McCain Chooses Palin as Running Mate

Palin is the mother of 5 including a new baby with Down syndrome.


Here an article from April when she had her baby and a video when the news broke of her son's birth. Trig was due to be born on the same day that Logan was due, May 18th, 2008.
http://www.adn.com/news/alaska/story/380134.html

New Ebay Fan

Lately, I have become a fan of ebay. I know it has been out there for a while, but I finally decided I needed to try it. I have had some things in our basement that I haven't touched in years and I always had the thought to sell them on ebay, but just never followed through. Well, I have sold a few items and of course I couldn't help but do a little shopping too! I received a cute ebay purchase today and I have to share. I know I am a little early, but it is just too cute!
(Those of you who know me well are probably not surprised by my choice to make my baby a frog!)

Devin Milestone Too!

Devin can write his name!! I am so excited about this, maybe it's the teacher in me.
Check it out!
(I can't help wondering when Logan will write his name and I worry how hard it will be for him. )

My little show off!

Today, Logan tried a gymnastics class for 4-10 months olds. I put him in this class because most kids are walking in the next class. The other babies in the class were close to crawling, but were not. I told the other Mom's that Logan had started crawling yesterday and I didn't really expect him to crawl much...I was so wrong! He wouldn't stay anywhere near me! He just kept crawling away...a long way away! He showed off his new skill big time. It seemed like he loved the red mats we were on. At the end of the class they blew bubbles and Logan crawled all over popping the bubbles on the mat with his hands. He also was the only baby that rolled a ball back to me when we played a pass the ball game! I know he was the oldest, but those other babies were the same age as Logan's age developmentally! I was so proud of him.
Oh, and one more thing, Logan pulled himself up a couple more times lately!

Blood Test Results Finally Came Back:
Blood Work CBC-Normal!
Thyroid-Normal!!

Logan is crawling!!!!

He just started crawling in the last couple of days! He doesn't go far, just from one toy to the next, but it is very exciting. A few days ago I was ready to blog how frustrated I was getting. Most days I am fine with letting him go at his own pace, but other days I just wish he could move around so he could be happier. He still doesn't leave the general area that you put him down in, but a couple of feet seems like a long way. The crawling doesn't look easy for him and it is really shaky, but I know it will only get better the more I encourage him to do it. Before now, he has always fallen to his belly and squirmed a little ways to get a toy he really wanted.

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

Arc Corn Roast and Down to Earth Picnic

Last week we were busy with many end of summer picnics. The Arc Fox Cities corn roast was a fun event with many kid's activities and of course we got to spend time with some DSFN families. Then, over the weekend, we saw our friends again. The Down to Earth Picnic is a wonderful DS support group about 45 minutes from us. I have been able to make a few monthly meetings over the last year, but the distance makes it hard to attend often. This group has so many wonderful families and many kids close to Logan's age. We are so lucky to have two wonderful support groups close by. Here are a few pics from the Down to Earth Picnic.



The park had a great splash pad with water fountains. Devin loved it and wouldn't even stop playing for a picture.


Precious Micah with his Mom.

Of course, Logan's buddy Aaron was there.

Me, Devin and Logan doing the Hokey Pokey.

15 Month Check-up

Today, Logan had his 15 month check-up.
He has really grown! 2 inches and about 1 pound!
He had blood drawn to check his thyroid and blood count so we are waiting for those results. The thyroid level was rising last time we were in, so I would not be surprised if it is now too high.
Here are his stats:
Weight: 24 lbs 14.5 oz 60% (90+% DS chart)
Length: 30 inches 20% (75% DS Chart)

Party with some DSFN friends

Over the weekend we attended an "End of Treatment" party for the older sister of a friend of Logan's. It was the best kind of party to go to! What's better than celebrating beating cancer! Visit their blog to see some pictures and read about the amazing Karly!

It was great to see Karly and her friends and family as well as many families from the Down Syndrome Family Network.

Here are a couple of pics of Logan with his friend Aaron (11 months), and one of Dale and Logan. (thanks Michelle!)

The R word

I want to share something that has been buzzing around my DS email groups lately. The movie Tropic Thunder came out this week and it contains the use of the R word (retard) multiple times. Many people have chosen to boycott the movie and are encouraging others to do the same. I definitely find the word even more offensive now than ever because it could be used to describe Logan, but I would hope that people would choose a more appropriate word to describe a person with less mental ability than average. I'm not going to tell anyone what to do, but I would like to encourage you to think twice before supporting this movie. Logan and other people like him deserve respect and movie makers should think twice before including this word just like any other word that puts down a specific group of people.

Happy 15 Months!

I can't believe how fast time is going. My little cutie is growing up too fast.

Go USA!

(Logan still does his cheesy smile everytime I get the camera out and he now, as you can see, has both of his top front teeth)

I will update his stats on Tuesday when he has his 15 month check-up!

SureSteps

Logan got his Sure Steps today. He needs to wear them whenever he is standing for now. He doesn't get up to standing alone quite yet (although he did do it once in the bathtub!), so he will wear them when we put him up into stand to play. He didn't seem to mind them, except when he is trying to move on the floor. When he is on the floor, the shoes get in the way because they are pretty big and bulky compared to going barefoot.

Fun with Devin

Devin is really at a fun age now where he can do so many things for the first time! This has made this summer a blast for him and also for me. I love watching him try new things, especially when he likes them and tells me how much fun he had. This summer he has gotten to try so many things like fishing, gymnastics, water slides, bowling, farmer's markets, scavenger hunts and swimming under water.

Here are some recent pics of what Devin has been up to and let you in on how much fun he is!!

We took him bowling for the first time yesterday. He loved it and asked if we could bowl in our basement at home. This is a rare pic of me....I don't enjoy seeing myself so prego.

Here he is enjoying his pink ball! Daddy was proud of his selection. Devin has a thing for pink! I think it's cute.

Logan helped us keep score. (I can't wait to take Logan bowling!!!)

Watch out!! This next pic is a bit scary, but it is typical Devin! Silly boy! He got the teeth from a picnic at his Great Grandma's nursing home...yes, they gave the kids fake teeth!

Here is a pic from the picnic with Great Grandma.

Devin has turned into a fish over the summer. I wasn't a big fan of having a pool, but after realizing how hot it was going to be this summer, I decided to get one. It has turned out to be a great thing for the whole family. Logan loves the water and Devin swims almost everyday. I was afraid it would be a lot to take care of, but it has really been easy!!

When Devin first started going under the water it scared me A LOT, but I have had to get used to it. That's all he does now is go under over and over. He dives down for toys and does all sorts of flips and stuff under the water. It always makes me nervous, but I guess I just need to let go a little. He is growing up whether I like it or not.

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

Wordless Wednesday

First trip for kids to Cold Stone Creamery. First ice cream for Logan!

Buddy Walk 2008

Our area Buddy Walk will take place on Sept. 6th. Last year, Team Logan was the largest team at the walk with over 20 walkers!! We were so grateful for all of the support from our family and friends and hope that they can come out and walk again this year! This year, our goal is to raise money for the Down Syndrome Family Network. This is a local support group that we get together with and where we can get up to date information on services and programs for Logan. This group also supplies new parent packages to local hospitals with up to date and accurate information on Down syndrome when parents receive a prenatal or postnatal diagnosis. We are so thankful to have found this wonderful group for support. It has made the last year a lot easier for us as far as feeling comfortable with Logan's diagnosis and dealing with the challenges that we have faced. It has also been great to meet other babies, children and adults with Down syndrome. The future is so bright when you can see how happy and successful these other kids and adults are.
To make a pledge for Team Logan to support the Down Syndrome Family Network, click on the donate button on the first giving box on the upper right of my blog. The DSFN is supported by The Arc Fox Cities.

Cheese!!

Lately, every time I get the camera out (which is quite often), Logan has been making a funny "cheesy face" at me. It is so darn cute. He is really starting to be aware of everything going on around him and he is also imitating a little. I hope to get him doing a sign or two soon.

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com