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!
From Jaynie: Yay. It was so great to be a part of a special day, thank you for including us. Peter and I noticed while we were standing in line for a balloon for S that there were a group of kids with DS dancing like crazy to the music. They were having SO MUCH FUN. One of the things that strikes me is how positive and happy DS kids usually are. Emmie is going to have a very happy life. Especially because she has YOU. I can't imagine a better mom. Love you!
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Congratulations on participating in your first Buddy Walk! Now that my daughter, Leah, is almost three, I sometimes find it difficult to remember how tough it was during the first year of her life (unless I really sit and think about it). Not that we don't have our rough spots occasionally (because we do), but I see Leah as Leah, and the Down syndrome isn't always in the forefront, if you know what I mean. Life is good and it keeps getting better.
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