Madeline's 3rd birthday

It is so hard for me to believe that just three short years ago I would become a mother and know what it felt like to truly love someone.  Sure, I love Kris, my parents, my sister, grandparents, in-laws, aunts, uncles, cousins and the list goes on and on, but to love a child is a totally different kinda love!  Some days she makes me question myself and ask, "Can I really do this?  Can I really be a mother?  And not just any mother, a great mother?!?"  And on most days she makes me teary-eyed and my heart just bubbles over with love and joy. 

Today, Madeline turns three and I have done a lot of reminiscing about all that has happened these last three years.  As I have said before, I forgot what my life was like before her (and Chandler), and I don't want to remember either!

So, tonight we will have another celebration for our big girl on her special day with Grammy, Papa J, Nana and Pops, and we will have pizza and Rapunzel cupcakes.  (Shimmy, you will be missed!!)  We have thoroughly enjoyed these last three years and have learned a WHOLE LOT!!  Through all the ups and downs, we are looking forward to what the next year brings us! 

Madeline, your Daddy and I love you so very much!!  You complete our worlds and make us proud each and every day you are a part of it.  You are an amazing big sissy and Chandler thinks you are the best!  We are so blessed to have you as our first born daughter!  Enjoy your 3rd birthday and eat all the icing you want...just for today! haha

finding it hard to believe I now have a three-year-old,
Megan

Just a little stroll down memory lane of her birthdays..

Princess Madeline's invitation

Before Madeline's Royal Cinderella Celebration!

Madeline's 3rd birthday!

Oink, moo, cock a doodle doo, Madeline is turning two!

Madeline's 2nd birthday!

Have a cupcake, join the fun, Madeline is turning one!!

Madeline's 1st birthday!

 

 

 

 

 

Madeline's Cinderella birthday celebration

Once upon a time, there was a girl named Madeline who was turning three. She wanted a cinderella birthday party so that is what she got!! We had it at the house and even though it rained about 10 minutes, it was a perfect day!! Princess Madeline wore her purple, Cinderella smocked dress and Chandler wore her purple dress. Oh and they both had crowns, of course! We had a blue castle bounce house that Madeline thought was a gift to her to keep! Haha We had crown-shaped sandwiches, "magic wands," fruit and veggie trays, chips and crown and glass slipper cookies that were made by Miss Jessi, who makes good tookies! Our Cinderella cake was made by Ashley Golman and it was perfect!! There was lots of blue everywhere and I think everyone had a blast at Madeline's royal celebration!! The party favors were "gender neutral" and had blue swirl lollipops, bubbles and Cinderella gummies. Some of Madeline's little friends from daycare came and she was very excited to see them! We are so glad that everyone took time out of their busy lives to celebrate our big girl's 3rd birthday.. Means so much to see a big smile on her face!

This Mama has only shed a few tears, like last night when Kris got the castle put up and we were bouncing in it.. Yes, me, Grammy and Shimmy were bouncing with Madeline!! It was fun but no videos will be put up! Haha Anyway, she went around giving everyone kisses, saying she loved them and I just lost it! It was just another reminder at how big she is getting and how compassionate she really is. And for whatever reason, I can't make it through singing "happy birthday" without tearing up.. I guess it just makes it real, that she is actually turning another year older. And the final time (for today!) that I have shed some tears was tonight, Madeline saw one of the toys that someone brought to donate and she said "that's one of the toys that Chandler needs to take to the kids at the hospital, it's not mine!" She wasn't upset but very sweet when she said it. So I told her that she will be able to go with us to deliver them and she got very excited!! We had decided that since we have been blessed beyond measure and the Blair E Batson Children's Hospital went above and beyond to take care of Chandler, us and even Madeline that we would do "in lieu of gifts" and have people donate toys for them to give the patients and siblings. At first she didn't like it by saying "that's mine" but we explained things and she was okay with it but wasn't sure about it. I was pleasantly surprised that she had been listening and actually wanted to give them to the kids at Chandler's hospital. How amazing is she?!? She is pretty special and her Daddy and I are blessed to be her parents.. We are looking forward to celebrating her real birthday on Monday and on April 10th when we take Chandler to her cardiology appointment and our toy donations. A good time was had by all and I know we will all sleep well tonight!

