New Header for 2010

So I LOVE redesigning my blog, as you can probably tell. I have had this blog thing for four months now and I have changed the background 3 times, maybe. Oh well, enjoy!

You'd think by the looks of the girlie background, that I have a baby GIRL growing in my belly, since I am not quite the girlie girl. But I do not. It is a boy for sure! We asked the ultrasound technician multiple times, just to make sure. :)

Here are some of my favorite photos from Christmas. Hope everyone enjoyed themselves immensely! Jack's new discoveries were the piano and slinky. Man, he just makes me smile!!!!!!!!!!!





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First Hair Cut

We went to get Jack's very first hair cut today, finally! His hair was quite long. Now I know I am biased, but OH MY he looks SO HANDSOME! He also no longer looks like a baby. We now have an adorable 14 month old toddler.

Big News!!!

We are finally announcing our big news! We are expecting a baby boy (yes, another boy) due May 5, 2010. The boys will be 18 months apart. Jack is going to be the best big brother ever!

This is an ultrasound still shot from today. You can see baby boy #2's profile, with the top of his head on the right and his chest on the left.

Busy Week and Cookie Recipe

Last week was a busy week. Every Monday we have Speech Therapy and Occupational Therapy. Tuesdays are Physical Therapy and Aqua Therapy. Wednesday we bummed around and didn't leave the house. I love those days! Thursday Jack got measured for orthotics to assist him in standing and walking. It was zero degrees walking in to that appointment. Burrr! Later on Thursday we had Developmental Therapy. Friday we had a baby playdate with our new friends Nicole and Adi. Adi is super adorable and almost 6 months old. It really puts things into perspective, seeing a younger baby, at realizing how much Jack has grown in almost 14 months. Saturday we had to miss GiGi's Playhouse breakfast with Santa because Jack woke up with a nasty phlegmy cough. Saturday night, John had babysitting duty and I went to help wrap and decorate for the UPS for DownS holiday party. Sunday we went to that party and had fun seeing all of our friends. It was nice to get to introduce all the people I know to each other. Jack fell asleep in John's arms before we got a chance to meet Santa, but he did get Santa's nice Sesame Street sound book gift. Once we got home, I spent the rest of the day baking sugar cookies and icing them. Mental note: do not bake and decorate any more sugar cookies until I have kids that can help. That is way too time consuming. I was on my feet in the kitchen for 6 hours, I think! I baked the cookies as a gift for Jack's therapists...and also for us, of course! They turned out glossy and yummy! If it wouldn't have taken 6 hours, I would have decorated cuter, with sprinkles and such. But I will save that for when I have an assembly line of kiddos!

Note about recipes: Sugar Cookies - add 1/2 teaspoon more of vanilla and roll dough with powered sugar instead of flour Icing - add more milk until desired consistency

Jack, The Clapping Lion

I just came across this video from Halloween. Thought it was pretty cute showing Jack clap. I know it's almost Christmas, but who can resist a cute clapping lion?

September Professional Photos - Better late than never

Copyright © Michael Dunn Photography

Christmas Blog

I have revamped our blog and added a "Christmas" touch. Merry (Early) Christmas everyone! It's time for the snow to start falling, the neighborhood decorations to go up and the family gatherings to begin. I love this time of year.

Thanksgiving Miracle

I came across an amazing story (from a friend on Facebook of course) of an 11 year old girl who made a pact with her Mom that if she could raise $20,000 in 8 days, they could adopt Darya, a child in need of a loving home. Darya is an orphan in eastern Europe of Reece's Rainbow. In 8 days they were not only able to raise the money necessary to adopt Darya, they raised enough money to help another family adopt another child with Down syndrome. Check out their story. It feels amazing to be a part of a true Thanksgiving Miracle.

Happy Thanksgiving!

I Have a Voice

Last weekend we went to see the "I Have a Voice" Exhibit. It is a beautiful display of people of all ages with Down syndrome. The photos are what kids TODAY look like, not what those old nasty textbooks show to the whole medical profession. The exhibit travels, so check it out soon before it moves on. The message of the exhibit is to spread awareness about Down syndrome and to show how HANDSOME, ADORABLE, CUTE, SPUNKY and INTELLIGENT our kids are! It is sponsored by GiGi's Playhouse.

Thank you Cesar for the photo!

Saturday in the Park

First Wordless Wednesday

Rub a dub dub

I just have to share some bath time photos. Jack LOVES the water.

Birthday Party and Halloween

Jack's Birthday was a two day celebration. Friday was his actual birthday and he tried cake for the first time and loved it of course. Saturday (Halloween) was his party day. I have yet to take down the door decoration.
Maggie, Jimmy and Jack Jack and Reya Cake #1 Cake #2 Singing "Happy Birthday" to Jack

Family Photo Jack the Lion
It was a busy day, but we had to dress him up for Halloween, even if it was just for 10 minutes! He looked so cute. And when he crawled, you would just see the mane moving. He kept on trying to take off the hood/mane too.

Cake!

Jack's first taste of cake...

Clap for cake.
First taste of cake.

Oh, this is good Mommy.
Yummy!
More cake and blue icing.
I love cake!

Happy First Birthday Jack!

Happy 1st Birthday Jack!

Today is Jack's First Birthday! I cannot believe it. My son is one year old!!! I have a one year old son. No matter how you say it. It doesn't seem possible. This first year of life went by way too fast. I have always heard parents say that and now I know what they mean. It's funny. I can't even remember him small and tiny like the newborn he was, but yet it seems like just yesterday that my doctor was telling me "We're going to admit you into Labor and Delivery now."

Happy Birthday Jack! We love you!


So you ask, what is one year old Jack up to these days? He has almost mastered the crawling! Yay! He can crawl to something when he wants, but he usually has to be prompted to do so. The remote and our dog are great luring devices. Go, go, go Jack! I will try to get video and post it later.


Happy Birthday Doodle bug!