Finding Joy!

Joy’s Week

2012-01-22T13:52:00.001-06:00

Joy was so excited that her OT brought the swing back this week! She loves to swing! Jumping and playing with her sisters!

Being a goose! She is so funny! Becca put make-up on Joy. She is so pretty!

Joy brought home her report card. She got straight S’s (satisfactory) and is making progress towards all of her IEP goals. Good job baby girl!

Joy’s Growth

2012-01-15T15:05:00.000-06:00

Joy has grown so much in the last few weeks. She has started to sing along with songs. She is saying lines along with her favorite movies. She is singing parts of the Just Dance 3 songs with Lizzy and Jessi. She is getting so big!

She prayed – all by herself! She folded up her arms so tightly, then screwed up her little eyes and mumbled something about day, and a whole bunch of syllables I didn’t understand, and then ended with “Amen!” Amen Joy! I am so proud of you! I may not have understand more than two words, but you were talking to One who did understand and you spoke with meaning. Way to go Joy!

Last night I went to bed early. Joy was laying beside me. I watched her as she rolled over and snuggled in. She fell asleep so peacefully. My heart was full of love for this little girl. Here she was safe and loved in my home. Some people say there is no difference between biological and adopted children. And maybe that’s true for them. To me, it’s always in my head. Everything from being tall and slim to having beautiful brown hair and eyes screams that she is not my biological child. But how I love this little girl. Sometimes I think her being adopted frees me to love her more. She is mine. And I am so grateful for this beautiful 4 year old gift.

Stayed home from school and she slept all day long – poor thing.

Playing Wii

Duck, Duck, Goose

Pushing Bella and then Lizzy

Doing therapy with Bella

Because she is beautiful! Love this picture!

Happy and loving life

Telling Bella to “look at Mama!”

Relaxing with the ipad

2012 Begins

2012-01-08T16:30:00.001-06:00

I just love your outfit Joy! What a fun and happy girl!

And this….ugh. She found my scissors on my desk and cut her hair. She’ll have a few wispies for a few months.

Joy was thrilled, thrilled, thrilled to get back to her schedule after the holidays. When I dropped her off at school, she hugged her teacher so tight. Then her therapists came over after school. Huge hugs for them! “You made my 2012 Joy.” her OT told her. “MiMi home!” she told her Speech Therapist. She loves her people so much!

Playing “Four Little Speckled Frogs”

Of the four days school was in session this week, Joy only attended two days. This virus just keeps hanging on and on.

She wants so badly to do yard work like the big people and playing Starfall with Jessi.

I loved this! She was copying her sister – the way she held her body, everything. So cute!

The Rest of 2011

2012-01-02T13:28:00.001-06:00

Joy has had a blast watching movies and playing with her sisters.

Goldfish – this girl loves goldfish! You know those paper inserts that look like ipads and iphones? Joy and Jessi played with those for about an hour– calling each other back and forth.

Playing hard means crashing hard. Love ya Joy!

New Year’s Eve was spent at our friendly, neighborhood Urgent Care! Upper Respiratory Infection, pharyngitis, and ear infection. Poor thing! Good medicine helps so much! So grateful Jason was able to find an open pharmacy!

Christmas Morning

2011-12-25T13:27:00.001-06:00

Merry Christmas Joy!! We love you!

Christmas Eve

2011-12-24T23:13:00.000-06:00

Joy refused to nap before our family’s Christmas Eve party – which was a sad thing. She had a good time at the party, but a couple of times we had to talk about hands and feet staying to ourselves.

Getting ready for the party…

Her place at the little kid table

Part of our nativity play – Joy was a sheep (who couldn’t keep her wool on!)

Present time! “Cake Cake” Thanks Grandma!

Joy’s Adventures

2011-12-23T15:46:00.001-06:00

Because she’s cute Swinging

Therapy and a new food love…pickle (but only with a napkin)

Snuggling with sister and the ipad So exhausting…

Climbing on the Chiropractor’s table Going out for lunch in our jammies (last day of school before the Christmas break, the whole school wore jammies)

Joy’s Week

2011-12-11T09:27:00.001-06:00

Joy hasn’t been feeling well. She stayed home from school on Monday and Tuesday.

By Wednesday she was back to her life. Playing with her babies and doing therapy. This was a Speech eval appointment. Joy didn’t seem to do very well on the Peabody test. She placed at a year and a half. Whatever. We have seen some much progress lately. She is talking so much more!! Yeah Joy!

Dancing in the kitchen before school. Sleeping while grocery shopping

Joy adores her kitty!

Christmas fun

Joy’s Week

2011-12-04T18:23:00.000-06:00

I love my Grandpa – very, very much! I caught Joy loading the dryer for me. Sweet girl.

Therapy shots

Music shots

More therapy

Sissy had to go to the eye doctor – this looks like fun!

Two sisters had birthday parties. She helped blow out candles at both parties. She got to play games with the big kids – so fun!

Duck, Duck, Goose – Joy’s Turn

Tag

This is a terrible picture, but I just loved what she was doing. It was at her sisters’ piano recital. She was pretty good, but as time went on (and the pianists improved), she sat there with her hands folded, moving and singing softly to the music. So adorable!

This is from Becca’s birthday cake with the family. I love Joy in this video!

Joy’s Thanksgiving Week

2011-11-27T12:21:00.001-06:00

I found Joy laying in my bed reading to her baby. When I pulled out the camera, she wanted to pose baby for the camera. She is so sweet with her babies.

Grandpa! Grandpa! Joy loves her Grandpa!! Her grandparents are in town visiting for Thanksgiving.

On Wednesday morning I washed, conditioned, and braided Joy’s long, beautiful hair and then left to take little sister to an appointment. When I saw her again at the Japanese Gardens, her braid was still in, but it looked all matted at the back – like she had rubbed her head in a circle a million and twelve times. Well, I worked on that knot for an hour. Grandma worked on that knot at least that long. Daddy worked on it. Becca worked on it. The poor thing! Her head was hurting so bad. So I decided we had to cut it out.

It absolutely killed me. I have this crazy obsession with her hair. It reminds me of her birthmother. I kept it long and beautiful as a tribute to her, for the life and the beautiful girl she gave us. So cutting that hair – swerving that huge knot was so painful to me. I felt I was swerving some magical tie with her mother. It pained my heart. It’ll grow back, I know, but it still hurts me.

She is still too cute!

Thanksgiving feasting – Day one

and day two

Decorating for Christmas

Helping Becca with her quilt design

My big four year old

Japanese Gardens

2011-11-23T20:30:00.000-06:00

Joy was so afraid of this squirrel. He kept coming over during our picnic! She would sign “brown” and “squirrel.”

The bow

The Beach

2011-11-20T08:23:00.000-06:00

We went down to the beach for the weekend for our Family Reunion. Joy had a lot of fun!

Cousins Eating

Playing football with Nathan

Joy’s Fun Week

2011-11-19T08:24:00.000-06:00

Swinging and Dancing

Fun therapy – I just love that middle picture! That is how I hold Joy during therapy – especially when she doesn’t want to do something. So funny to see her doing that to her teddy!

Loving

Scooping and squirting – so fun to play with water!

Joy’s Week

2011-11-13T21:12:00.001-06:00

Joy is loving school. I am so grateful for her kind teachers. Swinging at the park.

Therapy is so much fun! (PT and OT) (don’t you just love that smile?)

The sisters

Not the best picture of Joy, she got into a sharpie and applied it to her face, hands, and feet. Oops!

But had to get the newest food love: popcorn!!

A Fun Week!

2011-11-06T20:22:00.000-06:00

Joy’s teachers sent home a treat bag! Just playing on the drums

Halloween! Joy was a cute bumblebee! Her little “tank q” earns her double the candy her sisters brought home! (Mama and Daddy were happy about that!)

Her OT brought some magnets to play with. She loved them!

How I love you sister!

Things Joy loves: playing the piano and singing and PIZZA!!! She seriously does a very happy dance for Pizza!

Swinging with her sisters Dancing with her sisters

Having a great time at Jessi’s party Doing the “sprinkler!”

Having fun this week!

2011-10-30T13:44:00.001-05:00

Checking out what you can see with a flashlight! Very cool! Going for a walk with sister

Bubbles!! See our pumpkins?

Playing outside: Her Atlas interpretation, Sliding and so pretty!

So cute! Love a sleeping baby! She spilled her popcorn on the floor and then she got down there and started blowing on it like she does with cotton balls – someone has had a lot of Speech!

Reading with sister

Our Neighbor’s Halloween Carnival

Our costumes Our neighbor was dressed as a great witch, but she was terrified – she crawled up into Jack’s lap and hid her face. Poor thing!

Playing games and having fun!

Joy’s Week

2011-10-23T14:02:00.000-05:00

That is the app from Down Syndrome Education International. We have the cards to do it on paper. Joy did it that way, but this is so much cooler! I like it!

Watching TV, reading books, swinging, dancing, and playing the viola

Church Fall Festival – so fun (and I forgot my camera, oh, how could I?) She was so cute. Once she figured how how trunk or treating worked, she loved it! Her little “ank you” was so cute!

Trying to hook herself up to the vent like sister. Poor Joy – she gets hauled everywhere. This is how I found her when we got home one afternoon. She is belted, believe it or not. She has just manipulated those belts till she could curl up in a ball and go to sleep.

She has learned to say sorry – “tar E” she says. It’s so cute!

Joy’s Week

2011-10-16T13:33:00.000-05:00

Joy has learned how to put Bella's circuit back on after Bella pulls it off– I think it’s great!

Playing outside

Music – the harmonica and listening to tunes with Sister

Therapy and watching TV while petting the cat

A friend’s birthday party – so much fun!

McDonald’s and hanging out with sister

Joy loves fruit – I ran out on Friday.

“Mama! Apple!” she told me with great sorrow. Saturday, after shopping, she was much happier. It doesn’t help that she can open the fridge and help herself!

Joy’s Week

2011-10-09T12:13:00.001-05:00

Joy has been sick this week. She stayed home from school on Wednesday.

A neighbor gave Joy this picture of Curious George. She loves that show!

Moms and muffins at the girl’s school

Look who is learning to cut!

I took some pictures of Bella and Joy wanted to get into the act!

Joy’s Week

2011-10-01T09:03:00.000-05:00

Playing train with sister

Playing with her baby and Daddy’s iPad

Jumping and jumping and jumping

More playing

Have I ever mentioned how much I love her hair???

Sleeping in Bella’s bed

I’m ready for Halloween!

Joy’s Week

2011-09-18T07:51:00.001-05:00

Ready for school: I had the worst time convincing her that she couldn’t wear her hat to school. 4 year olds don’t understand the no hats on campus rule!

Therapy: Jumping and blowing cotton balls

and some ball work (her core is stronger than mine!)

Being full of joy!

Doing Becca’s hair

Playing piano and pushing sister

Helping turn the soil in the garden Picking up sister from school

This is great fun!

With our new school schedule, we haven’t figured out nap time yet!

My heart still hurts when I drop Joy off, but I think it’ll all work out. Naptime is presenting a challenge. We haven’t figured out when it fits in yet.

This week when Joy wore that blue outfit in the sleeping picture, I saw a flash of her birthmother. I only saw her birthmother twice. I have tried to hold onto those memories – the woman who gave my daughter life, how grateful we are to her! Joy looked so long and lean, so tall and beautiful – just like her mother. It made me smile.

I was at the store this week waiting for Joy to finish her ride on the purple dinosaur. There was a man beside us filling up water bottles. He asked me, “Downs? Does she have Down syndrome?” Inward groan. It had already been a long day and I wasn’t in the mood to educate. “Yes, yes she does.” Turns out his son has DS. Oh – that changes everything. We talked for a while. As he left, he turned to me and asked her name. “Joy.” “She will be a joy – you wait and see.” She already is – and we are grateful for her everyday!

The Rest of the Week

2011-09-11T20:19:00.001-05:00

Checking out the ipad Hangin’ with sister

Getting off the bus for the first time

Pizza with Uncle Nathan, Aunt Mandy, Grandma, Grandpa, and her family

Eating Aunt Mandy’s cake – she couldn’t wait for the fork!

First Day of School

2011-09-07T12:44:00.001-05:00

is over! She is home! My heart is beating again. That was probably the longest three hours of my life. BUT……

I think it’s going to be fine. Joy was so happy when we picked her up (bus starts tomorrow). Her teacher brought her out a touch early and told me about her day. She loves Joy – which means I love her! Joy had a wonderful day. She was friendly and was mothering one of her classmates. I am grateful!

ARD is finished

2011-09-06T12:28:00.003-05:00

Well it is finished. There was only one part I wasn't prepared for. I already knew the IEP goals for the academic subjects. Truthfully, a lot of the ARD is just legal stuff anyway. But I hadn't been able to touch base with the Speech Therapist before the ARD. Her private ST and I had sent in what we were working on here at home. The goal the school ST included in the ARD was so low - just something she can achieve with just natural progression, even Speech Impaired natural progression. Anyway, I told them I thought it was a pretty low goal, knowing and stating that we will continue her out of school Speech. Transportation also has me irritated. It's a 40 minute bus ride. To me that is inappropriate. The school is less than 4 miles away and she is four years old. I will drop her off, but that means she will miss school on the days that Bella is downtown or in the hospital which is what we were trying to avoid by using the bus in the first place.

I think what makes me so sad is it's such a formal us against you situation and it doesn't need to be. But worse than that is how low people's expectations of Joy are. How I hope you blow their socks off Joy!

I came home and poured myself a stiff drink - a Cherry Coke.

Joy’s Week

2011-09-04T11:27:00.001-05:00

Being Joy

Coloring with Bella

Coloring and Jumping

Joy, her hat, and her trike – love it!

This has been a busy week preparing for school. Joy’s ARD is on Tuesday. She starts school on Wednesday. Her OT, ST, and I came up with some IEP goals and sent them to her teacher. She combined those with some she came up with. It’s happening!

Mental Retardation

2011-08-30T18:32:00.002-05:00

Well....it's official. She has officially been handed that label. I avoided it for as long as I could, but today I read it.

Labels. What do they mean? In this case it means she qualifies to receive Special Education services. But in general.....sigh...

I don't see Joy as "mentally retarded." It is even in her official school report. Mother says she is brilliant. Brilliant....because she is. She is my amazing Joy! She does things every day that blow me away. She figures things out. She enjoys her life. She is amazing.

I get most of Bella's medicines from Walgreens. On the back of their bags is the message, "Labels speak." They are referring to the fact that you can have your instructions printed in Spanish or whatever language you want. But to me, there is a deeper meaning there. Labels do speak.

Joy is an amazing human being. I hope that there are others who will see her like I do. People that will see past the label and see Joy - my amazing Joy.

Joy’s Week

2011-08-28T18:00:00.001-05:00

Monkey see, monkey do……isn’t this what big sister does?

Getting dressed….she loves the neighbor’s hat and……she dressed herself! I was so proud of her! The dress is inside out and she only chose one sock, but she did it herself!!!!

Playing and hanging out

Swimming in this horrible heat….speaking of 100+ temps for a month now, I thought her choice of hat was so funny!

Still waiting on our ARD. I think she is ready to go to school. She puts her back pack on and parades around the house. It’ll be here sooner than I think.

Joy’s Week

2011-08-21T09:27:00.001-05:00

On Tuesday Joy went to the Klein Instructional Center for three hours to be tested in Speech, behavior, and IQ. For such a long time period, she stuck with it really well. Soon we will have an ARD and then she will start school. Bittersweet thought.

Playing around the house:

Play-doh

Cute in her hat while trying to blow up a balloon

Watching Blues Clues on the ipad

My pretty girl who loves her sister

Can’t forget pizza night and dancing after the movie!

My cowgirls!

Meet the Teacher

2011-08-18T21:02:00.004-05:00

The other day I was looking at the website of Joy's future school. Listed on the website was a "School Supply Sale and Meet the Teacher" night. Hmm.....Well, we aren't officially registered.

We did go to our testing on Tuesday. Three hours of speech, IQ, behavioral, you name it, we did it testing. No results yet. No ARD date yet. No official registration yet.

But....I saw this announcement on the school's website and I got to thinking. Hmm....This is my chance. This is my chance to walk through the halls of the school, to observe the teacher, the classroom, everything. Even though I'm not yet registered - they may not like it.

But we did. We went. We walked in and were greeted by a nice lady who offered to help us. No, I explained, we weren't on her list. We hadn't yet registered. We hadn't yet had our ARD meeting. She introduced me to the case manager, the 3 year old teacher and then the 4 year old teacher. Who was the nice lady? The principal.

I am so grateful I went tonight. Her teacher is excited to have her. I was able to tell her a little bit about Joy. There are six kids (including her) in the class. There is an aide. They will attend some of the Pre-K class every day. Joy loved the dramatic play center. She loved the computers. They answered all of my questions. It was the perfect setting. I could ask questions and then step back and observe as other kids and parents came in and out of the room. We stayed a long time. I watched the interactions between returning students and parents and teachers. I watched her teacher hugging her returning students. I watched how at ease the parents were with the teacher. I feel so much calmer now. I am grateful I could meet these people before just handing off my baby girl and outside of a formal ARD or IEP meeting.

I was told by parents and ECI that the old principal did not allow parents to observe the classroom. That was verified by a parent tonight. But they have a new principal and newer teachers. And it felt good. I am glad. I have chosen to send her to the morning session (8 am to 1pm). Then I'm sure she will nap. How I am going to fit her therapies into the week is beyond me at this point, but I'll figure it out.

Happy tonight!

Joy’s Fun Week

2011-08-14T07:40:00.001-05:00

School – I did it! I signed all the papers so the school can test her. They have till the beginning of October to get that all taken care of. That actually makes me feel better. She’ll start before Thanksgiving. School will be in full swing by then. The kinks should be all worked out by then and she can come and start a new chapter in her life. A really good one, I hope.

These two – I love to see them play! Lizzy told me the other day, “I hope nothing ever happens to Joy. She is my playmate.” I love it!

Joy pulled her baby’s crib over to the easel, climbed in, and painted from there.

“Helping” with the new bookcase for Bella’s room and playing in her house.

Jumping on bubble wrap – good times! Pizza night – Joy’s favorite dinner!

This is one reason I am getting more and more comfortable with the idea of school. Friends…..Joy has lots of playmates in her sisters, but there is a certain little girl in our neighborhood that she loves to play with. Hopefully at school, she will make more friends, so she can have more fun!

Our family's trip to Galveston

On the ferry……

Running and playing in the waves

Love this song!

2011-08-11T19:23:00.003-05:00

I sing this song to Joy as I rock her before her nap. I just love its message:

Special To Me by Rachel Coleman

Today will soon be over
Tomorrow will arrive
Right now I’m going to hold you
Until you close your eyes

Words can’t always sum up
The feelings that I feel
So peaceful when you’re sleeping
I know you’ll hear me still

Singing ‘You are very special to me
And I am very special to you
I know that this is where I am meant to be
I’m glad that my baby is you’

Exactly what I wanted
Exactly who you are
I know we’ll work together
And we will reach the stars

Families stick together
And family lasts forever
Forever, that’s how long
I’ll love you

Singing "You are very special to me
And I am very special to you
I know that this is where I am meant to be
I’m glad that my baby is you"

I know this is where I am meant to be
I’m glad that my baby is you

Joy’s Week

2011-08-07T10:23:00.001-05:00

Becca, Joy’s oldest sister, has been out of town – and she called!! Joy talked and talked and talked with her. She has missed her so much. She kept telling her “Ga-ga home.” (Becca come home!)

Joy has had a croupy cough – no other symptoms. Breathing treatments during PT, gotta love it!

The Children’s Museum – checking out the train gears

Pretending to be a vet

Driving a car, taking a temperature

She loved the fake bread! (How many kids have had their mouths on that today – ick!)

Loved this picture – she enjoyed painting and afterwards we cleaned up. Later we came back to the art room. But this time she did everything on her own. Got her paper, painted, and cleaned up. She is so smart! That’s Joy for you, though. Show her something one time and she’ll do it by herself the next time.

Playing in the Water Works – and putting pieces together

I contacted the school about testing her for PPCD. I will go up to the school on Monday or Tuesday to sign the authorizations for testing. She won’t start school on August 22nd because they have 90 days to get all the testing, evaluating, and everything done. Oh how I hope this is a good idea. I hope. I hope. The structure will be good. I hope there is more than just structure for her there, though. We do structure here. I hope it’s great for you baby girl! Love ya Joy.

Joy’s Week

2011-07-31T07:49:00.001-05:00

Joy got ahold of a chunk of meat. She loves to walk around gnawing it. Too bad that’s not OK. How Joy adores her sister!

Playing. She played with these jars of peanut butter for over half an hour.

I am so proud of her and all of her jumping forward! See my shoes? She has to jump over them. I love her face!

The girls playing school – Joy eating the remnants of a Fritos bag.

The girls playing Wii – Joy right in there with them.

It’s exhausting being this cute!

Joy’s Week

2011-07-24T10:59:00.001-05:00

Joy has been watching her sisters practice their instruments. So she found Sammi’s old guitar and turned it around and made it into a violin. She is so smart! Becca decided that she was ready for a violin lesson. She is so cute!

This is Joy’s spot – the Pooh chair. When the whole family is watching TV, that is where you will find Joy. Unless Daddy is not home, then she claims his chair. Now you know.

Playing in the rain with her sister.

More therapy. She loves PT because she and Lizzy usually do it together. They have a lot of fun!

Today and last night our Joy has been vomiting. I’m hoping she’ll start to feel better soon.

Joy’s Week

2011-07-17T21:39:00.001-05:00

Joy had to have one cap and four cavitites filled. The dentist gave us some new toothpaste and mints that contain xylitol to help prevent future cavities. Her teetch are just so soft.

The demerol and laughing gas wore off and we was all for playing. (And no, she isn’t naked – she is wearing a diaper. It’s just hard to see in that picture!)

More therapy shots – she is really getting good at jumping!

Playing outside

Joy adores her sissy!

Off to the store with her boots and her magnifying glass! Someone has been watching a lot of Blue’s Clues!

Joy’s Week

2011-07-10T17:46:00.001-05:00

Out to lunch Cool shades

Feeding her baby Being so cute with her new backpack

Playing blocks with her sisters and cousin Jammin to music

Playing out in her house Hi world!

Therapy shots – OT with lines and curves from Handwriting Without Tears and learning to swing (the pump/pull motion) with PT

Joy’s new Stroller/Push Chair finally came in! She is thrilled!! Two thumbs up!!

School update: I sent in the request to have Joy tested so she can qualify for the PPCD program. But I am so torn. Her PT supervisor stopped by to update her goals. She hasn’t seen her since school got out. Her unsolicited statement? “Wow - Joy looks so happy and relaxed since school got out.” Sigh! My little sister thinks I should let the school try with her. How I worry. She copies everything! How I stand, where I put my hands. I have to remind her therapists all the time – you are touching your face because they are trying to figure out what she is doing. She is a mirror to those around her. What is school going to be like? I don’t know. I do know that we would like a new baby in this house in the next year or so. Where is the best place for you Joy? I want to do the right thing for you!

Who knew?

2011-07-04T06:58:00.001-05:00

I was going through some old pictures of Bella and found this picture of Baby Joy the day after we brought Bella home from California. She is playing with the stethoscope.

Who knew we would still be playing with stethoscopes two and a half years later?

She has grown up so much!

Joy’s Week

2011-07-03T19:11:00.001-05:00

Such a fashion statement! She learns so much from the nurses!

Therapy is a family affair. Especially in the summer. She does so much better when she has her sisters to encourage her.

Playing Apples to Apples with her sisters – and the surprising thing is she almost won!

At Kroger – she loves those little carts! She is fast. She saw ice cream cones and quick as a wink they were in the cart and she was off to the next item. A girl after my own heart – go for the basics!

At cousin Sammy’s birthday party. She loves to swim.

Blue’s Clues Birthday Party

2011-06-19T16:44:00.001-05:00

We were trying to figure out – What does Blue want for lunch?

We started with some cheese and crackers. When cleaning up we noticed that the cheese was a clue! We had to write that down in our handy dandy notebook!

We moved onto our second activity - matching objects to their colors. Oh, wow – the tomato sauce is our second clue! Gotta write it down.

Mail time! Mail’s here! We did the dance. Joy got a letter from her friends.

We moved onto working on our shapes. We colored and put stickers on a square, a circle, and a rectangle. While reviewing, we noticed that the circle was our third clue! We had all three clues! Marlissa was so cute! She looked for clues. She got so excited when she found a clue.

We went to our thinking chair! Hmmm…what could Blue want for lunch with cheese, tomato sauce, and a circle. PIZZA!! We had to wait a few minutes for the pizza to arrive, so we opened presents. Yea for pizza!

Our handy-dandy notebook and singing “Happy Birthday!”

listening to sister’s heartbeat (one of her presents)

Our three clues

Happy 4th Birthday my Joy!

Blue's Clues Letter

2011-06-18T09:12:00.000-05:00

Happy 4th Birthday Joy!!!

2011-06-01T11:39:00.000-05:00

How has four years passed?

From this: to this:

Today, especially, I think about your birthmother. I hope that she and your twin brother are happy and well. I hope that your brother had a wonderful birthday too!

For my Joy – all her favorites for her birthday:

Donuts for breakfast, a crown and bracelets from Bella’s nurse (after all, you are a diva, my love!)

Out to the mall for lunch and to buy a “birf-day bear” with Grandma and Grandpa Turpin’s birthday money. (THANK YOU!!)

Playing in the food court:

Joy loves this song!!

Pizza for dinner! (what else?)

We got her four seasons of Blue’s Clues episodes. We are going to have a small party next week.

Our Joy, we love you so much! We are so grateful you chose to join our family. What joy you bring to us all!

Joy’s Last Week of Preschool

2011-05-29T16:15:00.001-05:00

The crazy things that Joy does – writing on my reminder board, drawing all over herself, and playing Star Wars with her sister.

More things that Joy does – practicing her “J” in shaving cream and helping to wash the van.

Preschool is over! I was so sad her last day. This is probably the only time she will be in a classroom with only “typically” developing peers. She did well. She grew. She learned. I am grateful to her preschool for taking a chance, for trying for Joy. I am grateful that her teachers loved her. I am grateful that she had a place where she felt comfortable. Good-bye Cypress Creek Christian Preschool and Thank You!

Joy’s Week

2011-05-22T13:57:00.001-05:00

Having fun with Speech Therapy and eating ice cream with her sisters.

Joy got quite the little goose egg on her noggin.

Since Joy has a summer birthday, we got to celebrate her birthday with her friends at school a little early on Friday. We brought in chocolate cupcakes for snack. It was also the Library field trip followed by a pizza party – big day! Next Friday is the last day of school. She has grown so much this year! I am glad that she got to go to a “typical” preschool this year.

Joy’s Week

2011-05-15T10:25:00.001-05:00

Playing in the box with Bella

Sleeping, cute girl Sammi made Joy this great lunch and they had a picnic

Playing with bubbles and trying to suction herself. Guess she has seen Bella being suctioned a few times!

Helping Sammi make a sandwich for school and having a tea party for her sisters

Playing with Uncle Nathan’s hats and glasses – too cool!

Joy’s Happy Life

2011-05-08T10:22:00.000-05:00

I say it often, but I think Joy has the most beautiful hair!!

Hanging out with sister. Joy’s favorite things in the world:

strawberry shortcake, blue, and pizza!

Joy loves her ki-cat! Helping sister wash the car in boots

Playing with her box

Joy’s Busy Week

2011-04-26T13:04:00.001-05:00

Look who made Mat Man!!! So exciting! Her treats from school.

For Good Friday we went and explored the town of Montgomery. We played at the park.

I just love this picture – it has to be big!!

We had lunch and Joy decided fried pickles were not her fav!

The girls played in the water and danced.

Easter morning – full of sugar! Love the bunny. Love the ring pop.

The girls in their Easter finery.

Seriously? Boots? You can tell Mama was in the hospital with Bella. It’s kinda cute – but boots on Easter Sunday?!?!

Jason had a big egg hunt for the girls in the afternoon.

Lots Happened This Week

2011-04-18T12:34:00.001-05:00

Swinging with sissy

Being a sloth on the jungle gym during Speech

Playing with sissy in the sprinkler

Playing with cousins

Our Community Easter Gathering

inside a fire truck

At the Church Picnic

Joy’s Week

2011-04-10T09:22:00.001-05:00

Playing with her baby and on the swing set with her sisters

Playing with Bella – how Joy loves her sister!!

Joy headed into preschool – “Mom, are you coming?” And the beautiful face I see in the morning.

Learned more about the school sequence around here. I talked with another mom I saw up at Girl Scout camp. Her daughter is six and has the same zoning as us. They went to the school that I have heard so much negative feedback about for PPCD. She agreed with what everyone else has said. She was very disappointed. But then once she got to Kindergarten, she was sent to a school that I have heard very good feedback on. What? The impression the district ladies gave me was that she would be stuck at that less than ideal school till junior high. No, just for PPCD. Ahhh…..yea! Just one more year. I can figure something out for one year. Yea!! Good news!

