Setting The Mood

I personally don't watch the news. I don't read news papers either. I probably should, considering I'm a mother and wife now. Plus I'm going to be thirty soon. It seems like the " responsible adult" thing to do. I mean I should be more concerned with the world around me or at least try to be. Right? I don't really have any excuse for why I don't do these things, and its not that I'm not concerned. To be completely honest I suppose if, (and that's a big if), i'm actually watching t.v. there is usually something else on that attracts my attention more. Ironically, and probably pathetically its something like The Real World on MTV. As far as reading the newspaper,well, I just don't. We don't have it delivered because for us it would be a waste of money and just something else to put into the recycling bin. Honestly, I would only truly appreciate the Sunday paper because of the adds and coupons inside of it.

So, when I heard about all of the flooding around us I was totally oblivious. Naturally. That same night however, I did turn on the news and I learned that our area was expected to flood soon, and worse than it ever has before. I was interested then. I remember the last BIG flood in our area. I was around 13 years old then. It was crazy! I remember that people were swimming in the flood water. Then later hearing about how those same people were actually swimming in sewage because the sewers were also flooded. Businesses were shut down because they were under water and of course many of the streets were blocked off. Looking back on it now it was actually quite sad, people lost a lot because of what at the time I thought was cool.

While I was watching the news I thought that this would be something that the girls would like to see. Its different to a child. Things like this, things that are tragic in the eyes of adults can be amazing and almost fun to a child. At least that's the way I see it.If anything else, I was curious.

However, when we got down to the river tonight we did not see any flooding. We did however notice that the water was much higher. That didn't make any difference to the girls. To them it still looked like the same old, dirty watered Mississippi river. There would have to be water in the parking lot, at the very least, to make any impact on their views of what a flood looks like.
My favorite part of what the girls and I have named "Our River Walk" besides being outside, on a walk, with my family, is the sunset. Or sun rise. That would be, I actually got up that early, and again... that's a very big if. My favorite thing is when the sun meets the horizon. The sky seems to get warmer in its colors. Almost like its setting the mood before everything turns black and the stars do dances through the night and into our dreams.

A perfect night for me would be to sit under a tree close to a river (minus the bugs), with my family, covered in my brown blanket(that's a whole other story)waiting for that exact moment when the day says hello to the night. This night was pretty close to just that.

A New Toy

It's funny how we all take things for granted. Especially everyday things. Such as driving your car to the grocery store. Or your alarm clock, you think nothing of it until the day it doesn't go off and your late for work. Then there are even smaller things such as being able to take a drink from a coffee cup, scratch your nose or even point to something.


I find myself thinking about things like that when I watch Vada work so hard to figure out how to move that "thing" connected to the end of her wrist. She will look at her hand for minutes, move it a tiny bit, then study it again. It's amazing how someone so young and small can try so incredibly hard to accomplish something that we don't even think twice about doing, we just do it. Someday, she wont be thinking about it either, but for now its fun to watch her grow and learn.

About a week ago I ordered this exersaucer from Amazon for Vada. Her physical therapist had mentioned it during her last visit. I was so excited that she did, I was ready to see her interact with a new toy that was different than her tummy time mats.

Vada seemed to really enjoy looking at everything. You could see in her eyes that she was very interested and the fact that she was wobbling back and forth in her seat and her arms were flailing around showed us that she was excited and she liked what she saw. She did such a wonderful job at looking at something and then touching it. I am so impressed with how she is. I feel like the doctors must have told us all of the bad stuff that might be possible with her having down syndrome but some how forgot to tell us that it is quite possible she may be amazing and just like any other baby!

Check- Up Time

Today was Vada's four month check-up. She was suppose to get her immunizations today, however she received a rectal swab instead. Personally, i'm not for sure which one is worse.

Last Thursday Vada started to have diarrhea. At first I figured it was associated with her teething. When Sunday came around I figured we both must have caught something, because I started feeling ill. Then Sunday night came and with the diarrhea came traces of blood. Not a lot, but blood none the less. Monday morning came with two more diapers resembling the one from the night before so I called the ped's office. After discussing the details I was instructed to get a stool sample. Boy, was that fun. Not. For one reason or another I was unable to get a sample before I brought her in today. Hence, the swab.

Were still waiting on the results. Its a culture, so it takes 24 to 72 hours to determine anything. I told the doctor that I would like to hold off on her immunizations until we figure out what were dealing with in regards to the diarrhea. He agreed, although I am not for sure if her really agreed or just did it because he knew I wouldn't budge on that idea. Either way, were waiting.

The doctor did do a check up & said everything else looks pretty good.

rocking and ROLLING OVER

This morning I woke up and looked in Vada's bed and she was on her stomach. Its been four nights that she has been sleeping in her crib. Upstairs, above our bedroom. One night we stayed at Justin's parents house, and that night I slept great! The crib was right next to me and I could look at her anytime. I could hear her breathing, that is something that the baby monitor doesn't really pick up & because she is not next to me I have the hardest time sleeping. Therefore, this morning when I found her sound asleep on her belly I thought that surely I must have put her that way with out thinking. Not that I have ever done that, I haven't. I just figured I need to take some naps today. So I brushed off the idea that it was a possibility that she actually rolled over.

Later, I laid Vada down under her play mat, walked into the kitchen, got some coffee and came back in. There she was on her belly again. Jasmine was walking out of the room so I asked her if she moved Vada. She said she thought that I put her on her stomach for some "tummy time". So here I was again, dumbfounded. I was sure that it was too early, and even though I had found her this way twice today, I didn't quite believe what I was seeing...

Until...

I saw it for myself...


I am so proud!!! Over joyed really! She is so amazing! She is 4 months and 10 days old today. She was born 3 weeks early. And for children with Down Syndrome the average age for rolling from back to belly is 7 months , the range is 5 to 9. She isn't even there yet. WOW! She is amazing.

Here is a link to the milestone chart I referred to (http://www.down-syndrome.org/information/development/early/?page=7#milestones)

Rhinestones and Ruffles

I find great joy in having girls. However, I am just getting into the hormones, so I may change my opinion somewhat off and on through the next few years. For now, and for the most part, being a mother of three girls has been pretty fun. I have especially enjoyed dressing them. Jasmine is out of that stage, and in some ways I think she is rebelling against my likes. Kiliegh likes to dress like Punky Brewster, and I want to nurture that spark of individuality in her. So I let her dress herself, even when she choose two different shoes to wear. Then there is Vada. Sweet sweet Vada. Probably our last child that we will have. Therefore my last girl to "dress up". I am kind of bummed about that. Its fun. However, I am making sure to NOT take it for granted.







This outfit was a gift from one of our good friends.I t is actually the only outfit, besides some girly Cubs onsies and Beatles onsies, and all of her dresses, and hats ( I cant forget the hats. I love getting hats for her. They are fun!)that is a "dress up" type of outfit. I am actually kind of proud of myself, because I didn't buy this particular "dress up" outfit. Which means I am restraining myself. Right?








Well, either way she is a Prima Ballerina today, and she is as cute as can be!