You better work!

Surprisingly, I didn't know about this campaign. Congratulations to Solana! It'd be great if she won, sure, but I'm glad to know that she'll get to go to NYC and experience the photo shoot, regardless.

It's nice to have a 1/10 shot at a cover. That's more than I've ever had.

Another part of me wishes she had been chosen by the editorial team, though, and not voters.

Eh. You can't have it all, right?

I think it's important for all children to see themselves reflected in the day-to-day, whether that be in print, film, toys, books, etc. It's just that our kids, Playette and her peeps, most times aren't even considered simply because of the extra chromo. Now, I understand not being what they're looking for - shoot, I've watched more ANTM than I should admit - but that's not really the case here. I'm just looking for an equal opportunity. This is coming from a mom who realizes that my kids has plenty of strikes against her as it is. Black, female, "disabled"...and she's 3!

Anywayz...

If you're interested in a talent agency that specializes in supporting people with Ds or other developmental disabilities, learn more here.

Self-Advocates

They totally made me cry.

The School Sitch

Since folks asked, here's the deal:

First, some background.

Playette has been attending the same daycare since she was almost 7 months old. There was a lot of guilt on my end after she was born and we learned her diagnosis and one of the things that really tore me up inside was that she was an only child. I was envious of people who had older children at home that could serve as peer models for their little ones with Ds.

Before I had her, I always thought that I would be a SAHM once the baby came. I mean, I thought this for a long time. Way before I even met BD. We talked about it while we were dating. We developed a plan. We saved my salary for months just to make sure that we could live off of one income.

And then we got a surprise.

All of the sudden, I no longer felt confident that I could give this baby, one that I perceived in the beginning would need some much more than I could give, enough to reach her full potential all on my own.

Now, keep in mind that I was an emotional wreck for the first year of Playette's life and take my thoughts back then with a honking grain of salt, k? I have no doubts, knowing what I know now, that any functional stay-at-home parent can provide what is necessary to care for a child with Ds.

I mean, if you're good enough for a 46er, you're good enough for a 47er. Contrary to popular belief, a lot of us parents of children with special needs aren't any more extraordinary than any other parent. It's just the way the dice rolled and you do what you have to do when you have to do it.

Anyway.

All that led up to her starting in daycare shortly after we moved to CA from VA and me heading back to work not too long thereafter.

Since then, she's moved from room to room, advancing more or less with her typically developing peers and there hasn't ever been the negative experience that I held my breath and agonized over in her earliest days there. It's been pretty uneventful in the grand scheme of things. We have the same types of issues with the daycare that other parents do, it seems. We're not special-special.

I mean, even when Playette wasn't walking and it was recommended to us that she move into the Pre-Toddler room, it was me who hesitated. How could she survive? She'd be trampled! All the other parents would immediately know that something was different about her! All of the other children were walking and she was still crawling! Yes, this is when all the bad stuff would start. Surely.

But, no.

What happened was that the other kids helped her stand. They hugged her and tried to walk with her. They supported her in ways that they didn't even realize were support. They just wanted to play with her because she was their friend.

And then, in her own time, probably in part due to their encouragement and definitely in part due to her determination, she walked. Earlier than we ever expected, even.

So, based on our past experiences and our vision for the future, we have decided to enroll Playette in a public preschool program. She'll go for three hours every morning and participate in a class that provides extra help to children with speech and language delays. Because that's her most significant delay at the moment: speech and language. It'll be a small relatively group and they'll do all the typical preschool things, but they'll also be able to dedicate time and attention to all of her IEP goals since ST, PT, and OT will all be conducted on-site.

In the afternoons, just in time for lunch, she'll return to her friends in the Toddler room at daycare and there she'll remain until I come and pick her up. She'll play on the same playground, she'll sleep on the same cot, she'll enjoy the same snacks that she has been for a while now.

And, then, when she's ready, if that time comes before our time in this town is up, we'll move her to the Preschool room at the daycare.

It's just a lot of transition for such a little girl, so we'll watch her and make sure not to make any additional changes until the time is right.

I have faith that she'll let us know.

Somebody's Ready

First, the scrunchy face? It still amuses me.

So:

New fall outfit? Check.

Cute little backpack? Check.

But:

1. It's July. That shows you how cold it is here. Sorry, rest of country/world that is suffering through sweltering heat waves. We're hogging all the cool temps and lack of humidity. Brr.

And

2. School doesn't start until August 11th. Though that sounds reallly early to me - and on a Wednesday?! - we still do have a leetle more time before the bus comes.

I love that my girl is so ready to go though.

I hope I can get there, too. I can't believe she's off to hang with the big kids so soon!

Gone Too Soon

I'll miss you, Willa.

I've felt connected to this precious baby girl and her mom for quite some time now.

I've talked before about how much Mama H's words have moved me.

My heart aches for her.

I'll never forget.