And they all lived happily ever after.
The End.

Until next time,
Queen Megan

World Down syndrome day 2013

March 21st is World Down syndrome day.  This is a day that I did not know existed until I had a child with Down syndrome.  How amazing is it that they set aside a day for these perfect children?!  Kris and I have been so blessed to have a child with Down syndrome and also to have one without Down syndrome.  We are doing our best at raising awareness and are so very proud of our sweet girl and her extra chromosome!

Just a little information regarding why March 21st is World Down syndrome day... Down syndrome or Trisomy 21, which is what it is called, not "Down's syndrome" or "Down's," occurs when a person has three copies of the 21st chromosome.  Believe it or not, 80% of children with Down syndrome are born to women under the age of 35 because we are the ones having all the babies.  So, age doesn't have a lot to do with it.   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; for instance, Chandler does not have the single deep crease across her palm and she actually has pretty good muscle tone.  The life expectancy has increased significantly from the age of 25 to the age of 60!  Children with Down syndrome usually have some type of delays, but that is just what they have, delays, which means that they will get the concept eventually, it just might take a little bit longer than others.  So, instead of asking us if our children have rolled over or if they have walked, ask us about what they can already do.  Our children work hard for their accomplishments and it is frustrating to us to be reminded of they can't do at that time.  We, as parents, beat ourselves up, because we take it personal when things don't go smoothly or at the "appropriate" time.  Most of the time, yes, people with Down syndrome are happy; however, they experience frustrations just like me and you and at six months old, we have seen this temperament in Chandler!  People with Down syndrome can also have different types of medical conditions; such as, congenital heart defects, hearing and vision problems, and thyroid conditions. Most of these conditions are now treatable, so people with Down syndrome are able to lead healthy lives.  As of now, we are only aware of Chandler's congenital heart defect, which is fixed halleluiah, praise the Lord!!!  She doesn't seem to have any trouble with her hearing or vision right now, and her thyroid will be checked soon.

Some of this information came from the National Down syndrome society website at www.ndss.org.  The other information is from my own experience at being a mother of a child with Down syndrome for only six short months.  Please know that these thoughts and feelings may not be true for all parents and that this is only from mine and Kris's perspectives.  I am trying my best at promoting awareness and this is one of the ways I feel works best for me.  I am by no means an expert on Down syndrome!!  We are learning everyday and by teaching what we know and have experienced, we might can make a difference for all people who have Down syndrome!

Now, I have heard that confession is good for the soul, and I must confess that we aren't wearing our yellow and blue or our "3:21" t-shirts or even having a party tonight.  But I can tell you what we are doing..we are loving our Chandler and all of our friends who are also genetically enhanced with the 21st chromosome!  We have been blessed beyond measure that's for sure, but with "Princess Madeline's" birthday this weekend, this special day has slipped up on us.  But I can assure you that next year there will be a blowout!!

I hope that everyone enjoys their World Down syndrome day and remembers to "keep calm, it's only an extra chromosome!!" 

loving my unique child with Down syndrome and my unique child without Down syndrome,
Megan

spring break 2013

Whew..what a fun, busy and sad spring break!!!

I will start with the Saturday before spring break (the 9th)...Kris, Madeline, Chandler and I went out to Percy Quin to see some co-workers/friends who were camping.  We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves, and we both agreed on the way home that we didn't want to leave and that we want a camper.  My family had one when I was young and we had some of the best times camping, even if it was just at Percy Quin!  At least when you are away from home, you don't feel the urge (or guilt) to clean up.  Chandler enjoyed getting out and giving people ugly faces!  Madeline had a ball and we wished we would've brought her Barbie car, but her and Niley had fun being chauffeured around like two princesses in the wagon by Weston and Truitt...not sure who had more fun, the girls or the boys :)

looks like they are having lots of fun, huh?!?

