a day to remember

It was just a typical Sunday.

 

The calendar didn't indicate any spectacular plans, holidays that mandated a celebration, or trips here and there.

 

If that doesn't warrant a Glory! Hallelujah! Amen! and Praise the Lord!, then I just don't know what does.

 

We started it with a chocolate chip pancake picnic on the freshly cleaned kitchen floor.

Scrubbed tile just begs for smearings of syrup, fingerprints of powdered sugar, and smudges of gooey chocolatey morsels.

 

After breakfast, we headed to church for a morning of worship. We sang "Nothing but the Blood of Jesus," and engaged in a wonderful study about being restored from our sinful nature.

There is nothing like being immersed in the Word and engaging in corporate worship among fellow believers.

 

We came home, and ate a stand-at-the-countertop-and-cram-your-face-before-the-toddler-falls-face-first-into-a-sleepy-Sunday-slumber-lunch.

And we almost made it.

Almost.

 

While Baker napped, I tidied the house - started laundry, dressed the bed in clean sheets, ironed and laid out Baker's clothes for the week, cleaned our bathroom (Baker's gets cleaned almost daily - a toddler in tee tee training - hello Clorox wipes), made a grocery list, did a little meal planning, and sent Brian to Lowe's. Like manna for the soul, my main man was restored simply walking among power tools and dirt (insert Tim Taylor grunt). And I was in my happy place, cleaning, organizing, planning, and sneaking little peeks at my sleeping angel. I've learned a little something in my twenty-eight months as Baker's momma - toddler's play hard and crash harder.

 

Baker woke up rearing to go.

 

It didn't take me long to realize -

what started as just an ordinary day,

was most assuredly a day to remember.

 

He had a sparkle in his eyes, which I now know was a healthy dose of mischief, a little smidgen of puffs leftover from his morning snack, and a whole lotta B-O-Y.

 

 

 

I realized there would never be another day dated September 21, 2014.

 

This was our one chance to make this one count.

 

By golly, we were making it a day to remember.

 

 

Doing life with this one is the best way to do life.

 

Transforming the ordinary into the extraordinary is something we do well.

 

A Snow Day in the Life

I have a love/hate relationship with this winter weather right now, but there's nothing not to love about a day at home with my Baker Boy!

There is no snow or ice for me or my people, so we are all smiles over here!

I have vowed not to rearrange any shelves or unpack any boxes, just spend this day loving life with my now 21 month old.

We started the day with a little self feeding.

This is a wildly important skill for children with Down Syndrome, but one I don't typically excel at implementing on school mornings.

Because, SANITY AND SLEEP!

But today, with a bath in his near future and nowhere to be but right here, he got to practice (and make one heck of a mess) today.

 

And sometimes you say sayonara to the spoon and just go in for the kill!

 

I am so stinking proud of this little one I could shout it from the rooftops!

 

 Baker had oatmeal and yogurt in nooks and crannies I didn't even know he had.

After a very thorough scrubbing, I cleaned up the kitchen while he was playing.

I noticed it got very quiet. I immediately checked the bathroom, where, surprisingly, the toilet paper roll was still intact.

Score one for the home team! 

Then, I peeked in his room, and found this.

My teacher mom heart could burst right out of my chest.

 

 

After getting all mushy, gushy finding my boy reading, I realized I hadn't eaten.

I threw some spinach leaves, a banana, an apple, and a splash of Almond Milk in the blender, and voila!

Breakfast! 

 

 

While Baker napped, and boy did he nap, I got supper ready, worked on Valentines for his class, and made some yummy treats. I am clearly not a food blogger, so please forgive the subpar pictures. The taste more than makes up for poorly appropriated lighting and ill angles.

 

Crock Pot Chicken and Dumplings were the perfect choice for this cold day.

 

 

For Baker's valentines, we are doing smores!

I found these on Pinterest a few weeks ago, and loved the idea!

I altered it slightly to make it more age appropriate and love how they turned out.

 

 

source

 

I have just finished a second Advocare 24 Day Challenge with no cheats,

so it was high time to treat myself!

Plus I have a super cute new cookie jar practically begging to be filled with yummy goodness.

 

I started with Pepperidge Farm's Lexington cookies (which Publix has BOGO this week).

Then I dipped them in melted Almond Bark and topped with Heath toffee bits.

 

I realize that's not exactly baking, but these are too good for a little terminology technicality.

 

A toffee and almond cookie coated with almond bark and more toffee,

Hello My Love.

 

 

 

About 4:00, these were the perfect date for my too sweet, too creamy, just right coffee.

 

After Sleepy woke up from his long winter's nap, we ate lunch.

Pink mashed potatoes and carrots for him.

It is the week of Valentine's Day, and all.

Caesar salad for me.

 

Then, we braved the cold to surprise Brian with his favorite coffee.

 

 

Baker does not have shorts on, but he did grow like 3 inches during the day today.

I'm not kidding.

This really happened.

Must be a 21 month growth spurt.

I'm hiring someone to come clean out his closet for me.

I hate packing up clothes that no longer fit.

I just can't take it. 



 

We got back home, put the finishing touches on supper, did some serious playing, and waited on Brian to come home. 

 

See, three inches!

This happened in one day's time.

Honest.

 

 

Dads are the coolest.

And apparently, so are old television boxes.

Please stop me before I buy birthday or Christmas presents next year.

 

Our faux snow day wore my little slap out.

 

 

Me too.

 

A Day in the Life posts are some of my favorites.

I get so wrapped up in the hustle and bustle of every day, that I forget to cherish the small things.

I worry about laundry and getting supper on the table.

I worry about meetings and deadlines. But, this year, I am promising to be more intentional, and documenting the every day helps me remember that everyday is a special day.

 

A Day in the Life

 

 

A Day in the Life

 

 

A Day in the Life

 

 

A Day in the Life

 

 

A Day in the Life 

 

A barnyard birthday party and a playdate

We made it through our first full week of school and work.

Yippee skippy!

 

It was a wonderful week, but I am so, so, glad it's the weekend!

I love the weekends anytime, but I cherish them even more during the school year.

 

We were invited to a birthday party for Baker's friends,
Elijah and Reagen at The Barnyard.

 

 I donned Baker in his Carhartt overalls, threw one of his DD's red bandannas in his pocket, and off we went!

 

I had seen other people's pictures and heard plenty about this fabulous petting zoo,

but we had never visited.

I'm so glad we finally had the chance!

They have fish to feed, a boat to take  out on the water, llamas, goats, calves, horses, ponies, donkeys, pigs to bottle feed, chickens and bunnies to pet.

A child's paradise!

 

I was honestly a little unsure of how Baker would respond to it all.

Why I keep worrying about such petty things is beyond me.

 

He loved it!

 

 

The calf was moo-ing beside him, so Baker moo-ed back.

So precious!

 

Baker kept looking at these animals and back at me with the funniest expression.

I can only imagine he was saying,

"God sure did make those things silly looking,

and don't even get me started on how they talk."

 

At some point, one of Baker's overall straps came undone.

It was hot.

We were at a petting zoo in the middle of nowhere.

I had sweat dripping in places a lady like myself should not have sweat dripping.

In the words of Honey Boo Boo, "You better redneckonize."

There were things more important than an overall strap.  

And he looked pretty cute, if I do say so myself.

Redneck it up, baby boy.

 

I love this!

And to think I almost didn't put him on the pony because I didn't think he'd like it.

Thank you, Laura for encouraging me to "just try" and for this picture I will love forever!

 

The birthday kiddos!

Happy Birthday, Eli and Reagen!

 

And the party, we came home and crashed.

After our first week back, we were zonked!

 

Then we got ready for our playdate with Kristen and Dawson.

I had been looking forward to this all week!

