Friday Freebie

Freebies received: Garnier Fructis Shampoo and Conditioner, 2010 Joyce Meyer Ministry calendar.

For US:
- Fill out the form for a free sample of Sun Vibes Massage Oil.
- Request a free Kashi TLC Chewy Granola Bar.-
- Get a free sample of Breathe Right Nasal Strips.
- Print a coupon for a free Steaz Zero Calorie Tea.
- Get a sample of Ganier Skin Renew.
- Print a coupon for a free Sun-Rype FruitSource Bar at GNC.
- Request a free sample of Dentek Triple Clean Floss Picks.

For Veterans and Active Duty Military on Veteran's Day:
- Get a free Outback Bloomin Onion and Beverage.
- Get a free meal at Applebees.
- Get a free entree at Abuelo's Mexican Restaurant.

Speech

RK is doing a little personal research on speech and asked to see videos of kids talking - just chatting about their day or whatever.

This first video I took a few months ago. I usually end up asking Kayla a lot of yes or no questions when I'm filming her and this day I tried to keep my mouth shut and just sit back and let her talk. Kayla still doesn't use a lot of 'filler' words in her sentences and we're trying to expand the length of the sentences. Near the end of the video she wants the camera and she'll just say what she wants (camera please), but when I make her slow down and start with "I" she uses more of her words.

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

This video was after school last week...I try asking her every day about school and how it went; I ask her what she had for lunch (even though she brings lunch so I know what it is) to help reinforce those memory skills. Yes I was quite surprised at what she shared with me about lunch that day. I have parent-teacher conference today and I will be asking what that was all about!

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Special Exposure Wednesday

Now that we're living in MD I sure have been enjoying the fall colors...something we didn't get to do when living in NM!


Kayla has been having fun picking leaves up on our walks. Her favorite is finding the red-colored leaves.

When Joe Returns

In a previous post I was asked "what are your plans for once Joe's back home? Where do you see yourselves 18 months from now?"

The quick answer to what our plans for when Joe returns is: to settle in to our new duty location which will be Charleston AFB, SC.

But the answer isn't that easy.

When people ask me when Joe is coming back I say "Feb" and they usually say "Oh that's not so far away now! He'll be home soon!" Which is true - Feb is just around the corner and Joe will be back in the states; however I always feel like I have to follow that up with a "but..." because we're not automatically going to all be together after that. The whole separation thing won't be over.

Joe is still assigned to the base we were at in NM. He has to return there. He has to outprocess there before inprocessing at Charleston.

When we moved to MD we knew that we were going to stay here through June so Kayla could finish out this school year and not move in the middle of school again. That is still our plan. We thought Joe would be at his next assignment and he would be about a day's drive away and we could see him once a month figuring that would be for four months.

Well Joe doesn't report to Charleston until Aug. That throws a kink into a lot of things -namely that means he would remain in NM until that time (no he can't be temporarily assigned here in MD for those 6 months). The main problem with that is we signed out of base housing - he doesn't have a house to go back to and our stuff is in storage.

So right now the plan is for Joe to request an earlier report date for Charleston. Hopefully that will be approved. Once he gets there I'll go down there and we can either house-hunt, or get base housing (we're still trying to decide what we want to do). Once that is figured out we'll join him after Kayla's out of school.

As for where I see us in 18 months - right now I just see us settled in to our new assignment in SC!

And somewhere in the middle of all that I told Joe my plan for when we're all settled in SC is that I'm taking off by myself somewhere for a week so he and the kids can get reacquainted :) I have a friend from high school who is in GA and another friend from high school who will be in NC by that time next year. The 3 of us were always together in Germany and we're looking forward to a little reunion together :)

So there is the long answer of when Joe returns!

Thanksgiving in Afghanistan

I know this is a long shot, but hey, sometimes you just never know who might be reading your blog, so I thought it was worth a shot.

Is there anyone out there who has any connection to the food service industry...along the lines of getting a bunch of turkeys to Afghanistan for Thanksgiving?

Joe and a bunch of guys over where he's at are trying to figure out how to have a decent Thanksgiving dinner.

Since there are multi-national forces there the dining hall puts together a small section for the US troops to have a Thanksgiving meal; but from what Joe heard about last year's meal it was just frozen, processed turkey breast slices. They would like to try and get some real turkeys over there this year, if they can.

