a tale of two divas

First of all, let me apologize for not updating the blog since July...I truly am embarrassed!!  I will try to do better for all my faithful blog followers, but things have been kinda crazy since we started back to school.  Chandler has been going to speech and physical therapy in Hattiesburg once a week at the Children's Center for Communication and can I say that WE LOVE IT!!!!!  It is the perfect place for us and is definitely worth the small sacrifice.  Also, we now have a one year old who lives in our house!!!  Bittersweet that's for sure, and I promise to blog about her pink ladybug party that was indeed a huge, well deserved celebration of her first year of life!!  Madeline is doing "schoolwork" at daycare and we are very proud of what she is learning and she hasn't even gotten a yellow or red smiley faces, only green (so far!!)

Now, on to our big exciting news about that certain one year old who lives in our house!!  Back in July, I submitted Chandler's picture to the National Down Syndrome Society on a whim.  I honestly wasn't really sure of what the "prize" was, I just knew that our girl is beautiful and they would be crazy not to pick her beautiful face!!  Well, they had 1,100 applicants and picked 200...out of those 200 was our one and only, Chandler Megan Smith!!!!  We were so proud and couldn't (really we could) believe it!  They would display the 200 pictures in a slide show in Times Square on September 21st to kick off NYC's Buddy Walk and October being Down syndrome awareness month.  Well, I had never been to New York so of course I wanted to go support Chandler and to see the big city.  Kris decided to stay home and keep big sister, but my sister Shimmy, my friend Kayla and Chandler, planned our trip.

flying wore her out!

tourists!!

Mama, where are we?!?

NYFD hard at work!!  Makes me proud to have a fireman in my life!

Not sure if Chandler likes NYC, staying up late, or both!!

We left on Friday, September 20th and came home on Sunday the 22nd, so we made a super fast trip, but saw lots of sights but the most important sight was our sweet girl's picture on the Sony screen in the heart of Times Square.  Okay, so let me clear some silly things up that I said before I went on this adventure.  As far as the screen goes, I said that they would put the pictures up on the screen in Times Square.  Um, yeah, there are too many screens to count in NYC!!!  Standing in one spot, there could be tons!  I also said that I didn't like crowds and get anxious around a lot of people...well there are just a few people in New York!!  More like a few hundred thousand!!!!!  So, now I know from personal experience that those were silly things to say!

Me, Shimmy and Kayla with the celebrity herself!

Mama and her baby girl

We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves, even though we never stopped!!  As one of my friends stated before we left that our eyes would be tired from looking and that they were!!  After we (barely) survived the taxi cab ride to the hotel and I got over my anxiety, we got a two day pass on the grey line bus and rode the full tour on Friday and ate at the Shake Shack..which isn't easy for me to say :)  On Saturday, we had to be at the Sony screen at 10:00 and weren't quite sure where said screen was!  Well, I'm sure we looked like we weren't sure where we were going because this nice couple and their children came to our rescue and helped us find our way!!  Keegan is our new friend whose picture was also chosen (for the second time!) and his parents are Lisa and Jonathan from West Virginia.  It is always so heartwarming to "meet" new families through technology because of our sweet girl, but it is even better to meet them in person!  We instantly connected and we hope to see them again!  Their girls were like little mamas to Chandler and she just loved all the extra attention!!

Her five seconds of fame made me extremely proud to be her mama..there are no words to describe how I was feeling at this moment...my cup runneth over..

This is our friend Jax, who lives in LA and we've never met (hope to one day!), but he was unable to be there.  Doesn't he look so handsome?!?

Chandler and Keegan

Not sure which one makes the funniest faces!!

Love!

"Keegan, you're so funny!!"

Right after the slide show and I dried my eyes, we hopped back on the bus to be tourists again.  These are just some of the things we looked at...
Chinatown, where we scored some purses and bracelets like ol' pros..Kayla had them eating out of the palm of her hand :)
Ground Zero, where we stood in awe and disbelief..
Statue of Liberty, we didn't ride the ferry, but sat on a bench and stared at it.  Smaller than I imagined but it was beautiful to gaze at..this part of New York was so pretty to me and hard to believe that we were still in New York sitting there.
FAO Swartz, and let's just say I won't be back in there..way toooo many crazy parents!!
We walked down 5th Ave and Kimberly took a picture of the front of every store...for example, Gucci and Prada to name a few!  Don't worry, we all acted like tourists, but who cares!!
Walked by Central Park and it is amazing to see!  There was even a couple getting married!!
These were just a few of the things that we did/saw; however, we saw a lot of other interesting people, also!!  New York reminded us of New Orleans, except much, much, much bigger!!!!!

Mississippi girls in the Big Apple!!

Macy's!

The Empire State building

WOW!!!

