first days of school

 

My littlest love started his second year of school on Monday.

 

 

 

Baker was over the moon!

 

We spent the week prior grocery and school supply shopping,

 laying out his outfit, packing his backpack, and labeling all the things.

There is no mom who loves back to school like a teacher mom!

 

He couldn't wait to see his friends and teachers.

 

 

 

We are looking forward to another wonderful year!

 

 

Baker Boy,

 

 

This week you started your second year of preschool. I hung back as you walked in, hugged on, and high fived all of your friends - old and new. I watched you wash your hands and then hang your backpack in your cubby, as is the routine. Then, you walked to each of your classmates and greeted them, settling in to your new classroom with ease.  

 

 

You have been so excited about your return to school. Each night before bed, we read "Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What do you See?" - a personalized version with each of your classmates' pictures. We called them by name and talked about how excited we were to see each of them again. These classmates are friends, of course; but you love them like family. They help you up when you fall, and encourage you when something is difficult. Together, you laugh and play and learn. You're their Baker Boy, and they are your very best friends.

 

 

You love school. And it warms my heart dearly how much your school loves you. The walls of your school provide structure and security, warmth and encouragement, and a lot of love.

 

 

You are becoming more independent. This is a bittersweet stage for me. I love watching you do things at your own pace, and in your own way. You need me a little less, and some days, that's tough for your ole mom. You'd rather walk than have your mommy carry you, and you much prefer to sit beside me than snuggled in my lap. And my heart broke into a million teensy pieces never to be put together again a little when you wanted to walk into school with your backpack and lunchbox and without me holding your hand. But more than anything, my heart is so happy at the little boy you are becoming.

 

 

 

 

 

Today and always, I am so very proud of you.

 

 

Baker Boy, this school year is yours. 

Yours to learn from and grow in.  

Yours to love.

Yours to thrive.

 



With all my heart,
Mommy

Nick's Kids (the day Baker met Coach Nick Saban)

A few weeks ago I wrote a post titled "I never knew I wanted a child with Down Syndrome until I had one."

Today, we had the amazing opportunity to attend Nick's Kids. Nick Saban and his wife, Mrs. Terry, hosted a fabulous event in The Zone (at Bryant Denny Stadium). It was truly first class. A huge, huge thank you to the director of Rise for inviting us. What an incredible honor to be there among such greatness.

You may also remember me posting about the day Baker got to meet former Alabama Head Coach, Gene Stallings. You can read it here (and see a pretty adorable picture of Baker and Coach Stallings).

Of the many reasons I have to be thankful for Baker's different ability, none are that our family has the opportunity to meet famous Alabama Head (and former Head) Coaches; but one is because I get to see a side of them many of their fans never do.

I get to see their hearts.

The world knows them for their wins, for their football expertise, for their recruiting classes, for their conference and National Championships, for their fame.

Me, I know them for their compassion.

"...you will know them by their love." John 13:34-5

 

 

 

 

He was enamored at the field.

It was beautiful, albeit slightly more peaceful than any given Saturday in the fall.

 

 

 

When we got home, Baker refused to part with his hat autographed by Coach Saban.

I love you big, my sweet little Bama boy.

 

Most Gracious Heavenly Father,

My heart overflows.

Brian and I have so many reasons to give thanks with grateful hearts. Thank you for your faithfulness. Thank you for burdening the hearts of others, and giving us the opportunity to be recipients of their love. Thank you for the generosity of the Saban family. Thank you for letting me see others through your eyes. Thank you for the gift of Baker and the other children in the room with us today. What a blessing each of their lives represent. Thank you for making them fearfully and wonderfully. Every good and perfect gift is from you.

You tell us when the words won't come, that you will intercede for us through wordless groans. I beg you, do that for me now. Although rare, I have no words. They have escaped me. I can simply smile a grateful smile, as tears bound.

My heart truly overflows.

