Christmas parties ...

Zoey, Liam, & Jericho all had school parties!!

I wasn't able to make it to Jericho's ... however, despite the fact that they

were on the same day - they were at different times, so I was able to go to both!

it was so cute and so fun!

here are some pics ...

apparently Zoey really liked the felt tree and would decorate it often!

they sang some songs for us ... well, the other kids sang - not Zoey - lol!

Zoey got to be the instrument helper - so adorable!!!

some cookie decorating!

and I (barely) managed to get a pic of Zoey with Ms Karen!

when we came into Liam's classroom, they were all lined up - ready to sing their songs!

it was beyond cute!  I did get some video before I ran out of space!

 

four years old.

so, yes ... it's been a while.  what's new?

Zoey is four today!!!!

as we see here, she was thrilled about the mini photo session I had planned!

really I just wanted to get some adorable pics of her on her birthday, in her birthday outfit ...

before she went to school and potentially destroyed it (the outfit, that is)!

she has this little morning routine ~ it includes a diaper change, getting dressed,

having her "med milk" (that's her milk with her prevacid & allergy medicine in it - because

there's no way she'll take the medicines alone!), being offered a bit of something to 

nibble on - offered being the key word, getting socks & shoes on, and then watching one of

her favorite shows (Caillou or, her new fave, Mickey Mouse Club House) - all cozy in her chair - until it's time to get her coat on and go wait for the bus ...

no where in that routine does "mini photo session with mama" fit in!!!

in my opinion, I still got adorable pics of her ...

because to me the way she was so passionate with her cry was, honestly,

sort of hilarious!  doesn't she just look like a little princess on her throne, having a little hissy fit!!

yep, our princess!!

anyway, I could go on and on and on about how I can't believe she is four years old.

four years old?

NO.

she's my baby, how can she be a four year old?

I've even had a touch of baby fever as I look at my kids and how big they're all getting,

and it really sinks in that we are done with babies and have only years left of

even having little kids in the house.  it's weird.  right now I don't like thinking about it.

but - it is what it is.  I'm trying to focus on these four and fill in some of 

the gaps I see, as far as behavior ... all I can say is ... pray for me!!  LOL!!!

and now, a word about my lack of blogging ...

honestly, as far as this blog goes, I'm trying to remember that the whole purpose

is that we have these memories to treasure - ideally in book form, though so far I've only

afforded to get books printed through 2009!  that means I really need to find a way

to get 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2013 printed by the end of this year - that way I'll be "caught up"

and will be able to just print each year as it ends!  but I must remind myself that I

do not blog for readers ... I just happen to have a few people who seem to enjoy reading

this blog.  don't get me wrong, I'm totally cool with that - and I do blog for our family and friends

who like to keep up with us a bit ... but, as I was saying, I have to remind myself

that the point is to capture memories that we can treasure as a family!  that means that it doesn't

matter if everything makes it onto this blog ... it doesn't matter if the photos are

the best ... it doesn't matter if it's all in chronological order (ahem: Christmas, New Years, and

Jericho's birthday are yet to come - but today I blogged about TODAY!) ... none of it

matters ... I must repeat this to myself, often!  and so, there is my incredibly long "spout" on 

nothing in particular!  lol!  but, again, it's because I know I'll go back and read this

all one day - and will need the reminder, again!!!

I am Zoey ...

has anyone else heard of the campaign to end the "r" word?

there are many "names" we would never tolerate being called,
or being used in a negative manner ... let's remember
that the "r" word is no different.

I, myself, used to use it a lot. I remember telling a dear friend (when
I was pregnant) that it was a really bad habit, and she said -
calmly, nicely: "you can't do that".
she was right.
I had never thought about it. it's so accepted, it just didn't
feel wrong. now I realize how wrong it is.
I've joined the campaign (and, yes, while still pregnant with Zoey
I broke myself of the habit) ... won't you?

and remember, no one wants to be defined by
a "condition" they may have ... they are people, we're all people!
I wouldn't like it if someone said, "that's fat Sasha" -
so why would someone else like being introduced (whether
in person or not) as anything more than who they are?
(not how they look, not the disease they have, etc.)

I am speaking on the behalf of our sweet little Zoey, if she
could talk to you - I'm sure she'd like you know ...

I am not a "down syndrome baby" ...

I am Zoey!
I am happy a lot,
I whine a lot,
I'm stubborn,
I have a big, bold smile,
I am cute,
I like to chat & yell,
I don't care about standing or walking,
I like my bottle,
I'm eating more and more "real" food,
I'm growing,
I've had open heart surgery,
I can sign "baby",
I love music,
I like to pull hair,
I'll bite you if you stick your finger in my mouth,
I have beautiful eyes,
I am smart,
my family loves me,
God loves me,
I am a child of God!

I'm a baby, who has down syndrome!

Christmas tree cutie!!!

Zoey looked too cute in her Christmas tree tee ... I just had to get some pics of her! What better place than in front of our Christmas tree - though you can hardly tell in most of the pics! Also, for those of you keeping up with AngelPoodle Designs - there is a sneak peek in her hair!

