September Photos

3 kids and a leaf pile....

Crawling....

after practicing for about a month, Lucas is up on all fours and on the move!

And last week he also learned how to push himself up to sitting from crawling:)

More News....


Dear Friends,

This Friday, September 28th at 9:22 am (EST) NBC's 'The Today Show' will broadcast a LIVE 4-minute segment featuring NDSS Buddy Walk Ambassador John C. McGinley, and NDSS Goodwill Ambassador Chris Burke in honor of Down syndrome awareness.

In the segment the two actors will discuss their involvement with NDSS and the Down syndrome community, as well as highlight the Buddy Walk program and National Down Syndrome Awareness Month, October.

Please be sure to tune-in to your local NBC station at 9:22 am on Friday!

Also, the October issue of Parents and Kids magazine features an article on Down syndrome by Special Needs Columnist and MDSC member Wendy Bulawa. Pick up a copy of Parents and Kids or click the link below to read Wendy's article.

http://www.townonline.com/parentsandkids/columnists/x1212854666

This Weeks' Artwork....

In Trevor's classroom last week they had a butterfly theme as they saw two live butterflies hatch from cocoons and they let them go out on the playground. There has been such an improvement in Trevor's coloring and writing since he started school 3 weeks ago. We're so proud of how he had adjusted to school!

Three Little Butterflies


http://www.schmetterlingszauber.com/english/index.html

Rub- a- Dub- Dub....

Three kids in a tub!

Love this blog header....

Laundry Day??

Just as I finished typing that last post, guess what I caught my sweet little princess child doing? Amazing!

Oh yeah, and over the past few weeks she has learned how to open doors--we ARE in trouble:)

Craft Room

Last night I was looking at Irene's blog and I came accross the very FUNNY bog of a mom who had 6 kids. AND I thought my life was CRAZY! She is hysterical, I can't wait until the book comes out. I was laughing out loud to her post about washing a disposable diaper, and seeing pictures of her kids drawing on the walls and smearing diaper cream on their faces, which reminded me of a little story. Before I had kids, I always thought that my kids would never get into anything b/c I would ALWAYS be watching them-yeah right! WEll, when we moved into this house I worked a second job to afford these pottery barn filing cabinets for my craft room. They were a gift to myself you would say. Well, Breanna, anytime she gets a hold of a writing utensil it is EVERYWHERE-walls, floors, doors and Yep my filing cabinets. This time it was a PEN, not a washable crayon or chalk. It won't come off. I tried alcohol, soap, a magic eraser and a baby wipe. It's still there. Lesson learned-Kids and expensive furniture don't mix. I think I'll wait a little while for that bedroom set:)

On the News...

"I can't remember a gathering where I felt more love, acceptance, brotherhood, hope for the future, pure joy at the wonder of our beautiful children. We are truely blessed. "

Progress....

I know this doesn't look like much, but Last Friday Breanna used scissors for the first time successfully at preschool. Just thought I'd share-we are so proud of her!!!

Every Sunday, Ruth sends an e-mail for the weeks' activities/theme:

Hello All-
We had a lot of fun "learning about me" last week and the children enjoyed creating their houses and sharing their family pictures. We would like to have everyone still make a house that they can share and display in the classroom so if you have not sent in your family pictures please do so next week. Try and take some time when dropping off or at pick up to look at their beautiful creations hanging in the classroom.

This week our Theme is: Friendship
If you have any books at home about friends please send them in to share with the class.

Monday: Art Project
Friendship Painting: All the children will finger paint a large piece of paper. When it is dry we will discuss what we need to do to be a good friend (gentle hands, sharing, nice words, hugs ect). We will use written words and picture symbols of all the ideas on how to be a good friend and place them on the paper. If anyone would like copies of the pictures symbols at home, just let me know.

Tuesday: Gross Motor
Movement CD

Wednesday: Art Project
Friendship Book: Each child will decorate a page with their photograph on that page. Teachers will write down things about that child that they enjoy. The book will be bound as a classroom book the children can look at.

