First things first: Yes we are home from the ear tube surgery! Her appt was at 8AM which meant we had to be there at 7. I felt like I packed a suitcase for this! We brought Kayla in her pjs since she had to get up at 6 (and just change in to the hospital gown when we got there), so I had her change of clothes, crayons, paper, book for her and me, a snack for her for afterwards, her cup, her medicine - and then I forgot the paper with the doctor's orders! So they just switched the boy who was after her to go first while they waited to get the "doctor's orders" from the doctor himself. Thank goodness this didn't delay us too much! She did fine - she was a pill coming out of it though and said "NO!" to anything I tried offering her. She was a grump! She only took two sips of juice which surprised me, once we got back to our cubicle she did eat her cereal though. Thanks for all the prayers!
Next thing is of course the drawing! I know you've all been waiting for me to pick the winners! Yes I said winners...plural! Jennifer from Pinwheels was gracious enough to offer up a copy that she had for this drawing. That's not all though. I was overwhelmed with the amount of responses that I wish I could give each and every one of you a copy! I do have three copies of this book and since there was such an interest in it I've decided to give all 3 copies away! I've been wondering what to do with my copies and figured since it is World Down Syndrome day after all, this would be the perfect opportunity to share these books! So yes, I drew FOUR names; ok technically Kayla drew the names (so if you didn't win you can blame her!) And I caught it all on video so you can see it happening. Here are the winners:
For those of you who really want to read the book I have some news about it. It will be in Barnes & Nobles, not sure when though - sometime this summer maybe. If you don't want to wait that long you can preorder it through the Gifts website (just click "ORDER NOW") and orders will be sent in MAY! Plus it's on sale now!
One more thing - there will be a Gifts II and submissions are now being accepted. They are looking for stories about individuals with Down syndrome written by a wide variety of individuals including family members, friends, and professionals. For more information on how to submit your story click here.
This brings me to the meaning of today. As I mentioned previously, Down Syndrome International named this World Down Syndrome Day with the theme of "Celebrating Diversity."I think about all the people I wouldn't have met if Kayla didn't have that extra 3rd chromosome on the 21st pair. The guy who helped me when I was transferring planes (and Joe wasn't with us). He helped me with my luggage as I was getting Kayla in the stroller. He told me he has a 7 yr old daughter with Down syndrome at home waiting for him. The lady at our base library who approached me after story time to say hi to Kayla and tell me she reminded her of her own daughter who had Ds, but passed away at a young age due to a heart condition. The colonel at the Community Center who had to show me the picture of his granddaughter. The manager at Applebees who had to come over and say hi to us and tell us about his sister, and then he sent us free desserts. And so many people we've yet to meet.
Thank you to all of you who read my blog the first time, but didn't turn away, or were frightened off by the thought of me being a mom to a little girl with Down syndrome. Thank you for looking past that and seeing we have so much more to offer. Thank you for realizing we're just like your family and not so different after all. Thank you for opening up your hearts and letting us in and embracing Kayla as if she were part of your family
And to my family and friends who know me: thank you to you too! I know you would read anyway, just because you know me :) But thank you for loving Kayla unconditionally and for your never-ending support.
Thank you to everyone for celebrating Kayla...and celebrating diversity!
"Happy" World Down Syndrome Day!
47 comments:
She is so cute pulling the names out! Happy World Down Syndrome Day. I'm glad everything went okay for her today!
Just drifted onto your blog from another site. Your daughter is stunning! My little daughter also has Down syndrome and is our only blue-eyed child (out of four). We have been contemplating getting tubes in Emily's ears and it was interesting for me to read about Kayla's experience. Hope she continues to recover well!
I'm so glad it went okay this morning! Yay!!
I'm so glad that everything went well this morning!!!
I agree with you about the meeting people - so many that I wouldn't have met...!!! :)
Happy World Down Syndrome Day!!!
Happy day to you too! Glad you are home, and fine.
This is such a lovely post, and it reminds me of my own life, too, of all the people I wish I could thank, but don't even know their names...
Let me know who to send mu copy of GIFTS to, it will be my great pleasure. Thanks for letting me be a part of it; it was a terrific idea!
Yes, Happy Downs Syndrome Day. Kayla is precious. I have shown your blog and her photo to lots for folks...bragging on the bang up job your family is doing as a family. Good for you all!!
