Welcome to the Mad House

In Memory of Grandma Maddex

2009-11-12T22:30:00.003-05:00

Grandma Maddex passed away this evening. Bryan and I just took a walk through all the photos we have of the times that we spent with her in the past few years. We were fortunate enough to see her a couple times a year at the cottage Michigan and her place in Hilton Head Island.

We loved the time that we spent with her, and are so very happy that she was able to meet (and spoil) Ian and Chase. Ian's middle name (Callaghan) is actually her maiden name, so he will always have a special bond with her.

RIP, Grandma. Be at peace.

Thanksgiving Preparations

2009-11-10T07:48:00.003-05:00

Ian's class puts on a concert for "Feast Day" at his preschool. He's been singing songs to himself like "You don't want to be a turkey on Thanksgiving Day."

He also informed me that his class will be dressing up like Pildrums. I said, "Oh, do you mean pilgrims?" He looked at me like I was a 2 year old, and said, "No, Mom. It's pill-drum. I will be a pill-drum."

I asked him what a pildrum was (you know, since he was such an expert and all) and he replied, "Um, I don't exactly know."

Can't wait for Feast Day :) I'm pretty sure Chase will be dressing up as a turkey at school, too. Should be some cute photos.

The Chick or the Egg?

2009-11-08T20:51:00.002-05:00

Aunt Debi and Uncle Tom are the proud parents of 10 baby chicks that hatched on Tuesday. We went to visit them this evening and Ian totally fell in love with them.

On the way home he was telling me about how much he liked them and how good he was with them ("I held one and I didn't even break his bones!!") and trying to convince me that he should be able to have a baby chick at our house. He came up with many arguments for the chick (I could keep them inside in my closet! I could put them in a cage!) and I countered them mostly with the fact that the HOA would frown upon it.

Finally, he made one last ditch attempt: Well, Mom, having a chick is much more fun than eating an egg.

Easiest Baby Ever. Not.

2009-11-07T22:45:00.003-05:00

Remember when I said that Gavin was the most laid back, easiest going baby ever? Yeah. Sooo. Not so much.

He decided that he wasn't a bottle baby a while ago...actually, he decided that he wouldn't take a bottle on the day that I was out for 8 hours on a girls-day-out wine tasting event. He grudgingly took a couple ounces the entire time. Since then he has taken NO bottles.

To top that off, Bryan's magic Daddy Power doesn't work on him. Both other boys could be magically lulled to sleep in his arms. Not Gavin. Oh no. Tonight I left for 2 hours to go see Angelle's new baby boy (welcome to the world, Adam!), and when I came home, Bryan was ready for a shot of Tequila and Gavin was screaming in his crib.

Now, there is a teensy bit of total elation knowing that I am the only one in the whole world that can make this baby boy happy (he will magically quiet down as soon as I hold him- literally. It is kind of funny)...but at the same time, um, hello? I have to leave him behind sometimes! Not to mention, Bryan feels totally inadequate watching him.

I liken it to when I had to leave my 4th grade class when I went on maternity leave for Ian. They were my best class ever. But they almost *ALMOST* ran the sub off. I actually had to come in, on my leave, to yell at them. I feel like that. He's a good kid, really. He is just a holy terror, whiny mama's boy when I am not around.

Halloween

2009-11-07T21:50:00.003-05:00

The boys were super cute as my skeleton crew on Halloween. We were still in NY and the plan was to go out trick-or-treating, then load the car and the kids and head for NC.

Ian was WAY excited to go out. I think this is the first year that he was more excited than I was to beg for candy. Chase didn't care that much, except I think he liked the skeleton costume. He was especially interested in wearing the gloves, for intervals of 3 seconds.

The best part of trick-or-treating (except reveling in the knowledge that my skeletons were the cutest in the whole upstate NY area) was that we went to my old house. After we told the owner that we built her house, she invited us in for a tour. It was really really neat to see the house (I lived there from 2-12 years old) and to see how it has changed. Her little girl has my old room :) We also stopped in at all the old neighbors' houses (no one we knew is left). You know, even though I haven't lived there in 17 years *holy crap* it still feels like home.

On a related note, I think it should be socially appropriate to knock on people's doors and ask for a tour. Even if you haven't lived there before. Because seeing other people's houses is fun.

The funniest event of the evening was when I pointed a skeleton sitting in a van out to Ian. As soon as Ian looked over, the guy (probably a dad waiting on his kids) wearing the skeleton mask turned abruptly and stared at him...and then Ian shrieked and jumped about 5 steps ahead of us. Total high-pitched-screamed-like-a-little-girl shriek. SO funny.

Ianism

2009-11-06T09:02:00.001-05:00

I call you Mommy. But my friends call you Laurie. And Daddy is the one who calls you Babe.

Aw Shucks!

2009-11-04T20:52:00.002-05:00

Our annual trip to Aw Shucks!

Say, "Hi Mom!"

I love Ian's face here. And the fact that he is hugging Chase and not tackling him...

Chase loved jumping into Bryan's arms off the giant haystack. Well, not quite jumping- still working on that milestone, but he loved stepping off the hay bales.

Awww :) The happy brothers in the pumpkin pile...

It was pretty chilly out. Gavin stayed tucked in the sling, tucked in my sweatshirt...and I made him wear that ridiculous hat.

Back!

2009-11-04T15:33:00.005-05:00

Ok, we survived the trip to NY and back. The drive really wasn't all that bad, you know, if you like The Incredibles enough to watch it 8 times in a row, or if you enjoy driving bleary-eyed through the mountains at 3am.

Really, though, it wasn't all that bad. The kids were mostly quiet for the ride, and the company once we got there was very, very good. The weather was beautiful for the first 3 days, then slightly rainy after that. We got in some good park time, a trip to Lollypop Farm, some good cider and fresh fry cakes, and visited with family that we only got to see a handful of times throughout the last 3 years.

We visited with my grandparents (that's Big GG and Little GG to the boys), Aunt Sue and her husband Dahni, my cousin Chris (who has been in Japan teaching for 3 years- I think- ) and his girlfriend Sakiko, my other cousin Mike and his wife Jessica, and my other cousin, Jonathan. We also paid a visit to my great aunt Babs and great uncle Bob, who were completely charmed by Chase. Big GG, unfortunately, ended up in the hospital for the last few days of our trip. We didn't put him there...it was a nasty bout of pneumonia. He is being well taken care of now, though, and is on the mend. So, yeah, ups and downs, but I always love going back there...and it is always fun sharing my guys with all the northerners.

Bonus: there is a new Goodwill store close to my grandparents' house. It was so clean and well organized. I went there like 3 times. Ian got a new pair of Lands End boots for $2, 2 pairs of pretty good fake fuzzy Crocs for $3, and Connect Four for $.99, I got new jeans and a sweatshirt, and Chase got a new book. Gaga got a pumpkin carving set with neat light-brite like lights and a puzzle to do with Ian. We scored big. The only way we made it back home in the van was due to my dad's amazing packing power, otherwise someone would have been strapped to the roof.

And now, too many pictures:

Cousin Chris hanging out with Chasey at the good BBQ place.

Little GG was an excellent baby sitter.

Ian digs into his Abbott's frozen custard. I am kind of glad that there isn't an Abbott's in NC, because I would be 300 pounds.

Ian and Gaga at the park.

Gaga, Ian, Sakiko, Chasey, and Chris at the GG's house.

Chase is such a big boy now, navigating the entire playground on his own. I only occassionally get freaked out at how close he hangs over the sides.

Who's job was it to rake up the baby?

Gaga and Ian on the slide- young at heart, that woman is. And young on the outside, too, of course. (Hi Mom!)

Too Late...

2009-10-24T00:30:00.002-04:00

I tried to make this post before Friday ended, but I am sitting here at 12:31am on Saturday morning typing. Doh! Another missed day on 31 for 21. Geesh.

