits her mouth,  she swings the spoon around, therefore flinging food across the kitchen counters, cabinets, and floor.

Happy Halloween!!

Hmm...this is interesting.  I bet this would feel good on my teeth.

Where's the hay?  That was fun to play in.

Can we go trick or treating yet?

Hey Grandma, these are the pumpkins I made daddy buy me.

Mom, I'm over this.

Yummmm!!!

Mom, you might want to clean that up before dad comes home.

31 for 21: Awareness and Good News!

October is apparently the month of raising awareness for a lot of things.  Most commonly you're hearing about Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  I kept thinking, if half of the people who talk about Breast Cancer Awareness, talked about Down syndrome Awareness, there would be a lot more people who are educated and not so intimidated by Down syndrome. 

Well, today I saw a pleasant surprise.  Tori Spelling tweeted and Facebooked about Down syndrome Awareness month, and shared a very personal story from one of her friends who has a son with Ds.  Before having Kennedy, I was never a big blog reader, but I've turned into an avid one.  Reading Lisa's story brought back so many memories, and brought tears to my eyes.  I've read countless blogs, and 99% of them bring about tears. 

You see, once you have a child with Down syndrome, you automatically enter into this community of people who know exactly what you're going through.  You're not alone.  You're all advocating for your children, and you can all learn from each other.  There's always someone who understands, and is willing to guide you through the struggles.  Whether they be emotional, physical, or just informative.  I have to admit, this is a pretty awesome community of people to be a part of.  I'm really lucky to have "met" so many wonderful people, whether in person, over the phone, or on the computer. 

You should definitely check out Tori's post, Down But Not Out, featuring Lisa's story.  My favorite line in this story is, "My son is plus one (chromosome) but not minus anything."  I could not have said this any better.  


The past two or three weeks have been a real battle for me, working with our state program, Early Steps.  I feel as if we're getting no where.  After much discussion with my husband, we decided to seek the help of a third party.  Someone not employed or contracted by the state.  You know, people who actually make recommendations on the needs of the child, and NOT based on budgets.  I contacted Hope Haven, in Jacksonville to have Kennedy set up for an evaluation.  Hope Haven is well known for their services relating to children with Down syndrome.  I didn't realize it at the time, but people come from all over the world to seek their services.  We're fortunate to live just three hours away!  I nearly had a heart attack when the woman told me they were scheduling for SEPTEMBER!!!!  I was fortunate that she was able to fit me in where they had a cancellation in December!!  So, on December 7th, we'll be meeting with a group of experts to find out a true assessment of what we should be doing to help Kennedy reach her fullest potential.  I am so fortunate that we were able to get in so soon!