And we tell her that she has Down Syndrome. We don't make a big deal of it, we just bring it up once in a while. We own videos that have kids with DS in them, so it's easy to point out. "Lila, see that cute little girl with Barney? She has Down Syndrome like you do!"
Lila also has a lot of friends with Down Syndrome and sometimes I'll include the fact that they have Down Syndrome in conversation. "Lila, we're going to play with Roxy, Josie and Baby Lena today. Roxy has Down Syndrome like you do!"
Having Down Syndrome is a part of her life. We want her to hear those words from her family first. Words said with love. I am pretty sure that at some point in Lila's life she will hear those words from someone and she won't be feeling any love from them.
In the last few days I have read 3 different stories of people who were basically freaking out because their kid was "catching on" that they have Down Syndrome. These kids range from 7-12 years old. I have to wonder if these kids "caught on" to the fact that they have Down Syndrome a while ago but are just now letting their parents in on it.
Any thoughts?
Hugs~
Linda
My birthday celebration...........
Last week I celebrated a birthday. I am now 44 years old. Yikes.
44 years of living and learning. 44 years of hard lessons because I'm incredibly stubborn. 44 years of unconditional love from my family.
44 blessed years.
We celebrated a day early because my birthday fell on a Monday this year. The pitter patter of Lila's little feet woke me up on Sunday morning. She was followed by my awesome husband who was carrying a tray of food. Breakfast in bed. Nice.
That afternoon Nick, Lila and I enjoyed a performance of Cinderella, a lovely show that included some of our very own VSA (Very Special Arts) friends.
Michelle, Nate & Matty~ cast members & friends
Lila and Sophie, friend and cast member
Lila and Eliza, friend & cast member
(Their mothers need to teach them to sit like ladies)
Some of my presents...
(thanks, Donna, for your assistance with this)
Thanks, everyone, for making my 44th birthday a great one. A fabulous day indeed. I am blessed in so many ways.
Hugs~
Linda
44 years of living and learning. 44 years of hard lessons because I'm incredibly stubborn. 44 years of unconditional love from my family.
44 blessed years.
We celebrated a day early because my birthday fell on a Monday this year. The pitter patter of Lila's little feet woke me up on Sunday morning. She was followed by my awesome husband who was carrying a tray of food. Breakfast in bed. Nice.
That afternoon Nick, Lila and I enjoyed a performance of Cinderella, a lovely show that included some of our very own VSA (Very Special Arts) friends.
Michelle, Nate & Matty~ cast members & friends
Lila and Sophie, friend and cast member
Lila and Eliza, friend & cast member
(Their mothers need to teach them to sit like ladies)
After the show, we took our little shopper to the store to pick up a few last-minute items.
She thought she was such a big girl-
first time with her own cart!
first time with her own cart!
Nick made a delicious dinner of salmon, sweet potatoes, salad and bread, complemented by a glass of my favorite red wine. After dinner our friends came over to share the birthday dessert. (Turtle brownies, as I am not a big fan of cake.) Not that you asked.......
I received many birthday wishes via Facebook, e-mails and text messages. And some good old fashioned cards as well!
(Loved them)
Some of my presents...
(thanks, Donna, for your assistance with this)
Thanks, everyone, for making my 44th birthday a great one. A fabulous day indeed. I am blessed in so many ways.
Hugs~
Linda
Let your imagination run wild............
That's what Miss Lila does. It's so fun to hear her pretend. Her little imagination never seems to stop.
Here's a scene from Lila's playroom. Under her direction, we placed these items on the couch exactly where she wanted them. God forbid she just play with this stuff in her dollhouse. She wants to carry it across the room to the couch.
She's so funny, not wanting Carla (Cinderella) to sit at the table. And she specifically wanted the princesses to have tea and chicken. While the dog watched on from the baby's crib.
Another place Lila's imagination runs wild is when we are in the car. The trip to and from school takes anywhere from 20 to 30 minutes, depending on traffic and traffic lights. During this time we sing songs and talk about people at school. That normally happens on the way to school. On the way home from school she usually keeps to herself, playing with the books and toys she has in the backseat.
Today on the way home from school she was "reading" an Elmo book. This is what I heard:
"Melmo, are you gungry? Want eat? Want zizza? Yummy"
Pretends to eat, smacks lips together.
"Melmo, want cake? Yes"
Proceeds to sing "Happy Dirthday" to Melmo.
Yesterday on the way home from school she asked for her baby doll and stuffed panda. She started singing the Barney song, using the doll and panda like little puppets. (Ironic, because she's only seen one puppet show in her life and she was scared to death, shaking like a leaf. We had to remove her from the situation.)
I wish I could have gotten a picture of her singing the Barney song with her baby and "danda".
I love you, you love me, we're a pappy family. With a great big hug (poses doll and panda) and a kiss from me to you (big mmmwwwwaaaa between them). Won't you say you love me too?
Then she says:
"Danda? Sit baby's head? Yes. "
She put the panda on top of the baby's head.
"Baby say, 'NNNOOOOO'!"
And then she laughed. She cracks herself up.
And keeps me entertained.
Hugs~
Linda & Lila
Here's a scene from Lila's playroom. Under her direction, we placed these items on the couch exactly where she wanted them. God forbid she just play with this stuff in her dollhouse. She wants to carry it across the room to the couch.
She's so funny, not wanting Carla (Cinderella) to sit at the table. And she specifically wanted the princesses to have tea and chicken. While the dog watched on from the baby's crib.
Another place Lila's imagination runs wild is when we are in the car. The trip to and from school takes anywhere from 20 to 30 minutes, depending on traffic and traffic lights. During this time we sing songs and talk about people at school. That normally happens on the way to school. On the way home from school she usually keeps to herself, playing with the books and toys she has in the backseat.
Today on the way home from school she was "reading" an Elmo book. This is what I heard:
"Melmo, are you gungry? Want eat? Want zizza? Yummy"
Pretends to eat, smacks lips together.
"Melmo, want cake? Yes"
Proceeds to sing "Happy Dirthday" to Melmo.
Yesterday on the way home from school she asked for her baby doll and stuffed panda. She started singing the Barney song, using the doll and panda like little puppets. (Ironic, because she's only seen one puppet show in her life and she was scared to death, shaking like a leaf. We had to remove her from the situation.)
I wish I could have gotten a picture of her singing the Barney song with her baby and "danda".
I love you, you love me, we're a pappy family. With a great big hug (poses doll and panda) and a kiss from me to you (big mmmwwwwaaaa between them). Won't you say you love me too?
Then she says:
"Danda? Sit baby's head? Yes. "
She put the panda on top of the baby's head.
"Baby say, 'NNNOOOOO'!"
And then she laughed. She cracks herself up.
And keeps me entertained.
Hugs~
Linda & Lila
Wordless Wednesday- Random pics
A post with actual words coming today or tomorrow- I have been reprimanded for not blogging very much. LOL
Hugs~
Linda
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