I am up this late because I am in the midst of packing/cleaning like a madwoman getting ready for our trip to upstate NY. Bryan is staying here (that whole job thing totally cramps our style!) and I am driving with Gaga and the boys tomorrow (well, technically today) after dinner. I am crossing my fingers that all 3 will sleep peacefully in the van for the 14ish hours that we will be in there.

Ok, so I know that is impossible. I am really just hoping we make it there without any major catastrophes.

I will try to get to the computer while we are at my grandparents' house, but I am not guaranteeing anything. (sidenote: guaranteeing is a really hard word to spell.) If I can't, I know that I have unanswered questions that I promise I will get to in November (we are there until Halloween)...I will make it up with extra credit.

Off to bed with me.

Really, Dad? Really?

2009-10-22T21:21:00.003-04:00

**Disclaimer: Bryan didn't really shoot him. But it IS fun licking and sticking those darts!

Q and A- Ds type

2009-10-20T14:50:00.002-04:00

Jessica asked what type of Down syndrome Chase has. He has the regular old trisomy 21, which means by genetic fluke, he ended up with three copies of the 21st chromosome instead of two. Every single one of his cells has it.

I am pretty much convinced that his propensity to throw things, love people, and smile with his eyes closed is contained on that extra gene.

Thrifty

2009-10-20T10:49:00.002-04:00

I cut off some tubes socks to make these faux-Baby Legs today. He likes them.

So do I.

I just wish I had thought of this before I put in that order for 4 more pairs last night...oops.

Ah, well.

Seasons

2009-10-19T14:22:00.002-04:00

There has been a lot of talk lately in a couple of my circles about seasons. A time for this, a time to move past that. And it coincides with the decisions I'm having to make right now about going back to work.

I think, even though it makes me sad, that my season for being a stay at home mom is almost over. I mean, not like tomorrow, but next fall...and I have to do the legwork now to prepare for it. I spent the morning calling every daycare place near (and not near) me, working out hypothetical budgets and schedules...it is just overwhelming.

And everything is hinging on something else. If Chase gets into the school we want, if I can teach at the school I want, if the daycare has openings, if afterschool care works out. This is COMPLICATED!

I guess I am also just feeling guilty about putting Gavin in full time daycare when I've spent the last 4 years at home. I know he will be one, and probably happy to spend the day playing with a bunch of other kids at "school"...maybe it is just me, afraid that I will miss important parts of his life while I am at work. But I also feel that my happy time at home is slowly coming to an end. I am ready to have my house back, ready to only have my kids to worry about...I mean, the daycare kids are good kids- I think it is just the isolation that being at home all the time brings. It seriously wears you down, and I know that for my own mental health, I am dangeroulsy close to the day that I run out of the house and down the street in a housecoat and slippers crying hysterically. (Ok, I stole that from the movie Very Bad Things, but the image works somedays.)

And now that I have to commit to going back to work (Bryan has to decide how much money to put away for pre-tax childcare by November 6), I feel like I am on borrowed time at home. So much to do! So many kids to hug! Must! Not! Miss! Anything! Ack!

Preschool Sunday

2009-10-18T14:15:00.005-04:00

This morning we went to church at the Presbyterian church that the boys' preschool is part of. It was "preschool Sunday", and the 4 year old class was singing 2 songs as part of a program to recognize their teachers and the director.

I know I've already told you this, but my Ian sure is cute. Stinking cute. They sang 'Jesus Loves Me', and Ian stood up there and mouthed the words, and did some of this signing that went along with the song.

The sermon was about children today (apropos, right?) and the priest talked about how churches need to be not just tolerent of children, not just child-friendly, but welcoming to children. We don't normally go to this church, but it was amazing how many people were there that know Ian and Chase because of school. They are like little rock stars. And I love that they spend their time at school in a place that is truly welcoming like that.

We went to brunch afterwards at a hole-in-the-wall restaurant with a super nice waitress and a bunch of people who complimented us on how adorable our family is. I couldn't agree more :)

Gavin is starting to remind me of Ian. I can't put my finger on why, though... :)

DSAC Fall Festival

2009-10-17T22:15:00.002-04:00

Skeleton Crew

Ready for their close-ups

2009-10-15T13:56:00.002-04:00

The boys had picture day at school today. I thought I would try to sneak Gavin in and get a shoot with all three of them.

So, I started at 6:30 this morning getting everyone in the tub, fresh and shiny like. Against my better judgement, I put them all in their picture clothes 1/2 an hour before heading out the door.

First Chase spit up on his shirt. So I changed him. Then Gavin blew out of his onesie while sitting in the Bumbo. So I changed him. Then Ian didn't match anyone any more. So I changed him.

And we did eventually make it to school. The photo shoot was pretty hilarious. There may be a good one or two, depending on the photographer's cropping skills. We'll see.

School

2009-10-14T21:06:00.002-04:00

Had Chases's initial preschool meeting yesterday. I'm torn.

The school system apparently only offers EC classrooms for 3 year olds. However, there are 4 year old "peer pals" in the classrooms; typical kids who pay to be there. The only varient is how many peer pals are in the classrooms. The class that Chase would go into has 6 kids on IEPs and 3 Peer Pals.

I hear good things. I hear that kids are learning lots of things. The preschool coordinator has a grandson in the peer pal program.

Chase could be in the EC classroom 3 days, then we could pay for him to be in the preschool that he is in now for the other 2 days...

But I just had it in my head that he could be (and should be) in a typical classroom.

On the other hand, is this one year that he spends in EC be a good tool to work on the skills that he needs to be successful once he mainstreams the following year? Is it worth it to fight to get the county to pay for private school? Is it possible (one of the moms in my group has already tried to fight that battle to no avail)?

Eh. I am just confused. I guess I need to go in and observe the class to get a first-hand look at what it is. I just want to do the right thing...

I know, I know.

2009-10-13T20:36:00.002-04:00

I'm doing terribly at this year's 31 for 21. I do have an extra kid this year and all, you know.

Anyhoo. Bryan is gone this week again, so it is just the kids and I. His mom flies in tomorrow, so I will have some relief soon.

It's been a little crazy busy. We took some time to visit IKEA yesterday (FUN!!), but have been getting the kids to bed late the last few nights, and so I feel like there is not a whole lot of down time. It doesn't help that Gavin is apparently a night owl, either. He is wide awake hours and hours after the other two crash.

Today I had to whirlwind clean the house because we had our preliminary school meeting for Chase here. And of course, they can't see the Cheerios that usually litter the floor, or all day's dishes piled next to the sink. More on the meeting later. I just need a little time to digest it, and I have other things to think about right now (Bejeweled Blitz) and a baby next to me that wants my attention (he's cute, so I don't mind).

Sorry for being a slacker. I promise not to suck so much for the rest of the month. Maybe.

McD's

2009-10-10T21:50:00.002-04:00

I like this photo, because it shows just how normal everyday life is here. Just two guys playing on the McDonald's slide...2 kids who would rather play than eat their chicken nuggets.

Leave us alone, Mom! We are busy!

Ianism- @ the Nature Museum

2009-10-09T22:09:00.003-04:00

Bryan had the day off, and his mom is in town, so we took the boys (plus William) to the Charlotte Nature Museum this morning. It was so much fun. Chase is really starting to appreciate trips like this- he is so inquisitive and interested in everything now. He loves to watch and touch and, well, throw things. But I digress.

The museum had live animals, nature trails, a water table and a worm hole to climb in. It was just awesome to watch them all enjoy themselves, even without naps.

Ian wanted to hike the trail a second time without the babies, so I walked with him. While we were out, I suggested that he pick up some interesting leaves and we could take them home and make rubbings. He thought about it, then said, "Um, no. I think I'd rather just step on them now."

Sometimes the day is for collecting and observing, studying and doing. And other days are for just moving ahead :)

The Talk

2009-10-08T22:08:00.002-04:00

Before the Buddy Walk this year, I sat down with Ian and had the big talk with him about Down syndrome. He's at the point when he wonders why Chase gets all the attention...and I just wanted him to hear it from us rather than from his friends.

So, I cornered him as he was coloring. I asked him if he ever heard the words "Down syndrome" before. He said yes, and I asked him what he thought it meant. He told me that it was when babies were really really sick.

Awww :( I think he remembers when Chase was in the hospital when he was born. I asked him if Chase was sick now, and he told me yes, he has a runny nose.

If it were just that simple!

I explained that Down syndrome doesn't mean that Chase is sick, just that he was going to need extra help and extra time to learn things.

Ian looked at me for a moment, and then asked me to help him find the brown crayon that he needed.

I guess it was only me that thought it would matter a lot. Chase is just Ian's little brother. The one that he has to hide his marbles from. The one that he has to put his drinks up on the counter so that they don't get spilled. The one with the runny nose. And it is totally normal to him.

Q and A...procreation

2009-10-07T21:55:00.002-04:00

Q: What are your chances of having another baby that has ds? Also, will it be geneticly passed on from Chase if he has children?

A: The geneticist we met with after Chase was born told us briefly that our chances of having another child with Ds was 1%...but not truly based on numbers, just that it had to be higher than nothing. I didn't really understand that. Basically, I think that it means that since Ds is a genetic anomoly, and Chase has the regular old fluke-ish Trisomy 21, that our chances don't really change, but they have to assign us a number just because. If anyone else has a better answer than that, I'd love to hear it.

As far as Chase goes, I believe that most males with Ds are sterile. So his chances of passing it on are close to nothing. I have heard stories of women with Ds giving birth to typical babies. I don't know what the real odds are on that, and I am too tired to look up any genetics information just now :)

Who Said Chase Would Never Soar?!

2009-10-07T13:30:00.001-04:00

(Hi Kim!)

Buddy Walk 2009

2009-10-05T06:47:00.002-04:00

The Buddy Walk was a big success this year :) Here is our team photo, minus two families that didn't quite get there in time for the actual walk. We had family, friends, and teachers join us...and we also teamed up with our friends from the group (that is Kaitlin riding with Chase in the wagon).

Chase sported angel wings on his shirt, and blood red lips from some free Rita's Italian Ice (Swedish fish flavor).

It is weird. I think the last couple years I have had little pangs of fear? worry? I don't know. But this year I didn't feel that at all. We were just there for Chase, and all his friends, celebrating him and all his potential. Good stuff.

Also, we had the talk with Ian about Down syndrome beforehand. He didn't really care that much. He mostly wanted me to get him more crayons so he could finish the Halloween picture he was working on.

Q and A- Cuteness

2009-10-04T22:16:00.003-04:00

I'll answer my reader questions in the order in which they came...so here goes the first one:

Bryan said, "...why is your kid so damn cute?!"

Well, Bryan, I am so glad you asked. Chase is, as you have noticed, incredibly cute. Is it his infectious smile? His slightly wobbly gait? The way he giggles and sounds like that dog on Looney Tunes? Perhaps it is the way that his eyes close when he laughs? Or they way he says, "Mem." at the end of the blessing. Maybe you can't resist his throwing-mulch-and-giggling game outside. Or how he puts on his little messenger bag, goes to the door, waves, and decisively says BYE when he wants to leave. Possibly it is the way he asks to ride in the car by signing 'drive' and making car sounds? How about when he hugs you and pats your back? Or when his face lights up and he squeals, "Guy Guy!!" when he sees his little brother? Maybe it is the way he takes ginormous bites of banana and then asks for more before he can even swallow. Could it be the wayhe adopts random men while we are out and about? How 'bout the way he bops his head around in the car to Miley Cyrus songs? Or how he gets totally excited about bathtime? Is it the way he waits his turn to wrestle with Ian and Daddy?

Frankly, the possibilities are endless. It is impossible to pinpoint exactly what makes him so damn cute.

The bottom line is, Chasey is the result of two very awesome people. How could he not be?!