SO glad Kayla is fine! And what a cute way to draw the names!! That was just too cute. Reading your blog and loving Kayla go hand in hand...I have never met you but your a very dear friend ...and your daughter is a beautiful little girl who makes us smile. She is a breath of fresh air. God bless the 3 of you...your a great family.
Thank you for sharing your daughter with us and showing all of us that you guys aren't any different then any other family out there. It is you we all should thank. If it wasn't for people like you we would all be in the dark about it and be afraid of it. It is your courageousness that brings us all to the light and shows us that she is a beautiful girl who just happens to have a third chromosome on the 21st pair. I, personally, love reading your blog because I really have come to know you guys so much better! I absolutely love you all and hope to meet you one day. Thanks so much for sharing your continued story!
Awww, what a cute video. And Corinne is on my lap watching it, saying "Kay-ah." :)
YAY for the successful and quick procedure! Glad Kayla is doing so well :)
That video was so precious Michelle!
I tagged you for a meme, sorry & your welcome :)
I'm so glad everything went well!
blessings~
Annie
Happy World Down Syndrome Day to you and Kayla too:-) Glad to hear that Kayla had no problems getting the tube put in her ear!! How adorable to watch her pick 4 names for your draw...I guess I'll have to show her how to pick MY name! hehe Congratulations to all the winners!!! xox
Yes, Happy WDSD to your whole family! Funnily, I have always liked the name of your blog because the first time I brought Will home to Canada a German lady, a friend of my moms said, in her German accent, "Oh what beautiful blueberry eyes!"
Great WDSD post!
Glad everything went well today.
Congratulations to all of the winners!!!
Great job for the ear tubes...yay!
You have touched all of our lives with your heartfelt and heartwarming stories about the very beautiful Kayla.Thanks for letting all of us be a part of your lives!
And thank you for bringing such a wonderful little light into the world and nurturing her so well!
Glad to hear the surgery went well!
Congrats to the winners!
How could you not love Kayla? She's a sweet, wonderful, little lady. I'm glad everything went well with her surgery.
I'm so glad everything went well today. I was thinking about you guys all day today. Hope the tubes do the trick.
Happy World Down Syndrome Day. Kayla is an blessing and I so enjoy coming here and reading about her and your lives. Thank you for sharing your story and lives with us :)
she looked so cute pulling the names out!She looked so serious doing it! She is just looking so grown now.
I'm so glad to hear things went okay with her tubes!I'm glad she wasn't in any pain afterwards. Happy World Down Syndrome Day!
love ya,
mimi
So relieved everything went smoothly for you guys! Thanks for letting us all know. I was thinking of you all morning...
-Andrea
I'm so happy everything went good with Kayla's tubes!! And Happy World Down Syndrome Day to you too!!!
I'm so glad to hear Kayla is home and doing well. Bless her heart.
The video was just too adorable! :o)
Not sure how else to reach you, but wanted you to know...you won my jewelry set in todays giveaway!
drop me a note, Nicid@aol.com and I'll hook you up with some bling!
Us advocate mommies gotta look good!
I think I posted earlier, but I just wanted to be sure to wish you a Happy World Down Syndrome Day!
Thank YOU for allowing us to meet your beautiful little girl and allowing us a glimpse into your lives. You are so blessed.
So glad the ear tube surgery went well. Always a relief.
Kayla was so cute pulling the names out and (scream) I never win anything!!! I am so excited!!!! I think that first one was me (right?) ....how fun is that (scream agai)!!! Thank you, thank you. I hope that my copy of Gifts will be autographed (hint, hint!). I guess I don't need to preorder volume 1 now unless I get one to keep on hand for a gift, which probably is a good idea!
Happy World Down Syndrome Day to you guys too!
Happy World Down Syndrome Day to you and yours as well!
I must say, having the opportunity to meet you, Joe, and Kayla in person twice now has been such a blessing! Kayla is a beautiful little girl and you and Joe are wonderful parents!
I'm glad Kayla's surgery went well today. I'm praying that her recovery is speedy!
SO glad to hear the ears went well. Congratulations to the lucky four who won Gifts - I can't wait to get my hands on a copy. And of course Happy World DS Day to you, the gorgeous Kayla and everyone else.
What interesting , caring, and loving people you have met on your path on the "walk of life". You have "chosen life" and "our little Kayla" has embraced the hearts of others!! :) I am glad, Kayla came thru with the surgery... she takes after her Aunt Kelly, is a crump when she wakes up.... Love mom/grandma
Happy Down Syndrome Day. My dh's cousin has Downs and I love her to bits. She is just like all his other cousins...just more lovable ;) Our friend's son has Downs too. I have always said that in reality one is blessed to have a Downs child...that only very special parents get to have a special child like that
I'm so glad things went well with Kayla's surgery...I know you are so relieved to have it over with!
