tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30165682251602930312024-02-19T00:14:47.360-05:00Days with DylanDylan was born on June 28, 2008. Shortly after his birth, we found out that he had Down syndrome as well as a complete AV canal Defect. During his open heart surgery on November 4 2008, an additional defect called an A.P Window was discovered. Dylan made it through the surgery with flying colors and is absolutely thriving now as an amazing 2 year old little guy!
We are blessed!Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00128989346808056402noreply@blogger.comBlogger341125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3016568225160293031.post-27726391885091101692011-11-08T19:57:00.002-05:002011-11-08T20:01:40.822-05:00CassidyOutside of Cassidy's daycare room there is a bulletin board. It used to have apples on it and now there is a picture of a turkey asking the question, "What are you thankful for?" Each child in the class answered the question which was then written on a leaf by the teacher. After I left the classroom (and my children) this morning, I stopped to read this bulletin board. Some of the children's responses were, "candy", "my cat", "stuffed animals", and "leaves". I searched for Cassidy's response, so curious to see what she had said.<br />
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I thought it may have been, "my dolls" or "books".<br />
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Or maybe, "my new bike". Possibly, "my favorite pink skirt" or "markers".<br />
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No. It was not any of those things.<br />
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Cassidy's response to the question, "What are you thankful for?"<br />
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One word:<br />
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<strong>Dylan</strong>.Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00128989346808056402noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3016568225160293031.post-18360039929868614372011-11-04T18:07:00.000-04:002011-11-04T18:07:10.864-04:00Hope for TristanThis year, through <a href="http://reecesrainbow.org/19117/tristan-2h">Reece's Rainbow</a>, I am advocating for <a href="http://reecesrainbow.org/19117/tristan-2h">Sweet Tristan</a>. Tristan is a two year old boy who lives in Eastern Europe. He is an orphan who also has Down syndrome and because of this, will most likely be transferred to an adult mental institution by the time he turns four years old. <br />
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For the past couple of years, I advocated for <a href="http://savingsergey.blogspot.com/">Sergey</a>, who now has a family who is working hard to have him <b>home</b> by Christmas. <br />
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All children deserve this! Tristan deserves this! <br />
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Let's give this little boy some hope...<br />
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Here is his profile from Reece's Rainbow: <br />
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<strong><em> </em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span class="hps" closure_uid_a6wgwo="234" title="Click for alternate translations">Gender:</span> <span class="hps" closure_uid_a6wgwo="235" title="Click for alternate translations">Male</span><br />
<span class="hps" closure_uid_a6wgwo="236" title="Click for alternate translations">Eyes</span><span closure_uid_a6wgwo="237" title="Click for alternate translations">:</span> <span class="hps" closure_uid_a6wgwo="238" title="Click for alternate translations">Blue</span><br />
<span class="hps" closure_uid_a6wgwo="239" title="Click for alternate translations">Hair</span><span closure_uid_a6wgwo="240" title="Click for alternate translations">:</span> <span class="hps" closure_uid_a6wgwo="241" title="Click for alternate translations">brown</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em> </em></strong><br />
<strong><em> Diagnosis: Down Syndrome, cerebral ischemia (insufficient bloodflow to the brain); Sweet Tristan also had prenatal HIV contact.</em></strong><br />
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Can you help him? Will you help him? <br />
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You may help by advocating, donating, and praying.<br />
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If you donate $35 or more, you will receive an ornament from Reece's Rainbow with Tristan's picture on it. There is a donation box on the right side of my blog. All of the money raised will go directly to Reece's Rainbow towards the cost of Tristan's hopeful adoption. All donations are tax deductible.<br />
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Let's help give Tristan a chance at <em>life</em>...Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00128989346808056402noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3016568225160293031.post-19222603817675694482011-10-24T19:39:00.002-04:002011-10-24T19:42:34.587-04:00TonightI remember when Dylan was two or three days old. We were in the NICU with him and got called into an office to meet with the genetic counselors at the hospital that Dylan had been transferred to. The results from Dylan's FISH test had come back and they wanted to discuss them with us. <br />
<br />
Dylan was born with Down syndrome and as we found out in this meeting, meant that he would be doing just about everything later than everyone else. She said, "You know how other kids walk at about one year?"<strong> </strong>Yes, I nodded. "Well. He probably won't walk until about two...maybe three." <br />
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That. That statement right there burdened me for a long time. I could not, for the life of me, comprehend it. Cassidy walked when she was 10 months old... How could this be? How? What would we do? What...? <br />
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<br />
Well, it <em>was</em> to be. Dylan turned two years old, then three. Was he walking? No. Was it the devastation that I once believed it would be? No. <br />
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You see...after the initial bombardment of what he may or may not do, you discover that <em>life happens</em>. Your eyes open to the bigger picture of what truly matters. Walking, talking...that will come.<br />
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</div>Yes, in time that stuff comes. And you smile and celebrate and marvel at the work that went into this very moment. <br />
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And then. <br />
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Just like that...life continues on.Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00128989346808056402noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3016568225160293031.post-21641423726404863732011-10-11T20:06:00.000-04:002011-10-11T20:06:37.702-04:00Birthdays, Bikes, Buddy Walks, and BridgesLife for us is different now. With my new employment and the kids' daycare and preschool schedules, our time together is less than it used to be. No, it is not like it was before, but it's good. We are all where we are meant to be and it's very, very good.<br />
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Cassidy celebrated her fifth birthday recently, which, if I think about deeply enough, fills me with a whole slew of emotions... <br />
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She got a big girl bike and has quickly gotten the hang of it. Now when we go outside and she rides it, she tells me straight away that she "does not want any help <strong>at all</strong>." <br />
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****<br />
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This October was our third year attending the Buddy Walk for Down syndrome. We couldn't have asked for a better day.<br />
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As we walked around, I couldn't help but think about how strange it is that I am the same person that I was three years ago. It upsets and disappoints me to think that there was once a time in my life that <em>Down syndrome</em> felt like a pit in my stomach... And now? I can honestly say that I am at absolute peace with it. Hm. No...that's not right. Ah, it is deep and probably a post for another night, but suffice it to say, I will be forever grateful for whoever it was out there who thought that I deserved a child like this... <br />
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Forever grateful.<br />
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****<br />
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Sometimes in the morning, in our rush to get out of the front door by 6:20, I forget... I forget to count my blessings. I forget to remember that I am lucky and blessed beyond belief. I forget until we begin to approach what Cassidy has named, "The Sun Bridge". Every morning as our car nears it, Cassidy asks if we are close. "Are we at The Sun Bridge yet?" and Dylan will yell, "Sun! Sun!" I tell them we are almost there and that is when I remember all that is important. I look in the rear view mirror and smile. We cross the bridge and look to our left as we see a perfect view of the clouds. We used to see the sunrise, but now it is too dark. Now we see the clouds and it's almost better... <br />
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This morning as we piled into the car, backpacks, bags, papers falling, Cassidy asked me if we would see something pretty over The Sun Bridge today. I said, "No, it's too dark." She said, "Yes we will. I know we will.". As we approached The Sun Bridge, we looked over and saw the most beautiful pink and purple sky. Cassidy said, "See! I told you. I was right. I was right, wasn't I?" <br />
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And I remember. Enjoy this time. Savor this. <br />
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Be grateful...Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00128989346808056402noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3016568225160293031.post-36167216108722608152011-09-13T16:41:00.004-04:002011-09-13T18:13:22.114-04:00He can do it.For a couple of weeks now, I've heard rumors about the "W" word. <br />
Rumors that he's taken steps. Steps? I've never seen step<strong>s</strong>. I've never seen <strong>A</strong> step.<br />
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Today when I picked up the kids from daycare the providers told me, too. His note from preschool read that, "Dylan was taking 4-5 steps today!" <br />
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FOUR to FIVE? <br />
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I asked him about it when we got home. "Um Dylan. You can walk?! Will you show Mama, Dylan? Pleeeease?!!" He said, "No". <br />
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Still slightly unconvinced about this whole <em>Dylan walking</em> thing, I went in to the kitchen feeling quite confused. Three seconds later I heard him and Cassidy talking. She was asking him to walk. "C'mon Dyl. You know you can do it!". <br />
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I grabbed my camera and filmed undercover.<br />
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I totally caught him! <br />
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His face says it all. <br />
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How can I describe what this feels like? What this means? How this all must make Dylan feel? Ahhh...<br />
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Saying, "I am proud of you, Dylan" scarcely scratches the surface.Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00128989346808056402noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3016568225160293031.post-46488471456917549282011-09-02T19:14:00.006-04:002011-09-02T19:35:16.908-04:00And just like that...In the midst of our packing, moving, school and new job preparations,<br />
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Dylan<br />
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learned<br />
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how<br />
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to<br />
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STAND<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQGf-OW8R4WaQj06kFIqumLYCJslE8-VO_05yFsZ7imunPo27SK1sTC5ooLQ6zCmpOpW_VXiW1HgjJlGgFRLt6Djqq31cPgPeIQZwdV8zbPM5MFN1YKTgbacb1sOBjlLc0HEGJM_cG0D8/s1600/DSCN6766.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQGf-OW8R4WaQj06kFIqumLYCJslE8-VO_05yFsZ7imunPo27SK1sTC5ooLQ6zCmpOpW_VXiW1HgjJlGgFRLt6Djqq31cPgPeIQZwdV8zbPM5MFN1YKTgbacb1sOBjlLc0HEGJM_cG0D8/s400/DSCN6766.JPG" width="295" /></a></div><br />
!!!!!!!!!!!!!Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00128989346808056402noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3016568225160293031.post-4357244542406090442011-08-26T19:50:00.002-04:002011-08-26T19:53:22.567-04:00I'm feeling it.For us, summer is ending and a new chapter is beginning.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QEkboPmA-eQ/TlgrOZQn66I/AAAAAAAAEpQ/K2i56SqUbB0/s1600/DSCN6687.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QEkboPmA-eQ/TlgrOZQn66I/AAAAAAAAEpQ/K2i56SqUbB0/s400/DSCN6687.JPG" width="245" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div> Soon our days will look quite different from this. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikFECFu_2qkZZpMAX_7NFmCMkZpCkTjsJw8fVbANRctXOtOLJhvaDapnYe9FQ8tu62epc3ky2qvGTagJLPt81nv_Gvglr-3U4gGxXzgMcEYaSGGk2WOfzwqu0WgIEWArciWpxoWqeKDlY/s1600/DSCN6688.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikFECFu_2qkZZpMAX_7NFmCMkZpCkTjsJw8fVbANRctXOtOLJhvaDapnYe9FQ8tu62epc3ky2qvGTagJLPt81nv_Gvglr-3U4gGxXzgMcEYaSGGk2WOfzwqu0WgIEWArciWpxoWqeKDlY/s400/DSCN6688.JPG" width="343" /></a></div><br />
We have more big changes ahead and I am feeling it. Excitement. Stress. Anticipation.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsFlbASukRiYhXGuhsSuQOQnA7Wnl5gPRoQ28QmuPdhwUhXCeYjKRpWOECGG4CuNFFpSw41LDaEScPTY1aDExjqlVB2brdvPjXXSTice8hBSQyFK8tT5P6BCThW7E061miedRLnTM_Nag/s1600/DSCN6675.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="313" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsFlbASukRiYhXGuhsSuQOQnA7Wnl5gPRoQ28QmuPdhwUhXCeYjKRpWOECGG4CuNFFpSw41LDaEScPTY1aDExjqlVB2brdvPjXXSTice8hBSQyFK8tT5P6BCThW7E061miedRLnTM_Nag/s400/DSCN6675.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
For the next few days, our lives will be looking more like this:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC8qhqZFYfLoV1eezcq0CfphqX4qEt_KHiMicASZ75Qov7SFf8Fy6BgldY8DftmtaFV082TQjrSiH5gBVmuqBb9fDLCXESmaFi78FYEOW2reBATd6DneTYa2chpkq-XNDya3B1FCwT8-4/s1600/DSCN6692.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC8qhqZFYfLoV1eezcq0CfphqX4qEt_KHiMicASZ75Qov7SFf8Fy6BgldY8DftmtaFV082TQjrSiH5gBVmuqBb9fDLCXESmaFi78FYEOW2reBATd6DneTYa2chpkq-XNDya3B1FCwT8-4/s400/DSCN6692.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
And this:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vJqjgbnSEQw/TlgrtLwfAAI/AAAAAAAAEpg/QDxRkqKClnY/s1600/DSCN6707.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vJqjgbnSEQw/TlgrtLwfAAI/AAAAAAAAEpg/QDxRkqKClnY/s400/DSCN6707.JPG" width="280" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>And less like this:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QLP7PZEAQs0/TlgsIQSNxvI/AAAAAAAAEpo/pwSHT7EGcvA/s1600/DSCN6698.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QLP7PZEAQs0/TlgsIQSNxvI/AAAAAAAAEpo/pwSHT7EGcvA/s400/DSCN6698.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He's the pool mayor and the pool life guard.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7BEalOMgPvQljVRSyM-j4BnQKK96yUiNWe6PhRzHOI_EPYeh7Eo6yp0_Z2NxNaCFNGlVSjoJt45tjL2RqS4nnFmXj7qfyurvjjFAVjPTVlv2W-J_pYMqZMuQFN5sTOwi5jMxZBOZhITs/s1600/DSCN6701.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7BEalOMgPvQljVRSyM-j4BnQKK96yUiNWe6PhRzHOI_EPYeh7Eo6yp0_Z2NxNaCFNGlVSjoJt45tjL2RqS4nnFmXj7qfyurvjjFAVjPTVlv2W-J_pYMqZMuQFN5sTOwi5jMxZBOZhITs/s400/DSCN6701.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And takes his responsibilities very seriously.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
We are moving next week, I'm starting a new job, and the kids are beginning daycare and preschool.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L-UqU7QtBhA/TlgseJD382I/AAAAAAAAEp0/rcewCg4spcI/s1600/DSCN6705.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L-UqU7QtBhA/TlgseJD382I/AAAAAAAAEp0/rcewCg4spcI/s400/DSCN6705.JPG" width="253" /></a></div><br />
