tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5956031149939692762024-03-14T10:53:38.003-07:00Rockin An Extra ChromosomeThis blog is about our life with three girls. One of whom just happens to rock an extra chromsome.Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14012733380565584975noreply@blogger.comBlogger73125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-595603114993969276.post-25600165765358133092015-10-28T17:16:00.000-07:002015-10-28T17:16:12.513-07:00A Fork In The Road<span style="font-family: -apple-system-font; line-height: 16px;">I rarely blog anymore. This was not my intention when I first decided to blog. My intention was weekly posts about our life! Tons of pictures and countless updates.</span><br />
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For awhile, I did just that, and it was good. I met (online), other fellow bloggers and we connected as we could relate to each other’s journeys. I put all my fears, frustrations and triumphs into these posts and if felt good to be encouraged and recognized and supported.</div>
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Then life changed. We found the Institutes for the Achievement of Human Potential and my whole thought process changed. Stella had a brain injury and there were things we could do to help her brain!! Fabulous!</div>
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Then life got really REALLY busy! Instead of spending my evenings blogging and sipping on coffee while the TV played in the background, I found myself writing in Stella’s food/program journal, making flashcard and homemade books and reading about supplements (TNI - Targeted Nutritional Intervention, to be exact).</div>
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I did manage to do a few update posts about Stella’s progress. Other then that though, I kind of stopped blogging. I was still journaling (a bit), but I always found myself journaling when I was sad about our challenges, or about what Stella was still not doing. I never truly felt 100% comfortable with sharing these thoughts as I felt deep down these were very personal and not 100% mine to share.</div>
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What if, 10 years from now, Stella stumbles upon my blog? How would she feel reading my blog? Will she feel exposed, belittled? Will she feel like something is wrong with her and that her being different is a bad thing?</div>
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I NEVER want any of my daughters to feel that way! Realizing that one day, my girls may read my blog has made me really rethink, just what I am willing to share. I actually feel like I have already shared a tad too much.</div>
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As a parent of a child with T21, I have been sharing on my blog my experiences and my perceptions of what it is to have a disability. However, this is not and will not be my daughters view. </div>
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Of all the positive things I share about Stella, I worry that the negatives will be remembered more. Disability has such a negative stigma attched to it already. Am I feeding into that negativity? Am I doing more harm then good?</div>
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So I stand here at a fork in the road. Do I continue to blog? If I do, what exactly will I be blogging about? I don’t feel like Stella’s (or her sisters') journey in life is mine to tell anymore. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKK4QKItXHFarNl57yUQHId0IKXJ7V6m8b8f-mRqF77Tchyphenhyphen1SVEtsIFas_qMbv81lbzLoIkVk5vswJ69hyphenhyphenrPAh6WJF37W8VfhkrkdJLaDuY4iE7fd0pwJ-L_APanC3JCCjjtVLo_gEx64/s1600/Taylor_2015_096.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKK4QKItXHFarNl57yUQHId0IKXJ7V6m8b8f-mRqF77Tchyphenhyphen1SVEtsIFas_qMbv81lbzLoIkVk5vswJ69hyphenhyphenrPAh6WJF37W8VfhkrkdJLaDuY4iE7fd0pwJ-L_APanC3JCCjjtVLo_gEx64/s320/Taylor_2015_096.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love you more then mere words can ever express.</td></tr>
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Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14012733380565584975noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-595603114993969276.post-42460598886481479332015-09-23T21:12:00.000-07:002015-09-23T21:12:36.690-07:00To My DaughterHi Stella,<br />
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It's mom. Today is your birthday. You are five years old. I am beyond delighted at the fabulous little girl you have become!<br />
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You have a zest for life that is contagious. Those around you can't help but smile and feel your positive energy when you enter a room.<br />
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You have mastered listening to your body. Diapers are a thing of the past and accidents are few and far between.<br />
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Your physical skills impress me every day. Hanging and swinging across the monkey bars like a boss!! Those two skills are helping your fine motor skills and the fact that you can now use scissors efficiently makes my heart smile.<br />
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Your voice, your words, your sentences. What a long way you have come in one year. When you tell me "no, stop please" or "no, go away please", it makes me happy that you are able to express yourself, plus your manners are impeccable! You are working so hard to learn to talk clearly and I can't wait to hear more of your thoughts over the next year.<br />
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I will always remember the day you were born like it was mere moments ago. Your birth, Sophie's birth and Olivia's birth were each so unique and life altering.<br />
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Olivia was our first. She made us parents.<br />
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Sophie was our rainbow baby. She was the ray of light after the storm.<br />
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Stella, you completed our family.<br />
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You are our little warrior.<br />
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Happy Birthday my fair skinned, blue eyed little girl.<br />
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<br />Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14012733380565584975noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-595603114993969276.post-24093758960867543642015-05-06T21:08:00.001-07:002015-05-06T21:09:32.087-07:00Antibiotics - The Double Edged Sword<div style="font-family: -apple-system-font; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">
Antibiotics. <b>Antibiotics</b> or <b>antibacterials</b> are a type of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antimicrobial" title="Antimicrobial">antimicrobial</a> used in the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medical_treatment" title="Medical treatment">treatment</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chemoprophylaxis" title="Chemoprophylaxis">prevention</a> of bacterial <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Infection" title="Infection">infection</a>. (thank you Wikipedia).</div>
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I love antibiotics.</div>
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I hate antibiotics.</div>
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Especially when it comes to Stella. </div>
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She was doing so well this winter! She was cold free for 3 months.</div>
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January to March. </div>
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Those three months she usually is sick almost every month. But not this year!!! </div>
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So what did I do? </div>
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I jinxed it. </div>
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Yup. Instead of keeping my yap shut, I spoke OUT LOUD to my hubby about how Stella has been “sick free” all winter!! I swear the minute I said those words, I heard Stella sneeze….and it’s gone downhill since then.</div>
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A cold. A cold I can handle. But lately with Stella her colds seem to turn into a sinus infection, and this cold was no different. After a week her cold seemed to be getting worse instead of better. Green sometimes brown nasty snot, a nose so stuffy and yet when she blew her nose it seemed painful to do.</div>
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Crap.</div>
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A sinus infection, for SURE a sinus infection. </div>
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I couldn't let the poor child suffer through a sinus infection! Those things suck! I took her to the doctor and he gave her antibiotics.</div>
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The next day she was remarkably better! Yay Antibiotics! But as wonderful as it was that she was getting better, I knew that all her “good” gut bacteria was being killed off too. Which meant Stella’s immune system would be even weaker. </div>
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A few days after she was done her antibiotics….. BAM! She seemed sick AGAIN!!!! The last time ( in December) it seemed that her sinus infection was back or perhaps never really went away). But this time, she seemed even worse! She had a fever, her tonsils sounded swollen, her nose was stuffy and she seemed to also have a cough.</div>
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SIGH… SOB…. more sighing.</div>
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She is pumped full of supplements. She is given vitamins she is lacking, minerals she needs more of, probiotics to keep the healthy bacteria in her gut, and thyroid meds that she needs. Slowly all of these things seem to be working. She is getting sick less often. BUT when she does get sick, boy does she ever get sick!!</div>
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I can’t f*&#ing win.</div>
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Sigh.</div>
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Off to the doctor’s office we went on Monday. She got her throat swabbed and then we had to go to the hospital. </div>
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Yeah, Stella was not cooperating and would not pee on the toilet for me. So we had to go the hospital so they could put a catheter in so a pee sample could be obtained. The doctor wanted to rule out a bladder infection. Needless to say that event was traumatic, for her and for me. But she was a courageous little girl, and the hubby was there to help as well which was definitely what i needed. He is my rock. (love you babe!)</div>
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Ahem… anyway..</div>
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Yesterday she was clearly no better, even worse to be exact. To be honest I was terrified. You see at the doctors office on Monday, the doctor ordered up a blood requisition. He wanted to get a complete blood count (CBC) of her blood. He had noticed a slight rash on her stomach and after seeing that he told me he wanted to get her platelets looked at. Why would he want to look at her platelets? He’s checking, just to be safe, for signs of leukaemia. He never said that to me, but I knew that was what he was doing.</div>
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So when Stella woke up yesterday and was clearly no better, I was internally freaking out. As much as I did not want to have to take my child to get her blood taken (she had just had her blood taken for her thyroid a mere 2 months earlier), I knew I HAD to. Off we went to the lab. I told Stella where we were going and why and let me tell you she was not happy about it. She kept saying “no!” and crying. When we got there, she kept saying she had to poop. She’d fuss, look at me and say “poop”. So off we’d go to the bathroom, i’d sit her on the toilet, and she’d say “all done”. We did that about 4 times. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My poor sick baby!</td></tr>
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Poor kid. </div>
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You know what though? She is a brave little girl. When it came time to get her blood drawn, she sat still, put her arm out, and fussed a little bit. She kept her arm still and they found a vein the first time. What a trooper she was! As we left she kept pointing to her arm and saying “needle”. An elderly gentleman stopped me and asked if he could give Stella some money as he thought she was so brave. I thought that was so sweet, so of course I said yes!</div>
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Stella took the money and said “gank you” (Thank you).</div>
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Fast forward to today and Stella is FINALLY on the mend. Seems she has strep throat, as does her 6 year old sister!! </div>
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Yup, you guessed it, BACK on antibiotics! SOB!</div>
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However, Stella is noticeably better today which is wonderful to see. Now to keep her healthy once she is done the antibiotics.</div>
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Oh and her blood test results came back and she is low in iron. Her platelets are good.</div>
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I am relieved.</div>
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Cancer hits just way too close to home. I am painfully aware of it.</div>
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Stella has Trisomy 21. This puts her at a higher risk of getting leukaemia. </div>
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Sigh.</div>
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Being a mom is tough. There is so much to worry about isn’t there?</div>
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Thankfully today is a good day. We are turning the corner and Stella is on the mend.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was taken yesterday. Today she was 100 times better. </td></tr>
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Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14012733380565584975noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-595603114993969276.post-46703234135594858102015-03-09T11:39:00.001-07:002015-03-09T11:39:15.976-07:00It's ONLY Been A Year!!<div style="font-family: -apple-system-font; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">
Blogging.</div>
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I have been extremely horrible at it. I mean, when it’s been almost a year since my last post, then I know that I am a bad blogger!!</div>
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I am now going to attempt up to do an update. Phew! 2014 and then some!</div>
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We started 2014 getting into the groove of Stella’s program. Some days were better then others, but on average we rocked out a good full 3 hours and then another 2 or so hours on and off of doing other things.</div>
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We enjoyed our first Easter in our new house! This was Olivia’s first year where she knew the Easter Bunny was not real (yet she still believes in Santa…..??), so she had fun helping us hide chocolates for Sophie and Stella to find. She also had fun pretending to believe.</div>
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Summer 2014 was full of visits from my family! In June, my sister, brother in law and nieces came to visit, and then in August my parents came to visit.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All the cousins!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0HIQafXgz-w0OcrNya_NWOrXrsFP-nq_c-lZDgdQ18FIyBKfOUj7_9q0BE6CAjXG-lgjOYamlhrl_srEcYyipcZwHIuoah2s7fFv_P7OA0-YY5dyuBJ0o6w5JADbX-Jz-jS-f4uwPQqs/s1600/IMG_7972.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0HIQafXgz-w0OcrNya_NWOrXrsFP-nq_c-lZDgdQ18FIyBKfOUj7_9q0BE6CAjXG-lgjOYamlhrl_srEcYyipcZwHIuoah2s7fFv_P7OA0-YY5dyuBJ0o6w5JADbX-Jz-jS-f4uwPQqs/s1600/IMG_7972.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My parents with Olivia. Olivia insisted I buy her those purple glasses. She spent all day pretending she needed to wear glasses. Lol.</td></tr>
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2014 was a year of small, yet big improvements in Stella. </div>
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She began saying more words and putting two words together.</div>
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Her stamina has increased. She can walk longer distances and has started running, as in sprinintg and then going back to walking…..or running and sliding on the ground on to her belly. </div>
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She likes to do this in the mall. Her sister Sophie taught her.</div>
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It’s not so bad when the mall is empty, but when it is busy, then it gets a tad……embarrassing. “Sorry sir, sorry you almost stepped on my kid because she decided now was a good time to run and slide.” (insert red face here)</div>
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When hanging on the brachiation ladder (Monkey bars), she can hold for 30 seconds!! 30 freakin seconds! That is hard! But this also means she is now strong enough to be able to move into brachiating (swinging across the monkey bars), with help.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Ub6-A9QY2ZE0t4zsAgePZnK4twvCe7EIiHUNLlA_UmbwViof-lQdJl0TolvYlgQnO2LAA_ZmYeMURqD-2Je600Aw-NBTflMeOkyzpTGSIF4MT5evALxldAJN14VXVMH3Tzor7W5cZPU/s1600/IMG_7742_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Ub6-A9QY2ZE0t4zsAgePZnK4twvCe7EIiHUNLlA_UmbwViof-lQdJl0TolvYlgQnO2LAA_ZmYeMURqD-2Je600Aw-NBTflMeOkyzpTGSIF4MT5evALxldAJN14VXVMH3Tzor7W5cZPU/s1600/IMG_7742_2.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">hanging with Daddy.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTZNyc_kymJ-4TQ9gw7YV_Jk16gB_cj9C0KkVUybfLB92UrRdUEz1bdNK8e3_1J8dduoPor5AOJwORvhrUg2RSEzz2VGhLVOgWKA3t-kHa8j_Pu_RdHaPPGhM5tUD610w2272ZErxvBCo/s1600/IMG_8228.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTZNyc_kymJ-4TQ9gw7YV_Jk16gB_cj9C0KkVUybfLB92UrRdUEz1bdNK8e3_1J8dduoPor5AOJwORvhrUg2RSEzz2VGhLVOgWKA3t-kHa8j_Pu_RdHaPPGhM5tUD610w2272ZErxvBCo/s1600/IMG_8228.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taking a break on our walk.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvvSc_Oqdnd-zezajnoEflUjYNlRj5cy2vPPZ5Z7crDfg0p9fFXGSkX2HMIvmj1bzpiyczNc-KVLktUNBogG20YCUxOm_4fFYQsyaRaq0CrWufcvVFG2hNMWEAvuECxysJo5C6FtJs4C4/s1600/IMG_7615.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvvSc_Oqdnd-zezajnoEflUjYNlRj5cy2vPPZ5Z7crDfg0p9fFXGSkX2HMIvmj1bzpiyczNc-KVLktUNBogG20YCUxOm_4fFYQsyaRaq0CrWufcvVFG2hNMWEAvuECxysJo5C6FtJs4C4/s1600/IMG_7615.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hanging on the monkey bars at the park last June.</td></tr>
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Now, she is not always happy and eager to do her physical program. On days like those, I try to make it fun or I bribe with Dora (works most times), or I don’t push it and just “go with the flow”. But on average, she is rocking her physical program.</div>
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How do I know what we are doing is helping? (Aside from in my gut “just knowing”?)</div>
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When Stella started preschoool, she was assessed by a physical therapist and an occupational therapist. Stella is on par with her peers physically. Of course, they go based on her stature, but even based on her stature, she does NOT need any PT! She can climb, run, jump….all on par! She will not be needing any help in this area!! </div>
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The Occupational Therapist that assessed her was impressed with what she could do also. Though she will need some OT at school, it is encoourgaing to be surprising therapists. </div>
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Those two examples are proof to me that we as a family, are on the right path with going a tad alternative when it come to therapy for Stella! All her hard work, day in and day out is paying off.</div>
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2014 was a year of small improvements in Stella's health. We are slowly getting on the correct path for her when it comes to vitamins and supplements. Stella still did get sick quite a lot last year. Lots of colds! But when she did get a cold, it did NOT go into her chest like it used to! So that is huge! We were not able to stay off of antibiotics though. In June Stella got a sinus infection and then again she was sick all of November and most of December. She just couldn’t shake a cold and then sure enough it went into her sinuses and it just took very, very long to clear up. Her immune system is still a work in progress.</div>
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In September, Olivia started Grade 4!!!!! WHAT???? Sophie started Kindergarten!!!!!! and Stella started preschool!!!! Aggghhhh!! My babies are growing up!! Which means I am getting older!! Make it stop!!</div>
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In December we spent Christmas in MEXICO!! It was awesome!! We hope to do that again in 2016! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiriZIKJfQcNEDN6aovINcXL_9vCeX2gP5crAqQqo087RnION7BwegZsuiSVQ_67Ew_ifPVZDtGjF0Akd9SLaXUnEUyvW5ORWe15WAdZSZLwXGh9locZgCN8Z4ziENwYdC-gwPwRlHP9fs/s1600/IMG_8813.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiriZIKJfQcNEDN6aovINcXL_9vCeX2gP5crAqQqo087RnION7BwegZsuiSVQ_67Ew_ifPVZDtGjF0Akd9SLaXUnEUyvW5ORWe15WAdZSZLwXGh9locZgCN8Z4ziENwYdC-gwPwRlHP9fs/s1600/IMG_8813.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ahhhh, how I miss this still!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The beautiful house we rented in Playa Del Carmen!</td></tr>
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But before we went to Mexico, Mickey and I met with Dr. Erica Peirson via Skype. Dr. Peirson works at the Down Syndrome Treatment Centre of Orgeon. We met with her to address Stella’s thyroid. She is a fabulous doctor! Very knowledgeable and after talking for 3 hours to her, we were hopeful that Stella’s thyroid being treated would help her immune system and everything else in her body, function better.</div>
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Well, since Stella started on Desiccated Thyroid, I have noticed the following.</div>
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Her sleep almost immediately improved! I am sure she still is not sleeping as good as she could, but she no longer gets up 2 x in the night. </div>
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Her energy is noticeable. I mean, she has always had good energy, but near the end of the day she always seemed to be really tired. Lately she has lots of energy still in the late afternoon/early evening. </div>
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Her appetie has improved. This has seemed to have tapered off, but the first 3 weeks I definitely noticed an increase in appetite! </div>
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She used to have quite bumpy skin on the back side of her upper arms. This has noticeably improved. The bumps are almost non exsistent.</div>
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Her cheeks are now a nice pink. They don’t seem as red as they used to be.</div>
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Her hands and feet are always warm now too! I haven’t checked her body temperatture, but I bet if I did it would no longer be at 96, but at normal 97! </div>
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Hopefully as she is on desiccated thyroid longer we will start to see an improvement in her immune system. The rest of this winter will be telling that is for sure! I am VERY hopeful and feeling really great about the choices we have been making for Stella!</div>
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One more huge change we have embarked on is POTTY TRAINING!! This time around I decided to use an actual potty training method. The one Mickey and I decided on was the Bridget Murphy Method (you can read about it <a href="http://www.kcdsg.org/files/content/Potty%20Training%20in%20Four%20Days%202010%20Version%203%20slides%20to%20a%20page.pdf">here</a>). Day 1 of the method was long and seemed a tad crazy insane, but Stella was a trouper and pulled through. We are now 4 weeks past the initial 4 day method. Stella still has many, many, many (sigh) accidents. BUT, at least twice a day she will look at me say “poop” and when I put her on the toilet she will pee in the toilet! She has yet to do a “duce” though. I mean Day 1 she did, but she hasn’t since (sob). </div>
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Part of me is REALLY regretting deciding to potty train, cause now we can’t go back! Putting her back in diapers now would just be confusing I think so now we must trudge forward and be hopefully that something in her little brain will click and she will fully get the whole idea of peeing on the toilet.</div>
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Stella is a little warrior. She is doing so much everyday. For the most part she is happy and eager to learn and to exercise and to spend time with me. Most days I feel like she is rocking life and making great strides at reaching her potential. </div>
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Then there are the hard days. The days when nothing I do seems to work. Where she’d rather lie on the couch and chew on toys all day. Sometimes it’s very hard to see a typical kid learn something so fast and with such ease. Those days suck.</div>
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Stella has to work, and work HARD to achieve what that typical kid can do with his/her eyes closed. Those days it just feels like this journey, this road, is a HUGE mountain. One that we are struggling to climb up.</div>
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We are fighting against the wind, the rain, the snow. Fighting so hard, yet seem to be moving so slow or sometimes not moving at all. </div>
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Those days I wish Stella didn’t have DS. Those days I wish learning to speak, learning to engage with other kids her age, was easier for her. Those days I feel pissed off that she has to work so hard. Those days life seems terribly unfair. </div>
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Those days I feel like I am just not doing enough, that I need to do more. I know if I spent MORE time with Stella on her program, that I would see MORE improvement. But for me personally I need to be realistic with what I am able to handle as a mom. I don’t have eight hours a day to focus just soley on Stella.</div>
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So for now, we do what we can. </div>
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Every month I seem to go through this inner emotional turmoil. </div>
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Every single month, at some point I have a pity party and I feel overwhelmed and sad and that nothing we are doing is helping. </div>
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And you know what?</div>
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Every time I feel that way, Stella seems to do something to show me that “hey mom, chill. I GOT THIS!”. </div>
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A new word, drawing a circle, going pee on the toilet, asking for help.</div>
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You are our warrior Stella. Thank you for reminding me that you are an individual, that all the work we are doing IS paying off and that you can achieve anything!!!</div>
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Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14012733380565584975noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-595603114993969276.post-82095813935810512252014-03-20T21:18:00.001-07:002014-03-20T21:18:34.570-07:00Forever ChangedThis blog post has been a long time coming.<br />
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So much has changed since my last post. My view of disability is forever changed. My view of T21 is forever changed.<br />
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The last time I blogged, I was sitting at the Calgary Airport waiting to board a plane. We were heading to Philadelphia, to visit the The Institutes for the Achievement of Human Potential.<br />
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We took a course called "What To Do About Your Brain Injured Child". It was an intense 5 day course. Each day was about 12 hours long.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Outside of The Institutes the day before our course.</td></tr>
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We learnt A-LOT! Way too much to fit into one post. Way too much to even be able to properly explain to you, but I will give you a few tidbits. Parts of the course that really stand out for me and that I remember without having to re-read all my notes.<br />
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Some of you may be saying "Brain injury? Stella has Down Syndrome, not a brain injury." Stella's brain is injured due to the fact that she has Down Syndrome (or Trisomy 21). <br />
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Tidbit #1: There are 3 kinds of brain injury:<br />
Born with different brains/deficient brains. Stella has T21. Her brain is different.<br />
Born brain injured. This happens either in-utero or at birth.<br />
Psychotic: This type of brain injury is not very understood.<br />
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Tidbit #2: There is NO relationship between brain injury and intelligence. There is however a correlation between brain injury and the ability to express intelligence.<br />
This was HUGE for me! It made and still makes so much sense. Stella is so intelligent. I could see it in her eyes before I knew anything about The Institutes! I can still see it in her eyes! But her brain injury is getting in the way of her being able to express that intelligence. But wanna know the awesome thing? At this course we learnt how to help fix her brain so that she CAN express her intelligence! We were given knowledge so that we could organise a game plan….a program to help Stella. Wanna know something else?? The program is working!! 3 months into it and I can see a difference!<br />
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Tidbit #3: The brain injured child has two enemies: TIME and GRAVITY. Every day that a brain injured child is not better he/she is worse.<br />
When Stella was 6 months old she was about 1-2 months behind her typical peers. Every day since then Stella has gotten worse. She has fallen farther and farther behind her typical peers. Time has been her enemy. Now that Mickey and I know better, we are in an uphill journey to help Stella to catch up. She's an athlete let me tell you!! And it is paying off!<br />
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Tidbit #4: The brain grows by use. The brain grows in the same way muscles do.<br />
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Tidbit #5: Teaching your child to read is the most important part of the intellectual program you do with your child. Why?<br />
Reading is easy.<br />
Reading grows the brain. It stimulates the visual and auditory pathways.<br />
Reading is a neurological function not an academic subject.<br />
I have found that teaching Stella to read has been a huge factor in her starting to say more words. She loves her flashcards! And trust me, when she doesn't like a word, I can tell! She'll walk away, or look away or shake her head. When she does that I put the word away or rip it up.<br />
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Tidbit #6: If you are going to start a neurological program, begin with nutrition! Good nutrition is the foundation of the neurological program.<br />
Dairy and gluten were two of the major food sources that we were encouraged to eliminate. Dairy lowers the functions of the immune system. Gluten is highly GMO'd, plus kids with T21 have a higher sensitivity to gluten also. We had already started eliminating both of these before the course, but now Stella is 100% (food wise) dairy and gluten free. I have found that she is way less "snotty" when she gets a cold and I attribute that to her being diary free.<br />
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Those are some of the main things that stick out for me, but trust me, there was a whole lot more!!<br />
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We learnt the importance of a physical program. <br />
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Crawling and creeping are important components of the physical program.<br />
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Crawling is better known as a "belly crawl" or as I used to call it "the wounded soldier crawl". Creeping is when you move on your hands and knees. A proper crawl and creep is essential for growing the sensory pathways and visual pathways. Stella did not crawl nor creep in the proper cross pattern way. Therefore crawling and creeping will be apart of her physical program. I say that it "will" be apart of her program as she currently isn't "sold" on going back to creeping. So right now we are focusing on walking.<br />
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Yes, Stella knows how to walk, but the goal of a walking program is to build endurance, and bring more oxygen in to the brain. <br />
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We go to the mall daily and walk.<br />
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She has become quite well known there. The people that work there will say good morning to us and Stella will wave and say hi. It's very cute.<br />
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Stella's stamina is increasing and her energy has increased! This girl is on the go now…all…the….time!! I look forward to when we move into a running program! What a great incentive for us all as a family to take on a family 5k run….or a marathon perhaps is in our future!!<br />
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Hanging is also a part of Stella's physical program. Hanging as in hanging from a dowel with feet off the ground. Why? Well this is a precursor. Once Stella can hang for 20 seconds we can then move into brachiating…..as in swinging across on an overhead ladder (aka Monkey bars).<br />
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Why? Hanging and brachiating create hand and upper body strength. Hand strength helps with fine motor skills like pincher grasp, opening and closing lids, holding a pencil properly and learning to write. <br />
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Since Stella has begun her hanging program her pincher grasp has improved immensely. She has gone from using her pincher grasp occasionally to using it all the time. The other day she picked up the teeny tiniest crumb up off the floor and gave it to me. Upper body strength from brachaiting opens up the chest. A stronger more open chest means deeper stronger breaths, which means more oxygen to the brain.<br />
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Aside from a physical program and teaching Stella to read, we have been doing "Bits of Intelligence" cards with her. <br />
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<strong>What is a “Bit of Intelligence<sup><font-size:4pt>®</font-size:4pt></sup>” Card?</strong><br />A Bit of Intelligence card represents one bit of information. It is made using an accurate drawing or a high-quality photograph that is large and clear. Bit of Intelligence cards are organized into categories, which allows a child to generalize about each category and relate one category to another.</div>
<a href="http://www.gentlerevolution.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=G&Category_Code=BOT">http://www.gentlerevolution.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=G&Category_Code=BOT</a><br />
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She LOVES them! All my girls love them. Stella learns them fast!!!!<br />
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That pretty much sums up what we are doing with Stella currently. We do this program every day. Stella enjoys her program. There are days when she just isn't "up to it". Days like that we take a break. The whole goal of the program is for it to be enjoyable. Days where it seems like it's not..we take a break.<br />
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It's working.<br />
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We have been doing this program for 3 months.<br />
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We are seeing changes in Stella.<br />
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Her words spoken have gone from about 8 to over 20. She also says couplets (as in two words together), not just single words.<br />
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This….is… HUGE!!!<br />
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All of this has happened since starting the program.<br />
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Seeing these improvements proves to me that we are on the right track.<br />
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I am eternally grateful to The Institutes. <a href="https://iahp.org/">https://iahp.org</a>. <br />
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I can't wait to learn more and to see Stella grow and thrive and and jump over every obstacle that has been put in front of her.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stella, you are my sunshine.</td></tr>
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<br />Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14012733380565584975noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-595603114993969276.post-84393955730514225022013-11-30T06:18:00.001-08:002013-11-30T07:14:39.840-08:00IAHP Here We Come!!Here, I sit, at the Calgary International Airport. Our 7am flight has been delayed by two hours. Whilst going through security, the metal detector went off, then, when I was being frisked by the "wand" that too beeped...lots. So then I got to be searched by that big huge xray machine thing....I did not pass that either. I was then taken to a "personal examination area" where a woman officer then felt me up a little more...thankfully fully clothed. Now I know I wasn't guilty of anything and all would be good, but yet still I felt worried. Apparently that machine doesn't like layers, v-cut sweaters and hair pins. So all you ladies out there, mental note: If you are gonna wear a sweater, make sure it's not a V cut where you need to put another shirt under it. Oh and make sure your hair is clean so you don't have to put it up. <div><br></div><div>Our flight has been delayed due to them getting in a new airplane. I guess the first one was not working correctly and so they are flying in another one. Well I don't know about you but I am all for waiting 2 hours for that reason!!</div><div><br></div><div>We have left our three McG girls in good hands with my in-laws and our new respite worker.</div><div><br></div><div>Did I mention that we struck gold with our private hire??</div><div><br></div><div>Soooo worth it!! She is amazing!! She loves our girls, she is amazing with them and they all love her!</div><div><br></div><div>Yet as I sit here waiting, I feel anxious for my girls. Will they be ok? I told Stella that we are going away for a few days and that Aunty and Uncle and Grandma and Teri will be taking care of her. She seemed to understand and got very excited when I mentioned her Aunty and Uncle. But I know she will be asking for me on and off all day. Will she be ok? Will she do her sad, silent cry at bedtime when I am not there to give her a cuddle before putting her to bed? Sigh. I know she will be ok, but 9 days is an eternity for a little kid.</div><div><br></div><div>I just keep reminding myself that we are doing this for her...for all of our girls. This is for their future. </div><div><br></div><div>I have had such support from not only my family and friends but from women who I haven't even met face to face. Those amazing women who have chosen this same path. Those who have taken the course that Mickey and I are going to take. </div><div><br></div><div>"You will come back a changed person"</div><div><br></div><div>I have been told this more them once.</div><div><br></div><div>I am feeling empowered as a person and mom.</div><div><br></div><div>I am filled with hope and excitement.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmWaO-D8CkQxxnSI3Dfg8UrBNV_mkWi1qoxIf1undkUu4gCYdpIY6BseIwM2uOfbGdBmIkto0atD4fr8owHxRF4Nhf9_55d-yIfmivWbVjSxTxegHvZcGLOiYuz7d0qiJ7S6APd6RGkvs/s640/blogger-image--990821502.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmWaO-D8CkQxxnSI3Dfg8UrBNV_mkWi1qoxIf1undkUu4gCYdpIY6BseIwM2uOfbGdBmIkto0atD4fr8owHxRF4Nhf9_55d-yIfmivWbVjSxTxegHvZcGLOiYuz7d0qiJ7S6APd6RGkvs/s640/blogger-image--990821502.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div>Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14012733380565584975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-595603114993969276.post-40962138528314597812013-10-21T20:49:00.001-07:002013-10-21T20:49:17.575-07:00Good Friends Are Hard To FindThe older I get, the more this phrase rings true for me.<br />
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When I was a teenager, living in the tropical island of Bermuda, I had my group of girlfriends. For the most part it was two or three of us who always hung out. It was a fun time in my life and I was very sad when I had to leave my friends and start all over in Canada.<br />
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When I moved to Canada it took me at least 2 years to feel like Victoria was "home". At that point I had my sister. She was (and is still), not only my sister, but my friend. We did everything together! We went to college together, we partied together, we made friends together. But if a friendship ever fizzled out or just didn't work out I always had my sissy sis, and she always had me.<br />
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As time progressed I got married, had a baby. Through a weekly post natal get-together I made some amazing friends. That is when I really understood what it meant to have girlfriends. To have women who love me for who I am, flaws and all. Women who hugged me when I cried and rejoiced with me when something wonderful happened in my life.<br />
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Then once again I moved and I had to start over. Even though my friends in Victoria are still my friends, I am unable to hang out with them almost every weekend like I used to. I have had to put myself out there again.<br />
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It's been a tough ride. I ain't gonna lie, some days it down right sucks!<br />
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When I first moved here I felt like I was looking for a boyfriend.<br />
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It's true.<br />
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I'd go to the mall with Livi and Sophie (Stella wasn't around yet), and if the girls seemed to be getting along and playing with some kids, I'd strike up a conversation with the mom. A few times I even got up the nerve to ask the mom for her number. We'd exchange numbers and I'd leave feeling hopeful.<br />
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These friendships were short lived. Mostly one sided, as in the only time we would get together was when I called up the mom to organise something. The playdates were never reciprocated so the relationship went nowhere.<br />
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Then there have been those friendships that start out great! We hang out, our kids get along and even the husbands!! Perfect!!!<br />
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Then time goes on and I realise that the relationship has changed and I am once again doing the inviting, yet not getting invited and my kids are being left out when we do get together....sigh. I am left once again feeling so very disappointed and asking myself.."Am I missing something? Is it me? Am I not doing something right? Or maybe it's just them."<br />
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And there are those friendships that due to life, work and kids, have just not really had a chance to develop.<br />
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Good friends are hard to find.<br />
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But I have been blessed. I have found a true blue friend here. We hit it off from the moment we met, yet our relationship became stronger through loss. She has been there for me, for my kids and she loves them like they were her own.<br />
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She is gold.<br />
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Sadly, I cannot take her everywhere with me. (She has a life outside of me, you know)<br />
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I have also joined a book club which has been so fun! The food is yummy, the drinks are delicious and the conversation is enjoyable. All the ladies there seem really nice and the friend who invited me, I hope to get to know better.<br />
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Really, I have a lot to be thankful for. Finding friends has been a slow process but the friends that I have found are real, amazing and truly care about me and my family.<br />
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But sometimes I have bad days, sad days (before "Aunt Flo" days, if you get what I'm saying. Too much info? Sorry).<br />
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On "those days", I feel that I am surrounded by women who are nice to me, yet don't want to include me. Who I have tried to befriend but who just don't seem to be interested. Those days I loose sight and I have a pity party.<br />
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Those days I can't help but think of Stella. <br />
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I don't have a label of disability put on me. I don't have stereotypes to fight against. I don't have preconceived notions to overcome. Yet I struggle to find real friends.<br />
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Stella was born with a label. The label of Down Syndrome. A label placed upon her by society. People will automatically make untrue assumptions of her based on that label. They will judge her based on old outdated information, incorrect stereotypes and lowered standards. She will be seen as less by some and looked over because of it. She will be seen as different (which to a lot of people equals "less") and not given the chance to show those people just how smart, eloquent and capable she is.<br />
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It's unfair.<br />
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I don't want her to feel alone, like I have felt.<br />
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I don't want her to feel like no one wants to be her friend, like I sometimes have felt.<br />
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But, she will because we all have at some point in our lives.<br />
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It's a part of life.<br />
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Those that see past the label, the stereotypes; those that choose to be Stella's friend because she is funny, kind, smart and fun to be around; I hope that Stella finds a handful of those people. So that when she has bad days were it seems like the world is against her, her friends will be there to help make her feel better, to give her a hug or a kind and supportive word.<br />
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I'm sure that's every parents' hope. Every mother's silent prayer. <br />
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Yes, good friends are hard to find.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Such a beautiful little girl. Her potential? Limitless!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Of course, like me, Stella will always have a forever friend in her big sister's.</td></tr>
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<br />Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14012733380565584975noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-595603114993969276.post-63886505780069907032013-10-05T21:29:00.001-07:002013-10-05T21:29:47.990-07:00Ear TubesStella will need ear tubes.<br />
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I knew this was a possibility.<br />
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I was hoping she wouldn't need them, but she does.<br />
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This will probably happen in November. That, plus a second sleep study. I am hoping that her apnea has improved. She seems to sleep better at night so perhaps this means her apnea has improved. I guess we will find out soon.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJRuMMxalxSgxJi1gHPaHsCGzVqCjgDTO4hA49H6A3SMgcOio8PCS4Z06ITH6vsiI_UTkDqN43F78IsbpBxJEll9uSflDj6L0rwoDh7dUII-YoaW0x4v_7MwlFXb7hjOvoUVMAJgSLO-g/s1600/IMG_5566.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJRuMMxalxSgxJi1gHPaHsCGzVqCjgDTO4hA49H6A3SMgcOio8PCS4Z06ITH6vsiI_UTkDqN43F78IsbpBxJEll9uSflDj6L0rwoDh7dUII-YoaW0x4v_7MwlFXb7hjOvoUVMAJgSLO-g/s320/IMG_5566.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waiting to see the ENT Dr. The actual appointment took 10 minutes. The drive? 3 Hours. Sigh.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisjIYYB0yX16O9VPwrVshNmezgO0prkv49Fg12ScKEt_M1-ZXlEyCIrXxUWC1sidR0W4OQpMmVPTNGaOlyEPqaj4D0m-3_sA42VCwtDu-aUTNVtZy5JODXxyw2HGkvOWOZJ705nnQ3HdM/s1600/IMG_5571.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisjIYYB0yX16O9VPwrVshNmezgO0prkv49Fg12ScKEt_M1-ZXlEyCIrXxUWC1sidR0W4OQpMmVPTNGaOlyEPqaj4D0m-3_sA42VCwtDu-aUTNVtZy5JODXxyw2HGkvOWOZJ705nnQ3HdM/s320/IMG_5571.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Burning some energy before the long car ride back.</td></tr>
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<br />
<br />
Here's the kicker. The "thing" I didn't really see coming.<br />
<br />
Olivia will probably need ear tubes also.<br />
<br />
I noticed a few months ago that Olivia seemed to not hear me when I talked to her. I wasn't in another room yelling, or far away from her. She was usually just sitting at the table eating. I'd usually be behind her cooking or cleaning or something and I'd ask her a question like "Livi, are you ready to go over your spelling words?"<br />
<br />
She'd keep eating and not say a thing. At first I thought that she was just busy deep in her own thoughts. But it kept happening more and she'd also keep saying a lot of "huh?" and "what?" and "pardon?".<br />
<br />
Then just this past week she came home from school crying that her ear hurt. Now this particular day that she came home was a VERY, VERY blustery day to say the least and so I though that perhaps her ears just hurt from being outside in the wind. <br />
<br />
Sadly this was not the case.<br />
<br />
I was hoping I could help her ear without having to resort to antibiotics. But as Tuesday passed and Wednesday began, she seemed to not be improving. So I took her to the doctor. Well, true to form, Olivia not only had two really red ears, but Strep Throat also. <br />
<br />
Sigh, and the vicious cycle continues. <br />
<br />
Antibiotics.<br />
<br />
Over the past year and especially the past few months, we have been trying to help boost all of our girls' immune systems. Multivitamins, fish oil, probiotics, Vitamin C, Vitamin D, echinacea, you name it, they are taking it.<br />
<br />
But this battle is an uphill one and now that Olivia has to be back on antibiotics for Strep throat, I feel like we have now taken 3 steps back.<br />
<br />
As for Olivia's hearing, ever since Monday, her hearing seems to be suffering even more. <br />
<br />
Thankfully we have been referred to see the ENT here in Medicine Hat. I am fairly sure that they will put ear tubes in.<br />
<br />
In the meantime I am researching natural ways to help relieve some of the fluid. But am I too late? Can I even help?<br />
<br />
I just hope she doesn't struggle in school.<br />
<br />
Come Monday, I will call her teacher and explain the situation.<br />
<br />
But as always, a mother worries.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtCeutV0Mr4UbTCiJQQ3KsGfiza1N8RhxDQKcSMhj30I1DJW5Q1QxF7t4tS-G3jrrWWTtsHpFcbOGmgR3GZJLL6WxHEW4rZQNtduL8nZSl_5Ix2r7Yh0sDVEO-qR_3_OvcoYqhWsL08O8/s1600/IMG_5514.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtCeutV0Mr4UbTCiJQQ3KsGfiza1N8RhxDQKcSMhj30I1DJW5Q1QxF7t4tS-G3jrrWWTtsHpFcbOGmgR3GZJLL6WxHEW4rZQNtduL8nZSl_5Ix2r7Yh0sDVEO-qR_3_OvcoYqhWsL08O8/s320/IMG_5514.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My big girl. </td></tr>
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<br />Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14012733380565584975noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-595603114993969276.post-70649575231983318692013-09-15T06:45:00.000-07:002013-09-15T06:56:55.211-07:00Poor HerOn Wednesday we went to Olivia's "Welcome Back BBQ" at her school.<br />
<br />
There was lots of people, lots confusion and just general sensory overload. Screaming kids, loud music, laughter. All of it good, yet not. Make sense? Good.<br />
<br />
Stella loves playgrounds. We live directly across the street from a playground and we are there almost every day. As soon as she saw the playground at Livi's school she started vibrating! Mickey went and got the girls their hot dogs while I took Stella over to play on the equipment. The playground was busy, very busy. Stella would climb up a ladder and then just walk around watching all the kids. She attempted to go up the stairs to the slide, but kids would rush past her and she'd just stand at the base of the stairs....watching....vibrating. She looked totally enthralled, yet seemed very unsure as she would not go up the stairs and go down the slide.<br />
<br />
As Stella walked back and forth, climbed and observed the craziness, kids would look at her, say hi, stop and say "awww, she's so cute!", or just plain ol stare with great intrigue. One little boy however made me realise just how far we have to go when it comes to seeing all individuals as equal, unique, smart, capable and perfect as they are.<br />
<br />
This little boy stopped and looked at Stella, smiled, said "Hi" to her. Stella looked at him and waved. I then asked the boy what grade he was in.<br />
<br />
"Grade Two" was his reply. "She's cute." he said while smiling at Stella.<br />
<br />
"She sure is" I said. "So what is your teacher's name?" I was curious to see if I would know the teacher he had.<br />
<br />
But I guess he didn't hear my question or he had other things on his mind as his answer was "Poor her".<br />
<br />
"Poor, who?"<br />
<br />
"Poor her" he said, then pointing to Stella.<br />
<br />
"Poor her? Why?" my heart sunk to my shoes. I know he's just a kid, but I really didn't want to hear what he was going to say because I already knew what he was going to say. I wanted to run.<br />
<br />
As expected he answers my question with, "Because she has Down Syndrome."<br />
<br />
My reply "Not poor her because she has Down Syndrome. She's awesome and there's nothing wrong with having Down Syndrome." My heart was breaking. I wanted to go and slap whatever adult had misled him to believe such mistruths.<br />
<br />
This kid was cute, he was still smiling happily away at Stella, still engaging in conversation. So I asked him "Do you know what Down Syndrome is?" <br />
<br />
"It's when you can't do things like talk."<br />
<br />
"Actually Down Syndrome is when you have extra chromosomes in your body. Stella can talk, it is just taking her a little longer."<br />
<br />
And then this kid says "I have a friend who has Down Syndrome and he talks pretty good. His name is Luke."<br />
<br />
"Well then you know first hand that Down Syndrome is nothing to feel bad about. Your friend has it and you seem to think he's great!"<br />
<br />
And with that he nodded and wandered off.<br />
<br />
Standing up on the playground equipment, watching Stella watch all the other kids, I felt sad, but mostly annoyed and slightly pissed off.<br />
<br />
What adult/parent has passed on this message to an innocent 7 year old kid? Someone in his life has at some point equated "Down Syndrome = Poor, poor kid."<br />
<br />
This is why I am blogging.<br />
<br />
This is why I am telling this story today.<br />
<br />
This viewpoint of Down Syndrome needs to change.<br />
<br />
But we as adults, as parents, need to be the example. We need to let go of stereotypes and labels that society has placed on those with disabilities. The automatic assumption, the "tsk, tsk, cute poor little kid with Down Syndrome."<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Children are very perceptive. This little boy was friends with a kid with Down Syndrome yet somehow he still "felt sorry" for Stella. What is he hearing and seeing to make him still have a negative perception of Down Syndrome? </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Stella needs no pity. Her extra chromosome has presented her with some extra challenges. But these challenges are obstacles that she can and will overcome.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Sophie sucks her thumb....still. She has tried a few times to stop sucking her thumb. This is her challenge, her obstacle to overcome. Yet she is not pitied when she is walking around sucking on her thumb. No one says "awww poor cute girl who sucks her thumb." No one looks at her and assumes that she's just always going to suck her thumb. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Why? Because we know that eventually she will overcome that obstacle, that challenge.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Same goes for Stella. Her current obstacle is speech. But just because right now she's not running around having long conversations with people doesn't mean that she won't. Having DS also doesn't automatically mean that she'll speak poorly when she does become more verbal. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I guess the long winded point that I am trying to make is that when we pity someone with a disability, when we make assumptions based on a label given to someone, we lower our expectations of that person. We see them as "less".</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
That is a big mistake that we as society are making. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Having Down Syndrome does not make Stella "less then".<br />
<br />
Having Down Syndrome does not make Stella sad.<br />
<br />
Having Down Syndrome does not make Stella less human.<br />
<br />
Wake up society.<br />
<br />
Take a look at these two videos and tell me if you pity these two kids.<br />
<br />
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<br />
Never underestimate.<br />
<br /></div>
Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14012733380565584975noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-595603114993969276.post-61894905648297695882013-08-25T13:04:00.000-07:002013-08-25T13:04:06.164-07:00It's The Most Wonderful Time of The Year... Oh Yes.Remember this commercial??<br />
<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/4DComGO8JYo?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
<br />
Of course, way back in 1996 I didn't "get" this commercial. I thought it was funny, but I didn't "get it".<br />
<br />
After this summer.....oh boy do I ever!! <br />
<br />
Olivia and Sophie can be so good together. They will play and laugh and giggle and have just a grand ol' time.<br />
<br />
But when they fight, boy do they fight. <br />
<br />
Olivia is feisty. Sophie is feisty. Not the best mix when arguing begins. Things seem to get out of control fast. <br />
<br />
I won't go into too much detail, but all I will say is that blood has been drawn and tears have been shed.<br />
<br />
I am ready for school to start.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14012733380565584975noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-595603114993969276.post-60682824621452815172013-08-04T19:38:00.000-07:002013-08-04T19:38:13.217-07:00Game ChangerWhat would you do for your child? What lengths would you go to to help your child achieve their fullest potential? What sacrifices would you make to get them to where you KNOW they can be?<br />
<br />
<br />
For me the answer is simple. <u><b>I will do whatever it takes!!</b></u><br />
<br />
For a while now I have been feeling unsatisfied with the progress Stella has been making. Don't get me wrong, I have been loving and appreciating every milestone Stella has been working so hard to achieve. <br />
<br />
But I have been feeling like we are missing something. <br />
<br />
Since Stella turned two years old, I saw very little progression with speech. I kept thinking "there must be something more we can do to help her to talk". <br />
<br />
Speech is huge in life.<br />
<br />
Stella knows how to sign, she is able to be heard by using her voice (as in yelling or grunting when she wants something or is in need of help). <br />
<br />
But that will only get her so far. She is going to be starting preschool, she is going to be around typical kids more and more and knowing that she would not be able to communicate with them at their level was just causing me such sadness.<br />
<br />
"She'll talk when she is ready" I kept being told<br />
<br />
I wasn't convinced.<br />
<br />
"There HAS to be MORE we can do for her!!!" I kept thinking.<br />
<br />
Then one day I was checking out my Facebook news feed and came across this article that a friend of mine posted.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://iahp.org/Down-Syndrome-Veras-Kids">Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness for Kids with Down Syndrome</a><br />
<br />
This article, made me stop.......<br />
<br />
This article make me think.....<br />
<br />
This article blew my mind......<br />
<br />
This article was a GAME CHANGER!!<br />
<br />
I always knew that Stella's brain function was different, but it never occurred to me that her brain was disorganised, that her brain was injured.<br />
<br />
So, if Stella's brain is injured, does this mean it can be fixed?<br />
<br />
Based on the beliefs of the Institutes for the Achievement of Human Potential (IAHP), the answer is YES!<br />
<br />
Now this may seem "out there" and extremely "unconventional", but after reading the IAHP's website <a href="https://iahp.org/about">iahp.org</a>, after reading their ideas and beliefs on children who have <a href="https://iahp.org/downsyndrome/">Down Syndrome</a>, it just all made so much sense to me.<br />
<br />
"<span style="background-color: #f3fafe; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 18px; text-align: justify;">Children with Trisomy 21, labeled as having Down syndrome, have a pattern of malformations that are pathogenetically related. It was believed that these genetic problems were the complete explanation as to why these children could not function as well as other children. As a result, it has been assumed that they could not be treated or helped.</span><br />
<br style="background-color: #f3fafe; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 18px; text-align: justify;" />
<span style="background-color: #f3fafe; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 18px; text-align: justify;">This is not the case.</span><br />
<br style="background-color: #f3fafe; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 18px; text-align: justify;" />
<span style="background-color: #f3fafe; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 18px; text-align: justify;">The Institutes does not treat the genetic disorder. However, these children are brain-injured as a result of their genetic problems. Those injuries may be mild, moderate, severe, or profound, just as they are in other brain-injured children.</span><br />
<br style="background-color: #f3fafe; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 18px; text-align: justify;" />
<span style="background-color: #f3fafe; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 18px; text-align: justify;">Down syndrome is a label rather than a diagnosis. A proper diagnosis describes where the problem exists, the degree of the problem, and the extent of the problem. It is necessary to treat the brain, where the problem actually exists to be successful.</span><br />
<br style="background-color: #f3fafe; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 18px; text-align: justify;" />
<span style="background-color: #f3fafe; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 18px; text-align: justify;">The Institutes teaches parents how they can help their child by focusing on the normal development of the brain, rather than on therapies that may be directed only at the symptoms." (an excerpt from iahp.org/downsyndrome)</span><br />
<br />
I read this and re-read this, and every time, it made sense! <br />
<br />
"<span style="background-color: #f3fafe; color: #4f4d4d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 20px; text-align: justify;">For too long brain growth was thought to be a static and irrevocable fact. Instead brain growth and development are a dynamic and ever-changing process.</span><br />
<br style="background-color: #f3fafe; color: #4f4d4d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 20px; text-align: justify;" />
