Best friends they are.

Just 17 months ago, our family adopted a Russian orphan. A little girl that had no family ... no mommy, daddy or siblings to call her own. 

A little girl the baby home caregivers and other orphans referred to as Nika. A little girl we named Addison.



Going into our adoption, I think the thing I was most excited about was the bond that I hoped Payton and Addison would have. Sisters ... nine months apart, both sporting an extra chromosome, best friends for life. 



When Addison came home, things were not the fairytale I had dreamed about. Payton was in love with her new sister, however the feelings were not necessarily returned. And that broke a momma's heart.



I soon came to realize that Addison had spent her life in fight or flight mode when it came to other kids. If she didn't fight for her toy, she'd lose it. If she didn't fight for the food placed in front of her, she'd lose it. That was how she coped and the last thing she wanted was her doting little momma-of-a-sister in her face all the time.

She cried. She turned her back. She wanted Payton to leave her alone.

But one day ... one day she decided it might not be so bad to have a sister that loved her. And she gave in.



Today ... they are the best of friends. Well ... most days they are.

Payton is still the doting little momma-of-a-sister that Addison does not necessarily care to have. But we work our way through Addison's tears of frustration, tell Payton to back off and we move on.







Sisters they are. Best friends they are.

They call her Momma.

Honestly ... where does time go? I seriously can't stand the fact that life goes by so fast ... I need to know how to fix that. As much as I try to cherish the little things in life ... the big things seem to take over.

My niece has moved into her fifth week of life. It is amazing to see the transformation that just five weeks makes on a newborn baby.



Payton adores her cousin ... I love that. She is such a little momma ... she loves her babies. I'm pretty sure she thinks she is the mother of Nika too ... ya know, in light of the way she bosses her around and such.

Payton's teachers have also told me they call her "Momma" at school, because she acts like just that -- the momma! She is constantly trying to take care of the other kids and help them with what they need done. Such a kind soul.





Hello baby blue eyes.



*

Mason was the student of the week last week in his kindergarten class.



He is 6 years old.
His favorite animal is a dog.
His favorite color is red.
His favorite food is mac and cheese.
When he grows up, he wants to be a race car driver.
His favorite place is Disney World.
His favorite thing to do is play with friends.
If he had one wish, he would wish for a monster truck.

Love that kid.



Even when he sobs from exhaustion after a long day at school when the neighbor kid does not want to play baseball with him. Nonetheless, he is always willing to pose for the camera ... waterlogged eyes and all. 

My hazel-ish eyes turn really green when I cry ... and Mason's do too, as you can see. I wonder why that is ... too bad that color doesn't stick around absent of salt water tears.

*

Now if you'll excuse me, I need to go eat my pickles and ice cream. You know, because I'm pregnant. 

Kidding people ... kidding.

When is your baby due?

Scenario: I am sitting in the waiting room at therapy this morning, waiting for the girls to finish their speech, physical and occupational therapies. My life story. I am sitting slouched in my chair, arching my back and balancing my laptop on my lap.


Lady: When is your baby due?

Me (staring at my laptop): No baby.

Lady: Oh.

Me: *silence, staring at my laptop*

Lady: How many kids do you have?

Me: Three.

Lady: Oh, well that will stretch things out.

Me: *silence, staring at my laptop*

Lady: My body is shaped like that too.

Me: *silence, staring at my laptop*

Lady: Sorry.

Me: No worries.


Oh.my.word. Seriously. I am dying here just reliving this in my head ... what was this woman thinking? She is a complete outcast and I have to sit in a waiting room with her week after week, listening to her nonsense. Be it singing at the top of her lungs, talking 999 decibels too loud or just saying the most random things ... I do not know how much more I can take!

Had I been quick on my toes, the conversation would have went like this ...


Lady: When is your baby due?

Me: November.

Lady: Aww, congratulations.

Me: Thanks ... when is your baby due?


Or ... a friend suggested this would have been even better ...


Lady: When is your baby due?

Me: Next month.

Lady: Wow, you are tiny!

Me: Yes I am!


Ha ... love it. Maybe someday I'll be quick on my toes.

Honoring my girls

Today is the day ... World Down Syndrome Day.

Today is the day that we aim to promote awareness and understanding of Down syndrome and related issues ... and to mobilize support and recognition of the dignity, rights and well being of people with Down syndrome.

 
Today is the day that we honor our girls ... and all of the other fabulous people with Down syndrome in this world.  

In honor of this special day and my love for networking with other completely-inspiring-super-awesome parents of children with Down syndrome ... I present to you Real Life | Down syndrome. 

Real Life | Down syndrome is a comprehensive look into raising a child with Down syndrome ... for the parents, by the parents. In other words, it brings the stories of parents across the world to one place. It is broken down into three main categories -- birth stories, life stories and medical hurdles -- allowing parents ... no matter where they are in their journey ... to find other parents that have been in their shoes. 

Someone to identify with ... someone to contact when you have questions.

Disclaimer ... I am still perfecting text and tweaking things here and there ... I welcome your suggestions! 

• In order to follow each of the three main categories via google reader or other feed, you must separately follow each one. Annoying, I know -- I'm sorry! That is just the way I had to set it up for now and until I have time to make it better, this will have to do.
• The families tab will be updated as needed ... and it is far from complete as it is. So ... if you are not yet listed on the blogroll, please get me your child's name, your blog name and your blog URL so that I can add you.
• The resources tab will also be updated as needed ... and it is also incomplete at this time. If there are any resources that you would like to see added, please let me know.
• The birth stories, life stories and medical hurdles tabs will be updated several times per week. I need your stories! Please contact me for more specific information. 

I hope you like the website ... and again, please tell me what else you might like to see!

She marches to the beat of her own drum.

When you have a child ...



with the determination of a bull ...



there is not much success in telling her not to do something.



No matter the predicament she is bound to find herself in.



She marches to the beat of her own drum ...



and ain't nobody gonna change that.



For she is fearfully fearlessly and wonderfully made ...



and we wouldn't have it any other way.