Rise-ing to the Occasion - Baker's Last Day

How am I writing an end of the year post?
Weren't we just readying Baker for his first day at The Rise School?

I started that post with,

"It's a pretty neat feeling to know that you are living out an answered prayer.
And that is kind of how I walked through today.
Knowing our actions today had been perfectly orchestrated by the works of our Father."

And I've never felt those words more true.

What a wonderful year it's been!

Baker was all smiles on his last day, and full of hugs to share with all!

It's hard to believe, just a few short months ago, Baker was not crawling (except for this adorable little army crawl), pulling up, standing, or walking. Now, he's practically running. He's stringing signs together to form sentences and doing small household chores. He's going to the potty and eating with utensils (and only sometimes do these two occur simultaneously. I kid! Sorta.). He is picking out his clothes (with a lot of encouragement to veer towards the adorable smocked ones from his momma and the ones with camouflage and cargo pockets from his daddy) and singing his stuffed animals to sleep. He is pretty incredible, if I do say so myself. And I do.

 

This has been a year of firsts and a year of milestones.

 

I give all of the credit to Baker's teachers and therapists. They have paved the way. They have encouraged and supported and loved and challenged all of us. And while I am extraordinarily grateful for all they have taught Baker, I am humbled at how much time and energy they have poured into Brian and me. They have dried tears, given hugs, educated, inspired hope, and smiled through it all!

There may or may not have been a tear shed by yours truly on the way out today. I'm not proud of it, but it happened.

 

I am sad to see it come to an end, but always excited to see the Lord's plan for Baker unfold.

We leave this year with many precious memories, special artwork boasting the sweetest fingers and toes, and this forever treat - a note from his first teacher, and a home for notes for his teachers through the years. I love everything about this. Pinterest, I love you to the moon and back for all of the thinks I wish I could think!

 

 

 

Twos, watch out!

This boy is headed your way, I have a feeling he will be as big of a blessing in your life as you are in his.

First Day - August 20, 2013
Last Day - July 25, 2014

 

Be still my Baker Boy loving heart. 

Baker meets Coach Gene Stallings

 

 My mother and father, like all good parents, raised children who love Alabama football.

 

We learned the names of the Alabama coaches and players like we learned the name of Jesus and his twelve disciples.
 

Like all good Bama fans, we paused for a moment of silence every time we passed Bryant Denny Stadium and football Saturdays were a day of reverence and one to be regarded with the utmost respect.

Talking about Auburn was like talking about the devil.
 

And wearing Tennessee orange was the unforgivable sin.

 

This picture was hung very prominently in our living room.

 

I knew Coach Stallings was important, because there wasn't another picture in our house as big as this one. Not even one of our family. And my mama really loved us. So I grew up knowing this man was really, really loved. And this man was really, really important.

 I soon learned there were some other things that made this man one worth admiring.

 

And it had little to do with the events that transpired between goalposts on Saturdays in the fall.

Coach Stallings was a man who loved the Lord and loved his family.
 

I remember watching him on the television and seeing pictures of him in the newspaper.

He was rarely photographed without his son, Johnny, by his side.
 

Johnny had Down Syndrome.
 

I see this picture daily as I walk Baker through the halls of Rise,

also known as the Johnny Stallings Center.

 

When the opportunity came today for Baker and I to meet Coach Stallings,
I could not contain my excitement.
 

This man, a National Championship winning Alabama Football Coach,
was also a parent of a child with Down Syndrome.
 This man opened doors and paved roads and created opportunities we are benefiting from today.

 Baker is a recipient of his loving kindness.
Our family is blessed by his.

When I met him today, emotion erupted.
The only words I uttered, "It's an honor to meet you, Coach Stallings."

And on our way out, the most sincere, heartfelt "Thank you," ever to have passed through my lips.
 

 

 

Baker knew, and I knew, it was a true honor to meet such an incredible man.

 

Full Circle

We closed on our house Thursday night. It could not have been a more wonderful experience! The realtors, lenders, and sellers were all so pleasant. If there wasn't the whole issue of spending money and signing your life away, I might consider doing it again soon.

 

We walked through our new house late Thursday evening and celebrated the joy of home ownership again! We planned Baker's room, and how we would position our furniture. We cleaned carpets and wiped out drawers, carefully considering it's future contents.

There was a lot of dancing. There were a few wahoos. And there were smiles so big we looked just plain silly.

 

For those of you who have been following our journey, you know this wasn't just buying a new home; it was the final step in our journey.

 

Late last Spring, we decided the Lord was leading our little family to Tuscaloosa for Baker to attend The Rise School on the University of Alabama campus. It is one of my favorite stories to tell, and I would love to share it with you. It evidences how the Lord orchestrates even the smallest detail, if only we will trust in His plan.

Please take time to read that post here.

 

Friday morning, school was canceled again due to inclimate weather and hazardous road conditions. I was overjoyed, as it meant I would get to work on our new house.

 

Baker's school was open, so I took him, as is our daily routine. We got there a little later than normal since I didn't have to be at work. As soon as we walked in, his class was preparing for their morning circle time. We walked together to the sink to wash his hands, unpacked his lunch, and then I helped him get situated on his stool. He was feeling a little clingy, as has been the case recently, so I lingered a while. Mrs. Nicole, his teacher (and also an angel sent straight from Heaven above to teach and love our Baker) chose my sweet boy as her morning helper. If it weren't for her being the teacher and all, I would have jumped up and hugged her right there.

 

Together, they walked to the window, where Baker proclaimed the weather to his entire class, using signs I didn't even know he possessed. He came back to his seat, and with all fourteen children sitting on their stools, Mrs. Nicole led them in singing, and clapping, and talking about the letter for the week (K) and the sound it makes, and what words begin with that letter. They read a book about kittens and ketchup and kisses. They meowed like kitty cats, and got to listen to one purr.

 

Every single child was involved. And every single child was learning. And I, well I was beaming. I was so stinking proud of my Baker Boy. And I was so glad we made this move to open doors for him, create opportunities, build friendships, and teach us to lean not on our own understanding, but to trust wholly in Him.

 

It has come full circle.

 

We are here.

We are home.

 

There are bare walls and there are boxes scattered about.

But we are home.

And I am so thankful this is home and home is here.

 

 

Jesus answered and said to him, "What I am doing, you do not understand now, but you will understand later."

John 13:7

 

Want to read more posts about the awesomeness that is The Rise School?

 

An End and a Beginning

 

Rise-ing to the Occasion - Baker's First Day

 

Baker, Down Syndrome, and Where We Are Now

 

 

 

 

On the first day of Christmas

I am going to try to post something everyday for the next twelve days leading up to Christmas.
I am really focusing on living a life with purpose and meaning.
Decluttering, and cleaning out, and getting rid of the fluff.
And making memories and spending time with those I love the most.

Today was especially special.

I took the day off to take possibly one of the biggest tests of my professional career.
Then, I got to spend the day with my two favorites.
Brian also took off today.
After my test, Brian and I met at Rise for Baker's Christmas party.
We had so much fun making memories with our sweet boy and his precious teachers and classmates.
I love seeing Baker at school.
He is so independent and interactive in his environment.

After school, we went out to lunch at our new favorite meat and three.
For the love of fried squash and mashed potatoes and creamed corn and baby lima beans.
Hello, fabulous!
We came home after stuffing our faces for Baker to nap.
I got to catch up on Love Does while holding my sleeping boy.
There were Christmas lights aglow and fire in the fireplace and a nineteen month snuggler in my arms.
It was a good time.

When Baker woke up, we picked up Harley from the vet and took Baker for his first official haircut.
I have braved many bathtub trimmings, but this time he sat in a real chair with real clippers.

A few presnip pictures.

 

 

 

Baker wore the sweetest smocked Christmas longall today, but Brian insisted he wear big boy clothes for his first big boy haircut.

 

I vote everything smocked or monogramed or appliqued and one piece for the next forever.

He looks too big in big boy clothes.

 

 

 

He was fabulous, and so was Mrs. Emily! She has earned star status in our book!

On the first day of Christmas, I played mommy and wife all day long.
I played with Baker and all of his friends at Rise.
I treated my boys to a yummy lunch.
I came home and rocked my baby for his afternoon nap.
I read a fabulous book, and was equally challenged and inspired and encouraged.
I held Baker while Brian captured memories of Baker's first haircut.
I treated myself to a little me time.
I enjoyed life.
I was not a slave to emails or social media.
I answered to "mama" and "Baby Doll."
I'll let you guess which Bell boy calls me which endearing name.
It has been a wonderful day. A true gift.
Certainly better than a partridge in a pear tree.

Baker and Down Syndrome and where we are now

 I am so excited to write this post!

 

And for a couple of reasons.

One, it coincides with Down Syndrome Awareness Month.

And I think, by talking about Down Syndrome, and sharing about our Baker Boy, we are making a very small difference on the way people view and approach it.

Two, it celebrates the many accomplishments of my precious Baker

and evidences the faithfulness of my sweet Jesus.

 

 

I apologize in advance for the length.

It combines several posts into one.

Mostly because I'm just awesome like that.

Kidding!

Very much kidding!

 

If you are a fellow parent of a child with Down Syndrome,

read this while keeping only Baker in mind.

It is very normal (a word I typically refrain from using) for children with Down Syndrome,

because of all sorts of factors,

to be in varying places in all phases of their development.

 

Your child is unique.

Baker is unique.

Something I learned from the very beginning was to STOP COMPARING.

To typical children.

To what "the experts say."

To what is written in books.

To other children with Down Syndrome.

 

Comparing will steal your joy.

It hurts.

It causes worry and anxiety.

 

Celebrate your child and where he or she is right this very single minute.

That's what this post is - a celebration!

 

On the Go

 

Baker has the most wonderful Physical Therapist at RISE. Her name is Ms. Angela, but we may as well just leave off the -a, because an angel she is!

 

A few weeks ago, I presented a concern. Baker had the tendency for his feet to pronate inward when he would stand. I was worried that this would inhibit his walking.

She had noticed it also. In true RISE/wonderfully proactive/we think they are the best thing since string cheese form, she fitted him for itty bitty orthotics (shoe inserts) that help alleviate, and hopefully will correct the issue.

 

I sent off the form, and wham bam, like the magic shows show, with an abra cadabra, ala kazaam, the orthotics were here! Our angel PT also fitted Baker for the most precious little New Balances. These are especially great because they come in wide sizes, which allow for his inserts, and they also have a roll bar, which is ideal for children with weak ankles (which, for Baker, is a result of his low muscle tone).

 

 

They're so tasty, too!

 

 

 

Baker is cruising and tracking around furniture. He is doing a lot of crawling. He has finally transitioned from army crawling to traditional crawling and bear crawling. And let me tell you, Little Man can go!

 

He pulls up on everything. And I mean everything!

 

Don't look too closely at yours truly. He has surely added some wrinkles to what used to be a glowing youthful appearance and I keep waiting for the gray hairs. He is always on the go - climbing and moving about. And quite frankly, life was much less eventful, and a little easier before this transition to mobility. Not that I am complaining. Not even a little bit. I love every single hair raising, bejeesus scaring, wrinkle adding, on the go, exhaustingly blissful minute.

 

We are working diligently, very purposefully, alongside his teachers and therapists to promote walking.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Talking and Signing

 

Baker speaks Bakerese, and quite fluently. In English, he says a few words.

 

He still uses "Mama" and "Mum" more often than any other.

He says "Bye Bye" on command.

