Some Halloween Pictures

Happy Halloween! We had a great, but very busy, day! We started this morning with a fun playdate with friends complete with playing in a leaf pile (it was a gorgeous, warm day) and jack-o-lantern pizza. Then, we made stops at Grandparents homes to trick-or-treat. Later, we made our way around our town to trick-or-treat. I am exhausted, but here are a few pictures of the kid's costumes. I will post more pictures later.

99 Balloons

Life and each day in it is what you choose to make of it. We can't control what happens to us, but we can control how we choose to react to it. This video is the perfect example of making to most of each day no matter what life gives you.

Pictures in honor of DS awareness month

A friend of Logan's friend Ruby's Mom (that's confusing) offered to take pictures of Ruby and her friends in honor of Down syndrome awareness month. The photographer, Amber, has a photography blog where you can view a few of the many wonderful pictures she took yesterday. The other two friends in the photos are Aaron and Hendrick. We had a great time and it was nice to spend some time with these great families. It has been a while since I have been able to attend our DSFN playdates, but I hope to start attending again soon!

Here's a sample of the pictures she took!

Aubrey's Hips

I finally got the ultrasound results today. Her doctor said that her right hip is worse than her left, but neither of them are severely deformed. We are being referred to a specialist because they are not within a normal range that they are supposed to be. Hopefully we get in to see the specialist soon.

Not so little Logie!

When Logan came to visit me and Aubrey at the hospital after she was born, I instantly realized how big he is. He was my little baby until that moment. It was also really sad to think that he was not my baby anymore, but I've decided that I just have two now. Me and my babies were alone the other night while Devin and Dad went to a football game, so I had time to take some pictures of the two of them. I had to be careful though, because Logan just wanted to tackle her like he does his brother. I had to be quick. I took the picture and moved him away from her before he realized he was within reach of her. I can't wait until they can play together. I hope that they will be great friends. I hope to hear about Aubrey's hips tomorrow.

Aubrey Pictures

Aubrey at 5 days old.

I would like to meet Trig too!

This is a news segment I missed. I wish we could have made it to the rally in our area for the same reason.

I Feel Appreciated!!

My hubby made my day today. It's amazing how flowers can brighten your day, especially pink roses, my favorite!
Here are my kiddos! All together for their first photo!

Aubrey Update...prayer request

Today, I had to take Aubrey in for an ultrasound of her hips. At birth, a pediatrician found that her right hip clicked when he examined her. So, the ultrasound was checking for hip dysplasia which I guess occurs in about 4 in 1000 births. The initial result was that she does have some "looseness" or dislocation in both of her hips. I was told she is not in any pain, but if it is significant enough, she will have to be fitted into a Pavlik harness (a very scary and uncomfortable looking thing) that would not be able to be removed for 6 weeks or so. Please pray that her hips tighten up on their own in the next couple of weeks so we can avoid treatment. I guess the harness is about 90% successful in most cases, but it would be very difficult to see her put through that for 6 weeks. We will be hearing from her pediatrician in a couple of days to find out the specific results of the ultrasound and if we can delay treatment, hoping that she will heal on her own.

Logan trying to stand!!

Logan has been pulling himself up for a few weeks, but now he is trying to stand up in the middle of the room!

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Uplifting Story

Down Syndrome Teen Is Homecoming Queen
http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=6034397

17 Months

Mr. Trouble! So adorable!

Home from the hospital

We are home and adjusting to life as a family of 5. Devin loves his little sister and enjoys holding her. He has been gentle, so far, and can't wait for her to get bigger. Logan, on the other hand, doesn't seem to mind his new sister being home, but he has entered a stage where he is way to rough to be near Aubrey. He just likes to pull her blanket off or dive for her face! EEK! He is just having a blast crawling around and playing with his toys. Life is the same for him so far.
As for Dale and I, we are busy with many doctors appointments (mine, Logan's and Aubrey's) and trying to give each child as much attention as possible, which is going to be the hardest thing. It is still very sad for me to have to take some attention away from Logan. I hope I can continue to do his therapy and work on his feeding etc as much as possible. It is definitely going to be challenging, especially when Dale goes back to work.

A day late, but she's here!

I guess you can never expect things to go as planned.

Aubrey Margaret was born Thursday, October 9th at 12:23 pm.
She weighed 7lbs 5oz and was 20 inches long.

We went in Wednesday morning to be induced, but at 6pm I was still only 2-3 centimeters so they turned off the pitocin and we were told we would start over Thursday morning. So, after a full day of contractions every 2-4 minutes, we had to try to get a good nights sleep at the hospital to start all over the next day. At 6am they started the pitocin again, but this time my doctor broke my water at 7am and things moved along fairly quickly. So, after a long day and some disappointment, she finally decided to have her birthday a day late.

Tomorrow is Birthday

We will be going in tomorrow morning to be induced.
Look for pictures soon!

Logan Update

Logan is doing so many awesome things right now and I feel guilty that I haven't had the camera out more lately. I have been overwhelmed with keeping up with things around here so that I am ready for the new baby. He is pulling himself up on everything and climbing stairs! Also, some of his fine motor skills are also coming along. He can fill and empty a container and is starting to push buttons on toys with one finger. Oh, and he just tonight started leaving rooms and going to others by crawling really fast. I have to admit that I lost him twice today!! I feel awful, but it is so great at the same time!

This is it!

I honestly never thought this week would finally come. I think I am in a state of denial about what is about to happen. It's all just so unbelievable...my life has changed so dramatically in so many ways over the last almost 17 months, but I am thankful for ever minute. Logan and Devin have taught me so much about myself. Logan, especially, has made me a better Mom. Mostly, he has taught me to slow down and appreciate the little things in life. I am sad that Logan will not be my baby anymore. It's going to be hard to split my time between my babies and Devin. I just want to give them SO much, but I have no choice now but to divide myself the best I can.

I go to the doctor tomorrow morning for my last appointment and he will let me choose a day this week to be induced. I am very uncomfortable and tired, so I plan to ask to be induced as soon as possible, which will most likely be Wednesday.
Ready or not, here we go...

What's a "healthy baby"?

I wish I could participate in 31 for 21, but instead I plan to post about Down syndrome more than I would normally this month. I will be lucky if I can find time to blog once a week this month, let alone everyday!
As my due date approaches I often hear the same words over and over from people, especially from people who don't know me or my family. People like to start conversations with me about my pregnancy. It usually starts with "When are you due?" or "Do you know what you are having?", but it always ends with "As long as it is healthy, that's all that matters." When I hear that I get a sad feeling. What is a "healthy baby"? Before having Logan, I guess I would have considered a baby with DS or other birth defects an unhealthy baby, but are they really?? Logan was born without serious health problems and was and is very much like a typical "healthy baby". I guess I feel like they are saying "unhealthy" babies are not good enough or are a disappointment. During my current pregnancy, I have never said "I just hope she is healthy", because I feel guilty, like I am saying Logan was not good enough and I want this baby to be better. This time, I just want what God is going to give me. However she comes into this world and whoever she is, is what I want. I know that people are afraid of a baby with serious life threatening health issues, I am too, but I am not afraid of a baby that is just different or a little enhanced like Logan.