Etta's Journal

I had a really great first Christmas and first Hanukkah!!

Momma and Daddy and Cassie and Ferris and I went to Nana V and Grandfather's in Headland, AL to celebrate together.

We spent a whole day getting there, but the next day was Christmas Eve and a big group of us (minus Daddy and Grandfather) went to the mall to volunteer at the House of Ruth gift wrapping booth. Momma and Nana V and Aunt D and Aunt Kimi usually do this every year on Christmas Eve. I did it last year too, but I was still in Momma's tummy at teh time! People took turns holding me while others wrapped. Uncle Todd did a LOT of awesome wrapping. This was the first year he went with us, and he jumped right in and raised a bunch of money! I also loved when he took a break to come hold me. Uncle Todd is so great!! Aunt D and Aunt Kimi also took turns holding me and playing with me. I took a nap on Aunt Kimi's shoulder at one point. When it was Momma's turn to take a break, she came over and fed me then took me to say hello to Santa.

Soon after Santa (and a *sorta* quick stop at Babies R Us for a bottle brush), we headed back to the house. Daddy had made his annual Christmas Eve Chilli and everyone was SO happy to eat it!! It was YUM! The only problem poor Daddy had was everyone kept asking him where the rice was! HAHA! You see, Momma's side of the family eats their chilli over a bed of rice, but Daddy doesn't eat it that way. It was funny though because person after person asked where the rice was/ if there was rice. Nana V ended up cooking some for the rice-eaters!

After chilli, Momma dressed me in a pretty Christmas dress that Nana V bought for me way back in October so I could wear it to Christmas Eve church services. Seconds after putting it over my head, I spit-up ALLLLLLLL over it!! Good thing Momma packed my other Christmas dress (the one that she used for our holiday card photo). She quickly put it on me and we rushed out the door. Grandfather was so proud carrying me into church. I sat quietly for the first half of the service. And when I got a little restless, Momma gave me a piece of red paper that was in the program. I really liked playing with that. I liked it so much that I started talking all about it! Soon, Momma had to step out so I wouldn't be disruptful. We went down the hall to the nursery where another delinquent child was playing. His name was Gray and he was 11 months old and his Daddy was in there with him. We all visited/played for a few minutes and then Momma took me back in for the candlelight part of the service (her favorite part). The lights get turned out and we all hold candles and sing "Silent Night". Then, lots of people wanted to come tell me hello. I was only tolerating this. It was past my bedtime and I was getting pretty fussy! I went to bed soon after we got back to the house.

The next morning was Christmas morning!!! I changed out of my Christmas pajamas and put on my Christmas Day outfit and Santa hat! I was the cutest elf in the world! I unwrapped LOTS AND LOTS of presents! There were so many that I took a nap half-way through and when I woke up, it STILL wasn't over! That may be a slight exaggeration, but there WERE a LOT of gifts to unwrap! After gifts came the big meal. It was yummy! Not that I got to taste it, but I took everyone's word for it. :)

After food, LOTS of people left to go back home. :( Aunt D and uncle Todd left :( , Great Aunt Tammie and Great Aunt Jeanne and cousin Nick left :( , then Aunt Kimi left :(

We had a little "down time" and then Uncle Adam and Aunt Anna came over with my cousins Whit (4 and a half) and Kessler (almost 2). Whit took off almost immediately and played with Grandfather, but Kessler loved playing with me! She was so sweet. She covered me with one of my burp cloths and patted my back and brought me toys and kissed me. I loved playing with my cousin!

After they left, I had my bath and then we lit the Hanukkah candles. Nana V and Grandfather gave me a beautiful Star of David necklace. I won't be able to wear it for a few years, but it will always remind me of my very first Hanukkah! After the candles were lit, I had a bottle and passed out! Whew! That was a BIG day!

We stayed in Headland on Friday and Saturday too, before coming back home to Tennessee on Sunday. It was really nice to spend so much time with Nana V, Grandfather, and Nana May. We played lots of board games which were fun, but the Jenga blocks scared me whenever the tower toppled! I also went with Momma and Nana V to meet Bess and Frank Hazelwood at the Temple on Friday night before the Hanukkah dinner began. Everyone there loved me! Rabbi Lynne is also a huge fan!

On Sunday, during our drive back, Daddy and I was babbling!! I usually have A LOT to say, but it mostly sounds like "aaaAhhHhAHAHhhhAAAaaahHhhhAhHHh". Now, I'm saying "bleh, bleh, bleh" "MmmB" "Bla, bla, bla". It's really exciting that I'm hitting this milestone!!! I'm trying out new sounds each day!!

I'm also eating more solids! I'm now eating (and liking) carrots, squash, sweet potatoes, prunes, and GREEN BEANS! Mommy was surprised about the green beans. She thought I'd make a "yucky face", but I actually really liked them and finished a whole jar the very first time! Peas are next up to bat.

Well, I hope everyone has a great New Year!!!

Hugs and Kisses!
Etta

Yesterday, Momma, Daddy, and I went up to Grandmomma and Granddaddy's house to celebrate Christmas with them (and Aunt Jessi, Mike, Granny, and Pop) before we head to Alabama. I enjoyed visiting with my family and had fun ripping the paper off my presents! GMM and Gaddy gave me a small tree that they are going to plant in their yard. I can't wait to watch it grow with me! I also got some great toys from Aunt Jessi and from GMM/Gaddy and Granny and Pop gave me a little bear and an ornament and my very own (homemade) fuzzy, pink stocking.

I've been rolling back and forth and all over the place lately! I'm getting stronger and stronger! I have also been tasting solid foods. I've tried carrots, sweet potatoes, prunes, and sqush. My favorite is the squash!! yummy!

I can't wait to go to Alabama tomorrow!

A Dickens of a Christmas!

Mommy and I went to downtown Franklin today for A Dickens of a Christmas. And guess who also decided to go today.... THE STEWARTS!!!! (for those of you who don't know, Kennedy and Price Stewart are the children that Mommy helped take care of before I was born). Mommy was so happy to see them!! She hadn't seen the kids (in person) since just before I was born. That's over half a year people!!! Daddy wasn't able to come because he had to stay home and work.

The weather was really pretty, but the wind was chilly! We walked up and down Main Street and took a bunch of pictures with Dickens characters and we wathced people dancing and Kennedy rode a pony and then she and Mr. David rode in the horse-drawn carriage and I got fussy at one point, but then I took a (very short) cat nap and I was all smiles again!

Then, it was time to go. We will definitely have to get together with them again (in a more comfortable setting) after the holidays!

Down syndrome Clinic

I blew away all of the therapists today!! Everyone was very impressed with how strong I am. :D

But the best part of the morning came when Dr. Exil read the results of my echo. He said my heart looks PERFECT!!!!!! No more murmur. The ducts that were open have all closed on their own and the pulmonary hypertension is..... GONE!!!!!! He DOES NOT want to see me again! I have been released from the cardiologist. Woot woot! Mommy thought she was going to cry!

After we left Vanderbilt, we met "aunt" Lauren for lunch. I enjoyed visiting with her and snuggling. I got sleepy during lunch and took a little nap in Momma's arms while she finished her burrito.

We're home now and we can hear the frozen rain beating against the windows and are really happy to be snuggled up near the fireplace on this dreary afternoon.

We're Elves!!

Watch us dance! Copy and paste link into your browser!


http://elfyourself.jibjab.com/view/mrWdAim8nObveMng

You can also click on More dance on the left to see us Disco...

Rolling Over

Apparently, I rolled from my back to my stomach tonight!!! Momma's been waiting for me to do this because I seem SO close and Daddy saw it happen!! Momma was sitting in the same room and saw that I was on my tummy (she had put me on my back) when Daddy told her I had rolled over. I didn't do it again tonight, even though I gave it a few more tries. Yay for rolling!!

Tomorrow I go the the Down syndrome Clinic at Vanderbilt Children's. I'll see Dr Summar, Dr Exil (Pediatric Cardiologist), the nutritionist, and all of the therapists (physical, occupational, and speech). Should prove to be a long morning.

My First Cold

Mommy got sick early last week and she treid REALLY hard not to pass the cold on to me. But, as much as she washed her hands and avoided kissing me (which was really hard to do, by the way), I still caught it. It started with sniffles that turned in to full on congestion and coughing. I took Tylenol pretty regularly and it helped some, but I still had a tough time sleeping at night. Daddy helped prop up the end of my bed so I could sleep on an incline, but it didn't help too much and I ended up sleeping in bed with Momma and Daddy two WHOLE nights in a row. So, Momma didn't get much sleep those nights. I'm still a little congested, but I must be feeling a little better today because I slept through the night again last night! WHEW! Momma feels like a new woman!

Yesterday, all three of us went out to Opryland to take some holiday photos. The goal was to get a good family photo for our holiday cards and we managed to do it! The lights and decorations were beautiful and we even ran into a family that was at Momma and Daddy's wedding there at Opryland. Anna was in one of Momma's first classes at Primrose and then Mommy babysat for them for them off and on for a couple of years after Anna graduated. It was neat to see them again!

Well, if you can believe it, I'm SIX months old today! That's half a year people!!

Today was also the first day I saw snow flurries! I can't wait for my first official snow accumulation!

Last week I celebrated my very first Thanksgiving! Momma made the turkey and gravy and mashed potatos and chocolate (yum!) pie and we took it all up to Granny and Pop's house in Nashville. I got to visit with a lot of my family that day and Momma and Daddy got to fill up their tummies with yummy food!

On Saturday, I went and played with Gammy (Sorry, GMM... it's getting too long!) and Gaddy (I shortened this one a couple of months ago!) while Momma and Daddy went on a movie/shopping date at Opry Mills. (They saw Australia and they liked it.. even if it was a little long). I had fun hanging out with Gammy and Gaddy most of the day. I even got to see Aunt Jessi again!! I was also happy because Momma and Daddy went to Carter's and got me some really snuggly pajamas and sleep sacks.

Ms. Amy will be here this afternoon. We changed days. She'll be coming on Monday afternoons for a while now.

I also have a BUNCH of doctor appointments over the next two weeks!

Tomorrow I go to Vanderbilt Children's for a six-month NICU follow-up. Momma feels like this is a pointless extra visit for us. But, she knows that it's probably important for Vanderbilt to be able to follow-up with their patients for their own teaching/research purposes.

Wednesday, I go to see my pediatrician for my six-month well-baby check. This will include some immunizations. Momma thinks it will be three or four shots. *sniffle, sniffle*

I will surely run a fever all day on Thursday (as I usually do after immunizations)

Next Thursday, I go to the Down syndrome Clinic at Vanderbilt for my six-month follow-up. I'll meet with the pediatric cardiologist and have a repeat Echo. I'll also see all of the therapists (speech, physical, occupational) and probably the nutritionist.

AND next Friday I have TWO appointments! At 9:00 I go for my monthly RSV shot and at 11:00 I see the Endocrinologist. She will want to take a blood sample to check my thyroid levels. That will be a NOT fun day!