Joy’s Happy World

2011-04-04T08:39:00.001-05:00

She has learned how to go round and round. Her therapist is thrilled. Her Daddy says he used to do this for hours.

Pizza! And hanging out with sister Lizzy.

Joy’s Week

2011-03-27T09:46:00.001-05:00

Joy loves her babies so much!

Playing with sister

Tea Party and watching TV from a box:

Joy adores Pizza! And Joy at school

Saturday I was so busy and Joy couldn’t be with me. She spent the day with her Daddy. I bribed her with everything I could – soda, kisses anything. But she knew I was leaving her and she looked at me with the saddest, heart breaking look. How I love you Joy. You are safe and loved forever – it is my promise.

Spring Break

2011-03-20T20:01:00.001-05:00

What is a girl to do when her sisters are taking forever trying on clothes? Play ball – right in the middle of the floor.

She loved this dog at Old Navy. I need to get one. Sounds much easier than a real dog!

This is Joy’s ultimate pleasure – watching Strawberry Shortcake with Strawberry Shortcake while drinking soda from Sonic!

Having fun at home, at the park, and at the Arboretum.

Playing at Fireman’s Park and enjoying some ice cream. This girl loves to swing and slide – no time for eating – I have to play!

Joy’s Week

2011-03-06T12:49:00.001-06:00

Joy only went to school one day this week. We have been battling a viral thing. Lots of Strawberry Shortcake and Blue’s Clues around here!

Painting – Still trying to decide what to do with little Miss for school next year. Do I contact the school and get her tested so she can go to PPCD next year? Or do I keep her at home? Researching on the internet was so exciting! Birth through third grade is my degree. The answer will come.

Guess who learned to open the fridge? Gonna have to watch that!

Joy’s Week

2011-02-27T11:46:00.000-06:00

Cute Joy going to school. Joy adores her sister Sammi. She calls her “Bubba.”

She figured it out! Joy can blow bubbles!

I just loved this – she was walking around in Jessi’s panda slippers.

Playing on the new swing set

Potty training – not going so well and all dress up for Western Day!

Doing the two step with Mama and Lizzy. Playing with my sisters!

Valentine Art Work

Joy’s Week

2011-02-20T11:19:00.001-06:00

Valentine chocolates and Grandpa Southwick’s hat

We all had to get TB tests for part of Little Brother’s adoption and our girl was sick. At least she has Lizzy to snuggle with.

Checking out her valentine’s and playing with her sisters.

Good thing Joy doesn’t understand Matt. 4:4 – this girl lives for white bread!

Riding her bike - she loves it – all over the house, outside, wherever!

Joy, what am I going to do with you?

2011-02-14T20:48:00.001-06:00

Joy, you are a sweet, kind, loveable, ornery, stubborn, Down syndrome princess. We adore you.

But Joy, what am I going to do with you? Your sedated ABR could not be completed because you were so stubborn, you refused to fall asleep. They gave you the most medication they could in an outpatient setting, and other than being groggy, you would not sleep! So now they want to send you to the hospital under general anesthesia to have it done. I would feel more comfortable with them doing that down at TCH. But I am very disappointed in how the office staff and doctor don’t communicate with me or each other, so I am thinking of taking you down town to Texas Children’s anyway for a new ENT. Unfortunately, that would set us back several months.

And then there is school. You have been so good about learning the routine - you are quite OCD about routines to be honest. You had been doing so well about not scratching. Then the phone call came today. You manhandled four kids today. There was no blood, thank goodness. You were just very possessive of one piece of outdoor play equipment. There are twelve children and two teachers. Perhaps the teacher is right. Perhaps you need more individualized attention. Or maybe you are sick. Maybe your ears are bothering you. Hard to tell. You don’t tell me when you hurt. Maybe public school would be best where there are teachers with special ed backgrounds. But my heart hurts to think of sending my non-verbal little girl off to a strange place all day long. Don’t I have a special ed and early childhood background? What is the right answer for you little one?

Joy’s Week

2011-02-06T11:33:00.001-06:00

Playing and drawing where we aren’t supposed to:

Beading and playing

Aqua Doodles (good for the above mentioned drawing where we aren’t supposed to) and her favorite “Ki-Ki”

Watching Blue Clues and coloring

Life is good here.

Joy’s Week

2011-01-30T21:45:00.001-06:00

Hanging out with sissy and reading one of her favorite books, Ponyo. And ice cream. She loves ice cream!

Working on pouring. Her therapist bought a pretend coffee maker over. It is perfect to practice with. She got pretty wet. Fun day.

More crackers please – all the time please! She loves them! And working on her abs. Her therapist is very impressed with her tone. Yeah Joy!

Playing outside with her sisters and helping Daddy build our new raised bed garden

Our Joy

2011-01-24T07:55:00.001-06:00

Playing on the Wii with Jessi. She’s still young enough she doesn’t know that her Wii remote isn’t turned on. Wonder how long that will last?