And when Kristen suggested staying at home to play, I was giddy!

I love going, going, but being at home with friends was just right.

No bags to pack, or traffic to fight.

And air conditioning.

Enough said.

 

Goldfish were shared, songs were sung, days of the week were recited,

the entire cast of Thomas, Chuggington, and Cars were introduced,

memories were made, tight squeezes were shared, laughter filled the room.

I caught myself several times taking a deep breath, smiling a goofy smile, and offering a silent thank you for the blessing of these boys and for the precious friendship Kristen and I share.

 

 

 One more weekend day.

And somehow, as good as today was, I know tomorrow will be better.

As much as I love Saturdays, I LOVE Sundays!

 

"Better is one day in Your courts than thousands elsewhere."

Five on Friday

I am excited to link up with the lovely ladies of Five on Friday today.
You should read through the posts - they are fabulous-o!

I began the blogging journey in July 2012, shortly after Baker was born.

Cliche right?

A mom blogging about her journey in raising a baby with Down Syndrome.

Some might think.

 

I didn't feel like it was a cliche. 

Or something I had to do.

Rather, I felt like God had given me a platform.

To share our story.

Our God given blessing with others.

To live this life, this journey for His glory.

Maybe, through writing, He would be magnified.

Someone would be encouraged.

A mother facing a Down Syndrome diagnosis would choose life for her child.

So here I am.

Doing my thing.

Being a believer, a wife and a mommy.

 

I am reflecting on our journey by reading previous posts from this past year.

Reading the highs and lows.

The struggles and the joys.

The celebrations and setbacks.

The laughter and tears.

The faith and hope.

It has been a good year.

No, it hasn't.

It has been a great year.

 

As hard as it was, I have chosen my five favorite entries over the past four hundredish days.

 

One.

 

I think it's only appropriate to start with Baker's Birth Story.

 

With his birth, my dreams of becoming a mommy came true. With him in my arms, breathing his scent, kissing his face, feeling his warmth, my heart grew. God's faithfulness was affirmed.

 

I was a mommy. I had a baby. My little Baker Bell.

Little did I know, but from this day forward, I would be forever changed.

 

I couldn't help but cry as I reread this. It brought back the raw emotions of his diagnosis. The fears. The tears. The worry. But it also brought back the joy of seeing his strength and determination. And the pride in walking in the NICU, seeing my name on him, and his all over me.

 

On the 11th day of May, I first held my dream come true.

 

 

 

Two.

 

The second is Perfect Day. It shows pictures of our first Buddy Walk supporting National Down Syndrome Society and Parent Advocates of Down Syndrome. It was absolutely a perfect day. One in which we felt so much love and support in this journey.

 

 

 

 

We set a modest goal - to raise eight hundred dollars and to take a team of 50 walkers to support our family. Our precious family, friends, and complete strangers sent donations, ordered t-shirts, and drove church vans to surround our family at this wonderful event. We far surpassed our goal, taking over 80 walkers to win the Spirit Award and raising over $3000!

 

Be on the lookout for information for this year's Buddy Walk. I hope you'll make plans to join us and support our team!

 

Go Team Baker!

 

Other Buddy Walk posts: Buddy Walk, Team Baker, Favorite Things Friday

 

Three.

 

A Day in the Life. I started doing Day in the Life posts occasionally just to document ordinary days that, to me, were extraordinary because they were ours. And I wanted to remember them forever.

 

 

This is one of my favorite Day in the Life posts. I think partly because it's a normal day for us - work, school, therapy, fun, love - memory making at it's finest.

 

Four

 

In All Things.

 

No summary needed. Just read it.

 

Five.

 

For the fifth, here are some others that share landmarks on our trip. It's been a good trip. There's no map. We don't know the final destination for Baker. But we are trusting God with our path. Trusting that He will lead us and guide us. Road trips are the most fun - especially ones with unexpected twists and turns.

 

Waves - Such raw emotion.

 

Baby Giggles - Baker has always had such a great laugh. And a little "Baby Got Back."

 

Toes in the Sand - Our first beach trip featuring a mighty precious beach bum.

 

Peace, Love, and Green Beans - The faces. They're priceless.

 

A Word that should be a Word no More - Stop using the R word. For Baker. For me. I implore you.

 

As Long As - Never again, will I say, "It doesn't matter, as long as they're healthy." Because, I'll love them anyway.

 

His Letter - in response to an ESPN video featuring Heath and Jennifer White, and their precious little girl, Paisley.

 

Jesus Calling - Worry, Worry, Worry - I am always worrying about this or that with Baker. And it is exhausting.

 

First Day Jitters - New school, new teachers, new beginnings.

 

World Down Syndrome Day - I celebrate you.

 

Rainbows, Restoration, and Answered Prayers - A break from social media is good for the soul.

 

Rise-ing to the Occasion - Moving for Baker - because that's what parents do. They love big, they make decisions with their children in mind. They pray for, they hope for, the wish for - they do.

 

A Final Walk - For teachers here, there and everywhere.

 



I'd love to hear which ones you have enjoyed.

Ones that made you laugh?

Ones that provided inspiration? 

Ones that showcased pictures of a handsome Baker Bell?

Is it one of these five?

Or another?

 

I have loved sharing this journey with you!

Living the Life

I am living the life.

And enjoying every single minute.

Okay, most minutes are less than glamorous,

and my toddler is pitching more fits than I would like to admit,

and there is often food thrown,

and there are moments when I lose my patience much more quickly than I swore I ever would, but in the fit pitching, patience losing, food throwing moments, it's still a dream come true.

It really is.

 

As I was getting ready to put a sleeping Baker in his bed tonight, I paused at the edge of his crib and snuggled him one last time,

thanking the Lord for this precious gift who is too wonderful for words.

 

I even thanked Him for the fit pitching and food throwing and patience losing.

And then, I even thanked Him for the time I would wake up with my baby boy tonight for a small sip of milk, just to hear me sing one more chorus of "Mommy Loves Her Baker."

 

Because each of these minutes, the minutes of failure and the minutes of successes, are evidences of God's faithfulness.
Evidences that God answered my prayer of becoming a mommy.

 

Today was wonderful.

A day living the life.

 

I have to go back to work next week, so we are in full on savor summer mode.

 

Baker and I played too much.

His new favorite thing is to climb into the rocking chair and

rock-a-bye the baby.

 

 

Loved on, and were loved on by special friends.

 

 

And channeled Baker's inner Elvis for an afternoon outside with our favorite pup dog.

 

 

With my camera,

I capture the smiles.

And memories made with sweet friends.

And crazy hair.

 

Because that is what I want to remember.

But I also want to remember the less than perfect moments.

 

The poop in the bathtub (Baker's not mine),

the Ritz crackers littering my car that could most certainly feed a small child for a month,

the bumps and bruises that accompany my strong-willed child trying his darnedest to walk,

the red-faced, grunting, fists balled fits that comes when Baker doesn't get what he wants the exact second he wants it.

 

The real life.

Because this real life is my life.

 

And I really, really love it.

A Day in the Life

I had another post planned for today.
But then today started and I realized I wanted to remember every little bit.

Around 4:00, it all began. Brian’s alarm sounded noisily and I telepathically willed him to silence that dreadful mess! 

 

Baker began stirring around 5:00 and my dear husband got him out of the bed, changed his sopping wet diaper, gave him some milk, and by doing so, bought me an extra fourteen minutes of sleep. Sweet Jesus, Mama loves her sleep.

 

He carefully laid Baker in the bed beside me where the three of us chatted about the day ahead, shared some sleepy smiles, and pleaded for this Tuesday to magically transform into a Saturday. When that didn’t happen, Baker and I trudged to the kitchen for a cup of coffee while Brian showered to get ready for the day. He is still commuting daily to Tuscaloosa, so his day begins much earlier than mine.

