Not Under My Heart, But In It: Dasha’s Christmas :)

Our Story

When our son Jack was born with Down syndrome, we found out we had a lot to learn. Not just about the best way to nuture our child so he would grow up as healthy as possible, but about the whole world of special needs. One thing we learned, children born in some countries who have special needs generally don't go home with their mom & dad. They go to baby orphanages. We have decided to adopt one of these little angels, a beautiful girl with Down syndrome. We found our new daughter through an organization called Reece's Rainbow. They advocate for these little ones, trying to get them into the arms of their forever families. Please go visit. There is a button on the left. These children will touch your heart.

Saturday, December 31, 2011

Dasha’s Christmas :)

If you read our family blog, this will be a boring re-cap. But if not…….

We started the night before by getting both littles all snuggly in their footie jammies. We had to put out cookies for Santa but I’m not sure both of them quite got it.

Dasha’s jammies are courtesy of the always adorable Ella Grace.

See D signing “milk” and then “cookies”?

Then Daddy read “The Night Before Christmas” story -

signing “mouse” (please ignore the Wii covered leg and foot!!)

Dashlyn was home last Christmas but I feel like this was really her 1st Christmas with us. Last year she was still pretty overwhelmed. I didn’t do as many decorations as usual. Presents were a littler sparser than usual. I was overwhelmed too, from all the travel and having a new toddler in the house. It was good and I was sooooo happy Dasha was home and all that part was behind us, but I was feeling pretty stressed. So this year I wanted to feel more relaxed and start some traditions that hopefully the little kids will remember from year to year.

After the little 2 went to bed, the rest of us got to work. Daddy assembled the little kitchen, M and wrapped gifts like crazy, and Andrew and Ty……..okay, they didn’t do anything useful. But the end result was super (and after Santa came, I managed to snap a pic before bed):

In the morning we opened gifts before breakfast. It only took ONE present and Dasha was hooked! She loved unwrapping. It says something about a person when every gift their kid opens makes them say something about how great that gift will be for this or that therapy! After only a couple of weeks both my little kids should be good at colors, shapes, turn taking, and communicating! (Yeah, right.) Anyway, here’s a couple of present pics: