Self-Feeding, LOL!

Oh My!!!! Well, I figure since kiddo number four is seven weeks away, I better start working overtime with Jack on the self feeding issue...ya know, get him more independent before Mr. Grant comes a knockin'. We have been setting aside time every day where I model and guide scooping the Nuk brush in the applesause or yogurt about 10-15 times, then I leave him on his own to "explore" the concept. It's become quite a comedic time of day for me...here's the pictures, and you'll see why! Applesauce in the hair, in every crease in his body, on the floor (covered with towels of course!), in his seat...goodness gracious!!! What a mess! I just have to laugh...

October is Down Syndrome Awareness month!
Tricia at Unringing the Bell has come up with a great blogging challenge. Get It Down: 31 for 21 is a challenge to create a blog entry each day of October and incorporate Down Syndrome Awareness. I'm a blogging slacker, so what better way to get me back on track than DS Awareness. I can't say I'll be writing about Down Syndrome every day, but you will see an entry every day. Check out Tricia's site to read other blogs participating in the challenge or even better, you can join in yourself!

Dear Friends and Family,

I hope this fall finds you relaxed and in good spirits! We are having a busy time getting ready for our newest Clark addition, Grant! I am writing you today because it is THAT time again! The 2007 Buddy Walk is right around the corner! As you all know, our 17 month old son Jack was diagnosed with Down syndrome at 2 weeks old. He is one of the most amazing children I have ever laid my eyes on (I know, I’m biased! :-)). In his short life, he has profoundly changed the hearts and minds of many with his unforgettable presence, the sparkle in his big brown eyes, and his sweet smile. In recent years, great strides have been made to improve the lives of our kids. This has only happened through years of research, and as a family, we are compelled to help continue this research by supporting the many organizations who have committed to bettering the lives of all people with Down Syndrome.

A wonderful way to help or otherwise become involved in Down syndrome-related charities is participation in the Buddy Walk. The Down Syndrome Association of Orange County (DSAOC) is having their 13th annual "Buddy Walk" at Angel Stadium on Sunday, November 4, 2007. The DSAOC is an organization that is committed to being the leader in enhancing the quality of life, and realizing the potential of all people with Down Syndrome. The Buddy Walk is designed to promote awareness and inclusion for people with Down Syndrome, as well as to raise money to support education, research and advocacy initiatives. Needless to say, it promotes a cause that is close to our hearts.

As stated above, the Orange County Buddy Walk will take place at Angel Stadium in Anaheim on Sunday, November 4, 2007. We will have a team there, “Jammin’ for Jack.” Last year, our team raised almost $8,000.00 and had over 40 people on our team walking for Jack! We hope to surpass both of those numbers this year and hope to get as many people out there raising awareness for Down syndrome and celebrating the life of Jack as possible! Even if you can’t walk long distances (I may be in that boat with you as I’ll be 9 months pregnant!), your presence speaks volumes! You don’t even have to walk…just celebrate with us!

Registration will begin at 9 a.m. with the walk kick-off at 11:00 a.m. The Buddy Walk is about a mile long (strollers and wagons are permitted) and it will be followed with Lunch from 11:30am-12:30pm and Fun on the Field from 10am-2pm. This is a family friendly event! The actual walk is only a small part of this event. If you were there last year, you know how incredible a day it is! I will be MUCH more organized since I know what to expect! We’ll have breakfast and we’ll be there early for a prime spot on the field! ;-)

We would love as many of you as possible to partake -- but we do not mean to pressure anyone and do not want anyone to feel compelled. We recognize how busy everyone is, however, we just wanted to let you all know about the event and thought it might be a great opportunity to get together with some family and friends. We are committed to raising awareness about Down syndrome as well as educating folks that a complete and happy life is possible for people with disabilities. Last year, nationwide, the Buddy Walk raised over $5 million dollars. We hope to help this year by raising at least $10,000.00 as a team. If you cannot walk, please consider making a donation to our team. Each donation is a tax-deduction and you will be supporting a great cause. We have enclosed a self-addressed stamped envelope for your convenience if you would like to make a donation or join the team. All checks should be made out to: DSAOC, OR if you would like to donate online go to the following link: http://buddywalk.kintera.org/dsaoc/jackclark (for individual donations) OR http://buddywalk.kintera.org/dsaoc/jamminforjack (to join the team)
Please let us know if you intend to participate and please pass this note along to anyone who might be interested or to anyone that I might have omitted.

Hoping to see you all on the 4th. Thank you in advance for your support and generosity.
With warmest regards,

John, Kristin, Keeley, Bella, and Jack (and soon to be Grant) Clark

Bella started school today in her brand new Hello Kitty shoes. She was so proud of them and had to show them off to everyone at school. Here she is when I dropped her off this afternoon...

Last Tuesday, I went to a fundraiser at the Hollywood Bowl for the Down Syndrome Research and Treatment Foundation with my friends and fellow moms Dianne, Ashlee and Heather. The news was there and did a piece on the event...here it is...http://cbs2.com/video/?id=46957@kcbs.dayport.com. They pan to my table for about a half second where my back is facing the camera, and Jack's little wallet pic (only I would know it was him, LOL!) is shown twice on the frame table. It was a good night to get out with friends and support a very good cause...well worth it!

Today I am Grateful For...
I've been tagged by Stephanie over at Megan's Got 47...the task: three things I am grateful for. It took me all day yesterday to narrow this down to only three as I am grateful for so much, but here goes...
1. Yesterday was my 4th wedding anniversary, so I think it is fitting to say I am grateful for my husband John. I really found a good one in that one I tell ya! I could go on and on about him, but really, he is a wonderful provider for our family, works his a$$ off every day so that I can stay home 90% of the time with our kids, and he's an amazing father who adores his children with everything he has. As for me, I am grateful for my kiss goodbye every morning and my kiss hello the second he enters the door...I am grateful that I hear the words "I love you" every day. It may seem little, but that kiss in the morning is enough to put a smile on my face all day...for that I am grateful.
2. Yesterday was also Jack's closing ceremonies for the summer program at ICEC. They had an "Olympics" theme with gold medals (Jack's was for gymnastics...boy that kid likes to move!), pretend fireworks, a torch parade, and T-shirts...it was adorable! This leads me t number two. I am so grateful for Jack's therapists: Donna, our in home PT, is an absolute Godsend...we just love everything she does for Jack, and I don't know what I would do without her. I'm also grateful for all of the therapists and staff at ICEC; Letty, Rondele, Rachael, Lisa, Celeste, Amy, Jeannie, Kathie, Pam, Lupe...for all of their knowledge and care for our children, I am grateful.

Jack waving his torch at the "Olympics"

3.Last, but certainly not least, I am grateful for all of the angels and their parents I have been blessed to know and fall in love with this past year. Never in my wildest dreams did I think there was a love like this that existed...I love my husband, my children, my mom and dad, brother, etc..with an unconditional love that goes very deep, but the love these children have brought into my life is different. It's unmeasureable and amazing...I am so grateful that I have that.

One of Jack's Many Girlfriends...One of the sweetest angels ever, Miss Macy

It is now my turn to tag three people...so Bethany over at "Life with Bubba and Chicky," my girl Shelbie at "Maddi's Site," and Renee at "The Parker Family," you're it!

Itsy Bitsy Spider...The Wheels on the Bus...Twinkle Twinkle Little Star...The Elephant Song...these are some of the many songs we sing at Jack's group therapy at ICEC. We also sing them at home, along with a slew of others. Along with each song, there are hand gestures. Jack has been doing the Itsy Bitsy Spider for about a month now, and slowly he has been experimenting with the others. Well tonight, I had a truly endearing moment. Just before bed, my girls and I sat with Jack for some singing. He imitated EVERY SINGLE SONG with gestures...every one! Each time we finished, he'd turn around and look at his daddy with a look of satisfaction and giggle like there was no tomorrow...so proud of himself! My girls cheered their little buddy on the entire time...I just kept thinking to myself, with my family all sitting together enjoying this small, but monumental moment, that it doesn't get any better than this right here...and it doesn't. We are blessed.

Thanks to everyone for your advice and prayers. After sleeping on it, I have decided not to have an amnio. I really never wanted to go that route, but that perinatologist just got my head spinning! I really feel at peace and know that whatever is meant to be will be, and I'm OK with that...I go into these last three months very comfortable with the L2 Ultrasound and Echo results. Thanks again to all who helped me with this one! ~k

Today we had our follow-up fetal echo cardiogram at UCI. I'm not sure why, but last night I was filled with anxiety about it...and it continued until we were done this morning. To update on the background, we asked for a fetal echo because of Jack's heart defect. We just wanted to be as prepared as possible if something was wrong...so three weeks ago, we did our L2 Ultrasound and fetal echo. After five perinatologists searched, they weren't sure for the longest time if they saw a VSD or if it was a shadow. After moving me to my side, they finally agreed that there was nothing there...it looked fine....BUT, please come back in 3-4 weeks for a follow-up when the baby is a little bigger. Fast forward to today. New perinatologist...thorough as could be...her colleague walked in for part of it and told me she didn't think a heart had ever been analyzed that thoroughly...and the end result was that she saw nothing and is 100% sure that there is no major heart defect. This, you would think, would make me feel better, and it does, somewhat...BUT, I constantly have all of the mistakes made while I was pregnant with Jack running through the back of my mind, and it makes me anxious. SO, I have two choices: Accept that which I have no control over and enjoy the rest of my pregnancy OR get the amnio to know for sure and have peace of mind, one way or another, for a more relaxed third trimester...decisions,decisions...

I got Jack doing some signing on my camera today...in the past two weeks, he has really started applying what we have been doing with him since he was a newborn! As of now, Jack knows these signs: more (his first sign), I want, eat, all done, mama, ball, milk, and all of the gestures to Itsy Bitsy Spider (and he is waving and clapping). I feel like things are clicking for him all of the sudden...the expressive is catching up to the receptive...so here he is!
Edited to add: He just added please and happy to his signs. :-)

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