I wish they'd never grow up!

As the kids and I danced to the new Taylor Swift CD today, I almost started to cry! Why you ask? Was it because I love Taylor so much? Was it because the way my kids dance makes me laugh so hard I cry? Well, the latter has something to do with it. I often feel like they are growing up too fast but today, I realized that the moments like the ones we were enjoying will be gone before I know it.

I know that there is no way to know what will happen with Grace in the future. Let me preface my next comment by saying that I want Grace to accomplish everything and anything she desires. I want her to be able to have a job, go to school, have a "normal" life all that kind of good stuff. I will push her to be the best she can be. However, I will admit that I never want her to leave me. I don't want her to live on her own. I always joke with Adam that he has to build her a house on our property when she is old enough to live on her own if that is what she wants. That way, I can still have her close by and keep an eye on her. The truth is, she might not always need me but I need her. I need that piece of heaven, I need that smile and unconditional love, I need Grace. Sometimes I think Heavenly Father sent her to me because he knows I will have such a hard time letting my kids go and maybe, just maybe, I will always be able to keep my Gracie girl near me. Although, the other day Grant did ask me if I will always buy him food. When I said I would, he told me, "Great! When I marry Hadlie, I will work then give her some money and she will give it to you and tell you what to get me!" I had to explain that as much as I would love to always take care of him, when he gets married his wife will take care of him. He had a puzzled look on his face and asked why. Before I could answer, he said, "Grandma B still tries to take care of daddy!" It was hilarious! I explained that as a mommy, you always want to take care of your kids. And if I have it my way, I will be able to sneak in through his window when he is older and rock him back and forth like in the children's book, Love You Forever.

Anyway, here are some random pictures of the past month. There are some pictures of when Grandma and Grandpa B came to visit, the Halloween party with our Joyschool friends, pictures of Grant with Tuna (the cat we found in the field behind us...more to come), pictures of Grant burying Grace in blankets and pillows, and pictures of the fun we had at the free night at the children's museum. Gracie's designer genes offer lots of perks for our family!

Primary Program

On Sunday, Grant was in his first Primary program at church. We were so glad that he actually participated!
My two handsome boys!
Gracie refused to take a break from Signing Time...some things are more important than pictures, I guess. :-)
Oh wait, she does stop to laugh at Bug.
I apologize for the blurry picture. But you can still see how cute they are, right?!?! A few funny things did happen during the program. First of all, Grant pulled the tongue of his shoes out so the bright orange part was sticking out--classic! Then, at one point, Grace was so excited she could see him, she was yelling at him and then started to "sing". And probably the funniest part was when Grant kept signing "STOP". I guess teaching him how to sign with Grace might backfire a bit.

And...We're back!

Let's admit it, I have failed with the whole 'post every day of the month' thing. However, let me explain my absence. The last week and a half has been long, emotional, busy, exciting, you name it....let's start with the long and emotional. Back in June I had a D&C when I was about 9 weeks along. I was heart broken. I knew that many women have miscarriages but it doesn't make it any easier. I cried a lot for 1 day but then felt total peace and knew that Heavenly Father is in charge, and that if I put my trust in him, I have nothing to worry about. Then, I got pregnant again. I was so excited, so was Grant and Adam. A week and a half ago, we went to the doctors for a check up and it was like someone had hit the replay button. After a week of blood tests and ultrasounds, I had another D&C on Friday. It was like the previous experience, I was totally emotional for 1 day. Had a lot of good crying sessions (that is when Grace gave me a hug then slapped me in the face), then felt total peace again. I am so thankful for the gospel. I have said it before and I will say it again. I know that Heavenly Father is in charge. He truly does want us to be happy and so if I just keep turning my will over to Him, then I will indeed be happy! Now on to the busy and exciting!!! Grandma and Grandpa B. came out to visit for a few days! The kids had loads of fun and the timing could not have been better. I was so thankful that they were here to take care of the kids while Adam and I were at the hospital. Family is the best! There was a lot of playing, a lot of laughs, and when they had to go home, there were quite a few tears. I will post some pictures of the fun we had once I decide to pull the pictures of the camera. And with that, I ask you to forgive me for being a slacker. I am rededicating myself to blogging ever day from here on out until the end of the month! Cheers!

