Chase and More

Down Syndrome and Distance Running

2012-01-27T12:26:00.000-05:00

As part of a running family, I am always excited to hear of people with Down syndrome achieving great accomplishments in running. Our five year old has ran his fair share of "fun runs", and it's easy to wonder about Chase's future in that arena. I was thrilled when Amy posted an article about two women with Down syndrome completing a half marathon and training for a full marathon! (Click HERE

Caroline's Baby Portraits

2012-01-26T21:11:00.000-05:00

Singer Aaron Shust - New Son with DS

2012-01-22T21:08:00.002-05:00

While listening to The Message on the way to church this morning, the host requested prayers for Christian music artist, Aaron Shust and his family as they gave birth to a son with Down syndrome this past Friday. I realize that this is a very emotional and difficult time for his family - both from the unexpected news and their newborn's need for heart surgery. However, it is also exciting to see

Caroline Hope - One Month!

2012-01-12T21:09:00.000-05:00

Exactly one month ago, on 12/12/11, Caroline Hope graced this world with her presence and it's been a whirlwind of a month since then! She was 8 lbs 14 oz with chubby cheeks and isn't afraid to make her voice heard! Both big brothers are smitten, and she gets lots of hugs and kisses and attention from both of them. She's grown so much in just one month - it's hard to believe! See the photos for

Atlanta Disability Day at the Capitol

2012-01-12T15:20:00.005-05:00

Celebrate community, advocacy, and friendship! For more information or to register please go to: http://bit.ly/gL3elb www.gcdd.org or dial 404-656-6593

So Mommy-Brain is Real?!

2012-01-09T13:33:00.000-05:00

Check out this article, showing that us moms might not be losing our minds when we find ourselves combating Mommy-Brain! (Personally, I think sleep deprivation might have something to do with this too, but they have an interesting theory!) Why do moms wake up at the slightest whimper from the baby while dad stays fast asleep? And why do we forget where we put the keys? According to two women

Ryan Pittman - Testimony

2012-01-07T20:27:00.003-05:00

This wonderful video strengthened my assurance for Chase's developing knowledge of Christ and reiterated for me the great opportunity that people with special needs have - to show how we all need God's grace, love and mercy. We all fall short and need God's grace, every single one of us. Be sure to watch till the end, as the ending is the best part. Chase's faith is already apparent ... he

More Firsts - Big Boy Bed and Teeth!

2011-12-09T21:07:00.001-05:00

This week has continued to be a week of firsts! Trent's first (and second) day at school went great - we were blown away by how nonchelant Trent was about starting a new school halfway through the year. His teacher is super-nice, the school seems great, and Trent is already learning the names of friends in his class. He has mastered the bus ride, found his classrom on his own, and is excited

Dates!

2011-12-07T09:34:00.002-05:00

We finally have a date for the induction Monday 12/12! (provided the baby doesn't decide to come before then on her own...) The baby's room is ready enough (crib is put together with light pink and green adorable Serena & Lily bedding but walls are blue!) and we're resigned to having boxes around for a good while, but we're ready! Trent is going to have a big day tomorrow - today is his last

Baby and House Update

2011-11-29T12:10:00.000-05:00

It feels like the 12 days of Christmas .... so many things happening at once, it's hard to keep track of it all! The old... The movers are packing up our home today and loading up the moving van so that they'll be ready to deliver everything to the new house tomorrow afternoon. Despite all the chaos with five movers running around our house, Chase managed to fit in a therapy session in one of

Summoning the Tooth Fairy....

2011-11-26T16:09:00.000-05:00

My five year old has a message.... Trent has a loose tooth! Here's some pictures for your reference. Despite a lot of wiggling, Thanksgiving did not make it come out. (Though the wiggling did nearly make his daddy pass out!!) Anyone want to guess when it'll finally be ready for the tooth fairy?

Down Syndrome: Full Potential

2011-11-22T21:24:00.000-05:00

Great article about the Down syndrome support resources and exciting developments going on here in Atlanta - click HERE. For more information on the Emory Down Syndrome Center, see genetics.emory.edu/DSC. For community resources, visit the Down Syndrome Association of Atlanta at atlantadsaa.org, the SKate Foundation at theskatefoundation.com, and the new GiGi’s Playhouse in Atlanta at

Gorgeous Photo Exhibit of People with Down Syndrome

2011-11-02T19:21:00.001-04:00

"An expansive photography exhibition from the United Kingdom aims to change the way people see Down Syndrome." These photos are simply beautiful - beautifully taken, beautiful people, beautiful lives full of accomplishments, family and love. You MUST view this short slideshow! Says the photographer, Richard Bailey: “What one of the main overriding ideas of the whole exhibition is to show that

Too Much Candy? Send it to the Troops!

2011-11-01T12:26:00.002-04:00

Sort the good stuff. Take out candy that is melted or crushed or wrappers that are torn. Send it off.If you live east of the MIssissippi river, send it to:Soldiers' Angels112 Greenhill Road, Ramseur NC 27316 If you live west of the Mississippi river, send it to:Soldiers' Angels914 Tourmaline Drive, Newbury Park, CA 91320

Not Perfect, but Blessed and Happy!

2011-11-01T09:09:00.002-04:00

Read the story behind this little boy, his sign, and his family by clicking HERE!

The Not-So-Trouble-Maker Son

2011-10-30T01:02:00.000-04:00

Check out what Chase gets into when I turn my back for just a minute. And yes, he had to go into the bathroom closet and find these items on his own (they were not sitting out), and then set up his chair by himself for a comfortable brushing position! Oh what a toddler's mind comes up with to have fun! No wonder the dentist is always impressed with his teeth!

New Clinical Trial for DS Meds

2011-10-29T00:07:00.001-04:00

From the Down Syndrome Research and Treatment Foundation: I am pleased to announce that today marks the achievement of an important milestone in Down syndrome research. Earlier today, the pharmaceutical company Roche announced that it is going to enroll participants in clinical trials to test the safety and tolerability of a drug intended to address the cognitive and behavioral deficits

Baby Date

2011-10-28T11:06:00.000-04:00

I had my 33 week appointment with the OB today and we tried to take a look at the baby for a cute picture, but to no avail. Baby girl just wanted to cuddle up against the placenta to shy away from the ultrasound - oh well. It turns out we may meet her earlier than expected though.... At 33 weeks along, she is already 5 pounds, and the OB plans to take another ultrasound in a month to make sure

Ready, Willing and Able to Work

2011-10-27T22:04:00.000-04:00

I love this new ad from the ARC of San Francisco, posted on the facebook page of the Down Syndrome Guild of Greater Kansas City. "Businesses win when they hire people of ALL abilities"!!

Pre-Halloween Festivities!

2011-10-25T10:57:00.000-04:00

With Halloween approaching, we have been doing all the fun fall activities like driving and hiking through fall foilage, the corn maze, pumpkin patch, and anything else that gets us in the fall-time mood! The YMCA even had a big Halloween party and the kids went in costume - Chase as a one-eyed monster (because he likes to "roar" these days!) and Trent as Captain America. In addition to the

2011 Atlanta Buddy Walk

2011-10-09T17:24:00.001-04:00

I could be biased, but this was one of the most fun Buddy Walks we've attended! The venue this year was Centennial Olympic Park - a huge open grassy area downtown that was made for events like this. It was beautiful, relaxing, and the perfect chance to catch up with families within the Down syndrome community that we don't ordinarily see. Here are just a couple pictures from today... Thanks

Gigi's Playhouse - Atlanta Opening

2011-10-08T21:37:00.001-04:00

We attended the opening celebration of the new Gigi's Playhouse location here in Atlanta today and it was great fun to see the new site where our kids will be able to get together to play and learn! You can learn more information on their website: http://www.gigisplayhouse.org/location-Atlanta.asp Can't wait to see all these fun friends again tomorrow at the Atlanta Buddy Walk! For last minute

Morning After Surgery

2011-10-05T08:54:00.000-04:00

Silly Juice Before Going Back Chase did great last night - he got lots of sleep and woke up happier and playful. The nurse expects him to be discharged today, though the doctor has not yet been by and no discharge orders have been discussed. He hasn't yet had breakfast (dinner last night was cold peaches and applesauce), but is loving the never-ending supply of apple juice and cartoons! He'll

Out of surgery

2011-10-04T16:06:00.003-04:00

Chase is out of surgery and both procedures went really well. We have a nice recovery room next to the playground and Chase has been downing apple juice, watching tv, and finally sleeping. They had to break a little part of his nose to insert the tear duct tubes, and I think that is causing him the most pain, but the pain meds are good and he seems to be doing alright. What a good guy :)

It's Surgery Day!

2011-10-04T08:23:00.000-04:00

Surgery day has finally rolled around for Chase and we are prepping to head to the hospital for his tonsils to be removed and tear duct tubes placed. He is pretty congested, so there's a chance the anesthesiologist could deny him surgery today, but we're proceeding under the assumption that there will be no problem. We will arrive at the hospital at 9:30, and surgery will start at 11:30am. He'll