Family!

We had a wonderful weekend in Waco celebrating Christmas with the Jumper family. Yes, we know we’re a couple months late. We’ve found it’s kind of fun to have a belated celebration to look forward to, and to have one less holiday engagement in the middle of the December craziness. We had several new additions to the family, and lots of little ones running around. L.D. is my cousin’s son. He is just a few months younger than Addison and was so sweet with her and the other babies.

Don’t worry. Wes sat him down and had a little chat with him!

And of course, Addison had a ball with one of her favorite aunts, Aunt Brittan.

Owen, my nephew, just turned 7, and also was so sweet with Addison.

One of the nights we were there we pulled out old photos and family videos. It was so fun to reminisce and laugh at the 4-year-old versions of ourselves and each other. This is one of the photos we found of my dad. See some resemblance?

Our Big Little Boy

Well, the count continues. Austin is now 5 months old. I don’t feel like there’s a lot to report right now. He no longer sleeps through the night- we did say from the beginning he was going to be the one to keep us on our toes! He’s been “talking” and laughing out loud a lot more lately. So fun!

Addison continues to be enamored with her brother. I can’t wait until he’s big enough for them to really play together. She actually ended up with pneumonia last week, but is feeling much better now. Thanks for your prayers!

Learning As I Go

Last week I called a preschool to ask about taking a tour to see if it was somewhere we wanted to send Addison. I was told that she cannot attend there because she has Down Syndrome (they don't take kids with special needs). I can understand how some kids with special needs require extra attention or have medical needs that cannot be met by the typical preschool staff. But, at the same time, Addison has none of that, and I felt like she was being rejected because she's different. I will not lie- I was rude to the lady (she was not particularly friendly from the beginning). Now I feel kind of bad- kind of- and wish I could explain myself. Although she'll probably never read this, I want to say it anyway:

Dear Preschool Lady,
I'm sorry I was rude to you on the phone. Please understand that for the last 2 years I have been told that I am my child's advocate; that I have to fight for her when she cannot fight for herself. I understand that some kids with special needs would put a strain on your staff or require more attention than you are able to provide. Those characteristics, however, do not describe my daughter. Imagine for a moment that a school told you they would not accept your child because she was hispanic (or fair-skinned or too tall). "We don't speak Spanish, and we don't have translators (or sunscreen or chairs big enough)," she'd tell you. "But my child speaks English. She was born in Oklahoma. She doesn't need a translator," you'd tell her. "I'm sorry," she says, "we just don't take foreigners." Do you see how frustrating this is? I would appreciate a little more understanding in the future, and I will find a better way to advocate for my daughter. Thank you, Rachel

Sugar & Spice & Everything Snot!

So, it’s been a while. The truth is, there hasn’t been much to tell. A few weeks ago on an episode of Modern Family Claire, mother of 3, complains of feeling frumpy, always covered in “peanut butter and paste.” I would gladly take peanut butter and paste over the snot, banana and spit-up that is my life right now. I think in the last twelve hours Addison has produced her weight in snot. (I will spare you pictures of that.)

On a less disgusting note, we got a call the other day that the Little Light House will have a spot for Addison in the fall! We are going this Friday for her screening where she will be evaluated for placement. A few of the therapists who see Addison have suggested that she may actually be doing so well that the LLH may not be challenging enough for her. That is obviously great to hear, but we’ve been looking forward to her going there for the last 2 years. Please pray for wisdom as we decide where will be best for Addison.

Austin continues to flash that melt-your-heart smile of his. Over the last couple days I’ve had 3 or 4 people say to me “He’s such a happy baby.” What a change from his first few months of life! I’ll leave you with this: