Who Said Chase Would Never Soar?!

(Hi Kim!)

Buddy Walk 2009

The Buddy Walk was a big success this year :)  Here is our team photo, minus two families that didn't quite get there in time for the actual walk.  We had family, friends, and teachers join us...and we also teamed up with our friends from the group (that is Kaitlin riding with Chase in the wagon).

Chase sported angel wings on his shirt, and blood red lips from some free Rita's Italian Ice (Swedish fish flavor).  

It is weird.  I think the last couple years I have had little pangs of fear?  worry?  I don't know.  But this year I didn't feel that at all.  We were just there for Chase, and all his friends, celebrating him and all his potential.  Good stuff.

Also, we had the talk with Ian about Down syndrome beforehand.  He didn't really care that much.  He mostly wanted me to get him more crayons so he could finish the Halloween picture he was working on.

Q and A- Cuteness

I'll answer my reader questions in the order in which they came...so here goes the first one:

Bryan said, "...why is your kid so damn cute?!"

Well, Bryan, I am so glad you asked.  Chase is, as you have noticed, incredibly cute.  Is it his infectious smile?  His slightly wobbly gait?  The way he giggles and sounds like that dog on Looney Tunes?  Perhaps it is the way that his eyes close when he laughs?  Or they way he says, "Mem." at the end of the blessing.  Maybe you can't resist his throwing-mulch-and-giggling game outside.  Or how he puts on his little messenger bag, goes to the door, waves, and decisively says BYE when he wants to leave.  Possibly it is the way he asks to ride in the car by signing 'drive' and making car sounds?  How about when he hugs you and pats your back?  Or when his face lights up and he squeals, "Guy Guy!!" when he sees his little brother?  Maybe it is the way he takes ginormous bites of banana and then asks for more before he can even swallow.  Could it be the wayhe adopts random men while we are out and about?  How 'bout the way he bops his head around in the car to Miley Cyrus songs?  Or how he gets totally excited about bathtime?  Is it the way he waits his turn to wrestle with Ian and Daddy?  

Frankly, the possibilities are endless.  It is impossible to pinpoint exactly what makes him so damn cute.

The bottom line is, Chasey is the result of two very awesome people.  How could he not be?! 

Pass

Our Buddy Walk is tomorrow...and I have a thousand things to do.  This is your daily post :)

See you tomorrow with a much better effort!!

Things I don't want to forget...

...the way that Chase carries a bowl filled with a snack.  He concentrates really hard and cups his little hands underneath it, and when he sets it down on the ground, he squats and oh-so-carefully puts it down, sliding it out from his hands like it is a delicate bird's egg.

This is, of course, one of the rare times that he has a snack that he doesn't feel the overwhelming urge to chuck across the room, which is not as cute.  Not at all.

31 for 21 Q and A

I'm taking Jennie's idea from her blog A Little Something Extra, and opening this month up for some Q and A about Down syndrome, or anything about my experiences so far in raising Chase.  So, if you have any (respectful) questions that you've wanted to ask, but haven't felt comfortable asking, ask away.  I'd be happy to answer to the best of my abilities (I'm still learning, too!).

31 for 21, Day One!

Tricia, over at Unringing the Bell, is hosting (?) the 3rd annual 31 for 21 challenge again this year.  And since today is October (yowza!), it is DAY ONE!

I think I'll just start today with a thank you to all my Ds blog friends.  I don't know how much you all realized how instrumental you were with helping me through my journey (well, still helping me).  It makes the frustrating times so much more bearable when I can read about someone else and how they are dealing.  You all help me celebrate, laugh, and cry.  

I just think it is good stuff.  And it is way better than actually going to a therapist :)