Therapy

I know, I know...I missed yesterday. However, in my defense, my husband surprised me and took me on a hot date! Which means, not posting cannot be held against me. :-) Anyway, the other day as Grace was working with her developmental therapist--a thought that crosses my mind often, popped in to my head. Sometimes, I feel sorry for Grace. I mean, who likes to be told what to do, and who likes to be forced to do activities you don't really like? Poor Grace gets so frustrated. Lately, when she is upset with her therapist, she will do 1 of 3 things:

1. Hits them (which lands her cute little bottom in the repentance chair for 2 minutes)

2. Puts her head down and refuses to look at the therapist. She does however, occasionally attempt to look at them without moving her head at all. It is quite possible she has made her eyeballs do a complete 360. :-)

3. Goes up to the wall as she whines with her hands over her eyes then hits her hand on the wall and turns to me and signs owie as she walks towards me for sympathy.Like I said, I cannot really blame her for feeling upset and frustrated. I know that therapy is good for her and that because of all the therapy sessions, she is where she is developmentally. But still, sometimes I wish it would all just disappear for her. On Monday's she has developmental therapy (1 hours) and speech therapy (45 minutes). Wednesday is occupational therapy (1 hour) then speech later in the day (45 minutes). Friday, she has physical therapy (1 hour). We will probably be starting some feeding therapy, too. Usually, she also has at least 1 or 2 doctor appointments a week. Luckily, she will no longer have to be dragged to occupational therapy for Grant. He was doing OT for a few weeks but has since been dismissed. They thought he might have some sensory issues but it only took a few weeks of them "treating" him to realize that he does not. Anyway, my point is that Grace is a good sport. She takes everything with ease and tries to make the best of it. I would lock myself in my room and refuse to participate in any of the above activities! Which once again proves my point...Grace teaches me things daily and helps me have a positive attitude. Yay for therapy sessions and doctor appointments!

Types of Trisomy 21

Did you know that there are three different kinds of Down Syndrome? Well, if not, you will be well versed after reading this post. Nondisjunction Trisomy 21- The most common type of Down syndrome, in which the twenty-first chromosome does not separate from itself evenly. (This is the kind Grace has)

Mosaicism- A rare type of Down syndrome where the trisomy is present in some but not all , of the persons cells.

Translocation Trisomy 21- A rare form of Down syndrome caused when part of the extra number 21 chromosome breaks off and attaches itself elsewhere.

There you have it folks--don't worry, there will not be a test. :-)

Diaper Fight

I tried posting a video but it wouldn't work. And so, here are some pictures of Grant and Grace having a diaper fight. Okay, mostly Grant just throws the diapers and Grace watches. Sometimes, she will pick one up and put it in her mouth but that is about the extent of it.

The Little Monster

Grace IS the sweetest little thing in the entire world...but she can also be a little monster! No matter how hard I try to discipline her, nothing works. Everyone says to be consistent and it will start working. I am still waiting for that moment. I know, I know, she is 2, but she honestly does not seem to get it or even care! And the hardest part is, is that she is so darn cute, you have to leave the room after you get mad at her so you can laugh without her seeing. She LOVES to hit, slap, pull hair, you name it. Tonight, she was pestering Grant. He BEGGED me to take a picture of him on the potty. Probably because of all the ones we took of Gracie on her potty!

They got into a little argument, she started to cry and as we picked her up to remove her from the situation, she tried to kick him. (Sigh). On Thursday, I had been crying and she came up to me and smiled and then gave me a hug and patted me on the back. She then pulled away smiled again, then slapped me across the face and walked away. I couldn't help but laugh! It was like she was saying, "I'm sorry your sad, I love you, now buck up!" Naughty, but hilarious. Something not so funny...yesterday, I felt nauseated so I was laying on the floor during our morning family prayer. Right when Grant said "Amen" I felt something smack my nose. That something would be the bottom edge of this toy... The someone who threw it would be this little girl. It hurt pretty bad and then I sat up and Adam said I was bleeding. She had perfect aim--it hit the bridge of my nose and sliced it open. I must say though, it is healing much better than I thought it would. She backed away from me and sat on the ground and just stared me down. I think she was waiting to see what Adam and I would do. Ever since then, she has been signing, 'hurt', while she scrunches her nose and tries to get close to my nose. And at one point, she put her hands over her nose and eyes and started to whine. I guess she was reenacting what I did. There are a lot of other stories we could share about our little monster, but we will save them for another time. Oh, Grace, you definitely keep us on our toes.