Knock on Porcelain

Sooo I probably shouldn’t even type this because I’ll jinx it... but Hannah has been dry for perhaps three weeks now with no accidents - ! Dry diapers in the AM!

We are pretty regular about putting her on the potty as soon as she wakes up and right before bed. 

But I’m not calling her “trained” by any means... Because pee happens. 

Hope Story

A fairly well-known family on social media, the Smiths, are big Ds advocates. Noah’s Dad, Rick and Abbey Smith have helped start Hope Story:

“Hope Story is a team of medical professionals and storytellers. We believe that stories have the ability to provide hope to others and change the world. At our core, we exist to help people learn to tell their stories and help them find opportunities to share them with people that need to hear it the most.”

Their aim is to: 
1. connect every parent who’s child is diagnosed with Down syndrome to a family raising a child with Down syndrome. We believe a little bit of hope can go a long way.

2. train to parents of a child with Ds to help equip them to have a phone call with a parent who just received a diagnosis for their child. These parents become Hope Advocates (which I have signed up for).

3. provide free resources to medical professionals to help them deliver a Down syndrome diagnosis. Medical professionals don’t receive specific training in medial school on how to deliver a Down syndrome dialogs, and it isn’t something they do everyday. In addition, most medical professionals don’t have a personal relationship with anyone with Down syndrome.

I really think social media has benefitted our community and broken down stigmas around Down syndrome. I truly hope all these new efforts and storytelling shines a light to new parents that their child is worthy. 

First Day of School!

I feel way less overwhelmed this year - both girls are established in their schools (Nora 1st grade) and Hannah has her same teacher, continuing with the 3’s class for her second of three years. 

Nora already knows two kids in her class and when I dropped her off at Extended Day, at least three kids ran up to greet her. I tried to steer Nora to greet the Kindergarteners because they could be nervous. She said “Mmm I don’t know.” Argh! We need to work on choosing kindness. Nora can be a leader, but sways a bit towards the bossy side. 

Hannah had no reservations when Nora left with me. And based on my sitter’s photos, she got on the bus very easily : ) 

I even signed up for PTA this year - ! Not sure how much I can contribute, but I’m going to do my best. 

We had a welcome breakfast at the elementary Saturday AM and I recognized one mom whose daughter is pals with Nora - even I felt better that I’m starting to feel more comfortable and slowly meeting families. 

Family Selfie!

Biggie Girl!

Autonomy in dressing self...

Staycation 2018

Staycation was good - but also stressful due to the kitchen reno and being forced to stay out of the house Monday - Wednesday. 

Friday July 27th the girls were up at my parents so Tim and I drove up to spend the night and then kayak the next morning with Nora. It was super relaxing as always; set in the woods next to the Great Miami. The girls do a pretty good job of keeping themselves busy with all the thrifted toys : ) 

Hannah would not get out of the kayak!

Saturday we were on the river before 11am - my Dad wanted to beat the “partiers.” Haha! But it was true - we dropped in North of the local livery and didn’t see a soul. After the livery we were paddling more to avoid clusters of people. 

Dad usually goes on weekdays to fish and avoid people : )

Nora started in my boat which wasn’t too hard - she wanted to paddle so I let her here and there until we’d steer towards the bank. After mile one (of three) she asked if we were back at Grammy’s yet - oh boy. 

It was a perfect mini-getaway. 

Sunday was our one day home to get stuff done. 

Monday we hopped out of the house around 9:15 to a Milford Preschool playtime at the local recreations outlet. We lasted about one hour then had lunch at Nana & Papa’s. Ailo nearly exploded when he saw us - poor Buddy! After lunch I took Nora to see Hotel Transylvania 3 - super cute and shockingly my first movie with Nora. My first movie theater experience since having Nora. I’m serious. I don’t do movie theaters anymore. Ask me about it another time...

Tuesday we started our morning with a Target school haul. Then we headed to the Loveland Castle - I’ve been curious for a long time and had never been! It was... interesting. Smaller than expected, pretty, and a bit strange. I think one visit is all I’ll need. 

Then we attempted Liberty Center Children’s Discovery Center - a playzone within the huge new shopping/dining complex right where we used to live in Liberty Township. I would have loved this except it was slammed with kids - like absurdly. I didn’t want to be there, Hannah was getting knocked down left and right, so we basically left and headed back towards Milford. 

That’s when I quickly stopped back into the house and smelled the awful counter adhesives and freaked out a bit so we went to early dinner. By the time we got home, I was glad the fumes had mostly dissipated. I was still irritated I had to unexpectedly find plans for Wednesday. Thankfully it turned out to be relaxing at my folks. 

Happy Doggie coming home!

Thursday we putzed around and had a playdate with friends. 

Friday Hannah had her T&A follow-up sleep study. Tim took Hannah while Nora and I had a girl’s night! I took her for sushi - her first! She really liked the shrimp tempura roll : ) Then we had “spa” time with face masks and nail polish. I don’t often get alone time with her, so it was special. 

Amazed she puts up with this garbage so easily! xx

Kitchen Facelift

It finally happened! There’s never a “great time,” but after the winter near-move, we turned a left and went with a home equity loan to facelift the kitchen. 

The plan: 
- new cabinets (a pantry that will replace the old double oven)
- new sink/faucet
- new gas range
- backsplash 
- re-located dishwasher

The old kitchen worked, it was just beat up; old double oven, old IKEA cabinets that were starting to fall apart, the sink stained easily and was chipped in several places, and that blessed tile counter that I cannot stand. I also grew up with one and it’s just a pain to wipe down and keep clean. Our gas stovetop was built into the countertop so if one went, so would the other. 

We used our contractor who has done odd jobs for us over the years. Per the reno stereotype, they started a little late - overlapping our staycation (eyeroll). 

The crew started on Monday, July 23rd - a work week so all we had to do was relocate Ailo to my in-law’s home - very gracious of them! 

They got a ton done that week. The local counter place measured on Wednesday night and delivered/installed on Tuesday the 31st. 

However, we weren’t anticipating the toxic fumes from the counter adhesive/epoxy, therefore forced to stay out of the house longer on Tuesday for dinner. Thank God it was a mild summer day (mid 70s) so we could open the windows to air out the house. 

I also wasn’t expecting to stay away on Wednesday, so I was super irritated. I’m not good with on-the-fly plans... my personality does much better with routine! Thank goodness my parents are near-retired and practically live in a cabin, so we retreated back up North for the day and it was great and I could relax a bit. 

Two cabinets did not have an exact paint match (wood grain was showing through) so those replacements should be in the week of Aug 13th, then the microwave can go back in. 

Once all that is re-installed, Tim’s super-handy brother-in-law will help us install the classic white subway backsplash. 

It was such a good feeling to stay HOME on Thursday/Friday and re-load the cabinets and use my stovetop again! I didn’t realize how much I rely on it. 

It’s not a necessity to have a nice, new kitchen, but I’m nearing 39 and I’m in my kitchen a LOT - so, yay for me! 

*Still waiting on last two cabinets/microwave install