The "R" Word

Before I had Isabella I probably wouldn't have thought twice about hearing it.  I have even used it in my past - not in a degrading way but to refer to myself when I made a mistake. I have recently become more sensitive to this degrading word and I cringe when people use it around me. I have wanted to speak up, I have wanted to say something, but what? I know that most of the time people around me are not using it in a degrading way, but it still hurts.

I found this explanation that clearly explains why the word "retarded" should not be a part of anyone's vocabulary:

"When they were originally introduced, the terms “mental retardation” or “mentally retarded” were medical terms with a specifically clinical connotation; however, the pejorative forms, “retard” and “retarded” have been used widely in today’s society to degrade and insult people with intellectual disabilities. Additionally, when “retard” and “retarded” are used as synonyms for “dumb” or “stupid” by people without disabilities, it only reinforces painful stereotypes of people with intellectual disabilities being less valued members of humanity."  http://r-word.org/

So why am I posting this now? Glad you asked!! I was up at 3:30am feeding my sweet girl a bottle, and was browsing Fox News on my phone so I would stay awake. I came across an article that really disturbed me. Just the title alone "Margaret Cho: I don't want a retard baby" makes my blood boil. To read the article on Fox News Click here. After I read that article I just looked at my precious sleeping baby and cried. Cried because I am so happy she is mine. Cried because some people actually think this way and choose to abort their baby once they get a prenatal diagnosis of Down Syndrome. It took me back to my 24th week of pregnancy when we received Isabella's diagnosis and a Dr. told me that 24 WEEKS was not too late for an abortion. Yes you read that correctly - 24 weeks. I cried because our society rejects what is not "perfect" and that babies just like Isabella will never be born because people DO think like this.

I am still new to Down Syndrome and new to being an advocate, but I have to do it. I have to advocate for my daughter. I want to advocate for my daughter and for others with intellectual disabilities. I am not the most outspoken person, and like I said, I have a hard time expressing my feelings and getting my point across, but I am confident that the Lord will guide me. Isabella has already been such a blessing to us in the 6 short weeks she has been here, and she has changed our lives for the better. She has opened my eyes and made me realize what is truly important in this world and in my life.


Please Join me and pledge your support to end the use of the "R" word. - http://www.r-word.org/r-word-pledge.aspx , Thank you!!

Friday Photo Dump!

After taking a one month hiatus from blogging I have several pictures from the month before Isabella was born that I wanted to a share! Most of our handsome little man - while he was still an only child! :)

 Cousin Jeremiah came to visit for a few days in March. Xander had a BLAST!!

Xander got a new race car for his birthday!! We were so excited to put it together and see how he liked it. He was excited about it at first, but obviously got really scared! He tried to get out, but we encouraged made him stay in it so he would get used to it. We had a race care play date planned with our neighbor across the street and he was going to be there... in his car! :)

The emotions were short lived and Xander quickly got over being scared just in time for our play date with Morgan. Morgan lives right across the street and he got his race car for Christmas. We were so excited when Xander's MiMi surprised X with one. We couldn't wait for the boys to ride together. We took them to the parking lot of a school up the street. The boys had a blast and it was quite funny to watch them try to drive their cars.

Xander was very excited about Mommy's birthday cake. He loves singing Happy Birthday, he always thinks its for him!

We went to a friends house from church for Easter dinner and an Easter egg hunt. X had so much fun looking for eggs -- he knew there would be candy in them!!

           
















I am about 36 weeks pregnant here - and so swollen! Yuck! But I just love how X is smiling! And James smile is a little overkill.. haha he never smiles in pictures so I told him to make sure he smiled.. and this is what he did!! He loves to bug me! haha

                                           
















Xander loves his Uncle Mike! Love this pic!!

We had so much fun spending the day with friends! Its so nice to have such a great church family -- especially since our family lives 12 hours away!!

I hope everyone has a great holiday weekend!! We are looking forward to daddy being home on Monday!!

And just because she is a sweet princess...

One Month!!

One month ago today my little sweet pea was born. It's been one month since all my fears and worries were finally put at ease. What would she look like? How long would she be in the NICU? Would she have any other health problems we weren't aware of?  Would I love her like I love Xander? Would I look at her and only see Down Syndrome?

