Trevor helping Breanna feed the ducks at Deering Oakes Park after the sudden HUGE thunderstorm and downpour. We had to seek shelter under a bridge, we're going back tommorrow to actually spend time at the park and fountain.....
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Friday, July 18, 2008
Farm Camp 2008
Trevor had SOOO much fun at Farm camp this year---so much so that he may go back for another week toward the end of the summer. The best parts of farm camp were:
Trevor had SOOO much fun at Farm camp this year---so much so that he may go back for another week toward the end of the summer. The best parts of farm camp were:
- Tye dying and screen printing t-shirts
- Drip, Drip, Drop
- Laying down in the creek waterfall (it was hot!) and fishing with nets (Trevor caught one!)
- Two PB&J sandwiches per day
- catching baby chickens
- collecting eggs for Hannafords ("Mom, it's like we are working for the store!")
- Doing our play at the end
- picking strawberries and peas and eating them-YUMMY!
Here are some pictures the camp counselors e-mailed us from the week. There are only a few of Trevor, but you can get a good idea of some of the things they were doing at camp--enjoy!!
some exciting developments....
Despite my struggles over Breanna's support person, she has had a GREAT week. The teachers were raving about her at school that when she was doing activities included with the typical preschool, she just did phenomonal. She cuts with regular scissors while sitting at the table doing crafts (just like all the other kids) and interacts with a few other little girls. On the home front, she is no longer yelling at us and is ASKING for what she needs. She still torments her little pain in the butt brother (but what 3 year old doesn't?). AND, get this--yesterday she was watching a video and she pointed to the sheep and said....."THEEE....P" with a really exagurated P sound (which I'm sure is VERY hard for her). I was totally amazed:) Today--I took her to get her hair trimmed and she just sat there like a big girl and licked her lollipop. No fight. again-AMAZING! Good week.
Despite my struggles over Breanna's support person, she has had a GREAT week. The teachers were raving about her at school that when she was doing activities included with the typical preschool, she just did phenomonal. She cuts with regular scissors while sitting at the table doing crafts (just like all the other kids) and interacts with a few other little girls. On the home front, she is no longer yelling at us and is ASKING for what she needs. She still torments her little pain in the butt brother (but what 3 year old doesn't?). AND, get this--yesterday she was watching a video and she pointed to the sheep and said....."THEEE....P" with a really exagurated P sound (which I'm sure is VERY hard for her). I was totally amazed:) Today--I took her to get her hair trimmed and she just sat there like a big girl and licked her lollipop. No fight. again-AMAZING! Good week.
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Struggles
This week I just can't get caught up on the chores. There are 5 loads of laundry and socks waiting to be folded, and folded clothes in baskets waiting to be put away in the kids dressers (who needs dressers, right?). There is stickiness ALL over the floors and mail to be gone through.
I'm struggling with Lucas being SIXTEEN months already. He is at a very hard, getting into everything, crying ALL the time stage. Talk about separation anxiety--I can't even get a foot away. I also read the development newsletters and for some reason I can't believe all the things he should be doing and understanding already. He still seems like such a baby. He's right on track developmentally, but I just can't see it b/c Breanna's development was so slow, or maybe it's just part of being the baby of the family, who knows. I wish I had more time to do fun things, this summer is just flying by! It's so hard because we WANT to do so much with Trevor, he is at such a fun age. However, most of the time we can't even bear to leave the house with the "twins"--LOL!.
Breanna's swim teacher called and left a message today to "talk" about Breanna's lesson. What could this mean?
Another thing, the stove place called today--we won't be getting the pellet stove we ordered 2 months ago. The company called and basically said it would be at least a year until they could fill their orders. That left me all morning thinking about what to do instead of getting caught up on my chores. I just wanted to call that CEO and tell him off.
My biggest struggle right now is trying to decide if Breanna's home support person is going to work out for us. It really goes day to day and it's so hard for me to judge what she "should" be doing or how she should be b/c this is our very first experience with it. I don't want to offend her in any way b/c I like her as a person, I'm just not sure how to give constructive feedback. Breanna had a really bad day today--so I'm not sure how to handle that. She is very "feisty" and needs a lot of direction with her behavior at times that our staff person doesn't seem to know how to handle. Breanna is running the show most of the time and while that may encourage her communication, she IS only 3 (WITH DS) and needs ALOT of direction from adults. Sometimes I feel like a kid myself raising kids (even though I'm 33) I just don't know.....
This week I just can't get caught up on the chores. There are 5 loads of laundry and socks waiting to be folded, and folded clothes in baskets waiting to be put away in the kids dressers (who needs dressers, right?). There is stickiness ALL over the floors and mail to be gone through.
I'm struggling with Lucas being SIXTEEN months already. He is at a very hard, getting into everything, crying ALL the time stage. Talk about separation anxiety--I can't even get a foot away. I also read the development newsletters and for some reason I can't believe all the things he should be doing and understanding already. He still seems like such a baby. He's right on track developmentally, but I just can't see it b/c Breanna's development was so slow, or maybe it's just part of being the baby of the family, who knows. I wish I had more time to do fun things, this summer is just flying by! It's so hard because we WANT to do so much with Trevor, he is at such a fun age. However, most of the time we can't even bear to leave the house with the "twins"--LOL!.
Breanna's swim teacher called and left a message today to "talk" about Breanna's lesson. What could this mean?
Another thing, the stove place called today--we won't be getting the pellet stove we ordered 2 months ago. The company called and basically said it would be at least a year until they could fill their orders. That left me all morning thinking about what to do instead of getting caught up on my chores. I just wanted to call that CEO and tell him off.
My biggest struggle right now is trying to decide if Breanna's home support person is going to work out for us. It really goes day to day and it's so hard for me to judge what she "should" be doing or how she should be b/c this is our very first experience with it. I don't want to offend her in any way b/c I like her as a person, I'm just not sure how to give constructive feedback. Breanna had a really bad day today--so I'm not sure how to handle that. She is very "feisty" and needs a lot of direction with her behavior at times that our staff person doesn't seem to know how to handle. Breanna is running the show most of the time and while that may encourage her communication, she IS only 3 (WITH DS) and needs ALOT of direction from adults. Sometimes I feel like a kid myself raising kids (even though I'm 33) I just don't know.....
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Monday, July 14, 2008
Convention Highlights.
Well, this is our second DS convention since Breanna was born, and both times it has been life changing. This time we were fortunate enough to see some Nationally recognized speakers and advocates. Because of all the traveling, we didn't get to see some of the keynote speakers, but we were able to purchase a CD with an audio of the entire conference. I'm really looking forward to getting that. At the end of the weekend Josh and I were just busting at the seams full of hope and inspiration. One of the best things was that Breanna's teachers and therapists also gave up their weekends at home (and the Scarborough 350th celebration!) to go as well. She is So lucky to be in the program she is! We went to 4 workshops (the second day Josh and I split up so we could see more), and came home with PILES of information.
The most inspiring workshop I went to was one on friendships. A 24 year old girl, Katie, with Down syndrome spoke as well as her Mom about their journey in life. She currently attends college (that's right-REAL COLLEGE!) and has a ton of friends. It was really great. b/c form day one this is the thing about DS that has made me so sad at times. I'm just afrad Breanna will not have the type of real friends that us women really count on. According to Katie's Mom, it was a tough road to get where they were, but at the end, Katie was joking with us and showing us pictures from her FACEBOOK account. I was in Awe. No, her speech wasn't like mine, but who cares, she was totally amazing. We also enjoyed another workshop about sibling relationships and a group from England gave a great presentation on inclusion in schools from which I came away with some GREAT ideas for our future IEP meetings. Here are some highlights of what we have learned:
Well, this is our second DS convention since Breanna was born, and both times it has been life changing. This time we were fortunate enough to see some Nationally recognized speakers and advocates. Because of all the traveling, we didn't get to see some of the keynote speakers, but we were able to purchase a CD with an audio of the entire conference. I'm really looking forward to getting that. At the end of the weekend Josh and I were just busting at the seams full of hope and inspiration. One of the best things was that Breanna's teachers and therapists also gave up their weekends at home (and the Scarborough 350th celebration!) to go as well. She is So lucky to be in the program she is! We went to 4 workshops (the second day Josh and I split up so we could see more), and came home with PILES of information.
The most inspiring workshop I went to was one on friendships. A 24 year old girl, Katie, with Down syndrome spoke as well as her Mom about their journey in life. She currently attends college (that's right-REAL COLLEGE!) and has a ton of friends. It was really great. b/c form day one this is the thing about DS that has made me so sad at times. I'm just afrad Breanna will not have the type of real friends that us women really count on. According to Katie's Mom, it was a tough road to get where they were, but at the end, Katie was joking with us and showing us pictures from her FACEBOOK account. I was in Awe. No, her speech wasn't like mine, but who cares, she was totally amazing. We also enjoyed another workshop about sibling relationships and a group from England gave a great presentation on inclusion in schools from which I came away with some GREAT ideas for our future IEP meetings. Here are some highlights of what we have learned:
- studies show that children who have a sibling with a disability are generally kinder, show more empathy and have fewer behavior problems.
- kids with DS are visual learners, they cannot learn by listening, so put EVERYTHING in pictures, and Math is usually VERY difficult for them.
- kids with DS who are included in regular classrooms from the age of 4 on are typically 2 years ahead in reading a writing by the time they are teens vs. kids in self-contained classrooms/schools. ("ie if you want to learn French--go live in France")
- Parents can help (and need to intervene) in the way of helping the child with DS form friendships and it is important to include these social skills as a part of her IEP.
- Kids with DS DO go to college, get married and drive cars, but to define success, it is up to Breanna to be all she can be in her dreams, she WILL be her own person.
- It helps if you have a vision for your child and all the people working with her should be working on/toward the same thing.
Workshops or not--it was just such a comfort to be in the same room with people who are all going through the same thing or people who have "been there". It was such a great opportunity for Josh and I to get this information (Thanks Mom and Dad for watching the kids!), because if we don't care and become the experts on this disability...who will!! Plus-we got to spend a little time (and two GREAT lunches!) in this big city of Boston:)
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Friday, July 11, 2008
A special memory.
Yesterday, I had the kids outside in the afternoon to enjoy the perfect temperatures and gorgeous sunshine. Usually, we only have small doses (1-2 hrs) of time outside b/c of the nature of looking after two toddlers in a yard that is not yet fenced in. Breanna LOVES throwing sticks to our dog Lucy inside her fence. she could stay out there for hours doing just that. Yesterday, she picked up a stick and GAVE half to Lucas ans said, "Baby, Doggie." She was SHARING! I couldn't believe it. There they were, both poking sticks through the fence to the dog, laughing. I just wanted to freeze that moment of complete cuteness! Also, at one point Breanna started to run down the driveway---I yelled and signed "STOP'" to her as I usually do. This time she stopped and held her hand out for mine and we held hands all the way down the driveway to get her basketball without a fight. This is REAL progress. I was AMAZED:)
Yesterday, I had the kids outside in the afternoon to enjoy the perfect temperatures and gorgeous sunshine. Usually, we only have small doses (1-2 hrs) of time outside b/c of the nature of looking after two toddlers in a yard that is not yet fenced in. Breanna LOVES throwing sticks to our dog Lucy inside her fence. she could stay out there for hours doing just that. Yesterday, she picked up a stick and GAVE half to Lucas ans said, "Baby, Doggie." She was SHARING! I couldn't believe it. There they were, both poking sticks through the fence to the dog, laughing. I just wanted to freeze that moment of complete cuteness! Also, at one point Breanna started to run down the driveway---I yelled and signed "STOP'" to her as I usually do. This time she stopped and held her hand out for mine and we held hands all the way down the driveway to get her basketball without a fight. This is REAL progress. I was AMAZED:)
Boston.
This weekend we are going to the National down syndrome Congress convention in Boston. I'm sure it will be filled with great information, hope and inspiration. I'll see you back here Monday:)
This weekend we are going to the National down syndrome Congress convention in Boston. I'm sure it will be filled with great information, hope and inspiration. I'll see you back here Monday:)
Thursday, July 10, 2008
A Day to Remember.
Josh suprised me with a beautiful bouquet of peach roses-the color we had at the wedding. I suprised Josh with getting a babysitter and a awesome dinner (LOVED the scallops!) at the Inn by the Sea. Afterwards we took a short walk from the resturant to Crescent beach. The sun had just dipped below the horizon and the colors of the sky were beautiful. What a relaxing way to end an evening.
Josh suprised me with a beautiful bouquet of peach roses-the color we had at the wedding. I suprised Josh with getting a babysitter and a awesome dinner (LOVED the scallops!) at the Inn by the Sea. Afterwards we took a short walk from the resturant to Crescent beach. The sun had just dipped below the horizon and the colors of the sky were beautiful. What a relaxing way to end an evening.
The fish funeral
something happened in our fish tank and all three of our gold fish died within a week--two today (I guess we should have left them in that green water instead of cleaning it). TRevor was beside himself with the loss of his favorite blackie. It's just hard to teach a 5 year old about these things (I cried a little too.)
something happened in our fish tank and all three of our gold fish died within a week--two today (I guess we should have left them in that green water instead of cleaning it). TRevor was beside himself with the loss of his favorite blackie. It's just hard to teach a 5 year old about these things (I cried a little too.)
9 years.
1999
2008
Then and now......boy a lot has changed in 9 years, three kids, a mortgage, our weight, our jobs. It hasn't always been easy, but one thing has ALWAYS been the same. No matter how hard life is, I know I can get through anything because I have you by my side. Happy anniversary, I love you!
Wednesday, July 09, 2008
Gratitude
I have been following a couple blogs linked from the Mother's with Cancer blog. Not because I like sad stories (who does?), but because I have been able to really draw on the courage of these women. No mattter how unfortunate I feel sometimes or how big MY problems seem, they really ARE small. I mean who really cares if my faucet broke or potty training failed. I am really so fortunate. I still have LIFE. I still have tommorrow to undo my mistakes that I made today. I still hopefully have my next birthday and next Christmas to be with my loved ones. Tonight I happened upon Andrea's blog and I learned that she had passed away on July 5th. Her last message was truly touching. "Just let go of the small things" she said. Just sending out prayers to her and her family, may god be there to ease the pain of your passing to your children and loved ones. Even though, it's hard not to be consumed by them, I don't want to spend my days worrying about small things. My goal is to live my life the way I want my children to grow up. "Do not as I say....Do as I do." I don't want to miss a thing.
I have been following a couple blogs linked from the Mother's with Cancer blog. Not because I like sad stories (who does?), but because I have been able to really draw on the courage of these women. No mattter how unfortunate I feel sometimes or how big MY problems seem, they really ARE small. I mean who really cares if my faucet broke or potty training failed. I am really so fortunate. I still have LIFE. I still have tommorrow to undo my mistakes that I made today. I still hopefully have my next birthday and next Christmas to be with my loved ones. Tonight I happened upon Andrea's blog and I learned that she had passed away on July 5th. Her last message was truly touching. "Just let go of the small things" she said. Just sending out prayers to her and her family, may god be there to ease the pain of your passing to your children and loved ones. Even though, it's hard not to be consumed by them, I don't want to spend my days worrying about small things. My goal is to live my life the way I want my children to grow up. "Do not as I say....Do as I do." I don't want to miss a thing.
Tuesday, July 08, 2008
Monday, July 07, 2008
lost.
I'm so sad. Sunday when we were at the beach, Josh gave me his wedding ring to hold so he wouldn't lose it in the water and I put it in my small camera bag. I remember slipping it on and off my finger before I tucked it what I thought was securely in the little pocket inside. I guess he didn't think about it again until this morning and when I looked in the camera case it was gone! We looked everywhere and Josh even went back to the beach to look--but two tides have come and gone since then--it's probably hopeless. I know it's just a little piece of gold, but that ring was blessed by the priest on our wedding day 9 years ago on Thursday. I hope it's not a sign of bad luck to come!
I'm so sad. Sunday when we were at the beach, Josh gave me his wedding ring to hold so he wouldn't lose it in the water and I put it in my small camera bag. I remember slipping it on and off my finger before I tucked it what I thought was securely in the little pocket inside. I guess he didn't think about it again until this morning and when I looked in the camera case it was gone! We looked everywhere and Josh even went back to the beach to look--but two tides have come and gone since then--it's probably hopeless. I know it's just a little piece of gold, but that ring was blessed by the priest on our wedding day 9 years ago on Thursday. I hope it's not a sign of bad luck to come!
Project 365::189
this weekend....I inherited My Mom's 30 year old Kennmore sewing machine. Being the crafty person that I am--I'm so excited to try it out. It's definitely a sentimental item to me, just think of the things it has made. I also got my Nanny's cookbook (I'll post photos on a later post) ---AMAZING! Now...if I just knew how to sew and cook......
Sunday, July 06, 2008
Saturday, July 05, 2008
Friday, July 04, 2008
What's new (this week)
- Lucas got his first bee sting (thank god he's not allergic!), he climbed the ladder onto the swing set, he hung from the monkey bars and had his first Popsicle.
- Trevor finished up baseball camp and got a few "home runs"
- Trevor drew Josh a REALLY cute picture (will post later) of them on their bicycle which said "I love you dad"
- I got a bike!
- I had some really great one-on-one time with Breanna
- We planned the family BBQ for tomorrow
- we had our really good friends up last weekend and had out first "lobstah" and mussels of the year.
- Josh's new love is running on the beach
- Breanna went to the farm, the beach, and Fort Williams with Anne
- Breanna and Trevor started up their summer session for swimming lessons
- I took the boys to the beach (while Josh ran) and Lucas went in the ocean for the first time and Trevor wrote his name in the sand (and built a GREAT sand castle).
- Breanna ate her very first icecream CONE all by herself.
- We dressed up and celebrated the 4th of July (shortened b/c I had to work:()
Time.
I want to thank my children for giving me this gift--that of time standing still--even if it just for a moment. No matter what is going on around us, or what needs to be --the practice of nursing a newborn--even a toddler forces a person to stop, to breathe, to sit and be IN the moment, eye to eye, skin to skin. Eventually it was/will be time for all my children to move beyond this phase--when they were/will be ready. After that it will be hard to remember when that LAST time actually was.
But now, I find myself relaxing and my chores forgotten. I look down in my arms to find him fast asleep. He's my baby, my third child - he may not always get a quiet place or even time to sleep, But he does get my undivided attention as I quietly stroke his cheeks and kiss his forehead. After all--isn't this the greatest wish a child has--young or old, for special time-undivided attention and love from a parent. THIS is my gift to my children.
Thursday, July 03, 2008
Wednesday, July 02, 2008
Project 365:184
Today: I made a whole wheat homemade pancake breakfast, cleaned up, we colored, played play-doh, made beds, put in laundry, got gressed, brushed our teeth, put on sunscreen, played outside in the pool and on the swingset--and all this BEFORE noon! (we ARE getting into a groove-and I like it:)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)