Heart Melting Smiles & A Challenge

Today I finally was able to get some pictures of Ty's great smile. He's been smiling for a couple of weeks now but I could never get a good picture. Well today I did. He's pretty cute huh?

His eyes for the longest time looked grey. Not anymore. I think we have another blue-eyed baby.

I absolutely love this picture of Bryce and Ty. Bryce is an amazing big brother to Kaitlyn and Ty. He sincerely loves the babies, enjoys helping me, likes to play with them, and begs to hold Ty. He's also proven to be quite the protector. Such a GOOD boy! I apologize for not including Brady in this post. The poor thing is at school all day long.

Today is October 1st, it will definitely be a busy month. Life is always busy with our 4 wee ones. This month I will celebrate another birthday, 7 years with my adoring husband, a weekend "up north" with family, Halloween, and the everyday mundane tasks that keep me going all day. On top of it all I have taken a pledge, excepted a challenge. In honor of Down Syndrome Awareness Month I have pledged to blog daily, I have taken the 31 for 21 challenge.


This month I will write about our crazy life with 4 kids, peanut allergies, bullying, Ty's birth story (finally), Kaitlyn's day to day, her therapies, health status, and much, much more! I promise to include tons of pictures and I will try to keep it interesting. Most importantly I will talk about life with a child with Down syndrome, the ups, downs, and all the amazing joys in between. I will include pet peeves (*hint, people first language and the "R" word). So hang around, keep coming back and I'll try to keep it interesting.

See you tomorrow!

Buddies, Fall, Family & Friends

I think each time a new season arrives I catch myself saying it's my favorite time of year. Fall has arrived in Western Michigan and I'm loving it. We've spent most Saturday's cooking/baking. First was our favorite cinnamon rolls, then it was chicken noodle soup, and chili is next. It is apple season, there will be plenty of apple crisp (my choice for a birthday cake) and many honey crisp apples on the counter for eating. Yum!

Fall also is the Buddy Walk, October is Down syndrome awareness month, and it is also the anniversary of Kaitlyn's heart surgery. Many thoughts and emotions this Fall. Kaitlyn is doing AMAZING, she is reaching so many milestones and growing so fast. I can't believe she is almost 14 months old! She has taken a curious interest in her new baby brother and enjoys spending time with him (clawing his eyes out :).

This past Saturday was our Buddy Walk. Our closest friends and family came out to support my favorite buddy. The symbolism of the walk combined with watching our favorite people love on my children made my heart full. THANK YOU so much to all of you for coming. We were also joined by our newest closest friends. Kaitlyn's diagnosis of Down syndrome has taken us on such an amazing journey. I've met 3 local special moms and their kiddos. They've become my family. I am such a better person with them in my life and again I'd like to thank God for his miraculous planning. I don't know where I'd be without Him and my new friends!

Below you will find the latest pictures of Kaitlyn as well as some Buddy Walk pictures and a video. Enjoy!

Kaitlyn 13 months old

Our team, We're In Kaitlyn's Korner!

My favorite girls!

Abigail 6m, Lily 18m, Kaitlyn 13m

Pretty Girls

-Pause the music at the bottom before pushing play-

(ctrl-end)

If you can't see the video click here.

Buddies, Fall, Family & Friends

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

It's Almost Time

If you don't like the way the world is, you change it. You have an obligation to change it. You just do it one step at a time. -- Marian Wright Edelman.

This next Saturday the 25th is one of my favorite days of the year. It's the Buddy Walk. We are joined by our closest family and friends, and we are all there to honor Kaitlyn. We celebrate her life, her triumphs and achievements. We come together as a community to promote awareness for Down syndrome. Year round I make an effort to stomp out the stereotype, and on this day I feel change, I see change, and it gives me hope for Kaitlyn and her future.

Please accept this as your official invitation to walk with us, we would love to have you! To join our team go here. We are team Kaitlyn's Korner.

If you are unable to walk with us and would like to make a donation to Kaitlyn's team, We're in Kaitlyn's Korner, we would be so thankful. All the money raised goes to our local Down syndrome association. They do so much work behind the scenes year round to do so much good for the Down syndrome community. They have been such a support to us and we are pleased to be able to raise funds and give back. You can donate by clicking the fundraising link at the top left of the screen.

We thank you!

Growing Like A Weed, 6 Weeks In Pictures

Ty David

-My last evening pregnant-

-We meet-

-A couple hours old-

-1 week old-

-2 weeks old-

-3 weeks old-

-4 weeks old-

-6 weeks old-

Ty = LOVE

Blue Eyes and Rubber Ducks

I've needed some wall art for our bathroom.

Here's what we came up with.

I think this will definitely work!

She's beautiful!

A Birthday Party Fit For A PRINCESS!

I had an amazing birthday party!

It had me smiling all day long!

It was a day fit for a princess!

There were balloons...

and cupcakes...

(don't you just want to lean in and eat one)

and a really pink cake...

and boy were they good!

Just ask my cousin Jack!

Many of my favorite family and friends were able to come help celebrate!

Wyatt & Macey

Parker

and my Grandpa R and S.

My Aunt Jenna was there of course snuggling my baby brother Ty.

All the older kids played a lot of games. I can't wait until I'm a little older and I can get in on the fun!

The sack race was a big hit!

Oh, and all the girly presents! It's about time we get some girl stuff in the house. My brothers have too many trucks! Thank you to everyone for all the special gifts!

Below is a baby doll made just for me by my Grandma S.

She has red hair and blue eyes just like me!

It's cake and cupcake time. Yummy!

What a great ending to an already awesome day!

Thank you again to everyone who was able to come!

And also a big thank you to all my computer friends out there who follow my story and share my dreams!

Love,

Kaitlyn