I don't blame her for being a little grumpy...I'd be, too! ;)
Loved the video of Kayla pulling the names out of the hat...so cute!
I don't even remember how I found your blog, but I am so glad I did! I fell in love with your family from the start!
God bless!
Kayla~you rock! Thank you for pulling my name. I cannot wait to read this book. I know which entry I will read first!
I prayed for both of you all day yesterday and thought about you during church last night. I am happy everything went well!
Thank you for starting this beautiful blog on your even more beautiful daughter!!
Love, Amy
Happy World Down Syndrome Day to you! I am glad to hear everything went well this morning for Kayla. And about your website turning people away, I don't understand. I just found your website two weeks ago and it has totally sucked me in! Kayla is beautiful. Your love for her is beautiful. And Downs children, as all children, are beautiful. My best friend has a little girl with Down Syndrome. It was the main factor in her life for all of about three days that they spent figuring out what all it would mean. Now, she is just "Hallie", Kim's adorable little angel. Just our friend's cute daughter.
Glad all went well with the surgery. Also cute video. She is beautiful child of God. Happy W.D.S.D. Love to read about you and your family.
God bless
Congrats to all the winners...how wonderful that you had some extra books...I'm sure it will be a wonderful blessing to them!
:-D
I'm so thankful all went well. I woke up early yesterday morning and you were on my mind. I think God just put you on my heart.
Your blog is always a joyful place to visit. My admiration for you is huge. You do everything with grace and joy. And Kayla is very special. All of our children are special gifts from the hand of a loving Father. Each unique - each special - each of infinite value and worth. They bless us.
That was a cute video. I'll be ordering the book tomorrow. Yay that it's on sale.
love you!
So pleased to hear all went well. What a lovely idea too, the giveaway and the awareness of Down's Syndrome Day. Much love
Glad the tubes went well. Kayla you are just too adorable for words!!
I'm so glad things went well with the surgery! Thanks for the update!
Hello, Michelle!
This work is very good. yhank you
have a good weekend
First off, cute hair cut! Second, love the video! Third - woo hoo I won!!! I can't believe I haven't been to visit since before Wednesday. The week has flown by (parent-teacher conferences make for several late nights for us teachers!) I am so excited to read that book! I'll email you (assuming you have your email on the blog).
Glad the tubes thing went well - you've got a little trooper!
THANK YOU - THANK YOU - THANK YOU for the book!!!
Happy World Down syndrome Day....a few days late!
I love Kayla's new hair-do.....just adorable!
I'm so glad she did well with her ear-tube surgery.
Thinking of you.....
I'm so happy surgery went well and that she did okay! She is beyond adorable drawing the names! I need to check that book out, I would've entered the drawing but my self-confidence won over; I just won prizes on two other sites so I didn't want to risk being a prize "hog" and winning this one too. I'll for sure be checking it out when it hits Barnes & Noble though.
You don't have to thank us! We should be thanking you for letting us into you & Kayla's lives. I went to school starting at a very young age with my cousin's brother-in-law whom also has Down Syndrome and he also was born with water on his brain. I never saw him as "different" though, he was just another one of my friends. My other friends often "shunned" me for being so nice to him and once I realized it..I decided right then & there they weren't my real friends. I can't stand the thought of people not accepting people who are "different" than them. Kayla is one of the most adorable little girls I have ever seen. I hope you had a wonderful Down Snydrome Day and have a wonderful weekend! =)
Hee Hee! Cute video!! She is such a doll! Her eyes just make me melt!! Hugs from Rhett and I
Congratulations on Kayla's ear surgery! Yay!
And your post to celebrate World Down Syndrome Day is wonderful!
Big hugs from our family to yours!
Lee
Hi Michelle. I with 100% with you about packing a suitcase. How much stuff do these little girls need!!! Great post, thanks for posting, you shouldn't thank us for reading your great entries.
Happy WDSD!! It's wonderful how the entire globe is connected by this ONE day celebrating ppl with DS. In Singapore, the celebrations were held on the weekend (25 mar) and my brother was acting as ambassador in charge of welcoming the guest of honour. thre were also dance performances by the younger ones. a 20 something girl with DS also gave a speech about inclusion. hope you had a wonderful time too.
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