31 For 21 - #12

I'm going to try to do my 21 THINGS ABOUT JACKSON LIST:

1. I think Jackson would stay in bed all day if I never went in and got him.
2. He loves his sister and brothers equally and gets so happy when they come home from school.
3. We watch him every time he goes near the dog 'cause he likes to pull her ears (she does NOT like that).
4. He walks very consistently but still can't run. When he tries, he falls.
5. Jack still likes his toys that have lights and sound best.
6. His blue blanket that a friend embroidered with his name and birth date can cure most evils (including injuries, hurt feelings, tiredness, and boredom).
7. He still tries to taste everything he comes in contact with.
8. Jack still doesn't care for his SureSteps but he's getting better wearing them.
9. He drinks from a straw or a water bottle (though messy) and we're starting to try using an open cup.
10. He's pretty timid with strangers but slowly warms up to our friends he sees often.
11. He's learning to use a spoon to eat his cereal and yogurt.
12. This year, Jack will be a Jack-O-Lantern for Halloween. Last year he was a Jack Hammer. Next year, he'll be a Jack -in-the-Box. See a trend?!
13. Jack doesn'y say any words or use signs. Somehow, we seem to know what he wants anyway. Hopefully, he will get some words soo.
14. I still use baby wash on him at bathtime, and just sit and smell him afterwards.
15. He's only had 2 haircuts.
16. Jack likes to eat. Doesn't matter too much what it is.
17. Jack likes to shut things - doors, dishwashers, fridges. And then he claps and you have to say "Yay!!".
18. Last year at this time, he pulled hair and removed earrings. Now, he only does that once in a while ;).
19. Jack has the best smile, and giggle. Makes me smile to think of it!
20. I could look at his face all day.
21. Lately, Jack has been throwing things away. Things like the remote, his cup, toys, things from the cabinet, random articles of clothing (not his). We hope this phase will end very soon.

31 For 21 - #11

I'm tired. The family reunion was okay. My wonderful aunt cleaned up my computer for me so it's working great. I'm still tired. So this is just going to be more baby Jack pics and off to bed.

Here's Jack with his ng tube!


Here's one of my favorites (my kids tell me I say that a lot but it is!):

31 for 21 - #10

So we're out of town this evening. We drove to my parent's house for a family reunion tomorrow. Pretty much no one has met Jack yet and it's been awhile since anyone has seen the other kids. It will be interesting.

Our ds fact today is an easy one. World Down Syndrome Day is held every year on Mar.21st. The first one was in 2006 (coincidentally the year of Jack's birth!). No pics today since we aren't at home. I'll catch up tomorrow!

31 For 21 - #9

So today, Jack and I went to school! It was a pre-pre-pre-school class, for babies and their parents; kind of a get ready for school class. It was only an hour. We sang songs and played with a parchute and dug through a pile of shredded paper! But are you ready for the best part? When we got there, guess who we saw playing on the rug? Nebraska! Yep, our friend from the blogging world, and the local ds group, and our online forum, and real life! Wish I'd gotten a pic (I even had my camera) but I didn't think about it 'til I was driving away :(. You should hear her say "Jack". What a cutie! Jack had a good time and we're ready to go again next month.

Then, after a couple quick errands and a short nap, off to the parade we went! It was loud, and hot, and lots of fun! Jack's big brother got to march with the other JV players and hand out candy. He made sure to give lots to Ty and Ty's friends. After that, it was time for a bit of hanging out at home, dinner, and back up to school for the Homecoming game! We won - Yay! What a long day. We're all pooped.

So here are Jack getting ready for school, our parade, and yet another baby Jack. (These baby pics are to celebrate 31 for 21 you know!) This is one of my favorites!

31 For 21 - #8

What's on my mind today has to do with me. I've had a child at our elementary school down the road for 11 years. I've been involved with the PTA for the last 7, and for the last 6 I've been on the executive board. This is my last year at the school (unless Jack goes there, but we don't know yet) and I don't know what I'm going to do with myself. I've enjoyed working there. I can take my other kids, it's on my own time, I'm my own boss. I'm having a hard time thinking this is my last year. Sheesh, guess I'm feeling sorry for myself.

So the next thing is, tomorrow is the Homecoming parade. The high school is next to the elementary so I've gone to the parade probably 10 years. This is Andrew's 2nd year getting to be in the parade since he's on the football team and it's so fun! I was so proud to see him last year I almost cried so I expect I will this year too. Everyone in the parade throws candy and the band is playing and the floats are horrible and the little kids are yelling and oh - so much fun! Probably I'll have a pic of that tomorrow.

ds fact for today:
Did you know that there are waiting lists of people in this country wanting to adopt a baby with Down Syndrome? It's true. Honestly, once you connect with one of these amazing, special children, you're addicted. Lord knows I am!!

Okay, here's another of my favorite pics from when Jack was a little baby. This one has Ty too and he looks so little too! He adored Jack from the very beginning and I can't wait to see how they'll get along when they're older.

31 For 21 - #7

Got this from Randa-Kay at JustRK. It's random questions and I may actually have answers for these so figured I'd give it a shot!

1. Why did you start to blog (either your own or reading others...like mine!)?

I joined an online community (Downsyn.com) and lots of the members there had a blog. So I started reading occasionally and decided that would be a good way for me to write about this journey we're on because of Cap'n Jack, and a good way to keep in touch with far-away folks. It's been awfully fun!

2. How many hits do you get in a day, if you have a blog and a SiteMeter or something like that?

I have no idea. Until I read this question I forgot that I have a site meter. Guess I should check it, huh?

3. If you lost your ability to read blogs or post on you blog today, what would you miss most?

The connection with "friends" that I may not have even met! You guys have all become so important to me.

4. What is something you've learned from another blog that you'll always remember?

Good question. I've learned how blogging is a good way to vent, and a good way to show off my little man! I don't have anything specific, but I've learned that it's going to be okay, and sometimes better than okay.

Okay, here's our pic from the past!

31 For 21 - #6

ds fact for today: ds has several physical characteristics that can include low muscle tone, flatter nasal bridge than usual, a bit of a slant &/or extra folds of skin at the corners of the eyes, smaller, low-set ears, and a large gap between the big toe and the other toes. This is not a comprehensive list, nor does a baby have to have all of these features. Also there is no correlation between physical features and mental comprehension. Since there is pretty much always some degree of mental retardation (which only means the person probably has some delay in learning skills), this is important to remember. Jack seems to be a bit better with gross motor skills and behind a bit more in speech. He's walking everywhere (still having a problem with shoes) and going up and down stairs. But he won't mimic sounds, or say words, or even use signs. Stinker. We know what he's thinking most of the time so we're being patient. He comprehends, just won't prove it! He cracks us up every day. Today, he waited 'til I was looking and tried to throw his sippy cup in the trash; then he LAUGHED!

Pic from last year? Okay,