7 Quick Takes

--- 1 ---

I hate "Whatever Awareness", or rather I did. I never saw the point. I thought, "How about forgoing awareness and putting that money into actual aid to those suffering?" Now I'm on the awareness bandwagon. Because people need to know you won't die from having a baby with Down syndrome and that making decisions out of fear is really just a good way to cheat yourself from a fulfilling life. And that's just Down syndrome. There are a lot of things we all need to grab our attention. So, be aware, be very aware!

--- 2 ---

Lately I've really taken account of my appearance. It really started when I was describing to my kids about the connection between the body and the soul. And I realized, while there is a time to let vanity go, there is also the need to retain a sense of self and glory in your outward appearance. If you are ashamed of your appearance you are not going to be fully yourself. So I am taking small steps to reclaim my appearance. My hair appointment is next week. It seems like vanity, but it is deeper than that. I must feel whole to be holy, and part of that is feeling worthy of time and attention. Lately everything else comes first, and that's okay. It just can't last. And let's be real, I'm not shooting for gorgeous, just pleasant.

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BEGIN RANT
We live in an increasingly disordered world and I'm flipping tired of it. Weekends of football on T.V. all day long are no longer the norm around here. For the last 5 years we've needed, yes needed, TiVo in order to watch anything on television, including football during the day. Why? Because executives seem to think it appropriate to air commercials for horror movies during the day, during "family viewing". This, my friends, is utterly disrespectful.

I'm so disgusted by the lack of respect for children in our culture. Hey, you want to make a horror movie? Great! If it's a good story I might go see it. You want to have a strip club? Well, I don't like it, but I'm not going to march outside your doors either. You want to advertise your beer during the day? Okay, I'll probably buy it with or without your ad, but whatevs. You want to throw gore and breasts in my kids' faces to get my business? Wrong answer.

It's not just ads, of course, though there is a local billboard in particular that I'd like to beat with a 9 iron. It's the whole "Teach your Baby to Read" mentality that disrespects child development. Mariana could roll over at two weeks, but she did it incorrectly, and I had to go back and show her the "right way" so that her development was ordered toward her benefit and not detrimental. There is an order to life and to development that needs to be respected, but I see that in our pursuit of what we as adults want, we leave behind what kids need.

Life is like math, kids need to know how to count and what a number is before they can be taught addition. What sense does it make to throw images of lust and horror at our kids when they are still learning the ins and outs of basic life? Does no one recall how wonderful it is to enjoy the box before we even remember a toy came inside?

So, stop it you dumb advertisers. I don't want to see any more gore or sex during the weekends. I want to be able to turn on the football game and walk out of the room without having to pause. I want to drive down the highway without 9 foot women baring their goodies. And I have no interest, and never have had an interest in teaching my baby to read!

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Sorry about that last rant, but not really. Back to my fabulous life with Mae. She is cracking me up/making me crazy. She still won't nap in her bed, but in the exer-saucer/jumper toy? 2 solid hours. Though, in her defense, when she was startled awake by her brother screaming, "MARIANA IS SLEEPING." right by her ear, she was able to bounce herself back to sleep. So, that's something.

--- 5 ---

We are closing on the house next Friday. Fear and loathing about the upcoming move is threatening to take the fun out of this adventure. Also? the punch list. It is no fun to go through your dream house pointing out all the flaws. In my fantasy world I would sit the builder down and explain, "This is my dream house. You have eyes, so you go through and fix all the problems, make it perfect and quit ruining my fun." And then he does it. As I said, my fantasy.

--- 6 ---

This weather is the bomb. It's cool in the morning, warm during the day and cool at night. It smells like fall, but doesn't require many added layers. The children can play outside all day, and then come in smelling like clean air. The windows were open all day yesterday. If I could, I would hug this weather.

--- 7 ---

In honor of DS awareness month, here is a shout-out to my husband. I have received a lot of complements on how well I am doing with Mae's diagnosis. One friend asked, "Don't you feel chosen?" as in, favored by God. I must admit the question bewildered me because while I have always seen our girl as the best gift from heaven, I never ever thought it was because God thought I was anything great. It's more like I saw God as the teacher who sees a kid not living up to his potential and giving him cool extra projects so that he does better all around. Or put another way, God was saying, "You can do better Barbara, here's your chance."

