Comments on Three Weddings: Then It Hits You

Ellen - I couldn't agree more. If our kids know w...

2008-02-22T12:01:00.000-06:00

Ellen -

I couldn't agree more. If our kids know we make mistakes, then they will know it is ok. It's how we handle those mistakes that matter.

What a cute little girl! Nice pics too. I'm not ...

2008-02-22T11:56:00.000-06:00

What a cute little girl! Nice pics too. I'm not a super mom, and I let my kids know it. I think nowadays they expect too much from us, and it can be very draining. I think I am a good influence because I try to show them that I am a real person, warts and all, and I'm not a martyr (unless they're sic of course.

Deb - The honesty and love you bring to your roll ...

2008-02-20T21:31:00.000-06:00

Deb - The honesty and love you bring to your roll as a mother is such a blessing not only to your children but to those of us who have never had the opportunity to learn about DS.

I read your words and the comments here of other parents of children with DS and am awed by your strength and wisdom.

Thank you so much for helping me to become a more caring, knowledgeable person. I am humbled by your grace.

I bid you Peace, Blessings, Respect and Gratitude.

I babysit for a two 1/2 year old. Her and Rylie ar...

2008-02-20T18:17:00.000-06:00

I babysit for a two 1/2 year old. Her and Rylie are great buddies and developmentally they are on the same level pretty much. At first when I started watching this little girl she was one, so I was able to see how great Rylie was doing compared to a one year old, but then this little baby started growing up and started catching up to Rylie, and it hurt me even though I love this little girl and I am happy for her. Now I try not to think about it too much, but when she starts passing Rylie, I don't know how I will feel.I'm sure I'll feel a little sad. These feelings will always come and go I'm sure.

I definitely know what you mean. After 4 1/2 year...

2008-02-20T13:53:00.000-06:00

I definitely know what you mean. After 4 1/2 years, I don't really think about Caroline's differences. The first couple years were harder. I used to want to hide her more and not let anyone stare at her. I also used to feel self conscious even taking her outside with the neighbors around for fear of their reactions. I never let anyone outside of family see her being tube fed!

Now? Different story. I am proud to be Caroline's mom. I don't care that she is in a wheelchair (other than it being a pain in the butt and there are never handicapped spots open). I don't care that she has a feeding tube. I think she is an angel and I am proud to be her mom.

But then there still are the moments when my other daughter will ask "will Caroline ever walk or talk? I hope so, I want to play with her." And those moments are heartbreaking. But I know her special sister will prove to make her a much better, more tolerant person when she grows up.

Great post Deb. You willingness to share your per...

2008-02-20T13:46:00.000-06:00

Great post Deb. You willingness to share your perspective gives your blog so much authenticity! Thanks for sharing all of the insight. I'm sure Peanut will benefit from that same perspective from you as she grows up too. Lucky girl.

AZ - Thank you for your thoughts. You are right, ...

2008-02-19T21:12:00.000-06:00

AZ - Thank you for your thoughts. You are right, the little boy was not being mean. He is too little to understand she is not a baby. To him she looks like a baby. It's just hard as a mom, sometimes, to see it happen.

I know exactly what you're talking about. When we...

2008-02-19T20:10:00.000-06:00

I know exactly what you're talking about. When we had the meeting about Micah starting school I cried for an entire day. I just felt as though he was being weighed in the balance and found wanting. He didn't measure up. And it hurt. A lot.

That was such a fantastic post! It really is the ...

2008-02-19T18:43:00.000-06:00

That was such a fantastic post! It really is the little things that make you realize when a child is "different." I had never noticed how developmentally delayed one of my nephews was until we had him around my daughter . . . she was speaking just about as well as him, even though he is two years older. It was actually a blessing, because now he is getting speech therapy and doing much better.

Deb I know it can seem hard I am 16 and not dr...

2008-02-19T18:26:00.000-06:00

Deb I know it can seem hard I am 16 and not driving yet while LG is. I don't think the boy was trying to be mean when he called her baby. sis he shorter then her ? Mabey you that my bud with DS is a fantastic swim(regular swim team ) plays judo and can play uno with help. I am sure peanut will be able to play Red light green light I would teach her except I live far away
Hugs

Maria - Yeah that your son doesn't need speech the...

2008-02-19T14:03:00.000-06:00

Maria - Yeah that your son doesn't need speech therapy anymore!!! Caroline is such a beauty. I still call all my kids my baby, even my 11 year old! Not sure they always like it.

Barbara - Thank you.

Hi Deb,What a beautifully written post. That's wh...

2008-02-19T13:50:00.000-06:00

Hi Deb,

What a beautifully written post. That's what I love about your blog. You freely share all that you experience, in a way that makes other parents say "it's okay to feel this way". Too often parents of children with special needs, feel guilty if they voice a negativity about their child, but you let them know it's normal. How blessed your children are to have you for a MOM. Great job Deb.

I know what you mean. My youngest son was very spe...

2008-02-19T11:43:00.000-06:00

I know what you mean. My youngest son was very speech delayed. I knew he was, but didn't really notice how much until I heard other kids his age in preschool talk. Wow! He really is speech delayed! Does everyone notice? Actually on Thursday I'm meeting with the speech teacher to get him out of speech classes. He doesn't need them anymore! Also, my sister Irene's little Caroline is actually older than my youngest, and we still call her Baby Caroline. I don't think it's something bad, it's just that we all baby her more, kind of like how I baby my 4-year old because she's the youngest of my four kids.

I am right there with you. I was just telling the...

2008-02-19T09:46:00.000-06:00

I am right there with you. I was just telling the OT this morning that all is well in our little world til we have to mix our world with others'. I know very well about Braska's limitations, ya can't miss it when you feed the booger through a hole in her belly instead of her mouth! :o) But there are those moments that catch me off guard when it's like there's a big loudspeaker somewhere saying...hey, this one's way behind all the others! Thankfully they are becoming more rare, but I'm sure as we encounter new things as she grows, they'll continue to pop up here and there. They will never not bother me, but at least I can walk through it now.

Kari -So glad you dropped by. Isn't it nice to kn...

2008-02-19T09:41:00.000-06:00

Kari -
So glad you dropped by. Isn't it nice to know we aren't alone! As for the "super mom", I'm not sure about that, I just put on a good act some times. :)

Hi I came across your blog and just love this post...

2008-02-19T09:30:00.000-06:00

Hi I came across your blog and just love this post. I can relate with your feelings. I have 3 nephews all the same age as my son and I find it tough sometimes. It doesn't change what I think or how I feel about my son but it hurts sometimes. Then I remember all the things Tristan has brought to my life and many others and go right back to living. You are one super Mom I don't know how you can have patience for so many children. Hats off to you!