DID YOU KNOW?

Children with Down syndrome may receive Early Intervention Services. This refers to an array of specialized programs and related resources that are made available by health care professionals to the child with Down syndrome. These health care professionals may include special educators, speech therapists, occupational therapists, social workers, & physical therapists.

All is well here. Eric is due home sometime today. Finally, we can settle it as a family again. Aidan is very excited. He wants to make Daddy a cake when he gets home from school today. He also wants Daddy to take him on a city bus & take him for a ride in one of the "Army jeeps." Big plans! I am relieved that the 2 months are officially over now. I feel like I can finally exhale & relax. The past few months have been lonely, stressful & exhausting. I am excited for the kids to have their Daddy back & I am grateful to have my partner back.

Gotta run. Aidan will be getting off the school bus any minute!

Life is good..........

INTERESTING FACT

People with Down syndrome often have lowered general immunity compared to the general population. This means that they may be more susceptible to infections & common ailments, especially in early childhood.

Life is cazy here! I haven't really had the time to focus on my blog like I would like to. Eric will be home in 4 days. Once life is somewhat back to normal, I am hoping to spend more time blogging. I have lots to say!!

Off to take a Zumba class at the gym!

Don't forget...It's still National Down Syndrome Awareness Month!! :)

MOMMY'S SPREADING THE NEWS

Researchers are making great strides in identifying the genes on Chromosome 21 that cause the characteristics of Down syndrome. Many feel strongly that it will be possible to improve, correct or prevent many of the problems associated with Down syndrome in the future.

I only have a moment to write, but I wanted to make this entry. I was on Facebook this morning & I saw that one of my "friends" took the "How Retarded Are You?" Quiz. I was shocked to see that there was such a thing. This "friend" was only someone I went to school with, not someone I would truly call a "friend". I know it's all in fun, but come on. I find it very offensive. That comment offends so many people & it could possibly include my daughter! I know, I have become the Mommy with a cause, the one who won't shut up, the one who looks for the meaning in everything, the one who is always fighting, standing up for her children...so be it. I am proud of who I am & what I am fighting for. I intend to contact Facebook to try to get rid of that Quiz. Someone has to step up, right? It might as well be Emmie's Mommy! :)

Any thoughts on this? Gotta run. Emmie's crying & the therapist will be here any minute.

I AM CELEBRATING NATIONAL DOWN SYNDROME AWARENESS MONTH!!

NATIONAL DOWN SYNDROME AWARENESS MONTH

Quality educational programs, a stimulating home environment, good health care, and positive support from family, friends and the community enable people with Down syndrome to develop their full potential and lead fulfilling lives.

DID YOU KNOW?

All people with Down syndrome experience cognitive delays, but the effect is usually mild to moderate and is not indicative of the many strengths and talents that each individual possesses.

SPREADING AWARENESS...

People with Down syndrome attend school, work, participate in decisions that affect them, and contribute to society in many wonderful ways.

ANOTHER FACT

Life expectancy for people with Down syndrome has increased dramatically in recent decades---from 25 in 1983 to 60 today.

Celebrate National Down Syndrome Awareness Month!! I am!! :)

Love you, Emmie Grace XOXOXOXOX

MORE TO SHARE

A few of the common physical traits of Down syndrome are low muscle tone, small stature, an upward slant to the eyes, and a single deep crease across the center of the palm. Every person with Down syndrome is a unique individual and may possess these characteristics to different degrees or not at all.

A busy day for me & Emmie. She has physical therapy,then we are meeting Aunt Becca & her daughter Hailey for lunch. Tonight a sitter is coming to watch the kids & I am going to a seminar at Aim High...Special Care Planning. Looking forward to getting more information & seeing my friends!! Time to get some chili in the crockpot....it's the perfect day for it.

HAPPY DOWN SYNDROME AWARENESS MONTH!! :)

MORE TO SHARE

People with Down syndrome have an increased risk for certain medical conditions such as congenital heart defects, respiratory and hearing problems, Alzheimer's disease, childhood leukemia, and thyroid conditions. Many of these conditions are now treatable, so most people with Down syndrome lead healthy lives.

DID YOU KNOW....

The incidence of births of children with Down syndrome increases with the age of the mother. But due to higher fertility rates in younger women, 80 percent of children with Down syndrome are born to women under 35 years of age.

The kdis & I just got back from camping with Mema & Papa. We had a good time as always. Eric left yesterday for 2 weeks. This was unexpected. He is at Ft. Drum. I am glad he is close to home. Somehow it makes it a little easier. I hope Aidan has an easier time during the next 2 weeks.

ANOTHER FACT TO SHARE

There are more than 400,000 people living with Down syndrome in the
United States.

I am proud to say that one of them is my daughter, Emily Grace.

Love you, Emmie. XOXOXOXOXOXOX

DID YOU KNOW?

Down syndrome is the most commonly occurring chromosomal condition. One in every 733 babies is born with Down syndrome.

Last night Emmie was trying so hard to sit up. What a big girl! She was able to keep her balance for a very short time, then she would fall over. She enjoys sitting up & I love seeing her like that. I am working on getting a picture of it. Speaking of pictures, I really need to update my blog pics. I'll add it to my "to do" list. :)

Emmie tried bananas this morning & loved them!!