Thursday: Gross Motor
Movement CD

Friday: Art Project
Friendship Chain: Hands will be traced and cut out of each child. Children will glue their hands onto strips of paper (some children will cut their own strip, depending on their level). The chain will be linked to represent our classroom family.

Have a Great Week!
Ruth

Some New Pics....

The Buddy Walk 2007

The turnout this year for the 2007 Buddy Walk in Portland was amazing. The weather was perfect, bright and sunny and 80 degrees. The kids had a blast with cotton candy, the bouncie house and the climbing wall. Thank you so much to everyone who supported us through donations and especially to Mom and Dad and Kristen who came to walk with us this year. Enjoy the pics!

The First Game

Today, Trevor and his team (The bulls) had their first real soccer game! The whole family had a blast. It was overcast and cool, but the kids did great and ended up winning the game. Trevor's favorite part of the game was playing goallie. He prefers defense to offense I think. A couple of the boys on his team-Nolan and Oliver really shined and got a lot of goals. It was so cute to watch the boys play, they are surprisingly good at this age. It will be fun when we can view these pictures when these boys get to High School! We got a lot of good action shots with the zoom lens. Enjoy!

Cheerleaders:
(warning tissues needed)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/09/20/AR2007092002703.html

Blue Point Open House

Tonight we had an open house and BBQ at Trevor's school. It was nice to be able to go inside the school again to see Trevor's classroom and have Trevor show us around this time. We saw the desk where Trevor sits and all the fun things that Trevor has been making in Kindergarten. They have been watching a caterpillar turn into a butterfly and learning all about it. We talked with Mrs. Lindholm a little bit about Trevor and his class. She said they are a great bunch of kids, but get overly excited sometimes (probably due to the two chocolate milks a day). Trevor has a little group of friends, but mostly hangs out with a boy named Zach who takes the same bus as Trevor. They also play a little game called the secret smell. When they are "quiet" for quiet time, Mrs. Lindholm puts a little dab of flavored lip-gloss on their hands and they have to guess the smell. All the kids love this game for some reason. We learned that Trevor has 17 kids in his class, 9 girls and 8 boys. We also saw the gym, and library where Trevor pointed out Star Wars books and a scary book about a werewolf. They get to start checking out books to bring home next week. Then we had some BBQ food, played on the playground and came home. It was a fun evening:)

i miss you.

Well, the newness of school has defiantely worn off. The first couple of weeks was very refreshing with one less child in the house demanding things of me. It has been at times , heaven actually. Like when Breanna and Lucas are sleeping and I can actually sit down for five minutes and read a magazine. Now I find myself looking around the house and seeing Trevor's things when he is not there. The feeling of leaving him everyday when he gets on that bus is still strange. I love how he waves goodbye and says, I love you...see you at 3:30." I'll never forget how his little Kindergarten face lookes as long as I live. I know that Trevor is part of a world now, that I'm not in. It's hard to get used to, yet every afternoon Trevor gets off that bus, hardly damaged by the length of the day away from me. And there he is...same as always!

They fit!

There is just something to be said about fitting back into your jeans (I'm not talking High-school jeans-but post baby number two jeans) after having 3 children. The other day I was getting out my fall/winter clothes from the attic (yup, it's that time already!) , and Lucas spit up on my pants, so I said, what the heck, I'll just try them. Low and Behold, they fit and buttoned easily! Kudos to nursing and those short walks to the bus pushing a stroller with a baby on my back b/c I haven't been to the gym in like 3 weeks! I was so happy that I wore them the last two days.

I found the perfect Halloween costume for Breanna.

She LOVES Curious George:)

Dole's Orchard 2007

Going Apple picking at Dole's orchard is something I look forward to all year. It just gets better every year! This year Kevin and Amy met us there and all the kids picked apples and pumpkins together. We took our time and spent most of the beautiful, sunny, afternoon playing (and picking and eating apples of course!) It was definately a day to remember. Of course getting all three kids in a picture, looking at the camera and smiling is an absoultely impossible task. Enjoy:)

6 Months

First Sweet Potatoes

For our sweet potato:)

The Great State of Maine Airshow

Today, Josh and Trevor had planned on heading up to the Brunswick Naval Air Station for the airshow that comes up here every couple of years. It is a really special event that usually requires lots of planning for parking and such. It was sort of a rainy, dreary, day(the first soccer games were cancelled), but at the last minute they decided to go up anyway. They were so glad they did! The rain let up and it kept away the crowds as well. Trevor and Josh parked far away so as to not get stuck in traffic on the way out and walked into the base. They got there just in time to see the spectacular Blue Angels perform. Trevor was in AWE the whole time. After the show Trevor picked up some souvenirs and then met all 6 pilots face-to-face and they all autographed his hat. Then he got to see the planes up close and sit in the cockpit of a C-130 "Hercules". They got home around dinner time and Trevor was so excited to show me his hat, to think they almost didn't go!! Enjoy the show:)

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Welcome Annabelle and Ryan!
born 9/13/07
Ryan John 8:53 am 6 lbs 11 oz
Annabelle Grace 8:55 am 5 lbs 3 oz


Congratulations Stef and Eric and welcome to the the world of parenting (and diapers, and spit up and sleeplessness, and JOY did I mention JOY?)

Our Bus Routine

We have almost gotten into a routine for the bus in the mornings. It's a nice walk down to the bus stop when the weather is nice. There is a medium sized spruce tree right near the bus stop that all the boys just HAVE to climb in the morning and the afternoon. When the bus starts coming down our road, it turns around in the Cul-de-sac and then gets to the bus stop. When Trevor sees the bus coming he gives me a hug, waves and says, "I love you...See you at 3:30" In the biggest voice he has. It just melts my heart every day. Then he marches right up those stairs, says good morning to the bus driver and takes his seat. Trevor has a GREAT bus driver. He wears different funny hats every day and plays little kids' music on the bus. As difficult and worrysome as it is having your child take the bus to school, the kids have a fabulous time and I'm glad Trevor gets to join in the experience.

Advice from a friend...

How I learned to let go.... someone once told me that your children don't really belong to you. You know them the best, but they really are just a part of the whole world, like you and I are....

Connecting
an exerpt form the newsletter....


Dear Parents,


Have you ever noticed how your own internal dialogue patters on while you are with your children? "I should be playing with the kids: they get too little of my attention," while you're washing the dishes. "I should wash that ugly pile of dishes-what has my home come to?" while you're playing with the children. And when you take a five-minute break, there's "I am just not doing this right at all. My kids deserve better. Why can't I manage?" An insistent voice of dissatisfaction plagues the minds of many of us. And those of us who aren't upset with ourselves may tend to aim dissatisfaction toward our children or our spouses, instead.



When I talk about that voice to parents, almost every parent nods in recognition. What is that voice, and why is it so universal?



We deserve to be pleased with our children, and pleased with the learning we do daily as mothers and fathers. Parenting is a big job. No one can learn actively without making mistakes daily. And no parent has a day without choices that stir up some pain: to earn a living but dash a hopeful child's wish that you could play with them. To play with your child and put him to sleep sweetly, forsaking the time you need with your partner. Taking the time you need with your friends or your partner, but leaving your child sad with someone else when you know he wants and deserves you.



This is the emotional minefield that we run zigzag through each day. If there were more help for parents, we'd relax a bit, breathe a bit. We'd have the time and the hope it takes to build a stronger, more playful community around our families. If there were more help, we'd play more. If there were more help, we'd have people to discuss our parenting dilemmas with, and we'd resolve them, day by day. We'd learn faster. We'd laugh more.



More help would certainly ease our minds somewhat. But even with gobs of help, we parents all share the upset of wanting to do a really good job, and having no path open to us but this: mistakes, moments of togetherness and love, and missed opportunities, all packed tumble-jumble into our hours and days.



Though we can't change these external circumstances overnight, we can do battle with that internal voice of dissatisfaction that spoils moments that are perfectly fine. It's fine to wash the dishes. It's great to play with the kids. We could cheer for ourselves instead of mentally booing after we make the fifteen-minute commitment to choose either dishes or play, keeping the yard up, or going to the park. "I'm a good Mom! I want to do the dishes now!" is a good position to take and hold against that mental nagging.


"I'm a good Dad, and the yard can wait while I play."


"I'm doing my best, and my kids are lucky to have me," makes for a far sunnier internal climate. "My kids are doing their best, and we'll figure out the bickering and the fights one of these days" is a position from which learning is easier to do than, "Darn kids-what's the matter with them! What's the matter with me?" which makes it hard for a parent to embrace those he loves, observe them in their struggles, and experiment to learn more about the needs, feelings, and perceptions that cause difficulty.



It's not our fault parenting is such a challenge. It's not our fault that we nag, either at ourselves or at those we love. But we can do mental cleanup when we find ourselves dissatisfied. Sometimes, what's needed is someone to listen to how hard it is, to the disappointments we carry, to how very hard we try. A good cry about worst moments or a tantrum about the mistakes of the ones we love can do a lot to quiet that voice. We are good. Our children are good. Those we love are good. The choices we make, moment-to-moment and day-to-day, are the best we know how to make. When we can do it better, we certainly will! And until then, we shall wash the dishes without a care. Play while the house is a total mess. Arrange time for someone caring to hear how our hearts are faring. Go out in the evening, hold hands, and smell the night air. We shall come back and snuggle.



We do our best. We do our best.


Patty Wipfler
Executive Director

Glad it's a new day

Yesterday was QUITE the day. A few more days like that and I'll be checked into the insane asylum for sure! Lucas had a doctor's appointment in the morning so Josh got Trevor on the bus and Breanna off to school. Then we had to meet at Breanna's school for pick up and switch cars and kids so I could get to work by 1230. WEll, Breanna's teacher wanted to talk to me about increasing Breanna to 5 days a week there (not sure how I feel about that yet-may be a discussion for a later post), so I didn't get to read the therapy notes or pick up last weeks show-and-tell item that I keep forgetting. Then, I was late getting to work only to find out that I had left My purse and breastpump in the other car! Well, Josh brought it to me at work, then he had to get Trevor off the bus at 1:30 for early release. Then Josh had a conference call so the neighbor KINDLY offered to come and take the kids for an hour (Josh was supposed to be off every other WEdnesday afternoon b/c he has been working every weekend-oh well!). Then Josh had to take all three kids to TRevor's soccer practice and Breanna was a nightmare b/c she was yelling (probably hungry). Also, I forgot to move my car from 2 hour parking so I had a ticket on my car when I was leaving work-UUUGH!. PHEWW! So glad that day is over! My head was spinning, no wonder I forgot sooo many things!

Lucas at 6 Months

• He loves paper-grabbing it, crumpling it tearing it and chewing it
• He can get up and rock back and forth on his arms and legs
• babbles, imitates and says Gee, MaaaaMaaa
• No teeth yet
• Eats rice cereal for dinner, but is still mostly eating just breastmilk
• laughs and smiles
• doesn't sleep (for long:( )
• Slaps things and goes "spastic"
• Loves to try to steal our food and drinks
• grabs everything
• loves to be carried
• his hair is long enough to make a spike
• he weighs 15 lbs 7 oz (25th percentile), 26 1/2 inches long and head circumfrance 18 inches
• got 3 more shots:(
• can sit up alone for a few minutes at a time
• loves to play with toys (but prefers being carried)
• is our little cutie pie!

Half-way to One!!!

Lucas' first 6 months..... Enjoy:)

9-11


Two thousand one, nine eleven
Five thousand plus arrive in heaven.
As they pass through the gate,
Thousands more appear in wait.
A bearded man with stovepipe hat
Steps forward saying, "Lets sit, lets chat."