Are we worried? <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzOVgk5QDN1gqFgI7oeq4Yaf5XpgWqH-3uC-l2KwTiXbawVFVp7GCMKIL2qeOiEF6aRi-8nPKZ3bZuY7qoSXXd8Gfv4t4B4K6sMplKsxwZmvv97fQBOuuMpp4zxUtxOo8gzVK8bRkwK0s/s1600/DSCN6704.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzOVgk5QDN1gqFgI7oeq4Yaf5XpgWqH-3uC-l2KwTiXbawVFVp7GCMKIL2qeOiEF6aRi-8nPKZ3bZuY7qoSXXd8Gfv4t4B4K6sMplKsxwZmvv97fQBOuuMpp4zxUtxOo8gzVK8bRkwK0s/s400/DSCN6704.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div> Hmm...he may not be, but I'm certainly feeling it...Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00128989346808056402noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3016568225160293031.post-43326367196480694392011-08-19T07:57:00.001-04:002011-08-19T08:04:57.386-04:00Because it IS our problem.Yesterday I came across <a href="http://www.nogreaterjoymom.com/2011/08/because-it-is-our-problem.html">this post</a>. Please take a moment to read it, look at the pictures, and think...<br />
<br />
This is a child, just like Dylan, with a diagnosis of Down syndrome. And because of her diagnosis, she is thought of as having absolutely no value; no worth. <br />
<br />
How can this be? <br />
<br />
Advocate. Educate. <br />
<br />
Because it IS our problem.<br />
<br />
Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00128989346808056402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3016568225160293031.post-52491836875618553882011-08-13T18:09:00.001-04:002011-08-13T18:11:33.604-04:00The Dora Big Wheel"See Cassidy wayyyy down there?"<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OWQ_nVNCrxk/TkbS4Y312vI/AAAAAAAAEpM/vTZTpsvwtZ0/s1600/DSCN6669.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OWQ_nVNCrxk/TkbS4Y312vI/AAAAAAAAEpM/vTZTpsvwtZ0/s400/DSCN6669.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br />
"Yeah. I want to do that, too."<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HwuTihO3v3c/TkbRmZPQP0I/AAAAAAAAEow/jL1qLFoUT08/s1600/DSCN6661.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="328" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HwuTihO3v3c/TkbRmZPQP0I/AAAAAAAAEow/jL1qLFoUT08/s400/DSCN6661.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
"Hmm. Feels like a pretty sweet ride."<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Xtooc18gnVW5rRIVXUb06tl8-qDzI_BlFUqO_S38Nt_gG1GccvpfA0wQJMNbNRnoWZlnV54klrVpE7LW-qCkngoQYX6l4dIZ_uv8i_e8tTIW2EN2SD8kYHTOTYReqTrWfOwu0k4F_Jk/s1600/DSCN6662.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Xtooc18gnVW5rRIVXUb06tl8-qDzI_BlFUqO_S38Nt_gG1GccvpfA0wQJMNbNRnoWZlnV54klrVpE7LW-qCkngoQYX6l4dIZ_uv8i_e8tTIW2EN2SD8kYHTOTYReqTrWfOwu0k4F_Jk/s400/DSCN6662.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
"I'm totally doing this!"<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hNPp3QDBT7Y/TkbRzY5KkPI/AAAAAAAAEo4/0xdqZWD457g/s1600/DSCN6665.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hNPp3QDBT7Y/TkbRzY5KkPI/AAAAAAAAEo4/0xdqZWD457g/s400/DSCN6665.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
"S'cuse me Cass." (He seriously says this ALL of the time! It's so funny...: )<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8O7Fqhewua8/TkbR7xqH9nI/AAAAAAAAEo8/UCwxLk4VQ8w/s1600/DSCN6666.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8O7Fqhewua8/TkbR7xqH9nI/AAAAAAAAEo8/UCwxLk4VQ8w/s400/DSCN6666.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
"I guess I'll just see you guys later."<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oXH9W5W2g0o/TkbSCekr4NI/AAAAAAAAEpA/kyWvMxuAjUk/s1600/DSCN6667.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oXH9W5W2g0o/TkbSCekr4NI/AAAAAAAAEpA/kyWvMxuAjUk/s400/DSCN6667.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
"See...just like Cass."<br />
<br />
<br />
*Oh - It's a blessing that Cassidy is such a good sharer, because Dylan wants to have and do<strong> everything</strong> that she does! I believe that she is his very best teacher...<br />
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</div>Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00128989346808056402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3016568225160293031.post-33457195833439713112011-08-10T16:13:00.004-04:002011-08-10T16:16:48.994-04:00Summ, summ, summah time.This summer we had the option of either sending Dylan to a preschool for children with special needs, or opting out of summer school and continuing with his Early Intervention services.<br />
<br />
Originally, I had planned on sending him to preschool as I thought it would be an integrated preschool setting, just like the one he will be attending in September. But, apparently the summer program is different. There are different teachers from the ones who will be teaching in the fall, as well as different therapists and children, too. In the summer, only children who currently have an IEP (Individualized Education Plan) attend the school and are typically older than age four. <br />
<br />
Once I was told this information at his IEP meeting a couple of months ago (was it really<em> that</em> long ago?!), I decided to opt out of summer school and continue with his Early Intervention services. Dylan has been receiving, and still does receive, Physical Therapy, Speech Therapy, and Educator Services. We have been very fortunate that his EI Team agreed to continue working with him (except for his PT who went to India for the summer- BUT was quickly replaced by a wonderful woman!). Dylan's team will continue working with him for the next few weeks. Then...we are done.<br />
<br />
I can not even begin to wrap my head around the fact that in 3 weeks, we will no longer have Early Intervention in our lives. Dylan was a couple of weeks old when EI became a part of our family, and it seems so odd that we will be "on our own" once Dylan begins school. Maybe it sounds strange, but I am actually really going to miss EI...alot.<br />
<br />
Anyway...<br />
I feel that the decision to keep Dylan home this summer has been the best choice for him. But really, he hasn't been "home" much at all. The swim club is where we've been! The swim club that we belong to, which is where I coach a swim team, has been a blessing for both Dylan and Cassidy.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--9QaHVRAang/TkLcqKfcnFI/AAAAAAAAEoI/T8FxQaOJZJU/s1600/DSCN6636.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--9QaHVRAang/TkLcqKfcnFI/AAAAAAAAEoI/T8FxQaOJZJU/s400/DSCN6636.JPG" width="278" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No, he still isn't walking or standing (a post on that to come later). I just like to stand him up against walls and/or poles.: )</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wda_p1tAk1A/TkLcz_0lCpI/AAAAAAAAEoM/knI4LSsXHPs/s1600/DSCN6641.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wda_p1tAk1A/TkLcz_0lCpI/AAAAAAAAEoM/knI4LSsXHPs/s320/DSCN6641.JPG" width="290" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cass has made so much progress this summer, both in the water and out!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuXs-uxZTkDFZlP7tFkwra8S61iKCLMwahkALmLuB-fmJZyINfSu7pEim_C-5qNIs9mns7hgGeOQj5bHmYZMlkmSYf6P1rIHqYEOGKUfRQrQgcVJkcT6sBZ5c8imEsVvWifwPJRKCyV7A/s1600/DSCN6647.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuXs-uxZTkDFZlP7tFkwra8S61iKCLMwahkALmLuB-fmJZyINfSu7pEim_C-5qNIs9mns7hgGeOQj5bHmYZMlkmSYf6P1rIHqYEOGKUfRQrQgcVJkcT6sBZ5c8imEsVvWifwPJRKCyV7A/s320/DSCN6647.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
This is our first summer at this club, and I'm pretty sure that Dylan knows each and every member by name. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4bs8lhJ69L4/TkLdF9dKH-I/AAAAAAAAEoU/MOS8Y0yI2Sk/s1600/DSCN6643.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4bs8lhJ69L4/TkLdF9dKH-I/AAAAAAAAEoU/MOS8Y0yI2Sk/s320/DSCN6643.JPG" width="263" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>And I know they all know his.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QKMOGgi9Q-k/TkLeLci6zxI/AAAAAAAAEog/bPCvteq4wBc/s1600/DSCN6646.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QKMOGgi9Q-k/TkLeLci6zxI/AAAAAAAAEog/bPCvteq4wBc/s320/DSCN6646.JPG" width="285" /></a></div><br />
I do not think it is a coincidence that Dylan's speech has increased dramatically this summer. I believe that this swim club has been the best inclusive classroom that we could have asked for! <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VA2JRFQjk28/TkLeVivGZMI/AAAAAAAAEok/F-itXW6ZMyg/s1600/DSCN6644.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VA2JRFQjk28/TkLeVivGZMI/AAAAAAAAEok/F-itXW6ZMyg/s320/DSCN6644.JPG" width="251" /></a></div><br />
Now if we could just slow this summer wayyy down, that would be awesome.Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00128989346808056402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3016568225160293031.post-66280772163557136642011-08-07T11:27:00.000-04:002011-08-07T11:27:51.776-04:00He surprises me.Still after three years, Dylan surprises me. <br />
A few nights ago, we were doing our bedtime ritual of reading books and lounging in Cassidy's bed, when Dylan pointed to Cassidy's toy monkey, turned to me and said, "Monkey. Ooo, ooo.". I said, "Yes!!" and then asked him a few more animal sounds to which he knew. I ran downstairs to grab my video camera and filmed. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzAjxCD-AFdgjERopyef0t90n5aZt_i8t6L5AijvOZe__4NAhii_Jl2zylq1pe-Xe-dcRqJEtgKkdvHlktvjg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
Having Dylan now able to better communicate with us verbally has made a wonderful difference in our lives. He expresses his needs using spoken words which is so much fun to see and hear! It truly allows us to see a whole new side to Dylan's personality. Up until a few months ago, Dylan was primarily signing with us (he knows over 100 signs), which I highly recommend and am a huge advocate for! But now that he is incorporating more and more spoken words, he is beginning to drop some signs. He still watches (and is obsessed with) Signing Time, so while his spoken vocabulary increases, his signing vocabulary continues to increase as well. Win, win.<br />
<br />
Plus...how cute is he making little animal sounds? Love him!Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00128989346808056402noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3016568225160293031.post-1130484843933567092011-08-03T20:19:00.000-04:002011-08-03T20:19:20.901-04:00I'm not ready.I have spent some time this past month thinking about my blog. I considered letting it go, wondering if perhaps it's time...<br />
<br />
But I'm not convinced. There is still something keeping me here.<br />
<br />
I'm not ready. <br />
<br />
I started this blog shortly after Dylan came home from the NICU over three years ago. Dylan's diagnosis of Down syndrome was a surprise at birth. As were his heart defects. I started this blog to keep family and friends updated on Dylan's daily life - which is why I named it, "Days with Dylan". I had no idea that it would become something so much bigger... <br />
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This blog became my support system from quite early on. I remember years ago, writing posts with tears falling down my face. I was overwhelmed and found that the connection with others who were going through the same things as we were, immensely helpful and comforting. Especially around the time of Dylan's heart surgery, I felt that I was <strong>not</strong> alone; that there were many people out there thinking of us...people who knew exactly what we were experiencing; what my own heart was feeling as his got repaired.<br />
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Now that Dylan is 3 years old, life is different. I am not sad and I am not afraid. I am hopeful, happy, and deeply in love with my son. This past month I wondered if there was any reason for me to continue Days with Dylan. Our life is...much less dramatic now. <br />
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But there <strong>is</strong> a reason to continue. The reason is Dylan. The reason is the importance, the <strong>necessity,</strong> of advocating for people with disabilities; for people who are thought of as "less than". If there is any chance that someone out there may come across this blog and walk away with the feeling that Down syndrome is nothing to be fearful of, then it is worth it. If someone comes across this blog, spends some time reading about Dylan, and leaves thinking just a little bit differently about the way she treats others or the way she thinks about people with disabilities, it's worth it. <br />
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I honestly believe, deep deep down in my bones, that Down syndrome is a blessing. <br />
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So, I'm not ready to stop just yet. I want to keep writing and sharing Dylan's story because I feel that it's a story that is very much worth sharing. <br />
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*******<br />
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Enough with the serious stuff...<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">More posts to come...</div>Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00128989346808056402noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3016568225160293031.post-89936961894189368682011-06-28T19:23:00.000-04:002011-06-28T19:23:03.778-04:00Today.Happy Birthday, Little One.<br />
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You are<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeKJnXBm7Ry7tPsbfMRlYIsQ9TatrmVezCRlUMh0wpmrVzX5RFTikf5WNsGSzvVOSj5APUeYzw7agnl_0FwdXSYjqljO18Jjxt5Ae1xSMwshf7EnN4xL-owZZfuMSceam07AuVcpfFxhY/s1600/dylan2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeKJnXBm7Ry7tPsbfMRlYIsQ9TatrmVezCRlUMh0wpmrVzX5RFTikf5WNsGSzvVOSj5APUeYzw7agnl_0FwdXSYjqljO18Jjxt5Ae1xSMwshf7EnN4xL-owZZfuMSceam07AuVcpfFxhY/s400/dylan2.jpg" width="386" /></a></div><br />
without question, <br />
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one of my most favorite people.<br />
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Thank you, Dylan, for all that you are. Because of you, my life is better in every single possible way.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0tSkn7KK6qc/TgpRnwj2e4I/AAAAAAAAEoA/ziv9LrfdBl0/s1600/DSC_1254.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="336" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0tSkn7KK6qc/TgpRnwj2e4I/AAAAAAAAEoA/ziv9LrfdBl0/s400/DSC_1254.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>I hope that you enjoyed your special day today.<br />
I love you so very much.Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00128989346808056402noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3016568225160293031.post-21820975847378255302011-06-25T15:51:00.000-04:002011-06-25T15:51:29.585-04:00Three.It is very difficult to remember that there was a time in my life<br />
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</div>before Dylan.<br />
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There is something so special about him, so magical and amazing, that words can not do justice. To meet him...is to understand.<br />
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He is about to turn 3 years old.<br />
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</div>And I could not be more proud. <br />
Or more in love.<br />
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Happy Birthday, Sweet Boy.Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00128989346808056402noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3016568225160293031.post-78477419682843908682011-06-09T09:02:00.038-04:002011-06-09T09:13:17.085-04:00PatienceVery frequently, I find that I have to remind myself about <em>patience</em>. <br />
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I used to think that I was a relatively patient person, but now I am not so sure. Maybe it's life circumstances that are shortening my string...maybe it's that I am allowing <em>stuff</em> to get in the way of what is truly most important.<br />
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It's just that sometimes I feel like we should have it <strong>all</strong> together <strong>all</strong> of the time. That everything should have fallen into place by now. That it should be easier, maybe...<br />
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But we don't and honestly, we can't. And it hasn't. And it's not easier. <br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It is <strong>life</strong>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And it's hard sometimes. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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When I start to feel badly and the guilt creeps in, I remind myself that in life we must take steps.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYd8XPZ5lwM1D-c73ugamYw1SNTWHcsgnbWr4k7AvhmKc24vpImVTIQVEaLodV0jcnflxZvAhqwJ2BnLyi-e9EB0XzJHmQ0sA66NeY38RljhdjChcSOiWky7BkBWprto6JORuMZsnnUIg/s1600/shopping4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYd8XPZ5lwM1D-c73ugamYw1SNTWHcsgnbWr4k7AvhmKc24vpImVTIQVEaLodV0jcnflxZvAhqwJ2BnLyi-e9EB0XzJHmQ0sA66NeY38RljhdjChcSOiWky7BkBWprto6JORuMZsnnUIg/s400/shopping4.jpg" width="310" /></a></div><br />
I remember that these steps may not always be in a noticeably forward motion. That there may be times when we take backward steps. That there may be times when we take baby steps. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8c5izCV9uIo/TfAN6EJsh6I/AAAAAAAAEm8/iW7BSoMBLAY/s1600/shopping5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8c5izCV9uIo/TfAN6EJsh6I/AAAAAAAAEm8/iW7BSoMBLAY/s400/shopping5.jpg" width="312" /></a></div><br />
But we're up and we're moving. And that is good. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W95tVCet5eY/TfAODAUxlYI/AAAAAAAAEnA/GarmP8Ue18A/s1600/grass1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W95tVCet5eY/TfAODAUxlYI/AAAAAAAAEnA/GarmP8Ue18A/s400/grass1.jpg" width="400" /></a> </div>Things will fall into place. They probably are falling into place as I type this - I just can't quite see it yet. In my heart I believe that. In the meantime, I need to remember to be patient with it. Be patient with the steps; with the process. Be patient with my kids. With myself, too.<br />
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Be patient with life. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Because really, it is so, so good! </div>Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00128989346808056402noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3016568225160293031.post-63101826469422832952011-05-31T19:56:00.000-04:002011-05-31T19:56:01.465-04:00Rescued!Yes!! When I clicked on the "Rescued" page on Reece's Rainbow the other day, words can not describe how thrilled I was to see that sweet Little Sergey has been found! Click <a href="http://reecesrainbow.org/category/sponsorafamily/newcommitments">here</a> to read all about who his new family will be.<br />
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His new mama has a blog called <a href="http://savingsergey.blogspot.com/">Saving Sergey</a>. Check it out so that you may follow along on her journey as she rescues Sergey M. from an orphanage in Eastern Europe and gives him the family that he so completely deserves.<br />
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Now that Sergey has a family, I have decided to become a Reece's Rainbow Warrior for Little Mr. Tristan. Please click <a href="http://reecesrainbow.org/tristan-2h">here</a> to read all about this amazing boy, waiting for his mama to come for him. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-q2FGFXkeqvE/TeV9-BdSguI/AAAAAAAAElo/wwYlWI16MNc/s1600/Tristan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-q2FGFXkeqvE/TeV9-BdSguI/AAAAAAAAElo/wwYlWI16MNc/s1600/Tristan.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Tristan's adoption fund is currently at $0. Can you help add to his fund? Every little bit helps his chances of finding his mama, too. Click <a href="http://reecesrainbow.org/tristan-2h">here </a>to donate.<br />
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Let's help Tristan. He deserves his chance at a life that is worth living. <br />
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Thank you! Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00128989346808056402noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3016568225160293031.post-12967875301388773512011-05-27T16:25:00.008-04:002011-05-27T17:47:17.112-04:00Dylan's IEPDylan...<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-x0Bzb6ArYvg/TeAA6zJmgVI/AAAAAAAAElk/wfGlDq8y6RI/s1600/dyl+window.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-x0Bzb6ArYvg/TeAA6zJmgVI/AAAAAAAAElk/wfGlDq8y6RI/s640/dyl+window.jpg" width="321" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sweet Boy...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>A couple of weeks ago, we had Dylan's very first IEP (Individualized Education Plan) meeting. Being a teacher, I have attended these meetings before, but this one was very different. This time I was on the other side. I was the mama.<br />
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Prior to the meeting, I had received Dylan's evaluations and had time to review them. There was an eval for Physical Therapy, one for Speech Therapy and one for Occupational Therapy. I was not actually present for these assessments, as they were completed while Dylan was at daycare but reading through them I felt they were fair. <br />
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I was not surprised to read that his biggest challenges fell under Physical Therapy. This has been the case ever since he was an itty bitty floppy little one. It is no secret that he has low tone and has to work extra hard for things that may come more easily to others. The key is getting him to <em>want</em> to work harder; getting him to <em>want</em> to walk. We'll get there... We're looking into possibly getting him a walker so that while at school, he can be upright with his friends. (Does anyone have any thoughts/ideas on walkers?)<br />
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His greatest strengths are definitely speech related. Lately he has been blowing me away with his speech! At this point, I would guess that he has at least 50 words and over 100 signs. He is at the stage now where he can (and will!) repeat every single thing that is said. It's the best! And signing? Forget it. He has surpassed me at this point. <br />
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Dylan will begin Integrated Preschool in the fall. His teacher will be Cassidy's current teacher who is absolutely wonderful. She, along with her team, actually requested that Dylan be in their class, so I have all of the confidence in the world that he will be well taken care of. Dylan will receive some pull out services, however will remain largely integrated in the classroom for the majority of the school day (2 1/2 hours). He will also receive services within the classroom setting as well.<br />
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It's funny. I thought that I would be nervous about beginning this process, but found the opposite to be true. Prior to the meeting I had a totally calm and peaceful feeling. It continued throughout the meeting as well. I fully believed that everyone was there (12 people total) with Dylan's best interests at heart. I believe that we are in an excellent school system that has a great special education program and am honestly thrilled to see how wonderful Dylan does in the fall. <br />
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This entire IEP process has been especially interesting for me. Not only because I am going through it with my son, but also because I have recently committed to obtaining my Master's Degree in Special Education. I am currently taking my second grad course and to say that I am finding it interesting would be a major understatement. I feel that this is what I am meant to be doing. And how amazing to be able to arm myself with such valuable knowledge in order to best advocate for my son? <br />
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I am blessed. We are blessed...Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00128989346808056402noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3016568225160293031.post-38484265037055507292011-05-19T20:36:00.005-04:002011-05-19T20:43:39.907-04:00Why?Sometimes, when difficult things are happening, I do not know what the reasoning behind it is. I do not know why it is happening but yet I do believe that there is a reason. <br />
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I remember seven months ago when I was looking for a place to live, I had found a house that I absolutely loved. Turned out that I could not qualify to buy a place at that time and so I had to rent instead. My sister was driving around condo searching with me and I asked her if she believed that things happened for a reason. She said that she did and I said I thought I did too, but that if this is the case, why couldn't I buy this amazingly perfect and adorable house? Why? What could possibly be the reason? <br />
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Turns out that there was a reason. That was not our house. This condo is our house and I now believe that it all worked out the way it was meant to.<br />
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Things are happening right now that are out of my control. I do not know why they are happening and it's been difficult, tiring and frustrating. Ever since I accepted the permanent substitute teaching job, things have not panned out the way that I had envisioned them. It's not the job - the job is wonderful and has even reignited that spark that I once had for teaching. I <em>want</em> to be back in the classroom. I want that! It's a part of me, I feel it, and prior to this job I was fearful that I had lost that desire. <br />
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The problem is...at this point, I have missed more days than I have been there. I accepted this job trying to help and actually have caused more trouble. Part of my hope, too, was to accept this job as a starting point. As a way to get my foot back in the door and perhaps a full time teaching job opportunity may arise for next year. Perhaps they would think of me for that job. <br />
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I do not see how this can be so now. How could it be? <br />
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Since I have started working, in <strong>one</strong> month Cassidy and Dylan have had the stomach flu, conjunctivitis, double ear infections, colds, strep throat, fevers, rashes, roseola...I know there is more but I can't even remember it all anymore.<br />
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Each time one of my children is not feeling well while at school, the nurse calls me and I have to leave to pick them up at school. Each time a child is not feeling well in the morning, I have to call for a sub (even though <strong>I am</strong> the sub!). Each time a child gets a fever, they need to be fever-free for 24 hours before returning to school. Same goes for conjunctivitis. And strep. And roseola.<br />
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Why is this happening? I mean besides the fact that this is what happens at daycare. I get that. I mean what is the <strong>big</strong> reason? Is there a big reason? I have to believe that there is because otherwise it's too hard. I have to think that there is a reason why this has not worked out the way that I had wished...that perhaps I will look back on this time and understand that there was a plan after all.<br />
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~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br />
<br />
We had Dylan's very first IEP meeting this week. I will share all of the details of that once I am able to think more clearly....: )Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00128989346808056402noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3016568225160293031.post-56312007931106572212011-05-02T14:29:00.003-04:002011-05-02T14:30:08.078-04:00Live in your strength.At this very moment, while I should be substitute teaching in a seventh grade language arts classroom, I am sitting here on my couch drinking green tea. The message on the other end of my tea bag tells me, "Live in your strength." and I'm trying to. I'm trying. <br />
After a week of sickness and a week of vacation, last week we made it through. Success. A full week of work and daycare was under our belts. We did it.<br />
<br />
This morning began another new week. Health, happiness, teaching, daycare. And tonight is my last graduate class, one in which I am scheduled to present my final research paper. <br />
<br />
So, wouldn't you know that half-way through the day today I got another phone call from the daycare nurse? Cassidy is sick with a fever of 103. "Can you please come and get her now?". <br />
<br />
Live in your strengh, I know. But sometimes when you can not find your strength, even though you know you have it in there somewhere, it is very hard. <br />
<br />
I knew that this was not going to be easy, but I guess I was thinking more of the obvious reasons like starting out in a new classroom, learning the kids, the curriculum, grading papers, getting my own kids to daycare on time, picking them up, packing all of their belongings and keeping them organized. Juggling my grad class reading and writing assignments. What I didn't think about was all of the other stuff that comes up. The life stuff that gets in the way. Sickness. Orthotic appointments. Mandatory attendence at evaluations. Ear tube appointments. Tough adjustments. Tired little ones. Trying to make dinner and pack school lunches with the tired little ones under my feet. <br />
<br />
But. <br />
<br />
This too shall pass. And in the meantime, I am going to find my strength again so that I can indeed live in it.Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00128989346808056402noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3016568225160293031.post-58267803770836873142011-04-21T20:08:00.000-04:002011-04-21T20:08:35.122-04:00I want ball.Tonight at dinner, I very unexpectedly found myself sobbing into my tofu scramble.<br />
<br />
You see, in the past 5 months since we have been working with our new team of Early Intervention Developmental Specialists, they have been using picture cues with Dylan. He hadn't been introduced to these in the past. But now, both his Speech Therapist as well as his Educator bring with them a set of many different pictures which they use to help Dylan make choices. During the visit, they will pick out 3 cards with pictures of different toys on them. They will then set up the first Velcro card that reads, "I" and then the second one that reads, "want". They will say and sign "I want". Dylan will then choose a picture card of the toy that he would like to play with and will place the Velcro card after the word, "want". Together they will say and sign, "I want (whichever card Dylan chose, for example "books"). "I want books." <br />
<br />
Once Dylan is done playing with that particular toy (books), he will take the Velcro card (a picture of books) and will place it at the end of the sentence that reads, "All done". They will then say and sign, "All done books.". <br />
<br />
This is repeated for every choice and is done each and every time his specialists are here. Recently it has appeared as though Dylan is definitely grasping the concept and yesterday was even beginning to initiate the process a bit. <br />
<br />
Over the past couple of days, I have noticed a drastic improvement in his motivation to imitate all words. His ST noticed as well and as I read her notes from yesterday, I see that this is so. She wrote, "He showed some great strides in his communication. He was trying to imitate almost every word and was really looking at my mouth and touch cues for clarity....".<br />
<br />
So anyway, dinner...<br />
<br />
Tonight Dylan and I sat together eating our dinner while Cassidy played with her toys. Apparently the meal that I had made for Cassidy, the same one that has been enjoyed many, many times by her before, was yucky tonight and was not worth eating. So I sat sulking, frustrated, thinking about orthotics and why it is that getting a prescription for a larger pair of them for Dylan had to be as difficult as it was proving to be, when, out of nowhere Dylan said, very clearly, "<strong>I</strong>". I looked up at him as he clearly signed while attempting to say, "<strong>want</strong>". I couldn't believe it. I put my fork down, covered my mouth with my hands and waited. "<strong>Ball</strong>". He said a sentence. He said a sentence! He communicated what he wanted with no prompting whatsoever. He wanted a ball and he told me so in just those words. "I want ball". <br />
<br />
I couldn't believe it! "Oh my gosh, oh my gosh", I just kept saying over and over. <br />
<br />
I was so surprised!! <br />
<br />
I sobbed into my tofu scramble and it is hard now to explain exactly why. But I know that in the moment it just felt so huge. Huge.<br />
<br />
Once we regained out composure, I tried to get him to say it all over again. It's certainly not exactly what it was the first time, but still...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dx4g11yBAFEKX9UuG1JDtKRgwrXrYyeYQevTR4A6TNtj1iIL3fIaQwgd4Virk-JVBtMiVz6yBTs-jsfFPHH-Q' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div> Huge.Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00128989346808056402noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3016568225160293031.post-24820046715737684542011-04-16T19:50:00.000-04:002011-04-16T19:50:26.775-04:00Could it be?So much for my, <i><a href="http://dayswithdylan-laurie.blogspot.com/2011/04/first-three-days.html">"There's always Friday"</a></i> idea. Um, no.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HihWzjGpsC0/TaomN-iAznI/AAAAAAAAD-g/T4MwTF8JnB0/s1600/DSC_1159.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HihWzjGpsC0/TaomN-iAznI/AAAAAAAAD-g/T4MwTF8JnB0/s400/DSC_1159.JPG" width="265" /></a></div><br />