So just in case someone out there knows someone, who knows someone, who knows someone who might possibly be able to help out, or offer suggestions...I said I would throw this out there...cause you just never know!

Down Syndrome Awareness in Canada

Down Syndrome Awareness Month may be over here in the U.S., but it's just starting in Canada.

Nov 1-7 is Down Syndrome Awareness Week in Canada, and Lianna from Life With Gabriel (he's such a cutie!) is celebrating by having a giveaway every day of the week.

Go check it out and meet adorable Gabe!

31 Days Already?

I can't believe it's the end of October! Which also means the end of "31 for 21" - whew, I made it! Posted every day for October!

I just realized I never answered the questions that were asked to me on that first post either - so here goes.

1. What are your plans for once Joe's back home? Where do you see yourselves 18 months from now? I'm actually going to answer this in an upcoming post!

2. I would like you to post on how you and Joe met, how long you dated, were engaged, etc. Here is the story of how we met. I was telling Joe the other day that although we did meet in high school, our relationship more closely resembles one where the couple met online! We pretty much 'dated' for 2 years long-distance...so all the 'getting to know' you time happened via emails and chats!

3. Because I recall Kayla being a bit of a peanut, what size is she in now and is Lucas catching up to her? Kayla is in size 6 for tops, although in long-sleeves the sleeves are a bit long on her. But if I go with a 5 the shirt is too short in the waist. Her pant size is 5, but again the length is a little long on her legs, but it fits better in the waist then a 4 would. Shoe is 9.5. Kayla is 40 lbs and 41 inches. I have no idea where she is on the Ds, or typical, charts. At Lucas's 18 month appointment he was...hmm...I think 27 lbs and 32 inches...geesh I need to keep better track! He's not catching up too quickly, yet! He's in 18 month pants and 18-24 months shirts. I know Kayla was not wearing 18 month clothes when she was 18 months though!

4. How has inclusion worked for Kayla so far? How are you going to explain ds to Kayla and Lucas? I think, so far, inclusion has been the right thing for Kayla, and her classmates, at this stage in her life. The kids here (just like last year in NM) seem to want to 'help' Kayla and while that is sweet of them, I know she does not like assistance like that - she is so independent and wanting to do for herself. I think because she is smaller and looks younger for her age they tend to want to 'mother' her. Hopefully the teacher is helping the kids realize that there is a lot Kayla can do on her own and she doesn't always need so many helpers :)

As for how we are going to explain Ds to Kayla and Lucas: I honestly don't know yet! I guess I'm thinking it will be some gradual realization for them and we'll definitely talk about it. We have the book "Meet Annie" and there is a part in the story where she says "I have Down syndrome." This isn't in the book, but then I say to Kayla "Just like you. You have Down syndrome too." I know she doesn't understand that right now, but eventually she will. I also plan on getting the book "We'll Paint the Octopus Red."

5. Would you ever consider adopting? Yes Joe and I have mentioned adoption a time or two! It is something I've thought about, but not enough where I've given it serious consideration and we've started the process or anything.

6. Would you ever consider adopting a child with down syndrome? Yes I've considered this too! Especially when looking over the pictures at Reece's Rainbow an international Down Syndrome Orphan Ministry. Kids with disabilities in Eastern Europe are transferred from orphanages/baby homes to mental institutions around age 4. After that it becomes very difficult for adoption, and most don't survive the institutions. It's such a sad situation over there and it breaks my heart to think of what those kids go through. I do what I can by sponsoring adoption funds for the children waiting for their forever families.

7. Where do you and Joe (& the kids) plan to be in 5 years? Could you live abroad again? I think I remember your saying you lived in Germany. Will you go back to visit? Where would you like to travel to as a family? I have no idea where we'll be in 5 years - wherever the military sends us! Actually when Joe gets back next year he'll only have 3 years left before he hits that 'magical' number of 20 years in the service; and then he can retire! Yikes! That's kind of scary to think about because I'm not sure we're quite ready for the military retirement - we don't even know where we want to settle down at. So we could possibly still be in SC (where his orders are for after this deployment), or stationed somewhere else. We've talked about living in Germany again, maybe we'll stay in past 20 and try to get orders to Germany - that would be a neat experience for the kids. We do have friends stationed in Germany now and it would be fun to go back and visit them; although the thought of an overseas flight with my two kids stresses me out! Flying period stresses me out!