Know that.

I love you, Willa Clementine.

You've taught me so much.

Getting Settled

I know it may seem like we're always jumping up and going somewhere, and I guess if I only read my own blog, I'd think the same, but honestly? We sit around doing nothing a lot. More than I like most of the time.

But I'm actually looking forward to doing that for a little while because the past month has been craaaazy.

First, the party, then a wedding, then Costa Rica, then my friends up and surprised me, followed by a change in my work schedule, and then we were off to the NDSC Convention.

Yup, we went.

And had such a good time!

For those of you that have been on the fence about it, let me encourage you to attend. Sure, it's an awesome opportunity to learn more about the Ds community and the latest in outreach, research, and opportunities, but what I love even more is the fellowship. It's almost like there are no strangers, just people that have either been there or are headed your way so it's easy to start conversations. What can I say? I just love hanging with my peeps. I like being in a place where when I say my child is 3 years old, I don't get quizzical looks or rude comments.

Plus, there are special activities for siblings and young adults, as well as info that pertains to just about any group of friends, family members, or caregivers.

Next year, the conference is San Antonio bound from 5-7 August 2011. We hope to see you there.

I'll do a recap soon, but I just wanted to come and dip my toe back into the blog pool and remind myself that it's still a comfy place to be.

Get Dizzy!

We took Playette to the little park by our house yesterday evening. I don't know why we haven't done that more often. It was fun!

BD says that they've gotten some new equipment since the last time I was there. I think he's right. Because if the spinning seat thing was there before? I would've remembered.

It is so much faster that it looks right here. I swear.

Haikus

Cool, ocean breezes
Meet skunk stench in the window
Sleep on hold again

Last night, after we dined at a restaurant that we've been talking about going to for nearly three years now, in celebration of our 4th wedding anniversary, we were tired.

I had spent the entire day with that anxious, stomach all balled up feeling that only extreme stress can bring, so Tums and Top Chef sounded like an awesome way to wrap up the night.

Plus, BD had carried me over the threshold because I annoyed the crap out of him about not doing it four years ago, so, yeah, content. It was so romantical. Until he took off running across the living room with me in his arms. That was not only impressive, but also funny.

Then, at about 2am, I jumped out of bed and started running towards Playette's room while screaming, "Do you smell that?!"

Sometimes I wish that I had a camera on me 24/7 because I probably am a funny person to watch. I do some really interesting things.

Thankfully, over all my hysteria, I heard my husband grumble for me not to wake up the Littlest and that it was "only" a skunk.

Ok, so yay for the house not burning down like I thought, but skunk?

Yech.

And WHYYYY?

After I sprayed Lysol and lit a candle and closed the window nearest where I decided the skunk had exploded, I tried to go back to sleep.

As it then smelled like a skunk dipped in Lysol that just happened to be sipping on fruit punch, I buried my head in my pillow, gagged, and wrote poetry in my head.

Because that's like counting sheep to me.

The air comes in, whoosh
The skunk drops a nighttime deuce
Will the gagging stop?

Today marks:
Day 3 of "Toilet Learning"
Night 4 of Toddler Bed

HELP.

Dear Diary

Friday, 2 July 2010
Daycare says that Playette has been dry on multiple days. Please bring panties on Monday along with multiple changes of clothes in case of accidents.

Monday, 5 July 2010
Converted crib to toddler bed. Playette hates it because it is made of poison and spikes. We get lots less sleep. Slightly comical at times, but still.

Tuesday, 6 July 2010
Picked Playette up from daycare. Accident total = 3. Sigh. But it's only Day 1!
Playette refuses to go to bed. We try to wait her out. At over an hour past bedtime, she stops fighting enough to allow herself to have her back rubbed and patted until she falls asleep. Success!

Wednesday, 7 July 2010
Playette wakes at 0530 and comes into our room all, "Cockadoodledoo! It's time to get up!". Hey, wait. That's new and Not Cool.
Drop Playette off at daycare. Apparently, 3 accidents is 3 too many for Day 1. Teacher wants to go back to Pull-Ups. That, along with a couple of other irritating things, leads to me storming out of classroom like a toddler. Except I think the toddlers were embarrassed for me.

Stay tuned...

Aaaaand we're back!

Wow. What a whirlwind!

I don't announce when we're heading out on vacation, but I love to share when we get back.

Wanna know where we went?

Here's a hint:


Traveling with a toddler presents certain challenges, but we're gluttons, what can I say? It was a great experience overall (even though 'skeeters apparently love us) and we're back and refreshed and ready to take on preschool (oh, wait, did the governor cancel that?) and all kinds of other new adventures coming down the pike.

I'll share photos from our trip (birds and monkeys and crocodiles - OH MY!) very soon, but first?

Two of my awesome friends surprised me by flying into town for my birthday so I'm off to entertain them.

Best. Gift. Ever.