She can do it all! 31 for 21

I remember the first summer after Rylie was born, we went down the shore for a family vacation with Vince's family. Karlie and all of our nieces and nephews were running around, swimming in the pool, playing in the arcade and going on tons of amusement rides. Rylie was only about 6 months old and the diagnosis of Down syndrome was still so new, and it stung every time I looked at the kids having fun. Yes, even watching my own daughter, Karlie running around having fun, hurt me, only because I assumed I would never get to see Rylie doing all the fun things that kids do. I remember being on that vacation, and constantly holding back tears. I remember the family asking me, what's wrong, and I would say, "nothing". I remember the pain I felt in my heart. Only 6 months into a Ds diagnosis for my baby, I'll always remember that vacation, and how I really knew nothing about what Rylie having Ds meant.

By the next summer vacation, Rylie was around eighteen months old. She was swimming in the pool, and already started riding the amusement rides. She was just starting to walk and she had the funniest personality.(Still Does).

Rylie having Down syndrome has not limited her in anyway.

She loves to swim


She loves amusement rides


She even rock climbs

She plays games in the arcade

She has no problem keeping up with those wonderful nieces and nephews of mine







Although, the feelings I had in the beginning are normal, I do wish I would have known how Rylie would thrive. I have so many more things to look forward to with her.