Shelby in January

I'm behind again.  January came and went by sooo fast. Back to school holidays over and the weather changes made all of the girls sick. We have battled bronchitis, the stomach flu, pneumonia, ear infections and plain grumpy moods.

But Shelby turned 3 and this was so great.  She has frown up so much in the last year and it melts my heart every time she gives me that smile of hers.
We decided to do a small home celebration this year. She asked me to make her cake which I usually do but she wanted a castle and then a princess then Oscar the grouch. Finally she settled on a cone castle.
I did my best for her and she loved it. Not the best cake I think but she loved it.

She picked IHOP for lunch with Kara & Samuel and then she invited her them over to have cake and it was perfect and simple just like her.

She got a big girl bike and daddy has promised to take her own and teach her how to ride it :-)
Sis got her a tea set and some princess dolls.
Overall the day was great.

She has enjoyed going to school so much more this month and is asking when she will be old enough to ride the big yellow bus.

She continues to love Samantha and is always willing to help or play with her.
I love my Hunny Bunny!!!

Catching Up

I've been so behind and my December post got lost.

Thanksgiving was quiet and Christmas was good.
This year we didn't go overboard on the gifts for once.  We had David's mom visit and papa and great Nana Jesse came up for Christmas dinner.

All 3 girls were Baptized on New Year's Day, this was a big deal for us as parents. Kara and Bruce stepped up to be their Godparents.

Virginia had enjoyed the break from school and the time at home has done her some good. I think at times she gets so busy she forgets to enjoy being a kid.
All she asked for was a pillow pet and some books this year. Usually she has a list this year she was THANKFUL :-)
She has been helping more around the house and it has been great. Sometimes the 8yr old attitude comes out but she is making me so proud of the effort.
She has asked for my sewing machine because sewing by hand is a little tough, it may be time to pass on the machine I just love that she wants to try it.
She was selected for Art Journal and has truly enjoyed being artistic.
She is continued her community service project for a 2nd year at school this is so great I think.
and she has now topped it off with her 2nd year in Girl Scouts.

Shelby has grown leaps and bounds. She turned 3yrs  this month. I still remember bringing her home from the hospital. 
She has gotten better about school and is developing ahead according to the teachers.  We did a castle cake and ice cream at home with her best buddy and she went to lunch that day as well.
She is a little crafty and loves to read books. Everyone has to read a book before she will say goodnight.

Samantha has grown sooo much.  She has had 2 therapy sessions and is doing awesome.  She is on schedule like the girls and trying hard to get the body up to crawl. She will get on her arms and try to go forward and flops down. 
We found Noah'sdad.com and have found a lot of great resources her for Samantha.  All after a little guy modeled for TARGET who has DS.
She loves to watch the girls and be held by them.  Yes she is spoiled just a little.

On the home front we have started the long process to move this summer and overall we are all looking forward to the change.  Time to start looking at the schools and renters for the house.

Our dear friend Sabrina has continued her fight with Breast Cancer and is doing well. We continue to pray for her recovery. Fight Like A Girl

I will add pics later- once I figure it out.

Have a great weekend.
Vikky

Thankful

Over the last few days I have been reflecting on my life.  I have a great family and great friends.
I was given some bad medical news about a dear friend and it just puts into perspective
 just how precious each day of life is.

Samantha is doing well and her muscle tone is improving every day. She is liking tummy time more and more each day.  She is still in aww of her surroundings.I love to see how she interacts with her sisters but when her dad comes home, she just stares at him and smiles.  When he rocks her to sleep at night  it warms my heart and I remember when he did the same with Tink & Jellybean. He is a great dad.

Tink has  been feeling sad lately and I can't figure out what's behind it.  She's been getting up and sneeking to Shelby's room. When we ask her why she says she's lonely but, they fight like cats and dogs during the waking hours.  She's been playing and reading and all her normal things but just a bit quieter.

Shelby had been unhappy with going to school. She says she is nervous and won't talk much more about it.  I kept her out last week and spoke with the teacher who said she was always a happy kid.

Tomorrow we will visit Papa for the day and then head home to watch Charlie Brown's Thanksgiving, a tradition David started with each holiday. The kids love it.
I hope each of you has a great Thanksgiving and you are able to enjoy it with the one's you love.

2 month Well baby

Thanks for all the kind words from everyone.  I feel better now that everyone knows about Samantha.

Today we had our 2 month well baby. She finally gained weighted to were they were not complaining.
8lbs 10oz

Yesterday we had R.C.S.B come out and do their therapy evaluations.
 She is well ahead at this stage with her activities just needs to strengthen her neck muscles. 
The Dr. seemed bothered by the intervention process being started already.
This was a debate last visit as she feels it's more suited for 6 months and up.

I'm still looking to find locals that I can interact with as we have never been around a child with DS.


Shelby was quiet the little helper today and hates to see her sister in pain. She held her hand during the shots and sang to her afterwards. She got a sucker on the way out for helping so much.

We are off to bed.

Samantha's Story

When I found out I was expecting I was so thrilled, scared and shocked.  We were told we were done having babies.  I called my dear Friends Sabrina and cried. She told me take it easy, things will be OK.  Go tell David.   I was so afraid to tell him.   I got him a card and left on the dresser for when he got home.  He was thrilled and surprised.  We had a few scares early on and thought we may loose this pregnancy as well.      

After a few months we told our friends with a cute pic of the girls saying big sister. 

Months past and all was well.  We found out it was another girl.      I had diabetes with her and high blood pressure everything else was perfect.    Finally the day came she was born, thrilled she was here and theneverything changed.

Shortly after her delivery the nurse walked into our room and took Samantha. They said she needed blood work.  She brought her back then another nurse came in and said the same this time we need to test for downs.  I was still, David was gone and I couldn't speak to say what do you mean. 

We left the hospital with Samantha a few days later no wiser of the results or anything, just some harsh works from a nurse about being a good parent.

We had to meet with a genetic counselor who confirmed her diagnosis.  What was I going to do?

Sabrina and Kara were a big help. They said she was just a bit special and God wouldn't give her to our family if we couldn't handle it.

I cried for days and days. Asking myself what did I do wrong? Was this a punishment?  How will her life be?  No one has asked if anything is wrong with her if they noticed.  Now I' m realizing it but I still have days were I cry. She melts my heart like her sisters do.

She cries, she smiles, she sleeps, she's active and she's a daddy's girl.

she may be a little slower than the other kids but she's our little gift from God. Yes Samantha has Down syndrome and it scares the hell out of me not knowing what her future will be but I think I have some great friends to help me and support us along the way.

Samantha Grace& her lamb