8. How is inclusion going in school for Kayla? See above :)

9. If Lucas had been a girl, what name would you have chosen? I posted the names we were thinking about, and even up till I was in labor we still weren't 100% sure what name we were going to use for a boy, or girl!

Parenting Photo Gallery

For the past 2 years, for National Down Syndrome Awareness Month, Parenting Magazine has featured A Special Joy: Kids With Down Syndrome Photo Galleries.

They are up to 9 albums this year.

Here is Kayla's picture, in Round 6. It's one of my favorite pictures of her.

I like scrolling through all these pictures of absolutely adorable kids! And seeing the babies reminds me of when Kayla was that age.

Thanks Parenting Magazine, for showcasing our kids with Down syndrome!

Friday Freebie

Freebie received: Curel Itch Defense Lotion

For US:
- Get a free sample of Pampers Extra Protection (size 4 or 5).
- Register to get a free sample of new Olay Total Effects Anti-Aging Body Wash.
- Get a free Jack Black taco from Taco Bell on Oct 31 from 6pm-midnight.
- Sign up for 2 free samples of Healthy To Go Omega To Go and Berry Crush powdered drink.
- Register for a free sample of PowerBar Gel Blasts.

For Canada and US:
- Register for a free pasta recipe booklet from Olivieri (make sure you check the box for Please send me a recipe booklet with valuable coupons.)

And Things She Can't

Just to balance out from the things Kayla can do post; I wanted to post 21 things she can't do.

Because the reality is there are a lot of things she can't do that her peers are doing. I mean, she does have a disability that comes with delays, struggles and challenges. Just keeping it real!

So...Kayla can't...

1. Tie her shoes
2. Button her pants
3. Draw (although she is getting better at making Mat Man.)
4. Write very many letters or trace very well
5. Swim
6. Jump rope
7. Hop
8. Balance on one foot for more than a couple seconds
9. Tell me all about her day
10. Buckle her seatbelt (although it might help if I start showing her how and letting her try!)
11. Ride a bike (she has never been interested in learning how; she can pedal for a few rotations but then she just stops.)
12. Use scissors very adeptly
13. Color in a whole picture very well
14. Skip
15. Tell you her phone number
16. Tell you when her birthday is
17. Count to 20 (she's close to it, but most of the 'teen' numbers all sound the same).
18. Pronounce "fork" - she still says it as "sork" even though she can pronounce "four/for" perfectly fine.
19. Enunciate the letter "L" very well unless she stops and concentrates on it
20. Answer a lot of abstract questions, like 'what do you want for Christmas' really wouldn't make sense to her.
21. Put long sentences together; we've been working on expanding her sentences beyond 4-5 words.

Special Exposure Wednesday

Besides jumping in the straw pit, Kayla and Lucas had some other fun visiting Bowles Farm.

Taking a 'train' ride:


Playing in the "corn" boxes:


Going through a little hay maze:


Going through a big corn maze:


Where Kayla showed us the way out:


A visit to the petting zoo:


I wish I had a better angle of his facial expression when the goat took the piece of corn out of his hand!


Then he realized it kind of tickled:






Kayla looks like she's having a stare-down with this goat:


and it wouldn't be complete without attempting pictures at the pumpkin patch...

Hey kids look over this way!


Not over there:


At ME! (this was the best they would give me)


Then Lucas was done so it was just Kayla:

Kayla Can

Here are 21 (21 because of Trisomy 21) things Kayla CAN do:

Kayla can...

1. Get dressed, including putting on her shoes (she struggled with that last year), and her backpack, by herself.
2. Use her imagination and have a tea party.
3. Brush her teeth.
4. Go to the bathroom by herself.
5. Be a great big sister.
6. Run and Jump
7. Recognize/identify/tell you her letters, numbers, shapes, colors.
8. Read site words in books.
9. Sing Jingle Bells.
10. Sing and sign songs from Signing Time, like "I'm Awake."
11. Very roughly write her first name.
12. Recite the Pledge of Allegiance.
13. Lace beads.
14. Walk up steps alternating feet (I think last year she was still placing both feet on each step.)
15. Go sledding.
16. Create masterpieces.
17. Open the sliding door on the van (she couldn't do it last year and this is great for building the hand strength she needs.)
18. Unbuckle her seatbelt.
19. Put on make-up.
20. Tell you her first/last name, how old she is, what grade she's in, and her teachers' names.
21. Go to school with her peers.

J-U-M-P!

At the pumpkin patch/corn maze we went to yesterday there were a couple straw pits for jumping in to. To say Kayla loved it would be an understatement! I have a several pictures to share from the pumpkin patch visit, but think these jumping pictures deserved their own post!











I love, love, love these last 2 photos, and the pure joy on her face - can't decide which one is my favorite!




Lucas tried to get in on the action too, but his was more of a step off the hay bale type of jump.

The Latest On My Dad

Here is a not-so-good update on my dad; sure wish I had better news to share.

From the last update I posted about my dad he did have the PET scan done on his liver. He was told the sugar solution in the IV would light up any cancer tumors and the spots on his liver didn't light up, so the report read there was no spread to the liver. He was told the cancer was Stage 2B or 3A.

On the 14th he went to the Moffitt Cancer Center for a repeat endoscopic ultrasound and cat scan. From that appt he was told the cancer had 'infiltrated' the portal vein and he most likely wouldn't be a candidate for the Whipple procedure. He had an appt with the surgeon scheduled for the 20th, but after the results of the endoscopic ultrasound that was canceled. My dad thought maybe after doing chemo and having it shrink from the portal vein they might be able to do the surgery after that.

On Thur he had an appt with the chemo dr at Moffitt. That dr asked my dad if anyone had given him the results of the cat scan that was done on the 14th; no one had yet.

He went over the cat scan and compared it to the original cat scan (the one that showed the spots on the liver and prompted the PET scan). This dr said the spots have not only increased in size, but increased in number and based on that this mean the spots in the liver were indeed cancerous...it has spread to the liver and is now classified as Stage 4.

I really don't understand all of these results; how the PET scan report determined the spots on the liver weren't cancerous because they didn't 'light up' but now the 2nd cat scan showed more spots, so it means it has spread.

I'm just in shock from thinking it hadn't spread to other organs and being Stage 2, to having it metastasize and being Stage 4.

I think my dad is starting chemo this week; and he also qualified for a clinical study that is just starting at Moffitt, but has been in use at other facilities.

My dad is trying to have a positive outlook on his prognosis and not accepting the 'timeline' that he was given. I'm trying to follow suit and remain positive as well.

I greatly appreciate any prayers you can offer up on my dad's behalf.

Listerine Oral Care Challenge

With Halloween, and the influx of candy to accompany it, coming up Listerine created the "October Oral Care Challenge" for kids 6 and older. The challenge was to brush, floss, and rinse twice a day, every day, for 2 weeks.

The premise behind the challenge is to instill in your kids the importance of good oral care. A tip from Dr Kanetta Lott, a leading pediatric dentist, is to show, don't tell. Lead by example, as kids will imitate your behavior and make oral hygiene feel less like a 'kid thing'. You can get more tips by age.

We're in the middle of our 2-week challenge and so far so good! I don't generally have a problem with getting Kayla (and Lucas) to brush their teeth...it's part of our routines, but I don't always brush my teeth at the same time. Kayla is getting better with letting me floss her teeth, but she doesn't quite have the concept of rinsing down yet.

As part of the challenge we received a calendar and stickers to keep track of our progress and this has been fun for Kayla. Stickers are always good for a reward :)

Here is a coupon for Listerine Smart Rinse for kids.

"I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Listerine and Reach and received Listerine and Reach products for the Oral Care Challenge and a gift certificate to donate at Global Giving to thank me for taking the time to participate."

Friday Freebie

Freebies received: Emergen-C Multi-Vitamin Plus, Pantene Pro-V, Boiron Cough and Cold products, and Huggies Little Movers.

- Get a free subscription to Parenting Early Years.
- Print out a coupon for a free cookie and kid-size hot chocolate at Barnes & Noble (Oct 24th only).
- Register for a free sample of L'Oreal EverPure.
- Sign up for a free tote bag - offer only valid in IL, KS, MI, MN, MO, OH, OK and WI.