Rylie's Graduation

Rylie graduated from pre school today! I'm so proud of her. She started when she turned three years old. Her class consisted of half kids with special needs and half typical developing kids. She made a ton of great friends and always had wonderful teachers and therapists. Her school enviroment was great and I am really going to miss her going there. But, now we move on to her next stage in life-Elementary school. Have I mentioned before how nervous I am? Rylie is very good when it comes to change and I know she will enjoy kindergarten at her new school this fall.

Here are some pictures from her big day! She did very well singing all her songs and accepting her diploma. Way to go Rylie!!!!

Wordless Wednesday~Baby's 1st Birthday~CAKE!!!

Cesalie's First Year

Make an on-line slideshow at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Happy First Birthday Cesalie

Cesalie, I can't believe your one already! I hope you have fun at your big birthday party today! LOVE YOU!!!!!!

Cesalie's First Swim

So, usually when you put your precious little baby girl in the swimming pool for the first time ever, you would make sure that her hair wouldn't get wet, you would make sure nobody splashed near her and you would certainly make sure that nobody would slide down the slide right into her and knock her over. However, if that precious little baby girl has a big sister named Rylie, who wants to share in her baby sisters first pool experience, then you might as well forget your precious little baby having a nice and calm first time experience in the pool. And, anyway Cesalie loved every moment! She didn't mind getting soaked or knocked over. Another fearless child I have!

Random Stuff

Yesterday I went to Rylie's school for the end of year picnic. I spent some time in her classroom "observing" her. It was so cute to watch her sing along with everyone at circle time. Her teachers tell me that usually she pretends that she's the teacher and runs the circle time, and all the kids listen to her. I would have loved to see that , but yesterday she just participated. LOL! Rylie is done preschool for two weeks and then goes back until the end of August. They are having a graduation day on June 25Th! That should be fun! I can't believe she is graduating pre school. Seems like just yesterday she left on the bus for the first time! In September she will start kindergarten at her new school. She loves the school that she goes to now so much. She loves her friends, teachers, therapist and bus drivers. I hope next year with everything and everyone being new, she will adjust OK. I honestly think all of the changes will be harder for me then for her.

Today was Karlie's last day of school. She has been home about three hours and is already bored. Oh boy, it's gonna be a long summer! She did awesome on her report card, as always. She is so happy that she got the teacher she wanted for next year.

We will be pretty busy now that schools out and Cesalie's big First birthday is next Saturday! So, I will be back next week to blog about the big day and maybe even tell you about Cesalie's birth story. It's pretty funny, but not as eventful as Rylie's birth.

Happy Summer!!!

A Cure?

On the Ds forums and blogs this type of question has been raised: If there was a cure for Down syndrome ,would you want your child to have it?

Usually, I would say no, I love Rylie just the way she is. I would never want to change her. But then last night when I was for some reason having trouble getting to sleep, I started thinking about this. Hmmm, would I want that cure for her? So I will list some reason why I would and some reasons why I wouldn't

I would want the cure so that

1. Her speech would be normal. So that I could always understand her and she could always understand me. I would love to have a real conversation with her about her day, what she's thinking, why she doesn't behave lol!
2. She wouldn't ever be teased or discriminated against.
3. She wouldn't have a higher risk of developing Leukemia or Alzheimer's.
4. She would be able to have children and care for them w/ a husband.

I would not want the cure because

1. Her down syndrome characteristics make her beautiful. I love her eyes w/ her brushfield spots and their almond shape.
2. I believe her extra chromosome is what makes her so carefree. I don't see Rylie ever growing up to be an anxious person and full of worry. I believe she will always live one day at a time. She will not be judgmental and she will be content.
3. She will prove to people that just because she has Down syndrome doesn't mean she won't have a fulfilled and successful life.
4. She has been amazing me since she has been born with all her hard work and accomplishments.
5. She is funny. I mean super funny! Again, I think her humor comes from the extra chromosome.(I really need to start posting some video of her, so you can see for yourself)

Now lets go back to the first list.
Speech- well, with continued speech therapy and hard work from her, me, Vince, and teachers her speech will keep improving and some day we will have real conversations. So, I don't need a cure for that.
Being teased and discriminated against- Well, I have been teased and discriminated against, and I don't have Down syndrome, so I guess the cure wouldn't help with that either.
Leukemia and Alzheimer's-Yes the risk are greater, but you could be cured from Down syndrome and unfortunately still end up developing leukemia or Alzheimer's.
Getting married and having children- Again, people without Down syndrome don't all get married and have children.(Rylie may or may not, I shouldn't even be worrying about this yet)

Now lets say shortly after Rylie was born, a cure was developed for Down syndrome. Lets just say it was a magic "cure all" pill. Would I have wanted it then? ABSOLUTELY! I would have given her the whole bottle and praised God for curing her. I would have jumped on it, believe me. Back when she was born I was praying to God to heal her from Down syndrome, seriously!I was afraid, because I didn't know anything about Down syndrome. I didn't really know Rylie yet, I didn't know how much of a blessing she would be.

After five plus years of having Rylie in my life, I don't think I would want the cure. The Down syndrome is what makes Rylie , well Rylie. She doesn't suffer from Down syndrome. She doesn't need to be cured. We need cures for different diseases and cancer, but not Down syndrome. We need medical breakthroughs and cures for different health issues that people w/ Ds are more susceptible to, but the Down syndrome alone doesn't need a cure.

By the way, In case your wondering, I don't really think there will ever be a cure for Down syndrome.

The Do's and Don'ts w/ babies

Need a good laugh?
http://www.c00lstuff.com/1133/Do_s_and_don_ts_with_babies/