31 For 21 - #28

Okay so here are a couple of pics that our friend RK took of Jack and her daughter Braska, on his birthday.







And this is my favorite!



That's the best part of Jack's birthday! Thanks for the photos RK!!!

31 For 21 - #27

I'm trying to squeeze in another post before bed! Here are a couple of pics from last fall that I thought were funny. A put T up on the basketball hoop and it held him! So then of course, they had to put Jack up there too (but I didn't let A let go of him!)





The next one is from when we went to the Down Syndrome Convention in Kansas City last year. The light was really neat was I took several. That was a really great experience. If you have a loved one with ds, you should go to a convention.



I just realized I have almost half a year and not many posts left! I'll have to try to squeeze them all in over the next couple of days. Lots more pics, coming soon!

31 For 21 - #26

We've been kinda busy so I'm even more behind! The rest of Jack's birthday was spent at the VERY cold football game. We all had winter coats, and gloves, and drank hot chocolate! It was ridiculously cold. There was a rude lady that said we were crazy for having our baby out in that type of weather, but I checked him over and he had his coat buttoned up, hood on, covered in his blanket, and we were sitting on another that I pulled the end up on he and I. Every so often he would stick a little hand out but I got it all covered up again. Allan looked him over and loudly announced Jack was probably warmer than the rest of us. The good news is we won! 33-0! Best game they played yet! The last game is this Fri and then we're done 'til next year. Makes me sad. So when we got home I made Allan make funny faces so Jack would smile and this is what we got:






Cute, huh? Thanks to everyone who gave him Happy Birthday wishes! You guys are a big part of our family now and we really appreciate it!

31 For 21 - #25

TODAY IS JACK'S BIRTHDAY!!!

We started out by sleeping late. Then we drove to the store for a bag of candy, and met Ty and his class for lunch; then they got the candy! Then Jack and I went and picked up his friend Braska and her mommy and we all went to the mall! We had some lunch and Jack and Braska played in the little kid play place. It wasn't too crowded so they got to play 'til they were tired! Jack passed out on the way home But Braska was hanging in there when we dropped them off. If only I had remembered my camera! (Maybe Braska's mom will share some of her pics with us.) Now, time for early dinner, get the big kids' homework done, and off to the JV game we go! Please pray that we don't freeze to death! Pics later!

31 For 21 - #24

Today we went to the pumpkin patch! We met with some other families from the Down Syndrome Assoc. It was the place our family usually goes to anyway so we had a geat time. We went on the usual hayride, ate snacks, and checked out the pumpkins!

Here's our annual "at the Punkin' Patch" pic:


and here's last summer; Jack and Ty:

31 for 21 - #23

Yesterday I went shopping for the rest of the stuff for Jack's birthday. You know, plates, napkins, tablecover, stuff like that. I ordered the cake last week, I ordered some balloons yesterday, and I'll get snack stuff and ice cream when I pick up the cake. I bought his birthday presents way back last year when I found the stuff (you'll just have to wait to find out what it is!) and I already have wrapping paper to go with the "theme". Now, I just have to clean up the house (those in-laws live in better homes and gardens land and don't get our messy house), while getting ready for Halloween and all the stuff I have to do for PTO. I'm gonna be TIRED this week. Oh yeah , the party theme? PIRATES, of course!

BTW, our friend Adelynn is doing well after her heart surgery! You can check on her or any of our other friends by clicking on any of the links on the left.

31 For 21 - #22

It's starting to hit me that Jack is about to turn 2. I'm not ready! I said this last year, and the year before, all the way to the hospital. I keep thinking about his birth, and about how I felt last year at his first birthday, after finally bringing him home and then going through the open heart surgery. Until he was about 1 1/2, I cried everyday at some point because I was so glad he was our baby. I can be weepy but this baby has put me over the top! This past year we've had some milestones as well. None quite so dramatic as OHS, but important ones in their own right. Jack has teeth! He walks! When we were camping last weekend, he wanted to sit on Andrew's lap at the campfire. Then he fell asleep on Andrew's shoulder! I sooo wish I had my camera for that but of course, I left it here at home. That's a milestone because although Andrew has always loved Jack, he was a little bit afraid of this little breakable baby. Jack is finally big enough and sturdy enough for Drew to handle him. Jack drinks from a straw and holds his own spoon for breakfast. He doesn't talk but he points like a pro! He gets into EVERYTHING, has the BEST smile, and gives the most amazing hugs! When we were at a high school football game a couple of weeks ago, he stood up on my lap and gave me a big hug. I heard a lady behind me say, "awww, look at his little hands!". He brings me joy every single day.

This is how M set him up to watch TV:


And here is the little guy checking out the camper with M before our first trip of the season last year: