Step up walk and the end of a good month.

Nov 1st.  Officially the day after the 31 for 21 challenge.  I didn't get to blog the whole month as I've done previous, so I thought I'd try and catch up while I can.  I want to tell you that this last month was a good month.  For October the last couple of years both Maya and I have gotten sick with colds and allergies.  This October we both did really well.  As for writing the 31 days for 21, well I did miss a few days here and there.  It's the way it is now.  Maya keeps me busy as ever. 

I'm always thankful for those moms that can write on their blog everyday.  It keeps the story going.  It keeps us connected.  So I'm hoping that I don't drop off the blogging scene too much like I did the last year.  I'm hoping to keep anyone who reads this, no matter how few, connected to Maya. After all I started this blog for our family and friends who wanted to know how she was doing.

For all my friends and family that know about our little Step Up for Down Syndrome walk in October (formally called the buddy walk), you know many of us work to raise money for our local organization. We walk in the ASU homecoming parade and show our pride in people that have Down syndrome. It's a great way to bring awareness. This year Maya's Dream team had 17 people walking the parade with her. It was so wonderful to have them join us.

Last year Maya had some struggles at the walk, but this year she did so much better. Despite the noise and all the distractions, she didn't reach her breaking point. Christina, Maya's respite/hab provider was there to support her. She came on her own and brought a friend. It really brought out the best in Maya. I've said it before Maya and Christina have this little sister, big sister thing going on. She can encourage Maya in ways that no one else can. Even though Maya was in sensory overload she worked through it and we were able to walk the entire parade with our team. We even stayed after and watched the rest of the parade.

I'll say it again and and again. I am so grateful for all the support my friends and family give me. Whether it's to come out once a year to walk with us, have play dates with Maya or just give a little money to the Down Syndrome Network, it means so much. It means that they see Maya for who she is, a fun little girl, my daughter, a person who happens to have Down syndrome. They support me on this journey in ways that I can not even describe. I am very blessed.

Maya's Dream Team

31 for 21, Day 21 - 2012

  More about playdates.

It was good to see Maya playing with her friends. It's still parallel play, but it's getting closer to actively playing with each other. This time when T and G started playing with the doctor set. Maya sat down and also wanted to play. With a little coaching she started to check Jessie's heart with the stethoscope.

Then T brought out the Break the Ice game. One of Maya's favorites. They all helped me set it up by handing me the ice cubes. Ironically this process usually takes longer to put together than actually playing the game. When it came time to play, they did it so well. They took turns and even shared one of the mallets.

When we went outside, the kids played on the little slide and ran around the yard. We changed the level of the slide so Maya was hesitate to go up it, but she did with some help. She also enjoyed watching her friends go up and down the slide. Maya, T and Christina pretended to be airplanes, soaring through the grass. That was a precious moment.

These are the little things in life that I appreciate more than anything. From the time she started to crawl, I've tried to have Maya interact with her peer, Whether in playgroups, classes, or story time. Sometimes it feels like a struggle because the level she is at is not the same as others her age or even younger. It takes time to get her there. It's a daily challenge, something that others might not realize. Whether it's walking, jumping, how to hold a crayon, or learning how to appropriately play with her friends...it take effort. But always the reward is worth it. When I think about the way I am raising Maya, I think it's exactly the way it is supposed to be. It is hard work to bring up any child, and yes, it take a wee bit more effort to do it for someone with special needs. I don't think that it would be much different than if she didn't have Down syndrome though. We all want the same things for our children. Among love and happiness we want them to be the best person they can be. This is all of our goals in the end.

Three doctors working hard.

Break the ice.

Down the slide.

Watching her friend.

Soaring.

31 for 21, Day 18 - 2012

Play date and the pumpkin patch.

We had an awesome play date with some friends yesterday.  It's so nice to see Maya playing with her peers.  After a while we went to the pumpkin patch down the street.  It's our favorite pumpkin patch because it's quiet and free.  The kids loved it.  They actually entertained themselves really well.  This year Maya was really into the pumpkins.  Next week we are taking a field trip with the school to another pumpkin patch.   Even though Maya hates field trips, that one Maya does pretty good with.  I'm looking forward to seeing how she does this year.

Pumpkin hugger.

Three musketeers.

Going for a ride.

One for you and you, and you.

Happiness is having a pumpkin.

Dancing a jig.

Found a hat at the patch and put it on.

Another trip to the aquarium and farewell to maya's best buds

Recently we went to the aquarium with our friends and their kiddos. It was great seeing the kids enjoying the fish and the environment. The little aquarium is just the right size to entertain but not overwhelm Maya. I'm so glad that she is getting curious about her surroundings.

Our long time friend's have twins which are two months younger than Maya. Its been really wonderful having them around. I've been able to see them grow so much in just six months. The twins, a girl and a boy, have really taken to Maya. They always call to her to join them in whatever they are doing and give her lots of hugs. Even though Maya isn't quite at the same level they love hanging out with her. Their friendship has grown as did mine with their mother. We've enjoyed many outing together. I'm sad that our friends will be out of the country for the next six months but we look forward to their return.

Below are a few precious moments from our last visits together.

31 for 21, Day 21: a fun day at the park

Maya had a blast today at the park with her friends.  We rode the train twice, the carousel once, had a snack and then went to the playground.  It was a gorgeous day today, the first one in a long time.  Finally we could go outside and not burn.

The cutest thing happened when we got to the park.  When we found out friends, Maya walked directly to L and gave him a big hug.  I've really never seen her do that straight away.  It was so sweet.  Of course I didn't have my camera out at the time, but later I did get a few snaps of them hugging again.

While we waited for the train, Maya practiced going down the steps and walking around.  She was fascinated with her shadow and danced and signed as she walked.  She liked the train and carousel but not much as the other kids.  Most of the time it looked like she was just taking it all in. 

The best part was when it was just Maya and I.  Before we headed home we stopped off at the swing set.  Maya's joy just makes my heart melt.  She giggles like crazy and smiles all because I push her on the swing.  It was our little private time to just be together.  Those are the best moments of my life.

31 for 21, Day 19: Maya and her friends

This week we started a little workshop at the library which gives children from 0-5 the opportunity to socialize with each other.  Basically there are 10 stations of toys set up in the room and the kids play on their own and together.  When we took this workshop earlier this year Maya did not have a good reaction to the space.  It does get pretty noisy with all those kids and parents in the room.  I think there was just too much going on.  She seemed very irritated and would make her growling noises the whole time.   This year I noticed that she was not so upset by the noise and now that she is walking she really seemed to get around to all the stations.  The music section,  kitchen and the tunnel were her favorite places to roam.

Like all other toddlers Maya is learning to share and play nicely with others.  She seems to be following other's footsteps in grabbing and fighting over toys.  In the last few months though I have really seen that Maya is interacting with her buddies more often.  I do feel like I have to keep an eye out for what she is doing at all times.  It only takes one second and then she might have her mouth on someone's arm.  Yikes!!!  I try my hardest to give her space, to let things go naturally but I do worry that kids a little older/larger will push her around.  I have seen it happen. 

There have been some really nice moments in the last two months that I've been able to witness.  Like the time she fed her friend cheerios just out of the blue and the time she actually played nicely with a friend in the little kitchen at a play center.  I often repeat to Maya that these are her friends and I think she has finally picked up the cue.  Now when she sees a little buddy she will sign the word "friend" and then the word "nice" all by herself.  I think it is sort of stuck in her head that those two words go together.

Making pizza together

team work

Laughing and Dancing

Sharing Cheerios

Watching Signing Time together

Playing nice