<span style="background-color: #f3fafe; color: #4f4d4d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 20px; text-align: justify;">This is a process that can be </span><em style="background-color: #f3fafe; color: #4f4d4d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 20px; text-align: justify;">stopped, </em><span style="background-color: #f3fafe; color: #4f4d4d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 20px; text-align: justify;">as it is in profound brain injury. This is a process that can be </span><em style="background-color: #f3fafe; color: #4f4d4d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 20px; text-align: justify;">slowed, </em><span style="background-color: #f3fafe; color: #4f4d4d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 20px; text-align: justify;">as it is in moderate brain injury but most significantly this is a process that can be </span><em style="background-color: #f3fafe; color: #4f4d4d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 20px; text-align: justify;">speeded</em><span style="background-color: #f3fafe; color: #4f4d4d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 20px; text-align: justify;">.</span><br />
<br style="background-color: #f3fafe; color: #4f4d4d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 20px; text-align: justify;" />
<span style="background-color: #f3fafe; color: #4f4d4d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 20px; text-align: justify;">All that we do to speed the process is to provide </span><em style="background-color: #f3fafe; color: #4f4d4d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 20px; text-align: justify;">visual, auditory and tactile stimulation with increased frequency, intensity and duration</em><span style="background-color: #f3fafe; color: #4f4d4d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 20px; text-align: justify;"> in recognition of the orderly way in which the human brain grows. We then arrange for the child to have the maximum opportunity in an ideal environment to use and develop the motor pathways.</span><br />
<br style="background-color: #f3fafe; color: #4f4d4d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 20px; text-align: justify;" />
<span style="background-color: #f3fafe; color: #4f4d4d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 20px; text-align: justify;">For more than a half a century, the heart of The Institutes program has been based upon the fact that </span><em style="background-color: #f3fafe; color: #4f4d4d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 20px; text-align: justify;">the brain grows by use.</em><span style="background-color: #f3fafe; color: #4f4d4d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 20px; text-align: justify;">Scientists now recognize the plasticity of the human brain and new research in neuroplasticity confirms that the brain is incredibly capable of recovery and rehabilitation. The old notion that once the brain is injured there is no means of recovery has been discarded."<a href="https://iahp.org/about">https://iahp.org/about</a></span><br />
<br />
I showed Mickey the IAHP's website, I had him read the articles and to him it all made sense as well.<br />
<br />
I called my friend who posted the article on her Facebook profile. Her daughter has Down Syndrome and she has been on a ND (neurodevelopment) program with her since she was 8 months old. I watched a few videos of their daughter and was amazed with what I saw. It was obvious that they were doing something more then the conventional methods to help their daughter.<br />
<br />
I emailed another facebook friend who did the IAHP program with her son from birth to 6 years. She had nothing but positive things to say about her experience. The program she had him on was intense, but worth it in the end.<br />
<br />
I found two blogs from mother's whos children have Down Syndrome and who are using a neurodevelopment program. <a href="http://thedownsyndromeactionplan.blogspot.ca/">The Down Syndrome Action Plan</a>, and <a href="http://dsdaytoday.blogspot.ca/">Down Syndrome Day to Day</a><br />
<br />
These blogs are amazing sources of information and inspiration. Both boys are changing what it means to have Down Syndrome! What they are achieving and what they are able to do fantastic to see.<br />
<br />
I then ordered and read this book<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLqcyOOO5iGNP3yPncEguJSyVkbbvI5d5kxM_AYDczgUSBmK4uBhxUN86vNfsdo8tp5vDv1JK-NH5ynVKLqn-r43optjpY17uv6p9AqSI8PaUsnPO4OZhsqgUaYC6wmBZqU6Oi7aOy5W8/s1600/Styling-Pic-1_lowres-197x300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLqcyOOO5iGNP3yPncEguJSyVkbbvI5d5kxM_AYDczgUSBmK4uBhxUN86vNfsdo8tp5vDv1JK-NH5ynVKLqn-r43optjpY17uv6p9AqSI8PaUsnPO4OZhsqgUaYC6wmBZqU6Oi7aOy5W8/s1600/Styling-Pic-1_lowres-197x300.jpg" /></a></div>
This book is about Kristen's Morrison's son (who has Down Syndrome) and her journey into discovering how natural medicine (vitamins and mineral supplements), plus the IAHP program helped her son to achieve HIS fullest potential. <a href="http://naturallybetterkids.com/natural/down-syndrome-doesnt-have-to-be-that-way">Naturally Better Kids - Down Syndrome, It Doesn't Have to Be That Way</a><br />
<br />
Mickey and I want Stella to reach her fullest potential. I 100% believe.....WE 100% believe that with this new information, with this new knowledge that we have just learnt, that we will be able to help Stella.<br />
<br />
We will be able to help her more then we ever have before.<br />
<br />
In December Mickey and I will be travelling to Philadelphia to take a course at The IAHP. <br />
<br />
From this course we will learn all about the brain, brain injury, how function determines structure, the importance of physical activity, the importance of teaching children to read, how to create a nutrition program, and how to evaluate OUR child and develop a program for her.<br />
<br />
From this information, Mickey and I will develop a program specifically and only for Stella. You see The IAHP believes that the parents are the key, and that we know our child better then anyone else. Therefore, who better to put together a program and do the program daily, then the parents??<br />
<br />
This road we are about to embark on is not for the faint of heart. The program will be intense.<br />
<br />
But Stella is worth it.<br />
<br />
This is for her, for her future, for the whole family's future.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7BSe4uHq5zOIZgPYkTJZnvOlOU8pTm7bmHkoIqzs7InoqTu-KUTfJUbmolhabyzgDBDOhxIcDR0qsL8FO9H5kfkYqRIoc56g-eGXMwJodnhEU8fDcjyUbWt2BwA6-2Pl2kpEtRBGBfmA/s1600/stellagamechanger.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7BSe4uHq5zOIZgPYkTJZnvOlOU8pTm7bmHkoIqzs7InoqTu-KUTfJUbmolhabyzgDBDOhxIcDR0qsL8FO9H5kfkYqRIoc56g-eGXMwJodnhEU8fDcjyUbWt2BwA6-2Pl2kpEtRBGBfmA/s320/stellagamechanger.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I will not underestimate you anymore my sweet Stella.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14012733380565584975noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-595603114993969276.post-18759314893971558802013-07-26T21:29:00.000-07:002013-07-26T21:29:01.866-07:00Vegas, Urologists and ANOTHER Round of IllnessIt's been awhile.....<br />
<br />
I'm becoming one of THOSE bloggers.<br />
<br />
The one who always has some reason for not blogging.<br />
<br />
Honestly, I don't know how you all do it!<br />
<br />
How in the hell do you manage a post a day! Or even a post every other day, or a post a week??<br />
<br />
I was doing good there for awhile, but then life just gets busy and I take FOREVER to even write a post. Well, posts like this one are easy, but the post with a little more depth, those for me take a long time to write. I feel like I gotta get the words just right and sometimes what I'm thinking just doesn't seem to come out on paper quite right.<br />
<br />
But I digress......<br />
<br />
This is an update post, an easy post.<br />
<br />
Let's start with VEGAS BABY!!<br />
<br />
Woooo hoooo!<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhVCPjNVGM2UGlNmHg_Cmg8By1T0PbbKAtQOL-JjDnCqXq5W0A7nunV0Kws9S5UMJou2par0n1QJbwnzW8VXvrVTWesq9yXZ8iwAwbtQAmnLKm45l-4MEZJ5gGqSKEd3YpKL0O1K9Mi7o/s1600/DSC02420.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhVCPjNVGM2UGlNmHg_Cmg8By1T0PbbKAtQOL-JjDnCqXq5W0A7nunV0Kws9S5UMJou2par0n1QJbwnzW8VXvrVTWesq9yXZ8iwAwbtQAmnLKm45l-4MEZJ5gGqSKEd3YpKL0O1K9Mi7o/s320/DSC02420.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our first night in Vegas!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Oh, how some days I wish I was still there.<br />
<br />
Two week ago tomorrow (already), I met 3 of my closest girlfriends (and 2 ladies whom I had never met) in Calgary! From there we flew to Vegas and spent 4 fantastic days together! We got a little tipsy one night, we dressed up all sexy and went to a show, we went to a fantastic outlet mall and shopped all day, we rented a cabana and spent all day by the pool....the list goes on and on!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1oChua3Is-JQ_o0TkdnmK73ILK9jRxNYeuhBiCv3vY5s1TcLNZCpaKUUg_ZGxo6OEd_7aTRzP1IUvfvR4hZjXVzasoADmjspvLlW-xDpJzCy3Ej2HjGU9WB3RW7t72OLzVc9QT3_Klj8/s1600/Vegasmeandshannon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1oChua3Is-JQ_o0TkdnmK73ILK9jRxNYeuhBiCv3vY5s1TcLNZCpaKUUg_ZGxo6OEd_7aTRzP1IUvfvR4hZjXVzasoADmjspvLlW-xDpJzCy3Ej2HjGU9WB3RW7t72OLzVc9QT3_Klj8/s320/Vegasmeandshannon.jpg" width="214" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of my BFFs<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />
It was REALLY hard to come back to reality, let me tell you. I shit you not, I got MORE sleep in Vegas then I get here at home. Sure, I went to bed almost every night in Vegas at 2/3am, but then I got to sleep...UNINTERRUPTED for 6-7 hours!! Since I have gotten home, the most sleep I have gotten is....3 hours.<br />
<br />
I blame the youngest McG. Her sleeping can be awesome sometimes, but then she goes through weeks where she sleeps like shit. I believe she is affected by the moon's phases. I have been keeping a sleep journal for her and it's always around a new moon that her sleep starts to go all haywire.<br />
<br />
So, the night I got back from Vegas, Stella slept shitty, so I slept shitty. Then a few days later Sophie decided to get a stuffy nose and guess who then got a stuffy nose? Yup, Stella. Stella is on a crap load of vitamins, mineral, probiotics...you name it, yet she still is managing to get sick. I was hoping that it would just stay a stuffy nose, but nope, it's in her chest, so now she's on a nebulizer again. I am now considering doing a complete overhaul on her diet. So far I have cut dairy out of her diet, but I am going to start looking into removing gluten and sugar. That being said, Stella is not the best eater, so I really don't know what I am going to feed her if I stop giving her bread, crackers, pasta. If she'd only eat a vegetable (that isn't pureed), that would be awesome. I know of a few parents whose children are on a sugar/dairy/gluten free diet. I will have to get some ideas from one of them.<br />
<br />
And poor Livi! She is fighting strep throat. Whenever she gets sick lately, she always seems to get strep throat. I can tell she has it just by how she is swallowing. A few days before I left for Vegas she was complaining of a sore throat, and so I took her to a walk-in clinic (it was the weekend so I had no other choice). The doctor there affirmed my diagnosis and prescribed the usual amoxacillin. The next day Livi felt better and she continued taking the antibiotics as prescribed.<br />
<br />
Well, just yesterday Livi came upstairs in the morning looking like she felt horrible and swallowing "funny".<br />
<br />
"My throat hurts"<br />
<br />
"What?? How is it possible that you could have strep throat again?? You literally just had strep throat!"<br />
<br />
So off we jaunt to the clinic again, as her Ped is on vacation until August 12 (crap!).<br />
<br />
Here is my version of the conversation with the quack.....ahem clinic doctor.<br />
<br />
Dr.: "So what seems to be the problem?"<br />
<br />
Me: "I think she (referring to Livi) has strep throat again. She just finished a round of antibiotics on Saturday"<br />
<br />
Dr.: "Strep throat is going around this year" (he says this right before looking in Livi's mouth)<br />
Dr: (after looking in Livi's mouth) "That's not strep throat. She has thrush."<br />
<br />
Me: "THRUSH?? as in Thrush that babies get?"<br />
<br />
Dr.: "Yes, it can happen after being on antibiotics as antibiotics kill both good and bad germs"<br />
<br />
Me: "It didn't look like thrush to me? Does thrush cause her throat to hurt?"<br />
<br />
Dr: "Yes, it can. It can be very painful"<br />
<br />
Me: "Oh, okay. So, you are sure it's not Strep throat?"<br />
<br />
Dr: "No, it's thrush"<br />
<br />
Quack Doctor!<br />
<br />
It's fricken STREP THROAT!!! That stupid antibiotic mouthwash crap has done diddly squat for my poor child. She won't eat, can hardly talk and is in extreme pain every time she swallows!! Plus I have looked in her mouth practically every hour today and I'm sorry, but those white spots are not thrush! I know what thrush looks like, hell, Olivia, Sophie and Stella all had thrush as newborns!!<br />
<br />
THAT'S NOT THRUSH!!!<br />
<br />
Whew!!<br />
<br />
Sorry, I'm a little pissed off.<br />
<br />
Tomorrow I will be going to a different clinic and nicely requesting more antibiotics for my poor child. And this doctor better not tell me it's thrush or so help me God.....<br />
<br />
Deep breathe.......inhale.............exhale.............ahhhhh all better.<br />
<br />
Sophie's immune system seems to be the strongest. That kid rarely gets sick, and when she does it's never for long. Well, as baby and toddler, she tended to get chest infections but now that she's four, her colds never seem to bother her much.<br />
<br />
No, her issue is her bladder. She likes to hold her pee until she can't hold it anymore. At the beginning of the year she got a bladder infection because of her fierce independence and unwillingness to cooperate when asked to "please for God's sake GO PEE!! I know you have to go!!!!"<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKK5DdUzDI9Edc0tMfggxJMosg8XlFpuNAAM-DziHpOpJbZw7rL3lVehgR9dMp5xmhzEHs8w0RmhrhrIswsAhRbAWda0Zf_e2pc1a67VuGlsE3Uo1t15EkZEaCPszEVkhLGUs0hoWMLLE/s1600/IMG_4691.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKK5DdUzDI9Edc0tMfggxJMosg8XlFpuNAAM-DziHpOpJbZw7rL3lVehgR9dMp5xmhzEHs8w0RmhrhrIswsAhRbAWda0Zf_e2pc1a67VuGlsE3Uo1t15EkZEaCPszEVkhLGUs0hoWMLLE/s320/IMG_4691.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is Sophie back in March. She had to go pee, but nooooo, she refused to go! She insisted that she didn't have to go, and instead of going, she decided to lay down and hold her pee. A few minutes after this picture she finally lamented and went.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
After her antibiotics were done, she had an ultra sound and an x-ray of her bladder. It was discovered that one of the valves in her bladder is not working properly and so when she pees some of the urine goes back up into her kidneys. This is called urinary reflux. So on Tuesday, Sophie and I made the 3 hour jaunt to Calgary to meet with the urologist at the Children's Hospital. Sophie will have day surgery some time in the fall. They will do what's called a "Sting Procedure". The surgeon injects a collagen or Teflon through the tube. It goes into the tissues below the valve. The substance swells the tissues and sometimes tightens the valve and stops the reflux.<br />
<br />
Then her little bladder will be good as new.<br />
<br />
Thankfully she is much better at listening to her body and she does not lay on the floor......as often.<br />
<br />
Update complete!<br />
<br />
Now I must go and calm down Livi as her STREP THROAT is keeping her awake.<br />
<br />
Quack doctor...mumble, mumble...thrush my ass....mumble, mumble....<br />
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<br />Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14012733380565584975noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-595603114993969276.post-89792383638815852082013-07-08T21:20:00.002-07:002013-07-08T21:20:45.693-07:00Back To RealityI'm back!!!!<br />
<br />
My last post was right before the Saskatchewan River was expected to swell and do some major damage on the city of Medicine Hat. We were packing and getting ready to catch a plane to Victoria to see my family.<br />
<br />
Well, the river did swell, there was flooding and there was a fair amount of damage. But the Trans Canada Highway bridge did not close and the river did not get as high as they had originally thought. <br />
<br />
We had no problems driving to Calgary and the flight to Victoria was.....fairly uneventful.<br />
<br />
I say fairly as I was expecting to be flying on a JET aeroplane, but when I looked out the window at the boarding gate I saw a plane with PROPELLERS??? Seems Mickey bought Air Canada Express tickets and Air Canada Express tickets give you a plane that looks like this:<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUFdSptUt_hO_2eUT940C80DpPaQoo2G735qjF0WqcXJiOfODrDZkg_IgdhmP76nR3cUWmesTx3f364GTD6zwCjzBQNOAOdrO8WxPipMXGcLQyAvptzXqeDdcCNkIREW9KbKnDh-qPT_Y/s1600/AirCanadaExpress_banner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="34" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUFdSptUt_hO_2eUT940C80DpPaQoo2G735qjF0WqcXJiOfODrDZkg_IgdhmP76nR3cUWmesTx3f364GTD6zwCjzBQNOAOdrO8WxPipMXGcLQyAvptzXqeDdcCNkIREW9KbKnDh-qPT_Y/s320/AirCanadaExpress_banner.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A PROP PLANE!!</td></tr>
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What's the big deal, right? No big deal really, but for some reason the thought of flying on a plane with propellers was a lot more nerve wracking to me then flying on a jet plane. Oh, and guess where my seat was? Yup, right next to the propeller.<br />
<br />
I am not a big fan of "take off" while on a plane and this time was no different. Mickey always gets a good giggle watching me close my eyes and "breathe" as the plane bounces up and down in the air as it makes it's way up past the clouds.<br />
<br />
Once we levelled off, and the plane stopped bouncing around I was able to relax. Stella on the other hand... she was not impressed at all. She never actually cried, but she did not like the sensation of being on the plane. Poor kid just didn't know where to put herself! She'd sign "mommy" and then once she was in my arms she would fidget, pull away and then sign "daddy". Then Mickey would take her and she would do the same thing with him. Sophie and Livi were awesome travellers! They sat together and giggled and sang and were just really cute.<br />
<br />
Our week in Victoria was awesome! We stayed with my sister, her husband and my two nieces. Sophie and my niece Emily are the same age (6 weeks apart, to be exact). They got along so well! Every year they see each other they get along better and better! There were a few arguments between Sophie and Emily and there were a few arguments between Olivia and Sophie, but on the whole.....they were all just really well behaved little girls. They shared, they laughed, they played, they giggled, it was just so lovely. <br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxc37g8krS-3EdwC5yBQE5g1Ja8Cye-q8ZK90AIqOT0uVi0Dm-ROPYzr-uIeQyiSB4hgk1UNjN8YzhO4TLuJ3XQlE4EAxqFlDkFsgzOXuIiXqzY_VlfHc6iKBMEUYOS-rzMvDw3uhyiEM/s1600/IMG_2945.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxc37g8krS-3EdwC5yBQE5g1Ja8Cye-q8ZK90AIqOT0uVi0Dm-ROPYzr-uIeQyiSB4hgk1UNjN8YzhO4TLuJ3XQlE4EAxqFlDkFsgzOXuIiXqzY_VlfHc6iKBMEUYOS-rzMvDw3uhyiEM/s320/IMG_2945.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Playing "Baby". Emily is the baby, Sophie is the mommy and Livi just decided to jump into the picture....<br /></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1-lbEgEYOtS3RIlIgYZJPJgiszBEg66-bEgD2YwtFLCN8LZjZkx0-uFHya-NhRgM6s6Ey61VTZScsX3Sc_tzHz1ZK_Kp5pij-HnNZfInbzS7mU6Tv3UB_2_LPXnaDF2vTg2Y1y6ZdNKE/s1600/IMG_2952.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1-lbEgEYOtS3RIlIgYZJPJgiszBEg66-bEgD2YwtFLCN8LZjZkx0-uFHya-NhRgM6s6Ey61VTZScsX3Sc_tzHz1ZK_Kp5pij-HnNZfInbzS7mU6Tv3UB_2_LPXnaDF2vTg2Y1y6ZdNKE/s320/IMG_2952.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO5wuGgMoitkIwfLWr3ThWECcuF4hFfQ7_bPXS9lDvNP1QMAA5RxT8sxAm_iZq2ZeCEv6n-uvKiWy1plDSLxvqF_VYVLWkJGGaMrhD8DxKg0rWhu3RihV1-HIT29Vom5ZEqaaqr9Vu9Vw/s1600/IMG_2954.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO5wuGgMoitkIwfLWr3ThWECcuF4hFfQ7_bPXS9lDvNP1QMAA5RxT8sxAm_iZq2ZeCEv6n-uvKiWy1plDSLxvqF_VYVLWkJGGaMrhD8DxKg0rWhu3RihV1-HIT29Vom5ZEqaaqr9Vu9Vw/s320/IMG_2954.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTrbjktO4Xmsony8mhSEwKzCZMZtM78TncK0aFBsD6iWEsEOmT0g7sn-hsMHwrPA5Qv8Zb3eT_SnorAGGQRGawmJEzsj4HNjY06HC6nRaDTJnPNf5McCRwGTsbNuJuVZFs3tbAr6O93rw/s1600/IMG_2970.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTrbjktO4Xmsony8mhSEwKzCZMZtM78TncK0aFBsD6iWEsEOmT0g7sn-hsMHwrPA5Qv8Zb3eT_SnorAGGQRGawmJEzsj4HNjY06HC6nRaDTJnPNf5McCRwGTsbNuJuVZFs3tbAr6O93rw/s320/IMG_2970.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These two were just so cute. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Livi and Abby.</td></tr>
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<br />
Stella and my other niece Abby (she's 15 months old), got along really well too....for toddlers... Abby enjoyed pushing Stella every now and then, and Stella got in a good scratch here and there. But on the whole, they did way more hugging and parallel playing then pushing and scratching.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn0Ix2amXmWOF_0zjJoQblp7jiHCfUOf1j2IiKY6ZYISrinbnOpqwCor2qEtYBiBbFYGCnf-K6TnO7audp7CQyd0ikrkHx1M4teoTezLQuU9GOpmTOr9WTbPArPrlMvWo0JnGcuSW3ZpE/s1600/IMG_2921.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn0Ix2amXmWOF_0zjJoQblp7jiHCfUOf1j2IiKY6ZYISrinbnOpqwCor2qEtYBiBbFYGCnf-K6TnO7audp7CQyd0ikrkHx1M4teoTezLQuU9GOpmTOr9WTbPArPrlMvWo0JnGcuSW3ZpE/s320/IMG_2921.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Toddlers!! They were the "silent communicators". Neither of them said much, yet they seemed to know exactly what the other one was saying.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyngMmw5onyYvzJ0MkHKVFRchOQBPFvO00Xs7U_8cyQ4dk7jg5JIx4D03S1svdXm_R5LC4-yCDZtYfPjL3zDhZYDBdUoTOqiet5wEJ4tm8eSzuj9BXxYxAODMj670keBIF0ufwC7GUu5s/s1600/IMG_3011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyngMmw5onyYvzJ0MkHKVFRchOQBPFvO00Xs7U_8cyQ4dk7jg5JIx4D03S1svdXm_R5LC4-yCDZtYfPjL3zDhZYDBdUoTOqiet5wEJ4tm8eSzuj9BXxYxAODMj670keBIF0ufwC7GUu5s/s320/IMG_3011.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Too adorable!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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It was awesome hanging out with my sissy sis. It was awesome seeing my parents again and having my girls spend time with them. It was awesome seeing a few of my girlfriends and their kids again.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnFpA0Pe1Vzv_MDQKJyTcL8VewSL6mhwuw7eP3eEyK8RReSsoVRkHeh2U3TObF-TCeFdMYIgJor6l7lXTZrxzZl24t6cRuYyh2X0z41Wuw-TzJij18cU_ajZvlU4ruuv36o_D0ZKPoIcE/s1600/IMG_2939.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnFpA0Pe1Vzv_MDQKJyTcL8VewSL6mhwuw7eP3eEyK8RReSsoVRkHeh2U3TObF-TCeFdMYIgJor6l7lXTZrxzZl24t6cRuYyh2X0z41Wuw-TzJij18cU_ajZvlU4ruuv36o_D0ZKPoIcE/s320/IMG_2939.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stella loved listening to gramma sing her songs!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFJ7htSccIhBHIu9zhyphenhyphenNIfIOArdWht0DuJlB_QjKEZwlL7G0sx7wR557FVHb1OHIQgL7JTueToO-MXiJv1LocJB6WKjNRzaOMkxcsCJNRoXLG2zkROaOLG2OeIhZaLXF-RDoG4-xmSwwk/s1600/IMG_2985.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFJ7htSccIhBHIu9zhyphenhyphenNIfIOArdWht0DuJlB_QjKEZwlL7G0sx7wR557FVHb1OHIQgL7JTueToO-MXiJv1LocJB6WKjNRzaOMkxcsCJNRoXLG2zkROaOLG2OeIhZaLXF-RDoG4-xmSwwk/s320/IMG_2985.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the park with Grandpa</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQoGFYv2jPHR_khm7re62Je64ebzdeOQckmJIiYN9eS6ljmKluX8PYzAxBJmj_RgaxXvk_hcXkhdtj2-dfgikbgvXIqQ4SbFa3K3Gpgoo3yocJ5F3rctBLFkcI7DXN-1LrZ8x2Q-smxxU/s1600/IMG_2978.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQoGFYv2jPHR_khm7re62Je64ebzdeOQckmJIiYN9eS6ljmKluX8PYzAxBJmj_RgaxXvk_hcXkhdtj2-dfgikbgvXIqQ4SbFa3K3Gpgoo3yocJ5F3rctBLFkcI7DXN-1LrZ8x2Q-smxxU/s320/IMG_2978.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">LOVE this photo of my dad and Olivia!</td></tr>
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<br />
I miss living there.<br />
<br />
I miss the mass amount of lush, green trees... and bushes!!<br />
<br />
I miss the hills.<br />
<br />
I miss seeing the mountains.<br />
<br />
I miss having my sister nearby.<br />
<br />
I miss having my parents nearby.<br />
<br />
Yet I feel like where Mickey and I are right now (living in Butt Fuck, Alberta), I feel like this is where we are supposed to be. <br />
<br />
The air may not smell as fresh, the trees may be more sparse, but this is our home.<br />
<br />
Life is good here.<br />
<br />
I will see my family again next year.<br />
<br />
And it will be awesome.<br />
<br />
And maybe we'll get a picture with ALL of the grandkids with the grandparents......<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPlNWJO49xVHDjiU5QyUM1SEWZF40lVvnvGqphBpsYTjeO8ixUsZsSCc4SQ3OM2tPyAgyabqd8s2AvjTULwWzFVccl77mwAOzf19g6ujVvSoZHVDYWfx_sFrDD9V2_TMFPJM0DvJD-gPM/s1600/IMG_3018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPlNWJO49xVHDjiU5QyUM1SEWZF40lVvnvGqphBpsYTjeO8ixUsZsSCc4SQ3OM2tPyAgyabqd8s2AvjTULwWzFVccl77mwAOzf19g6ujVvSoZHVDYWfx_sFrDD9V2_TMFPJM0DvJD-gPM/s320/IMG_3018.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So this was the best picture we could get of the grandkids with the grandparents....Sophie, during the whole trip, refused to cooperate and smile for a picture....unless it was just her in the picture. Stella, clearly, was DONE and not the least bit happy. Abby was nowhere to be found, Emily was distracted with Stella crying. The only child cooperating was Livi. But wadaya gonna do?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<i>PS. This post was brought to you by the word "awesome"</i>Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14012733380565584975noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-595603114993969276.post-85077941662591181632013-06-21T21:26:00.003-07:002013-06-21T21:26:52.422-07:00No River Flooding Is Gonna Stop the McG ClanAlberta is facing mass destruction and devestation due to flooding. Mass amounts of rain in Northern Alberta have caused the rivers to swell. High River is covered in water. Here is an article from the <a href="http://blogs.calgaryherald.com/2013/06/21/stranded-at-the-co-op-high-river-flood-photos/">Calgary Herald</a>. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMMK2fx1zFhfUmE2xnj4Knsq-mmyN0htRzcLzWcu0rFGo-71NS6r8zZRPPQLeVZxN73jVEaglU8Sb9eyapJI9Cv90kPbPputobnLhkUiyToPvzuouDhJ0JaKxFPawPyeT268zSP499QUU/s1600/cal0620-sg-c29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMMK2fx1zFhfUmE2xnj4Knsq-mmyN0htRzcLzWcu0rFGo-71NS6r8zZRPPQLeVZxN73jVEaglU8Sb9eyapJI9Cv90kPbPputobnLhkUiyToPvzuouDhJ0JaKxFPawPyeT268zSP499QUU/s320/cal0620-sg-c29.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">High River</td></tr>
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Yesterday residents from downtown Calgary were told to evacuate and this morning, this is what downtown Calgary looked like. Pictures courtesy of <a href="http://www.calgaryherald.com/www.calgaryherald.com/news/calgary/LIVE+Gallery+Latest+pictures+from+flood+ravaged+Alberta/8561283/story.html?tab=PHOT">Calgary Herald</a>.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZwVld73iJoI_7zvCfnvByiI8i_fiUPLCLgD-ztj5OvCqTIiGZLfn8J_FboQf5Bb4VVohWdZvySsoJB5YajRtaRyBBYgRNgpOMBZYEsbaseraT8Qi9PQY6KF0MB4tE8UOolmZ0rNSwqtM/s1600/8561285.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZwVld73iJoI_7zvCfnvByiI8i_fiUPLCLgD-ztj5OvCqTIiGZLfn8J_FboQf5Bb4VVohWdZvySsoJB5YajRtaRyBBYgRNgpOMBZYEsbaseraT8Qi9PQY6KF0MB4tE8UOolmZ0rNSwqtM/s320/8561285.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Down Town Calgary</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdokJPD6iO8qzQEPLJ7dnEpcn7oVqfEozbPW3gKT-tCkVlKW1zuIKnZ1n7WLh_v0PGj91obRAO_k9OXpqisRKnms5r0LwVTIa1JK0wr_sPJzTdca60FSZoPUpDlbKCH4tzfEQ67AUZ33Y/s1600/8561751.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdokJPD6iO8qzQEPLJ7dnEpcn7oVqfEozbPW3gKT-tCkVlKW1zuIKnZ1n7WLh_v0PGj91obRAO_k9OXpqisRKnms5r0LwVTIa1JK0wr_sPJzTdca60FSZoPUpDlbKCH4tzfEQ67AUZ33Y/s320/8561751.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Here in Medicine Hat, those living in the lower lying areas (those close to the South Saskatchewan River) have until 10pm tomorrow night to evacuate from their homes. <br />
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So far, there is no flooding, but the river is predicted to start to swell at an alarming rate tomorrow afternoon.<br />
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We McG's do not live near the river so we are still in our home. We have plans to travel tomorrow...to Calgary...but NOT to downtown. We will be going to the airport and flying to Victoria, BC to visit my family. All roads to the airport are good so off we will go, crossing our finger and just taking it as it comes.<br />
<br />
We have stocked up on as much water as possible. We are unsure as to what we will be coming back to. I am optimistic that all shall be ok, but I am not sure if there will be available running water. I honestly didn't even think to go and buy water to stock up on, but no matter as ALL stores in Medicine Hat are sold out.<br />
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I honestly don't know just how bad this flood will hit Medicine Hat, but I am optimistic that it won't be as bad as everyone is making it out to be.<br />
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My thoughts and prayers are to my "Hat" residents who have been displaced from their home.<br />
<br />
My thoughts and prayers are with all of my fellow Albertan's who have lost loved ones, who have lost their home, who are displaced, or who are just scared shitless.<br />
<br />
I am attempting to Stay Calm and Carry On as the British have once said.<br />
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<br />Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14012733380565584975noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-595603114993969276.post-14255529716854670292013-06-16T13:09:00.001-07:002013-06-16T13:09:03.759-07:00Daddy-O - A Father's Day Tribute To My DadFather's Day is today and what a better way to celebrate then to write about my dad.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQt7sItdSrg6cawn6kBOzBYmPntC8C1nlbLKNNVb6vcG4iozYYTihig4dFbk38-74KZh7xpBwIM0QA_KCY3oN50KF3AcZXpCfacuSbka0DM6jQWwbwJ62BRen28_byQFkD34c0ON-Me48/s1600/136_20290166336_1477_s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQt7sItdSrg6cawn6kBOzBYmPntC8C1nlbLKNNVb6vcG4iozYYTihig4dFbk38-74KZh7xpBwIM0QA_KCY3oN50KF3AcZXpCfacuSbka0DM6jQWwbwJ62BRen28_byQFkD34c0ON-Me48/s200/136_20290166336_1477_s.jpg" width="148" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My dad was in his 30's here.....hard to believe that I am now in my 30's......</td></tr>
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<b><i>What I remember most of my dad:</i></b><br />
<b><i>(these are but a few things that I remember)</i></b><br />
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I remember his calmness and his patience. He had a knack of making me feel better when I was worried about something. If I had a bad dream, I would sit at the top of my stairs and quietly call for my dad.</div>
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"Daddy.........Daddy........Daddy...."</div>
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Eventually my dad would wake up and come upstairs to my bedroom. I'd tell him about my bad dream and he'd hug me and tell me "it's ok". We'd say a little prayer and I would feel calm, secure and so much better.</div>
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My dad worked hard to support us. He had a dental lab attached to our house when we were young. That way he was able to work from home. At that time he worked as a dental technician. He made dentures and other orthodontic devices. We LOVED hanging out in his lab. <br />
I remember always being down there asking him questions or asking him to help me hide when I was playing "hide and seek" with my brother and sister.</div>
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I really don't know how he got any work done. However, he never got angry or impatient with us. </div>
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He would always answer every question.</div>
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He would always stop what he was doing and help me hide when I asked.</div>
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A very patient father, and for that I am grateful. I'd love to say that I am as patient with my own McG girls, but this is still a work in progress for me.</div>
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I remember every Saturday night we would have "Soup over rice" for dinner. You know Campbell's Chunky Soup? Well, we would have that over rice. Then we'd sit down and eat it while watching wrestling on TV.<br />
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And almost every Saturday afternoon after church, my dad, brother and I would drive out to the airport. We LOVED the airport. Perhaps it was because we lived on such a small island and it was a symbol of "escape" for us. Nah....we liked going to the airport because it carried good memories of the travelling we did once a year. Not only that, but there was a really cool dump near the airport where people used to take their old worn out objects like bikes, stoves and tons of other cool stuff. It was fun to climb around and look at all the cool stuff. Then on the way back home we would sometimes stop at the ice cream shop and have a yummy treat.<br />
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My dad is an awesome grandfather. He was always running around playing with Olivia. Sadly we moved to Butt Fu.... I mean Medicine Hat before Sophie was old enough to really appreciate her grandfather. However, my parents send little 5 minute videos of themselves talking to our girls and Sophie gets such a kick out of watching my dad do silly funny things. I can't wait for this summer when she will be able to see him and get to experience his silliness in person.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT5PbPDCGxT866NhVDty5Y3xPOVXRduRdvs-mupCBOM7seuD-L5iB4Z1vpglfMI4MtIPyy5wsTY2ACXRQGHvG5vp5aU1J82o6oAgrBIxXErDY1nq_DHzGXpCbvyiP5b9jb0jTtpH0Kvu4/s1600/IMG_1165.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT5PbPDCGxT866NhVDty5Y3xPOVXRduRdvs-mupCBOM7seuD-L5iB4Z1vpglfMI4MtIPyy5wsTY2ACXRQGHvG5vp5aU1J82o6oAgrBIxXErDY1nq_DHzGXpCbvyiP5b9jb0jTtpH0Kvu4/s320/IMG_1165.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My dad has not seen Stella since she was 8 months old!!!</td></tr>
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Thanks Dad, for being such a great Daddy.<br />
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Thanks for your patience. </div>
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For your calmness.</div>
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For your reassurance.<br />
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I couldn't have asked for a better Dad!!<br />
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Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14012733380565584975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-595603114993969276.post-69341245101535138472013-06-15T19:37:00.001-07:002013-06-15T19:37:37.858-07:00My Baby's DaddyWhen Mickey first moved to Victoria (before we had met), he lived with his aunt and uncle for a few months. During his stay with them he spent a lot of time with his young cousins who were 6 and 3. When I had been dating Mickey for a while, he took me over to his aunt and uncle's house to meet them. He had talked a lot about his little cousins and I was excited to meet them.<br />
<br />
I could tell immediately just how much those two little kids loved him. Their eyes lit up when they saw him and were just so happy to play with him. Yup, Mickey pretty much dissed me to go play with his little cousins. Brownie points, BIG TIME! (Well played Mickey, well played).<br />
<br />
Seeing how he interacted with his young cousins, how he seem to really, honestly enjoy playing with them, I knew that he would be a fabulous father one day.<br />
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I was right.<br />
<br />
From the moment Olivia entered the world he has been an amazing father. I remember feeling so unsure, so awkward with holding Olivia or changing her diaper for the first few weeks. <br />
<br />
Not Mickey.<br />
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He held her, dressed her, changed her diaper like he had been doing it for 10 years! When I was stressing or worried about something to do with Olivia, he was calm, logical and reassuring.<br />
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He was like that with each of our girls.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfKhPn6vYdBSMLiORe1IOO_6O5e5U63J_bxNmAu9ltxhpWW3b7ZESXasZGutHDR1zmfLAq6ssJ4J1zzLou-PAMWOJgJsHFhXemKMgJrzoAJE6gmCyXmMRmEMHhSFh-crWfpdQVGpdhYGU/s1600/Mommy,+daddy+and+me.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfKhPn6vYdBSMLiORe1IOO_6O5e5U63J_bxNmAu9ltxhpWW3b7ZESXasZGutHDR1zmfLAq6ssJ4J1zzLou-PAMWOJgJsHFhXemKMgJrzoAJE6gmCyXmMRmEMHhSFh-crWfpdQVGpdhYGU/s320/Mommy,+daddy+and+me.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghsiUXNe_iF3PlF3ren6x7n937lTQLv7RxNKBOgr02knDUZdY4GoPJU175WlD391QeTq1TMgBATUyERRDVpbZJV0i9a-yioaKGS0MB-Ifsw3JAHo5x0gvIFFlMHf7krL69lPw9DGP-X2I/s1600/IMG_0471.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghsiUXNe_iF3PlF3ren6x7n937lTQLv7RxNKBOgr02knDUZdY4GoPJU175WlD391QeTq1TMgBATUyERRDVpbZJV0i9a-yioaKGS0MB-Ifsw3JAHo5x0gvIFFlMHf7krL69lPw9DGP-X2I/s320/IMG_0471.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So confident, so sure, so loving with each McG girl.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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He still is like that to this very day.<br />
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He's my "go to" guy when I am worried or unsure, or just need to have straight up logic.<br />
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He's an amazing father to our McG girls.<br />
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He never flinched, not once, when we were faced with the possibility of having a child with special needs, and when Stella was born and we saw that she in fact did have Down Syndrome, not once did I see any sadness in his eyes.....just love. I clearly remember him bent over gently touching her face and softly talking to her as tears of pure love filled his eyes.<br />
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He works his lil touche off to provide for us.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6arVoaK7woqGH4o6rma0JD6azgN4mqJIriLdSMV4T0sZSUb2V4J4GZTEGqX-tZgCo0XgyHXw-cRaW3zlABY1rDoYQg4QoiOCvBLNJoAZEoGL0q6RuNKD8byp4Ms56DFeFZS_T_A6pG3k/s1600/IMG_0367.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6arVoaK7woqGH4o6rma0JD6azgN4mqJIriLdSMV4T0sZSUb2V4J4GZTEGqX-tZgCo0XgyHXw-cRaW3zlABY1rDoYQg4QoiOCvBLNJoAZEoGL0q6RuNKD8byp4Ms56DFeFZS_T_A6pG3k/s320/IMG_0367.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I work hard yo! Just look at my bulging biceps...</td></tr>
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When he gets home from work, he is always in a good mood and happy to see his girls (and they are always excited to see him too). No matter how shitty work may have been, no matter how stressed he is, he leaves it all at work.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVKd7NJ5KNBf9ZtAMR3rBDApqbpW45k6_FlnRJQNaN-UrIHIGoUW1CSV2gNjQQLeh2nmO7O7kA9svzRpkv-7NUguVQVYfV5o8V1OJlrGmIyF1nvlbsVmdui0-qrPwMnPcWyiHu743yqHs/s1600/IMG_2894.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVKd7NJ5KNBf9ZtAMR3rBDApqbpW45k6_FlnRJQNaN-UrIHIGoUW1CSV2gNjQQLeh2nmO7O7kA9svzRpkv-7NUguVQVYfV5o8V1OJlrGmIyF1nvlbsVmdui0-qrPwMnPcWyiHu743yqHs/s320/IMG_2894.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our McG girls LOVE to spend time with him.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Every Sunday (his only day off), he spends his day playing with his girls. He'll even sometimes let me sleep in!!<br />
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Thanks to his "need" to have everything in order and organised, I always have someone who will pick up my slack....that's right ladies my man is NEAT and ORGANISED (he makes me look messy in comparison). I shit you not. When we were dating, that was the first thing I noticed when I went to his apartment for the first time....it was IMMACULATE!<br />
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My McG girls have a wonderful example of what a "real man" is.<br />
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Happy Father's Day my darling.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBiK2lOOGaCRiZY3XZLrEH0tAIAI_7ZEjvPhzdcB2WGxKgxvLRWd11cA7gomI8NKbPIB7YaqYHet5CWZ0EBnctwMiYfXNxcQjuRdLD6lkI337EbF3WpauE1SmOvtdTz1l9vfzuiHuHV9c/s1600/IMG_0547.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBiK2lOOGaCRiZY3XZLrEH0tAIAI_7ZEjvPhzdcB2WGxKgxvLRWd11cA7gomI8NKbPIB7YaqYHet5CWZ0EBnctwMiYfXNxcQjuRdLD6lkI337EbF3WpauE1SmOvtdTz1l9vfzuiHuHV9c/s320/IMG_0547.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">such a joker</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0o8kH9B6X5_4QMNLLipTjgteC9sk_h5h6wKyaPxXnA_guoQWzgzMpaXHHO9G78EZNrFloWFf9v8iM23Z_IK2jwgexSg22upnFCtfZiOolqe6To4oQaCRq5Yertw2pVRHxetQHfZPPhho/s1600/IMG_0217.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0o8kH9B6X5_4QMNLLipTjgteC9sk_h5h6wKyaPxXnA_guoQWzgzMpaXHHO9G78EZNrFloWFf9v8iM23Z_IK2jwgexSg22upnFCtfZiOolqe6To4oQaCRq5Yertw2pVRHxetQHfZPPhho/s320/IMG_0217.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">gotta love a man who can act like a kid...occasionally</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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We love you to the moon and back!<br />
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<br />Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14012733380565584975noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-595603114993969276.post-40242260169952521972013-06-08T14:07:00.001-07:002013-06-08T14:07:18.917-07:00Passing On The Torch - My Liebster Award Nominees<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgecKpbAlvvRQD7-MdR3LRKSguiXoFjHIWhNtVxsGIT80xjPmkXaK1Lie2TeCe_oYnuddySRXwHKWRHIZDK10zcDayvrvH1VYoeKr4JCpmkUFizJJC7DiBT-WkULpiMTPFu3YDo6tofFEA/s1600/the-liebster-award.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgecKpbAlvvRQD7-MdR3LRKSguiXoFjHIWhNtVxsGIT80xjPmkXaK1Lie2TeCe_oYnuddySRXwHKWRHIZDK10zcDayvrvH1VYoeKr4JCpmkUFizJJC7DiBT-WkULpiMTPFu3YDo6tofFEA/s1600/the-liebster-award.jpg" /></a></div>
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FINALLY! I have put together my nominations for a Liebster award.<br />
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Just a brief recap as to what a Liebster award is: A Liebster Blog award is a "peer award" given to upcoming bloggers who have less then 200 followers (as best you can tell)<br />
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<b><i>Liebster (German) - beloved, cherished, esteemed.</i></b><br />
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I have found extreme value in these bloggers that I have nominated. Each has a different writing style and each offers GREAT value to my world. So I am sharing these blogs with you:<br />
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<a href="http://thedownsyndromeactionplan.blogspot.ca/">The Down Syndrome Action Plan</a><br />
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<a href="http://dsdaytoday.blogspot.ca/">Down Syndrome: A Day to Day Guide</a><br />
