…and have some tea. Gone are the days when I can get out of bed before my kids are awake. Nathan is like a little rooster! 6:00am every day he’s standing in his crib calling to be released from the coop. OK, OK…I’m up. The first thing we do is give him his Levothyroxine on [...]

I need an IKEA fix… I’m wrapping up several projects this week and I think it’s time to escape my little world of work, laundry, dishes and the constant feeding of little birds. We have a reward system for Miika to keep her in her bed all night and to motivate good behavior and learning: [...]

To read about the experiences of other parents of children with Down syndrome, click here: http://giftsds.segullah.org/down_syndrome_links.htm#personal Gifts: Mothers Refect on How Children with Down Syndrome Enrich Their Lives http://giftsds.segullah.org/ This is a beautiful book of honest stories. I read it last spring in small doses. It’s close to home and strikes a deep cord. Here [...]

….is inspiration! When SOME people are faced with a challenge they opt to focus their talents and creativity into making life easier for others who face similar obstacles. I just stole a moment to read the current issue of EP (Exceptional Parent Magazine). This issue features a story about Randy Lewis, Walgreen’s senior vice president [...]

I’m always racking my brain, trying to find ways to help Nathan learn and communicate. I discovered early on that if we both look in the mirror together, all his circuits start firing in sync. So I teach him sign language while we both look in the bathroom mirror. Recently he’s started to FINALLY get [...]

These past 4 weeks or so have been intense. There has been no “white space” or “margins” for down time. Deadlines, appointments, laundry, grocery shopping, more deadlines, preschool, therapies, poopy diapers, hungry children, bored children… “Mommy, I’m bored, I need a friend…” “Miika, I have to work. Play with Nathan, he needs a friend too.” [...]

Eric Carle, Eric Carle, Eric Carle….did I mention Eric Carle? Of all our books, and there are MANY, Nathan gravitates to Eric Carle. The Very Hungry Caterpillar is at the top. I think it’s a combination of the interaction, repetition, and simplicity. Does a Kangaroo Have a Mother Too? The Very Busy Spider The Very [...]

Nathan has a fantastic physical therapist (Lisa) who uses a method known as CME. Below are a few links and information about this method. It’s amazing to see how well Nathan has done with his walking, stairs, and balance because of the CME method. When Nathan is walking, he’s talking and expressing himself…not always with [...]