31 for 21 Day 7

Today was once again a little crazy. Scott has been working two jobs for awhile and today was a day that he left around 8 am and we haven't seen him since (it's after 8pm now). Addy started with a gunky eye yesterday and woke up this morning with it all crusty and yucky :( I started her on her antibiotic drops last night and gave them as prescribed today. It wasn't running anymore but still doesn't look great :( she was really crabby today too. I think she was just tired, she went to bed just after 6pm. This has been the norm since school started lol. She's gonna have to step it up a bit this week though, she's participating in Junior Cheer Camp this week :) She's going to LOVE it! Every time we go to the games she points to the cheerleaders and says "Jarika" :) she watched her cheer for years!

This was the first game we took her too :) She was 11 months old and sooo precious!

Addy still points down to the track and thinks Jarika is there lol. It's been three years but she still looks for her!

My post today regarding DS is definitely inclusion/acceptance. I'm so thrilled that Addy is going to participate in the camp this week. I know she's going to love it! Is she going to know all of the words and moves? Probably not, but does that matter? Nope, not a bit. Many other girls won't have a clue either lol. But it will be absolutely darling no matter what!!!

31 for 21 Day 6

• Today's been a little crazy with a cranky baby, freezing cold weather and a cranky almost 6 year old so today's post is taken from www.ndss.org. Great information :)
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• Down syndrome occurs when an individual has a full or partial extra copy of chromosome 21. This additional genetic material alters the course of development and causes the characteristics associated with Down syndrome.

• There are three types of Down syndrome: trisomy 21 (nondisjunction) accounts for 95% of cases, translocation accounts for about 4% and mosaicism accounts for about 1%.   

• Down syndrome is the most commonly occurring chromosomal condition. One in every 691 babies in the United States is born with Down syndrome.

• There are more than 400,000 people living with Down syndrome in the United States.

• Down syndrome occurs in people of all races and economic levels.

• The incidence of births of children with Down syndrome increases with the age of the mother. But due to higher fertility rates in younger women, 80% of children with Down syndrome are born to women under 35 years of age.

• People with Down syndrome have an increased risk for certain medical conditions such as congenital heart defects, respiratory and hearing problems, Alzheimer's disease, childhood leukemia, and thyroid conditions. Many of these conditions are now treatable, so most people with Down syndrome lead healthy lives.

• A few of the common physical traits of Down syndrome are low muscle tone, small stature, an upward slant to the eyes, and a single deep crease across the center of the palm. Every person with Down syndrome is a unique individual and may possess these characteristics to different degrees or not at all.

• Life expectancy for people with Down syndrome has increased dramatically in recent decades - from 25 in 1983 to 60 today.

• People with Down syndrome attend school, work, participate in decisions that affect them, and contribute to society in many wonderful ways.

• All people with Down syndrome experience cognitive delays, but the effect is usually mild to moderate and is not indicative of the many strengths and talents that each individual possesses.

• Quality educational programs, a stimulating home environment, good health care, and positive support from family, friends and the community enable people with Down syndrome to develop their full potential and lead fulfilling lives.

31 for 21 Day 5

I stayed home with Little Man today since he's been sick. Fortunately he is doing great :) So much better than a certain chromosomally enhanced little girl I know :) However, this is his opinion of neb treatments.

31 for 21 Day 4

Addy has an addiction to technology, she honestly feels like she's being tortured if her Ipad dies, it's quite funny. She amazes me with her tech abilities :)

31 for 21 day 3

I didn't really have anything specific to post today but then my day changed! My little man has pneumonia :( first time he's been sick :( Soooo today I'm posting about lungs lol.

Addy's lungs have always been sick. She was born with chronic lung disease and severe pulmonary hypertension. She was on O2 for the first 19 months of her life 24/7. She got 4 nebulizer treatments per day for a year and a half. She was on lasix and viagra (yes you read that right) until she was 22 months old. She slept every night with a pulse ox that would alarm often, especially when we first brought her home. Whenever she gets sick she usually ends up with the need for oxygen. I have lost count how many times she has had pneumonia. She has had it twice in 2012, in January and June. I'm REALLY hoping that Little Man doesn't share! She is just now getting over a nasty sinus infection.

When we first brought Addy home her former pediatrician looked at her chest x-ray and told me "her lungs are crap". Nice huh? Addy has fought so hard and she is doing so well, I'm sure if her former doctor saw her now he would be blown away. Her lungs are still vulnerable but she is one tough cookie :)

According to the NDSS, The lungs of children with Down syndrome do not develop as fully as in the general population. Consequently, the growth of blood vessels throughout the lungs is limited. The narrowed arteries of the lungs hold potential for lasting consequences due to the increased pressure and flow of blood through the lungs.

31 for 21 day 2

Currently we have two children in our home with Down syndrome. Little Man amazes me everyday. I know we shouldn't compare children but we all do it lol. Addy's health has always held her back and watching a baby with Down syndrome with minimal health concerns has been a pure joy. I wish I could share more but you know I can't :( 

I need to upload some videos, just haven't had the chance. Addy's motor skills are definitely her weakest area. However, since she started kindergarten her gross motor skills have blossomed!!! She is walking so much faster than she was and she doesn't have such a wide gait either ;) I am so proud for everything she has done and how far she has come! 

Here are some of Addy's milestones :)
Rolled Over 10 months

Sat Alone 18 months

Crawled 34 months

Walked 4 years 9 months

She is such an amazing little girl, I'm so proud to be her mommy!

31 for 21

Well... it's that time of year again!!! DOWN SYNDROME AWARENESS MONTH!!! I have always loved October, that is until my Dad passed away in 2006. Little did I know that six months later I would learn to love October again. Addy will celebrate her 6th birthday this month! How great is it that she was born the month to celebrate DS??? How in the world can she be six??? We started the process of adopting a girl with Down syndrome in July of 2005, she joined our family in August 2007. Still can't believe we are lucky enough to be her parents :)

(One of the first pix I saw of her :) I was hooked immediately!!!)

I haven't blogged in awhile. Things have been super busy and I am down right tired at night! Once I get the baby to bed I usually follow him pretty quickly!

Since it is DS Awareness month naturally I will focus on our beautiful Addy :)  Currently Addy is 36 inches tall and weighs 28 pounds. She's a tiny little almost 6 year old! Addy is fully included in kindergarten and is thriving! She does get a LOT of therapy and goes to the resource classroom 150 minutes per week as well. I'm in the process of getting a really cute video of her showing me some of the great things she is learning :) Just waiting until her little face clears up from the raging sinus infection she has been fighting!