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<a href="http://thechillitribe.blogspot.ca/">Our Little Chilli Tribe</a><br />
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<a href="http://ellietheurer.blogspot.ca/">The Chronicles of Ellie Bellie Bear</a> (this blogger has already been nominated by 2 other bloggers but I have nominated her anyway cause her blog rocks my world.)<br />
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<a href="http://karynslater.wordpress.com/">Our Epic Story</a><br />
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<a href="http://gardenofmyheart.wordpress.com/">Garden Of My Heart</a><br />
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<a href="http://downsyndromeupupupandaway.blogspot.ca/">Down Syndrome Up Up and Away</a><br />
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<a href="http://noraroseyusko.com/">I Will Carry You</a><br />
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<a href="http://stevestongal.wordpress.com/">Let's Do This</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.greenteaginger.com/">Green Tea Ginger</a><br />
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<a href="http://chromosomallyenhanced21.blogspot.ca/">Chromosomally Enhanced</a><br />
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So now what? Well here are the steps to follow when nominated for a Liebster Award.<br />
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<b><u>Step 1</u></b><br />
First, thank the Liebster-winning blogger who nominated you and created a link back to their blog. I was nominated by <a href="http://treytonsposse.com/">Treyton's Posse</a>. Thanks again Rob!<br />
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<b><u>Step 2</u></b><br />
Post 11 facts about yourself. They can be about anything! The goal is to get to know the person behind the blog better. Here are <a href="http://mynewjourneyinholland.blogspot.ca/2013/04/liebster-awardrockin-extra-chromosome.html">11 facts about me</a> that you can check out.<br />
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<b><u>Step 3</u></b><br />
Answer the 11 questions presented to you by your nominator. You can answer them all in one post, or basically however you like!<br />
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<b><u>Step 4</u></b><br />
Create 11 questions for your nominees to answer. Here are my questions to you:<br />
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1. Why did you start blogging?<br />
2. What is your favourite colour?<br />
3. When you get the chance for "me time", what is your favourite "me time" activity?<br />
4. What's your preference, a "sweet" or a "salty" treat.<br />
5. Where is the most interesting place in the world that you have visited? If you don't feel you have been anywhere interesting, then where in the world do you find interesting and would love to visit? (whew, hope that makes sense)<br />
6. As a family, what is your favourite thing to do in the summer?<br />
7. If you don't already, would you ever consider using your blog to make money?<br />
8. Who is your favourite band (if you have a favourite band, that is....)<br />
9. Which season is your favourite and why?<br />
10. What is your "all time" favourite movie?<br />
11. Where do you envision yourself 5 years from now?<br />
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<b><u>Step 5</u></b><br />
Now here is where you recognise 11 blogs who you feel deserve recognition. It is up to you. You get to pick the blogs for any reason as long as they have less then 200 followers to the best of your knowledge. Once you have made your selection, create a post like this one on your own blog that explains the award process. Then notify each of your nominees by leaving a comment on their blog with the link back to the post you created. I have already announced my nominees above.<br />
<span style="color: #494949;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span></span><b><u>
Step 6</u></b><br />
The final step is to post the award badge on your blog. I will now try and go and figure out how to do this. I am still really new at all this picture badge stuff so I really have no clue how to go about doing it.<br />
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So there you have it! I hope that some or all of my nominees are able to complete all the steps as I personally am looking forward to getting to know each person behind the blog better!<br />
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<br />Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14012733380565584975noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-595603114993969276.post-75899537890333947332013-05-31T20:42:00.003-07:002013-05-31T20:42:56.750-07:00Working On A Few ThingsSo, I have been working on a few things and have been having a hard time finding the time to blog. Yeah, so this is my post to quickly say "sorry" and let you (all 22 of you fabulous followers) know that yes, I am still alive and no, I haven't given up blogging.<br />
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Here is what I am working on.<br />
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Putting together my last post in regards to my Liebster award. I have been having such a hard time coming up with 11 questions to ask!! I know, it should be easy, but somehow I am struggling. Have no fear though, I am almost done and should be posting soon!<br />
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The hubs and I are looking into "out of the box" non conventional methods to help Stella achieve her FULLEST potential. This current road we have been going down using early intervention and OT and PT and SPL has been helpful, but I have been feeling for a long time that there HAS to be MORE that we can be doing for her.....and there is. But at this moment I need to collect my thoughts and get my shit organised before I can possibly even begin to explain this new journey we as a family are planning on embarking on.<br />
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So have a lovely weekend and stay tuned for two new blog posts....which are in the works....I promise!!!<br />
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I will leave you with some pictures from the last week.<br />
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Enjoy.<br />
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<br />Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14012733380565584975noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-595603114993969276.post-25563340427101134242013-05-20T21:42:00.003-07:002013-05-20T21:42:47.627-07:00EPIC Family Fun FAILURE!!What.....the......F**K just happened??!!<br />
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I am still a tad flabbergasted as to just how fast our family fun weekend in Calgary turned into a family fiasco!!<br />
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Friday afternoon, the McG Clan headed out in the minivan to Calgary. The drive was lovely! The kids watch movies on the DVD, Stella had a short nap and we all happily arrived at our destination (The Sheraton Hotel) at around 4 pm. We skipped on up to our room, unpacked, put on our bathing suits and skipped on down to the pool. The big McG girls went up and down the fun twisty slides with Mickey while I played with Stella in the nice warm baby pool. She LOVED it! She also insisted I take her into the big cold pool. Personally I would have been happy to just stay in the warm pool the whole time, but I '"sucked it up" and went into the cold pool. Stella LOVED it!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Wa-BKz7P4b3oqztDtWx944nerZorCuudtjckxVCOuucGxouHCVr9Hiou-hdD14PFs4c7i5DfyPXUYK2TH7RleMZEZisfMeIElzmGSC1FlONL61aE8teCZEIK_KefFSV9TWPqfFeY6_I/s1600/IMG_4956.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Wa-BKz7P4b3oqztDtWx944nerZorCuudtjckxVCOuucGxouHCVr9Hiou-hdD14PFs4c7i5DfyPXUYK2TH7RleMZEZisfMeIElzmGSC1FlONL61aE8teCZEIK_KefFSV9TWPqfFeY6_I/s320/IMG_4956.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our happy car ride to Calgary!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhan-hlWfV54CTzUtwFAIyst4fX9KW5aiyWxO7h9idioiZSOtkhlmEmi3TKE6Q4mQ3v6gkF7i6fIgywBdzVGw6iAI2jfqQehVXtgsuzkZIUNTJ-kagb0VNyRoQY4cNtKqjIEUUVmMJzGYQ/s1600/IMG_4955.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhan-hlWfV54CTzUtwFAIyst4fX9KW5aiyWxO7h9idioiZSOtkhlmEmi3TKE6Q4mQ3v6gkF7i6fIgywBdzVGw6iAI2jfqQehVXtgsuzkZIUNTJ-kagb0VNyRoQY4cNtKqjIEUUVmMJzGYQ/s200/IMG_4955.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aren't we so happy??</td></tr>
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After swimming, we ordered room service and had a lovely dinner in our room. The girls went to bed fairly easily for being in a room all together and being in unfamiliar surroundings.<br />
<br />
In the morning (which came VERY early), we went down to the hotel restaurant and had a lovely breakfast. I think that here, is where the seeds of total meltdown began. As with all my kids, when they travel they tend to eat less and usually eat nowhere near as healthy as they do when they are at home. Sophie is a nibbler, and when we travel she eats even less. That being said, she had about three bites of her breakfast and then claimed to be full. With our darling Sophie, Mickey and I know there is no point in pushing the issue, so we let it slide. After all, I ALWAYS have lots of snacks in my purse, so if she got hungry later there would be something for her to eat.<br />
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Sadly, this day, I forgot to stock my purse full of food. I only brought a few items and halfway through our zoo trip, Stella had already eaten the few snacks I had.<br />
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But let me rewind a bit as drama and sadness and crying had already begun way before the zoo. You see, Olivia was soooo excited and you know how it is as a kid, waiting is so very hard. After breakfast we drove off to the train station. (We were going to take the train to the zoo). We got to the station and WHOOPS! We left the stroller in the hotel room. So BACK into the car we went to go back to the hotel and get the stroller. Here is where Olivia lost it! She started fussing and crying and expressing very loudly her disappointment.<br />
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Then as I was putting Stella in her car seat I heard Mickey make a sound, like he had hurt himself. As he was lifting Sophie up into her car seat he somehow pulled out his back. He was hurting...bad. I know this cause I said "are you ok?" and he said "No". Now he has to be hurting pretty bad to admit to <u>not </u>being ok.<br />
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Somehow he sucked it up and we went back and got the stroller (Olivia is crying and fussing this WHOLE time).<br />
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We made it to the train station, we got on the train and made it to the zoo.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM6pFYBb3GjxrO4o0P9LoZ81zmbs6eVEjRB0_gPmXgTB5q0F3D7sTtRCMCD6zJAxqA0jzarS5I03dyaWDM0H0kf8LRpuMqFPDo7c0UuSIlNBSjtlyYTcDjKjcyZ5JsTZKfBeQuIOx9OiI/s1600/IMG_4977.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM6pFYBb3GjxrO4o0P9LoZ81zmbs6eVEjRB0_gPmXgTB5q0F3D7sTtRCMCD6zJAxqA0jzarS5I03dyaWDM0H0kf8LRpuMqFPDo7c0UuSIlNBSjtlyYTcDjKjcyZ5JsTZKfBeQuIOx9OiI/s320/IMG_4977.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yay! We made it!</td></tr>
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So now we are pretty much back to where Sophie is now demanding food and is getting extremely agitated that I don't have any food left in my purse.<br />
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Olivia had also been complaining on and off since we got to the park because she wanted to go to the zoo playground and didn't want to go and see any more animals.<br />
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Oh, and I forgot to mention that Stella was getting pretty crabby because she was still hungry even though she had eaten all of the snacks.<br />
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"This SUCKS!" This SUCKS this SUCKS!!!! (I am screaming this in my head)<br />
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We went in search of food and the playground in order to quiet down the madness.<br />
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Mickey went and ordered food and I watched the kidlets.<br />
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Ahhhhhh, things seemed to settle down.<br />
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Mickey came back with food and I went and attempted to feed Stella some of it while Mickey went to get the girls.<br />
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He was gone awhile.....and I could hear screaming....which sounded very much like Sophie.....<br />
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Sure enough he comes on over with Olivia "you gotta go and get Sophie, she won't come down for me and keeps screaming for you"<br />
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Now I am sure that Mickey would have crawled his adult ass up the kids play area if his back hadn't been causing him so much pain. But since he couldn't, I went over there and attempted calm rationale talking to Sophie.<br />
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"Sophie, Sophie, it's time to eat. Come down now please."<br />
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"NOOOOO!! (picture, a child way up high in one of those netted outdoor play units, looking down with a "fuck you" look on her face screaming at the top of her lungs)<br />
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"Sophie (insert stern voice here), this behaviour is UNACCEPTABLE, it is time to eat, come down now please!"<br />
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"GO AWAY, I DON'T WANT TO COME DOWN, NOOOOOOO! LEAVE ME ALONE!!!"<br />
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People are staring.<br />
<br />
Little kids were offering to go up and get her.<br />
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I thanked them but insisted that they did not engage in conversation with her for fear of them being hit or scratched by my agitated, hungry, tired, strong willed child.<br />
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What else could I do?<br />
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I squeezed my adult ass up the twisty stairs, trying not to step on a child's hand or head along the way. Once I made it to where Sophie was I again attempted to reason with her and give her choices ( I somehow have forgotten that reasoning with a 4 year old is NOT possible). I had given her the choice of going down the twisty stairs or down the slide. She refused both. I told her that she needed to choose or mommy would choose. She responded by trying to crawl away from me all while screaming. <br />
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So I picked her up and dragged her 40lb body over to the slide and pushed her down it......she screamed the whole way down.<br />
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I then twisted my body down the twisty stairs again, picked Sophie up and carried her out of the playground.<br />
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Phew!<br />
<br />
I was pissed off. I was so angry. I was so frustrated. Mickey and I then told the girls that the fun was over and that we were going home.<br />
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As we all ate our lunch Sophie was back to her cute, funny, sweet self (Dr.Jekl and Mr. Hyde, is this child). I had calmed down, Mickey had calmed down, so we gave the girls another chance.<br />
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The nightmare continued.<br />
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Olivia had changed her behaviour and was cooperating and being a very big girl.<br />
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Stella was tired and had eaten a lot of chips (she would not eat anything else) and was happily chillin in her stroller with her suckie and blankie.<br />
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Sophie...well Sophie was slowly falling apart again. For a few minutes she would be happy and giggly and cooperative and then something would happen (i.e.. Mickey and Olivia would be walking too far ahead) and she would start screaming at the top of her lungs demanding that they "STOP!!! COME BACK!!" Then she would refuse to walk and wanted to sit in the stroller ( note to self: in the future bring the double stroller!). So I would let her sit in the back of the stroller where my purse was, but it wasn't very comfortable so then Sophie would start screaming about that.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhguMi7h5ktLBEP8tTnym25h7k6rZZjHHpQpNBzPpojQq1ndE9bWx5FDokr3SRgpGeTmYNbEVfX7b7pVbSMcKDx4XNKRpPI0QlxQycdph10QT2r2nJ6UiK6ullymFjaeo5eTipUJ26vJOc/s1600/IMG_4980.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhguMi7h5ktLBEP8tTnym25h7k6rZZjHHpQpNBzPpojQq1ndE9bWx5FDokr3SRgpGeTmYNbEVfX7b7pVbSMcKDx4XNKRpPI0QlxQycdph10QT2r2nJ6UiK6ullymFjaeo5eTipUJ26vJOc/s320/IMG_4980.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking at the peacocks...in between melt downs</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcEv4Liy6_4sh0ULNdv8J2fnifLXwpcWIcmwxNMsTY49b8cEG_bgjTB2ARz_qcHBU-5a7zwzZskKA8YzoZQ1IkMvvSVLMxLABKhEvTuJ6wPE0rkqOqnHJiwNt40uYIdIt0Qr4rdLSwtiE/s1600/IMG_4981.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcEv4Liy6_4sh0ULNdv8J2fnifLXwpcWIcmwxNMsTY49b8cEG_bgjTB2ARz_qcHBU-5a7zwzZskKA8YzoZQ1IkMvvSVLMxLABKhEvTuJ6wPE0rkqOqnHJiwNt40uYIdIt0Qr4rdLSwtiE/s320/IMG_4981.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sophie was screaming as I took this picture.....good times, good times</td></tr>
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Finally she just fell to the ground face down, arms and legs splayed out and screamed while throwing her hat.<br />
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I......was.......done......<br />
<br />
I looked at Mickey and said "Let's go home"<br />
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Olivia cried the whole way back to the hotel, while we packed up our stuff and part of the way home in the car. I felt bad for her as she had changed her behaviour and was cooperating, but yet she was still loosing her privilege and had to go home. Sophie didn't seem to give a crap. As long as we were ALL having to go home and ALL not going to Chuck E Cheese's then it made no difference to her. <br />
<br />
I kept hoping that at some point on the way home it would "click" that we were GOING HOME as a consequence of her bad behaviour, like we had said we would do..... but I honestly think, she just didn't care. <br />
<br />
I think what would have worked better for her would have been if we had stayed and had her stay in the hotel room and rest while Livi went with me to the pool without her....THAT would have been a consequence that would have worked for her.<br />
<br />
But we didn't do that...<br />
<br />
But Mickey's back was really, really bad so on that note it's a good thing that we came home.<br />
<br />
Being a parent is just plain hard sometimes....<br />
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But the weekend ended on a good note!<br />
<br />
I took the girls bowling yesterday and there were NO meltdowns! (Cyber HI-FIVE!)<br />
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And today I took the girls to the water park (which is literally right across the street from our house) while Stella napped and Mickey iced his back for the 50 millionth time.<br />
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Oh and Mickey's back is a tad better...<br />
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So....there is always a silver lining..right??? Right!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8HEumJSKktjsO0ePomlqBznSQVwjNdywcmJka4vPTwBBH5HqKEuR4CB4M4Fpo7QORoMcs9ODyOlMzk4n9gJPU0qzuK7gV12FjMuuk3Rv813Em8pU1GHhLd8zr76FXADT2hE4KQNDv_UM/s1600/IMG_4990.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8HEumJSKktjsO0ePomlqBznSQVwjNdywcmJka4vPTwBBH5HqKEuR4CB4M4Fpo7QORoMcs9ODyOlMzk4n9gJPU0qzuK7gV12FjMuuk3Rv813Em8pU1GHhLd8zr76FXADT2hE4KQNDv_UM/s320/IMG_4990.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bowling and getting along! HI-FIVES!</td></tr>
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PS. I really must remember to not only take pictures of my kiddos looking happy. A meltdown picture would have really added to this post I think......Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14012733380565584975noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-595603114993969276.post-17632547788019917882013-05-15T20:28:00.002-07:002013-05-15T20:28:36.822-07:00Outside, Outside, The Sun Is Shining OutsideI am still attempting to finish up my list of bloggers who I want to nominate for a Liebster. For some reason this is hard for me...perhaps I need to follow more blogs?<br />
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Anywho, in the meantime, here is what me and my two younger McG Girls did today. We spent the morning at grandma's house helping her plant flowers.<br />
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Sophie SHOULD have been in school, but she has pink eye....seems Olivia graciously shared her pink eye. <br />
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Thanks Olivia. <br />
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Seems Sophie is also sharing her pink eye as Stella's eye was looking a little red when I put her to bed.....<br />
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But this post is really about the morning at grandmas.<br />
