Day 7 of 31-LAST DILATION DAY!!!!!!!!!

Many of you know that Addysen was born with an imperforate anus. When we brought her home at nine months old she had not had her surgery to correct this or have her stomas reversed. Therefore, she had a colostomy and a mucous fistula. Poor little thing just had not been healthy enough to undergo the surgeries. Thankfully on November 7, 2007 she had her anal opening created and then on December 26, 2007 she had her stomas reversed. Since the middle of last November we have been dialating Addy's little hiney to ensure that the opening stays open and to develop the muscles. Today was the last day for Dilation! Yeah! We go see our favorite Dr. Ford on the 4th of November and he will tell us whether or not we will have to continue dilation or be all done! Yeah! It did not seem to bother Addy after about three days until we had to switch to a larger dilator. This is a pic of the final dilator, 13 mm. I told her this morning that it was the last time and she started clapping. I'm not sure if she understood or just clapped because she knew Mommy was saying something that she was obviously excited about! Too cute!

Here's Addy watching her morning Mickey Mouse, she wouldn't even look at me!

Day 6 of 31

Today was just a typical day. I am exhausted from the weekend and I am completely worn out so I'm heading to bed as soon as I can hook Addy up for her overnight feeding. The boys decided to take pix tonight so this is what you get when a 7 and 9 year old hog a camera! I still think something is up with Addy's neck. Look how in almost every pic she is holding it! UGH!

You always have to have at least one booty shot!

It is a rarity to see Cooper in the same picture of Addy. Granted it's not the best but he is at least close to her!
Ah, there you go typical big brother!


Random socks? Nope Avery's. This child can never find socks or underwear, I wonder why!?!?!


We have been raspberrying again. It's a great oral-motor skills but does make us quite drenched!
Aw, her tiny pigs, I love em! I wish this shot showed the big gap between her big toe and second toe, it's so cute!

BTW, today is my on-line friend's Blogversary! Yep, my friend Renee from http://myspecialks.blogspot.com is having her one year anniversary of blogging! Go and check out her amazing family and congratulate her, you may even win a prize!

Day 5 of 31

Today has been a stressful one. I am emotionally drained. Please continue to pray for our family, especially Jarika. Scott went yesterday to go and buy my mom a new remote so she didn't have to mess with 4 every time she wanted to watch tv or a dvd. He came home with a free Foosball table! The boys love it!

Keeping with trying to say something about Addy in every post: miss Addy boo loves being with her brothers, especially Avery, here they are cuddled on the couch watching football.

Day 4 of 31

Jarika just headed out the door to homecoming. I have no pix, too long of a story to blog about why. To keep with my DS blogging, here's some pix of Addy. Nothing too exciting, just playing her piano and pushing on her neck, which is still driving me crazy.

Day 3 of 31

Jarika, our cheerleader, is very jealous of her little sister's flexibility. I wonder why???

Palmar Crease

Day 2 of 31 for 21:

One of the things I love about Down syndrome is the adorable little palmar crease in their hands. I think it is so sweet. Another thing that I adore is their adorable little stubby fingers! I tried to get a good picture of Addy's precious little crooked pinkies but she wouldn't stop moving!

Down Syndrome Awareness Month

October is National Down Syndrome Awareness Month and in honor of Addysen, and everyone who has Down syndrome, I will be participating in the 31 for 21 challenge. I will try to have each of my posts have something in it about Addy and Down syndrome (not like that is going to be a difficult task!)

Reese's Rainbow, an adoption ministry that helps many children with Down syndrome find their forever families through international adoption has a blog that will feature a different child throughout the month. It would be wonderful if you visited it daily and prayed for the child that is listed there and for God to send them their family.


It was one year ago today that we had the first major scare with Addy since bringing her home in August. It was one year ago that I held my precious girl as she suffered over 15 seizures and could not stop vomitting or having diarrhea. She had Rhotavirus and spent 7 days in the PICU. It's so nice that this is what I am getting to enjoy today!

Have you ever seen a cuter tush up in the air???



Addy is constantly pushing her right hand into her neck like in this picture. If anyone knows of any idea why I would love the input. We can't seem to figure it out!