I'm tearing up while I am typing this because I am so happy to say that our little angel is perfect. Yes she has Down Syndrome, yes she has a heart defect and will need open heart surgery in a couple of months to repair, but she is perfect. She is a sweet blessing from the Lord and we wouldn't change one thing about her...(except for her heart-- we need to get that fixed as soon as she is ready!! :)

Right now she:

• Weighs about 8 lbs
• Is About 19 inches
• Just barely fits into 0-3 month clothes
• Loves tummy time
• Can lift her head and turn it side to side easily
• Sleeps really well through the night (I have to wake her to eat every three hours or so)
• Loves being swaddled
• Loves snuggling with Daddy
• Loves bath time
• Is not bothered by all of the noise big brother makes!
• Takes about 2 ounces of formula every 3 hours
• Is a really good baby and I am so thankful she is eating,sleeping, and growing so well!!

Happy one month birthday Isabella Faith!! We love you!

Better Late Than Never!!!

It's official, I now am the mother of a two year old. Crazy! I know I am a little late writing this post but life has been crazy! I can not believe it has been 2 years since we brought this little guy home from the hospital! Here is a little update:

Xander talks more and more every day! He has recently started talking in sentences!!

He is OBSESSED with asking who everyone is. EVERYWHERE we go he points to random people and says "That? That? That?" As if he is asking "Who is that". I usually just have to make up a name so he will stop asking.

He is a PRO at his alphabet now!

He knows his numbers 1-13, and loves to count everything.

He is 36 1/2 inches tall and 32 lbs. (90th and 80th percentiles)

He wears Size 3T clothing and 7-8 Shoes

His favorite shows are Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and Little Einsteins

He said his first prayer the other day without us prompting him!! Something like "Dear Lord, thank you for Mommy, Daddy, Sissy, Cars, and Play. Amen." It was so PRECIOUS!!!

He is growing up SO fast!! And I am so blessed to be his Mommy!

My big 2 year old eating his birthday breakfast. Chocolate Chip pancakes and Juice! :) Yes, that is Daddy's Xbox controller. He loves to walk around with it! 

 *****

A few days before Xander's Birthday I had a little "playgroup" birthday party for him. He had so much fun! I went all out for Xander's first birthday, and decided I wanted something a little more low key this year. :)

Love his face here!!! He said "WOW, It's Bubbles!!"

We got Xander this trampoline for his birthday. It was a huge hit!!

Singing Happy Birthday!

We had a great day celebrating Xander's second birthday! So thankful for all of our friends that were able to celebrate with us!

Playing Catch Up!

We have had a crazy few weeks filled with family, birthdays, and fun! A couple of weeks ago my two aunts and my little sister came to visit for a few days. We had the best time!! I haven't seen them in over a year, so it was great to be together again!

We went to eat at Mama Dean's Soul Food for my Aunt's birthday. It was awesome!! Their fried chicken and corn fritters were amazing!

After lunch we went to Crystal Bridges. I have been wanting to go here for a long time and my Aunt Barbara loves museums, so I thought it would be a perfect to go on her birthday!! We all had a great time!

This piece was pretty cool. It took us a while to figure it out, but there is a man and a women sitting at a table!

This hallway was a great place to take some silly pictures! It took us a while to get this shot because people kept coming around the corner!

Looks so real!!!

 

 

 

Amazing!

This was made with spools of thread!

So Cool!

We did a mini celebration for Xander's birthday!

Xander loves taking pictures with my phone, or saying "cheese" any time he sees a camera. My sister got this for his birthday and it was the perfect gift! I also love the vintage toys!! 

These are just a few of the pictures while we were together. The weekend went by so fast and I am already looking forward to the next time we are all together!

I am loving...

This gorgeous weather! The high today was about 68! Arkansas has some crazy weather y'all! Last week is snowed... and today it was a beautiful spring day! The girls from my small group on Wednesday nights all met up at the park for a playdate and a picnic.We had a blast and stayed for over two hours!

I love his little run!

Noah was excited to show Xander that he had Mickey Mouse on his shirt! It was so cute. Xander loves him some Mickey Mouse! :)

This is as close as Xander wanted to get to the dogs. He was so excited about seeing them, but would not get near them.

So nice to relax at the park with friends. So thankful for a husband that works so hard all day so we can do stuff like this!

Xander and Hudson :)

The day at the park was a success! We came home and X took a 3 & 1/2 hour nap!! I was able to finish ALL of the laundry and clean. So excited my family will be here Saturday!!

Throwback...

So you saw how chubby he was in the last throwback picture... well he wasn't always chubby! He is about 2-3 weeks here. He started putting on a lot of weight around 4-5 weeks when I started giving him formula...so we did have a skinny little guy for a few weeks! :)