Down Syndrome Awareness Month

Here we are seven days into Down syndrome Awareness month and I haven't even mentioned it. Pull out the streamers and candy today we party!? Is that the way to celebrate that extra piece Regan got? Is it something to celebrate? It makes Regan.....Regan... Do we celebrate when someone has brown hair, is there a National Brown hair awareness month? ( Don't look it up cause there probably is and then my point wouldn't be valid) Regan was born with it does it make him unique? You betcha it does. He has his funny ways about how things go, which seat he sits in, what he eats, how he likes his toys to be, what he wants to do with each person he spends time with. Wait.... Don't we all?  I always sit in the same seat in school and if someone is in my seat it just makes me all messed up.  Maybe we should celebrate National wanna sit in the same seat month?

 I don't want to wait until October every year to celebrate this unique characteristic. Regan is more than an awareness month he is a little boy that loves football, tball, baseball, basketball, climbing, running, the band, the cheerleaders, motorcycles, running in the woods, the bus,snuggles with his meme, chicken, sprite, playing with Daddy and so much more.

So this month when I write it's going to be a series on Regan. I'll tell you about the day we became "aware" of DS, I'll go through some of our most asked questions and if you have any feel free to ask me.  Send me an email, leave a comment with your question,  Facebook or twitter. What ever works for you. I'll tell you about some things we are wanting in the future for Regan. Ways that his extra chromosome effects him. What we plan to tell Kollyn and Karly about Regan and much more.

I'm excited to spread awareness about Regan, he is truly an amazing guy!

Kids

Lately the boys have had me cracking up at the things they say. I wanted to write them down somewhere so that even on days they are causing trouble I will be able to remember the cute things.


Kollyn:
I need dat...... doesn't matter if its a spoon or a insect outside its always I need that or I need that pleeeese


Ant bite me...   The child got into ants MONTHS ago and now every time something itches he starts telling me ant bite me!

We asked him one day if he had a ant bite and he replied with sure did!   Soo Country


"I tired" He gets in trouble and he tells us he is tired



Regan
This morning I told him he sure was cute and he replied    "I  know"   

Karly says dada,bye, momma,rayray, bite, and sprite.  

Aaron

I've been trying to figure out how to post this for over two weeks. I can't even figure out what to say except to be keeping Aaron's family in your thoughts, prayers, meditations, what ever it is you do. Every time I start to write a post I'm in tears. I haven't personally know anyone that has been injured in this war but I do now. It hits differently when you know a person, their family, where there house was. Ricky and I got married in the church that Aaron's dad was the pastor. His dad talked to us about Aaron and had just this sparkle in his eye.

Aaron and I were friends in high school. He took me to my first high school dance because the guy I was "liking" at the time didn't want to go. He took care of me and looked out for me for years. I got us lost a couple of times going to Gadsden but he always just laughed it off. Aaron came to bonfires at our house and we all went to eat lots of times.  A couple of years after I graduated I ran into him at a bar in Oxford and he was still the same sweet guy. I have only kept up with him through facebook over the last couple of years but he would post pics of his travels and I would always tell Ricky that I wanted to go!

Aaron's wife and dad are keeping up his caringbridge site. I have never met his wife but just reading her post I know they are a match. I know that Aaron's life will be different now but I know he will come out of this and we will teach us all something about persevering.

A colorful birthday!!

Today we had Karly's first birthday. I have to say that this party has really stressed me out. I didn't get everything done before it was party time. Time management was not the best but it was super cute, if I do say so myself! 

Happy Birthday!!

Today is this little girls 1st Birthday!!! I can't even believe it has been a year since she came into our world. I can't imagine a life without her silly ways, her scrunched up nose and her laughter.

We all love our little girl so much and can't wait to celebrate her this weekend!

Happy Birthday Miss Priss! We love you so much!!

Buzz is for babies?

This morning I pulled out one of Regan's buzz light year shirts for him to wear. He quickly told me no! So I pulled out another toy story shirt and again he told me NO! So I asked him what the deal was because he loved Buzz and Woody over the Summer?!! His response to me "Uzz fo abies" ~~~~~~BUZZ IS FOR BABIES?? Are you kidding me?  I thought Buzz was still cool? Undoubtly not to Regan anymore. I just wonder what happened and who changed his mind. Seems my little boy is growing up and this momma isn't ready for that.

Buffalo chicken sandwiches

Its almost football time and we all know how exciting that is in our house! I mean really Regan's first two word combo was ROLL TIDE! All three kids say it and its kinda crazy around here when they see football.

With football comes some food time!! My favorite! Kellys Korner is doing a crockpotalooza today and so I had to add some of my favorites.


Buffalo chicken sandwiches


6-8 frozen chicken tenders
3/4 bottle of your favorite wing sauce
1 packet of ranch dress (dry mix)

Pour the sauce and dry mix over the chicken and cook on low for 6 hours.
Take chicken out and shred
Pour off the liquid out of crock pot
Mix remaining 1/4 bottle of sauce into the crock pot and mix

We serve this on sub rolls with ranch dressing and IT'S SOOO GOOD!!