I wanna remember ...

shopping at Walmart with all four kids. treating them to happy meals, even though we shouldn't - for so many reasons. Zoey enjoying her voice! and, especially, Jericho marching around the store with a singing/moving Christmas hat (it sang you make me wanna shout though) - marching to the beat, singing along, and literally dancing down the aisles ... much to many a folks' amusement!!!

oh yah ...

I only wish I could take credit for this adorable idea, but I can't - it's something I saw a friend on facebook do with her baby (I might add, she did it from the time the baby was a week old)! I had every intention of doing this from the start, but completely forgot until I found my tiles amongst my crafting items in a big tub I was going through the other day - bummer. So, from here on out, I'll be trying to remember - and trying to do a bit of a better job at the execution of the photo as well - yikes! but, for now, here's one more of the little miss at ten weeks old:

a couple saturdays ago ...

ya know, I actually feel like I've been managing to blog quite a bit - especially considering my (usually) small amount of internet time these days! ... but still, some photos don't make it on here within a day or two of being taken - and that's when we have to play a bit of catch up! these are from a couple saturdays back: the boys were having lots of fun outside that morning, while Annicka was having fun crafting ... and then later I put Zoey in her bassinet for the first time - and was amazed how she filled it!!! Guess that will be going to my next yard sale, but for the time being it's a nice spot to lay her out in the living/dining room (and the other day I even wheeled it into the kitchen while I did dishes!).

Zoey is still doing well, however her breathing has been harder more often as of late. The cardiologist said "the medication is barely controlling her condition" ... so it's very good that her surgery is coming up! She has a doc appt in the morning and will be getting vaccinations, let's pray that that all goes well! bless you all

surgery.

well, the date has been set ~ April 20. that will be the day Zoey has her open heart surgery. that will be the day that her heart defect is repaired. it's a day I've waited for. a day I can't wait to have behind us. a day to be in much prayer for.

FoUr ...

well, here it is: my first attempt at photos of all four of my children - together! I can't say the results are too outstanding, but finally it's been done! They are cute and they absolutely have character ... I believe I'll treasure these photos - not because they're excellent photos - but because they show a moment I always want to remember! My girls ... my boys ... all together ... on our couch ... in the living room. My camera battery died, so only these first two are with the "good" camera ... but the show had to go on, and I'm so glad it did because that last photo (the one of Jericho and Zoey) is absolutely precious. He was very proud to finally get to hold his baby sister for the first time. Annicka, Jericho, Liam, and Zoey - you are a treasure to me. You are each a very special blessing given to me by God. You are each important and so very much loved.

goodbye (for now) to a good friend ...

so, one of my most treasured friends came and visited us! she was here all last week, but do you think I took photographs of her - um, no. I waited until the day she was leaving to finally get some pics of her with all my kids! How bad am I? She had a little good-bye photo shoot and took turns with each of my kiddos. Leslie is a very special friend to me, we've been friends for fourteen years! Those years have provided challenges and I believe we each know the best and worst of each other, she's absolutely seen me at my worst and loves me anyway ... that's why she's so special. She prays for me and I pray for her and we have a sisterly love, which is why she is "auntie Leslie" to my children! I know she'll always be there for me, and I hope she knows I'll be there for her. We love you Les, thanks so much for visiting!

please note, this is Zoey's first caught on camera smile!
she seemed to smile for everyone before she finally smiled
for me! I walked in there to take the pics and Leslie
was so excited, they were having quite the smiley chat!

and with Annicka

with sweet little Liam, he wasn't too interested
in standing still for a photo!

but this one, Jericho, was the real stinker!
he was being quite stubborn about sitting with auntie Les and
letting me take a pic, which is why I ended up with so many
of him with her! She got him smiling after planting a big
kiss on his cheek, which is when the tickle and laughing
fest began, love - LOVE - these pics!

my babies ...

I walked into my room the other day and quickly realized I had left the gate open ... Liam was sitting on my bed, quite nicely I might add, just looking at the baby! I RAN for my camera and when I returned he laid down oh so sweetly and I quickly pushed the button to capture forever the fleeting moment! These are my babies. So precious. So small (although, Liam now seems so big). I'm trying to treasure every "baby" moment I have, because I know just how fast it's over and then you're left thinking: where did the time go? Where did my baby go? I try to treasure all four of my children, for that matter, because I know that it will seem like just a minute ago when I say: where did the time go, where did my children go? I will be missing them as they move out, get married, have children of their own, and lead independent lives. But, for now, they are with me, my babies ...

here's some photos from that day I left the gate to my room open!

this morning Liam was being quite hilarious as I just snapped pic after pic! His little face still melts my heart every time I see it!



and then guess what happened??? I had my camera out, to get some photos of the little miss lookin all cute, when she decided to ...

SMILE!!!

and she just kept smiling, it was so cute!
and then, she was done!

p.s. I forgot to mention how absolutely precious it is when Liam calls her "Zoely"! ... and how hilarious it is when he tells daddy "baby nigh nigh" - that would be the times in which daddy is holding her and Liam wants some attention!