I love being a Mommy because...

your giggles make me giggle, your love notes touch me, you are my constant companion, your sloppy kisses come straight from your heart, I can watch my hubby be a daddy, your beautiful art is made special for me, you are my daily entertainment, you teach me patience, you give me excuses for eating fast food, being a Mom has deepened my friendships with other moms... especially my own, you tell me you love me for no particular reason, I realize my parents were right, we celebrate proud moments, I can fix boo-boo's just by a simple kiss, you teach me something new everyday...

Being a Mother has been the greatest blessing in my life. I will cherish you forever...

Look who's 2!

Happy Birthday Justin!

Justin slid down the stairs this morning and found his first birthday present! His very own table and chair set! Of course, he was more interested in the ball he saw sitting on the table! (it's the simple things...)

The traditional "birthday door decorations!" This time they were created by his sweet sisters!

It has always been tradition for Grandma and Papa Q. to get my kids their own chair for their 1st birthday. He wasn't quite ready then... but he sure is now! He climbs in and out like a champ! (perfect chair for watching baby signing time!)

There was NO WAY I was leaving the store the other day with out this! He was in heaven with this particular toy isle! Move over baby toys... Just is now a BIG BOY! (Thank you Grandma and Papa G!)

While Daddy was trying to get the toy out (you have to have an engineering degree anymore to open these boxes) ... Taylee and April read their darling birthday cards to him!

Finally... time to enjoy the toy!

Daddy was keeping him plenty entertained during lunch. The staff was sweet! The sang to him and brought him some ice cream... his all time favorite!

(Are you sick of the play by play yet?!)
We topped the day off with the cupcakes... which he thoroughly enjoyed!

You guessed it... once he was done, he wanted down. He headed straight for his tractor!

We LOVE you so much J-man! Happy 2 Birthday!

Birthday girl!

Happy Birthday!

11 years ago, I became a first time Mommy! One of the best days of my life! Once you were born, I knew from then on out that all I ever wanted was to be a Mom! You have always been such a joy to be around. You are such a great daughter and friend! Love you to pieces April!

My little update!

Mom is slacking BIG time with the whole blog thing. It's time for ME to take over! Here's a little peek of what I've been up to...
I LOVE to watch Baby Signing Time. I also love my coupe car. Put the two together... and wala! I am fully entertained!

As of now I can sign...
drink
more
eat
cereal
baby
car
airplane
want
all done
ball
shoes
socks
hi
bye
cracker
open
book
hat
Pretty impressive... I know!

I am cruising like crazy! I'll push anything that is in front of me so that I can walk. I'm too nervous to do it on my own, but give me some time... I'll get there! For now I can crawl on all fours! The army crawling got me from A to B for quite a long time, but I've moved up in the world!
I can climb up AND down the stairs with no problem! Which means... if a door is open and Mom isn't watching... I get myself into some fun trouble! Lately most doors have been closed. Bummer. Maybe Mom will be better at updating! Have a good day!

I'm SO glad...

I'm so glad when daddy comes home,
Glad as I can be;
Clap my hands and shout for joy,
Then climb upon his knee,
Put my arms around his neck,
Hug him tight like this,
Pat his cheeks, then give him what?
A great big kiss.

.... or something like that!
We are all singing this song by the end of the day!
It might not look like "a great big kiss," but there sure is a whole lot of lovin' going on! I absolutely love watching their little faces light up when Daddy walks in the door!

Wear them out...

As you all can tell, I haven't had much to blog about lately. I still don't. You'll see that once you've read this post while thinking, "she must have NOTHING to blog about!" But hey, it's a post, right?!
We spend some of our free time at this Dinosaur Park in the mall while the girls are in school. Why? Because it's FREE! Free is good! I don't even shop while I'm there. Not much of a mall shopper.

Justin is loving the fact that he can actually go wild at places like this! Brynn is just as happy now that she has someone to follow her around!

Because he is so busy and constantly crawling (army crawl) and climbing... we've found some wear marks in his jeans. They aren't in the typical knee area... they are up a tad higher! Not a cool place to patch 'em up either!
I am so glad Spring is on it's way! We can throw these jeans out soon! Oh... and get this! I tried on his shorts from last summer. Yep, they still fit! Money in my pocket!

We're more alike than different!

The National Down syndrome Congress is running a campaign to show that "We're More Alike Than Different!" They will produce the three posters which receive the greatest number of votes between now and April 1, 2010 and will make them part of the More Alike campaign by mid-summer, just in time for the NDSC national Convention. Please cast your votes! First you view the gallery, then go back to cast your votes! Justin is #190! I have so many beautiful blogger friends on there too! Good luck to everyone! Each and every poster is unique and special!

Dear Spring,

I am in a blogging funk.
Period.
I want to take a walk and not freeze.
I want to take my kids to the park.
I need you more than ever!

Loads of love,
E

Another Fabulous Friday!

J-man is cruising!
(please excuse the music. Hubby was working on his ipod!)

Mommy/Daughter ice skating activity with my big girl...
I do cherish the one on one time with my kiddos!

Visiting sister for lunch....
Brynn is so excited to go to the "big girl" school here soon!

Wouldn't you agree that this week has been fabulous?!

A room full of...

Angels!

Fabulous Friday!

Playgroup Time!

Mark your calendar!

I tried to go with the best day and time for most people. I sure hope this works! I'm going to go with this Wednesday, the 24th. How about 11:30 - 1:30? Come anytime or the whole time! I know it's right smack in the middle of lunch time, so feel free to bring munchies. I'll try to have a variety of snacks myself!
If I left anyone out... I surely didn't mean to! I did do a group e-mail on facebook. This is for ALL of my Down syndrome peeps!
e-mail me if you need directions.... tequick (at) comcast (dot) net
Hope to see everyone there!

Down syndrome playgroup...

Let's play!

I should know a date and time... but I don't. I want some input so that we can have as many come as possible! I'm hoping to have one sometime next week if it works out that way! Of course, all of your kids are welcome! What do you prefer? A mid-week day around 11 or a Friday afternoon when kids are out of school? Let me know and we'll get another playgroup started!

Fun times in California!

What do we do when we visit Grandma and Papa in California? We'll show you!

(BTW - the blondie is my niece who joined us this trip!)

Find a fun park and enjoy the sand and sunshine...

Knott's Berry Farm! This was a first for the kids and they LOVED it! So did I! It sure has changed since I was a wee one!

The kids played a lot of computer games and plenty of Wii...

Kitchen and restaurant play, a MUST...

Justin always enjoys Molly's doggie door! He would throw the balls out and magically they would pop back in! (Thanks Papa!)

An all time favorite.... making homemade ice cream!

Oh, and we can't leave out Grandma's birthday party!
(yes, she was laughing at our homemade ice cream cake!)

Last but not least, the daily hot tub hour! They wanted so badly to swim in the pool, but this is as close as it was gonna get!

Thanks for the fun memories!

Happy Heart Day

Little boy!

One year ago today, your tiny heart was fixed! I am so thankful for you, sweet boy and your BIG heart! You continue to teach us so much about love and happiness. We LOVE you!