"Picable me, Picable me!"
She wants to watch, her current favorite movie, Despicable Me.
Part of me can't even believe I let my two year old daughter watch that movie. However, as a parent of four, Kamryn does and is exposed to many things I NEVER would have let my first child do. (McDonald's before age 3 is one of those things...she asks for that too!)
I laugh because it's adorable to hear her attempt to articulate such a big word ("Despicable"), but for me it has a deeper, more significant meaning. It's a reminder that we should not allow labels, a diagnosis, or preconceived notions limit the potential of any individual. My giggle becomes a smile and I often feel like bursting with pride. It's almost a "shake my head kind of laugh" like, "they" were so wrong about Down syndrome.
I remember reading/hearing "Children with Down syndrome have short attention spans." This is obviously not true with Kamryn. This girl will sit through a movie, at the table coloring, reading a book and church. She has shattered that stereo type. Kamryn has an attention span. Sometimes, it's even longer than mine.
"Picable Me, Picable Me" Two words. She is using two words. THREE WORDS HERE WE COME! The other day while heading out to the car Kamryn looked at me and said, "Me, (tapping her chest with her hands) Mamas house?" This translates to, "Me, Grandmas house?" I almost feel over! THREE WORDS! Not only that, but out of the blue she told me exactly where she wanted to go.
This is a classic example of how something so small and insignificant, has so much more meaning for me. My older girls development happened so quickly and I wasn't "worried" or "concerned" about them reaching any milestones, I had no reason to be. With Kamryn, I find myself overly excited about each step in her development. There have been moments I felt like racing up one of the mountains that surround our city and shouting out her accomplishments to the world. Because sadly, there was a time I thought maybe she wouldn't reach them. Recently I have noticed I no longer have the urge to shout. I know she is amazing, wonderful and perfect.
I have let go of most my fears with regards to her development. We all grow, learn and develop at our own pace. And we are all different. Most important, I have discovered the joy in watching my children be and become who they are. I am not "worried" or "concerned" about what that will be. (However, I do hope they are strong, confident, compassionate, honest, courageous women).
As for Kamryn, she is in the very stereo typical "terrible two's." which we refer to as the "terrific two's!" Climbing, she loves to climb.
The other night, while upstairs, I heard, "Mom, Mom, Mom, Mom!"
I came down to find this.....
Naomi said, "Mom, I was calling you because she climbed onto the table!" That was not nearly as scary as finding her alone in the bathroom yesterday....
