Hey...Look what I can do!
1:08 PM Posted In gabby , milestones 20 Comments »
It's funny...I was just talking to Chrystal last night about how I was bummed that Little Miss was not yet sitting up. Coincidentally enough, after we got off the phone, Gabby did this...
It might look like she is propped up by pillows, but I assure you she is doing that 100% on her own. I was ecstatic! Granted, she usually topples over around the thirty-second mark, she IS sitting up and it will be no time before she no longer needs those pillows surrounding her ;)
It might look like she is propped up by pillows, but I assure you she is doing that 100% on her own. I was ecstatic! Granted, she usually topples over around the thirty-second mark, she IS sitting up and it will be no time before she no longer needs those pillows surrounding her ;)
I am so proud. She must have gotten the memo that it's her birthday on Saturday...time to be a "big gril," as Cameron would say.
Norman
1:17 PM Posted In norman 12 Comments »
I am not sure if I have mentioned Norman before...maybe?
In any case, Norman is a bagger at my local grocery store and he happens to have Down syndrome. Even before Gabby was born I found him fascinating. Partly because he is "different" but more because there's something truly wonderful and captivating about him.
I am not sure how old Norman is but I'd say he is probably in his forties...maybe even in his fifties. He is almost entirely grey but he still has his baby face so I could be totally wrong. I once saw he and his mother shopping together for groceries after his shift and she was, let's just say...elderly? So yeah...Norman is "older."
Anytime I see Norman at the checkout I make sure I stand in his line. I think he may have helped me a few times with my bags before I had Gabby and I am fairly sure I didn't say anything more than "thank you" when he was finished loading up my car even though I did think he was a sweet man. I just never went out of my way to make small talk. I wish now that I would have thought to strike up a conversation...
So anyway, since I had Gabby I have been on a mission to talk to Norman. It's been quite a trying task as I tend to shop later in the afternoon and Norman works in the morning. Bummer. A few weeks ago I was shopping alone and though I didn't succeed in getting Norman to bag my groceries for me, as I was pulling out of my parking place, I saw Norman struggling to gather all of the shopping carts from the parking lot. Now, I haven't cried about "Down syndrome" in a long time...like a REALLY long time. But for whatever reason, seeing Norman that day got me kind of sad. I started feeling bad for myself and for Gabby which is just STUPID. So what if one day her occupation is a bagger at a grocery store? The sadness was brief and I snapped out of my funk pretty quickly realizing that Norman was happy with his life and that was what mattered.
Today while Cam was at school, Gabby and I made a trip to the grocery store for some dinner items. I had Gabby in a sling and she was happy and cheerful and waving to everyone in the store. When it came time to check out, there was Norman. I was so excited to see him. I noticed that Norman was extraordinarily happy today. Usually he is very quiet and doesn't say much. Today he was laughing and having a grand ole' time bagging groceries.
I wasn't expecting much out of our interaction today since I only had one bag worth of groceries and wouldn't need his help getting them to my car (which would have been when I would have finally made an attempt to get to know him a bit.) But Norman surprised me. He took one look at Gabby and started chatting my ear off about two little boys (not sure exactly who the two boys were...it almost sounded like he was telling me about his two boys. He was so jolly and really made my day. Gabby seemed to enjoy his company too. I said to Norman, "you know what Norman? This little girl has Down syndrome...whaddya think of that?" Norman looked at me with a big huge smile and then bent down towards Gabby and gave her a very animated TWO THUMBS UP.
Norman made my day today. I am happy to have finally gotten a chance to interact with him and he with us even if it was just a little something to know we shared a common thread. Today certainly won't be the end of our conversations with Norman. I think I'll start shopping more often in the mornings, ha!
In any case, Norman is a bagger at my local grocery store and he happens to have Down syndrome. Even before Gabby was born I found him fascinating. Partly because he is "different" but more because there's something truly wonderful and captivating about him.
I am not sure how old Norman is but I'd say he is probably in his forties...maybe even in his fifties. He is almost entirely grey but he still has his baby face so I could be totally wrong. I once saw he and his mother shopping together for groceries after his shift and she was, let's just say...elderly? So yeah...Norman is "older."
Anytime I see Norman at the checkout I make sure I stand in his line. I think he may have helped me a few times with my bags before I had Gabby and I am fairly sure I didn't say anything more than "thank you" when he was finished loading up my car even though I did think he was a sweet man. I just never went out of my way to make small talk. I wish now that I would have thought to strike up a conversation...
So anyway, since I had Gabby I have been on a mission to talk to Norman. It's been quite a trying task as I tend to shop later in the afternoon and Norman works in the morning. Bummer. A few weeks ago I was shopping alone and though I didn't succeed in getting Norman to bag my groceries for me, as I was pulling out of my parking place, I saw Norman struggling to gather all of the shopping carts from the parking lot. Now, I haven't cried about "Down syndrome" in a long time...like a REALLY long time. But for whatever reason, seeing Norman that day got me kind of sad. I started feeling bad for myself and for Gabby which is just STUPID. So what if one day her occupation is a bagger at a grocery store? The sadness was brief and I snapped out of my funk pretty quickly realizing that Norman was happy with his life and that was what mattered.
Today while Cam was at school, Gabby and I made a trip to the grocery store for some dinner items. I had Gabby in a sling and she was happy and cheerful and waving to everyone in the store. When it came time to check out, there was Norman. I was so excited to see him. I noticed that Norman was extraordinarily happy today. Usually he is very quiet and doesn't say much. Today he was laughing and having a grand ole' time bagging groceries.
I wasn't expecting much out of our interaction today since I only had one bag worth of groceries and wouldn't need his help getting them to my car (which would have been when I would have finally made an attempt to get to know him a bit.) But Norman surprised me. He took one look at Gabby and started chatting my ear off about two little boys (not sure exactly who the two boys were...it almost sounded like he was telling me about his two boys. He was so jolly and really made my day. Gabby seemed to enjoy his company too. I said to Norman, "you know what Norman? This little girl has Down syndrome...whaddya think of that?" Norman looked at me with a big huge smile and then bent down towards Gabby and gave her a very animated TWO THUMBS UP.
Norman made my day today. I am happy to have finally gotten a chance to interact with him and he with us even if it was just a little something to know we shared a common thread. Today certainly won't be the end of our conversations with Norman. I think I'll start shopping more often in the mornings, ha!
T21 Traveling Afghan Project!
5:27 PM Posted In traveling afghan 3 Comments »
"The T21 Traveling Afghan Project was started by CJ, in honor of her daughter Emmalee. Emmalee was adopted at the age of fifteen months and is the joy of her family's life.
CJ taught herself to crochet about three years ago and wished she could make every child with Down syndrome a blankie of their own. She has found an enormous amount of love, support and friendship within her Down syndrome family and she wanted to pass that on. Since she would never have the time (or yarn) to make one for every family, she decided she would make ONE afghan to send to them ALL. And why not chronicle the project in the process?!
The Projct grew by leaps and bounds. What began as something fun has become another strand to bind together all those families who share a little something extra! CJ's also blogs at Don't Lick The Ferrets and helps maintain Family My Way. "
How cool is that?
CJ emailed me today and let me know she had noticed that I was not yet signed up to participate and asked if I was interested. Of course I was, so now we're on the waiting list to receive and cuddle this beautiful afghan that has touched so many peoples lives. We can't wait.
If you are interested in participating, please sign up!
To sign up, please send an email (subject: T21 Afghan) to TheT21TravelingAfghanProject@gmail.com with the following information:
1. Your Name
2. Address
3. Blog url
4. Name and age of child or person with T21
5. Whether or not you would be willing to ship the afghan out of your country of residence.
6. Your email address
Once you get an email back from me, you are on the list. If you do not hear back from me, you are not on the list!
Here are the Rules for Participation:
1. It's never too late to sign up.
2. I WILL send it to you, no matter WHERE you are.
3. You must have a family member with Down syndrome.
4. There is no age restriction.
5. Shipping to the next family is YOUR responsibility.
6. You must send (email or snail mail) pictures of your family member with the afghan.
That's it! How you can spread the word?
Add The T21 Traveling Afghan Button to your blog or website.
Grab the button, spread the word!
Easter Weekend!
5:11 PM 8 Comments »Happy Easter everyone!
We just got back from visiting the family in Fresno and we had a GREAT time!
Since Nguyen has to work every Easter and my dad moved away, I decided it would be fun to actually do something this year instead of sitting at the house twiddling my thumbs. So my mom and I packed up the kids and spent the weekend with family and I am so glad we did.
Get ready for a picture overload!
Gabby cheesin it up when we first got to Aunt Nutty's house.
Cameron testing out his new monster feet. He did surprisingly well.
Cameron made best friends with Nutty's fur babies, Maddie and Macy.
On Friday night, we made two different bunny cakes. Cameron was in charge of one of them while G-Ma handled the other.
Ta-Da!
So proud!
And G-Ma's creation. It's so cute!
Smoking a carrot cigar...
Then Nutty thought it would be fun to attack Cam with silly string.He loved it.
And wanted to attack everyone else.
Including Aunt Leigh....
And G-Ma.
Later that night, Great Grandma and Grandpa came over to BBQ.
Gabby met "Grandpa Fuzzy" for the first time.
Cam being cute.
Saturday morning we attended a baby shower for my second cousin, Kristie who is adopting a little boy from China!Cameron thought the patio swing was wonderful...
Gabby kinda liked it too.
Gabby got passed around like a football, making everyone smile along the way.
Gabby with the Mommy-to-be!
Thank goodness they had goodie bags for the kids!
Eventually, sleepiness caught up with Cam. He passed out in the swing.
But Gabby was the light of the party!
After the shower we headed back to Nutty's house and hung out by the pool. Cameron was interested in the pooper-scooper so Nutty gave him a lesson.
and he thouroughly enjoyed it.
And FINALLY, Saturday night was egg-dyeing night!
Gabby wanted to help.
Cameron did a GREAT job, despite having the sniffles and a major cough.
Gabby hung out in her play pen and amused us.
Saturday night, after a long day of playing, both kids passed outafter a dose of cough medicine and slept in until 8-ish. Gabby caught up on beauty rest and didn't join us until after 9am.
Gabby got passed around like a football, making everyone smile along the way.
Gabby with the Mommy-to-be!
Thank goodness they had goodie bags for the kids!
Eventually, sleepiness caught up with Cam. He passed out in the swing.
But Gabby was the light of the party!
After the shower we headed back to Nutty's house and hung out by the pool. Cameron was interested in the pooper-scooper so Nutty gave him a lesson.
and he thouroughly enjoyed it.
And FINALLY, Saturday night was egg-dyeing night!
Gabby wanted to help.
Cameron did a GREAT job, despite having the sniffles and a major cough.
Gabby hung out in her play pen and amused us.
Saturday night, after a long day of playing, both kids passed out
Cameron decided to do the egg hunt without her...
He scored lots of fun goodies and is loaded up on sugar as I type.
We had such a fun weekend.
He scored lots of fun goodies and is loaded up on sugar as I type.We had such a fun weekend.
Cameron is already missing Aunt Nutty's dogs...
Tracey, give them hugs from Cameron please.
Thanks to all of our family who entertained us all weekend. We had a blast!
Hope everyone had a great Easter.
I need to sleep!
Show-n-tell Friday!
3:43 PM Posted In cameron , show-n-tell 14 Comments »Okay seriously, Cameron has like 10,001 toys so what does he pick to share for show-n-tell today?
This picture cracks me up. That's what his face looks like when I tell him to "say cheese!"
So yeah...a spatula was what he chose to share today. And might I add that it wasn't just any spatula. We have three and he went through all of them and picked the BEST spatula we had in our utensil drawer.
He was so proud of it too. At first I was going to try and talk him out of it but then I thought, "who cares...he wants to share a spatula...who am I to stop him?" Nguyen dropped him off at school this morning and on Friday's (show-n-tell day) there is a big cart by the door in which the kids are supposed to place their items in. Nguyen and I were laughing thinking about the teacher pulling it out and saying "okay, so who decided to bring the spatula for sharing today?"
:)
Nguyen thinks it was the best show-n-tell EVER! He is hoping next week Cam picks something even better. What a clown.
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