Niley and Madeline already bossing the boys around...sorry Yancey and Kris, we are all in for it!

 We met Nana for Madeline to spend the night with them and go to church the next morning and had found out that one of our sweet ladies of the church who was near and dear to our hearts, Mrs. Mary Ellen Coker, had passed away.  Her entire family is like a second family to us...in fact, she was Brittney's (Nanny B) grandmother.  She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her, so please pray for comfort for her family, especially during Easter and Mother's day...

Her funeral was on Tuesday and I rode with Ms. Kathy.  On the way there, I received some of the saddest news..our little friend, Jake, who had his AV canal repaired just three weeks ago had passed away.  He was exactly a month older than Chandler.  They had just gotten home to Tupelo and he went peacefully in his sleep.  His mom is a strong, Christian woman and we have become friends in a matter of weeks.  There really are no words, but please pray for this sweet family, because I know they are missing that precious baby boy...

I promise that this post is going to pep up some, but these people were so special, at 86 and 6 months, that I wanted to share and ask for your prayers...

Now on to our first Early Intervention session, which was just before the funeral.  We started off on the wrong foot when it was supposed to start at 9:00 and she still wasn't at our house, but she made it.  She is a very sweet lady and Chandler just loved her!  She asked me what my goals were and I told her that I wanted to work on motor skills and of course language development.  She worked with her for about 30 minutes but then we had to leave, because they will usually work for an hour.  She sang to her and just got familiar with her.  I asked if there was anything I could be working on and she said that I could make eye contact, say who people are (Mama, Daddy, Madeline...), sing to her, and love on her.  Okay!  Check, check, check, and check..we do all of those things already!!  I am not patting myself on the back by any means, but I am sure that she deals with parents who don't even hardly hold their babies, much less sing to them!  I am learning to be patient and know that there is not much she should be doing at this age anyway.  This is just something that I am having to deal with and pray about..  So, we will be doing our "homework" until the next time!

my hand tastes good!

6 months old already!

looks like an angel..

On Wednesday, we went to Ms. Amanda's for a play date and lunch with Carsyn and Jeremiah.  When bribing (yes, I said bribing!) Madeline to go to bed the night before, I told her we where we were going the next day.  She says, "But where is the daddy?"  I explained that Mr. Danny has to work and her response was, "Okay, we are going to see Ms. Manda, Carsyn, and Jeremiah (I can't even begin to spell it how she says it ha) tomorrow, but Mr. Danny has to work like my Daddy, Kris."  She is a mess and is VERY CURIOUS with lots and lots of questions!!!  We enjoyed our play date at the other Smiths' house and I realized if Kris wants another child and it is a boy, he better quit his job(s) and take care of him!  HAHA  Jeremiah is a cutie patootie but he is a ball of energy and wore me out just watching him...Whew!  So much different from Madeline and Carsyn, but who knows, that might just be how Miss Thang turns out especially with that spunky attitude!! :)

sweet girls wearing their cool shades!

Thursday was Mommy's day!!!  Yippee for these days that are not often enough but greatly appreciated when they happen!!  Chandler actually went with Madeline to Ms. Misa's and boy was she excited!  Kris said when they got there, Madeline ran in and one of the kids asked if her sister was there and she replied, "Uh huh" with that little chest poking out like she was somebody!!  I have no idea who she acts like..still trying to figure that one out! hehe  Anyway, I went to Hammond to get party supplies for someone's Cinderella birthday party.  I was able to find everything I needed and even had time to run over to Target before meeting "the Melanies" at Olive Garden for lunch then to see Safe Haven.  I sooo wish McComb would get with the program and get a movie theater..it would make it much easier to go to the movies!  I enjoyed my day out with good friends and it was nice to get away! 

Chandler's first day at "Ms. Misa's"

big sissy is super excited about Chandler going to "school" with her...little sissy is not so sure about this..looks like she is thinking, "help me Nanny B, come get me!"

