twenty-one

 s.i.x. Unbelievably, this is the sixth World Down Syndrome Day we are celebrating as a family since Alex joined us.  I will never forget the first one; the one where you all bought hundreds of shirts, and you painted our community blue to show just how much love you all have for our man.  This was the first year we didn't have a new shirt made.  Tonight, Grant and I took a trip down memory lane digging through the multitudes of Down syndrome shirts we have.  We found one in the right size for everyone, and everyone will be sporting one from each of the years.  How cool is that?  We have had 5 different designs, and the 5 of us will each have one of those on.  Pretty fitting, I would say! Why is March 21st such a day of celebration for us?  There are so many reasons to list!  The fact that Alex made it through conception to birth is a miracle.  That's definitely a reason to celebrate.  Most pregnancies with chromosomal abnormal...

  School Well, we have officially had our 2nd IEP meeting for Alexander.  While we went into this meeting with little expectation to get more services, there was still a little glimmer of hope.  The IEP Team went over the results from a recent evaluation each therapist completed with Alex.  Alex continues to excel in communication.  If you have met him, you know how much he loves to talk.  We are able to understand more and more each day, and he has even said 3-word sentences.  Additionally, he made progress in a few other areas.  There were a couple of areas he lost a few points, however, his last evaluation was completed on 2-year old norms.  I am very proud of him, but I also realize the reason for this continued success is because of the early start and very intensive therapy he had for three years.  I continue to worry about what the lack of therapy will create for us down the road.  When Mr. Whittler agreed to evaluate him aga...

 Inclusion "Down with Kindness" Inclusion.  It's such a cliche word.   It may be cliche, but it is terribly important.  It is especially important in my eyes because of the inclusion of children with special needs.  Have you seen the impact a person with special needs has on his or her peers?   Well, thankfully because of an amazing school, I have seen this impact firsthand.  And, it is our Alex who is impacting these neuro-typical children.  Alex is breaking down all kinds of barriers because of the amazing administration and staff at St. Joseph School in Olney!  More than that, Alex's classmates are showing me what inclusion is! "One day on the playground, I witnessed V help Alex on the swing and then push him! We should note that Alex has to weigh more than V!!" I really cannot explain to you how much these relationships mean to our family.  We have the most loving and supportive group of cheerleaders at St. Joe.  Remem...

 THREE! Alexander turned three in November.  As you know from my previous post, this means he aged out of the State of Illinois Early Intervention Program.  The program which introduced us to the most beautiful ladies who delivered the most amazing therapy to our Alex.  On his third birthday, the 7 (yes SEVEN) hours of therapy Alex received per week ended.  Just like that, it was all over.  Because of COVID, those therapy sessions were still happening via ZOOM or in a very safe manner (usually outdoors).  We were unable to have a "traditional" exit meeting to discuss Alex's progress and just how far we have come.  We were unable to hug those ladies who brought us so far and made such a difference.  But, we did meet them at the park and enjoyed a socially distanced play date so we could give them a good-bye/thank you gift.  Those ladies have become a part of our family, and my goodness do we miss them, their love and their beauty.  E...

 2 months. Yesterday during a Developmental Therapy Session, Alex's therapist (the awesome Jamie) said just 2 more months before this guy turns 3.  Yeah, I knew it was coming.  I have been thinking about it so much.  But, for some reason when she said it, it was real.  Last night, when everyone in the house was asleep, and I had a rare moment of quiet, I sat on the couch and burst into tears.  Don't all moms do that when they realize their baby will be 3 in 2 months?  No?  Probably not.  I certainly didn't with the other two kids.  Thinking about their birthday 2 months before the day is really nothing this "fly by the seat of your pants" mom ever considered.  That was until this date became so important.  I'm sure you all remember the days I have asked you to pray and think about how we can make a change in the way children age out of Early Intervention.  The program which provides the amazing therapies Alex receives....

Alexander's 2nd Birthday has come...and gone! That means he has been with us for 24 months, and I have written a whopping 8 blog posts.  I could make a truckload of excuses.  Most of them would point to B-U-S-Y!  Our whole family is busy!  Lots of activities to track and participate in.  Lots of laughs to have and love to give! This school year, we welcomed a German host student, Nikolas into our home.  We opened a door, and in turn, our hearts have been opened too.  He is a great fit for us.  I secretly watch him build a very special connection with Alex.  He nonchalantly is often doing therapy with Alex.  And, in that manner, Alex is quite fond of therapy.  Also this school year, Grant started Kindergarten.  It has been an adjustment for him, and I have finally in his life seen a few days where he is totally worn out.  This fall, Nora and Grant both played soccer.  It wasn't really intended for Nora to play, but ...

I'm sure you have seen the latest picture of our three kiddos--Alex is wearing a shirt that says, "Yes I Can!"  It's among some of his great shirts--a few others say, "Current Family Favorite" and "Dinosaurs are Scary, Down Syndrome Isn't".  It's amazing how a shirt with a great saying and his smile can just make your day.  But, earlier this week, I asked Valerie to send me a picture of the three kids after school.  I needed this picture because I was asked to be a small part of an upcoming Webinar discussing ABLE accounts.  I'm always happy to help other families in anyway I can, so I saw this as a terrific opportunity.  When the main presenter asked for a bio and picture, I quickly sent a bio I had written for something else and my business head shot.  Then, I thought..."this isn't about me."  This ABLE Account we have for Alex is for him.  But, more than that, it is for his siblings too.  See, we know some day, one or b...

Disclaimer:  This post has been on my heart for a long while.  I've feared putting these words into writing because I am afraid they will offend someone.  Please know this isn't to make anyone feel bad.  It's just my way of spreading a little bit of education coming directly from my heart.  Read ... and share if you want.  And, if you take offense, please know none was intended.  Peace and Love! Here goes... Inclusion.   That's a buzz word isn't it?  What does it mean?  I went to Webster (because what else do you do when you want to know the meaning of a word).  There were 4 meanings.  It wasn't until the 4th one I found what I was looking for, " the act or practice of including students with disabilities in regular school classes."  But, perhaps the simplicity of the first one is what I love, " the act of  including   :  the state of being  included ." I feel very fortunate to have been in ...

Each morning, the first thing I do is look at my memories on Facebook.  I realize this might be sad.  But, mostly it is a mood booster.  It's a way to get me ready for my day.  For the past week, the memories have been a good reminder of this season--to be thankful.  And, boy, am I thankful.  For so much, but mostly this journey God has placed us on.  The unexpected journey that has turned out to be so full of love and community.  The memories in the past week are a constant reminder of all of the things I am extremely thankful for.  I remember this day so well.  Today was the day the genetic testing came back.  I remember sitting in our special room in the step down unit and hearing the doctor say, "oh no....oooohhhh no."  I honestly think he was worried about coming to tell us our son had Down Syndrome.  Little did he know I had already accepted this diagnosis and wasn't scared, fearful, sad, or really any negative fee...

It has been a long while since updating the blog.  Lots has been going on around here--lots and lots of smiles from the main-man himself.  He continues to amaze us daily with his easy-going nature and un-explainable happiness.  He can turn any day into a good one with the way his personality shines like the sun!  He certainly isn't a demanding child and will show us as much patience as any child you have met. At a young age, he would flirt with girls (of all ages) in church by blowing raspberries at them.  Once they made eye contact with him, he would show them his gorgeous smile.  Recently, however, he has been winning them over with his new "dancing head" move.  When you see it, you can't help but smile which is then quickly followed by one of his smiles!  Developmentally, he is doing well.  He meets his social development milestones with little to no problems.  With his gross motor development, he has begun to fall considerably beh...

9 months.  We are about to celebrate 9 months with our beautiful blessing.  In some ways, it seems like just yesterday and in other ways, it seems like he has been with us forever.  There hasn't been one day since Alexander came into our lives that I haven't looked at him and said "why me".  But, it's the best "why me" you could ever question.  Why was I blessed with this perfectly made little boy?  Why was I given this opportunity to love him and be loved by him?  Why me? I remember Dr. Morton leaving us with a very important charge upon meeting us.  Dr. Morton is a developmental pediatrician with the Carle Physician Group.  He's more than a pediatrician who has taken the time and education to be an expert in developmental disabilities to me, though.  He's the brother of someone with down syndrome.  He's experienced the pure joy we get to experience every day.  He knows what challenges we face.  He gets it.  So, ...

91 days ago, we gave birth to Alexander Sean.  What has he been up to since?  Well, let's see... He's been making people smile. PERIOD.  His sweet disposition, genuine smile and easy-going nature are all characteristics that make people smile.  A day doesn't go by that he leaves me with a smile.  And, by smile, I mean that cheesey, sometimes teary-eyed smile.  He's perfect in every sense of the word and the most important part of that perfection is that he is perfect for our family.  He makes us complete.  He also continues to rock his therapy--hitting his developmental milestones like a "typically" developing child.  He has some of the best therapists around whom have quickly become friends and who we know will help us help our boy reach his goals! Recently, I posted a picture of Nora on hero day where she was dressed up like a flight nurse.  The post went viral.  I got messages from several people, but the one who stands out t...

The number twenty-one has always been significant to me—it’s my favorite number, I was born on the twenty-first day of June some twenty-one (plus) years ago, I often see the number—ie; in times, I always look at the clock at 4:21, 6:21, etc., and my first agent code when I became a State Farm agent was 6”21”4. I have always thought it to be lucky and I literally always smile when I see the number.  November 9, 2017, made me smile at the irony of the number even more.  I gave birth to Alexander Sean McClain that day.  He made life from the very beginning very interesting.  You see, we weren’t expecting to have a third baby…although, I never did get rid of my maternity clothes or baby stuff because I always wanted three.  When we went in for a scheduled induction on November 8 th , we weren’t in any too big of a hurry to get there.  I insisted on going to our “big kids’” parent teacher conferences that evening.  I needed to hear how they were doing....