Monday, September 29, 2008

Any Questions?

I thought I would do a Questions and Answer post for 31 for 21(GET IT DOWN)! So, if you have a question about Down syndrome, or if you have any questions in general about Rylie or myself, just shoot me an E-mail at vvolz3ATverizonDOTnet and title it QUESTIONS, or leave me a comment. Thanks!

Friday, September 26, 2008

You never know what you'll find when you open their bedroom door!

As you know Rylie and Cesalie share a room. Rylie used to be a wonderful sleeper until Cesalie came along. Now the two of them are constantly waking up in the middle of the night. When Cesalie wakes up, she starts crying. One of us go into her room and pat her back until she settles down and goes back to sleep. When Rylie wakes up in the middle of the night she usually goes to her toy box and starts playing. We have to go in and tell her to get back in bed. And usually she goes right back to sleep. It's really starting to wear on us. I'm so tired of waking up in the middle of the night!

ALRIGHT, I'M DONE VENTING, ON TO THE FUNNY STUFF..................................


Before Rylie settles down for the night she plays in her room until she passes out from exhaustion. When we go to check on the girls one last time before bed, we never know how where gonna find Rylie.Remember this? She prefers sleeping on her floor instead of her comfy bed. The other day I cleaned out their closet and put Rylie's old back pack in there. She found it, and apparently was having fun with it, because this is how I found her asleep.

Waiting for a new IEP

I was suppose to meet with Rylie's regular teacher and special ed teacher this week, for an informal meeting. As I mentioned before, I think Rylie needs to spend more time in the regular classroom, or possibly full inclusion. I think the teachers are on the same page. However we had to postpone the meeting until the first week in October, because NOW the principle wants to be in attendance(sigh....I think she's on a different page or in a whole different book). Instead of an informal meeting it will now be an amended IEP.

By the way, Rylie is doing good in school. She is doing awesome with letter and number recognition!

Thursday, September 25, 2008

31 for 21


It's almost time for the 2nd annual 31 for 21 challenge. October is Down syndrome awareness month. The idea for the challenge is to blog for 31 days about Down syndrome AKA Trisomy 21. If you have a blog and know someone with Ds consider joining the fun and help spread awareness.

Tricia from Unringing the Bell came up with this cool idea. You can visit her for more info!

Last year I started blogging at the end of October, so I didn't get a chance to participate. I've been looking forward to this all year.

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Special Exposure Wednesday-Enjoying a book






Here's a picture of Rylie reading. Lately she has really been getting into books! She likes to look at the pictures and make up her own story. She's one smart cookie!

Visit 5 Minutes for Special Needs for more Special Exposure Wednesdays.

So, How's Kindergarten going?

It's going OK. It's hard for Rylie, being in school all those hours every day. I think their working her pretty hard. One day last week she actually cried, and told me she didn't want to go to school. And this was coming from a kid who wakes up on Christmas morning and says she wants to go to school. The past three days, she has been happy to go to school though.

Actually, she seems to be doing great in the regular classroom. Her teacher said she has great communication and socialization skills. It's the special ed class that doesn't seem to be working. I am in the process now of setting up an informal meeting with the teachers and then we will be revisiting the IEP. I'm thinking about having her do full inclusion, and I think the teachers are thinking the same.

Friday, September 12, 2008

Perfectly Said

I love this post. I wish I wrote it. This is exactly how I feel about Gov. Sarah Palin/Ds, but I just didn't know how to say it.

Thursday, September 11, 2008

This Makes Me Mad!

Sarah and Todd Palin's decision to complete her recent pregnancy, despite advance notice that their baby Trig had Down syndrome, is hailed by many in the pro-life movement as walking the walk as well as talking the talk.

But a senior Canadian doctor is now expressing concerns that such a prominent public role model as the governor of Alaska and potential vice president of the United States completing a Down syndrome pregnancy may prompt other women to make the same decision against abortion because of that genetic abnormality. And thereby reduce the number of abortions- Article taken from the LA Times click here for the rest of the story.

Oh no! The number of unborn babies with Down syndrome being aborted will be reduced(enter sarcasm). If a child with Ds is portrayed in a positive light, an expected mother might choose not to terminate.

Are you kidding me???

This is ONE of the reasons I'm so excited about Sarah Palin! Down syndrome is being portrayed in a positive light. The whole world is seeing their PERFECT baby. The whole world is seeing that a baby with Down syndrome is a blessing and to be cherished.

How scary that a doctor would be concerned about abortion rates dropping. It's sick ,really.

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Happy Birthday Karlie! SHE'S 10 YEARS OLD!!!!!!!!!



How can I be the mom of a TEN year old???? I remember the day she was born like it was yesterday! I woke up in hard labor, called Vince home from work, rushed to the hospital and she was born in a few hours! It was one of the happiest days of my life. I have never known anyone who is as kind and considerate as Karlie. She has so many friends because she is such a good friend to everyone. She doesn't argue with people. She doesn't EVER insult anybody. She honestly doesn't have a mean bone in her body. She helps around the house and helps me with her little sisters. She has such a love for life, her family and Jesus! I am so proud of her. My sweet Karlie has brought her Dad and I so much joy in the past TEN years!

HAPPY 10th BIRTHDAY KARLIE!


I'm working on a ten year photo montage for Karlie and hopefully It will be ready before she turns 11.

I'm sure Karlie would love a comment for her special day!

Thursday, September 4, 2008

A Friend and an Advocate in the White House


Sometimes even the greatest joys bring challenge.
And children with special needs inspire a special love.

To the families of special-needs children all across this country, I have a message: For years, you sought to make America a more welcoming place for your sons and daughters.

I pledge to you that if we are elected, you will have a friend and advocate in the White House


Obviously this was my favorite part of Sarah Palin's speech. I believe her. I liked her before and now I like her even more.

First Day of Kindergarten!


So Far, so good!

First Day of 4th Grade



Karlie had a great first day yesterday! I can't believe my first baby is in 4th grade!

Wednesday, September 3, 2008

More thoughts on Kindergarten

When Rylie was a new baby, I had a lot of fears! One of my biggest fears was that someday she would go to elementary school. What would that be like? Will she make friends? Will she be teased? Tonight all of these fears are staring me in the face. I hate that I'm feeling this way. I'm second guessing all the decisions that were made on her IEP.

Tomorrow I will drop her off at the bus stop. After the bus leaves, I will drive to the school and wait for her to arrive. I want to watch the aide meet her and take her to her line or class. I'm not even going to make it known I'm there. I guess you can say I'm gonna be spying. LOL!

One thing I know for sure is that Rylie will be happy on the bus and she will have a fun day. She is not shy, and she will not be crying for me!

I'm Getting Nervous

Today was the first day back to school for Karlie. RYLIE STARTS TOMORROW!!! They will be going to the same school now. I met Rylie's regular ed teacher last week, and I really like her! Rylie will have a shared aide w/ her friend Alice, and will be pulled out for reading and math. After meeting Rylie's teacher last week, I now regret(sorta) having Rylie pulled out. I think we should have gone for full inclusion. I'm gonna give it a month and then see. We just might have to do another IEP. I'm really seeing all of this as a learning experience and I have a lot to learn.

Anyway, right now my heart is breaking. We decided it would be better if Rylie took the special ed bus this year. She still has trouble w/ impulse control and going on the regular bus with a ton of other kids might not work out. Plus, I'm afraid that it would make Karlie feel responsible for her, and I didn't want to put that type of pressure on her.

The transportation dept thought they were doing me a great favor and they arranged that Rylie's bus would come to the same bus stop at the same time as the regular bus. This morning when we walked Karlie down to the bus stop, there were a lot of kindergartners there whose first day was today. Rylie was very social at the bus stop! I again started second guessing myself, and thought maybe Rylie would do fine on the reg. bus. By putting her on the spec ed bus, it's like saying,... hay everyone..look at me, I'm different then you! Have fun on your bus , while I go and get on my special bus. I actually came home and cried. Oh well, I'll let you all know how she makes out tomorrow.

Tuesday, September 2, 2008


Get a playlist! Standalone player Get Ringtones!