Not As Easy As It Sounds

I'm constantly working on improving Antalya's speech. This is the area she most struggles in. She has so much to say, but just struggles to express herself in a way that can be understand. She is so patient about it, and will repeat something as many times as it takes for me to understand. I'm learning to be patient like she is, although I still have quite a ways to go. 

Lately she is trying to say so much more. Here's a few of my recent favorites:

I always sing songs to the girls before they go to sleep.

Tonight Antalya wanted to sing the "I song".

I was clueless.

I quickly thought through every kids song I know to see any rhymed with "I".

We went back and forth for several minutes. 

Antalya, "I song". 

Me, "I don't know the I song."

Finally I heard her trying to find the words for the song and made out an "H, I, J" in her mutterings.

Aha - the alphabet!

And to think, all these years I've always thought A, B, and C were the most memorable letters.

Antalya is fascinated with babies. She loves seeing babies, pretending to be a baby, and looking at pictures of babies. But what she is most fascinated with is newborn babies. I've been trying to teach her the term "newborn baby" for months, but whenever she tries to say it, it comes out "corn baby". It gets some weird looks when she says it to be people with little babies. But I think it is one of the sweetest things.

I had a rough little patch with the girls tonight. Finally I just said, "Antalya, you are frustrating me!" She looked up at me with a huge grin while she did her best attempt to say "frustrating me." Then got such a pleased looked on her face that she had said something new, that I couldn't help but just melt on the spot and give her a big hug.

I love this little girl!

Changed for the Better

A friend of mine asked me to write my thoughts on raising a child with Down syndrome. I thought I would share them here.

I remember it as if it were yesterday. The day my world was turned upside down. The doctor delivered the news to my husband and I that our first baby would be born with Down syndrome. At first I couldn’t believe it. I was in shock. I was scared.

And then the tears came. And came. And came. I mourned as if I had lost a child, because that's what it felt like at the time. 

I spent endless nights worrying about whether or not my child would be beautiful, and whether or not she would learn to walk or ride a bike. I worried about how I would care for her and teach her, and who would take care of her when I died. I worried that she might not like to rock climb like her dad and I, or dance like her grandmother, or graduate from school. I worried, and I cried, and I worried some more.

And then she was born. 

And she was beautiful. 

And my heart filled with more love than I could ever imagine. 

And as the days and months went on I realized that our little baby was just what we needed. She introduced us to a whole new world, and dozens of new friendships and opportunities. Before we knew it, it seemed that almost everyone we knew had a connection to someone with Down syndrome. 

We met other children and young adults with Down syndrome. And they were beautiful, and talented, and smart, and loved and cherished by their families. 

And we learned to celebrate every victory. Like the first time Antalya rolled over, or clapped her hands, or held a cup, or walked on her own. 

And now, five years later, we still celebrate every victory. Like, yesterday when she spelled her name correctly for the very first time and I had a smile on my face for the rest of the day.

And I have learned that all my worries, were just worries. My daughter is beautiful. She is smart. She is talented. She runs, jumps, and plays with the other children her age. She loves to dance and sing. She knows her letters and numbers, she’s learning to read and write. She can make her little sister laugh harder than anyone else. She is loved and adored by cousins, grandparents, teachers, and friends. And she puts a smile on my face every day.

Sure there are challenging moments. Lots of them. But what parent doesn't have challenging moments with their children? So we take them as they come, just like we do with our 'typical' daughter, doing our best to teach her, and help her become all she needs to be to survive in this world. But with all the teaching we do, it is our daughter that does the most teaching.

Every day she teaches us through her actions the power of persistence and determination, the importance of a positive attitude, and that love should always be unconditional.

Our lives have been forever changed for the better because of our sweet Antalya!

A New Chapter

Moving day came! 

My parents deserve an award for putting up with us in their home for six months. We loved spending so much time with them, and I am grateful my girls had a chance to get to know them so well. My parents are amazing. 

