Saturday, March 27, 2010

Reflections...on Down syndrome... and Family

Palm Sunday 2010

Easter 2009

Easter 2008

The kids griped about posing for a photo in the same place for three years in a row. But, I think it's cool to see how much they've changed.  In the bottom photo, Greta was just turning 3 and often refused to smile for photos. John Michael, still in that cuddly baby stage, just thought the swing rope was pretty cool.  Nic and Anna were in 5th and 3rd grades, and already big helpers with the younger two.

A year later, Greta is all smiles and John Michael has grown out of his baby stage and morphed into a cute, crawling towhead. Nic and Anna had matured as well.  This was the start of a fun year, really living and feeling comfortable in our new world of having a child with Down syndrome.  We've met so many great local and online families since a year ago around Easter.  To date, I have at least 140 "friends" on Facebook that have a child with Ds.  Most of whom I've not met, but feel a deep connection to.  It's so strange, but wonderful... this amazing Ds community.

Fast forward another year... to today. Greta is almost 5, counting to 100 and spelling a bunch of 3 letter words. John Michael is 28 months old and quite the toddler, walking, running, climbing up and the down the slide, kicking a ball, and is full of love and life. Anna and Nic continue to mature and become more and more responsible and independent.  We've immersed ourselves in the Ds world... being comfortable in our roles as advocates, talking to a couple schools about Ds and the r-word, facilitating a mom and dad sharing session through the local DSIA, meeting moms with newly diagnosed babies and welcoming them into our fold, helping a friend raise money to adopt a child from eastern Europe who also has Down syndrome.  The list goes on...

I asked Nic tonight if he ever thought about John Michael having Down syndrome. He said he doesn't notice. John Michael does so much and it's only when we compare him to a typical child at the same age that we actually notice his "delays." But to us, he continues to grow and reach milestones that we don't think of him as "delayed." It's only society that places those labels on him. I know we will continue to experience great things as a result of haivng John Michael in our lives. I still hear from parents that tell me their son or daughter was positively affected by my talk on Down syndrome and the r-word!  That's awesome!  You never know if you'll touch someone or if they'll just roll their eyes at you and think "whatever..."  Hopefully, we're reaching more of those who will be touched and in turn will touch others in a positive way.


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15 comments:

  1. In that first photo I just want to munch on John Michael. He is so squishable with those fat legs and cheekies! He and Greta are such cute little muffins in that first photo!!! I'd like to borrow Greta's hair please! and your older two are so gorgeous!

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  2. I love to see how much they change

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  3. wow! what a fun post...and perfect pictures..thank you..smiles

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  4. The changes are remarkable in such a short period of time. My son's fifth birthday is coming up, and of course, I've been reflecting on all the physical, emotional and developmental changes. Five seems to mark something -- not sure what. :)

    All your children are beautiful. John Michael is so cute!

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  5. Super post. Love the pics. What a difference a couple of years can make. Your children are so beautiful!! Can't wait to see if the new baby will have blond or red hair!

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  6. love these photos. such a great idea. Hope you all had a wonderful day today.

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  7. I love that you've taken the photo in the same place! They'll appreciate that more and more as they get older. Keep it up!
    Greta's wearing my favorite dress that I had for Samantha a few years ago, in that bottom photo. :-) Too cute! How exciting that there will be another baby in the photo next year! I know I've said it before, but you've got a gorgeous family, Monica.

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  8. Love the photos! It's so fun (and priceless) to see how our kids grow!

    Thanks for checking in on us! Yep, our girl will be called Dashlyn, and that's her button for our adoption blog on Capn Jack's page. I am loving talking about it so let me know if I can answer any questions!

    You're feeling well, I hope!

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  9. What a beautiful family! Just found your blog and am going to link to it from our blog.

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  10. You're family is beautiful!! I love that you've taken a picture in the same place--those little traditions are what make things extra meaningful.

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  11. Btw, Monica, I left an award for you on my blog! :-)

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  12. I think kids will gripe no matter where pictures are taken, at least mine do. haha Great pics though, you have a darling family.

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  13. LOVE this post! beautiful pictures of the kids, too!!!

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  14. Monica I hope you dont mind but had a question for you. Your children look to be the same ages as my oldest are...I was wondering how you told your children about your youngest having Down Syndrome...you see I have not yet told mine about their baby brother...I dont know how, or when. If you have time and wouldnt mind could you maybe email me and share with me your story or any suggestions you may have? My email is jenchillihitzia@hotmail.com

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  15. what a beautiful post!! and I love the pics 3 yrs in a row in the same spot - it's fun to see how much they change and grow from year to year...great reflections too!

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