They settle down in seats of clouds,
A man named Martin shouts out proud,
"I have a dream!" and once he did
The Newcomer said, "Your dream still lives."

Groups of soldiers in blue and gray
Others in khaki, and green then say
"We're from Bull Run, Yorktown, the Maine"
The Newcomer said, "You died not in vain."

From a man on sticks one could hear
"The only thing we have to fear.
The Newcomer said, "We know the rest,
trust us sir, we've passed that test."

"Courage doesn't hide in caves
You can't bury freedom, in a grave,"
The Newcomers had heard this voice before
A distinct Yankees twang from Hyannisport shores.

A silence fell within the mist
Somehow the Newcomer knew that this
Meant time had come for her to say
What was in the hearts of the five thousand plus that day.

"Back on Earth, we wrote reports,
Watched our children play in sports
Worked our gardens, sang our songs
Went to church and clipped coupons
We smiled, we laughed, we cried, we fought
Unlike you, great we're not"

The tall man in the stovepipe hat
Stood and said, "Don't talk like that!
Look at your country, look and see
You died for freedom, just like me"

Then, before them all appeared a scene
Of rubbled streets and twisted beams
Death, destruction, smoke and dust
And people working just 'cause they must

Hauling ash, lifting stones,
Knee deep in hell, but not alone
"Look! Blackman, Whiteman, Brownman, Yellowman
Side by side helping their fellow man!"
So said Martin, as he watched the scene
"Even from nightmares, can be born a dream."

Down below three firemen raised
The colors high into ashen haze
The soldiers above had seen it before
On Iwo Jima back in '44

The man on sticks studied everything closely
Then shared his perceptions on what he saw mostly
"I see pain, I see 20 tears,
I see sorrow - but I don't see fear."

"You left behind husbands and wives
Daughters and sons and so many lives
are suffering now because of this wrong
But look very closely. You're not really gone.

All of those people, even those who've never met you
All of their lives, they'll never forget you
Don't you see what has happened?
Don't you see what you've done?
You've brought them together as one.”

With that the man in the stovepipe hat said
"Take my hand," and from there he led
five thousand plus heroes, Newcomers to heaven
On this day, two thousand one, nine eleven.

First Day at the Mast Clinic

Today, Breanna started physical therapy at the mast clinic (http://www.mastclinic.com/). I had heard really good things about it. Her PT, Jackie just mostly observed Breanna today, but I'm really excited about the program there. The therapy room is filled with toys, slides and swings. It has a wonderful dried grass textured floor (That Lucas loved to play on). Jackie has a very gentle philosophy and MANY MANY years of experience working with kids. In fact, she is writing a book. I know it's going to be a good thing for Breanna. Another good thing is that she has a massage chair for the parents to sit in during the sessions, how great is that! I felt so spoiled:)

Today..

"To live only for some future goal is shallow. It's the sides of the mountain that sustain life, not the top."


~ Robert M. Pirsig

Are you ready for some football?!?!

Look who can sit up!

all by himself:)

First Ride

in the toddler swing:)
Is he the cutest kid or what!!?

Fall Soccer Kick-Off

Today, Trevor had his fall soccer kick-off. This will be his first year in fall soccer which is REALLY big in our town. There were about 300 kids there today for Pre-K through Second grade. Trevor's team is called the Bulls and they have practice every Wednesday for an hour and games on Saturdays. It was a really hot day today, but Trevor completed almost all of the drills. The coaches are great and the teams are well run. TRevor is such a good little soccer player. and it's so great that he enjoys sports:)

Make an on-line slideshow at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Summer Memories....