Then, we'll have a week to finish up any last minute shopping before we head to Alabama for Christmas with Nana V and Grandfather on the 23rd.

WOW!!

Happy December everyone!!!

Home

We made it home yesterday afternoon after a long day of travel. Mommy got a few cute pictures of me on the airplane (which she'll post later). Daddy met us at baggage claim and was very happy to see us! I was a little grumpy, though. Mostly tired. A very nice man came up to us while we were waiting on our luggage. He has a 10-year-old daughter with Down syndrome and he wanted to say hello and tell us how beautiful I am! It was so sweet, it made me blush. Oh, wait, my cheeks were already flushed before that! Sometime during the day, my cheeks flushed. They got pretty red and sensitive when Mommy or Daddy touched them. It's like the drier air gave me a sort of "wind burn". They seem better this morning. Not as RED, just like I have a little blush on. Mommy's keeping an eye on it though.

I didn't sleep well last night. Which was frustrating for Mommy. She was SO tired and I kept waking up. She eventually put me in bed with them and we all slept happily ever after! Until 5:30am or so. That's when I started stirring. Mommy dragged herself out of bed and made my medicine and my bottle. Yum, slurp, gobble... I was ready to EAT!

The Beach: Take Two

We went back up to the beach house this weekend. Penny and Vince Canamas came with us! They are so sweet and easy to be around. I didn't go back down to the beach this trip because low tide always fell around noon during the heat of the day, but I did get in the pool. The weather (generally) did not seem as sticky and unbearable this time and the dip in the pool helped make it even better! Lita had some cute little animal shaped sun visors and I picked out the one shaped like a tortuga (that's "turtle" for those non-Spanish linguists out there). I liked that it REALLY helped shade my eyes from the sun. Much better than my little sun bonnet.

I also worked on sitting up this weekend! I'm getting better and better at "tripod sitting" (using my hands to help prop me up). Mommy got some really good photos of me doing this for a VERY long time this afternoon before we left the beach house.

When we got back from the beach this evening, we decided to go visit my Great-Grandfather, Bill Homa's, grave site. We took our little stones to leave on the tombstone (as a symbol of our commitment to uphold his memory) and we took a photo to help remember. Mommy spent time thinking back to her last visit with "Sweetie" in July of 2006 when the family gathered for his 90th birthday celebration and she thought about being newly pregnant while standing under a tent in that cemetery just over a year ago.

I have pretty earrings now!

Mommy and Lita and Great Aunt Donna took me to get my ears pierced today. First we went to the jewelry store and got some pretty little faux diamond earrings with gold stems. Then, they took me to the maternity ward in the same hospital where Mommy was born and paid a nurse to do the deed. Mommy's not really sure what went down because she gave me to the nurse who took me back into a top secret room for about 15 minutes. Lita and Great Aunt Donna said that they wish they had a camera handy to document Mommy's face as the nurse took me away. I emerged from the secret room with pretty sparkles in my ears and some remnants of tears in my eyes. Then, I passed out in the car and slept all the way home.

We are heading to the beach again this evening for the weekend. We'll be back Sunday and I'm certain that Mommy will have more photos to upload! ;)

Happy Friday, Everyone!

I'm in Panama!

Mommy and I spent ALL day on Thursday traveling to Panama to to visit with Lito and Lita and the rest of my Panama family!

My first plane ride from Nashville to Atlanta was interesting... I was fussy as we taxied down the runway. Mommy was worried for the other passengers because it seemed like I would never calm down. But as we lifted off the ground, I broke into a fit of giggles. Mommy thinks I did this because it was a little bumpy and that might have given me butterflies in my tummy. It was smooth sailing from there. I ate and then took a little nap.

When we arrived in Atlanta, Mommy and I got to meet Ms. Lori and Natalie and Alyssa (there are links to their websites on the front page of my journal). We had really been looking forward to this get-together! Alyssa and I were so cute staring at eachother and Natalie had fun pointing out my features (eyes, nose, mouth...). She also liked rubbing me with her arm. It was cute. They hung out with us until it was time to go back through security.

The flight to Panama actually left Atlanta on time! Mommy couldn't believe it! No take-off giggles this time. It was a long flight (four hours), but I ate and slept much of the way. No fussing! One of our row-mates even commented on what a good flier I was. Mommy hopes things go as smoothly on the way back!

The next day (Friday), we slept in a little and went with Lita to the mall and the grocery store before we headed up to the beach house for the long holiday weekend (one of Panama's many independence days was on Monday).

We spent much of our time at the beach indoors. It was really bright outside. I don't think I LOVE the beach house as much as Mommy does. It was hot and bright and sticky and Mommy made me wear sunscreen which made me even stickier! We went down to the beach one evening when the sun wasn't as hot (or as bright). Lito dipped my toes in the Pacific Ocean and Mommy put my toes in the sand.

Lito and Lita's dog, Moka, has taken on the roll of nanny. She checks on me ALL the time and everyone was surprised when Nanny Moka came over to check on me while Lito was dipping my toes in the ocean. We think she was worried I might be in danger.

We came back to the city today (Monday). We're planning a trip back to the beach next weeked.

We miss Daddy and hope he is having a good time being a bachelor while we are away. ;)

Five Months Old!

Yesterday, I turned five months old! To help me celebrate, Daddy gave me my first taste of chocolate! He let me lick on the end of a candy bar when Mommy wasn't looking (thank you, left-over Halloween candy!). After Mommy got over being mad about it, she actually thought it was kind of funny. She got a cute picture of me with chocolate on my lip.

