5 Reasons I Smile

The ultimate goal of this blog is to spread awareness and show how beautiful life can be. We have four amazing daughters. Our youngest was born with Down syndrome. If just one person stops here and leaves with a different, better perspective about Down syndrome, then it is worth it. Regardless, I have 5 Reasons to Smile!



Monday, August 16, 2010

Kamryn is TWO! Me at 2!

OK, I can't believe I haven't written in a month!!!!!!!!!! I find myself reflecting so much more since I had Kamryn and since I started to blog. I lay in bed and reflect about the great day we had or the new adventure we took and I want to get it down. To remember that moment and what I was feeling. I write it in my thoughts, but I am always to tired to actually sit at the computer and "post". I really wanted to blog as a way for me to capture moments and memories for me (and one day my girls) to look back on. In blogging, versus just writing in a journal, I also hope someone could get a glimpse into our lives and see a child with Down syndrome, as just a child. I hope that maybe, like tossing a stone into a lake and causing a ripple, one person who has never met someone with Down syndrome will "meet" Kamryn though my blog. That any stereo types they had, or fears, or misunderstandings would be shattered. Like the stone, I hope that one person would share with someone else and the world will be a better place for my little girl to grow up in. It sounds crazy, but it's what I hope for.

There is so much I need to share, as we have had a wonderful summer!!!!!! Not only have we had some great vacations and adventures, but.........

Jaden graduated from the Jr. Life Guard program through the state beaches. Which had us at the beach daily for three weeks. (I have to say I was a little beached out after that).

Naomi learned to ride a two wheel bike (she just asked Diondray to remove the training wheels and then road off, there was no teaching involved)!

Brynn, well she just continues to crack us up with her not so 4 year old responses....the other day she said,
"mom, my head hurts"
me, "what does it feel like?"
her, "I just told you, like my head hurts"
OK, silly question on my part.

Kamryn, well she is growing so fast and tomorrow she is TWO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We had her birthday party on Saturday and it was such a relaxing evening with family and friends. Pizza, blue berries and strawberries were served, as those are some of her favorite foods! She also loves Barney and enjoys singing times w/Alex and Leah. She loves books (just like all our girls) and will sit and flip though a book on her own or in your lap while you read to her. She loves to open drawers and pull everything out, cabinets too. Her receptive language is, well, she has it and understands everything I would expect a two year old to. She is very verbal too.

Words she says:
mom
daddy
Brynn
hot
cold
up
down
duck
dog
cat
hat
no
Barney
sauce
grapes
on
bath
that
stuck
tight
eat
hi
bye
sock
shhhhh-that might not be considered a word
Auntie
chips
goose
book


Words she says, but not clear:
please
Naomi
Jaden
grandma
strawberry
blue berry
cake

sings: only signs when asked, she is more verbal
apple
cracker
cookie
eat
candy
more
cereal
ice cream
cat
cheese
cold
hot
bath
mom
dad
please
thank you

She walks, kind of runs.

She loves "duck-duck-goose"

Loves to take a bath-we don't even say the word or she will say and sign until you just give her one!

She will go into the kitchen, get a sandwich bag out of the drawer, go into the pantry and call me to come and fill it.

She puts her purse (or any purse) over her shoulder and will kiss me good-bye, then is "off" somewhere in the house.

I could go on and on.

..............................................


The first year of Kamryn's life was, to date, the hardest time in my life. It brought me to the edge of the cliff. I stood there and much of me wanted to jump. The pain was horrible. I wanted a "go back"..........I wanted to go back to who I was before her diagnosis. I wanted to feel like I did before my life had shattered. I wanted to go back so BAD the hurt was excruciating. I wanted to take Jaden, Naomi and Brynn and run. I knew there was no "go back" and I didn't want to go forward. It was a tough year.

The second year of Kamryn's life, I have grown and transformed more in one year, than I have my first 34. I have learned more about who I "thought" I was and who I want to be. I have experienced unconditional love in its purest form. I have discovered the beauty of truly living in each day, which can require constant effort-that is so worth it. There is so much I have learned and discovered, however I'm at a loss for words to express it. I know the minute I lay down to go to sleep the words will flow. For now, the only thing that is running through my mind is the song I sing to my girls at night before bed (I am no singer, but they love it:)....the words are:

I'm the luckiest mommy in the world, because I have four of the most amazing girls. My Jaden, Naomi, Brynn and Kamryn.







11 comments:

  1. Wow, she is doing amazing...I love all of her words, that's great!

    Sounds like you've had a busy summer, but with 4 girls I can imagine everyday is busy and fun!!!

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  2. That is an amazing vocabulary! Good job momma! And happy birthday Kamryn!

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  3. Aww, I'm so, so happy to read this! We'll have to plan our weekend get-away soon so that I can soak up some more time with your girls. :)

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  4. It is at the edge of the cliff that the Lord takes us sometimes to bring us back renewed and strengthened in Him. There really are no words to describe it, but in the end we are so grateful, so grateful, so very grateful! I love it that you are content, complete, happy again. Even more so now than you were before Kamryn. Love that precious girl! Happy Birthday sweet Kamryn! May you continue to amaze us all with that vivacious spirit and that contagious joie de vivre! xoxox
    mia

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  5. Andrea, Kamryn is doing GREAT! I know the thyroid thing is one of those "reminders", but Kamryn is doing so much and sooner than many of her peers. That's something to be excited about! Congrats to Jaden for the Jr Lifeguard certification. That's fantastic. Also to Naomi for the 2 wheeler. Sounds like Greta, who one day asked if she could have her training wheels off and didn't realize Doug stopped holding on after giving her an initial push. :-) Keep blogging... I think it's been good for you. I know it's good for me... lots of positive encouragement from our blogging peers that make me realize we're not alone. You also never know when you might give someone else encouragement because Kam is doing sooooo amazingly well. Take care! Big hugs, M

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  6. Hi Andrea!!!! THANK YOU SO MUCH for the BEAUTIFUL pink flower outfit. Lisa L. just brought it over to me today and it's just darling! I can't wait to put Miss Sofia in it tomorrow!!!!
    You are so sweet, so thoughtful. THANK YOU!
    xo
    Jen

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  7. Happy "belated" Birthday Kamryn!! Look at all the wonderful things you can do!! Another year lies ahead and the world is yours to explore!!

    What a sweet post, Andrea!! Those girls of yours are truly AMAZING=)

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  8. Thanks so much for your blog. I just discovered it, and I am looking forward to reading more. My youngest was just diagnosed with Down syndrome this summer, and it's been quite a roller coaster so far.

    I also TOTALLY know what you mean about writing in your thoughts. I do the same thing. How can a mom with little ones find time to blog??? ;-)

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  9. You have beautiful girls!
    I'm looking forward to looking through past posts on your blog!

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