The rest of the week looked pretty much like this:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGx-5ZaiexAwYsmo-OYuCnXhQlJIxq94Z9dKolD7_NwEFOt0DPcxCrhxi_UnLytG7czHphjobiHgDE3jH2uO9CU6sSJ81UrlP20dE9nZNdS7iD_bb5tQ5_DP4-cG8JDCXH2-7G30s4BTM/s1600/DSC_1161.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGx-5ZaiexAwYsmo-OYuCnXhQlJIxq94Z9dKolD7_NwEFOt0DPcxCrhxi_UnLytG7czHphjobiHgDE3jH2uO9CU6sSJ81UrlP20dE9nZNdS7iD_bb5tQ5_DP4-cG8JDCXH2-7G30s4BTM/s400/DSC_1161.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
And this:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcw7ZS4cl5-Q_AAC9uRZpsjxvsIwLR6U-wu66kbor9lJQpss-CYkl6XSyDyz7bUGEIZyxU7IgpwSD3yUrQsZ9AaKalyu0rGXcQUugz-60XdZv3Nmzf7KcLffPkP3cvGpXEyVssrzOX2Ts/s1600/DSC_1163.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcw7ZS4cl5-Q_AAC9uRZpsjxvsIwLR6U-wu66kbor9lJQpss-CYkl6XSyDyz7bUGEIZyxU7IgpwSD3yUrQsZ9AaKalyu0rGXcQUugz-60XdZv3Nmzf7KcLffPkP3cvGpXEyVssrzOX2Ts/s400/DSC_1163.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
This:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6ppSNFRr6QA/TaomoWdMMOI/AAAAAAAAD-s/jv7RXge_8X0/s1600/DSC_1169.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6ppSNFRr6QA/TaomoWdMMOI/AAAAAAAAD-s/jv7RXge_8X0/s400/DSC_1169.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Aaaaand this:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBjJIMAJ4NRrJDGlVfE-u-tRhnknDMkCo9AzE0nlrlPgB4DDYv4r2MU2VxshPLZzhL5X9w03o1fLCnW4GpaK_jIjpbblRVewgERaOK4LLy4hGouMZ40ftg8SHOy4VqgDfnQv-PEyRsFQ0/s1600/DSC_1171.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBjJIMAJ4NRrJDGlVfE-u-tRhnknDMkCo9AzE0nlrlPgB4DDYv4r2MU2VxshPLZzhL5X9w03o1fLCnW4GpaK_jIjpbblRVewgERaOK4LLy4hGouMZ40ftg8SHOy4VqgDfnQv-PEyRsFQ0/s400/DSC_1171.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Just as we were feeling like all hope was lost and that we'd be stuck in our pajamas with the stomach flu forever, tonight Dylan sat at the kitchen table with a regular shirt on, and ate half of a <span style="background-color: yellow;">cereal </span>bar and a piece of banana.<br />
<br />
He also gave me one of these:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7NqT1qnUkfQ/Taom07NTpAI/AAAAAAAAD-0/9njE7O9gYbI/s1600/DSC_1173.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7NqT1qnUkfQ/Taom07NTpAI/AAAAAAAAD-0/9njE7O9gYbI/s400/DSC_1173.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Oh, how I missed that smile! <br />
<br />
Cass isn't there quite yet, but Dylan's got a few days on her. Hey, at least tonight she was upright for a little while...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UjEXfJISkTo/Taom7t7POCI/AAAAAAAAD-4/thXBWxSAMK4/s1600/DSC_1176.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UjEXfJISkTo/Taom7t7POCI/AAAAAAAAD-4/thXBWxSAMK4/s400/DSC_1176.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
We may just make it through this thing after all...Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00128989346808056402noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3016568225160293031.post-31351191975829636262011-04-13T20:13:00.002-04:002011-04-13T20:33:22.340-04:00First Three DaysThis week was my very first week of going back to work. Well, it was suppose to be, anyway...<br />
<br />
Unfortunately, it was also the week for both of my kids to get really sick.<br />
<br />
Day 1:<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyZPb2-W_vk5ts_XX4xNoBjcRhcNVK3-DH0gjRnIjLi5EMORuA-1oEI3xKVLv9f_IYOmJTc34ecKhfA6pwdv0rUKxaOxpMN1avyyyoLzpz4uz5tUhMYpd-hAqX6FcKi527d_ONEVH-Bek/s1600/DSC_1147.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyZPb2-W_vk5ts_XX4xNoBjcRhcNVK3-DH0gjRnIjLi5EMORuA-1oEI3xKVLv9f_IYOmJTc34ecKhfA6pwdv0rUKxaOxpMN1avyyyoLzpz4uz5tUhMYpd-hAqX6FcKi527d_ONEVH-Bek/s400/DSC_1147.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dylan lying on the floor.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
Day 2:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C1AltB6hdOE/TaY6fIAXUyI/AAAAAAAAD-c/f2ZV2u4H7bE/s1600/DSC_1153.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="116" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C1AltB6hdOE/TaY6fIAXUyI/AAAAAAAAD-c/f2ZV2u4H7bE/s400/DSC_1153.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dylan lying on the floor. Again.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Day 3:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip7DfyuddmvS5ve0Y7gjQNwHStnlNf13spbBNCrMUTyRZIQO59t8YBSSs_nDkf1vUSS9aMuZlzmzbdEFaLoxGpm8w_6Xme1d17Wm18QY5q7ok7s_NcX972d-kJM4huAXcyeOKMsX7dMdw/s1600/DSC_1151.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip7DfyuddmvS5ve0Y7gjQNwHStnlNf13spbBNCrMUTyRZIQO59t8YBSSs_nDkf1vUSS9aMuZlzmzbdEFaLoxGpm8w_6Xme1d17Wm18QY5q7ok7s_NcX972d-kJM4huAXcyeOKMsX7dMdw/s400/DSC_1151.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cass lying on the couch.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>And we are not out of the woods yet. In fact, I have already called for a substitute for tomorrow, too. <br />
<br />
Well...there's always Friday.<br />
<br />
<i><strong>Thank you all for your comments and best wishes on my last post! I really appreciate it!</strong></i>Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00128989346808056402noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3016568225160293031.post-58207365543170104402011-04-10T10:07:00.005-04:002011-04-10T10:23:52.928-04:00Going for it.Days like these, walks in the park, will now be treasured even more on the weekends.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjACqfe4cAzMlHQ94ut3ew5pcpCMjEuAHO8vC2Q3SDRaVbcXyfuOPOH1cYMUEalH_xMJXvNjCeSY2_O-Wf2mu0GnAl9NlxDCbHyCmsYeuPlD9gwDK1THB_sWZj8del2cUVJjvhV1AaPEoE/s1600/dsand.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjACqfe4cAzMlHQ94ut3ew5pcpCMjEuAHO8vC2Q3SDRaVbcXyfuOPOH1cYMUEalH_xMJXvNjCeSY2_O-Wf2mu0GnAl9NlxDCbHyCmsYeuPlD9gwDK1THB_sWZj8del2cUVJjvhV1AaPEoE/s400/dsand.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dylan remembering what sand feels like in his hands.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KNRwqPyy-d0/TaGsT8HmS4I/AAAAAAAAD-E/Bvbj_r81dxc/s1600/duck.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KNRwqPyy-d0/TaGsT8HmS4I/AAAAAAAAD-E/Bvbj_r81dxc/s400/duck.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cass chillin' with a duck.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
Mama's going back to work. It is time. It may not be absolutely ideal, but nothing is, really. This is awfully close. It all happened very quickly as I was interviewed and then hired on Friday, and I start on Monday. It's an opportunity that I believe I must take. My foot is officially in the door. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpu-eDHNCmXTCljbn5YnCJKPmtC4Te3Rif-mz_0_Og0vtdt8a7P6W1q6IneyIF5R_bl1SSUp2_sVXg9UCSWiD6GHsZt1NGOahoHs3drAxDNUs_DFwQyT43EEpGBwZT9JPstqzC3KOo8jM/s1600/dslide.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpu-eDHNCmXTCljbn5YnCJKPmtC4Te3Rif-mz_0_Og0vtdt8a7P6W1q6IneyIF5R_bl1SSUp2_sVXg9UCSWiD6GHsZt1NGOahoHs3drAxDNUs_DFwQyT43EEpGBwZT9JPstqzC3KOo8jM/s400/dslide.jpg" width="322" /></a></div><br />
There are many "best parts" about this situation, but I have to say that the <strong>very</strong> best part is the daycare that the kids will be attending. They. Are. Wonderful. They are over the moon excited about having both Cassidy <strong>and Dylan</strong>. They have accepted Dylan with open arms and have embraced him just as he is. <br />
<br />
As it should be, however as I now know this isn't always the way.<br />
<br />
<strong>But it <em>is</em> the way at this daycare.</strong><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Hl8fy1-UjhA/TaGrc0lOhNI/AAAAAAAAD-A/kXLg84GPHUY/s1600/d%2527sface.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Hl8fy1-UjhA/TaGrc0lOhNI/AAAAAAAAD-A/kXLg84GPHUY/s400/d%2527sface.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
I am thrilled to be taking this next step. I am also...<br />
stressed. <br />
anxious.<br />
excited.<br />
terrified.<br />
overwhelmed.<br />
happy.<br />
at peace.<br />
joyful.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WkRK8Wlx8I0/TaGrPJxF3lI/AAAAAAAAD98/-OVIx_Bs704/s1600/cassjumping.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="277" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WkRK8Wlx8I0/TaGrPJxF3lI/AAAAAAAAD98/-OVIx_Bs704/s400/cassjumping.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We're going for it!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>I am grateful as I remember to take it all one day at a time. Is it going to be easy? No. Being a single mom with 2 young kids, taking a grad class and now working full time...it's not going to be a walk in the park, no, but I know that life isn't always meant to be that way. <br />
<br />
We're jumping in. We're going for it.Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00128989346808056402noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3016568225160293031.post-88060287143070006972011-04-05T19:37:00.011-04:002011-04-05T20:12:55.831-04:00Syndicated!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_DKr0vohWxX09ZCaYJLX5WhldDkkbCB7PSPKsDiq-kZS6eJ0y1l1ThbrF8RWpcMHqopm6rqyL8Yen7jYddNgAFa2aBFIUCKaIckNEOIb15oHWQ4tBenerIGJIRseBk57o351mB4M1vxE/s1600/blogher.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_DKr0vohWxX09ZCaYJLX5WhldDkkbCB7PSPKsDiq-kZS6eJ0y1l1ThbrF8RWpcMHqopm6rqyL8Yen7jYddNgAFa2aBFIUCKaIckNEOIb15oHWQ4tBenerIGJIRseBk57o351mB4M1vxE/s1600/blogher.png" /></a></div><br />
I received an email from <a href="http://www.blogher.com/">BlogHer</a> recently asking me if they could syndicate a specific post that I had written on <strong><em>Days with Dylan</em></strong>. I excitedly agreed - especially because of the particular post that they had chosen. <br />
<br />
It was published today! Click <a href="http://www.blogher.com/caught-offguard-0?wrap=blogher-topics/family/special-needs&crumb=106875">here</a> to check it out. <br />
<br />
Go Dylan, go!!Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00128989346808056402noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3016568225160293031.post-46473309211290672292011-04-01T20:02:00.015-04:002011-04-02T06:07:45.948-04:00A big dayfor the Big Guy.<br />
<br />
<em><strong>**I wrote this post last night, but couldn't get it to publish for some reason...</strong></em><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB6IhAz_bIcIohtbeYb7Rqcd9ivC8q8ZdQiFpyk58BVg8f4v57JHBJJQ-bIXibg1x65i54XzbmGNuCB58ENtvcW_cvovYBFO2jicApPf_snCLoNyjPEOrtKBg1CAFh26mjgoTF2qq3z2A/s1600/dylschool1.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590300118980474834" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB6IhAz_bIcIohtbeYb7Rqcd9ivC8q8ZdQiFpyk58BVg8f4v57JHBJJQ-bIXibg1x65i54XzbmGNuCB58ENtvcW_cvovYBFO2jicApPf_snCLoNyjPEOrtKBg1CAFh26mjgoTF2qq3z2A/s400/dylschool1.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 257px;" /></a><br />
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Today was Dylan's first day attending a child-only (aka: no mama) playgroup at his Early Intervention Center. A couple of months ago, his educator encouraged me to sign him up for a group with the hope of preparing him for preschool this summer. I dragged my feet for a few weeks and then finally signed him up and received a call that he would be starting on the 31st. <br />
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His class meets one morning a week for 2 1/5 hours. It is an integrated class - some kids are from the EI Program, some are not, and they are all around age two. <br />
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We got ready this morning - backpack and all. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9UOJu8BbKYsjLtVfvDs7lXahbjAK5yvpgLlepUoFY4eK-dKtSx6YzsTlzXUtNrLcDhCL8XErqEzlRhZtseOiMnEDQuRbLLjwr7_IAj5ZcYArm1VHhVBNKmR_Onegohq5ghz2oKqBDhEs/s1600/dylschool2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590300109265766546" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9UOJu8BbKYsjLtVfvDs7lXahbjAK5yvpgLlepUoFY4eK-dKtSx6YzsTlzXUtNrLcDhCL8XErqEzlRhZtseOiMnEDQuRbLLjwr7_IAj5ZcYArm1VHhVBNKmR_Onegohq5ghz2oKqBDhEs/s400/dylschool2.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 211px;" /></a><br />
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When I dropped Dylan off in his classroom and began to say goodbye, I lingered probably longer than I needed to. I crouched down and said, "Bye Dyl". I think he thought that he and I were both leaving together because he looked up at his teacher and said, "Bye!". <br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-61FMciIqOuk/TZS8Uo1bLkI/AAAAAAAAD9Y/SoRX7w1V45k/s1600/dylschool3.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590300100218531394" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-61FMciIqOuk/TZS8Uo1bLkI/AAAAAAAAD9Y/SoRX7w1V45k/s400/dylschool3.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 224px;" /></a><br />
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When I first brought him into the room, his teacher mentioned to me that she is currently in graduate school studying American Sign Language, so she is very familiar with sign. It really helped knowing that because even though Dylan has about 20 words now, he does still communicate primarily through sign.<br />
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So, after I closed the door to his classroom behind me, couldn't help but peek through the window, just for a second. Dylan was fine. I took a deep breath and left.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yEfGbsI1VC4/TZS8US968TI/AAAAAAAAD9Q/iwzMLMq_Wh4/s1600/dylandcass2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590300094348587314" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yEfGbsI1VC4/TZS8US968TI/AAAAAAAAD9Q/iwzMLMq_Wh4/s400/dylandcass2.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 285px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
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When Cassidy and I went to pick him up, the kids were out on the playground. Dylan did not see us and we watched the class for a little while. I was <strong>so</strong> happy to see that he was happy! He was in school, all by himself, and he was doing well! My Little One, not so little anymore. <br />
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I felt rediculously proud. <br />
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But yet, in the very next moment I also felt a quick, unexpected pang of hurt as I watched all of his classmates running around the playground and climbing on small structures. All while Dylan sat. Wanting. Watching. Occasionally he would scoot to catch up, but... <br />
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My heart ached a little bit.<br />
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It ached not for me but for <strong>him</strong>. I want <strong>everything</strong> for him.<strong> Everything</strong>. Including feeling like a part of his class, like his peers. That includes walking.<br />
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I don't want his heart to hurt. And as I watched him, I wondered how he felt as he watched the other kids. <br />
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....... <br />
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As we headed to the car, I overheard the receptionist ask a man to please move his car as he had parked it in the fire lane. He was obviously not happy about it as he walked outside and, as his young son grasped his daddy's hand, yelled to the person inside the car, "Hey! You need to move our car! These f#!^ing re*@%ds have no parking spaces here!".<br />
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...... <br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sUVNTwWcrH4/TZS8UHJnjDI/AAAAAAAAD9I/wcaMJIZk4tQ/s1600/dylandcass3.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590300091176422450" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sUVNTwWcrH4/TZS8UHJnjDI/AAAAAAAAD9I/wcaMJIZk4tQ/s400/dylandcass3.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
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We went home and later sat on the couch together awaiting a snow storm. With Dylan and Cassidy on each side of me, we snuggled under our fuzzy blanket and read books together.<br />
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My conflicted emotions from the morning began to melt into just one, and life began to feel right again. <br />
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I am learning. The bumps along the way are just that - bumps. They are fleeting. At the time they hurt like heck, but you do the best that you can at the time and realize that they do pass.<br />
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This road, while it is filled with twists and turns and even the occasional bump, it's life. <br />
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It's our journey and I go to bed every night thanking my lucky stars that I am on it...Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00128989346808056402noreply@blogger.com6