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Sunday, June 25, 2006

Expectations

When Kayla was diagnosed with Down syndrome I really didn't know what to think; I didn't know what to expect. I had no experience with it other than I've heard of it and I used to watch the TV show "Life Goes On." But that was it- I didn't know anyone who had Ds so I had no clue as to what life would be like.

On top of that we were first-time parents so no experience with raising any other children either. So we just went with the flow and said we would raise her as we would any child we had.

I don't remember having any particular thoughts about what I thought she might be able to do or not do except one time. We were driving home from somewhere when she was only a few weeks old. I saw a boy riding his bike and I said, "do you think she'll ever be able to ride a bike?" Joe said, "of course she will, why wouldn't she?" I don't know why I thought she might not be able to.

Since then I've tried to wipe the words "she won't/can't/will never" from my vocabularly. I don't want to put limitations on her. Kayla has taught me to expect the unexpected and to never underestimate her. Sometimes I don't know why I'm still surprised at the things she learns, I should know better by now! But she never ceases to amaze me. Just when I think she's not in the mood to learn something, or has no interest, or hasn't been paying attention - she'll show me just how much she is storing away.

These 2 videos are what we've been working on for the last few months and I'm so proud of her. I think she's going to enjoy learning at preschool!


Video Hosting - Upload Video - Video Sharing



Video Hosting - Upload Video - Video Sharing

20 comments:

Anonymous said...

Michelle and KAyla,

That is great! You are both a huge inspiration to our family. We just got big smiles on our faces watching Kayla's performance! You go girl!

Anonymous said...

Makes this Grandma cry with tears of joy and happiness and makes me miss her so much more!!!! I miss my little Kayla.. I need to see my little Kayla, I want to see my little Kayla... I know Kelly wants to see her niece very much too....She (kayla) is smart, intelligent, creative, imaginative and Will Love Pre-School..with all the learning and because.. she will like the social aspects of school (just like her Aunt Kelly did when she was in Kindergarten and so forth... :) Love Mom

Anonymous said...

That is awesome! I was smiling like a big goof ball here when she said I love you. How adorable was that?? Her little pink sundress is gorgeous too, BTW.
I loved it when you got to yellow with the colors... I remember when Rhi was learning her colors and she could never say yellow; it always came out as "allo". She called it allo till she was 6 and used to argue that I was the one saying it wrong. This post brings back memories. I can't wait to see Kayla again!!

Carole Burant said...

Oh, how I enjoyed those little videos...just goes to prove that children with DS can learn just as well as anyone else. She is so adorable and you can tell she is well loved:-)

Catch said...

Michele...

I smiled all through these videos...she is so precious!!!! What a beautiful little girl, I am sure you are so proud of her. She sounds so cute when she says I Love You. She is such a babydoll! Thanks so much for sharing!!!

Unknown said...

Michelle,,,,you are in such a beautiful place,,,,because you know that Kayla will reach for the stars and her love of learning is something that is so positive in her life!

Miss Kayla, you are just so precious and we are so very proud of you!

Anonymous said...

Oh my goodness! You should be bursting with pride! I love your attitude of "wiping your vocab clean" of certain words. I think ALLparents should follow suit. These little "sponges" are capable of amazing thing, just like Miss Kayla is proving to the world!

All 4 My Gals said...

Michelle, she is so adorable! And you are a wonderful Mommy! :) The first born gets SOOO much, that's how Darrah was too. Now with four I'm lucky they're fed. hee hee hee!

The Mom said...

Whoo hooo - you go Kayla! You are such a smart little cookie - keep on learning!!!

Sandra said...

That is just beautiful, she's such a gorgeous little girl :)

You're such an inspiration as a mom :)
God Bless,
Sandra

Jessica said...

You are an inspiration to our family, thank you!!

Anonymous said...

Way to go Kayla. Miss E loves these videos :)

What a big girl you are....and how many more days until your birthday?

Anonymous said...

Michelle you and Joe are wonderful parents!! You let little Kayla sore with the eagles!! Never have I heard a discouraging word or tone with her, it's constantly praise and encouragement. Those two videos are a tribute to your parenting. Kayla is more than prepared for pre-school!!

Overwhelmed! said...

Ah, what sweet video clips! Kayla is such a bright little girl. :) I love hearing her say, "I love you."

Thanks for sharing!

K.T. is Mommatude said...

I had never given a second thought to what Kendall could or couldnt do either.They say you go through a type of mourning period after their birth but I never had,until,the day she had her first program at school and it hit me like a ton of bricks,not what should would or wouldnt do,but the extra effort that she would always have to take in order to accomplish the same things that other children take for granted.After reading your blog for awhile now-I know that big blueberry eyes will accomplish much in her life as Kendall has too.I believe that there is no "plateau" and that the sky is the limit for our children just as much as there is for any other child in this world.What is harder for me are the defeatest attitudes of the faculty and staff that work with Kendall at school-they all believe that there is a ceiling to what she can do-so I just smile and say "I don't believe that" and That is all that counts!!!!

Christi said...

I didn't know anyone in real life with down syndrome either before Veronica was born. Your Kayla is so amazing. Thanks for sharing the videos.

Anonymous said...

Kayla rocks!! Those videos are awesome!! I am glad you place no limitations on your child, she is going to blossom into such an amazing adult (since she already is an awesome kid!)

Shelley said...

The twins and I really enjoyed watching these videos. She is a gorgeous girl.

Anonymous said...

OH!!! It's so hard to believe how big our babies are getting!!! WTG Kayla! I still can't get Jake to say 'I love you', stubborn little boys!LOL

We miss you all terribly!

Anonymous said...

hey you guys!! I can see why you are so proud of her. she is a doll. she has grown so much since I have seen her last. She is so smart too! She is just as pretty as I remember her to be. Thanks for sharing your videos with me. I'm glad that all is going well with you all. Miss you, Chris P