This post appeared last October when only about 3 people read my blog! Anyway, I am reposting it today to explain why I am participating in the 31 for 21 Challenge and why I am so thankful for their Community adopting other children who do not have Down Syndrome.

In typical Kerri fashion, I was a little late in following the rules.
                                                                                                                               

(originally posted 10/12/13)


I am trying to participate in the 31 for 21 challenge. Typical me, I am already late! But better late than never, right?

The 31 for 21 Challenge is in celebration of National Down Syndrome Month. Although Boo does not have Down Syndrome. A lot of the therapies created for kids with Down Syndrome work for her. So in appreciation…here we go!

Sign language has been key to Boo’s development. Without it I know Boo would still be non-verbal. For Boo, she learns the sign then pairs the verbal/sign and eventually she shouts the word (music to my tortured ears!).

Because of Boo’s speech therapist works primarily (weird coincidence!) with Down Syndrome children, she was an expert in sign and really believed Boo would benefit. C was so right. Boo still uses the more sign, although she will say it in tandem. Signs work for concepts, more than items now. Especially open and close. Boo relies on her signs to get her wants across when words fail. I find that when Boo is tired, she will sign more. C believes that there is more motor planning involved with speaking. Whereas signing is a visual concept Boo gets more readily. She can watch how the sign is formed, unlike a verbal command where so much is done internally.

Her first sign was “more”. I loved “more”. “More” meant Boo would eat (Teddy Grahams were a great motivator). Boo would sign for “more” food, bubbles and bounce. More gave way to “water”, “open”, “book”, “close” and “bubbles”. She signed for “puppy” and  “please” (did my proper mom’s heart proud).


It sounds weird to say this, but thanks to Down Syndrome Boo has benefited greatly. Without her knowledge of signing with Down Syndrome children, C might never have decided to teach us how to sign. It is due to the trials of Down Syndrome children that my Boo was able to communicate. In thanks for them I ask you to come and join me in grabbing the 31 for 21 Challenge button!
 

I’ve always been a working mom. It has been too easy to escape to work everyday. With Allie I could not wait for my maternity leave to end. Let’s face it, home with a newborn is kind of boring.

Then I had Boo and needed the routine of the office. Some place that I made decisions but not ones that would cause pain to my child. I looked forward to going to work and getting away from having a baby vomit on me.

Plus, being able to pay the mortgage is a wicked perk.

The hardest decision I’ve had to make is every morning going to work. Yes, the girls are in school. Allie in 4th grade and Boo in pre-school/SPED program. I don’t want to take them out of their programs, but I wish I had more opportunity to be there before and after school.

Instead I rush home from work. To therapy with Boo or Homework with Allie. Have I mentioned how much I despise homework?

One of these days, I swear I will find the balance between bills and home life. I hope it is before the girls no longer need me home.

And that is how I finished the sentence, the hardest choice I ever made was…

What is the hardest decision you have made lately?

Last week, Christine “introduced” me to a little Sunshine. Since I was having the day from hell, let me tell you how much I appreciated it!

Of course with all awards introductions there are rules. You have to answer questions and nominate other bloggers. Some questions were easier than others!

1. If you could learn to do anything, what would it be?
Meditate. I just don’t get it. Did you ever read: Eat, Pray, Love? Well she describes my mood in mediation perfectly. My thoughts zoom around the universe faster than Flash Gordon. I can never just focus and relax, find my happy place. But those I know who do mediate are so calm and just relaxed. I’d like to learn that.

Oh and how to swim without looking like I am drowning. That would be pretty cool, too.

I had a hard time with this mix-tape. Probably why it took me until Thursday to actually make my DJ list. Let’s face it. I do not “chill”. I don’t know when the last time I just sat and relaxed. I am always worrying, moving, planning, plotting my next moment. Yeah I have issues.

So I have Jessica to thank, since she sparked my theme for the week. And then I thought….dumb ass of course IF you are going to relax and chill it would have to be with a Margarita and the master of Chill. Right?

Every time I hear this song, I think to myself I am going to find that Harbor dammit. I mean really find that Harbor and float.

I think of this song every year on my birthday. It makes me think, yes another year has gone by and it was quite awesome to have not only survived it but enjoyed it.

Alright, I admit a Volcano is not relaxing. Bear with me, it is kind of fun. Especially when he was live at Fenway and explained that it was best to land on Yawkey Way.

I always loved this song because I always wanted to shake the hand of a mango man. And I am never sure where it all ends my friends….

The last verse in this song brings it all home to me: Some of it’s tragic, some of it’s magic but I’ve had a good life all the same. Who cannot relax with that going through their mind? But if you still need a little something to help you relax, may I recommend:

Well, come on now, who cannot relax with a Margarita in her hand? And, yes I know that ending was kind of predicable. But not this ending, Jen. I followed the freaking rules for once 🙂

I deserve a medal for the time I didn’t kill David when he told me he was taking me to the theater. I got dressed up. And I mean dressed up. Short skirt, thigh-high nylons, high heels and did my hair.

I looked like a tramp. But we were still in the dating, I want him to love me phase of the relationship. Okay, I probably didn’t look like a tramp. But if Allie ever wore that outfit I would lock her in the attic.

Off we drove to Boston. Dinner at Legal Seafoods. I was feeling great and he takes me to the theater.

The Omni Theater.

At the Museum of Science.

To see Everest (wicked cool).

Attended by a bunch of kids on some type of boy scout field trip/sleep over (not so cool).

The fact that I did not need bail money proves I deserve some type of medal.

I will take Olympic Gold please.