I don't have a picture because I never think about taking pictures but it is soo good!

My Blue Rose

A Blue Rose
Author unknown


Having four visiting family members, my wife was very busy, so I offered to go to the store for her to get some needed items, which included light bulbs, paper towels, trash bags, detergent and Clorox. So off I went.


I scurried around the store, gathered up my goodies and headed for the checkout counter, only to be blocked in the narrow aisle by a young man who appeared to be about sixteen-years-old. I wasn't in a hurry, so I patiently waited for the boy to realize that I was there. This was when he waved his hands excitedly in the air and declared in a loud voice, "Mommy, I'm over here."


It was obvious now, he was mentally challenged and also startled as he turned and saw me standing so close to him, waiting to squeeze by. His eyes widened and surprise exploded on his face as I said, "Hey Buddy, what's your name?"

"My name is Denny and I'm shopping with my mother," he responded proudly.


"Wow," I said, "that's a cool name; I wish my name was Denny, but my name is Steve."


"Steve, like Stevarino?" he asked. "Yes," I answered. "How old are you Denny?"


"How old am I now, Mommy?" he asked his mother as she slowly came over from the next aisle.


"You're fifteen-years-old Denny; now be a good boy and let the man pass by."


I acknowledged her and continued to talk to Denny for several more minutes about summer, bicycles and school. I watched his brown eyes dance with excitement, because he was the center of someones attention. He then abruptly turned and headed toward the toy section.


Denny's mom had a puzzled look on her face and thanked me for taking the time to talk with her son. She told me that most people wouldn't even look at him, much less talk to him.

I told her there were plenty of red,yellow and pink roses however Blue Roses are very rare and should be appreciated for their beauty and distinctiveness. You see, Danny is a blue rose and if someone doesn't stop and smell that rose with their heart and touch that rose with kindness then they have missed on of life's greatest joys.



My sweet Regan,
You are my blue rose. I am forever grateful that you came into our world with your extra piece and rocked our world.  Even when things don't go the way I want for you I know that in the morning you will wake up with a smile on your face ready to take on the world. I wish I could get you to understand that we see the hurt in your eyes and we feel it a 1000 times more when you are disappointed but I'm so proud of the guy you are becoming. I'm so happy to be your meme and I promise to ALWAYS fight for you.



Things are going very good at school. I love my classes. I'm so glad I have a hubby and family that support me in going back to school.  I have most of my assignments done for two of my classes for the entire semester and that just makes me more relaxed. My only thing would be more sleep  but I guess that is what caffeine is for.


Ricky has decided to sell his Rodeo. I'm kinda sad but we don't ever go in the woods anymore. I think he has found something he would rather have and so he knows he has to sell one to get another.  I wish now we wouldn't of put so much money in it as far as lights, radio, and speakers. If you know someone who would like a rodeo let us know!

Regan seems to be doing really well in school. His new aide and he are doing well together. I'm still sad that we lost our other aide but what do you do? We have been having accidents EVERY. SINGLE. DAY it started before I went back to school but man is it getting old. He went all summer with just a few accidents all summer and now good gracious its frustrating. Sometimes I feel all alone on this DS journey. I have no idea what to do!

Karly still isn't walking! She will hold on to our hands and walk but has only taken a few steps by herself. She is all girl but her personality is really showing. She loves bows as long as they are not in her hair. She loves dolls and dresses.  She doesn't love shoes except to put in her mouth. She says hey,bye,dada,mike,mama,nana, what that, and bubba. She is crazy about her brothers! One day Kollyn was crying and she crawled over to him with her bottle in her mouth and gave him her bottle! I cried. They can be so sweet to each other at times.

I'm super excited about her party in a few weeks. I have lots of ideas but haven't done anything!! That is very odd for me not to have something done but I just don't have time with school everynight. I hope this weekend I can get some stuff done. It's not going to be over the top but its fun doing things for a little girl!

What good is a post without pictures???

First night of class!!

Well my first night went really well. I have two classes each night and then I have one online class. I'm still looking at either doing elementary education or special education. I'm kind of excited about the thought of being a regular education teacher and working on ways for inclusion. I know how important it is for special needs children to be included in regular classrooms and I would love to help them be included!

 I'm basically starting over because only one of my classes from before Regan will work with my new major! But at least I can say that I have one down! Positive thinking,right?  I'm going to miss putting the babies in bed at night but I still get to spend the day with them. Regan and I are together about an hour in the morning and then usually 2 hours in the afternoon. I wish he and I had more time but I know he and his daddy are going to have some one on one time after the babies go to bed and he really needs that.

Well I've got homework to do and babies to love on!

Another chapter in life

Today is my first day back to school!!

Beach time!!

We decided to take a trip to the beach this weekend. We needed to get away and just enjoy some time together before all the crazy times begin next week.  We checked Regan out of school on Friday and hit the road! Six hours later we FINALLY made it. On the way down we stopped 6 times for potty breaks and snack breaks but we had fun and that is what we wanted. 

When we got to the hotel we changed real quick and went down to the beach before it got to dark.

That night we just rode around and just enjoyed the sights. We got tacos and went back to the room and sat on the balcony. The kids were pretty tired so we went to bed. The next morning Regan and Karly got up early just like always and so the two of them and I were on the beach by 6am. We went walking and tried to collect seashells. Regan thought he was at a catch and release program because he would pick up the shells and then throw them into the water telling them to swim! It was so funny.   Finally we went and got Ricky and Kollyn up. We went to the grocery store to get some danishes and then headed back to the room for some beach time!

That day for lunch we went and met my friend Lisa for lunch! The last time we saw her Regan was about 2 years old! I can't believe it has been that long. (I'm not going to post pics cause its kinda weird to post pics without asking)  Then we went back and spent more time time on the beach before heading to Pier Park!

I had a wonderful time with the kids and not having anything that needed to be done but enjoying the stage we are in right now.

School time

At the end of the school year last year we decided for Regan to repeat Kindergarten. It was a easy decision for us.  Regan has made LOTS of improvement over the Summer. Over the weekend we quizzed him and he got all but 4 letters correct. The ones he missed were:  L~he called it an I, T again he called it an I, W which he sees as a M and V which he sees as an N. I know I'm his momma but WOOT WOOT! 

The day school let out I threw away all the pull ups! We had been talking to him about it and so when he came home that day I took his pull up that he had on and we chunked it into the trash.  We have been in nothing but big boy undies since! At first we had lots of accidents but he started getting the idea and is FINALLY potty trained. It is wonderful to only have two in diapers instead of three! 

With staggered entry this year Regan's first day was yesterday. Ricky and I took him to school and he just went right in and found his seat. He sat down and told us bye. Then while I was taking pics he looked at me and said BYE MEME!


If you look real close in this picture you can see a black eye on the left side. Kollyn decided to wack him in the eye with a hair brush on Monday night!

Regan has wanted to ride the bus since preschool. Last year I didn't like the pickup time for him and I didn't fight to change it so I just took him. This year he had a perfect pickup time thanks for a wonderful driver who I think I have known since I was about 5. She eased my mind and now he only rides for about 10 mins!

Regan says he had a good day yesterday. He was in a great mood all afternoon. I can't wait to see how he changes this year!

Sew it up

For those of you who know our Kollyn/ B this will not be a shock. We had our first trip to the ER with him on Saturday.  I'm sure we will soon have a frequent flyer card for him, he all boy and all mess.

 Kollyn was getting out of the shower and slipped and fell hitting his eye on a open drawer. I was in Karly's room getting her ready when I heard the panic in Ricky's voice, " Kay, I think we need to get to the ER." by the time I got to them Kollyn was not crying but wanting to get back in the shower! My mom came and stayed with the other two so that Ricky could help me with Kollyn. 

The doctor was afraid to dermabond it because if he rubbed it into his eye then he would be glued. The nurses and Ricky wrapped him up and held him down so that he could stitch him up and it was over in about 5 mins.  We are down to only one stitch already and besides all the pretty colors it is healing up really well.

Gatlinburg with Nana and Becca

We recently took a trip to Gatlinburg with my mom and my sister-in-law. Bless their hearts for being brave enough to hang with my three kiddos and myself. I'm pretty sure they need vacations after being on vacation with us. We went to Dollywood on two different days. It was HOT but so fun! The boys loved the train and Karly seemed to enjoy everything.We also went to Cades Cove, Ober Gatlingburg and of course the outlets!!  I'm going to be sharing lots of pics so get ready!

~ Kollyn's EEG came back normal!! Woohooo! The doctor told us it was altered awareness moments? We haven't seen another since then! I did however about fall out Saturday when we got a bill for his test and doctor visit!!

Kollyn

I have tried to keep this quiet but today we are taking Kollyn to Childrens to have some test run on him.  For well over a month we have noticed him doing a odd blinking thing. We first thought he was just making a game of a new trick.  Then I started noticing that he would get really still right before and stare at something. That's when we decided to take him to the doctor. Our doctor saw what I was seeing on Thursday and decided to send us to a neurologist.

I'm pretty calm today usually I'm a mess before we go to Children's for any testing. I'm okay with whatever is found. We can deal with it. We have made it through so much together as a little family and we can handle whatever this may be. I'm still hoping for it to just be a trick but either way its okay.

Summer time!!

This Summer has been so busy already. We have been swimming almost every day. Regan and Karly would stay there all day if I let them. Kollyn isn't really excited about it and about 15 mins into swimming he is ready to get OUT! I really thought he would like it more than he does maybe it's just his age.

 



Somewhere in that splash is Regan



Two of Ricky's aunts and his pawpaw have lots down at the river and so we have also spent some time there enjoying the water and all his family.  Ricky spent a lot of time on the river when he was growing up so he loves seeing the kids playing in the water like he did. I tried to get some good pics a couple of weekends ago but they just were working with me. Kollyn's face in some of them is just too funny!!

Cousins feeding the ducks

Kollyn looks thrilled, doesn't he?

 There is so much I enjoy about this time of year and I'm loving making memories with my sweet babies.  Happy Summer!!