He knows the cow says "Moo." Although, when asked, Baker says, "Boooooooo" without ever really opening his lips, just pursing them out far enough to emit sound. This is one of the things I hope he never changes. It is the cutest little Baker trait.

 

RISE has been a integral part of incorporating sign language into our vocabulary.

 

Each week, in the weekly newsletter, there are words for the week and the signs to accompany them. Talk about helping a mama out!

 

Baker uses them more often than spoken language and many a meltdown are prevented with simple signs.

 

He uses eat, drink, milk, water, more, all finished, bath, cow, horse, daddy, school, friend, love, dog, table, hi, bye, kiss, help, wash hands, fish, please, and friend.

 

Eat

 

 

 

Table

 

 

 

Love

 

 

Drink Water

 

 

We have found several picture books and reference books to help with incorporating sign language into our daily language.

 

Also, I use Google a lot. There are also videos on You Tube. "Signing Time with Alex and Leah" makes frequent appearances on the iPad.

 

School

 

Picture the pearly gates. White and glorious, euphoric and magical. And now, you can envision The RISE School.

 

It is a dream environment.

 

Baker has four teachers. But everyone there invests in every child there. That is obvious every single day. And something, as a mother and an educator, that I absolutely love. It truly takes a village.

 

All of Baker's therapies occur within the day at RISE. Each day, the Music and Speech Therapists visit his classroom. Somehow, someway, they corral all seventeen one year olds into a circle, onto stools, for this time. It is nothing short of amazing. Also during the day is playtime in the commons (an indoor play place that is most certainly a child's dream with foam blocks, trampolines, and riding toys). This is where all of his physical therapy occurs. Lastly, they have naptime. On little kid nap mats. Again, how they get all of those one year olds to stay put on nap mats is way beyond me!

 

They have weekly units, complete with letters of the week, themes, book they are reading, songs they are singing, and signs to accompany their vocabulary words.

 

I love the books they make to accompany each unit. 

 

 

 

Here are some evidences of his work. To some, these are refrigerator art. But I know, each activity serves a purpose. Holding a crayon, feeling a feather and then a sponge, cutting and pasting, sorting, identifying - each promotes motor development. Each creates a foundation which will be built upon for years to come. Each makes him more knowledgeable. Each makes him more aware of the world in which he lives. Each is treasured. Each is a gift to serve as a daily reminder of Baker's progress, of Baker's potential, of the blessing of these teachers investing in his life.

 

 

 

I get teary thinking about the path that brought us here. And how fortunate we are for these men and women whose passion is serving children. Good, good stuff.

 

Eating

 

Let's just say he is his mother's child. And by that, I mean, the boy enjoys food.

 

Some of Baker's favorites - apple cinnamon oatmeal, Eggo waffles, Goldfish, Cheerios, Cheetos (as of yesterday), grilled cheese sandwiches, cheese sticks (I'm noticing a pattern - CHEESE EVERYTHING), spaghettios, ravioli, macaroni and cheese, yogurt, applesauce, rice, sweet potatoes, butternut squash, green beans, among others.

 

We still haven't introduced peanut butter. I keep thinking we will. And then the thought - if Baker were allergic, is now a good time for him to go into anaphylactic shock? Is now a good time to go to the hospital? And the answer is always a resounding NO! So, I wait. And if that is the thought that continues, I guess I will continue to wait.

 

At RISE, they are big on instilling independence. Eating is not excluded. Baker is now holding his cup on his own, and is trying is hardest to use utensils. This makes mealtimes a time when I enter into an attitude of worship. Be near, oh God, please, please, please be very near. He, bless his baby heart, has gotten his mother's perfectionist tendencies and gets incredibly frustrated when he cannot do it just right. When his body will not perform his mind's commands.

 

I am sure there is more to tell. There always is. For now, that's enough.

 

This is where we are.

 

We are blessed to be here.

 

I could write all day, everyday about Baker. I could write about his progress. I could write about his smile. I could write about his nonsensical babble that, to us, makes perfect sense. I could write about his tight squeezes and open mouth kisses. I could write about the incredible privilege of rocking my baby to sleep every night. I could write about how being his mother is one of my life's greatest joys.

 

Instead, I soak it all in. I savor each day. I reflect, and I am thankful.

 

Do I get discouraged? Do I worry?

 

Absolutely.

 

But, this morning's Jesus Calling spoke right to that. Funny how that happens.

 

"Anxiety is a result of envisioning the future without Me. So the best defense against worry is staying in communication with Me. When you turn your thoughts toward Me, you can think much more positively. Remember to list, as well as to speak, making your thoughts a dialogue with Me."

 

Then, the author provides two rules for considering future events. One, "Do not linger in the future, because anxieties sprout up like mushrooms when you wander there. Two, "Remember the promise of My continual Presence; include Me in any imagery that comes to mind..."

 

Instead of living in a world of worry, a future world full of uncertainties, we live in the now. Trusting His with Baker's future.

 

We celebrate today. The present. It is a most precious gift.

 

Rise-ing to the Occasion - Baker's First Day

In this post, I shared our leap of faith.

Our decision to quit our jobs, sell our house,

and move to Tuscaloosa in hopes that Baker

would be accepted to The Johnny Stallings Center,
RISE, 

a world famous preschool designed to meet the needs of all students.

God was faithful.

And today, that prayer, those many prayers, were answered in a mighty way.

It's a pretty neat feeling to know that you are living out an answered prayer.
And that is kind of how I walked through today.
Knowing our actions today had been perfectly orchestrated by the works of our Father.

The bags were packed on the night before with care,
in hopes that tardiness, today, would be spared.

Inordinate amounts of coffee were consumed this morning.
By yours truly, not Baker.
Although he thinks he is big stuff drinking mommy's coffee.

And after bathing, breakfasting, and doing all of the things we do before finally making it to the car,

we were off.

We sang and prayed all the way there, so very excited today was the day!

Honestly, I was a wee bit terrified.

Baker does not like to leave his mommy.

And, quite truthfully, I'm not too terribly fond of the idea of leaving him either.

I warned the teachers that there might be a throw down.

Baker has been known to pitch quite the fit during departures.

I cautioned the teachers that they would have to pry him off of me and then pick me up off the floor, dry my tears, and usher me outside.

Well, as I predicted, there were tears.

But not a single one shed from Baker.

In the words of my most handsome husband, "Darlin, this ain't their first rodeo."

They had bubble machines and toys galore.

They even had a bus that sings, get this, "Wheels on the Bus."

Yep, definitely not their first rodeo. 

It really wasn't even a fair fight.

He was giddy.

And even though I was snubbed, I was elated to see him so comfortable in his new environment.

Before too long, he was handing me my keys and wishing me a good day.

And it was.

A really good day.

Baker has vocabulary words, and signs to practice at home this week.

We celebrated a wonderful first day with a quick dinner date to Iguana Grill.

Baker was different tonight.

A really good different.

A little more independent.

A little more assertive.

A little more confident.

A little more verbal.

A little more playful.

And as I type these words, I cannot help but get emotional.

Not in a bad way.

In the best way.

I want to go back and talk to the me of May 13, 2012, 

two days after Baker was born.

And tell her God is truly faithful. 

That all of this would be okay.

That God would hold our hands and guide our hearts, our steps, our actions. 

That there would be more celebration than heartache.

That there would be more laughter than tears.

That Baker Bell is a gift in every sense of the word and our lives are better because he is in them.

I'd love for her to see one of these pictures from today.

But I guess that's what faith is - trusting that God sees the future, and has a perfect plan, even we cannot.

You can visit the RISE website here. 

It is really an incredible place. 

I have a friend who says that she thinks the pearly gates will likely resemble that of the RISE School. 

I cannot say I much disagree.