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So here you go:<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Freaking out as I take the picture, crossing my fingers that Stella doesn't bash her face into the concrete too badly..</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG_BGYMP3Q5cgk13yTaN-Q-ifEs5n771rCcQ23Ot4szXIeLxXsRwa13ZNVBRKJBgVHKFMY1E-JmbWwbORqS_9PVj97-k3mubOoYxrqA5Siw734AA3EhpdCwN_NQ6ykqj4V7OzKXcDGxq0/s1600/IMG_4941.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG_BGYMP3Q5cgk13yTaN-Q-ifEs5n771rCcQ23Ot4szXIeLxXsRwa13ZNVBRKJBgVHKFMY1E-JmbWwbORqS_9PVj97-k3mubOoYxrqA5Siw734AA3EhpdCwN_NQ6ykqj4V7OzKXcDGxq0/s320/IMG_4941.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And YES!! She nailes it and continues to make her way down the stairs!</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9uh2Fy1-ikbnheTulVziXhGd91CwCn99bF6eIStxW-TV7Z9gZS2Tp-GvZOUQLF00JLW-Ho_OYlSWNHujt55pYY9vHUbMJqLkR6TbXlOA8xEWBsMiyHgisrOoh3nzaU33ng8ZPstJTD6A/s1600/IMG_4945.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9uh2Fy1-ikbnheTulVziXhGd91CwCn99bF6eIStxW-TV7Z9gZS2Tp-GvZOUQLF00JLW-Ho_OYlSWNHujt55pYY9vHUbMJqLkR6TbXlOA8xEWBsMiyHgisrOoh3nzaU33ng8ZPstJTD6A/s320/IMG_4945.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiERnQrhZWlHsoApzJK_JIxDstsLc_wN1toudBFEt72SG_pZySMYulu9GBMUpcGhKM1lhSmL3uCwlKBTqNWY7EnN4LQEdi2paw4DJHtE1ieCoU2aGIVmSM5yuQztkXLR-zNCC-N3lZbocY/s1600/IMG_4946.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiERnQrhZWlHsoApzJK_JIxDstsLc_wN1toudBFEt72SG_pZySMYulu9GBMUpcGhKM1lhSmL3uCwlKBTqNWY7EnN4LQEdi2paw4DJHtE1ieCoU2aGIVmSM5yuQztkXLR-zNCC-N3lZbocY/s320/IMG_4946.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here kitty, kitty, have some mushed up fruit!<br /></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7R7xGnol4REJd02lArrNrPZEnCl-Xtm5X5zVDvbBKf6HGAufpNt5bioPl-DKKbgY__giabQxTw5hABgC0kHek3xFXOxdSN2u_03GV7b7w1dQ-xImOv_YPcSgkpkhKrgZU0jscV3XmK24/s1600/IMG_4949.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7R7xGnol4REJd02lArrNrPZEnCl-Xtm5X5zVDvbBKf6HGAufpNt5bioPl-DKKbgY__giabQxTw5hABgC0kHek3xFXOxdSN2u_03GV7b7w1dQ-xImOv_YPcSgkpkhKrgZU0jscV3XmK24/s320/IMG_4949.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sophie found an earth worm...and loved it to death...literally.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I love days like this one! Makes up for the crappy days!Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14012733380565584975noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-595603114993969276.post-19701495423725967842013-05-10T19:17:00.001-07:002013-05-10T19:17:15.252-07:00This Blog Post Is For You Mom!Empathy. What is Empathy?<br />
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<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 9px; padding: 0px;">
<b>Empathy</b> is the ability to mutually <i>experience</i> the thoughts, <a href="http://www.diffen.com/difference/Category:Emotions" style="border: 0px; color: #0069d6; font-family: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" title="Category:Emotions">emotions</a>, and direct experience of others. It goes beyond <b>sympathy</b>, which is a feeling of care and understanding for the suffering of others. </div>
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(<a href="http://www.diffen.com/difference/Empathy_vs_Sympathy">Empathy Vs. Sympathy</a> found at www.diffen.com)</div>
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Some people are born with the ability to empathise. My mom is one of these people. To me, this ability is a rare and amazing gift. Her ability to understand how it might feel to experience a situation that she has never experienced.....that is amazing!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg38eHFgIiSiN2NsRwe8rpGT4rF2nScWzkwEBmJpFAShpE6AzWKg0q80FT9uLXJRIxjs-ZVg6qwMA4fbTRf-3SO1qX0DxGTncuCDoRGLKD05jb36Cu9iIG-qpwjdCeSbjMg7XtAhNXYO-w/s1600/IMG_1177.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg38eHFgIiSiN2NsRwe8rpGT4rF2nScWzkwEBmJpFAShpE6AzWKg0q80FT9uLXJRIxjs-ZVg6qwMA4fbTRf-3SO1qX0DxGTncuCDoRGLKD05jb36Cu9iIG-qpwjdCeSbjMg7XtAhNXYO-w/s320/IMG_1177.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This picture was taken the last time I saw my mom...May 2011!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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When I suffered three miscarriages in the span of 7 months back in 2007, my mom was there for me with a shoulder to cry on and loving arms to fall into. She had never experienced the loss of a child, the loss of a baby that never made it past the safeness of the womb, yet somehow she "got it". She was able to "put herself in my shoes" which is what I needed and wanted so badly at the point in my life. Just someone who understood, my sadness, my loss, my anger.<br />
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I struggle some days with Stella's diagnosis. I go through days of feeling sorry for myself, for Stella. There are days I feel like the world is against Stella, the world is against anyone who is different, who is not what society deems "normal". I have voiced my frustrations and worries numerous times to my mom and she is always there with empathy, love and understanding....even if she may not fully "get" how I am feeling, I know that she just naturally tries to put herself in my shoes and that gives her the ability to understand why I may feel a certain way.<br />
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This blog post is for you mom.<br />
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Thank you. Thank you for being there for me emotionally when I have needed it the most.<br />
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Thank you for the kisses you smothered on my face as a child.<br />
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Thank you for the warm chest to lay my head on when I was sick as a baby.<br />
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Thank you for the many meals you made (even though I despised the stew that you made with all those big chunks of onions, thanks for slaving over a hot stove to make it)<br />
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Thanks for letting me watch TV all day when I was sick, and for bringing me toast cut into little strips.<br />
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Thanks for coming over almost every day when Olivia was a newborn and all she did was cry all day, everyday.<br />
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Thanks for taking over night feeds when Sophie was a baby (you living in the basement suit was so convenient!).<br />
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Thanks for letting my cry and sob on the phone to you when Stella was whisked away to the NICU the day after she was born. Even though you weren't able to be there physically for me, just talking to you on the phone helped me.<br />
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Thanks mom.<br />
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I love you.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgISsgTggfBr5WHf8hsXsM5zQQ_vFzQ4N-Fq4VuoOOL19x3_GVB7bM8G48vymSB24aqzBLC1Zz67rXUzNg3DHNlNzM_90Q7169qpEoUjkRsn5z8ZznXSe2vYQmhfLlXxi5vdsfYDvsetqk/s1600/Family+Pictures+260.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgISsgTggfBr5WHf8hsXsM5zQQ_vFzQ4N-Fq4VuoOOL19x3_GVB7bM8G48vymSB24aqzBLC1Zz67rXUzNg3DHNlNzM_90Q7169qpEoUjkRsn5z8ZznXSe2vYQmhfLlXxi5vdsfYDvsetqk/s320/Family+Pictures+260.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">LOVE YOU MOM!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14012733380565584975noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-595603114993969276.post-63940680130789322432013-05-05T13:54:00.001-07:002013-05-05T13:54:57.901-07:00The Grand Finale of Question AnsweringIt has been awhile......yes... I have been distracted.<br />
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I have been....reading, not just blogs, but BOOKS!!! I'll perhaps even do a book review on one of the books I am reading, but I'll save that for another post.<br />
<br />
On my last post I answered 6 out of the 11 questions that Treyton's Posse asked me (remember my <a href="http://mynewjourneyinholland.blogspot.ca/2013/04/liebster-awardrockin-extra-chromosome.html">Liebster Award nomination</a>?)<br />
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That leaves.....5 questions. So here we go!!<br />
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7. <i style="font-weight: bold;"> Q: What is your favourite candy bar?</i><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA77Ro7_TuR7QvXVlrJF1t8HW6hSTpeDcvCJ6zx7A0_EF79XrF5W5kkdn06h2e9ajvZNANUJDQYKN6ljiQfik7ffcYEXCy8cqjs6LqigyMIcspEYXVSHjiN58upIgn2LzYZfo3dc4MgGs/s1600/chocolate-cafe-dark-mint-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="139" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA77Ro7_TuR7QvXVlrJF1t8HW6hSTpeDcvCJ6zx7A0_EF79XrF5W5kkdn06h2e9ajvZNANUJDQYKN6ljiQfik7ffcYEXCy8cqjs6LqigyMIcspEYXVSHjiN58upIgn2LzYZfo3dc4MgGs/s200/chocolate-cafe-dark-mint-2.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">MMMMM, Chocolate!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />
A: I don't have a favourite "brand" of chocolate. BUT, I LOVE any type of solid, dark chocolate. You know, the type that comes in squares, so you can break off a piece and let it melt on your tongue?? Mmmmmm, all this talk of chocolate makes me want some!!<br />
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8. <b><i> Q: Your kids are in bed and your spouse is off doing something else. You have the television to yourself and the DVR has been recording everything from the last week. What is the first show you watch?</i></b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilbPsvqJfpczMaljqtUxPbpjIOPbCTcyYP_hwvJ2tk1-sWdKQcaonYEWSCbeXk6qc4tggU9TFoetGdzoZHwAx9yOCLk-St7rlWT9dPxUonnQ2jrZMBsCitERNcMcpEgKELGd-832MRW-o/s1600/The-Walking-Dead-Season-3-Returns-02-13-the-walking-dead-33593087-2312-1372.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="189" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilbPsvqJfpczMaljqtUxPbpjIOPbCTcyYP_hwvJ2tk1-sWdKQcaonYEWSCbeXk6qc4tggU9TFoetGdzoZHwAx9yOCLk-St7rlWT9dPxUonnQ2jrZMBsCitERNcMcpEgKELGd-832MRW-o/s320/The-Walking-Dead-Season-3-Returns-02-13-the-walking-dead-33593087-2312-1372.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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A: WALKING DEAD. Nuff said.<br />
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<b><i>9. Q: What would you consider to be the greatest invention ever? Why?</i></b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ6JXm-3zZkB-uel6rbkPTWb4aukjNr3g8iOCQcQvKqMOWYg-g7hLiJuq26pcLaltgGE_vXeHRZ-IfJeR62UK_K6JgjDkZnHRypDpbXoDWYzp5xiNFPOot6g2lXx6GTxN4Vb3arGyuX3A/s1600/images-1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ6JXm-3zZkB-uel6rbkPTWb4aukjNr3g8iOCQcQvKqMOWYg-g7hLiJuq26pcLaltgGE_vXeHRZ-IfJeR62UK_K6JgjDkZnHRypDpbXoDWYzp5xiNFPOot6g2lXx6GTxN4Vb3arGyuX3A/s1600/images-1.jpeg" /></a></div>
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A: At this point in my "small children, therefore sleep deprived life".....TASSIMO. Why? Because I don't have to remember to program the coffee maker the night before. Because if I want a coffee... BAM!! A click, a push of a button and I have a steaming, hot mug full of delightful, aromatic, delicious coffee!<br />
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<b><i>10. Q: What is the one thing you cannot stand to be without?</i></b><br />
A: My iPhone. I am hoping, I'm not the only one......I mean, it's not like I'm on my phone ALL the time. But it's a nice security having it with me, plus I paid all this money for it (plus a plan).... I'd be wasting my money if I didn't take it everywhere with me. Plus, it has a camera on it so if I wanna take a quick picture or video of my girls doing something funny or cute, I can just whip out my phone, instead of trying to remember to always bring my camera with me. Makes sense to me.....<br />
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11. <b><i>Q: Who is the greatest superhero of all time: Batman, Spiderman or Superman</i></b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIrKLqEtJW7uiqmcyj6wlRnNhSHGTkx6U0EhNqq1lpmuFDGMjpggvAtM_1f6E6rZWIvSEmXwpRzhZ6TGHdmynO9xzcHB9LrfZw0T3u40Zw8hDdEgxSUaqk7RwXjhjnj_Dc2pqb7fHTq_M/s1600/batman_the_dark_knight_2-wallpaper-1440x900.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIrKLqEtJW7uiqmcyj6wlRnNhSHGTkx6U0EhNqq1lpmuFDGMjpggvAtM_1f6E6rZWIvSEmXwpRzhZ6TGHdmynO9xzcHB9LrfZw0T3u40Zw8hDdEgxSUaqk7RwXjhjnj_Dc2pqb7fHTq_M/s320/batman_the_dark_knight_2-wallpaper-1440x900.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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A: Batman. And here is why:<br />
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<ul>
<li>He has no real "superpower" yet, he kicks some serious ass.</li>
<li>His "lair" aka "bat cave" is really cool.</li>
<li>He has loads of money to spend on really cool "gadgets".</li>
<li>He became what he feared the most...BATS!</li>
</ul>
TADAAAAA! And there you have it!<br />
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Over the next few weeks I will be organising my thoughts and putting together a post and "passing on the torch" so to speak. I will be nominating 11 blogs that I feel have value and who deserve a "high five"!<br />
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It has been fun talking about myself (narcissistic much?) and I hope you all enjoyed learning a little bit more about me.<br />
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<br />Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14012733380565584975noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-595603114993969276.post-978666122915336312013-04-27T21:06:00.000-07:002013-04-27T21:06:00.477-07:00A lil' Q & A with Treyton's PosseAs some of you may know Rockin An Extra Chromosome has been nominated for a Liebster Award. Check out my excitement about my nomination <a href="http://mynewjourneyinholland.blogspot.ca/2013/04/liebster-awardrockin-extra-chromosome.html">Here</a>.<br />
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With this nomination comes the requirement for me to answer 11 questions asked by Treyton's Posse.<br />
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Some of these questions.....my answers are gonna be looooonnng! I tend to expand on my answers soooooo with that being said here are a few questions and a few answers.<br />
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<i><b>Q: Why did you start to blog? </b></i><br />
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A: <a href="http://mynewjourneyinholland.blogspot.ca/2012/09/to-blog-or-not-to-blog.html">To Blog or Not To Blog</a>. This was my first blog post that I wrote. I had been on the fence for a long time on whether or not I should blog. If I started blogging I wanted to make sure I would and could commit the time into it. I didn't want to start and then get busy and then slowly just stop.<br />
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One day I just decided to stop making excuses and just "do it". My initial reason for starting a blog was to show those who chose to follow my blog, or those who just happened to stumble upon my blog, that having a child with T21 is, for the most part, so very ordinary.<br />
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I wanted those who were desperately seeking comfort or support after receiving a prenatal diagnosis, to find my blog and see how awesome Stella is, how fabulous her life is and also how perfectly boring and ordinary it is.<br />
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My initial vision was to show someone considering termination that, that wasn't the answer. That their baby would change their lives for the better. That having a child with T21 is NOT the end of the world, but the beginning of a whole new one!<br />
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Then I started blogging and something awesome happened. Something I didn't really except. I started "meeting" other parents who share my passion for their family, who share my love of writing and who also share a similar journey to mine.<br />
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I am a very relationship oriented type of person. I thrive on feeling connected to others. Having found this online community of parents/families who have a child with T21, who go through similar struggles, has been wonderful. To feel connected even though most of us live in different provinces and even different countries......monumental, at least to me!!!<br />
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<b><i>Q: When you were a child what did you dream about being when you grew up.</i></b><br />
A: I remember being about 7 and thinking that I would love to be a nurse. Then when I was a little older I thought I'd like to be a teacher. Then when I was in my late teens I thought about working with children with special needs, which I find VERY ironic. <br />
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However, I never actually ended up following any of those dreams as by the time I grew up, I didn't want to be any of those things. At the ripe ol' age of 19, I decided to get my office administration diploma. My sis and I actually took the course together. What fun we had! But we studied too, and worked hard and at the end of the course I got a really good job. I was a customer service-import/export administrator at a chemical plant.<br />
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I sold acid.<br />
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Seriously I imported and exported chemicals. Acid....all different kinds, Nitric, Sulphuric....<br />
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I can honestly say that I LOVED my job. I had great co-workers and a pretty nice guy for a boss.<br />
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But then in 2005 I decided to leave my nice paying job to become CEO of McGarvie Enterprises.......one of my toughest jobs to date.<br />
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<b><i>Q: What are better cats or dogs?</i></b><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXMty8VUNb60Khy1lAPDBXoWAwatjQFX3R2R8yuxUQ6jfsDjbSDCTOE1ACFJdwR8uUynP_D5lEEOr_4e1Wl8GrDtk_FPDQid50-EAQvfPnf3vjGpi6OwJ7eo74YSWgohFvf4LQEpY6kXo/s1600/cat-dinner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXMty8VUNb60Khy1lAPDBXoWAwatjQFX3R2R8yuxUQ6jfsDjbSDCTOE1ACFJdwR8uUynP_D5lEEOr_4e1Wl8GrDtk_FPDQid50-EAQvfPnf3vjGpi6OwJ7eo74YSWgohFvf4LQEpY6kXo/s320/cat-dinner.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
A: Cats. Here are a few REALLY compelling reasons as to why cats are better.<br />
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<ul>
<li>I grew up having a cat as a pet so I am already biased towards them</li>
<li>Cats are wayyyyyyy less work. I have three young children, the thought of picking up more poop (I already wipe a lot of butts, thank you very much) does NOT appeal to me.</li>
<li>My children love to challenge my parenting skills, I am not interested in making sure I am being the 'pack leader' as well. </li>
<li>I love to go for walks, but I don't have the time to take a dog for walk EVERY day. </li>
<li>If we want to go on vacation it's way easier to find someone to come and feed a cat every other day then it is to find someone to watch a dog. It's true.</li>
</ul>
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<b><i>Q: Assuming money was not an issue, where would you travel to and what would you do once you got there?</i></b><br />
A: If money was not an issue, I would go with my hubby and my McG girls and take them to visit where I was born and spent 17 years of my life....<br />
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BERMUDA!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn4qQcw3nEOc8rng2UyjBU3G3n9RdbIreg6-bC5t0UgAd-IFkJLAN3Se9Ln-cdP-2QgdyyiToEh1ucYIuvkRYjnRc62SmduXTutaB842aJeiVcEv4KL76RIY0J56L_HMoViQxYal92zvQ/s1600/BermudaIslandaerial.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="207" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn4qQcw3nEOc8rng2UyjBU3G3n9RdbIreg6-bC5t0UgAd-IFkJLAN3Se9Ln-cdP-2QgdyyiToEh1ucYIuvkRYjnRc62SmduXTutaB842aJeiVcEv4KL76RIY0J56L_HMoViQxYal92zvQ/s320/BermudaIslandaerial.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Bermuda is a very small island, but it is NOT cheap to travel to let me tell you!<br />
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Once there I would show my family my old neighbourhood and the grade school and high school I went to. I would take them to all the beaches that I used to go to. I'd take them to the aquarium that their Aunt Wendy used to work at and I'd take them to the restaurants that I used to go to with my family when I was little.<br />
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<b><i>Q: What do you prefer and why: Apple IOS or Android.</i></b><br />
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A: Well, between the two of us (meaning Mickey and I), we have 2 iPhones, 2 iPads, 1 MacBook Air and 1 MacBook Pro.......so I'm gonna go with Apple. Honestly I have never tried out the Android operating system. I am not really a techie so I have no reasoning as to why Apple iOS other then, I really like how easy it is to use.<br />
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<b><i>Q: Baseball is widely know as "America's Pastime". Do you agree? If not, what do you think should be considered America's Pastime?</i></b><br />
A: I'm gonna be honest. I don't watch sports....ever, unless Mickey is watching some sort of game on the TV. Also, I live up North in good Ol Canada and I'm 100% certain that Canada's pastime HOCKEY!! Maybe I should get the hubby's opinion on your question.........<br />
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And that is 6 out of the 11 questions......STAY TUNED for the final 5 questions!!<br />
<br />Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14012733380565584975noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-595603114993969276.post-54700792141392109172013-04-21T19:56:00.001-07:002013-04-21T19:56:54.038-07:00Liebster Award.....Rockin An Extra Chromosome has been nominated!First of all I just want to state how cool it feels to be nominated for a Liebster award!! <br />
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<i><b>Liebster (German) = beloved, cherished, esteemed.</b></i></div>
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What is a Liebster award? This award is a 'peer award' given to upcoming bloggers who have less then 200 followers. (so far to date I have 19 followers)</div>