The Freedom Tower at Ground Zero

Look at the traffic and buildings..

Chandler at the Statue of Liberty

Isn't she beautiful?!?

This is what Chandler thought of the rude people always asking for a tip!!

This is the life!!

  (Check out Chandler..She's thinking "what in the world are y'all doing?!?)

I so badly wanted to go to a Broadway show, but since we had Chandler, I refrained, but that just means we have to go back again!!  We did eat at Ellen's Stardust Diner where aspiring Broadway performers serve you dinner and entertain you, as well.  So, we did get to experience a little taste of Broadway!  Overall, I had a wonderful first time in New York City!  So glad that Kayla and Kimberly were able to go with us and be there to witness our girl's debut as a STAR!  We had lots of laughs and made memories that will last a lifetime... In fact I can't wait to go back!!  But this time I want Kris to be there too, I would love to see his face when we sees the big city for the first time!!

Speaking of Kris, Saturday he celebrated the big 3-5 birthday!!!  I hated that we weren't able to be with him; however, he had a hot date with a certain 3 1/2 year old :)  He had told her that he was taking her to the Caboose, so she had that stuck in her head.  But she kept saying that she wanted to go to the Caboose to eat spaghetti.  Well, they don't have spaghetti and we knew she would be disappointed if they got there and they didn't have it.  He decided to take her to Fox's Pizza instead and when they drove up she said, "I don't want to eat at Fox's, I want to eat at the Caboose!"  So, Kris decided to go to Santa Fe and when he pulled up he said, "Santa Fe is too busy."  And she said, "I said that I want to go to the Caboose!!"  Kris explained that the Caboose didn't have spaghetti or a coloring book and she said that she would ask them anyway!!  So, they ended up at Ruby Tuesdays and everyone was satisfied.

Didn't know we had a DIVA on our hands, excuse me, TWO DIVAS!!  hahaha  One wants to eat at a nice restaurant, the other just went to New York for the weekend!  And who said girls weren't a lot of trouble?!?

Not sure who loves who more...Daddy or his girls!

Diva #1 going a date with the birthday boy

Kris, hope your day was great and that you know how much you mean to all of your girls!!  WE LOVE YOU LOTS!!

I think that everyone should experience New York at least once in their life!!  But I also think that people should meet a person with Down syndrome, too, because they will truly change your life, for the better!!  I know that our Chandler has affected so many people's lives in her short little life..she is such a blessing!

Stay tuned for the next saga of these two divas and their tired (but grateful) parents!!

until next time,

Megan

sweet summertime

sweet sisterly love

pajama party

love these faces

be still my heart..

I know, I know, long time no posts!!!  This summer has been unbelievably busy!!  In fact, I feel like I should just bite the bullet and get a mini van painted like a taxicab, because that is certainly how I have felt this summer.  And the kicker is that the girls are only 3 and 10 months old... I cannot imagine what it's going to be like when they are older.  Cannot. Imagine.

Anyway, it's all been worth it and I have enjoyed time spent with my little family so very much!  Even if it has been to doctors appointments, therapy, swimming lessons, VBS, and on and on.  Not looking forward to starting back to work on August 1st, but I am going to try and enjoy the little time we have left..

Chandler has been busy with PT and OT.  And can we just say that she is sitting up?!?!!  Not completely independently, but we are taking what we can get and are so very proud of her!  She likes sitting up and being able to see everybody, but doesn't like being on all fours so much.  She constantly rolls over to her back and gives Ms. Tammy a huge smile, like "haha I don't have to do that now!"  Of course, then Ms. Tammy scoops her up and gives her some love and she just loves that!!  Chandler has everyone eating out of the palm of her hand!  She is constantly talking and babbling, telling us all about it!  Even says "mamama" and "dadada" and can we say that our hearts have been melting?!?

big girl!!

gotta love a clean, naked baby!

We won't call anyone's name, but someone thinks she is cute!!!

Madeline has been enjoying being the "big sissy" and making sure everyone who is around Chandler takes care of her, holds her right, "watch her head" "she is hungry" "she is ready for bed."  I have absolutely no idea what Kris and I did when she was little and we didn't have a sassy three year old telling us how to take care of her :)  No, it really is very sweet and she is a good little mama.  All I have to say is, poor Chandler!!  Just ask Shimmy how it was (and still is) to have two mamas!!

Big sister has been obsessed with weddings/people getting married, and brides lately.  She sees our wedding pictures and says with a look of amazement, "Ooooo, Mama, that's where you and Daddy were married!  Daddy was the broom and Mama was the mop! :) When I get big I am going to marry my Daddy, too!!"  We love her innocence, especially her Daddy!  She says some of the funniest things and her facial expressions are to die for!!  They are cute now, but I can see them causing some problems in the near future.

Madeline is wearing her bathing "soup" and not "the whole one" haha

girl's day with Mama..Madeline got a new hairdo

sassafras is all I can say about her!

As August is fastly approaching, so is Chandler's first birthday!!!  AAHHH..I cannot believe it is almost that time!!!!  It seems as if we brought her home from the hospital twice, so it doesn't seem possible to be celebrating her first year of life already!!  She has proved so much in her first year that her first birthday will be just that....a huge celebration of her life!!  I am sure this Mama will be a mess on that day, but only because we have come so far and it is truly unbelievable to see just what she has done in a short little time.  She has touched so many people's lives in ways that she (or I) will never understand.  God placed her in our lives and hearts forever and I am so very grateful that He did...  Her first year has been full of ups (and some downs) and we cannot wait to see what the next year is going to bring and what she is going to teach us! 

Looking forward to a little getaway to the beach and then trying to get back into the swing of things before school and work get cranked back up again.  Hope everyone has enjoyed their summer as much as we have!!

dreading August 1st,
Megan

Madeline and her Daddy LOVE ice cream!!

girlies

9 month check up:  15 lbs 6 oz, 25 3/4 in long..great report and Dr. Charles wanted to take her home!!

If this huge, toothless grin doesn't make you smile, something is bad wrong with you!

the difference a year makes

"Megan, your baby has Down syndrome." Those are the exact words I heard one year ago yesterday (June 18). If I could go back and kick myself I would! That's what I was thinking last night as I stared at our precious miracle as she peacefully slept. Kris and I have been on a wild ride in a year.. Honestly there were times when I really didn't think I would make it and all because of the unknown. If I could go back I would shake myself and say that things could be so much worse!! At that time in my life it did seem very scary.. But here we are one year later and very much survived and know that Chandler was meant for us and that our lives weren't complete until she was a part of it. Kris and I know that we are very blessed to have two of the sweetest, most precious daughters and we know this by their unconditional love for us and ours for them..

There are so many people hurting that we know of right now.. Whether it be a death of my dear family member or tragic death of a young man or four wheeler wreck of a teenager who is in critical condition.. One thing's for sure, you can never, I mean never, take life for granted and be sure and show the ones you love just how much you love and care for them.. Also please pray for these families. 

Hearing all of these sad stories really does give me a reality check about our situation just one year ago.. But I am human and I am learning something new everyday..

On another note, this Smith family has been extremely busy since the summer started. We had Vacation Bible School at our church, which was Chandler's first VBS experience and let's just say se enjoyed ALL the attention!! We are proud to say that our big girl went to Thompson's Bible School ALL BY HERSELF!! This was a big step for our shy, nervous Madeline but she went all five nights! I think I was more nervous than she was and even asked Kris if I should go back and get her the first night! Haha She had a ball even though she didn't participate in their song on the commencement night. We are so unbelievably proud of her for getting up there..baby steps. She has been singing the songs and telling us that Jesus loves us. She really was listening and learning!! 

Chandler has been working hard at physical therapy and occupational therapy but not always willingly!! Haha She is very quick to let them know when she has had enough! They are working on getting her to pull her legs under her with straight arms on all fours. Eventually she will be able to balance her weight evenly so she will be able to sit and crawl. Developmental milestones have never been so exciting! Of course they all love her and big sissy.. They are the highlights of some of the other patients days!!

I almost forgot some of the best news yet... Chandler no longer takes any, yes I said any, medicines!!!!!! Dr Parnell said she and her heart look great and that she is still her little rockstar..duh! We go back in August and hopefully after that we will only have to go for routine check ups..no offense to Dr Parnell :) Coincidentally our appointment was on the same day that we went to Jackson a year ago and heard the words "Down syndrome" and "AV canal" for the first time. My, how far we've come and I wouldn't change it for the world. I feel that I have grown so much, as a wife and a mother and overall and know that He has plans for me and my sweet family. The Good Lord really has been so very good to us..

Madeline has been feeling a little neglected lately (and acting like it)! So her and I had a special mommy/daughter day. We went to the library for her first time to check out books and can we say she was in heaven!! As Shimmy says, "I love my nerd!" She picked out about 10 books but settled on four. She was beyond thrilled! We had lunch with Daddy and then went to her favorite place... Wal Mart!!! Insert moans and groans from me but the child doesn't know any better yet! Haha And also she makes it a little less painless for me and I enjoy her company!

As for our Shimmy, she was released from the hospital, finally!! She is still not 100% and they are still working to try and figure out the best treatment so please keep her in your prayers.. We are really missing our sleepovers!!

As I stressed before, don't take one single minute for granted and try not to sweat the small stuff.. I am trying to take my own advice too, believe me it's hard!!

blessed beyond belief,

Megan