I am off to the gym in a little bit. This will be Emmie's first day attending the daycare at the gym. Their policy is that the kids need to be 6 months old & sitting up. After thinking about this & knowing that Emmie may not sit up for a while, I saw this as an opportunity to speak up. I called the front desk & asked about their daycare policy & the woman could not give me a clear cut answer as to why they have that policy. She referred me to the director. The director said it was for safety reasons so that the older kids won't hurt the babies. Whatever! I proudly stated, "My daughter has Down syndrome & she may not sit up for quite some time." After a brief conversation, the director said they would make an exception. It felt good to speak up for Emmie & to say that she has Down syndrome without feeling ashamed or embarrassed. She is my girl no matter what & I will continue to stand up for her.

SPREADING AWARENESS...National Down Syndrome Awareness Month

October is National Down Syndrome Awareness Month & this Mommy is spreading the news!! This month I will be posting facts about Down syndrome & getting the word out there. It is important for me to give people the correct information. There are many misconceptions out there about Down syndrome & I want to share the truths that we have discovered so far.

Also....Feel free to ask any question about Down syndrome. This is the perfect time...Down Syndrome Awareness Month. There are no stupid questions. Here are some examples:
What causes it? What is life like with Emmie? Would you ever...? What has been...?
I am certainly not an expert, I am learning myself. I will do my best to answer you or find the answer for you.

Down syndrome occurs when an individual has three, rather than two copies of the twenty-first chromosome. This additional genetic material alters the course of development & causes the characteristics associated with Down syndrome.

HAPPY DOWN SYNDROME AWARENESS MONTH!! :)

EMMIE'S 6 MONTH CHECK UP

Where has the time gone?! Emmie turned 6 months on October 4..unbelievable!! Everyone says things go faster with the 2nd child...they weren't kidding! Emmie's appoinment went very well. She now weighs 14lbs, 14oz & is 25 1/2" long. She also got her shots...her 6 month shots & the flu shot. She took them like a champ!! Daddy was there to comfort his little girl. Emmie did not make a peep! Such a brave little girl. She did not get the swine flu shot. The office did not have any & we are somewhat concerned about it because it is so new. Not sure what we are going to do about that yet. Emmie is at high risk because of having low immunity from Down syndrome. It is important for her to get immunized, but I have some concerns.

Emmie is eating well. She is on solids now & eats cereal, peas, green beans, avocado, pears, applesauce. I make the food myself. It is something Aidan really enjoys helping out with. We use a food mill (Thank you, Julie!) & then freeze the food in small cubes. They come in very handy. For a while, Emmie was having trouble with feedings. At times, she would thrust her tongue out, which forces the food out. I was very concerned about this, but after a Speech session with Roberta, I feel much more confident. It is important to make sure that Emily is in an upright position when she is eating. The more she slouches, the worse the tongue thrusting is. I see a big difference when we pay attention to her positioning.

We will be taking Emily to a pediatric opthamologist. We want to get her eyes checked because from time to time we notice her left eye turning in. It doesn't happen alot, but I would rather get it checked & have peace of mind.

All is well. Emmie will go back to the dr. at 8 months for more shots. ugh! I feel awful putting all of this crap into her body, but I know it is protecting her. We will decide on the swine flu shot within the next few months. As always, we are grateful for our healthy little girl.

Time to feed Emmie!

THE WALK....Capital Region Buddy Walk

Here I am!! Finally blogging again!! :) Eric got home on Saturday & I am so relieved that the 2 months are over. I don't know how I survived it!! Aidan & Emmie were my life!! I know all children are their mother's life 24/7, but this was intense!! I am so grateful for my family & friends....you all kept me going. Talks on the phone, playdates, dinners, encouraging words...you are all the best!! Here I am, still standing. Once again, we are a family.

Eric got home just in time for us to participate in our very first Buddy Walk. The Capital Region Buddy Walk was held on Sunday, October 4 in Central Park, Schenectady, NY. It was a one-mile inspirational walk that aims to promote acceptance & inclusion of all people with Down syndrome by inviting the surrounding community to learn more & to ultimately embrace the individuality of their neighbors. The event was organized by my friends at the Down Sydrome Aim High Resource Center (DSAHRC). It was a fundraiser for the Center which provides valuable services to Capital Region families. The Center has done so much for us. We wanted to give back.

At first, I was a little hesitant to go to the walk. I was afraid how the day would affect me. At times, I have the tendency to focus on Emily future instead of the here & now. I thought seeing the older children with Down syndrome would be overwhelming for me. I was wrong!! I feel like I am really starting to embrace this new life of ours. The actual "walk" was empowering. I held Emmie close to me as I walked. It felt so good to look around & see so many people supporting us. We were surrounded by love!! Our family & friends were there to support us & it couldn't have been better! I got to see my friends Sheila & Debbie from the Resource Center & it felt so good. These people have become so important to me. They are like family.

The day of the walk, October 4, was Emily's 6 month birthday, which made it even more perfect! When Aidan was 6 months old, I threw him a 1/2 birthday party. He had a monkey cake, because I thought he looked like a little monkey. His ears stuck out like Curious George. :) We had a small 1/2 birthday party for Emmie. Her theme was butterflies. The buttefly is an important symbol to the Down syndrome community. The

metamorphosis of the caterpillar into a butterfly symbolizes the potential of people with Down syndrome. (More on the butterfly in another entry.) Emmie had a great party! It is hard to believe my little girl is 6 months old already. Time is flying by! I am trying to enjoy this journey & live in the moment as much as possible.

It was a whirlwind weekend! So much excitement! As I write this, I can hear Aidan talking to his Daddy. I don't know what they are talking about, but it sounds good to me. Life is good!