Thankful

It happens every year.  I blog every day the entire month of October and then I hit a wall.  I run out of things to say for a few weeks.  In years past, I have blogged every day in November to list all the things I'm thankful for.  Being that it is the 19th of the month...I failed at that one :-)

There are so many things I'm thankful for that I couldn't possibly put them all into words or even into one blog.  See my new header?  I'm so grateful for those 3 fabulous children that it brings tears into my eyes.  I love the enthusiasm, focus, and unconditional love from my oldest.  I love the independence, humor and kindness of my middle son.  I love the smile, determination, and pure joy that radiates from my youngest.  God knew what I wanted and needed when I didn't.  They are each a perfect combination of my husband and I (both good points and the bad habits).  Each different and unique, but very similar at the same time.  I'm thankful for my husband, his love and support.  Grateful for his job that affords me to stay home with our children.

I'm thankful for the things that we sometimes take for granted...our freedom, a home, food, heat, clothing.  Grateful for our families.  Our friends and neighbors that have turned into our village here.

I am grateful for the new friends that have entered into my life because of the new "club" we have joined.  Such fabulous families that we may not have met otherwise.  How lucky we are!

This one will not make sense to everyone.  I'm grateful that I see these things clearer because I was afraid that they would be taken away.  Twice we thought we were going to lose Hailey...once at birth (her lungs were worse than I realized) and then again at open heart surgery.  Milestones...they have always been celebrated and appreciated, but they mean so much more when you realize they are not guaranteed.

So this Thanksgiving...I'm thankful for so much and I hope that everyone in my life realizes how thankful I am for them. 

A few more pictures of my 3 blessings (some better than others)...

5 Things to Know (31 for 21)

Well I did it.  I successfully blogged for 31 days for Down syndrome awareness.  I'm hoping that everyone learned something new about Ds.  I am hoping one day that most people will see Ds the way we do.  I hope they see the individual first and the Ds second.  To close out the month, I'm going to join another blog hop.  It is with the IDSC (International Down Syndrome Coalition).

The five things I want you to know about Hailey.

1 - We love her to the moon and back.  Some may view her as "broken" or "imperfect".  She is beautiful, caring, smart, stubbron, sassy, helpful, a hurricane in disguise.  Look closely, you will see it, too.  She's perfect. (ask me that in an hour after she has destroyed 3 rooms and her "halo" might be a little crooked!)

2 - Do not underestimate her.  Do not think because she doesn't speak as clearly or because she has Ds that she does not understand.  You hide that phone.  She is watching.  Those keys you think are out of her reachh, she will find and you may lose them forever.  Those markers you hid on top of the microwave, she will get.  The girl misses nothing!

3 - Don't put limitations on her.  You expect great things from her and she will do great things.

4 - Teach your children that everyone is different.  It doesn't make one person right and another person wrong.  It is what makes our world such a fabulous place.  Teach them respect.  Teach them that every child wants to have friends and be liked.  Every child likes to play.

5 - Don't be afraid to ask questions about Hailey or Down syndrome (Trisomy 21, T21).  We don't mind.  The more people know, the less scary it is.


Oh, darn.  I have to break the rules.  I need a #6.  We aren't special people.  We just love our child.  We roll with the battles and we celebrate the milestones.  If you hear us down or you hear us upset, it isn't that we don't love our child or that our lives are miserables.  It makes us like every other parent in the world.  Some days are good, some days are bad, some days are great and some are miserable.  We all have them.  It doesn't make us less of a parent or person.  It makes us parents.

Thank you so much for reading Hailey's blog over the last month.  Most of my posts, in general, aren't about Down syndrome just more about Hailey and our life.  It was a road that we didn't anticipate, but it's our life and we are quite happy with it!

I'll leave you with pictures of the last few day.

Hailey sits in some of the craziest positions!

She loves to sit and climb all over her brothers!

Hailey climbed in the van and thought she was being sneaky by sitting in Ian's seat.

Hailey's pumpkin - Doc McStuffins

Our Wolverine and Scream 3

Hailey's reaction to Scream 3!

Hailey rocking her Doc McStuffins costume!

Hailey's Week in Pictures

I'll write something more thought provoking tomorrow.  Today, I'll share photos of our week.

Little Miss Hoarder has found the stash of rubber duckies in the house.  Wonder how many are behind the couch now?

Apparently, we have to pack ducks in our purse when we leave the house.

Daddy celebrated his 40th birthday (check out Bray's face...I can never get a perfect shot of all three :-)

Hailey definitely eyed that cake. 

She loved that cake, too....mom will NEVER use blue icing again!

Hailey learned to dust this week.  Apparently, her playhouse was very dusty.

I love watching her play.  She carried these characters in the living room and had quite the conversation with them.

The "cheese" face has returned. 

She was speaking quite loudly and waving her arms.  Someone either heard a huge tale or she was telling them off.

Alice wasn't on her good side...she wouldn't stand up.

There are no words on how much I love this little girl.