Joy loved this ball her OT brought. She thought it was the best thing ever!

Really, I cannot explain how much Joy loves pizza. She says and signs PIZZA. She can out eat me!

ENT return visit. Well……she is still failing the acoustic test and they want the sedated ABR. I’m not excited about it at all. I spoke with her Speech Therapist about it. To do it or not to do it. At least if we do it, we’ll know for sure how she is hearing and whether or not she needs any amplification.

And her OT wants to order her a pediatric stroller. The one she has in mind will work until she is 120 pounds. My 15 year old is not excited about it. She says it’ll make her look handicapped. Interesting perspective from a 15 year old. She says right now she just looks cute. Put her in that thing, and she changes. Hmmm….. I need to be able to go out in public. She is getting too big and heavy to just hold her every where we go. And if she wants to get down and run or wants to touch something she’s not supposed to, that stubbornness comes out and my, she can get hard to hold onto. DME is coming out on February 3rd to talk about it.

The video is dark. Sorry.

Joy’s Week

2011-01-17T08:25:00.001-06:00

Who needs toys when you have alcohol prep pads to play with?

Walking in Daddy’s shoes

Riding home from the dentist. Poor Joy had to have two cavities filled. She was so brave. They gave her a little Demerol and she never moved for the whole thing. They were so impressed! She was a bit tired for the rest of the day though.

Kris who took care of the girls while Bella and I lived in the hospital forever, got married on Friday. Here is our sweet Joy dancing at the reception.

Jumping Joy

2011-01-09T12:19:00.001-06:00

Back to School and Life

2011-01-09T10:31:00.001-06:00

We are seriously starting the process of habit training Joy. We have our charts and school is on board. Every hour we check to see if Joy is wet or dry. We have big girl panties that she wears under her diaper so she can feel it as well (diapers are just so good about whisking that moisture away). It’s a long process, but we have begun. I caught Joy changing her babies and thought it was so cute – especially the extend to which she goes. Every step – just like me.

Joy didn’t go to the last day of school before the holidays because of Bella’s surgery, so we got this on Monday. Oh, I just love it!

Joy loves to draw – she told me she drew a chicken. Really? I didn’t know that she was cognitively there yet. She blows my expectations away.

Meeting our friend’s new baby girl – Joy LOVES babies.

In between games at sister’s basketball game on Saturday. She had just sat through one whole game. She wanted to play! The funniest was when she tried to shot a basket. She is just too short right now. Just give it a couple of years Joy. You’ll do it! I have no doubt!

At the museum. We made a craft modeled after an exhibit – and here is Joy’s.

To Keep Me Humble

2011-01-04T17:42:00.004-06:00

A while back I got a letter from Joy's ENT. It was time for her next hearing test. Honestly, I thought, "What a waste of time." Fast forward to today when we actually had that hearing test.
Her left ear was normal - good. Her right ear - flat line. Repeat test. Several times. Try different types of tests. Sigh deeply and be grateful that we kept the appointment.
The ENT says that she has an ear infection - which she did not have when we went to her pedi right before Christmas. She has given me no signs that her ear hurt or anything. We'll treat the infection and go back in two weeks. She also wants a sedated ABR. I don't know. If the meds clear up the ear infection and her repeat hearing test comes back normally, I'd rather not put her under.
Anyway, grateful I called and made that appointment - and for the record - it was not a waste of time.

Big Changes!

2011-01-02T16:53:00.001-06:00

LOOK!!!!

Joy jumped! A real jump!

We have worked for the last 18 months teaching Joy HOW to do this!

She did it! She did it!!

Joy adores her sister and her sister is feeling better and stronger right now – so they can play! Yeah!

Working so hard in PT:

Joy loves Blue’s Clues and she got this very cool book for Christmas – she LOVES it!

New Year's Eve – at a party with her cousin. And Joy stayed up till midnight to bring in the New Year. Sleep, what’s that?

And I did it – I cut Joy’s hair. Her first professional haircut. I almost cried. The lady that cut her hair couldn’t believe how much hair she had at three! She said it’ll only get thicker as she grows. Her hair does look really pretty – kinda cleaned up a little.

Merry Christmas!

2010-12-25T13:38:00.001-06:00

Merry Christmas Joy!

Playful Joy

2010-12-21T22:17:00.001-06:00

She still LOVES swinging. She loves her babies – and sitting in their bed!

Playing with her sisters and enjoying the Christmas lights

Ho Ho Ho!

2010-12-18T08:37:00.001-06:00

Coming home from preschool after making a Santa’s hat:

Joy’s World

2010-12-12T20:49:00.000-06:00

We went to a live nativity. Here is Joy checking out the sheep.

Working so hard in therapy to paint a Christmas decoration. Yes, we found her glasses. Not that she wears them all the time, but at least I know where they are now. Where were they? Under her sister’s bed – hmm..

Two fun videos of Joy

Ready to go to school….

She does what she sees- so since she knows therapy, she does therapy with her babies. So cute!