How did this happen?

This is the longest interval between posts here at Pinwheels since I began scribbling down my notes and thoughts more than 2 years ago.  I want to say I don’t know how this could have happened, but really, I already know the answer.

Pretty is as pretty does…

Theres’s a very special little girl fighting her second bought with cancer. If you’d like to help show your support, Carey from Dream Big is selling Mary Kay mascara to help raise funds for gas cards.  Here’s how Carey explains it: 

Still more good things!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Good things

Here are a few good things I’d love to share, that have come across my desk (does anyone even have a desk any more?  I don’t know why I typed that.  I don’t have a desk…I have a basket on top of my microwave, which holds all my important papers, and my computer.  I suppose I should have typed “desktop”!).

And now we are 6

This is what six-years-old looks like at our house. And if you’re wondering why there are 12 candles on the cake? 

Happy June!

It’s very hard to believe, but in just a week, my “babies” will turn 6.  Bennett wants balloons and a strawberry cake.  Avery wants vanilla ice cream with sprinkles.  I say, Yes to everything!

And here are some wonderful new links to share:

Jacob Halpin, DSISO World Record Holder

Down Town DS

And welcome to the beautiful Bennett at Our Unexpected Journey.

(Thanks to Lisa for the last 2 links.)

Down Syndrome New Mama

Here’s a new blog I just learned about that includes discussion about lots of topics of interest to parents of babies with DS, such as supplements, developmental toys, NICU stays, and best of all:  pictures of adorable babies! 

And if you know of any new blogs you’d like to share, leave the addresses in the comments and I’ll be sure to check them out, too.

It’s like a Whitman’s chocolate sampler

On Mother’s Day, Tom and the kids brought me flowers and a box filled with assorted chocolates: dark raspberry truffles and milk chocolate with peanut butter and cappuccino truffles and milk chocolate pralines.  These sampler boxes are just perfect when you want a little taste of, well everything!

Which is exactly how I feel about literary anthologies–of course, minus the calories.

Happy Mother’s Day!

Here’s a beautiful new slideshow from Kurt Wilson of The Missoulian.  This is a post-surgery Avery, but you can see how busy, and active, and happy his recovery has been. 

And this is the link to the accompanying article by Vince Devlin, also of The Missoulian, who was with us the same day the photos were taken.

A beautiful gift of love and time…

is here.  It’s from CJ, one of my very early inspirations when I was thinking about beginning a blog.  And now, she’s inspiring me all over again, with her wonderful and creative way of reaching out across our nation and the world to spread Down syndrome awareness.

What am I talking about?

Where did April go?

I’ve been meaning to write about this for weeks, and I’m realizing that my window of opportunity is closing, closing…what?  What’s that you say? Well, did you know that April is National Poetry Month?

Meet Pip,

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pathfinders Conference

I spent Thursday and Friday with a group of amazing  and dedicated parents at the Pathfinders Parent Involvement Conference in Bismarck, ND.  I want to thank everyone involved, and especially Roxane Romanick, for letting me be a part of this strong, supportive community.  And the added bonus?  I got to hold lots of gorgeous, adorable babies!

Eggs X3

Because of my newly-rediscovered love of spring, because of the extra-low prices on cartons of eggs, because of the goodness of my 3 boys, who just wanted to dye eggs this Easter, well all of these things are to blame for my most recent predicament.

I’m drowning in hard boiled eggs.

Hello, my blog!

It’s very quiet around here, lately, and for that I’m so grateful.  We had another appointment with the cardiologist last Friday, and at that visit, Avery’s heart looked so good that we’ve been released from the weekly checks.  In fact, we don’t have to go back for 6 months!

I love playing hide-and-seek with all the boys,

but I especially love playing it with Avery. 

Yep, count me in!

Believing in Achieving Conference

My weekend involved, in no particular order: 4 plane flights, a blizzard, an unexpected 2 hour detour on a Glacier Charters bus, a wonky computer, a plastic baby doll in my suitcase as it went through the airport security X-ray, a few tears, some excellent questions, and laughter–lots and lots of laughter.

I love this!

Thank you, Connie!

Look at this cute baby!

Anyone in Kansas City?

Because I’ll be there Saturday for the “Believing in Achieving” Conference:

Happy World Down Syndrome Day!

This is my post for World DS Day from two years ago:  what I love about it is that it’s all still true, only I feel these things even more deeply after Avery’s surgery:

The tale is told in the unpacking

I’ve been slowly removing items from the back of the car, things I’d thought we might need on our trip to Seattle, and with each box or bag, I’m realizing the car was packed by a crazy woman.

We’re home!

Isn’t that amazing?  That such a big thing could be accomplished in such a relatively short time? Avery is sitting on the couch watching Sponge Bob and bossing everyone around (very imperial) and I can’t find words big enough for how good it feels. 

The surgery was a success

and Avery has been moved from the CICU to the regular hospital floor.  I can’t thank you enough for the love and concern, it helped me so much, especially through the long afternoon of surgery yesterday, and the longer night in CICU.