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I first heard about the Liebster Award from <a href="http://treytonsposse.com/">Rob Arnold</a>. He is the man behind <a href="http://treytonsposse.com/">Treyton's Posse</a>. I first found his blog when I joined a blog hop (I think). Either that or from the <a href="http://www.downsyndromeblogs.blogspot.ca/">Down Syndrome Blogs website</a>. I read sooooo many blogs that I sometimes have a hard time remembering where exactly I first stumbled upon a blog. What I enjoy about his blog is the calmness and logic and love that comes through in his writing. His post on the <a href="http://treytonsposse.com/2013/04/death-robert-ethan-saylor-terrifying-down-syndrome-community/#comments">death of Ethan Saylor</a> was one that stood out for me. He came across calm, rational and logical. <br />
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WOW! Seriously, I am just so honoured that a fellow blogger thinks my blog brings value and is worthy of recognition.<br />
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So <a href="http://treytonsposse.com/">Rob</a>, THANK YOU!<br />
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This nomination requires me to post 11 facts about me and to also answer 11 questions that Treyton's Posse has given me.<br />
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Hmmmmmm, so let's finish this post with 11 facts about lil ol me.<br />
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1. I despise (with a capital D) onions. If a recipe calls for onions, I will either use half or a quarter of what the recipe calls for. Sometimes I will even omit it all together (onions in chicken pot pie???? Just the thought makes me puke a little). I don't care if the chicken pot pie doesn't taste as good, onions are nasty.<br />
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2. I used to be a part of an improv troupe. (Improv? Improv is a form of theatre where most or all of what is performed is created the moment it is performed). During my brief few years of performing I loved it! When I got married we had improv at our wedding reception. Once I became preggos with Olivia, however, I kind of slowly stopped going. My priorities changed. But I have many a great memory of those days.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP_V6PIgRdViV7uTbXs9gbDvfHRbgxcAAYx8Vjsqhyeon9yPxiIBS8jh6D_L9ondzWjA3LqND2wDUBmtS1hdOOvh0GiXAL4-Dg1E2CLjqvQ1DAuQe5EOIbrgG1jggJnCLeJFC5zFZenAQ/s1600/204_25695935184_5799_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="117" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP_V6PIgRdViV7uTbXs9gbDvfHRbgxcAAYx8Vjsqhyeon9yPxiIBS8jh6D_L9ondzWjA3LqND2wDUBmtS1hdOOvh0GiXAL4-Dg1E2CLjqvQ1DAuQe5EOIbrgG1jggJnCLeJFC5zFZenAQ/s320/204_25695935184_5799_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Impromaniacs was the name of our troupe </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBOQx9ZV8IkNxUNQUQA4jg0OkjBVE-laQ4G26VeBBiIvjcR7ttnoJAa-2nklheFnb8ulgolt-0rAI70z9-s6vVzfDqkZK7Eg9Vh3ccS0jxWtSvhwQqi_MJ4UeM-lMicV0H54MLgNPfx44/s1600/204_25696000184_459_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBOQx9ZV8IkNxUNQUQA4jg0OkjBVE-laQ4G26VeBBiIvjcR7ttnoJAa-2nklheFnb8ulgolt-0rAI70z9-s6vVzfDqkZK7Eg9Vh3ccS0jxWtSvhwQqi_MJ4UeM-lMicV0H54MLgNPfx44/s320/204_25696000184_459_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There were more people in the troupe...they just weren't at rehearsal the day these photos were taken.....</td></tr>
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3. I am the youngest of three. I have an older sister and an older brother. My big sis lives in Victoria, BC and my big brother lives in the US of A. Salt Lake City, Utah, to be exact. I truly miss living near my siblings and I am very excited to be able to see my sister and her kidlets again this year. As for my bro, I haven't seen him in a loooonnnggg time! I am hoping that we can finally get our shit together and see him next year.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyc2f2qQuHjSiRxUlKgzY-hFS5pcVGn8VUJZg2Nkh-2dYKu9QHVpel4oSv-GUEVGiROH0yYIz573mqkGdejgUWJdQoNjveI5TXsRfjR2zrXfPDn-2u6k0iObmla_uYAFzr4PnqXV6WNgk/s1600/26752_422613421336_6533571_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyc2f2qQuHjSiRxUlKgzY-hFS5pcVGn8VUJZg2Nkh-2dYKu9QHVpel4oSv-GUEVGiROH0yYIz573mqkGdejgUWJdQoNjveI5TXsRfjR2zrXfPDn-2u6k0iObmla_uYAFzr4PnqXV6WNgk/s640/26752_422613421336_6533571_n.jpg" width="297" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">some really old photos of me and my sibs. </td></tr>
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4. I would LOVE to be on the TLC show "What Not to Wear". I love clothes, and I think I have a pretty good fashion sense, so I don't feel I need help per say, but I would love to spend a week in New York with two amazing stylists and be given a whole new wardrobe! And let's not forget a sassy new hair do and make up! So seriously, feel free to nominate me....this is their last season so, now is the time people!!!<br />
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5. Zombies? Vampires? Werewolves? Ghosts? These are a few of my favourite things....to watch...on TV. Remember Ghost Whisperer with Jennifer Love-Hewitt? Yeah, I used to watch that show EVERY Friday night. It was cheesy, but I loved it. Mickey started calling it Friday Fromage. Then just last year the show Grimm began. I am HOOKED!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe-sXjK1FMIsYOzbjGniDj77PzDhgLN6kGLeW2AGNLyXKqoqTzTtb3HvJnBOPg7GAvILotqwLIdlkQ8dqfDLn5Zs6xBVs607hUZVxAQHtLfDZsYT11X-A5PgcrnPRxvea8fHkfnJA02PQ/s1600/Grimm_title_card.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe-sXjK1FMIsYOzbjGniDj77PzDhgLN6kGLeW2AGNLyXKqoqTzTtb3HvJnBOPg7GAvILotqwLIdlkQ8dqfDLn5Zs6xBVs607hUZVxAQHtLfDZsYT11X-A5PgcrnPRxvea8fHkfnJA02PQ/s200/Grimm_title_card.png" width="200" /></a></div>
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6. I am not very fond of being call Ann. Yeah, my name is Anna, not Ann. I know, so trivial, right? But as a teenager it would just bug the hell out of me when someone would read my name (as in look down at my name that was neatly and clearly written on paper (A-n-n-<b><u>a</u></b>), and miss the last "a" entirely and call me Ann. Now that I am a mature woman (snicker), I am not bothered AS much when someone calls me Ann. Instead of being annoyed nowadays I just straight up correct them. "It's Ann<u><b>a</b></u>, not Ann." is usually what I say. I am sure I come off as bitchy but hey, get my name right and then "bitchy Ann<u style="font-weight: bold;">a"</u> won't have to rear her ugly head.<br />
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7. I like to refer to the current city that we reside in as ButtFuck, Alberta. <a href="http://mynewjourneyinholland.blogspot.ca/2013/01/how-did-we-end-up-here.html">Here</a> is the blog post I did on how we ended up in Alberta and why I call it BF, Alberta.<br />
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8. Before moving to BF, Alberta, I was a certified fitness instructor. I have let my certification expire so now I just workout when I have time (so never). <br />
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9. When I was younger I played the violin. Yet another activity that I no longer do. Hmmmmm, I see a pattern emerging here....<br />
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10. My first real serious boyfriend was Mickey. I was 20, he was 21. We have now been married for almost 13 years. He is my best friend and I love him more and more every day.<br />
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And last, but certainly not least<br />
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11. Amusement parks are a form of torture, at least to me. Wanna see me scream and cry and possibly pee and poo my pants? Then force me to go on a roller coaster, or a Ferris wheel or a ride that shoots you up in the air really high....pretty much any adult ride. Yup. Amusement park=torture chamber to this here lady.<br />
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There you have it! 11 things you may, or may not know about me!<br />
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Stay tuned for the next few post where I answer questions that Treyton's Posse asked me and many of the other nominees!!<br />
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Here are the other nominees:<br />
<div class="shortcode1-4" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #494949; float: left; font-family: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif; font: inherit; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px 18px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 216px;">
<a href="http://crayononthewall.wordpress.com/" style="-webkit-transition: color 300ms, background-color 300ms, opacity 300ms; border: 0px; color: #2c53ef; font-size: 14px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank" title="Crayon on the Wall">Crayon on the Wall</a><br /><a href="http://kimchilatkes.com/" style="-webkit-transition: color 300ms, background-color 300ms, opacity 300ms; border: 0px; color: #2c53ef; font-size: 14px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank" title="Kimchi Latkes">Kimchi Latkes: Spicy taters!</a><br /><a href="http://secondtimearound-vernyvern.blogspot.com/" style="-webkit-transition: color 300ms, background-color 300ms, opacity 300ms; border: 0px; color: #2c53ef; font-size: 14px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank" title="Living by Faith">Living by Faith</a><br /><a href="http://lovingmax.wordpress.com/" style="-webkit-transition: color 300ms, background-color 300ms, opacity 300ms; border: 0px; color: #2c53ef; font-size: 14px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank" title="Loving Max">Loving Max</a></div>
<div class="shortcode1-4" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #494949; float: left; font-family: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif; font: inherit; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px 18px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 216px;">
<a href="http://myjenna321.wordpress.com/" style="-webkit-transition: color 300ms, background-color 300ms, opacity 300ms; border: 0px; color: #2c53ef; font-size: 14px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank" title="My Journey with Jenna">My Journey with Jenna</a><br /><a href="http://www.nerdtoleader.com/" style="-webkit-transition: color 300ms, background-color 300ms, opacity 300ms; border: 0px; color: #2c53ef; font-size: 14px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank" title="Nerd to Leader">Nerd to Leader</a><br /><a href="http://ourversionofnormal.blogspot.com/" style="-webkit-transition: color 300ms, background-color 300ms, opacity 300ms; border: 0px; color: #2c53ef; font-size: 14px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank" title="Our Version of Normal">Our Version of Normal</a><br /></div>
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<a href="http://theunknowncontributor.blogspot.com/" style="-webkit-transition: color 300ms, background-color 300ms, opacity 300ms; border: 0px; color: #2c53ef; font-size: 14px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank" title="The Unknown Contributor">The Unknown Contributor</a><br /><a href="http://tysadventures.com/" style="-webkit-transition: color 300ms, background-color 300ms, opacity 300ms; border: 0px; color: #2c53ef; font-size: 14px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank" title="Ty's Adventures">Ty’s Adventures</a><br /><a href="http://wordshurtorheal.blogspot.com/" style="-webkit-transition: color 300ms, background-color 300ms, opacity 300ms; border: 0px; color: #2c53ef; font-size: 14px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank" title="Words Hurt of Heal">Words Hurt of Heal</a></div>
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Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14012733380565584975noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-595603114993969276.post-78967457039469154542013-04-17T20:32:00.000-07:002013-04-17T20:32:04.300-07:00Tumbleweeds, Crickets and GleeYou know those old western movies with the lone cowboy sitting on his horse, looking out into the vast, flat open land, while tumble weeds gently bounce and roll by?<br />
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That's how it feels to me when I post something important like (<a href="http://mynewjourneyinholland.blogspot.ca/2013/04/an-avoidable-death.html">the justice that ETHAN SAYLOR deserves</a>) and I get nothing. No comments on Facebook, nobody shares my post, nothing....<br />
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Crickets.<br />
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I hear nothing but crickets and see nothing but tumble weeds floating by.<br />
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I am not including all those in the DS community as we are ALL screaming, demanding change, demanding justice.<br />
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I am talking about those who aren't directly involved. It seems that nobody truly "gets" it or perhaps even cares.<br />
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How do tumbleweeds and crickets have anything to do with Glee?<br />
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You may be asking yourself this question. <br />
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They have nothing to do with Glee. But I am very doubtful anyone will be sharing this post either, hence the tumbleweeds and crickets.<br />
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(wow, I am beginning to sound VERY bitter.... perhaps I will have to delve into this at a later date..)<br />
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For those of you who haven't watched Glee in a while or ever, the writers on Glee decided to do a show about guns.<br />
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They decide it would be a good idea to have Becky be the girl who brings the gun to school. For those of you who don't watch Glee, Lauren Potter plays the character of Becky. Becky (Lauren) is rockin an extra chromosome. The fact that the writers wanted to give Lauren a "real life" role in this episode is awesome. Lauren is a great actor and should be given more in depth parts. But to give her this role...<br />
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I have been trying in my head and on paper to properly and coherently write down my views on that Glee episode. <br />
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Then the other day I was reading a fellow bloggers blog post.<br />
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WHAM! She was saying EXACTLY what I was thinking.<br />
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Her name is Becca and her blog is:<br />
<a href="http://thebatesmotel3.blogspot.ca/">The Bates Motel</a><br />
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Glee, Guns and Good Judgement</h3>
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<em>*sigh*</em><br />
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I really should have seen it coming.<br />
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There was a trail of breadcrumbs a mile long, spanning back over the last 3 years, red flags of warning raised repeatedly, the taste in my mouth becoming increasingly bitter as I stumbled along, my enthusiasm waning as rapidly as the flags' frantic waving in the wind...<br />
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It all started out innocently enough. I began watching Glee a season late, catching up on what was missed during summer re-runs. I stood and applauded the inclusion of characters living with very<em> real </em>issues, subject matter as timely as any morning paper, a <em>tongue-firmly-in-cheek</em> attitude that made it relevant and <em>relatable </em>to everyone, everywhere, breeding tolerance where previously lived only <em>derision</em> and exclusion<em>. Homosexual...wheelchair-bound...multi-racial...homeless...obsessive-compulsive...teenage and pregnant...bullemic...overweight...dyslexic...developmentally-delayed...autistic...</em>and the list goes on.<em> </em>Good stuff! It seriously covered <em>everything</em>you could imagine, <em>including</em> everyone in their broad and continuing (yet sublimely <em>subtle</em>) statement on the ills of social <em>exclusion</em>. <br />
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I jumped up and down, waving my arms and shouting my support in particular over the show's inclusion of a character with Down syndrome. A teenaged girl named Becky, who could very easily be <em>my</em> child in a few years. Becky, on the surface, is a character for whom the producers and director should be appaluded. A member of the cheerleading team, she made an occasional appearance while working closely with the coach to hatch her devious plots against a rival school group. But as I continued to watch the show and began to watch Becky more closely, more <em>critically,</em> I felt the rise of <em>discouragement</em>, disappointment in her one-dimensionality, a stereotype not quite quashed in a way that made me terribly <em>comfortable</em> with the direction in which she was heading, the direction in which the changing of minds of the masses towards people with intellectual disabilities, the direction of true <em>inclusion</em>, was heading.<br />
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It seemed to be heading <em>nowhere</em>.<br />
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Not like I think the director <em>owes</em> the Down syndrome community anything, but with the overall message of being included and accepted being carried by all of the <em>other</em>characters, why couldn't it be carried just as simply, as beautifully, as <em>gracefully</em>, by Becky? Could it be anything to do with the fact that the others are <em>acting out</em> their issues or disabilities, where Becky, played <em>beautifully</em> by actress Lauren Potter, actually<em> owns</em> her disability?<br />
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Becky is scripted as comic relief, as a girl who is <em>never</em> seen in class, who is <em>never</em> seen on the actual cheerleading squad, who is <em>never</em> seen as a real, contributing member of the school's social structure, just as her coach's <em>pet</em>, almost <em>shielded </em>from the woes of <em>actual </em>school social life. Occasionally we get a glimpse into her feelings, as voiced-over by the amazing Dame Helen Mirren (most poignantly in a tear-inducing line stating, <em>"It *sucks* to be me"</em>), but without any kind of consistent<em> anchor </em>for Becky to hold on to outside of her coach's office, comic relief is still comic relief. The girl with Down syndrome is still a satellite of her own, floating through the ether, peripherally involved in the plot lines, with uncomfortably silly, underwhelming lines of dialogue and cute-guy-bottom-smacking and hand-on-the-butt-of-her-prom-date-dancing.<br />
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And, as almost an <em>apology-gone-wrong</em>, the story took a new turn last week.<br />
<br />
**Hey, I know! Let's make Becky have some <em>real </em>issues! Let's have her bring a <em>gun </em>to school, just like any other troubled teenaged kid would do! (Incidentally, she was <em>troubled</em> on the show because she was worried about not knowing what would happen to her after graduation, saying that she <em>couldn't</em> go to college - whaaaaa? Lauren Potter herself is in college! Who writes this stuff??) Let's really show how well-rounded her personality is, let's show the world that people with Down syndrome aren't always <em>happy</em>! Let's <em>feel sorry</em> for her!**<br />
<br />
<em>Scrreeeeeeeeeechhhhh!!!!!!</em><br />
<em></em><br />
Hold it right there, folks...<br />
<br />
Seriously?<br />
<br />
Let's just feed into the thought that perhaps people with intellectual disabilities are mentally unstable while we're at it, okay?<br />
<br />
<em>justwhatweneeded</em><br />
<em></em><br />
Let's all just <em>feel sorry</em> for her. Like we should do. Poor girl with Down syndrome, included in school because she<em> has </em>to be, "friends" who<em> humor</em> her, a coach who<em> uses</em>her. You know, it's funny, I'm not sure if I'm more annoyed that they had her bring the gun to school, or if I'm more annoyed that she spoke of not being able to go to college. There are other issues with this episode, with this new turn of events, but as I'd stated above, my issues go back further than this, and this was just the fire lit under my butt to bring it up. Do I keep watching? Yeah, I still like the show overall, and I still want to be able to keep an eye on what's going on with their portrayal of Becky. Makes for good blog fodder if nothing else. And, just by way of a disclaimer, I am <em>not</em> being hypocritical here - I am not about to bite the hand that feeds inclusion and empowerment and the growing anti-bullying movement, but I'd just love to see it done a <em>little</em> <em>differently.</em><br />
<br />
There's an excellent article <a href="http://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2012/04/13/glee-gun-episode-sparks-debate-among-newtown-community-special-needs-advocates" style="color: #7d181e; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">here</a> about the episode, about its impact on the people of Newtown, CT, still reeling from the unspeakable acts of horror that rained down on them, gun violence in school still too fresh in their minds, and its impact on the the special needs community.<br />
<br />
Thanks a lot, Glee, for making some things harder than ever for our kids. <em>How're you gonna fix this?</em><br />
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Thank you Becca, you took the words right out of my mouth.<br />
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Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14012733380565584975noreply@blogger.com6