How would you finish this sentence? I deserve a medal for the time I…..

I never realized how competitive I was until recently. I never seem to be happy with where I am. I always want more. Not necessarily more than others, but more of myself. I clean the house, I want it cleaner (I almost maimed Allie for using the bathroom after I had it company clean).

I began running and it wasn’t enough to do a mile. Oh no, I had to do a 5k. That goal was accomplished but not well, so I signed up for more and more. I signed up David, too but didn’t tell him.

Why? Because I wanted to win. It wasn’t enough that I didn’t come in last (my first goal) but I want to beat him. The man who doesn’t train but is in naturally great shape. My next goal was to run 5 miles by October.

Last weekend I finally did it. Five FREAKING holy crap miles and it didn’t hurt. When I finished did I feel a sense of accomplishment? Nope, I set myself up to do 7 miles by the end of November. Next thing you know I will talk myself into setting a goal for a half-marathon.

What the heck is wrong with me? I mean seriously who needs to run 7 miles unless they are being chased by a serial killer.

Setting goals is supposed to get you to accomplish something, not become an obsession. I would write more but I have to get running….
 

Going into the file of things I never expected to be asked by my daughter….

Allie: What’s a hickey?
Me: What? (almost driving off the road, I think I may have killed a butterfly)
Allie: In Boo’s movie, the guy says a Hickey from Kinicki. What’s a hickey?
Me (stall, stall, stall finally tell the truth): Well, you know those bruises on Rizzo’s neck? Um, well they are from Kinicki kissing her.
Allie: Another reason I am never dating boys.

Do you ever feel beautiful? Nope, me either. Jen had the best prompt this week, to make a mix-tape for those you think are beautiful. Okay, not really. The rules state: Make a mix for a friend of songs you think are beautiful. Either because they make you happy, they are musically composed in some way because they are pleasing to you  or they just plain make you think…this is beautiful. (that doesn’t always mean happy)

See, I am trying! I even put the rules right up there so you can make sure I paid attention. But then I thought it would be more fun to make a mix-tape that show my friends why they are beautiful. To make it a true mix tape, I have added both in real life and in blog life friends. Well, at this point they are all friends to me.

Added bonus, I get to drive Jen crazy.

Jen gets my first song, because she is beautiful when she gives me the rules of life. She also has the best smile and laugh ever, next to Boo. Jen is just one of those generally nice people whose beauty radiates out. Even when she is laughing at you and not with you.

Kristi gets the second song on my list. She has a smoking hot voice, probably from smoking. The song doesn’t make me think of her, but the video does. Can’t you just see Kristi falling into one of her drawings? She is a superhero in real life and I just know she would save the cute boy from AHA in the end!

Becky gets song number three. Becky has the most beautiful eyes. You know that friend that you don’t have to see often but when you pick up the phone they are there? Becky is probably the most overextended friend I have. She is there for anyone who needs it. Be it a room, a meal or for her to volunteer in every classroom even if her child isn’t in that grade.   With Becky you are never alone. And well, those sisters could rock.

Song number four on the playlist is dedicated to Boo’s aides, teachers and therapists. They just radiate beauty. Each one of them shows a beautiful love, affection and determination to make Boo be the best she can be. I believe in my heart that every one of them love Boo as much as she loves them. They have given us the tools we need to be brave.

I know I am not alone in not taking a couple of minutes and realizing I have a least 10 things to be thankful for last week. Except I was so busy I forgot to take the time and missed the link-up. So here we go!

1. Allie is BACK IN SCHOOL

2. Allie is BACK IN SCHOOL and likes her teacher, even if she didn’t get her favorite one

3. Allie is BACK IN SCHOOL and has a locker that is now bedazzled

4. Allie is BACK IN SCHOOL and wants to join the 4th grade band

5. Allie is BACK IN SCHOOL and has only had homework once this week

6. Allie is BACK IN SCHOOL and I haven’t had to fight with her to dress appropriately

7. Allie is BACK IN SCHOOL and she has become very clean

8. Allie is BACK IN SCHOOL and I got to spend a morning alone with Boo

9. Allie is BACK IN SCHOOL and I now have control of my radio

10. Allie is BACK IN SCHOOL, did I mention that?

I’m joining Lisa Jo Baker in writing, unedited, for five minutes about a simple prompt. Ready, set….


Go

I saw Red this morning. Literally saw red all over Allie’s indecision on what to wear to school his morning. Remember I said I now I have a tween? Well I seem to have one who was overtired and couldn’t make up her mind. All over a sweater.

First she didn’t like how it felt. That wasn’t good enough for me. See, she just HAD TO HAVE this Selena Gomez designed shirt. In the store I made her feel it since she is the pickiest dresser ever created. Everything has to be just so, the right texture, color, etc… This morning she puts the sweater on and freaks because it is “too tight” and “feels funny”. Nope, you are wearing it I say. She starts complaining, I grab the sweater take it off her and threaten to give it to someone who deserves it.

Yes, I became a mad woman. A horrible mom, one who fell to a nine-year old’s level.

The shirt goes back on because now she wants to wear it. And this went on for 40 minutes. I do, I don’t, I don’t know. All the way to the bus stop.

She is crying. I have a stomach ache. We have upset Boo with our screaming match. We hear the bus and she looked at me and asked do I think her friends can tell she has been crying? I say no, give her a kiss and send her on the bus.

I sent my daughter, the one who makes me laugh minute by minute to school knowing I was upset with her. Instead of being Carole Brady I was a lunatic.

I saw red this morning and I am not proud of myself.

END.