Friday, February 20, 2009

Just don't rock the boat....

I have had several inquiries recently asking how I am doing. My lack of blogging has annoyed some people (sorry mom) and worried others. Since the last time I took a big, unannounced blogging break was during the DARK TIME it is a fair concern.

Actually, things are fine. Better than fine, they are awesome. They are doing so well that I have to pinch myself to believe it. In fact, I think that was half the problem. I have been on such an even keel I don't want to do ANYTHING to mess that up. It is like my life is a ship that is packed to the absolute top and we are cruising along at top speed. Everything is fine unless someone upsets the balance. Is that to vague of an analogy? I guess what I am trying to say was that trying to do extra things like blogging, reading or taking a shower (kidding, kind of) puts me off my game.

But, since my baby is almost one (next month, don't remind me..I can't stand it) it is time to re shift the boat. Derek even bought me a laptop so I could update this site regularly while I am in my car or waiting at doctor appointments. I will put up a bunch of pictures to show the relatives that my children are not just alive, but growing and thriving and hope that will buy me some mercy.

I am back.




This girl is HEAVEN. I absolutely cannot get enough of her. There will be lots of Gracie posts soon. Recently what I can't get over is how much like Lulu she is, except the whole "scratching her head with her own foot" thing. She continues to delight the children with her party tricks.


Miss N is a little girl now, there is no toddler left. She is walking, running and talking (heaven help us can she talk). When I see this picture I am struck by how beautiful she is (and how awesome my braids were....). Nosi is still globally delayed, but spends most of her time acting like a 2 1/2 year old. We are also seeing more and more of ...

... this face. Good times ahead.


This guy? Not much has changed. He continues to be charming and funny and is getting less destructive by the day. We are not sending him to Kindergarten this year (he is right on the cusp) so he has another year in preschool to refine his stand up act and practice all the funny faces to make his teacher crazy. Lucky her!


Lauren is too grown up for me. She chooses her own clothes, has opinions about her hair and is generally a great helper and sister. I was looking at pictures of her the other day and realized that my tiny girl is gone. I didn't even notice that the new big girl Lulu had replaced her. Gulp.

There is a tidbit. I am working on some more posts. I am also going to start posting about the progress of Miss Gracie. I have talked to some parents who also have children with Down Syndrome and we were saying how there are only a few blogs that really give people some concrete insight into what it is like to raise our kids. We need these kinds of blogs, not for everyone, but for every family that finds out prenatally that their child has Down Syndrome and is trying to figure out what to do. Or, for the family that finds out at birth and feels overwhelmed with understanding just how exactly their lives are going to change. There needs to be more places where they can see what the developmental delays entail, how the therapies work in the context of family life. Mostly I just hope to show any one who reads here that having a child with Down Syndrome is both the biggest deal in the world and no big deal all at the same time. So many of these pregnancies are terminated and I just think that if people KNEW how easy it is to parent and love these kids, they would have just that much more information to add to their decision basis.

We are off to do something fun this weekend. What are your plans?

32 comments:

Anonymous said...

Welcome back! I'm so glad you've got fun plans. It was so lovely to see you and Gracie and Norah last weekend! Next time I come I'll bring my kids (who will adore your kids--I just know) and we will stay and play longer.

By the way, I thought of you tonight as I posted pictures of Luke and his comp being taken out for a true pub meal--mushy peas and all.

Brit said...

I am delighted to have you back! My friends and I were just discussing our favorite blogs yesterday, and I mentioned yours with an afterthought about how much I missed reading here.

The kids are getting so big! It is hard to believe that Gracie is nearly 1; your little acrobat is adorable! Lauren and Norah are beautiful; Cubby is as handsome as ever!

Yay for your return!

likeschocolate said...

Glad you are back! Your children are just beautiful!!!

Anonymous said...

Thrilled you're back. Now stay back.

sue-donym said...

So glad you are back. I have missed the escapades. Your children are beautiful and so grown up looking.
I'm glad you will be blogging about mothering Gracie. More people need to hear this. The good, the bad, and the beautiful!

Scarehaircare said...

So glad you came back and life is good. Loved the pics.

I've had a lot of questions put to me about daily life and Ds. I need to ramp up those posts as well.

Anonymous said...

I am so, so glad you are back. I love the fully-loaded ship analogy. I can't wait to hear/read more of your stories.

paige said...

so happy to see you here. welcome back!

Anonymous said...

Glad to see you're writing again! Keep it up, please! :) Your kids are beautiful, as always!

La Yen said...

Gracie's foot picture gives me the heebs. Unexplainable. I think it is because she is so nonchalant about it.

Is Cubby still a Polly Pocket? Because Jooj has gotten taller. There may be hope for our planned race of super-destructive monkey-toed children. They may reach five feet!

Anonymous said...

I am Happy Happy HAPPY you are back. I was just thinking about you the other day and wondering where you've been. Glad to hear things have been well!

Adam, Jaci, Grant, Grace and Amelia said...