 I forgot one very important piece of information about Chandler..... On Monday night, she rolled over!!!!  TWICE!!!!  Yes, you heard me right!!!  In her bed and she didn't like it!!  She woke me up screaming and I knew it wasn't an "I'm hungry" kinda scream, it was an "I'm in pain" kinda scream.  When Kris came running in asking what was going on, I said with a smile on my face and a tear in my eye, "She rolled over!"  Wow, it's so darn exciting when your kids do something good!  It surely makes up for the sleepless nights and cleaning pee off the floor..well almost!  haha  Speaking of sleepless nights, Chandler started sleeping in her crib, in her room and she is doing much better!  It's amazing what five-six straight hours of sleep will do for you!!  She really does like her room, but now her Daddy and I just need to remember to turn off the Angel Care Monitor when we get her out to feed her, so the whole house won't be jumping out of their skin!  We also started her on rice cereal (that she DOES NOT LIKE!!) and oatmeal (with a little applesauce in it) and it is a site to see!!  Her and I wore it the first time she tried it, but she is getting the hang of this eating thing and I can't get the spoon in there fast enough sometimes!  She can only tolerate sitting in an upright position for a short period of time, but, hey, it's only been four weeks since surgery, we will take what we can get!!  She has certainly gotten an appetite since surgery!!  And I am not even going to say that she got it back because she never had it to begin with!  Kris told me the other day to feed her cause she was looking kinda wormy!!  haha  She has some rolls, but that is more to kiss on!!

yum!!

yep, I'm a big girl

Well, that concludes our spring break!!  No, we didn't go on a cruise or go to Disney or even go spend the night somewhere, but we had fun spending time together and that's all that matters, isn't it?!

until next time,
Megan

looking forward to spring

Whew.. Things have been kinda crazy around the Smith residence lately!! Chandler has decided that she wants to be a newborn again and isn't sleeping the best at night. Which isn't the best for this Mama and Daddy! She is doing much better and I am trying not to complain too much because of her new heart which we are extremely excited about! She tried rice cereal and can we say she wasn't too excited about that and it was quite obvious from it all over me and her! So I put some applesauce in it, thinking that she would LOVE IT, but boy was I wrong!! We aren't giving up and will continue to let her try it and hope she learns to love it soon!! All of the strips have fallen off her incision and it looks amazing! And even the scab is gone from where the chest tube was and Madeline is thankful that that "bo bo" is gone! Today is a special day in that it is the last day for the nasty lasix and we all happily cheered and said "goodbye lasix and good riddance!!" No more sopping wet diapers.. Yippee!! More exciting than this is that this special step, that may seem insignificant to others, is one step closer to the end result of her recovery process. And that brings on a whole new set of tears...but happy tears!!

Speaking of tears, I ordered Princess Madeline's royal Cinderella birthday invitations this morning and I had to swallow the lump in my throat as I looked at our almost three year old. She makes us proud to be her parents with her kind and loving demeanor. She brings sunshine to our lives on a daily basis and we can't wait to celebrate her third year of life.. And don't you worry, she isn't letting us forget her birthday by telling us several times a day, "My birthday is March 25th and it is coming up! My going to have three birthdays..Cinderella, Rapunzel and Pascal!" Well this Queen of planning has already planned for a Cinderella party so Cinderella it will be, but will compromise and have Rapunzel/Pascal cupcakes at daycare. As far as Pacal is concerned, our child certainly has a VIVID imagination especially when it comes to this cute, little chameleon who is Rapunzel's friend on her shoulder. I was dressing her over the weekend and she said "let me get Pascal." She then preceded to get "Pascal" off of her shoulder and put him on the coffee table. Once she was dressed, she put "him" back on her shoulder and went about her business. If she happens to "take him off" her shoulder and doesn't put him back, she will go right back to the place where she "put him." Her imagination is very entertaining to us and also amazes us! She may be ours but she is so very bright!!

We are looking forward to spring break next week and finishing the party planning!!

until next time,
Megan