But my husband I see differently. If ever I thought Mariana was a reward for goodness, it would be be because he earned it. Scott's the most unselfish person I've ever met. And while he'd argue with me about that, I have experienced first hand the depth of his unselfishness. So, for Ds awareness, let us never forget those wonderful dads who love their babies to the ends of the earth. Three cheers for them! 

For more Quick Takes, visit Conversion Diary!

Seven Months!

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My dad's birthday is October 4th. Anyone who reads this should say a prayer for him because that would make him very happy for his birthday. If you happen to be an atheist, do it anyway. It's my dad after all.

---2---

Mariana is seven months today! I know, where does that time go? She is rife with cold symptoms which may or may not be an actual cold. Two days ago it was not. I know this because we were at the doctor for a vaccine and a referral. This is just an adventure with narrow airways and small sinuses. I find the respiratory stuff overwhelming, but I think we are doing okay. In other news, she is also getting closer to sitting up! I wonder if it will be this month. I haven't looked at the developmental charts-it's a sanity thing- but it would be nice to be able to plop her down and take a picture of that fat belly! Other skills include splashing in the bath, which is ADORABLE, and possibly signing "eat". It's more of a hitting herself in the mouth motion, than a proper sign, and she does it all the time, but she also wants to eat all the time and copies me when I sign "eat." Let's just say I wouldn't be surprised if she excels in the communication department given her family. 

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We are off the GI specialist in a couple weeks. What's tough is that I'm not comfortable sharing every detail of her medical issues because some day she's going to grow up. It's her life, her diagnosis. Much like I allude to Molly's food sensitivities, but don't get into detail, it seems very important I respect that Mariana may not grow up to be an over-sharer like her mother. But, you guys, my baby is crying from pain and I can't help her. Worst parental feeling ever. Pray for us both!

--- 4 ---

Molly is READING!  So, I've been slightly busy which has kept me from spending as much time as I ought on helping Molly with reading. One night, instead of reading to her, I asked her to read to me "Dick and Jane, We Look". Girlfriend is a genius! I give all the credit to her wonderful teacher Ms. P, and her aide, Mrs. S.

Molly has always been this type of kid who puts out there that she's incapable, disinterested and in need of assistance. She's very charming, but seems a bit on the slower side of the curve for her age. I had even considered holding her back a year.  But Molly also is the type that is paying attention and will just pop out a new skill like a boss. Her first words (at 17 months) were "No mine!" clear as a bell. At three, never having worked with her to write her name, I asked her to try, which she completed with a capital "M" and lower case o-l-l-y. She's going to make a great spy some day.

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The older two are just the best. They are helpful, courteous, and Kate, is funny! She's pulling out all these new phrases that just seem so mature. We were watching the debate - I recorded it - and she busts out with, "The president is saying, 'Uh', a lot like you do when you are distracted." She also said that Romney seems like he knows what he wants to say and that if Obama is open to all ideas then her idea is that he lower taxes so we can give our money to who we want. Scott and I have never talked about our personal taxes with her or in front of her. This she gleaned from our discussion on the differences between those who think government should be the source of charitable giving and those who think those responsibilities should be kept on the local level. But it is hilarious that she expresses any political view at all because she was holding a book from the "Dork Diaries" series the whole time.

C, good heavens, is amazing. She soothes the baby, sweeps the floor and is still as affectionate as always. She's in a delightful phase that I am savoring.

--- 6 ---

P is a boy. He hits, he's messy and he gives the best hugs in the house. He's such a great buddy and a wonderful brother. I'm so glad he's ours!

--- 7 ---

I look terrible. I have zero time to take care of my appearance, and frankly, I'm not so interested. My brows need to be waxed, my hair needs a touch up and could use a trip to a clothing store for myself. There is a part of me that cares, but it's way low on the priority list. I hope by Christmas I care a bit more due to the photos that are bound to be taken. Remember when we were all going to be both beautiful and get all the housework done without having to tell the our kids to clean up the legos?

For more Quick Takes, visit Conversion Diary!