Cupcake Anyone?

Halloween was sweet to us. 

"What do you mean you are going to eat my candy when I go to bed?!?"

One thing we  learned this year? Mikey has mad carving skills.

This marks the end of my first 31 for 21. It was definitely a challenge, shown by the fact that I think I have maybe 21 for 21. I didn't cover as many hard hitting topics as I had anticipated, which is just fine. I try to balance my writing; not so overloaded with heavy topics and not too frilled up with anecdotes  I want the issues to come from what we are facing right now.  

Happy Down Syndrome Awareness Month. Make sure you sneak a few candies. 

Nothing but Pumpkins

I will keep in short and let the pumpkins in this post speak for themselves

We have been lost in a flurry of flu. Vomit and other unmentionable things have kept me from much of anything.

Today I woke up feeling better, and made up for lost time by some last minute Halloween crafting.

We are super psyched for Elina's 2nd Halloween, and we can't wait to take her door-to-door in her cupcake costume.

Happy (Almost) Halloween!

(Small) Progress

I have talked many times about the difficulties I can have with having peace about developmental delays. Well yesterday I had a tiny breakthrough.

Elina and I have been going to a Mom's Group in town. It is sort of a standing play date. Well there I was yesterday, taking in the scene. There were about a few other kids there, some older and one just a bit younger than Elina. At one point they were all cluttered in a group, and I realized in that moment that all of them were standing, all were walking, except mine.

In that moment I realized for the first time that I had a choice. I could either feel anger, worry, or feel that life is somehow unfair, or I could choose to have peace with where Elina was, and feel joy for the children who were obviously blossoming.

I am proud to say that I choose the latter.

This is a first step in a long process, and there will be backwards steps. I know this because just this morning I was having a stress episode after I filled out a 16 month development evaluation sheet (oh, don't get me started on those things).

Progress for me is a bit like rolling uphill. Its going to be rough, and there may be a little gravity pulling me down, but I will overcome. It's all about taking it one breath at a time. Its about having joy for the now and peace for the later.

More, More, More!

If you read yesterday's entry, you know that I promised a big milestone update.

Well, yesterday, Elina signed for the first time!

More is the sign she does for wanting food. We started signing with her about two months ago, and honestly I was about ready to call it a failed project. At first, we signed lots of words like play, ball, eat, all done, sleep, etc. After a while I decided maybe it would be simpler for us and her if we just really focused on one important sign.

These past few weeks we have started to notice how frustrated Elina gets when she cannot express herself.

She screams and whines, and who could blame her? Almost nothing is more frustrating than not being able to communicate our wants and needs. We all want to feel heard, to feel understood. This was a big step in that direction.

Elina eating a well deserved snack for signing "more" for the camera

Signing can be a helpful tool for kids with Down Syndrome. Often they have some degree of speaking delay. In addition to this, a combination of different things (hypotonia, smaller mouths, brain processing) can often make it difficult for some to pronounce words. Signing is a way for them to communicate in addition to speaking.


One resource that has helped us is "Baby Signing Time".

No, It doesn't teach kids how to sign on its own (at least probably not at her age). What it does help with is putting the signs firmly in the parents minds. The catchy songs make it hard to forget what sign means what. Plus, it is a good reminder to keep practicing the signs when you talk to your kids.


We hope that this makes it easier for Elina to communicate. Seeing the look of pride and understanding on her face when she signs is a great reward for all the hard work we have been putting into her growth.

An Off Day

Today was a sharp contrast from the rest of this month. While most days we have been busy and hurried, today we pretty much did nothing (which was refreshing).

Elina had an off day. She is usually up and excited to spend the day babbling and exploring her toys. I could tell something was off when she didn't wake until almost 10 this morning (once again, refreshing).

It was clear after naptime that she was not feeling her spunky self. Elina usually only tolerates cuddling for a few seconds at a time. Today though, she wanted to lay on the couch next to me (can't say no to that). 

So I made her a nest like the ones she loved laying in when she was staying at the hospital. She loved it.

She was running a low grade fever, so we are pretty sure it is teething time again. It is times like these when I am thankful that I am at home with her. 

Despite her teething woes today, Elina also made a great accomplishment today, a new milestone. In hopes of being able to capture this magic tomorrow, I will wait to reveal it until tomorrow...

But its pretty big time.

She's Radio Flyin' Now

Around Elina's first birthday I started thinking about finding a push walker. My awesome sister happened to get Elina one for her birthday. We started trying this walker out with Elina. She loved the buttons and music in the front, but struggled to get the hang of pushing it. Every time she would go to push it, the wheels would fly forward and she would fall on her face.

After some research I learned that one reason this walker sped out from under her was because it was too light. When Elina would go forward, she would lack the ab power to pull it back, and kersplat she went.Thus begun my long search for a walker that would work for her. It had to be heavy and sturdy, for extra balance support.

My scouring of the internet led us to a push walker made by Radio Flyer.

We got it in the mail today and Mikey set it up in a flash. There was even a piece that gave extra resistance to the wheels.

Our Therapist suggested adding a weight for traction, hence the pumpkin

She didn't take off right away. In fact, we realized it is going to be something that she is going to have to practice. She liked it but was was as interested in chewing the handle as pushing it. We were happy that it didn't fly out from under her. When it went too far forward she was able to pull it back or step to catch up.

 I took a video so that I could keep track of her progress with using it.

It is a work in progress, one that we are so excited about. I will update as she keeps working at it.

Watch out, this girl is going to be up and away before we know it.

Ditching the Dishes

When I got home today there was laundry on the couch and dishes in the sink. You know what, though? It was worth it. We made the most of today.

This morning we were itching to get out and do something. So we did some google searches and packed up some barbecue supplies. A short forty minute drive and we were in a whole new world.

Sometimes taking time to enjoy life comes with sacrifes. On days like these we may not "accomplish" much. Driving home with sun baked skin and my mind teeming with new memories was worth it.

Elina's Self Portrait