Baker really doesn’t mean to wake up as early as he does, as silly as that sounds. This teething has him totally off schedule. We got the blanket off of his bed, and sat down to rock sleepily in his chair. I did a little singing and in no time at all, he was conked out. And don’t you dare say it was to escape my off key tunes, which we both know is the case. I enjoyed some sweet morning snuggles and then laid him in his bed about 5:45 while I wished Brian a happy day and began getting ready. I finally had to wake Baker about 7:15 and dress him for the day. The few extra minutes bought me time to do a load of laundry, empty the dishwasher, pack lunches and the load the car. 

 

Soon, we were off. I took Baker into school where I lingered a while longer. He has a therapy session on Tuesday mornings which I never get to see. I fed him his breakfast, grits, which I learned Mrs. Thelma doctors with butter and cheese. I knew he didn't like mine nearly as much as Mrs. Thelma’s! After breakfast, we sat on the floor and played until Mrs. Deborah, his Early Intervention teacher, arrived. I so enjoyed watching Baker play with the other children, and speak in a language that only they understand. I got to see about 10 minutes of their session, before I had to leave for work. My contract ends June 25 and I cannot wait for a few weeks at home with my boy!

Baker Boy loves him some Mrs. Deborah.

 

Look at his little hand resting on hers. 

I melt.

Positively will not sit still for anything except to read. 

He really is my child.

Climbing through tunnels is fun.

 

His teachers reported two naps - one from 9:00-9:40 and the other from 12:40-2:20.

He ate tater tot casserole and mixed veggies for lunch was was caught on more than one occasion calling out, "Mama, mama!" And also pulling a precious little girl's hair. Uh-oh.

 

During the day, I had the brilliant idea that we should celebrate 13 months of Baker Bell with some froyo. I really do have some really good ideas sometimes. 
Sometimes.

I know he's mine, and reminds me daily that he is all boy, but he is the prettiest thing I have ever seen.

BeBe joined the fun!

Those eyelashes, and lips, little hands clasped, and wispy hair flipped.

Yep, he's pretty.

Orange and watermelon sorbet smiles.

Excuse the orange teeth.

Totally worth it.

Meet my mini-me.

I think he liked it.

When we got home, Baker was tuckered out and took a 10 minute power nap before supper.

Turning thirteen months is tiring work.

And looking this cute while doing it, pure exhaustion!

He dined on macaroni and cheese, squash, and sweet potatoes, and then took a quick bath.

After getting lotioned, powdered, and jammered up, it was play time.

He plays so hard before bedtime, which I'm convinced is why he sleeps so well.

I wish I could have captured the look on his face when he heard the door creak to signal the arrival of his daddy. I love being a part of this every single day. The squeals and laughter that follow are music, a most perfect melody! 

Brian and I sat down to eat about 6:30. Baker usually has his midnight snack when we eat, taking a few bites off of my plate. I am sure this is totally frowned upon, but works just lover-ly for us.

I made my Tuesday night super easy by making chicken spaghetti alongside my dinner last night, chicken chili, and putting it into the oven to warm today when we got home.

By 7:15, Baker was singing his sleepy song.

I poured a sippy cup of soy milk, we cuddled in the rocking chair, and before the last sip was guzzled, he was snoring soundly. We didn't even have time to read, because he goes from full out wild child to mouth open sleep in 0.2 seconds.

As we rock, I wonder where the past thirteen months have gone, when my baby got so long, how he went from an itty bitty quiet baby, to an all out rambunctious toddler with a spirit so sweet and a will unmatched by any.

At thirteen months, I claim, for probably the 1468th time since Baker's birth, that this is the best time. The most fun age. It's our favorite, positively favoritest time ever. 

And while it's just a nothing Tuesday in June according to a calendar, today is a day I want to forever remember. 

This day, in this life, my dream come true.