Daddy promised not to do it again. awww.. man!!! :(

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

I was dressed in my ghost outfit all day today. It was a chore for Mommy to make sure it stayed white long enough for a few photos. Then, when it was dark, the trick-or-treaters came out! I changed into my "pea-in-a-pod" outfit (aka "edamame"- we did this for you, Jill!) and helped answer the door. I was really very, very cute! I was a good sport and greeted the neighbors, but after a while, I started getting tired and hot. So, I changed in to my pajamas and Daddy gave me a bottle while Mommy manned the door. I fell asleep at about 7:30 (which is normal bedtime for me).

Be sure to check out my Halloween photo album! There are some cute ones in there!

I VOTED!!

Daddy took a comp day today so we decided to take advantage of early voting this morning!

I liked voting because they gave me a sticker!

;)

My First Hike

This morning, Daddy and Mommy took me on a short little hike in Henry Horton State Park. The trail followed a small creek and the Duck River. It was a cool morning, so Mommy made sure I was bundled up! The walk was neat! I saw LOTS of trees and some of them had leaves that were changing colors. I also saw a few white butterflies, some flowers, a grasshopper, and a Tufted Titmouse (which is a type of bird). I also got to feel some moss that was growing on one of the trees.

Mommy and Daddy made sure we stopped to take a lot of pictures along the way. We found some interesting ways of propping the camera up for the family shots!

Wow! It's been a while!

So, I went to my first Buddy Walk last Saturday (the 18th). HUGE "thank you" to everyone who contributed to our fundraising!!! Nana V and Grandfather came up from Alabama to walk with us. Grandmomma Mel and Gaddy Rick were also there! And so was "Aunt" Becky and I also got to meet some more of my family! GMM's cousin Mark and his wife, Cynthia came out and walked with us!! "Etta's Entourage" was a nice-sized group! There were LOTS of other families there supporting people they know with Down syndrome. It was a little overwhelming and the different groups tended to stick together. So, Mommy and Daddy only actually met a couple of families. Next year we'll know more people and I'll be bigger and maybe we'll make our own shirts (like some of the other teams did).

After the walk, we went to the pumpkin patch and picked out our Fall pumpkins. We have a Daddy pumpkin, Mommy pumpkin, and an Etta pumpkin! They look cute on our stoop! We also took a few pictures in the pumpkins while we were there!

Sunday, Nana V and Grandfather headed back to Alabama after brunch at Cracker Barrel (*sniff, sniff*) and Daddy and I went to Kohls. I *heart* Kohls! I got a couple of new cute outfits!

On Tuesday, I go to meet my Great Aunt Marianne. She's Gaddy Rick's sister and I liked smiling at her! GMM made dinner and brought it to our house and when Daddy got home, we ate and visited.

I got to meet Ms. Jennifer on Thursday! Mommy and I met her for lunch at Blue Coast Burrito (yummmmmmm). I fell asleep in Mommy's arms while she was eating, but when I woke up, Ms. Jennifer was holding me and I didn't know WHAT was going on!?!?! I really spent a long time trying to figure out who that person was! You can tell in one of the photos Mommy took that my eyes are really big!

Then, today (Friday) Mommy had a Dr. appointment up in Nashville. So, I went and hung out with GMM and Gaddy for a few hours. They gave me lots of hugs and kisses while I was there!

I've started to (more often than not) sleep through the night!!! I'll go to sleep somewhere between 7:45-8:45pm and sleep until 5:30-6:30am!!! One morning last week I slept until 7:00. Mommy thought that was THE BEST!

I'm reaching for my toys more now and have even grabbed and brought them to my mouth to explore once or twice.

I'm also trying to figure out how to suck my thumb. Mommy's not sure how she feels about this because she doesn't want to have to break me of the habit later, but everyone agrees I look really cute doing it right now!

YAY!! Daddy's home again!! Except, I couldn't give him a hug because he caught a cold while he was gone :(

Oh! But he DID hear me laugh this morning!!! I'm starting to do it a little more often and it's the cutest sound evah!

Yesterday, Mommy saw me *start* to roll over from my back to my tummy (I can go the other way already). I've almost got it... just a little more practice!

Ms. Amy comes today. I can't wait to show off for her! In the last week, I have started reaching for toys/objects in front of me AND I've started trying to roll over (from back to tummy)!!

woot, woot!

Buddy Walk 2008!!!

Hey everybody!

I just wanted to send out a reminder that the Buddy Walk is next Saturday (the 18th). October is Down syndrome Awareness Month and the walk is to raise money and awareness for the Down Syndrome Association of Middle Tennessee. http://www.dsamt.org/

If you would like to meet us out at Centennial Park on Saturday for a short one mile walk, please, please do it!! Registration is free. You can register through the link on the hompage of this journal.

Also, if you can't make it to the walk, but would still like to help out, you can help sponsor our team by donating to our FirstGiving webpage. The link to that is also on the front page of this journal.

Thanks!

One Year Ago Today.....

A year ago today Mommy and Daddy found out they were going to have me!

Mommy had spent the night before packing for her quickie trip to Panama for her Grandpa "Sweetie" Homa's funeral. She had finally climbed into bed (sometime after midnight) and she thought she felt a little "off". So, she took a pregnancy test. She waited a few minutes and it was negative. She had become pretty use to seeing a negative pregnancy test after over two years of trying to get pregnant. So, she went back to bed.

Soon after turning out the lights, our dog Ferris told Mommy that she wanted to go out. When she and Ferris came back inside, Mommy peeked at that pregnancy test again and she thought she saw a shadow of a line. She told Daddy about it, but both decided that since it had been longer than the five-minute allotted time, it was probably a false positive.

Out of excitement, Mommy didn't sleep too well. At about 3:00am Mommy took two more pregnancy tests (two different brands). She saw a line on each test that indicated pregnancy. So, it was in the wee hours of the morning that Mommy woke Daddy to show him the faint "positive" lines. He was still skeptical and went back to sleep.

Mommy, of course, could NOT sleep! She went upstairs to the computer and looked at photos of positive pregnancy tests and drank a bunch of water so she could have enough pee to take another test.

Sometime after the sun came up, Mommy took a couple more tests. The lines were a little darker and Daddy was becoming a believer...but STILL skeptical! Mommy called Nana V and woke her up to tell het that she thought she was pregnant.

Mommy and Daddy left early for the airport so they could stop at Wal-Mart and pick up a digital pregnancy test.

They got to the airport, Mommy checked in, and then she headed to the restroom to take the digital test. It said the word "Pregnant" right there on the little stick!!

Mommy skipped out of the restroom and hopped over to Daddy waving the stick in the air. Daddy FINALLY believed it! They had about 45 minutes together to revel in the news before Mommy needed to go through security.

Daddy kept the positive test with him and he waved it at Mommy as she went through security. Then, he headed straight over to Grandmoma Mel and Granddaddy Rick's house to tell them the news.

When Mommy's plane landed in Atlanta, she took ANOTHER pregnancy test! (She STILL couldn't believe it!). Mommy told Nana May over the phone and she cried. Then, she went over to meet Aunt Deanne at her gate. Mommy told Aunt D that she had something to give her. Then, she handed her the positive pregnancy test. It took her a minute to figure out what she was seeing, but then she burst into tears! Then, Mommy and Aunt D went down to meet Aunt Kimi at her incoming gate. Once again, Mommy told Aunt Kimi that she had something to give her and showed her the positive test. Aunt Kimi screamed and got very excited!

It turned into a very long day. Their flight to Panama was VERY delayed and they didn't get into Panama until after midnight. By the time they made it to Lito and Lita's house it was VERY VERY late. So, everyone went to bed (remember, Mommy had been awake since 3:00 that morning!). At about 6:00 the next morning, Mommy and Aunt D went into Lito and Lita's bedroom and woke them up to say that Mommy was pregnant. Lita cried and Mommy thinks Lito made a tear, but the room was dark...

It was an interesting time in Mommy's life. Her grandfather had just passed away, but inside of her, she was growing new life. My life. The first great-grandchild of Bill Homa.

Whew! I'm feeling A LOT better today! Yesterday was pretty rough! I ran a fever all day and I didn't feel well at all! Mommy and Daddy felt so bad for me! I hope it's not like that EVERY time I have immunizations.

Last night, I got my first taste of very soupy baby cereal from a spoon. We took a video, but it's long, so Mommy's going to try and edit it down so she can post it. I had a hard time understanding that I should swallow the cereal... I kept spitting it back out!

Yesterday was Mommy and Daddy's four-year wedding anniversary! Daddy came home a little early and grilled dinner for them.

Oh, and last night I slept through the night again (for the first time in about a month or so). I went to bed at about 8:30 and didn't wake up until about 6:15 this morning!!! Mommy was VERY grateful for a night of uninterrupted sleep!

This morning, Mommy put a Sister Hazel CD on and danced around with me and sang to me. This made me let out a bunch of big smiles and one (short) giggle!

Tonight, I'm going to go hang out with GMM (Grandmomma Mel) and GDR (Granddaddy Rick) while Mommy and Daddy go to Troy and Jen's rehearsal dinner. Daddy's going to be in their wedding. So, I'm going to my first wedding tomorrow!

Today I am FOUR MONTHS OLD!!!

Mommy wants me to stay little forever and Daddy wants me to hurry up and get bigger so I can go canoeing with him!

I think Daddy gets to win this one!

Today I had my four-month well-visit with my pediatrician. I weigh 11 pounds (50th percentile) and I'm 22 inches long (25th percentile)! The percentiles are adjusted for people with Down syndrome (who have a different growth curve).

Everything went really well. I'm hitting my developmental milestones!

Then, of couse, things turned BAD! I had to have three shots in my thighs! It made me very very sad.

I've been pretty fussy this evening and Mommy thinks the shots are making me feel yucky! She gave me some Tylenol, and I evenutally went to sleep without taking my final bottle of the night. I guess I'll just wake up earlier to eat....

So... Mommy's off to bed so she can get *some* sleep before I wake up starving!

Mommy thought she heard me laugh a couple of mornings ago, but tonight, while she was changing me into my pajamas and wiping my face, I definitely laughed at her!! She thought my little giggle was music to her ears!!!

Yesterday morning, Mommy pulled my ExerSaucer out of its box and built it for me. Mommy locked the seat before she put me in it so I couldn't spin around and she had to put a phonebook under my feet so they weren't dangling. I'm really still too little for it, but Mommy stuck me in it for about five minutes anyway.... And WOW! There was A LOT of stuff to look at!!!!!!!! I mostly gnawed on the rim of the seat, but I ogled at all of the bright colors. I even reached out and touched some of the stuff (I haven't really done this before). I can't wait until I'm big enough to sit in it on my own!

Because of the gas shortage (um, try mile-long lines at the few gas stations that even HAD gas!), Mommy and Daddy and I just stayed home all weekend! We visited with each other and went for walks around the neighborhood and watched football and Mommy and Daddy played a lot of Uno. Mommy wouldn't let Daddy play with all of his crazy (made up) rules, so Mommy actually won a few times! ;)


Daddy's working from home tomorrow because he doesn't have much gas in his car and he's waiting for the gas stations to get easier to get into.

It will be nice to have him near by... even if he is working the whole time!

We haven't really been up to much these days. Mommy and I try not to go anywhere unless we really need to... you know.. with the gas prices and all! (Plus, when we go out Mommy likes to spend money at Target and we've all decided it's best not to even go there if we can help it).

So, on Tuesday, Mommy and I went to Target! I know, I know... but we REALLY needed some stuff!

Wednesday, Ms. Amy, my EI teacher came to see me. She says my neck is getting stronger by the week! I rarely let it flop forward any more! Go me!

Also, on Wednesday evening, Mommy put me down for a nap for the first time in my crib in my nursery! It was the very first time I slept in there! Mommy was very adament about having me sleep on my back and I'm okay with that when it's night time. But, during the day, I would scream and scream. So, up until now, I've been napping with/on Mommy or in my swing.

Earlier in the week, Mommy saw me fall asleep on my tummy right in the middle of "tummy time". So, she decided that since I'm doing such a great job with my head/neck control, she wanted me to try and take a nap in my crib on my tummy. So, yesterday, just as I was falling asleep on Mommy's shoulder, she put me down in my crib for the first time (I sleep in a pack-n-play in Mommy and Daddy's room at night). And I SLEPT!! I slept for nearly an hour and a half all by myself in MY crib! Mommy (and Daddy after he got home from work) came in and checked on me about every five minutes until I woke up!! haha!

So, then today, Mommy put me down in my crib for ALL of my naps. I only took a few short 30-45 minute cat-naps, but I'll get use to it. Plus, maybe I'll sleep longer tonight!

Tomorrow, I'm going shopping with Grandmomma Mel! Wahoo!

I've been meaning to post this for three months now!!



WELCOME TO HOLLAND
by
Emily Perl Kingsley.

c1987 by Emily Perl Kingsley. All rights reserved



I am often asked to describe the experience of raising a child with a disability - to try to help people who have not shared that unique experience to understand it, to imagine how it would feel. It's like this......

When you're going to have a baby, it's like planning a fabulous vacation trip - to Italy. You buy a bunch of guide books and make your wonderful plans. The Coliseum. The Michelangelo David. The gondolas in Venice. You may learn some handy phrases in Italian. It's all very exciting.

After months of eager anticipation, the day finally arrives. You pack your bags and off you go. Several hours later, the plane lands. The stewardess comes in and says, "Welcome to Holland."

"Holland?!?" you say. "What do you mean Holland?? I signed up for Italy! I'm supposed to be in Italy. All my life I've dreamed of going to Italy."

But there's been a change in the flight plan. They've landed in Holland and there you must stay.

The important thing is that they haven't taken you to a horrible, disgusting, filthy place, full of pestilence, famine and disease. It's just a different place.

So you must go out and buy new guide books. And you must learn a whole new language. And you will meet a whole new group of people you would never have met.

It's just a different place. It's slower-paced than Italy, less flashy than Italy. But after you've been there for a while and you catch your breath, you look around.... and you begin to notice that Holland has windmills....and Holland has tulips. Holland even has Rembrandts.

But everyone you know is busy coming and going from Italy... and they're all bragging about what a wonderful time they had there. And for the rest of your life, you will say "Yes, that's where I was supposed to go. That's what I had planned."

And the pain of that will never, ever, ever, ever go away... because the loss of that dream is a very very significant loss.

But... if you spend your life mourning the fact that you didn't get to Italy, you may never be free to enjoy the very special, the very lovely things ... about Holland.

This morning I had a follow-up appointment with Dr. Aftab-Guy my Endocrinologist from the NICU. It was good to see her again. She's very sweet and I gave her lots of smiles. The thing is, I gave her those smiles BEFORE I found out she wanted a blood sample. I don't know if I would have let her have so many smiles if I had known what was going to be in store for me!

She said that she's not sure if I will have problems with my thyroid for my whole life or not and that we should know by the time I'm three years old. ACK!!! I have to keep taking this medicine for at least three more years?!?! It's YUCKY!

While we were there (before the horrors of the blood draw), they checked my weight! I have put on some more ounces! As of today, I weigh 9 lbs 6 oz and I'm 21 inches long! Look at me GROW!

After the nurses poked my tiny little vein, Mommy was kind enough to rescue me and slide me into my Peanut Shell. I was asleep by the time we got to the parking lot. All of that screaming REALLY wore me out!

Then, Mommy and I met Ms. Kathy for lunch at the Chinese restaurant across the street. I was still passed out when we got there and I slept (hard) through the whole meal. When the grown-ups were done eating, I decided to wake up (after Mommy talked me into it) so I could visit with Ms. Kathy. She held me and talked to me and I gave her a few smiles and apparently a wink! ;) We visited for a little longer until it was time for Ms Kathy to go back to work. Mommy and I sat in the air conditioned car and I had a bottle. Mommy got some cute pictures of me REALLY savoring this bottle.

When I finished eating, Mommy and I went to Wal-Mart to make a return and to check out their infant dept. I got more formula and some new clippies for my hair.

We took it easy after we got home. I talked to Daddy on the phone and told him how much I miss him and to hurry home. Then, Mommy had me do some "tummy time" and I started scooting from one end of the mat to the other. It's like a pre-army crawl. Mommy thought it was just great and has uploaded a video of me doing this. I started getting fussy, so she didn't push me too hard after that.

I think we're going to take it pretty easy tomorrow... pajama day, perhaps?

***By the way, if you would like to walk with us in October for the Buddy Walk you can register FOR FREE (so you can get a t-shirt) at http://www.firstgiving.com/DSAMT

Thanks!

Hey everyone!

Daddy left today on a trip to Massachusetts for a few days because of work. He'll be back on Wednesday. I'm going to miss him a lot while he's gone!

We are still VERY new to the Down syndrome community, but Mommy and Daddy really want to get involved. One of the first steps is to participate in the area's annual "Buddy Walk". It takes place on October 18th, 2008 at Centennial Park in Nashville.

"Sat, Oct 18, 9am – 1pm
Centennial Park - 2500 West End Ave. Nashville, TN

The Buddy Walk is a national awareness raising event that celebrates the lives of people with Down syndrome in our community. No matter your age or athletic ability, you'll enjoy this beautiful one-mile walk in Centennial Park. The Buddy Walk is a fun morning of games, music, crafts, food and prizes. Teams gather to raise funds to support DSAMT and to compete with each other in friendly competition. Admission is free, but advance registration is strongly recommended."


We are hoping that our family and friends will join us that day if they are able.

Mommy has set up a donation website for those of you who would like to sponser us. Our team name is "Etta's Entourage". The website accepts credit card donations and only takes a few minutes. You can find it at http://www.firstgiving.com/ettamay

THANKS!!

I'm still in Alabama and I'm still showing off my new rolling over skill (be paitient... Mommy is working on the video...)! It finally stopped raining and the sun showed off its rays. Today is Nana V's birthday. HAPPY BIRTHDAY NANA V!!! She took the day off so she could spend it with me and Mommy. We just hung around the house all day and visited. I think we're having steak for dinner. ... Well, I'M not having steak. I'll just PRETEND that my formula is really pureed steak. Sluurp!

Yesterday (Friday), Mommy, Daddy, and I came to Nana V and Grandfather's in Alabama. We left really early (abour 3:45 am) in the morning after I got up for my middle-of-the-night bottle at 2:30 am. This worked out perfectly because I slept most of the way down.

I'm having a lot of fun visiting with everyone!

Wednesday it will be Nana V's birthday. So, we are celebrating this weekend. Be sure to check my photo album frequently because I will be adding pictures all week.

Oh!! I almost forgot!

I ROLLED OVER TODAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I did it twice! I went from my tummy to my back TWICE this morning!!!!!!!! Whoo Hooo!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm sorry there haven't been any updates! Our internet connection at home is down (and will be until the cable man can come fix it on September 2nd). So, Daddy has kindly offered to post this update for me.

I've been pretty busy the last few days!

On Sunday, Mommy, Daddy and I went to Granny and Pop's house in Nashville for a family gathering. I got to see some family members again and also meet some new ones! I meet Great Uncle K.J., Great Aunt Lori, cousins Olivia and Amelia, and Great Uncle Kenny. We also got to visit with Grandmomma Mel, Granddaddy Rick, Great Uncle Stanley, Cousins Emem & Jason and their son Joshua (who is almost 7 months old). Daddy got some REALLY cute pictures of me and Joshua looking at each other. While we were there, I made the rounds and visited with everyone. I even gave out a few smiles. Joshua and I did a little "tummy time" at the same time and we all thought Josh's impression of Superman was really, really funny!! (Sorry, no pics of "superman" the camera battery had died). We stayed pretty late that night and reluctantly went home after supper.

Monday, I spent the afternoon at my new friend Levi's house. Levi is 14 months old and also has Down syndrome. Our mommies meet through an online forum a couple of weeks ago and decided we should all get together. We arrived at their house a little after noon and Levi was upstairs taking a nap, but that was okay because I was napping too! I let Mrs. Angie hold me as I slept while she and Mommy got to know each other. Eventually, I woke up and so did Levi. I had a bottle while Levi had a snack in his high chair. Then, Levi played with his toys on the floor and I watched him. When Mrs. Angie put Levi in her lap, I got a better look at him. We both studied each other for a little while, before Levi went back to playing. We eventually had to leave so Mommy and I could go to Publix. I think I'm really going to like getting to know Levi and his family!

Tuesday, "Aunt" Jill came over! We visited at home for a while and then we went out to Mazatlan for lunch and then to TJ Maxx Home Goods Store up in Brentwood. TJ Maxx actually took most of the afternoon! We were there long enough that Mommy and I sat in a chair and I had a bottle. We also made a note that the store did not have a changing table in the restroom. When we got back to the house, Aunt Jill held me and we talked to each other. I was in a pretty chatty mood and I gave her a bunch of sweet smiles.

Wednesday, my new Early Intervention teacher, Ms. Amy will be coming for the first time. We're looking forward to meeting her. Thursday, I have an appointment with my old friend, Dr. Hunley (the kidney doctor from when I was in the NICU). I hope he doesn't need a blood sample from me. That will make me sad! Then, on Friday, we are heading back to Nana V and Grandfather's home in Alabama to celebrate Nana V's birthday. Mommy and I will be staying the whole week then Nana V and Grandfather will bring us back to Tennessee on the 30th and they will stay a couple of days and head back home on Labor Day.

I'll be sure to update from Alabama (they have internet there)!

Today Mommy and I went shopping at Babies R Us and Grandmomma Mel met us there! She got to hold me the ENTIRE time we were in the store. We even spent some time together in one of the rocking chairs while Mommy did some shopping. I showed her my new smile and I also showed her some fussy faces. She ended up rocking me to sleep (after some protest) and then I slept almost all the way home. By the time we got home, I was awake and HUNGRY!

Anyway, Mommy has posted a couple of pictures of me with my Grandmomma Mel.

Well, it breaks our hearts that I had to come into a world that finds mental disability to be acceptable fodder in major Hollywood motion pictures.

Tomorrow, Dreamworks Pictures will release "Tropic Thunder". The premise of the movie actually sounded funny to Mommy. It's about a group of actors who are cast in a war movie and while on location find themselves in a real war, but they think they are still acting.

The controversy comes with the character "Simple Jack" played by Ben Stiller (who wrote, directed, produced, and is starring in the film, by the way). This character is part of a film within the film. There is a movie poster for "Simple Jack" that has the tag line "Once upon a time... there was a retard". And an entire scene where Robert Downey Jr's character tells Ben Stiller's character that "Simple Jack" bombed because he did the "full retard" as opposed to the "half retard" that Dustin Hoffman did in "Rain Man."

Anyway, I know this is a major summer movie and much of the content will probably be legitimately funny, but finding humor in the disabled is just disgusting.

Please don't go see this movie. And please educate others.

Here are a couple of links about the protests:

http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/Story?id=5560702&page=2

http://www.cnn.com/2008/SHOWBIZ/Movies/08/12/film.tropic.thunder.protest.ap/index.html

Well, I didn't do it last night, but I've been randomly sleeping through the night! Last Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday nights I went to sleep sometime between 8:00-9:00pm and didn't wake up until 6:00-6:30am!!!! Now, if only Mommy could learn to go to bed when I do!

We had a pretty busy weekend!

Yesterday, we went over to "great aunt" Becky and "great uncle" David's house to celebrate "Uncle" Matt's graduation (and new job). We were there for a really long time and I was a little fussy because I never got to take a really good nap that day. That being said, I enjoyed visiting with everyone. Daddy played pool and did "boy" things and when I wasn't being moody about the whole lack-of-a-nap situation, I let a few people hold me. Everyone just LOVES me!

Today, I took it pretty easy for the first half of the day. I even took my first nap in my swing (I used to cry in the swing). Then, around 5:00, "Aunt" Lauren and "Uncle" Dustin came over for dinner and to visit! They ate ribs (which Daddy had grilled) and I slept on Mommy in my Peanut Shell. After dinner, I decided to wake up and visit with everyone. I also spent some time on the floor playing and doing "Tummy Time". I *almost* rolled from my tummy to my back and everyone got REALLY excited! It won't be much longer before I can do that!

Then, I had a bath and a bottle while we all watched Olympic Gymnastics. After I ate, Dustin got to hold me. Then, we sang "Happy Birthday" to Dustin and gave him a birthday card (his birthday was on Thursday). Everyone got to eat cake... Dustin dropped a few crumbs of the carrot cake on me. I guess he wanted me to taste it too! MMMmmmmMMmmmm....

Mommy will post pictures tomorrow. She left the camera downstairs and doesn't feel like getting it right now. ;)

Today Mommy and I met my cousin Rylee (and her mommy, Nancy) for lunch at Chick-Fil-A. Well, I didn't have any chicken, but I pretended my formula tasted like a delicious nugget! I slept for a bit when we first got there, but eventually I decided I'd wake up and say hello to everyone.

After we sat around and visited for a while, we all went over to the mall. Mommy bought me a few new outfits and then we went to the little play area and I ate while Rylee played. Then, they needed to go to Barnes and Noble and Mommy and I needed to try and have a passport photo taken.

So, we walked all the way down to J.C. Penney to see if they could take one in their portrait studio... EXCEPT that our JC Penney doesn't have a protrait studio! So, then Mommy thought we should walk to the OTHER END of the mall and see if Sears had a portrait studio. On the way, we passed a Wolf Camera Store and we went in to see if they took passport photos. They DO, BUT they don't do infants, the lady suggested Sears (Mommy thought that *might* be the case)... SO, on we went to Sears.

When we got to Sears, Mommy had to find the portrait studio and when she finally did, they were closed (for lunch... at 2:30pm!). The sign said they would re-open in about half an hour. So, we wandered around the infant clothing department while we waited. Then, while they were still closed, Mommy walked over to look at their brochures and a lady came up and asked if she could help us. That very nice lady clocked in early from her lunch break to take my photo because the next available appointment was going to be an hour and a half away!

15 minutes later, we were headed back to our car with photos in hand! Mission Accomplished!!

On Monday, we'll head out to the post office in Franklin to apply for the passport...

Mommy's added a few new pictures to the "Trip to Alabama" album and the "First Smiles" album. Enjoy! :)

Gotta go... I'm so hungry, I'm trying to suck on Mommy's arm!

Well, I did it!

Late last night (around 11:00) I gave Mommy a true, genuine SMILE!! Actually, I smiled at her twice! I just melted her heart!

She'll try to catch me smiling in a photo...

Today we learned from TEIS that I will be having a "teacher" come once a week to work with me on general development until I'm bigger and we know which specific services I may require.

After our meeting with Yolanda, Mommy took me to the Opthomologist. Dr. Hood gave me an early referral because of the family history (Mommy had glaucoma when she was a baby and Lito and Great-Grandpa Homa both have/had eye problems). Dr. Morrison was very nice until it was time for him to check the pressure in my eyes. This made me pretty MAD!

So, basically everything looked really good. No signs of glaucoma and no signs of having crossed eyes (a problem for people with DS sometimes). He did note that I'm a little far-sighted. Mommy and Dr. Morrison also talked about my blocked tear duct. He says it may not clear up until I'm ten months old! It really hasn't bothered me too much in the last couple of days, though... So, yay for that. He wants to see me again in six months for a follow-up.

This evening, Mommy, Daddy, and I spent some time on our patio enjoying the flickering fire. Well, Mommy and Daddy enjoyed it... I just slept....

Happy weekend everyone!