Pictures from Ruby's First Year

Ruby on the day she was born

I loved her precious little head



I was afraid to cry in front of the NICU nurses.I didn't want them to think I didn't want my sweet little girl.



Ruby and her Granny the day Ruby came home

Proud Sister

So glad to have my baby home

Home in her cradle.

Lifting her head at 3 months

She loved to look at the bumper pads

Sister love

I would set her in this seat to watch Baby Signing Time

Big Brother

My little Helper

So sweet

Buddies

Beautiful Smile

Scientific Video about Down Syndrome

Marlena

I'm a Christmas Warrior for MARLENA

Wont you please give to Marlena's Fund so she can be adopted? I know a lot of people are having a hard time financially right now and may not be able to give a large amount of money.Any amount helps $1,$5,$10.Please use the Chip In on my sidebar and help little Marlena find a home.All donations go straight to Reece's Rainbow and are tax deductible.

Atlanto-Axial Instability - National Down Syndrome Congress

It's important to have children with Down syndrome screened for Atlanto Axial Instability.Here is a link for more information : Atlanto-Axial Instability - National Down Syndrome Congress

21 Things About Ruby

1.Ruby loves baby dolls.
2.Ruby loves to look at books and be read to.
3.Ruby always wakes up happy and greets everyone with,"Hi!"
4.Ruby climbs up and sits on the couch.She also loves to crawl back and forth along the couch which worries her dear mommy and dear mommy keeps putting baby gates on the couches so she wont fall off when no one is watching.
5.Ruby will sign her name and point at her tummy if you ask her,"Where's Ruby?"
6.Ruby's sign name was given to her by a friend who is a missionary to the deaf in Mexico.
7.Ruby's sign name is a signed 'r' over her heart.
8.Ruby says"Thank you" when she hands something to you and you take it.
9.Ruby's first sign was 'bubbles.'
10.Ruby loves dogs.
11.Ruby loves her Daddy and will sign and say Daddy.
12.Ruby has 10 siblings who adore her.
13.Ruby is named after my grandfather's sister.
14.Ruby has changed me for the better.
15.We didn't know Ruby had Down syndrome until after her birth.
16.Ruby had to stay in the NICU for two weeks after her birth and and amazed her nurses with her strength.
17.Ruby army crawled until the week of her second birthday when she suddenly decided she would get up and crawl on hands and knees.
18.Ruby knocks at the door when she wants into a room.
19.Ruby stands up on the couch near our front door and wiggles the door knob!
20.Ruby is 27 months old and is not walking yet.
21.When Ruby hugs you she pats your back with her sweet little hands.

Ruby Loves to Throw Things

Ruby loves to throw things,she loves to throw toys out of her toy box,books and papers off the bookshelf,clothes out of the laundry basket.
According to the book,"Fine Motor Skills In Children With Down Syndrome," this is an activity enjoyed by many toddlers with Down syndrome.Throwing things can develop because the child doesn't have enough motor control to be able to let go of an object. The throwing action causes the wrist to drop and the fingers to open letting go of whatever is in the hand.
It may take some children a long time to move past this stage.(Ruby has been in this stage for awhile now,making it hard for me to work with her on stacking toys because she wants to knock them over and throw them.)They should be given plenty of opportunities to throw appropriate items.Teach your child what is OK to throw and what is not.Ruby is finally starting to understand that she is allowed to throw her board books from the bottom bookshelf but the other shelves are off limits.

Coping with the News that Your Child has Special Needs

We all go through a grieving process when we find out our child has a disability. We all go through different stages at different times.It's ok to grieve,it doesn't mean you  love your child any less.Here are some links I hope will be an encouragement to you.



Coping with the News that Your Child has Special Needs

http://www.childrensdisabilities.info/parenting/naseef-interview.html

http://www.kidnkaboodle.net/specialneeds.pdf

http://www.troubledwith.com/ParentingChildren/A000000445.cfm?topic=parenting%20children%3A%20special%20needs%20children

I would never change her

When Ruby was a tiny baby I used to think that if I could change the fact that she had Down syndrome I would.Now I know, without a doubt, I would never change her.I would never take away her Down syndrome,her extra chromosome,it's who she is,it's who God made her.

John 9
1And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth.

2And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?

3Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.

31 for 21/Fact

Fact about children with Down syndrome:
Children with Down syndrome are just like other children.


The first part of this video is of Ruby swinging for the first time on our swing in the backyard ,the second half of the video is of Ruby enjoying the band at the Buddy Walk.

Make photo slide shows at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Aleksa's Story

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

It’s National Down Syndrome Awareness Month - WEGO Health

Take a look at what Amanda had to say on WEGO Health about National Down syndrome Month.I think she did a great job in mentioning all the important facts about Down syndrome. She also happened to mention my blog in the links at the end and I enjoyed being called a Down syndrome Activist!
Thanks for the shout out Amanda!

It’s National Down Syndrome Awareness Month - WEGO Health

Baby Marlena

I'm this adorable little Russian beauties Christmas Warrior.Marlena was born August 2, 2010 ,she was born with a full AV canal. She needs a family quickly.
If baby Marlena can't find a home she will most likely be put into a mental institution when she turns 5 years old and that means neglect,starvation and death.Wont you please give and help little Marlena be able to go home with a forever family.A family who can love and cherish her,comfort her when she cries,celebrate birthdays with her and all the many things parents do to love their children.
If you can't adopt her wont you help someone who can.There are many people willing to adopt but sometimes the need of funding stands in the way.
Isn't she beautiful? Can't you please help? If you are unable to help at this time wont you please share this blog post with others who may be able to?
All donations go to Reece's Rainbow and are tax deductible.You can donate using the Chip In on my sidebar.
Thank you

Here is what the adopting family will be facing:

2 trips



1st trip, Both parents for 5-7 days


Wait 2-3 months for court


Both parents travel for 2nd trip, one can leave after 4 days, the other waits 10-25 days longer (depending on if the 10 day grace period is waived)


No family size restrictions


Both parents must be younger than 60 years


Total program fees under $30k (travel and hotel varies depending on


accommodations requested and time of year.)


Fee includes a $1000 orphanage donation


Married couples and single mothers may apply

Wordless Wednesday

" My Own Special Angel"/Repost for 31 for 21

"My Own Special Angel"
by Norma Henneke
1977

As we walk to your classroom my heart swells with pride
for the children all run to you to walk by your side.
They hug you and greet you; they all seem to know
just how much you need them and love them all so!
You march down the big hall with your most grownup stride
and turn and wave bravely, "Bye, Mommy! Bye-bye!"

Such a big girl, my Misty! You give life your best
though sometimes even the smallest thing can be a big test;
like struggling to run just as fast as the others
or trying your best just to straighten your covers;
things like coloring, swinging or brushing your hair.......
Sometimes Mommy feels that it just isn't fair!

Once late at night as I lay in my bed
I cried just to think what a little girl had said:
"Why's Misty so dumb? Can't she talk? Can't she run?"
I said, "Please be nice to her, please don't make fun.
See, God didn't make her as perfect as you
And I think he would want you to help her, don't you?"
She shook her head slowly and gave a small smile.
She had understood perfectly and that made it worthwhile!

Yes, sometimes it hurts and I don't understand
How God could have done this as part of His Plan.
Yet each time I hold you or we kiss goodnight,
I know in my heart He did everything right!
You're my own Special Angel, and how lucky I was
To be chosen by God to receive your sweet love.

My own Special Angel, sent straight from above!

Names

In recent weeks Ruby started saying both of our dogs names,Angel and Paisley.Sounding like" Angu" and "Payswe."We all thought it was so funny that she started saying the pets names first before saying her siblings names! Lol. Well ,today she called out for her sister ,Meagan,saying "Maymay "and this evening she saw a picture of her sister, Rebecca, that we had posted on Facebook and  she very clearly said,"Rebecca!"
Everytime I hear her say a new word I get a big lump in my throat and tear up.

I love you so much my little pumpkin!

Quick post/ 31 for 21

It's been a long but good day.I'm trying to just hurry and get a post in so I don't miss a day.(I've already missed one.)So I'm just posting a couple of pics. and saying how blessed I am as a Mom.All of my kids are great and most of the time I enjoy being with them ;-)
My little Miss Ruby has started being able to eat more solid food and not just bottles since her speech therapist worked on chewing skills with  her.This weekend I fed Ruby some pizza cut into small bite size pieces and she loved it!I was thrilled!
I hope all of you have a beautiful week.

Fun at the Buddy Walk

The Buddy Walk® was developed by the National Down Syndrome Society in 1995 to celebrate Down Syndrome Awareness Month in October and to promote acceptance and inclusion of people with Down syndrome. The Buddy Walk has grown from 17 walks in 1995 to nearly 300 walks planned for 2010 worldwide. In 2009, more than $9.5 million was raised nationwide to benefit local programs and services, as well as the national advocacy and public awareness initiatives of NDSS that benefit all individuals with Down syndrome.


We had a great day at our local Buddy Walk today.



                                                    Of course there was "The Walk"



                                                                    Live music!











Ruby loved the music.

Face Painting




                                                                   A beautiful Princess

                                                                             Horses to pet.

                                                  Bloggy friend Jill with Reece's Rainbow Booth.(More pictures of Jill and her kids to come!)