• Trevor chasing butterflies with his finger out hoping they would land.
• Walks on the beach
• Seafood Take-out
• Patch Perfect
• Going into the closet to check out Trevor's new Stars Wars glow-in-the-dark underwear
• Trevor surfing
• Playing on the swingset/pool
• "Push me real high on the disc on a rope, Mommy, Daddy"
• Soft Serve Icecream from the Dairy Corner
• The Yarmouth Clam festival
• Campfires
• Storyland
• Cousins!!
• The Lightles' visit
• Picking strawberries
• Picking blueberries
• Eating Lobster!
• TRevor's Birthday
• TRevor's Birthday party
• Watching the stars come out
• Concert in the park
• The Pragers' visit
• Pitching a tent
• Vacation!

Day 2

Things went wonderfully again today......except, when it was time to get off the bus at the end of the day all the kids got off at the bus stop, but No Trevor! Where was he? The bus driver called his name. I frantically got on the bus to look for him to make sure he was there (well only frantically in my head) and he was there, sitting in the BACK of the bus talking to some kids not paying attention! Oh well, it's only the second day, right? I don't know who needs more time adjusting to this new school thing, me or Trevor. My stomach is still in knots sometimes. Today, my neighbor Beth kindly brought snacks for all the kids at the end of the day at the bus stop. It's like I'm in a whole new world now. I'm loving getting to know the other Moms at the bus stop. Just having little kids at home can be so isolating at times. In fact, one of them invited me to a party next week! Today after school, Trevor went to the neighbors house to play with some boys and they blew off some steam. When he got home he told me about his day, but not as much detail as yesterday. Today also came my first ever "Thursday folder". In our school system every child gets a folder to bring home every Thursday which gives all the notices and such. Tonight we did our weekly family pizza night and grocery shopping and I was glad that he wasn't too tired for it. Anyway, the important thing is that Trevor absolutely LOVES school. Just tonight when I was tucking him in he said he would be sad when the weekend came b/c he didn't get to go to school on Saturday and Sunday! I wonder how long this is going to last......

Breanna has her second day tomorrow and has to bring something in for show-and-tell. I decided she would bring her doggie flashlight in, that should be amusing:)

In his own words...


Well my little boy is back home safe and sound and a new chapter in our lives has officially begun. WE all missed Trevor terribly today, but we did really well keeping busy. I hit Target, did laundry and Breanna and I ate lunch together. I do admit I was worried for a minute that Trevor wouldn't be on that bus, but there he was safe and sound and running into my arms to give me a big hug! I couldn't WAIT to hear about his day. He LOVED Kindergarten! Here are some details in his own words....

• You do your desks a lot
• A boy helped me not to forget my backpack on the bus
• there was a boy in my class that was also on my bus, but I didn't ask him his name.
• You don't even have to wait
• Everything went by so quick b/c it is such a fast school
• we got to check out the school
• I LOVE Kindergarten!
• They have a sandbox inside and OUTSIDE, but the rule is that the sand has to stay inside the box
• First we had circle time and did the pledge of allegiance and the teacher talked A LOT!
• You get to play instruments at music class, things you shake and pianos.
• They put tables in the gym for lunch and you can get a chocolate milk or a regular milk and a tray to put your food on
• The kids that did not have towels for rest time just stayed at their desks
• You have to make a line for everything
• the best part of my day was riding the bus and lunch
• the hardest part of my day was making a line all the time b/c it goes slow then fast
• We read a book about raccoons
• I played with a few kids in my class and sat with them at lunch, we played cars
• I saw Katrina (from preschool) on the playground
• WE went outside TWO times
• The difference between Kindergarten and preschool is that Kindergarten is a lot bigger b/c it's on the way to the last playground for the end of the day (what?!?!?)
• The Playground rules are not to go in the road or the sidewalk, to stay in the fence and not to run away from the teacher
• I wasn't sad when I first got on the bus, I was just excited!
• Bus Number 34 is my bus, it was the last bus in line. All the buses seemed like they were attached just like a roller coaster.
• Recess is outside and I did the little hanging swing thing
• Some kids drove in cars to school, but A LOT of kids got to take the bus.
• I LOVE Kindergarten!