Wahoo! I am glad to see a post! Hope the kids are feeling better. We missed you at the play group. I love the pix of gracie. That leg just kills me. Our Gracie isn't into fun tricks like that. I also agree about blogging in regards to Down syndrome. I should be better at blogging about stuff like that. All of your kids are so cute! Hope to see you soon...and look forward to more posts.

Unknown said...

Ah, pictures of Bek's kids! It's like freakin' crack cocaine, except funny. Love them. It is great to see you back.

Bek said...

Hi everyone... Jaci--I was just informed that my Gracie has the lowest tone of the fearsome foursome, so she is the limber one. I hear that Ty is already crawling.... lucky....

CKW said...

Gracie is lulu's little doppelganger. Those big blue eyes! All of your kids are changing so fast these days. They look older just since christmas. They are a good looking bunch.

Kate said...

I can't believe how big Grace is! We're so excited to see her in a few months!

QueenScarlett said...

Welcome back. Glad to hear you are enjoying all of it. ;-)

Great to see the kiddie pics. Can't believe how grown up they all are.

cheers!

wendysue said...

Yippee! You're back! Why do those kids keep growing up on us? Honestly, it's not like we're aging at ALL! I love Gracie's super flexy body! I totally remember my nephew Alijah wowing us with his super flexibility. And just so you know, I totally remember Jacob as this bouncing (seriously, bouncing) baby boy at Lisa's house!

Excited to hear more from you!!

Anonymous said...

Guess who told me you had a new comment...dad!! Surprised at both!!
mom

Karen said...

You don't know me but I followed your blog a bit after you found out you were having Grace.

In regards to blogging about raising kids with Down sydrome- I have a 12 year old daughter who has Down syndrome. She is one of my eight children. There wasn't blogging when she was born and now I haven't specifically blogged about raising a child with Down syndrome because she in "just one of the kids". Yes there are things that are different about her and challenges for her, but all kids have challenges right? All of us have differences. Our families life is not just about Down syndrome. In fact Down syndrome is just a small part of our life. So it doesn't take top billing. I would feel weird focusing my blog on just one of my kids. I feel the best way to show the joy of having a child with Down syndrome is to show how normal life with Down syndrome can be.

That picture of Grace and her leg made me laugh. My girl used to do that with her legs. She still amazes us with her flexibility!

Kathy's Korner said...

I was so excited to see your post this AM!! WOO HOO!!

I look forward to Gracie posts. I definately fall into the category of ignorance here and look forward to being taught

Glad you boat has been on calm waters

Anonymous said...

Hooray! so so happy you're back (and obviously not the only one). I just have to say that I love Gracie's hair, and the picture of Norah with 'the look.' You are definitely in trouble :)

Adventures of Matt and Rae said...

Wow we thought that maybe something had happened to you guys! LOVE LOVE that picture of Gracie scratching her head with her toes!

Mak said...

So glad you are back! LOVE the pictures of the kids- I could have 10 more if they were like Ace- What a doll!
www.witsaboutme.wordpress.com

Nellie said...

My email was not to coerce you into blogging -- well, selfishly, maybe it was! I just love seeing your kids. They are all SO adorable! Thanks for making my day, and I am incredibly glad all is well --

I seriously can't believe your G is one -- it CAN'T have been that long ago already!

Welcome back, and thanks!!!

Single PAP said...

yay!! glad you are back!

Christie said...

Gracie is gorgeous! Just like Lulu when she was a little girl. BTW I can't believe Lauren is so big - they grow up too fast. Thanks for the update.

b. said...

WOW!!!!
They've grown so beautifully!

Sooo glad you're back!

carriej said...

So glad you are back! I found ya in December, and posted, and then you were gone. I couldn't believe that I had found some one that I identified with so much, some one I had never met before--(blogging--what a trip!)And now you are back, so cool. My beautiful, joyful and utterly precious Sophie Grace (Sophia) just turned a year and a half this month. Never, ever thought this would be my life--was devastated that morning in my hospital room when I was told my baby daughter might have Down syndrome--but you are right, the biggest deal and yet not a big deal at all, she is just my baby! I would never go back to life without her or have her be "typical" --she is my Sophie and she is supposed to BE. I just didn't understand! I would love to have someone who is as talented a writer as you are, articulate the amazing journey, development and milestones and just pure, pure joy. Some "enlightenment" --somehow, to educate and maybe it's gonna have to be we moms that do that, not doctors or politicians. Maybe get the stats down to 88%? Hope your weekend was fun... (Cheesecake Factory and shopping with my girls!)--can't believe it is over, sigh

Cindy said...

I am always intereted in Nora. (Hi, it's the mom with Ethiopian triplets here.) Interested because of her origins (black, adopted), age (about my boys' age) and progress (our guys get help from Infant/Child Development and will likely qualify for Special Education Preschool at 3, like N). You say she has global delays but you always write about her talking. Our trio are about the same age and don't even put 2 words together and barely speak many words. Sounds like N is not delayed with language??

Did she ever get surgery for her "wondering eye"? So curious about this very cute little girl. And you're right, nice braids! :)

Owlhaven said...

Beautiful pictures of beautiful children.

Mary, mom to many

Katie said...

I'm so glad you're back! I've been checking the past few months . . . and I'm glad you're well!