But all chapters must end, and new ones must begin.

And this next one keeps us in Utah for at least a couple more years. Jason's parents were called to serve a two year LDS mission in California. When they asked us if we'd be willing to stay in their home while they are away, we jumped at the chance. 

The girls are enjoying having so many new closets and rooms to discover. But despite new toys, new hiding places, and our first ever 'playroom', the girls still prefer what they call 'making a cake' as the activity of choice the second I sit down to the computer, or start talking on the phone.

 

With the move, Antalya had to say goodbye to her school class that we have grown to love so much. But at her new school she gets to ride the bus. 

Victoria and I see her off each day,

and then anxiously wait for the bus to bring her back home.

Life is good!

Wordless Wednesday

'Tis the Season

One of my most favorite things about Christmas in Utah is seeing
the lights at Temple Square. 

It signals the beginning of the Christmas season for me.

Last night we bundled and went as a family to show the girls the beautiful lights.

May your season be bright!

Since returning to the states, I have had the craft bug like never before.
I think it comes from a strong desire to settle down and make a home - to decorate walls and have throw pillows, to watch the girls playing in the yard from the kitchen window, to be in the same spot long enough to make it feel like it's ours.

In fact, lately, I would rather be sitting at the sewing machine than the computer (or at least that's my excuse for not blogging lately).

Tonight I stumbled upon these cute stockings.

I think I might add it to the list of things to make before Christmas.

October

Wow! October completely got away from me. It's been a busy month with lots going on.

So here's a quick catch up with photos...

Antalya turned FIVE!!! There was much celebrating!


On Antalya's birthday, Victoria gave her the best gift possible. She asked for her to push her in the swing (usually if anyone except I pushes her, she instantly decides she doesn't want to swing). This let to helping each other in and out of the swing and taking turns pushing. It did this momma's heart good to see them playing so well.


It seemed we had more than our share of Halloween parties this year!


We spent three wonderful days camping and hiking at Zion National Park with some of the cousins.


We had a fun outing to HeeHaws farm with the cousins.


Antalya had her first dance performance with the Pals dance group. When she realized everyone was watching her and clapping for her, her face just lit up. It was so fun to watch her. Her group is performing at the Festival of Trees this year and I can't wait to watch her again!


New Family Photos!


We found lots of witches at the WitchFest with Gramma.


Trick-or-Treating Fun!


Hope your October was a good as ours!

Today

At 6:30 this morning Antalya and I were in the car rocking out to her favorite version of The Wheels on the Bus. Despite my efforts to convince her otherwise, Antalya was convinced we were headed to Uncle Scott's house to play. We've only been to his house once, and it most definitely was not at 6:30am. 

As we drove through downtown Salt Lake City I was reminded again of how quaint this city feels after being in London for two years. I feel like I could pick up the whole city and hold it in the palm of my hand. But I love it! Especially when I hit every green light on South Temple. This city is my home.

Just as the sky was beginning to lighten behind the mountains, we pulled into the parking lot at Primary Children's Hospital for a full day of doctors. Lucky for Antalya, she will asleep for most of it! They let me follow her back to the OR and stay with her until she was out. As I walked out, I couldn't help looking back at my little girl. She looked so tiny laying on such a big operating table. 

She will be out for the entire morning with a line-up of dental work, ear tubes, echocardiogram on her heart, and ABR hearing scan. 

And I will spend the morning waiting, reading, and enjoying a few quite hours all to myself!

I am beautiful.

I am smart.

I love to dance.

I forgive quickly, and love unconditionally.

I am a friend.

I can always make people smile.

I am loved by many.

I have blue eyes.

I am a sister.

I am a daughter.

I am Antalya!

October

Today begins Down Syndrome Awareness Month. 

It is also the month Antalya was born, so naturally always brings with it much contemplation on the blessing this little angel is to our family.  

Watch for lots of post this month celebrating Down syndrome and the life of my beautiful daughter Antalya.