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. Keep reading →
How did this happen?
July 5, 2009 · 19 Comments
→ 19 CommentsCategories: Writing
Tagged: blogging, inspiration, life changes, moving, Writing
Pretty is as pretty does…
June 19, 2009 · 2 Comments
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: Keep reading →
→ 2 CommentsCategories: Down syndrome
Tagged: Down syndrome, fundraising, help, inspiration, leukemia
Still more good things!
June 15, 2009 · 3 Comments
→ 3 CommentsCategories: Writing
Tagged: Bakeless Prize, book reviews, creative nonfiction, greif, Literary Mama, micropreemies, preemies, This Lovely Life, twins, Vicki Forman, Writing
Good things
June 15, 2009 · 7 Comments
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”!).
→ 7 CommentsCategories: Pinwheels
Tagged: blogging, BLOOM, disabilites, Down syndrome, ndsc, new blogs
And now we are 6
June 8, 2009 · 23 Comments
This is what six-years-old looks like at our house. And if you’re wondering why there are 12 candles on the cake?
→ 23 CommentsCategories: Pinwheels
Tagged: 6-year-olds, birthdays, celebration, Down syndrome, inspiration, twins
Happy June!
June 1, 2009 · 6 Comments
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
And welcome to the beautiful Bennett at Our Unexpected Journey.
(Thanks to Lisa for the last 2 links.)
→ 6 CommentsCategories: Down syndrome
Tagged: birthdays, blogs, Down syndrome, inspiration
Down Syndrome New Mama
May 21, 2009 · 6 Comments
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.
→ 6 CommentsCategories: Down syndrome
Tagged: adcocacy, bloggers, blogging, Down syndrome, Down Syndrome New Mama
It’s like a Whitman’s chocolate sampler
May 15, 2009 · 10 Comments
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. Keep reading →
→ 10 CommentsCategories: Writing
Tagged: anthologies, book give-away, call me okaasan, essays, free book, motherhood, multicultural parenting, suzanne kamata, Writing
A beautiful gift of love and time…
April 30, 2009 · 15 Comments
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? Keep reading →
→ 15 CommentsCategories: Down syndrome
Where did April go?
April 26, 2009 · 8 Comments
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? Keep reading →
→ 8 CommentsCategories: Writing
Tagged: Down syndrome, national poetry month, poetry, Saint Nobody, Writing
Pathfinders Conference
April 18, 2009 · 5 Comments
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! Keep reading →
→ 5 CommentsCategories: Down syndrome
Tagged: advocacy, Down syndrome, parents of kids with disabilities, pathfinders conference, self-advocates
Eggs X3
April 15, 2009 · 14 Comments
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. Keep reading →
→ 14 CommentsCategories: Food (because life is better with treats)
Hello, my blog!
April 9, 2009 · 21 Comments
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! Keep reading →
→ 21 CommentsCategories: Pinwheels
Tagged: new beginnings, open heart surgery, recovery, spring
I love playing hide-and-seek with all the boys,
April 1, 2009 · 14 Comments
but I especially love playing it with Avery. Keep reading →
→ 14 CommentsCategories: Pinwheels
Believing in Achieving Conference
March 30, 2009 · 10 Comments
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. Keep reading →
→ 10 CommentsCategories: Down syndrome
Tagged: Believing in Achieving, Down syndrome, DSFOC, DSGKC
I love this!
March 25, 2009 · 8 Comments

Thank you, Connie!
→ 8 CommentsCategories: Road Map to Holland
Tagged: Connie Wenk Photography, Road Map to Holland
Look at this cute baby!
March 24, 2009 · 5 Comments
→ 5 CommentsCategories: Down syndrome
Tagged: advocacy, Down syndrome, DSGKC, new parents
Anyone in Kansas City?
March 23, 2009 · 8 Comments
Because I’ll be there Saturday for the “Believing in Achieving” Conference: Keep reading →
→ 8 CommentsCategories: Down syndrome
Tagged: Believing in Achieving conference, Down syndrome, DSGKC, New Parent's Survival Guide
Happy World Down Syndrome Day!
March 21, 2009 · 8 Comments
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: Keep reading →
→ 8 CommentsCategories: Down syndrome
Tagged: world down syndrome day
The tale is told in the unpacking
March 20, 2009 · 23 Comments
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. Keep reading →
→ 23 CommentsCategories: Congential Heart Defects
Tagged: ASD, Baby Einstein, Congential Heart Defects, Mom Central, OHS, recovery, thank you, World Music
We’re home!
March 16, 2009 · 49 Comments
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. Keep reading →
→ 49 CommentsCategories: Congential Heart Defects
Tagged: Down syndrome, open heart surgery, recovery, thank you
The surgery was a success
March 13, 2009 · 64 Comments
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. Keep reading →
→ 64 CommentsCategories: Congential Heart Defects
Tagged: ASD repair, Avery's heart, congenital heart defects, Seattle Children's Hospital






